Chapter 1640: The New Master

Under Zhang Lu's careful planning, a force that could not be ignored gradually gathered within Yizhou. Many aristocratic clans and common people who were dissatisfied with Dong Zhuo's tyranny, and even some officials who were originally loyal to Dong Zhuo, began to secretly lean toward Zhang Lu, expressing their willingness to participate in the uprising.

Zhang Lu knew deeply that these forces alone were far from enough. He needed a powerful external ally to jointly resist Dong Zhuo's massive army. Thus, he cast his gaze toward the Governor of Jingzhou, Liu Biao.

Although Liu Biao had previously detained Liu Yan's envoy, that was because he did not want to get involved in the disputes of Yizhou. However, with the continuous expansion of Dong Zhuo's power, Liu Biao also felt a huge threat. He understood that once Dong Zhuo completely controlled Yizhou, the next target would very likely be Jingzhou.

Therefore, when Zhang Lu's envoy secretly arrived in Jingzhou and proposed the suggestion of jointly resisting Dong, Liu Biao agreed without hesitation. He sent elite troops and capable generals to secretly support Zhang Lu, and at the same time actively prepared for war within Jingzhou, preparing to welcome possible battles at any time.

With Jingzhou's support, Zhang Lu's confidence became even firmer. He began to publicly call on the people of Yizhou to rise up, exposing Dong Zhuo's atrocities, and calling on everyone to fight together for the future of Yizhou. For a time, the situation within Yizhou was surging, and everywhere were the calls and anger of the uprising.

Seeing this, Dong Zhuo was struck with terror. He did not expect Zhang Lu to have such great appeal, and even less did he expect Liu Biao of Jingzhou to choose to stand on Zhang Lu's side at this time. He hurriedly mobilized a large army, attempting to extinguish the flames of this uprising.

However, Dong Zhuo's army, although powerful, had long lost the hearts of the people. They ran rampant in Yizhou, burning, killing, and looting, doing all kinds of evil. This made the people of Yizhou's hatred for Dong Zhuo even deeper and also made their determination to support Zhang Lu even firmer.

Under Zhang Lu's leadership, the uprising army was like a hot knife through butter, continuously defeating Dong Zhuo's army. They utilized the familiar terrain and the advantage of the hearts of the people, cleverly circling with Dong Zhuo's army, and gradually recovered a large area of Yizhou's land.

Seeing this, Dong Zhuo was furious. He personally led a large army, attempting to extinguish the uprising army in one fell swoop. However, in this decisive battle, Dong Zhuo's army suffered an unprecedented crushing defeat. They were beaten by the uprising army until they were in complete disarray, and Dong Zhuo himself was killed in the chaotic army.

With Dong Zhuo's death, his tyranny also ended completely. The people of Yizhou cheered, and they finally ushered in the long-lost peace and tranquility. And Zhang Lu, because he led the uprising army to victory, was elected by the people of Yizhou as the new Governor of Yizhou.

Under Zhang Lu's governance, Yizhou gradually restored its former prosperity and flourishing. He continued to promote the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, using the doctrine to educate the people, making them more united and loving. At the same time, he also actively improved relations with surrounding provinces and commanderies, strengthened exchanges and cooperation, and jointly maintained the peace and stability of the region.

However, Zhang Lu was not satisfied with this. He knew deeply that to truly make Yizhou a paradise, he still needed to pay more effort and sweat. Thus, he began to carry out a series of reform measures, including reducing the burden on the common people, improving the quality of officials, and strengthening the construction of the rule of law.

These reform measures received widespread support and backing from the people of Yizhou. They saw Zhang Lu's sincerity and determination, and they also believed even more that he could lead Yizhou toward a more beautiful future.

Under Zhang Lu's leadership, Yizhou gradually became one of the most prosperous and stable regions at that time. The Five Pecks of Rice Sect also, under Zhang Lu's promotion, received more widespread dissemination and development. It not only became the spiritual pillar of the people of Yizhou but also attracted many people from surrounding provinces and commanderies to come to learn and exchange.

Zhang Lu proved with his own actions that true education was not realized by relying on power and status, but needed to use sincerity and kindness to influence everyone. He used his own life and faith to bring a new sky to Yizhou and also made the Five Pecks of Rice Sect one of the most glorious and influential sects at that time.

Under Zhang Lu's governance, Yizhou experienced unprecedented prosperity and peace. However, this tranquility did not last long; with the changes of the times, new challenges and crises gradually emerged.

Several years after Zhang Lu became the Governor of Yizhou, the Central Plains region again fell into chaos. Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, Liu Bei, and other forces disputed, forming a situation of tripartite confrontation. And Yizhou, as an important stronghold on the southwestern frontier, naturally also became an object coveted by various forces.

Cao Cao, after unifying the north, was ambitious and intended to head south to unify the whole country. He took a fancy to Yizhou's rich resources and strategic position and decided to send troops to attack. And Liu Bei, after gaining a firm foothold in Jingzhou, also began to covet Yizhou. He knew deeply that only by mastering Yizhou could he truly realize his hegemony.

Facing this sudden crisis, Zhang Lu did not panic. He knew deeply that although Yizhou was prosperous, its army's combat effectiveness was not strong. If he wanted to contend with powerful enemies like Cao Cao or Liu Bei, he must seek external aid. Thus, he again cast his gaze toward Liu Biao of Jingzhou.

However, at this time, Liu Biao had already passed away due to illness, and Jingzhou was controlled by his son, Liu Cong. Liu Cong was young and vigorous, lacked political experience, and did not give enough attention to Zhang Lu's request for help. He worried that once he got involved in the disputes of Yizhou, it would endanger the safety of Jingzhou. Therefore, he rejected Zhang Lu's request for help.

Zhang Lu was helpless and could only turn to seek other allies. He sent envoys to Eastern Wu, attempting to form an alliance with Sun Quan to jointly resist the threats of Cao Cao and Liu Bei. However, Sun Quan, although interested in Yizhou, was more worried about Cao Cao's threat. He chose to remain neutral and was unwilling to get involved in this dispute.

Facing the situation of isolation and helplessness, Zhang Lu did not give up. He knew deeply that Yizhou's future was in his own hands. Thus, he began to actively prepare for war, strengthen city defenses, and at the same time mobilize the common people to organize a massive militia force. He personally led this force to engage in tenacious resistance against the armies of Cao Cao and Liu Bei.

Under Zhang Lu's leadership, the military and civilians of Yizhou displayed unprecedented unity and courage. They utilized the familiar terrain and tactics to cleverly circle with the enemy army, repelling the enemy's attacks many times. However, as the war continued, Yizhou's resources and manpower were gradually exhausted. Zhang Lu understood that if this continued, Yizhou would sooner or later be broken by the enemy army.

Just then, an unexpected turning point appeared. Liu Bei, in the process of attacking Yizhou, had a conflict with Cao Cao's army. Both sides, in order to compete for control of Yizhou, began a fierce battle. And Zhang Lu took the opportunity to use this chance to reach a secret agreement with Liu Bei.

Zhang Lu knew deeply that Liu Bei, although ambitious, compared to Cao Cao, paid more attention to faith and the hearts of the people. Thus, he proposed to form an alliance with Liu Bei to jointly resist Cao Cao's threat. Liu Bei gladly accepted Zhang Lu's proposal, and both sides began to fight together.

Under the joint efforts of Zhang Lu and Liu Bei, Cao Cao's army suffered unprecedented setbacks. They were beaten by the coalition army of Yizhou and Jingzhou until they retreated steadily, and finally could only helplessly withdraw. And Liu Bei also, relying on this victory, successfully occupied most of Yizhou's territory and became the new master of Yizhou.

However, Zhang Lu did not feel relaxed because of this. He knew deeply that Liu Bei, although temporarily becoming the master of Yizhou, had not reduced his ambition. Once the time was ripe, he would inevitably launch an attack on Yizhou again. Therefore, Zhang Lu decided to continue strengthening Yizhou's defensive power. ===== CHAPTER 1641 =====