Chapter 126

If Liu Zhang swore to the death not to surrender, he would likely have to use a scheme to sell Liu Zhang out.

But now, since the intention to surrender had already appeared in Liu Zhang's heart, the subsequent matters would be much easier to handle.

Zhang Song composed his expression and said:

"My Lord, Ma Teng, Zhang Lu, and many other small warlords in Liangzhou have all successively surrendered to Dong Zhuo."

"These people are still living well to this day."

"That Zhang Lu even ensured the survival of the Hanzhong Five Pecks of Rice Sect by marrying his sister Zhang Mei to Gu Yi."

"Looking at those who were unwilling to surrender, such as Han Sui and Cheng Yin, they have long since vanished into dust."

"From this, it can be seen that surrendering to the Dong Zhuo army is not a matter of nine deaths and one life."

"But if you are unwilling to surrender, when the city falls, I fear that will be the day of your burial."

Although Zhang Song's words were citing facts, they were also intimidating Liu Zhang.

This fellow Liu Zhang was weak by nature and had a very small heart.

Being told this by Zhang Song, his desire to surrender became even stronger.

"Yongnian, what kind of method do you think I should use to discuss the matter of surrender with Gu Yi that would be appropriate?"

Continue to resist?

Liu Zhang didn't even dare to think about it!

If he continued to fight, firstly, he couldn't win.

Secondly, being intimidated by Zhang Song like this, Liu Zhang was worried that Gu Yi would kill him.

His eyeballs rolled slightly, and Zhang Song pulled on his own hair, promising Liu Zhang:

"My Lord, I am untalented, but I am willing to share your worries!"

"If that fellow Gu Yi does not agree to protect your life, I will surely smash my head to death beside him!"

"Let him taste the feeling of blood splashing three feet!"

Hearing this, Liu Zhang felt greatly comforted.

But thinking that Wu Yi had also made similar promises before, only to turn around and lead the main force of the Shu army to defect, Liu Zhang couldn't help but feel uneasy.

Could it be... that Yongnian will also betray me?

Liu Zhang was shocked and uncertain.

But then he thought again.

Wu Yi was a person who held military power, while Zhang Song was just a scholar.

Even if Zhang Song really chose to surrender, the harm caused should not be comparable to Wu Yi.

Little did he know,

a strategist like Zhang Song who played with his brains was often more ruthless than a military general like Wu Yi!

In the half-month since Baishui Pass opened its gates and surrendered, Gu Yi had quickly sent troops to occupy Ba Commandery and Jiangzhou.

In the blink of an eye, he was already at the gates of Fucheng.

The defender of Fucheng was Lei Tong, who had led troops to attack Jiameng Pass not long ago.

Under Wu Yi's solicitation, Lei Tong decisively chose to surrender and joined Gu Yi's main force with the Fucheng garrison.

It is worth mentioning that

the captured Zhang Ren, upon learning the news of Lei Tong's surrender, was so angry he couldn't help but curse loudly!

But he was powerless to change any of the current situation.

There were only thirty thousand people left in Chengdu City, and this was the last force Liu Zhang could use.

Relying on these thirty thousand people to defeat Gu Yi was completely delusional.

What's more,

Wu Yi, Yan Yan, Pang Xi, Lei Tong, and other generals of Shu who could be considered notable had all joined Gu Yi's command.

The thirty thousand garrison troops in Chengdu City had complex superior-subordinate relationships with these generals.

Once Gu Yi formally attacked Chengdu,

I fear that less than half of the garrison troops in the city would be able to muster any fighting power.

Even if Zhang Ren didn't want to admit it in his heart, he had to accept the fact that Chengdu could be broken by Gu Yi at any time.

And after advancing to Fucheng,

Gu Yi met with the envoy from Chengdu in the council hall.

The visitor was short in stature, looking less than 1.6 meters tall.

However, although the person was short,

his family could almost be called the number one noble family in the land of Yizhou!

Yes, the visitor was Zhang Song.

He was also the current head of the Zhang family in Yizhou.

In fact,

before Gu Yi led his army to attack Hanzhong, Zhang Song had secretly sent an envoy to Chang'an to give gifts to Gu Yi.

For a noble family member like Zhang Song who liked to place bets in troubled times, it was impossible to put all his eggs in one basket.

For example, the historical event of Liu Bei entering Shu.

If it weren't for this fellow Zhang Song secretly presenting the "Western Shu Topographical Map" to Liu Bei, I fear Liu Bei's entry into Shu would not have been so smooth.

If Zhang Song hadn't met with an accident,

then after Liu Bei entered Shu,

Zhang Song's status would only be above Wu Yi's, not below him!

If Zhang Song had a sister or something, perhaps Liu Bei would have married her and made her his primary wife.

But unfortunately, Zhang Song met with an accident.

The Zhang family was the largest noble family in Yizhou, which destined that the family could not be of one piece.

Zhang Song wanted to bet on Liu Bei, but his half-brothers wanted to continue following Liu Zhang.

The two reported to Liu Zhang that Zhang Song was secretly communicating with Liu Bei, and they found conclusive evidence.

In the end, Zhang Song was executed by Liu Zhang as a warning to others.

His half-brothers were then promoted by Liu Zhang to become the legitimate heads of the Zhang family.

And after Zhang Song died,

his good friend Fa Zheng was heavily used under Liu Bei's command.

Later, during Liu Bei's entry into Shu, he played a huge role.

However,

currently, Fa Zheng and Meng Da had not yet entered Shu, so naturally, they didn't know Zhang Song.

(PS: Historically, these two fled into Yizhou from the Sanfu area when Li Jue and Guo Si attacked Chang'an; now that this event is gone, they naturally haven't entered Shu yet.)

Looking at Zhang Song standing before him, Gu Yi took the initiative to reach out his hand.

According to Wu Yi, the reason he was able to replace Yang Huai and Gao Pei as the defender of Baishui Pass was that Zhang Song had played a significant role in it.

Therefore,

rather than saying Wu Yi was the culprit behind Baishui Pass being occupied by Gu Yi, it would be better to say it was the Zhang Song before him!

In other words,

Zhang Song was the biggest mole beside Liu Zhang!

Seeing Gu Yi take the initiative to reach out to him, Zhang Song was slightly stunned.

He had thought that with Gu Yi's status and position, he would be very proud.

But he didn't expect that Gu Yi was not only younger than he imagined, but also quite capable in dealing with people.

Thinking of this, Zhang Song hurriedly reached out to shake hands with Gu Yi, and then apologized with a smile:

"Mr. Linzhi, as a favorite in front of His Excellency the Chancellor, you have come all the way from Chang'an."

"We failed to fulfill our duties as hosts, which is truly a bit of negligence. I hope Mr. Linzhi will not blame us."

Hearing this, Gu Yi laughed:

"Yongnian, you are too polite."

"Fulfilling the duties of a host at the gates of Chengdu will not be too late at all."

As Gu Yi's voice fell, a flash of light appeared in Zhang Song's eyes.