Chapter 56: Painting a picture for Zhang Lu

Hanzhong

Nanzheng City

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

Beside him sat Jia Xu, the imperial envoy representing the Han court.

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

"Liu Yan's treacherous heart is already clear for all to see."

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

"If you, Celestial Master Zhang, intend to follow Liu Yan all the way into the darkness, I fear it would be in serious conflict with the doctrines of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect."

When this fellow Jia Xu told lies, they came one after another in a seamless stream.

If Dong Zhuo could be called the "number one loyal minister of the Han house,"

then surely, under the heavens, everyone must be a loyal minister of the highest order!

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

He had long been looking for an opportunity to break away from Liu Yan's command and become independent.

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

However.

Although Zhang Lu was young, he was no fool.

If Jia Xu thought he could incite a rebellion with nothing but empty promises, that naturally wouldn't work.

Therefore, Zhang Lu spoke:

"Mr. Wenhe, I understand your meaning."

"But... Liu Yan's power is great, and my Hanzhong is but a single commandery; I fear it would be difficult to stand as his enemy."

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

He was terrified that if he turned against Liu Yan, Dong Zhuo would simply turn around and renege on the deal.

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

"His Excellency the Chancellor has also long admired you in spirit, Celestial Master."

"How about this: the court shall issue a decree to officially recognize the Five Pecks of Rice Sect as an orthodox sect. How does that sound?"

"Furthermore, I have brought the official seal for the Administrator of Hanzhong and the title of Marquis of Baishui with me on this trip."

"Thump!"

Hearing this series of benefits, Zhang Lu's breathing grew rapid.

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

At most, he only expected the official post of Administrator of Hanzhong.

But now, Jia Xu had not only brought the seal for the Administrator of Hanzhong, but also intended to grant him a marquisate?

Moreover, having the Five Pecks of Rice Sect recognized as an orthodox sect was an unexpected, additional joy for Zhang Lu!

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

The Five Pecks of Rice Sect was fine within the small territory of Hanzhong, but anywhere else, it was seen as a completely unheard-of evil cult.

Now, if they could truly be incorporated into the orthodox sects,

although the sect's influence might not increase significantly, they would have gained legitimacy.

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

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

No matter how much the Five Pecks of Rice Sect stirred things up, they could only ever do so within the small confines of Hanzhong.

Strengthening Zhang Lu's power appropriately could further fuel the flames of war about to ignite between him and Liu Yan—why wouldn't he do it?

Of course, there were conditions to bringing the Five Pecks of Rice Sect into the orthodox fold.

Jia Xu smiled slightly and said with profound meaning:

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

Hearing this, Zhang Lu hurriedly asked: ===== CHAPTER 133 =====

"I wonder what kind of example Mr. Wenhe is referring to?"

In Zhang Lu's heart, the Five Pecks of Rice Sect becoming an orthodox sect was a matter of the utmost importance!

This was something his grandfather Zhang Daoling, his father Zhang Heng, and his uncle Zhang Wei had all failed to achieve.

If he could facilitate this during his time as leader.

Then in the future, Zhang Lu would be the restorer of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect!

"Hanzhong is a place with access to all directions; you should deepen your connection with the imperial court."

"Heavenly Master Zhang, as the Administrator of Hanzhong and the leader of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect, you should build more roads to show your commitment."

Jia Xu said with a warm expression.

Hearing this, Zhang Lu's vigilance instantly rose!

If the roads leading to Hanzhong were built, wouldn't that mean Dong Zhuo could lead his army south to attack him at any time?

However, how could this little thought of Zhang Lu's be hidden from Jia Xu?

Jia Xu stood up from his seat.

Then he walked straight to Zhang Lu.

Pointing to the map spread out on the table, he said:

"Heavenly Master Zhang, do you intend to turn Hanzhong into a closed-off, isolated little kingdom?"

"Do you think that is possible?"

"Not to mention the Prime Minister, even if Liu Yan wanted to attack Hanzhong, he would not need to build roads to do so."

"The reason I asked you to build roads is actually to facilitate the spread of the Five Pecks of Rice Sect's teachings."

"It is also to ensure that in the event you are not Liu Yan's match, the Prime Minister can send troops in time to support you!"

"If I may be blunt."

"With your meager strength, if my Prime Minister really wanted to eliminate you, wouldn't it be as easy as turning over his hand?"

"Why would he go to such great lengths to build roads first?"

Although Jia Xu's words were harsh, they were an iron-clad fact in Zhang Lu's ears.

How strong was Dong Zhuo?

Even the Guandong Coalition could not defeat him!

And Zhang Lu?

He was like a firefly competing with the bright moon.

Let alone Dong Zhuo, even Liu Yan alone was enough to give him a hard time.

Deceived by Jia Xu, the doubts in Zhang Lu's heart were dispelled.

The more he thought about it, the more it made sense.

If Dong Zhuo really wanted to destroy him, there was no need to resort to building roads.

Little did he know...

The reason Jia Xu wanted to trick Zhang Lu into building roads.

On one hand, it was because the transportation conditions on the broken roads of Hanzhong were truly too difficult.

On the other hand, it was to connect the Hanzhong Basin and strengthen the integration and unification of the various sectors in the Guanxi region.

To put it bluntly, building roads was not just about dealing with Zhang Lu.

It was about bringing the entirety of Ba-Shu and Hanzhong into their pockets!

To a certain extent, Jia Xu was not entirely deceiving Zhang Lu.

It was just a pity that the Heavenly Master's brain could not turn the corner under the trickery of the old fox Jia Xu.

Coupled with the fact that the Dong Zhuo faction's ability to paint a grand picture was too strong.

The things Jia Xu promised Zhang Lu were like a sow wearing a bra—one layer after another!

Under such circumstances.

Even the usually vigilant Heavenly Master fell into the trap, and was even smug about having taken advantage of the situation.