Chapter 115: Painting a picture for Zhang Lu

Hanzhong

Nanzheng City

Zhang Lu, wearing his Celestial Master Daoist robes, sat upright in the seat of honor.

And sitting beside him was the imperial envoy representing the Han court, Jia Xu.

"Celestial Master Zhang, I have already said everything that needs to be said."

"Liu Yan's treacherous heart is already glaringly obvious."

"As the number one loyal subject of the Han house, the Chancellor naturally must represent the Son of Heaven in punishing Liu Yan."

"If Celestial Master Zhang intends to follow Liu Yan down this dark path to the end, I fear it is seriously inconsistent with the teachings of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect."

When this scoundrel Jia Xu told lies, they came one after another.

If Dong Zhuo could be called the "number one loyal subject of the Han house."

Then presumably, everyone under heaven must be a great loyal subject!

Zhang Lu's age was about the same as Liu Yan's son, Liu Zhang.

He had long wanted to find an opportunity to become independent from Liu Yan's command.

Now, Jia Xu's arrival provided him with a reasonable excuse.

However.

Although Zhang Lu was young, he was no fool.

If Jia Xu thought he could incite him to rebel with empty promises, that naturally wouldn't work.

Therefore, Zhang Lu spoke up:

"Mr. Wenhe, this Celestial Master understands your meaning."

"But... Liu Yan is powerful, and my Hanzhong is merely a single commandery; I fear it is difficult to be his enemy."

Translated, this meant Zhang Lu was asking Jia Xu for guarantees.

He was terrified that the moment he rebelled against Liu Yan, Dong Zhuo would turn around and refuse to honor the deal.

"Celestial Master Zhang, the Five Pecks of Rice Sect has long had the merit of civilizing the common people."

"The Chancellor has also long admired you, Celestial Master, in spirit."

"How about this: the imperial court will issue a decree to include the Five Pecks of Rice Sect among the ranks of orthodox sects, how about that?"

"Besides that, I have also brought the official seal of the Administrator of Hanzhong and the title of Marquis of Bai Shui with me on this trip."

"Bang!"

Hearing this series of benefits, Zhang Lu's breathing could not help but become rapid.

What he had originally wanted was merely a guarantee from Jia Xu.

At most, he would ask for the official position of Administrator of Hanzhong.

But now, not only had Jia Xu brought the official seal of the Administrator of Hanzhong, but he also intended to confer a title?

Furthermore, having the Five Pecks of Rice Sect recognized as an orthodox sect was an unexpected bonus for Zhang Lu!

Ever since the Yellow Turban Rebellion, the imperial court had severely cracked down on various folk sects.

The Five Pecks of Rice Sect was fine in its small territory of Hanzhong, but if placed anywhere else, it was completely an unheard-of evil cult.

Now, if the Five Pecks of Rice Sect could truly be included among the orthodox sects.

Although the sect's influence might not increase significantly, it would gain legitimacy.

Zhang Lu could also be considered to have fulfilled the final wish of his grandfather, Zhang Daoling, before his death.

And this so-called inclusion of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect into the orthodox sects was, in reality, just a single word from Dong Zhuo.

No matter how much the Five Pecks of Rice Sect tossed and turned, it could only operate within that small territory of Hanzhong.

Appropriately strengthening Zhang Lu's power could instead further promote the flames of war about to ignite between him and Liu Yan; why not do it?

Of course, including the Five Pecks of Rice Sect into the orthodox teachings was not without conditions.

Jia Xu smiled slightly and said meaningfully:

"Celestial Master Zhang, since the Five Pecks of Rice Sect has become an orthodox teaching, it should set an example for the imperial court."

Hearing this, Zhang Lu hurriedly asked: ===== CHAPTER 116 =====