Chapter 1425

"My lord..." Zhao Song gripped his sharp sword, looked at the surrounding axemen, and said, "This Zhang Lu clearly prepared for this long ago. He set up this trap of a banquet just waiting for you to arrive!"

"Indeed, my lord, let us fight our way out." Chen Diao stood to the side, gritting his teeth as he spoke: "We swear to protect you with our lives as we break out. As long as you get out, there are still many in this city who remain loyal to you."

Fight his way out?

Su Gu swept his gaze across the surroundings.

Since Zhang Lu had made preparations, how could it be easy to fight his way out?

It was almost impossible.

Unless everyone here stood up together.

But...

Su Gu's gaze fell upon the officials and military officers who had come to attend the banquet.

Every official and officer touched by Su Gu's gaze lowered their heads.

Zhang Lu naturally saw this scene, and the smug expression on his face grew even more pronounced.

"Gentlemen, today this official only seeks to execute the traitor Su Gu. As for the rest of you, just watch."

"If there are any of Su Gu's accomplices or colleagues, you might as well stand up now."

How could anyone stand up?

Furthermore, no one dared to speak up for Su Gu at this moment.

Liu Yan had already set his heart on taking down Su Gu, the Administrator of Hanzhong Commandery.

"Zhang Lu..."

Su Gu took a deep breath, puffed out his chest, looked at Zhang Lu, and said, "My conduct has always been upright and honorable, without bias or faction, following the broad path of the Kingly Way."

"If Liu Yan wants to use such groundless charges to kill me, I have nothing to say."

"But to expect me to bind myself and plead guilty, that is absolutely impossible."

"My position as Administrator of Hanzhong Commandery was personally bestowed by the Imperial Court and appointed by the late Emperor. I have served for three years, exhausting my strength to govern Hanzhong; the people of Hanzhong have seen it all with their own eyes!"

"What you, Zhang Lu, have done today, and what Liu Yan has done, may silence the mouths of those present, but you cannot silence the voices of the world!"

"I have acted correctly and stood tall; I do not fear the crimes you wish to impose upon me."

"Today, if you want to kill me, then kill me; if you want to butcher me, then butcher me. I will never furrow my brow, but one day..."

"The people of the world will surely sing of the deeds of Liu Yan and the actions of a petty man like you, Zhang Lu!"

"Audacious!" Zhang Lu pointed at Su Gu and shouted angrily, "How can you judge the actions of the Provincial Governor? Since you refuse to repent, do not blame me for being heartless!"

"Men, seize Su Gu for me!" Zhang Lu barked a sharp command.

Just as Zhang Lu issued the order,

Duan Liuqing, who had been standing behind Zhang Lu and serving him since the banquet began, suddenly raised her head and cast her gaze behind Zhang Lu.

A gleaming dagger slowly emerged from Duan Liuqing's sleeve.

If she were an ordinary maid, she certainly would not have been able to hide a weapon on her person.

Because it would have been impossible.

The hall was filled with high-ranking officials and dignitaries; all serving maids, attendants, and even dancing girls had to undergo strict body searches before entering.

But fortunately, Duan Liuqing did not have to.

Because those close to Zhang Lu knew that Zhang Lu had feelings for Duan Liuqing, so naturally, no one would search her.

This gave Duan Liuqing the convenience of hiding a weapon on her body.

After Zhang Lu's order, the surrounding axemen pressed toward Su Gu.

Zhao Song and Chen Diao had both prepared themselves for a life-or-death struggle.

However, at this very moment,

Zhang Lu suddenly felt a chill on his neck.

It felt as if something was pressed against his throat.

Before Zhang Lu could react, someone in the hall had already noticed the anomaly and exclaimed with wide eyes.

Only then did Zhang Lu realize that someone had appeared behind him.

"Don't turn around, be careful the dagger cuts your throat. Now, do exactly as I say, otherwise... your life may not be saved."

That familiar yet strange voice made Zhang Lu's entire body stiffen.

"Xiao... Xiao..."

"Shut up, is 'Xiaoqing' a name for you to call?" Duan Liuqing knitted her delicate brows.

"You... you... why are you doing this?"

Zhang Lu dared not move, nor did he dare to turn his head, fearing the dagger would truly slice his throat.

"Why are you helping Su Gu..."

Zhang Lu could not fathom it at all.

Not only could Zhang Lu not fathom it, but even Su Gu, who was about to be seized by the axemen, was stunned.

Su Gu was certain he did not recognize the maid holding the dagger to Zhang Lu.

"Don't worry about why, tell your men to stand down immediately and release Administrator Su," Duan Liuqing said coldly.

Duan Liuqing's murderous tone made Zhang Lu feel that the Duan Liuqing behind him was incredibly unfamiliar.

"Are... are you Su Gu's person?" Zhang Lu asked with a trembling voice.

But after asking, Zhang Lu felt something was wrong.

How could there be such a coincidence?

Duan Liuqing had been bought by his mother from a merchant.

That was before all these matters with Su Gu had occurred.

How could Duan Liuqing be someone planted by Su Gu at his side?

But if she wasn't Su Gu's person, then whose person was she, and why help Su Gu?

"Xiao..." Zhang Lu opened his mouth, then swallowed the word he was about to say: "Even if you hold me hostage, it's useless. Zhang Xiu has already taken men to Su Gu's home; I imagine Su Gu's family has already been captured by Zhang Xiu."

"Besides, Zhang Xiu is Liu Yan's man; he won't listen to my orders. Even if you kill me, it's useless. None of you can leave."

"If you release me now, I can pretend nothing happened and let you leave. How about that?"

Zhang Lu tried to speak in as calm a tone as possible, fearing that one careless move would agitate Duan Liuqing and lead her to slit his throat.

Hearing Zhang Lu say that Zhang Xiu had already taken men to his home, Su Gu clenched his fists, an expression of fury appearing on his face.

But before Su Gu could vent his anger, Duan Liuqing's voice sounded again.

"Just do as I say. I will say it one last time, otherwise..."

Since Duan Liuqing had made her move, she had already made full preparations.

Duan Liuqing had already investigated the fact that Zhang Lu was hosting Su Gu tonight and intended to move against him this morning.

So naturally, it was impossible that she only had this one preparation.

In fact,

Boom!

Just as Duan Liuqing's voice fell,

A loud noise came from the direction of Zhang Lu's mansion gate.

Everyone's attention was drawn by this loud noise.

After the sound, a tall man dressed in black, with an extremely heroic appearance and an aura that made people feel awe-struck, walked slowly toward the front of the hall with a calm smile, carrying a severed head in his hand.

Thud!

The head was tossed onto the ground by the man, rolling directly onto the steps at Zhang Lu's feet.

The head belonged to none other than Zhang Xiu, who had gone to Su Gu's home to capture his family.

Upon seeing that bloody head, Zhang Lu was completely terrified.

Meanwhile, a flash of joy and admiration appeared in Duan Liuqing's eyes.

"Master..."

Master?

Zhang Lu looked at the man in front of the hall. Who was this person?

PS: Recharge, recharge, recharge!

Zhang Xiu, known as the "Master of the Five Pecks of Rice," was roughly similar to Zhang Jiao's Way of Peace, but he added "quiet rooms" where patients would reflect on their sins. He also sent people to serve as "Libationers of the Cunning Order," who made patients study the *Classic of the Way and Virtue*, calling it the "Cunning Order." He also appointed "Ghost Officials" responsible for praying to the gods for the patients. The specific method was to write down the patient's name and explain their intent to repent for their sins. Three copies were made: one sent to the heavens by placing it on a mountain, one sent to the earth by burying it, and one submerged in water; this was known as the "Handwritten Letter of the Three Officials."

Yu Huan's *Dianlüe* records that this method had no practical effect, but was lewd and delusional; the people below were confused and foolish, following Zhang Xiu together. ===== CHAPTER 1427 =====