Chapter 1639: Heaven Does Not Help Me

Upon hearing this, Zhang Lu's gaze flickered slightly, and he calculated secretly in his heart. Although the Five Pecks of Rice Sect had been carried forward in his hands, it had always been regarded as a folk sect and suffered the cold eyes of the mainstream aristocratic clans. If he could obtain the imperial court's enfeoffment and become orthodox, that would undoubtedly be a huge improvement in the sect's status, and it would also make his title as the Celestial Master more legitimate.

"Are Mr. Wenhe's words true?" Zhang Lu asked, feigning doubt, but his face could not hide a trace of joy.

Jia Xu smiled slightly, slowly took out two heavy edicts and seals from his bosom, and placed them gently on the desk. The golden, glittering seals appeared exceptionally dazzling in the candlelight. "Celestial Master, please look; these are the officially issued edicts and the seal of the Marquis of Bai Shui from the imperial court, as well as the official seal of the Administrator of Hanzhong. The Prime Minister is full of sincerity, waiting only for a word from the Celestial Master."

Seeing this, Zhang Lu already believed it eighty percent, but he still maintained a bit of vigilance. "Mr. Wenhe, Liu Yan has managed Yizhou for many years, after all, and his troops are strong and his horses are sturdy. Although our Hanzhong has a certain ability to protect itself, if we truly confront him, I fear we will not be up to the task."

Jia Xu had long been prepared, chuckled, and said: "Celestial Master, there is no need to worry. The Prime Minister has already mobilized a large army and will be heading south in a few days, pressing directly on Yizhou. At that time, the Celestial Master only needs to respond from the inside, and with internal and external cooperation, Liu Yan will surely be defeated. Moreover, the interior of Yizhou is not of one piece; the Prime Minister has already sent secret envoys to contact various forces to plot great things together."

After listening, Zhang Lu's last trace of concern was dispelled. He stood up and bowed deeply to Jia Xu. "Mr. Wenhe, since it is so, I, Zhang Lu, am willing to serve the imperial court and join in the crusade against Liu Yan!"

Jia Xu hurriedly helped Zhang Lu up and laughed: "Celestial Master is wise; this move will surely be recorded in history and leave a good name for a hundred generations. From now on, the Celestial Master is not only the leader of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect but also a minister relied upon by the imperial court."

The two looked at each other and smiled, as if everything was under control.

In the days that followed, Zhang Lu began to secretly mobilize the troops of Hanzhong, and at the same time, utilized the influence of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect among the people to secretly assemble believers, preparing to respond to Dong Zhuo's army at any time. Jia Xu remained in Nanzheng, assisting Zhang Lu in planning everything, and at the same time continuously reported the situation in Hanzhong to Dong Zhuo to ensure the smooth progress of the plan.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Yizhou, Liu Yan, also received wind of it and realized the situation was not good. He hurriedly summoned his strategists and generals to discuss countermeasures.

"Father, this move by Zhang Lu is undoubtedly a betrayal; we should immediately send troops to crusade against him to serve as a warning to others!" Liu Zhang said indignantly, his eyes flashing with anger.

Liu Yan pondered for a moment and shook his head. "Do not be reckless. Zhang Lu has Dong Zhuo's support behind him; if we send troops rashly, I fear we will fall right into his trap. The current plan should be to first stabilize the interior and then plan for the outside."

Strategist Zhao Wei stood out. "My Lord, although Zhang Lu has rebelled, the hearts of the people in Yizhou have not been lost. We can strengthen our connection with various commanderies and counties to stabilize the hearts of the people, and at the same time contact surrounding ethnic minorities to win their support. In addition, we can send envoys to Jingzhou, Yangzhou, and other places to seek allies to jointly resist Dong Zhuo."

Liu Yan nodded in agreement and immediately began to deploy various matters. For a time, Yizhou was in a flurry of activity, and the atmosphere was tense and solemn.

A few months later, Dong Zhuo's army finally arrived at the border of Yizhou, echoing Zhang Lu's Hanzhong army from afar. Liu Yan personally led the army to meet the enemy, and both sides engaged in a fierce battle in the area of Jiange.

On the battlefield, blades flashed and shadows danced, blood staining the mountains and rivers. Dong Zhuo's Xiliang iron cavalry was exceptionally brave, while Liu Yan's Yizhou troops were not to be outdone, and both sides fought an inseparable battle. However, as time passed, Dong Zhuo's reinforcements arrived continuously, and Liu Yan gradually felt powerless.

Just then, an unexpected piece of news arrived, making things worse for Liu Yan. It turned out that the envoy he sent to Jingzhou to seek help had been detained by the Governor of Jingzhou, Liu Biao, and Yangzhou was also unable to send reinforcements due to internal strife. Liu Yan was immediately plunged into a state of isolation and helplessness.

"Sigh, Heaven does not help me!" Liu Yan sighed long, his eyes full of helplessness and despair.

Just as Liu Yan was plunged into a desperate situation, Zhang Lu held a grand ceremony in Hanzhong with great fanfare, officially announcing that the Five Pecks of Rice Sect had become an orthodox sect enfeoffed by the imperial court, and announced himself as the Marquis of Bai Shui and Administrator of Hanzhong. For a time, the people of Hanzhong cheered, and their worship of Zhang Lu reached its peak.

And Zhang Lu did not forget his promise; he immediately sent troops to support Dong Zhuo, launching a fierce attack on Liu Yan's army from the flank. Liu Yan was attacked from both front and back, and the situation became increasingly critical.

Finally, in a decisive battle, Liu Yan's army was thoroughly routed, and he himself was killed in the chaotic army. Yizhou henceforth fell into Dong Zhuo's hands, and Zhang Lu, because he had performed great service, was enfeoffed with a higher official position by Dong Zhuo, and the Five Pecks of Rice Sect also ushered in unprecedented glory.

However, behind all this, countless undercurrents were surging. Dong Zhuo's tyranny, Zhang Lu's ambition, the restlessness of various forces in Yizhou... all this indicated that the peace and tranquility on this land would be broken again, and a new storm was coming.

After Dong Zhuo took control of Yizhou, he began cruel exploitation and oppression of this land. Exorbitant taxes and levies made the people of Yizhou miserable. And although Zhang Lu was infinitely glorious on the surface, he felt increasingly uneasy in his heart. He realized that although he had obtained power and status, he had lost his original intention of spreading the doctrine and educating the people.

"Am I really right to do this?" Zhang Lu often muttered to himself facing the starry sky when the night was deep and quiet. He began to reflect on his behavior and think about how to make the Five Pecks of Rice Sect truly benefit the people instead of becoming a tool for power and struggle.

Just then, a mysterious figure appeared before Zhang Lu. He claimed to be a senior of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, who had traveled far and wide and was knowledgeable. He told Zhang Lu that true education did not rely on power and status, but on using sincerity and kindness to influence everyone, letting the doctrine go deep into people's hearts and become a lighthouse in people's hearts.

Zhang Lu was deeply touched and decided to change his way of behavior. He began to go deep into the common people, personally preach, and use practical actions to help those who needed help. His behavior was soon recognized and supported by the common people, and the reputation of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect climbed to a new height again.

However, all this did not escape Dong Zhuo's eyes. He began to doubt Zhang Lu's loyalty, worrying that he would become a stumbling block for his rule over Yizhou. Thus, Dong Zhuo secretly ordered his subordinates to monitor Zhang Lu in secret, looking for an opportunity to get rid of him.

Zhang Lu sensed Dong Zhuo's intention, but he did not choose to escape or resist. He believed that true education could resolve all hatred and contradictions. Thus, he took the initiative to find Dong Zhuo, expressed his thoughts and intentions frankly, and hoped to resolve the differences between them through peaceful means.

Dong Zhuo was moved by Zhang Lu's sincerity and temporarily put down his guard against him. But the doubts in his heart were not completely eliminated, and he still maintained vigilance against Zhang Lu. And Zhang Lu also knew this, so he began to act more cautiously, striving to maintain the purity of the doctrine while also maintaining a delicate balance with Dong Zhuo.

As time passed, the situation in Yizhou became more complex and changeable. Dong Zhuo's tyranny triggered more and more grievances and resistance, and Zhang Lu, relying on the influence of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, gradually became the spiritual leader in the hearts of the people of Yizhou. He began to secretly plot a large-scale uprising, attempting to overthrow Dong Zhuo's rule and restore peace and tranquility to Yizhou.

However, this uprising was not easy. Dong Zhuo's army was powerful and brutal, and Zhang Lu needed to find more allies and supporters. He began to contact various forces within Yizhou, striving for their support and participation. At the same time, he also secretly sent envoys to other provinces and commanderies to seek external aid. ===== CHAPTER 1640 =====