Chapter 377

“Various reasons?”

Zhang Lu looked at Zuo Ci’s expression and revealed a playful look: “It seems there is an interesting story inside! Brother Zuo Yuanfang, is it convenient to talk about it? I’m very curious!”

He felt that Zuo Ci hadn’t cheated those fellow Daoists, right? That’s why he didn’t dare to pull them in?

“Ahahaha!”

Zuo Ci laughed and brushed off the topic: “Let’s not talk about this! It’s not convenient to say it for now!”

“Wait for later! When the time is ripe in the future, you will naturally know, Brother Brother Gongqi!”

I won’t tell you!

Otherwise, before I go to soothe and persuade my fellow Daoists, you might tell them first and cause me trouble!

He’s not stupid!

“Fine!”

Zhang Lu didn’t continue to ask or tease; he knew when to stop.

Otherwise, it wouldn’t be good to annoy Zuo Ci.

Afterwards, with Zhang Lu’s full cooperation, Hanzhong successfully fell into Su Xuan’s hands in secret.

With the cooperation of the Dark Guards, Zhang Lu, and the Su Clan Chamber of Commerce, Su Xuan soon controlled the troops, important official positions, and economic lifeline of Hanzhong.

Just waiting for the time to be ripe in the future, Hanzhong could be easily incorporated into Su Xuan’s rule.

Even, with Zhang Lu’s help, the Dark Guards began to infiltrate Jianmen Pass and other places, preparing for Su Xuan to take the Shu region in the future.

Of course, in the process, some small twists and turns also appeared.

After Zhang Lu’s younger brother learned the truth, he naturally wanted to oppose it at first, but was soon persuaded.

It can only be said that Su Xuan gave too much, and it was all things they dreamed of.

In Bingzhou,

With Su Xuan’s affirmation and support, Jia Nineteen quickly reorganized the troops under his command and then began to infiltrate Shangdang Commandery and other places.

In just a few days, he successfully took Shangdang Commandery and Taiyuan Commandery and began to launch attacks on the Xiongnu and Xianbei people all around.

For a time, Bingzhou became lively.

Under such circumstances, first Lord Yuan Shao defeated Gongsun Zan, forcing Gongsun Zan to retreat to Youzhou.

Lord Yuan Shao then began to pursue the victory.

At the same time, in Xuzhou,

Lu Bu had a new plan, directly bypassing Xiapi City and beginning to attack other parts of Donghai Commandery, Taishan Commandery, and Langye Commandery.

In just over a month, Lu Bu successively took the entire Taishan Commandery and subdued Zang Ba;

He took the entire Langye Commandery and half of Donghai Commandery, directly causing Tao Zou Qian to lose more than half of Xuzhou.

During this period, it was not that Tao Zou Qian did not send Liu Bei and the others out of the city to fight Lu Bu.

As a result, they failed without a doubt.

It directly caused Liu Bei and the others to suffer no small losses.

Even, if Liu Bei and the others hadn’t run fast, Liu Bei would likely have died at Lu Bu’s hands.

Even the two generals Guan and Zhang would definitely not have fared well.

Under such circumstances, Liu Bei and the others naturally did not dare to easily go out of the city to fight again.

Facing Lu Bu’s encroachment, Tao Zou Qian, whose health was already poor, directly fell into a state of being terminally ill.

Tao Zou Qian, realizing that his time was running out, had no choice but to call for Liu Bei and said to him: “Liu Xuande! I’m not going to make it!”

“How could this be?”

Liu Bei looked at Tao Zou Qian, who was already skinny and withered, and although he was very happy and excited in his heart, he still looked very sad on the surface: “Lord Tao, don’t talk nonsense. I believe you are a lucky person and will definitely get better!”

“I won’t get better!”

Tao Zou Qian shook his head bitterly: “I know my body very well! This time, my time is truly running out!”

“Now, the only two things I can’t let go of are Xuzhou and my wife and children!”

“I know very well that my two sons are only of mediocre talent. Even under normal circumstances, they would not be able to hold Xuzhou;”

“Not to mention that at this time, more than half of Xuzhou has already been occupied by Lu Bu! They are even less capable!”

“And currently in Xuzhou, only you, Liu Xuande, might be able to replace me and hold Xuzhou!”

“Therefore, I want to entrust the position of Prince of Qi and Xuzhou to you, Liu Xuande!”

“I only ask that you treat the people of Xuzhou kindly and at the same time ensure the safety of my family. Please, you must agree!”

If he didn’t throw this pot to Liu Bei now, he worried that his Tao family would be doomed and face the danger of extermination.

After all, this was a struggle between warlord princes!

Struggles at this level always ended with one side being exterminated and the roots being pulled out.

Tao Zou Qian knew he was going to die and naturally didn’t want to see this scene.

Since his sons definitely couldn’t hold Xuzhou, and even now Xuzhou itself only had a small half left, it would be better to give the position of Prince of Qi and Xuzhou to Liu Bei, let him replace the Tao family to control Xuzhou, and become the new Prince of Qi.

In this way, his Tao family would become ordinary noble clans again.

As long as they kept a low profile in the future, didn’t fight or compete, and didn’t participate in the warlord struggle, they would surely be able to preserve the family, right?

The current position of Prince of Qi and Xuzhou was a hot potato in his Tao family’s hands, and he wished he could throw it away as soon as possible.

“This.... Lord Tao, why do you say this?”

Liu Bei was tempted in his heart, but on the surface, he hurriedly and fearfully declined: “Do you think I came to covet your foundation?”

“This is looking down on me, Liu Bei, too much!”

“I, Liu Bei, came to support you, Lord Tao, not for Xuzhou, but for righteousness!”

“You are trying to trap me in unrighteousness! Please, Lord Tao, do not say these things again.”

In the past, even abdicating the throne required three refusals.

Even though Liu Bei saw that Tao Zou Qian was truly dying and was sincerely willing to abdicate to him, Liu Bei couldn’t just accept it directly.

Otherwise, how would the world see him?

They would definitely call him hypocritical and call him a thief.

This was not what Liu Bei wanted to see.

He still wanted to continue to maintain his persona and reputation as a benevolent and righteous lord!

This was also a very important part of his struggle for hegemony in the future.

He had long seen through it: any ambitious hero who wants to succeed must establish a distinct persona, so that he can truly attract a group of people who appreciate his persona and are like-minded.

“Alas!”

Tao Zou Qian was not a fool either. At this moment, being exceptionally sharp, he naturally saw that Liu Bei was tempted and also saw some of Liu Bei’s thoughts.

He immediately persuaded again: “Liu Xuande! Do you want to abandon the people of Xuzhou and sit by and watch them suffer and fall into Lu Bu’s hands?”

“You are a benevolent and righteous lord! The people of Xuzhou have seen everything you have done for them during this time, and they admire you greatly;”

“Can you bear to watch them suffer or even die?”

Although Tao Zou Qian felt disgusted in his heart, for the sake of the Tao family’s lives, he had to continue to persuade Liu Bei hypocritically.

Fortunately, he hadn’t spent his time in officialdom for nothing; his acting skills were still up to par.

Disgusting is disgusting, as long as he can ensure the future of the Tao family.

In addition, the more Liu Bei was like this, the more it could be seen that this person was an ambitious hero who could endure and had schemes, a person who could do great things.

He hadn’t misjudged the person.

Such a Liu Bei should be able to confront Lu Bu and protect the Tao family well.

“This.....”

Liu Bei was stunned, then smiled bitterly: “Lord Tao, you are forcing me! But even if I am willing to take on this responsibility, the civil and military officials under your command will likely not submit to me, so please don’t mention this matter again!”

He had made it very clear: if you want me to agree, you, Tao Zou Qian, must help me persuade these civil and military officials and make them submit to me.

Otherwise, I won’t be able to sit firmly in the position of the Lord of Xuzhou!

At that time, how could I block or even defeat Lu Bu?

Tao Zou Qian also understood this and replied immediately: “Don’t worry about that; I have already discussed it with Chen Yuanlong, Cao Bao, and the others!”

“They also recognize your character and ability, Liu Xuande, and are all willing to support you in becoming the Prince of Qi and the Lord of Xuzhou;”

“As long as you agree to this matter, everything will be no problem!”

In itself, Xuzhou could no longer withstand any more tossing.

If they were still not united internally, they would likely be completely defeated and occupied by Lu Bu very soon.

But given Lu Bu’s actions in other commanderies of Xuzhou, Chen Deng, Cao Bao, and the others would rather let Liu Bei control Xuzhou and become the new Lord of Xuzhou than let Lu Bu control Xuzhou.

One must know, when Lu Bu took Taishan Commandery and other places in Xuzhou, every place he passed, he plundered the noble clans and wealthy households there.

Hmm! Calling it plundering is not quite right; it was just directly and forcibly collecting a large amount of money and grain from them.

And Taishan Commandery and other places had quite a lot of industries and money and grain belonging to officials like Chen Deng’s family and Cao Bao’s family.

Therefore, they suffered heavy losses.

How could they still accept Lu Bu’s rule over Xuzhou?

They even wished they could kill Lu Bu.

In addition, there was another reason: Lu Bu had strong troops and horses under his command, his strength was formidable, and his personality was domineering.

If Lu Bu really controlled Xuzhou and became the Lord of Xuzhou, how could they manipulate Lu Bu in the future?

How could they fish for benefits?

By comparison, Liu Bei only had five or six thousand troops left, only Guan and Zhang as generals, and only Sun Jian Yong and Sun Zou Qian as civil officials.

Plus, Liu Bei was hypocritical and liked to set up a persona of benevolence and righteousness.

This was much easier to control than Lu Bu.

In summary, the noble clans of Xuzhou were indeed all willing to support Liu Bei in becoming the new Lord of Xuzhou.

“This....”

Liu Bei was stunned.