Ji Han Liu Zhang

After discussing the affairs of Liangzhou, Hedong and Henei, Liu Zhang dismissed everyone and asked them to rest early. After a busy day, his physical and mental energy had reached the critical point, and he also wanted to rest.

However, following the habit of his previous life, Liu Zhang had to take a hot bath before he could sleep. Otherwise, he would just wipe himself and lie down on the bed. He felt uncomfortable all over and had trouble falling asleep no matter what position he was in.

Therefore, at that moment, Liu Zhang's entire body was soaked in a large wooden barrel, with only his head exposed, emerging in the mist rising from the boiling hot bath water.

"Bashi." Liu Zhang exclaimed comfortably while soaking in hot water. If there was anything that could relieve physical fatigue and mental distress, it would be taking a wonderful hot bath.

Although he was taking a bath, Liu Zhang's thoughts did not stop. He was thinking about Wang Yi, the prefect of Hedong.

Wang Yi, who controls Hedong, is the first enemy Liu Zhang will face when he goes east. Of course, it is also possible that Wang Yi will surrender when Liu Zhang's army approaches, turn away his weapons, surrender with courtesy, and become his subject.

In addition, it is also possible that Hedong Prefect Wang Yi surrendered Hedong before Liu Zhang raised his army, and joined his army early, receiving extremely generous rewards, becoming a signboard of Liu Zhang and showing it to the princes of Guandong.

But no matter what, Liu Zhang must take the Hedong area into his hands. As long as he can take Liangzhou, he will plot to take Hedong.

After all, since ancient times, whenever there was trouble in the world, those who fought for supremacy in the mountains and rivers always regarded Hedong as a throat.

While being under dual political pressure from the Guanzhong Plain and the Heluo region, the Hedong region has become the most important linkage hub between these two strategic blocks, a sharp sword hanging over the Guanzhong Plain and the Heluo region.

Liu Zhang was managing Guanzhong. If he wanted to ensure the safety of Guanzhong, the Hedong area must not be in the hands of others. If the Hedong area was in the hands of outsiders, the pressure he would face would be enormous.

Throughout China's five thousand years of history, countless Guandong regimes have used Hedong as a springboard to directly penetrate into the heart of the Guanzhong Plain from Puyang. It can be seen that occupying the important place of Hedong has a great advantage in seizing the Guanzhong area.

However, as long as Liang Province is unstable, Liu Zhang cannot go east. Otherwise, when war breaks out in the east, a warlord will appear in Liang Province and harass Liu Zhang's rear. At that time, Liu Zhang will be attacked from both sides and his situation will not be easy to deal with.

One of the taboos in military strategy is facing multiple enemies. In this situation, it is easy to only care about the front and not the back, and only care about the head and not the butt. If you are not careful, you will lose everything. This is also the origin of the golden horns, silver edges and grass belly in military geography.

Unfortunately, Ma Teng and Han Sui of Liang Province were not blinded by their mutual hatred and did not fight to the death. Instead, after Liu Zhang sent Gan Ning to capture Lueyang and Wen Pin guarded Guanlong Road, they showed signs of forming an alliance, intending to repel foreign aggression first and then stabilize the country.

"You are in cahoots with each other. Let's see how long you can live in peace." Liu Zhang saw the mist rising from the bath water in front of him becoming thinner, he stood up slowly and complained about Ma Teng and Han Sui. He was quite pessimistic about the news of their sudden alliance. He did not believe that these two heroes could really unite to compete with him.

As soon as Liu Zhang stood up, the serving maid came over and carefully wiped his wet body.

Liu Zhang's body was wiped dry by the maid, and then he spread his arms. The maid considerately put on his clothes and tidied his clothes for him. The service was attentive and considerate.

"The evil feudal society." Experiencing such comfortable and smooth service, Liu Zhang was happy and couldn't help but complain. As a man under the red flag, he would not be corrupted by the evil feudal society and lose his ambition. Liu Zhang's original intention remained unchanged. He wanted to settle the troubled times, create a glorious era, make the Han Dynasty great again, and perform the feat of revitalizing the Han Dynasty three times, so as not to let the old events of the Eastern and Western Jin Dynasties, the North-South Division, and the Five Barbarians' Invasion of China happen again.

Day two.

Liu Zhang summoned the envoys sent by Hedong Governor Wang Yi and Henei Governor Zhang Yang early in the morning.

"Yesterday, I went out of the city to farm and was busy with farm work. Therefore, when the two envoys arrived, I did not receive you the first time. It was a bit inappropriate. Please forgive me." Liu Zhang's attitude has always been approachable. He expressed his apologies to the two envoys.

However, the envoys from Hedong and Henei dared not accept Liu Zhang's apology. After all, although they were some respected figures in the county, they were still not good enough in front of Liu Zhang.

The relative of the Han royal family in front of them held the position of Grand Marshal and General of Chariots and Cavalry, and controlled Nanzhong, Bashu, Hanzhong, Wudu, and Guanzhong, covering a territory of thousands of miles and a population of one million. Moreover, he had killed the traitors Li Jue and Guo Si, and his prestige was feared by the Rong and Di peoples. He was a first-class figure in the Han Dynasty.

Therefore, when the two envoys from Hedong and Henei arrived, they hurriedly stepped aside and made way for them.

"We are just county officials, we don't deserve the respect from the Grand Marshal."

"The Grand Marshal's matter is more important, don't worry about us."

The envoys from Hedong and Henei were afraid to accept Liu Zhang's apology. They thought they were just small Karami with low status and insignificance, so how could they dare to deserve Liu Zhang's apology.

Seeing that the two envoys were so understanding, Liu Zhang treated them leniently and comforted the two envoys who had rushed to Guanzhong from Hedong and Henei.

"I came from Hedong and passed Pu County on the way and crossed the Yellow River. I saw the flag of the Shu army flying over Pu County. I wonder if the army stationed in Pu County is really the Shu army?" During the banquet, the envoy from Hedong, following the order he received from Hedong prefect Wang Yi, asked Liu Zhang this question.

Hedong prefect Wang Yi was very worried about Liu Zhang's decision to send troops to take Pu County. He was afraid that Liu Zhang would plot against Hedong, so he sent envoys to Guanzhong, hoping to find out Liu Zhang's true intention of taking Pu County indirectly. Even if he could not find out Liu Zhang's true intention, he still wanted to find out Liu Zhang's current military plan.

"Oh, Pu County is indeed the Shu army under my command. Originally, Pu County is in Hedong, so I should not send troops to occupy it. But I heard that Pu County has been occupied by the Liangzhou bandits for a long time and Governor Wang has not been able to eliminate them, so I took the liberty of clearing out the bandits in Pu County." Liu Zhang said frankly and naturally.

"The envoy can report back to Governor Wang that the land of Pu County has just been settled. If our army retreats, there may be some turmoil. It can be temporarily placed under our rule. If Governor Wang has any ideas, he can write to me directly." Liu Zhang smiled kindly and gently.

"I see. Thank you, Grand Marshal, for your help. Otherwise, the people of Pu County would have to suffer from the cruelty of the bandits for who knows how long." The Hedong envoy came to express his gratitude. His attitude was very positive and he did not ask for the return of Pu County. (End of this chapter)