Liu Mang really grasped Zhang Song's lifeline. He did not use any official position, title, wealth, jewels, and only relied on praising Zhang Song in front of everyone.
Suddenly, Zhang Song's impression of Liu Mang rose by more than one level.
"With my son Qiao, Yizhou will be flat!" Liu Mang's words completely ignited the hope in Zhang Song's heart.
Zhang Song looked at Liu Mang with sparkling eyes. Previously, when he was persuaded by Fa Zheng, he was reluctant. This was because in Zhang Song's opinion, Fa Zheng had an unfair advantage.
Even if Liu Bei lost, Zhang Song came to Xiangyang. Zhang Song was very arrogant. Back then, he also looked down on Cao Cao.
If Liu Mang was like Cao Cao and looked down on Zhang Song, then Zhang Song would inevitably mock Liu Mang. Even if Liu Mang killed Zhang Song in the end, Zhang Song wouldn't care at all. This was because in Zhang Song's opinion, even if he joined the Yangzhou army, with his identity as a defeated army, he would at most be a governor.
If Zhang Song coveted glory and wealth, then why didn't he just leave his Yizhou seat? It was because Zhang Song wanted to be valued. He wanted the world to think highly of him. He wanted to make a big career. This was why he took a fancy to Liu Bei when he was still a guest in Jingzhou.
But now it was different. Liu Mang actually gave Zhang Song enough face. Not only was he not stingy with his praise, but he also introduced Zhang Song's deeds in front of people.
You must know that at that time, Zhang Song had played with Cao Cao. This was something that Zhang Song was very proud of. However, there were also many people who were not optimistic about Zhang Song. They thought that Zhang Song was courting death. Cao Cao did not offend Zhang Song. You, Zhang Song, entered Xu Du and became Liu Zhang's envoy.
On the other hand, Cao Cao was the Prime Minister of the Great Han Dynasty. The difference in status was too big. So what if Cao Cao looked down on you? After all, they didn't know you.
Who are you!
If Zhang Song had shown his talent, he might have made Cao Cao look at him in a different light. After all, Cao Cao was also a person who loved talents. However, this Zhang Song actually made fun of Cao Cao and made Cao Cao unable to back down. Wasn't this the path to death? He had forcefully given up a chance to rely on someone powerful.
Therefore, many people treated Zhang Song as a negative example.
And now, not only did Liu Mang not object to what Zhang Song had done, he even praised him. How could Zhang Song not be excited? He had met a confidant.
"Your Highness King of Han, don't you think Song is overestimating himself?" Zhang Song asked Liu Mang.
Liu Mang's face showed a strange expression. "No, how could it be!" Zhang Song had embarrassed Lao Cao, not Liu Mang. How could he think that Zhang Song was overestimating himself?
"Even Cao Mengde is below Ziqiao!" Liu Mang inadvertently flattered.
"Shu County, Chengdu, Zhang Song, Zhang Ziqiao, greets Your Highness King of Han!" Zhang Song introduced himself again.
This time, the introduction was different from the previous one. The previous introduction was that he was the envoy of Yi Province's Magistrate, Liu Zhang. That was an outsider. Now, he was representing himself to meet Liu Mang.
This meant that Zhang Song had recognized Liu Mang.
"Ziqiao, you don't have to be so polite. We still have to rely on you to pacify Yi Province!" Liu Mang hurriedly stepped forward to help Zhang Song up and comforted him.
"My lord, you're overpraising me!" Zhang Song had accepted Liu Mang as his new master.
"Did Yi Province's Magistrate send you a message?" After satisfying Zhang Song's vanity, Liu Mang asked about the business.
Although this Zhang Song was a little vain, he still had the ability. Otherwise, he wouldn't have assisted Liu Zhang to chase away Zhao Wei in the past.
"My lord, Yi Province's Magistrate, Liu Zhang, can't hold on any longer. In the north, Zhang Lu has sent troops from Hanzhong. Although General Yan Yan is in Jiange to stop him, Zhang Lu is determined to attack Chengdu. He doesn't care about casualties. Liu Zhang's northern battlefront is in a state of emergency.
In the south, Zhao Wei's army is like a hot knife through butter. If it weren't for Zhang Ren's reinforcements, Jianning would have been broken through. Even so, it's in imminent danger!
Now that Liu Bei's army has entered Yong 'an County from the east, they are surrounded by enemies! "Zhang Lu didn't hide anything from Liu Mang.
"That's why Yi Province's Magistrate, Liu Zhang, sent me here to ask for help from my lord! He wants my army to help him deal with Liu Bei in Yong 'an County! "Zhang Song said to Liu Mang.
"What conditions did Liu Zhang bring?" Liu Mang asked with a smile.
"Fifty thousand taels of gold, a hundred thousand dans of grain, countless military equipment, and ceding Yong 'an County to my lord!"
"Fifty thousand taels of gold? A hundred thousand dans of grain and a Yong 'an County? Hehe, Liu Zhang is really generous! " Liu Mang smiled. If he only wanted Liu Mang to send troops to attack Liu Bei, then these conditions would be great benefits.
This was because Liu Bei only had one city, less than ten thousand soldiers, fifty thousand taels of gold, and a hundred thousand dans of grain. If Yong 'an County was conquered, it would still belong to him. This was basically equivalent to Liu Zhang giving him money and grain and giving him the city. Such a good deal was really hard to come by.
However, it wasn't normal now.
What was Liu Zhang's current predicament? His Department of State Cheng had already fallen into a tight encirclement. Moreover, he seemed to be in a difficult situation on several fronts. He was no longer fishing with his left hand.
Now, if Liu Zhang, Zhao Wei, and Liu Bei were to use a little more force, then Liu Zhang's city would be destroyed. Even now, Liu Zhang still didn't give up and wanted to use gold to move the Yangzhou Army.
"Ziqiao, use your men to go back and tell Liu Zhang that the title of Prince of Chengdu is waiting for him in Shouchun. There is no need to talk about anything else!" Liu Mang was being extremely benevolent to Liu Zhang.
Although a Prince didn't have real power, at least he had a title. Liu Mang would definitely take Yi Province under his command. If Yi Province and Jingzhou were combined, then it would be a very good headquarters. Even Liu Mang had a negative attitude. That was, if he lost to Cao Cao in the battle of the Central Plains, he could still rely on Yi Province, Jingzhou, and Jiangdong to unite with Cao Cao.
Hearing Liu Mang's words, Zhang Song couldn't help but frown. He seemed to have a different opinion.
"Ziqiao, do you have something to say? Just say it! "Liu Mang also saw that he was giving Zhang Song a chance.
Zhang Song bowed and said, "My lord, I think that the most urgent thing right now is to send troops as soon as possible. Liu Zhang didn't give us much, but it doesn't mean that we can't take it ourselves!"
Zhang Song wanted Liu Mang to take advantage of Liu Zhang's request to send troops and directly attack Yi Province. After killing Liu Bei, they would take Yi Province.
If Liu Zhang didn't give them anything, they could just take it ourselves.
Liu Mang shook his head. "If we directly attack Yi Province, what's the difference between us and Liu Bei?" If Liu Mang took it without saying anything, it would be bad for his reputation.
"My lord, the winner is the king, and the loser is the bandit!" Zhang Song still wanted to persuade Liu Mang.
Zhang Song even told Liu Mang everything he saw and heard on the way from Liu Bei's Yong 'an County, which was controlled by Liu Bei's Army. That was, Liu Bei's Army was actually very polite to them. They were unaccountably solicitous.
Liu Bei must have something on his mind, which was why he was so solicitous. It wasn't hard to guess that Liu Bei also wanted to form an alliance with Liu Zhang.
If Liu Zhang led Liu Bei to be his reinforcements, it would be a big joke.
Liu Mang stopped Zhang Song. "Ziqiao, if Liu Zhang still dares to put out conditions so confidently, it means that he can still hold on. What if I make him unable to hold on?"
"Huh?" Zhang Song was slightly stunned, but then he was dumbfounded.
"Let Jianning's Wen He send troops!"
"Jianning also has Yangzhou troops?" Zhang Song was completely dumbfounded. "Could it be?"
"Ziqiao, I haven't told you yet. The troops under Zhao Wei's banner are not just anybody, they are my Jia Xu, Jia Wenhe!"
Although Liu Zhang was in imminent danger, he could at least linger on with his last breath. He could rely on some checkpoints in Shu Chuan to resist for some time.
Liu Bei's Army and Liu Zhang had been coexisting peacefully these days. Therefore, although Liu Zhang was wary of Liu Bei's Army, he was not in a desperate situation yet. He wanted to use money to let the Yangzhou Army go. If the Yangzhou Army sent reinforcements, it would be even better. After eliminating Liu Bei, Liu Zhang would be able to relax and raise morale. If not, it would not be a problem. Liu Bei was not a threat to Liu Zhang.
"Hmph! You want to form an alliance with Liu Bei? This is not up to you, Liu Zhang! " Liu Mang had unknowingly let himself have the aura of a superior. His life and death were all in his hands. Now, Liu Mang even had the intention to kill Liu Zhang.
Yi Province, Jianning's front line, Jia Xu's troops once again increased their attack on Jianning's Zhang Ren's troops.
Countless soldiers climbed up the city walls like ants and took down one wall after another. Then, they were counterattacked by the Yi Province Army. Both sides suffered heavy casualties.
"Are these Yunnan soldiers crazy?!" Zhang Wu killed two Yunnan soldiers who climbed up the city walls. He did not even have time to wipe his sweat before another enemy came to attack him.
If Zhang Ren wasn't by Zhang Wu's side, Zhang Wu might have died on the city wall under the siege.
Even Zhang Ren, who was a refinement realm expert, did not have a good time. This was because there were also refinement realm experts among the enemy.
With great difficulty, they managed to repel the enemy's attack. This was already the fourth wave of attack today. If it was not for the sky turning dark, the enemy would have continued to attack the city.
Wiping off the blood on his face, Zhang Ren watched as the enemies retreated like a tide. No one knew what he was thinking.
"General, I can't go on. I don't have many soldiers left. If we continue to fight, we will be completely wiped out!" A thousand-man general complained to Zhang Ren. He had a thousand-man army under his command. Until now, he was still a reinforcement.
His thousand-man army was now less than half.
If they continued to fight, the entire army would be wiped out.
"Even if we don't have any soldiers, we still have to fight. If all the soldiers die, you, a thousand-man general, will go up yourself!" Zhang Ren said with a heavy expression. The cold light in his eyes made people doubt that if this thousand-man general still dared to attack Suo Luo, then Zhang Ren would dare to kill him.
"Yes!"
"General Zhang, let's ask for help from the Chengdu Prefecture!" Another general, Wu Yi, said.
"Ask for help!?" When Zhang Ren heard this, there was a kind of hope in his heart. However, it was immediately extinguished. Did the Chengdu Prefecture have any reinforcements? They were having a hard time fighting in the south. The same went for the north. Old General Yan Yan was not feeling well either.
It was said that Yan Yan personally supervised the battle a few days ago. He was even shot by an arrow by the enemy.
Zhang Ren knew that he did not have any reinforcements, but he still nodded. "Yes, yes!" If the soldiers under him knew that they did not have any reinforcements, their morale would be very low.
Yunnan Army Camp outside the city.
"Report! An enemy messenger ran out from Jianning City! " The Yangzhou Army could be said to have the most scouts because they were all influenced by Liu Mang as their lord. No matter what, they must find out the details of the enemy. Only by knowing the enemy can one win a hundred battles.
Scouts were equivalent to the eyes and nose of an army.
"Mister Wen He, let me send someone to capture this messenger. Let's see what kind of message this Zhang Ren is trying to convey!" A general stepped forward and said to Jia Xu.
"What kind of message can it be? A request for help! If it were not for these checkpoints and the mountainous terrain, I am afraid that Jianning City would have been conquered by us! "Another general of the Yunnan Army said disdainfully.
"Request for help?" Jia Xu and Jia Wenhe heard this and smiled slightly. How could there be any reinforcements in the Chengdu Prefecture? Even if there were, the battle would have been over long ago. The Chengdu Prefecture could not even protect itself now.
Liu Zhang was also a person who was afraid of death. He wanted to search for all the soldiers in the Chengdu Prefecture. How could he send reinforcements?
"No need. Let him go!" Jia Xu's words determined the fate of the messenger.
The messenger sent by Zhang Ren was not asking for help. It was likely that he wanted the Chengdu Prefecture to be prepared.
Looking at the city that was about to be dyed red with blood, Jia Xu also had a headache.
He was not like Zhang Ren and the others in the city who thought that he had an endless supply of soldiers. Instead, Jia Xu's Yunnan Army had suffered great losses in the past few days. It could be said that half of the soldiers had lost the ability to fight. However, there was no other way. He could only use the soldiers like this.
"Send a signal to them. I can only hold on for three more days. After three days, I am afraid that the Jianning City's front line will collapse!" Jia Xu was not a god. The current Yunnan Army was completely overdrafting. They were using all their potential in exchange for an early advantage.
Although there were many soldiers in the Yunnan Army, most of them were new soldiers. All the old soldiers had been thrown onto the city walls by Jia Xu.
Now that another batch of soldiers had been removed from the army, the entire Yunnan Army camp could be said to be empty.
"Yes, sir!" The messenger quickly rode off into the depths of the night.
"It is time for us to act!" In Sichuan, a group of soldiers under the banner of Liu Bei's Army began to move.
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