Chapter 729 Zhang Lu Surrenders

Yan Pu sighed deeply and asked Yang Ren: "General Yang, Yangping Pass is strong. Master Shijun entrusted you with 10,000 elite troops. How could you be defeated so quickly? Could it be that you disobeyed military orders and went out to fight in the city?"

By the end of the sentence, Yan Pu's tone had become sharp, with a hint of reproach.

However, Yang Ren understood Yan Pu's character and knew that he was not interested in the situation and the person, so he bowed his hand to Yan Pu and said solemnly: "Yan Gong Cao, I will obey the general's orders and dare not go to war. The reason why Yangping Pass was captured is Because the enemy used catapults."

"Catapult?" Zhang Lu frowned.

"Yes, the enemy used hundreds of catapults, with a range of more than 150 steps, and aimed at the top of Yangpingguan City to rain down stone bombs. Our soldiers suffered many casualties and did not dare to fight."

"The enemy's stone bombs continued one after another, and then the Liangzhou army came out in full force. Our army was caught off guard, and the city gate was breached again, so we were defeated."

Yang Ren gritted his teeth and insisted: "I have betrayed the great trust of my master and lost the Yangping Pass. Please punish me."

"That's it, General Yang fought hard, go down and rest."

Zhang Lu shook his head, but did not order punishment. He could see that Yang Ren was covered in blood and had several wounds on his body. He had obviously fought hard. Besides, his younger brother didn't punish him, so how could he have the nerve to punish him?

"Thank you, Master."

Yang Ren gratefully thanked Zhang Lu and then retreated.

Zhang Lu sighed, remained silent for a long time, and then looked at Yan Pu.

"Yan Gongcao, how about we flee to Bazhong and meet up with my second brother?"

Yan Pu raised his eyebrows, cupped his hands and said, "I dare to ask Master, but we still have to resolutely resist Liu Ye?"

Zhang Lu smiled bitterly: "How about resisting? It's just trying to survive."

Yan Pu was silent for a while, then suddenly said: "Since Master has no intention of resisting Liu Ye, it is better to surrender."

"Please surrender?" Zhang Lu's features tightened. He had never thought of surrendering, but now that Yangping Pass and Shangyong have been lost, wouldn't it be too late for him to ask Liu Ye for surrender?

Seeing Zhang Lu's silence, Yan Pu probably guessed what he was thinking, and then said: "Master, please forgive me. Although the general is now in the north, half of the princes in the world have not yet surrendered, including Liu Biao and Sun Quan. , Cao Cao, and Liu Zhang are not easy-going people, so a general can't keep fighting, right?"

"you mean?"

"Since ancient times, sage kings have paid attention to persuading people with virtue. If the master surrenders, the general will definitely follow the master as an example. In those days, the military minister sent the Qin order to patrol around, did the master not know?" Yan Pu Xunxun said kindly.

Wu Chen was a general under Chen Sheng. He was ordered to attack Qin, but the cities refused to surrender. Later, someone gave him an idea. Let a Qin county magistrate who surrendered take the initiative to sit in the car, promising to be a high-ranking official. He received a generous salary and then traveled around various places to speak out his own words. Many county magistrates saw that the military officials treated those who surrendered well, so they surrendered one after another.

Zhang Lu began to think deeply, his eyes flickering on and off. After a full incense stick, he closed his eyes.

"Then, let's surrender."

Liu Ye commanded the army, and after passing Yangping Pass, there was a vast plain, and they came towards Nanzheng with great momentum. The more than 40,000 troops under his command were still preparing to continue to attack the city, but they did not expect that good news came from the front line - Zhang Lu surrendered.

Liu Ye came on horseback and slowly moved forward surrounded by hundreds of Liangzhou cavalry. He saw the Nanzheng City Gate in front of him wide open. Hundreds of officials, squires and thousands of civilians lined up on both sides of the road. They saw the Liangzhou Army. The momentum was like a rainbow, and everyone showed expressions of awe.

Among these people who surrendered, a fat man wearing commoners with a fair complexion and obviously well-kept stepped forward, lowered his head and said respectfully: "Zhang Lu of Hanzhong, who does not know the power of the general, is trying to compete with him." The royal master of the imperial court really deserves to die for his crime. Lu is stupid, and for the sake of the people, he begs the general to surrender, hoping that the general will accept it."

The officials and civilians on the side said in unison: "We have been favored by Master Zhang for a long time, General Wanwang wants to be generous."

Liu Ye stared at Zhang Lu, a cold light flashed in his eyes: This Zhang Lu really has some tricks up his sleeve.

"Haha, Master Zhang, please get up quickly."

Liu Ye dismounted himself and helped Zhang Lu up with a smile. Zhang Lu suddenly felt like a spring breeze, but there was no chill at all. He looked at the person in front of him with some disbelief. He saw that Liu Ye was only in his thirties, with his back as straight as a javelin. He was now powerful in the world.

On the other hand, Zhang Lu was in his forties, but he was still the governor of a county, and he couldn't help but feel envious.

However, Zhang Lu was a human spirit after all, and he quickly reacted and said respectfully to Liu Ye: "General, I am really guilty of not realizing the power of a tiger."

"Haha, it doesn't matter. You can correct your mistakes. There is no greater good."

"General, I have sealed the treasury in the city. General, you can go and inspect." Zhang Lu said respectfully.

When Liu Ye heard this, a hint of appreciation flashed in his eyes. The most important buildings in a city are the city guard palace, granary and treasury. The treasury is the place where gold, silver and weapons are stored. Since Zhang Lu sealed the treasury, it shows that he really surrendered.

Liu Ye nodded and said with satisfaction: "Very good. Mr. Zhang is a talented person who knows current affairs. I am very satisfied, and I believe His Majesty will be satisfied as well."

"Thank you, General!"

Zhang Lu was overjoyed when he heard this. After hearing this, he naturally understood that Liu Ye was ready to accept him. Isn't this a gratifying thing?

"During the period when Zhang Shijun was guarding Hanzhong, his political leadership was harmonious, the people's lives were prosperous, and his political achievements were quite good."

Liu Ye said loudly: "In that case, how about Zhang Shijun continue to serve as the prefect of Hanzhong and provide food and grass for my imperial master?"

Zhang Lu was overjoyed that he could continue to serve as the prefect of Hanzhong. Liu Ye was indeed sincere. As for providing some food and grass, it didn't matter. Anyway, Hanzhong would be Liu Ye's affiliated force from now on, and there would be no need to save food and grass to support the army.

"It's easy to talk, it's Zhang's duty to provide food and grass for Master Wang."

Zhang Lu said cautiously: "I just don't know when the general is going to return to the army? I can go and urge my subordinates to prepare food and grass."

"go back?"

Liu Ye showed a funny smile on his face: "I have no intention of going back."

Zhang Lu was shocked and stammered: "What? The general does not return to Luoyang to sit in the court, but wants to stay in Hanzhong? This."

"Does Mr. Zhang think that our army marched out in two directions, using a hundred thousand troops, just to defeat a mere Hanzhong?" Jia Xu said with a smile.

"Ah?" Zhang Lu asked tentatively: "Is it possible that the general is preparing to lead his army to sweep Sichuan and Shu?"

Liu Ye smiled and said nothing, while Jia Xu said sternly: "Master Zhang, don't ask any more questions, just provide food and grass."