Bai Xiaowen knew about this news long ago — even earlier than the person who reported it.
After Liu Zhang's envoy entered Hanzhong, he was first welcomed by Qiao Rui, then by Li Shuyi, and finally by Cecilia. They practically escorted him all the way into Nanzheng.
The reason was simple — this envoy was called Zhang Song.
Zhang Song was a famous traitor in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. However, he left behind a rather positive evaluation. When Zhang Song died, there was even a mourning poem.
In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, among the countless traitors, Zhang Song was the only one who received a mourning poem.
On one hand, Zhang Song was quite arrogant. He didn't offer Yizhou for fame and fortune, but for a higher reason — for the sake of a wise ruler.
On the other hand, Zhang Song had a photographic memory. This talent made the author of the Romance of the Three Kingdoms (famous but not famous) feel sympathetic.
In the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, Zhang Song was sent as an envoy to Cao Cao. Originally, he wanted to offer Yizhou to Cao Cao. However, Cao Cao judged people based on their appearances. This made the ugly and arrogant Zhang Song feel very hurt. Then, on his way back to Yizhou, he was intercepted by Liu Bei.
At that time, Liu Bei only had Jingzhou and was anxious to take Xichuan. It could be said that he was very attentive to Zhang Song.
First, he sent Zhao Yun to welcome him. Then, he sent Guan Yu. Finally, Liu Bei personally brought Zhuge Liang to entertain Zhang Song. After a few days of drinking and feasting, Zhang Song finally accepted him and decided to offer Yizhou to Liu Bei.
Bai Xiaowen was now the Duke Of Yan, so he couldn't personally welcome him like Liu Bei. Otherwise, not only would Zhang Song find it strange, but even his subordinates would feel that it was unfair.
Even if Bai Xiaowen did not personally welcome him, the extravagance of the three trusted subordinates welcoming him was enough to give Zhang Song enough face.
Bai Xiaowen met Zhang Song in the Governor's Mansion of Nanzheng.
Zhang Song was the same as in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms. His appearance was indeed a bit unsightly. In the ancient Hua Xia, where people were judged by their appearance, to be able to hold the position of Yizhou's special guest required ability.
When Zhang Songchu saw Bai Xiaowen, he paid his respects according to etiquette and presented Liu Zhang's letter.
After Bai Xiaowen opened it and read it, he smiled and said to the people around him, "Liu Zhang saw that I had pacified Hanzhong and felt uneasy in his heart. Therefore, he sent an emissary to inquire when I would withdraw the troops. In other words, he was testing whether or not I had the intention to take over Xichuan."
Xun You said, "The people of Yi Province are rich, the population is abundant. Hanzhong is the gateway to Yi Province. Now that the Duke Of Yan has taken Hanzhong, how can we abandon Yizhou? "
The other generals nodded in agreement.
Bai Xiaowen said in a low voice, "I've long heard that Yizhou's mountain roads are rugged and there are many passes. If there is no one in Shu leading the army, it will not be easy to collect them. "
This was an obvious hint.
However, Zhang Song did not have the slightest reaction. His pair of mung bean-sized eyes looked around, but he did not speak.
Bai Xiaowen said with a smile, "What do you think, Sir Zhang? If you can help the imperial court to recover Yizhou, you will be rewarded with a high position and generous salary. "
Zhang Song curled his lips and said with a smile, "There are no treacherous people in Sichuan."
The civil and military officials under Bai Xiaowen were somewhat indignant. If Zhang Song's words were interpreted in an extended manner, it meant that "your way of doing things will not work in Sichuan." In other words, there were treacherous people in Sichuan.
When Bai Xiaowen saw that some of his civil and military officials wanted to refute Zhang Song, he hurriedly raised his hand to stop them and said with a smile, "Don't come from afar and work hard. You can rest in the inn for a while. After I think about it, I will write a reply to your Lord. "
After Zhang Song retreated, the generals under his command said one after another,
"My Lord is very polite to Zhang Song and personally came to recruit him. This Zhang Song has eyes but does not see and does not recognize the true Lord. There is no need to be polite to him. "
Bai Xiaowen shook his head and said, "My true intention is to take over Xichuan, but I must win their hearts. I intend to subdue this Zhang Song, but I can only show him kindness and not force him to do so. "
After this meeting ended unhappily, the internal drama among the teammates began.
Qiao Rui said, "Hey, this is the first time I see the charming captain being defeated."
Cecilia said, "Yes, for this meeting, Dior even recited an ancient poem …"
Li Shuyi said, "Zhang Song is a man, and an ugly one at that. Perhaps his aesthetic standards are different from ordinary people?"
Han Xu, "…"
Bai Xiaowen, "… If Zhen Mi was not here, would I be defeated?"
Li Shuyi, "Yes, yes, yes?"
Bai Xiaowen, "… Ahem, the weather is good today. I am going to treat Zhang Song to a meal. You guys can go about your business. "
…
Zhang Song stayed in Nanzheng's inn for three consecutive days.
During these three days, Bai Xiaowen invited Zhang Song to a banquet every day and made use of his high charm to befriend Zhang Song.
Zhang Song's attitude gradually changed from pretending to be arrogant to discussing the people of the world and local customs with Bai Xiaowen every day.
Zhang Song was indeed a knowledgeable person. If not for Bai Xiaowen's broad horizons and quick reflexes, he might not have been able to keep up with Zhang Song's pace of conversation.
On the third day, Zhang Song stood up at the banquet and said, "Duke Of Yan, I have been staying here for a long time. My master, Liu Zhang, urgently needs a reply."
Bai Xiaowen sighed and said, "Zhang Song and I hit it off at first sight. Don't leave now. I don't know when we will meet again. "
As he spoke, Bai Xiaowen's eyes turned a little red.
He did not have the ability to cry as easily as Liu Bei. Now that he was the Duke Of Yan, he had the burden of being an idol. The red circles around his eyes were the result of him secretly rubbing some wine on them.
Zhang Song was touched. He suddenly bowed and said,
"To be honest, I left Sichuan on the surface to be an envoy. In fact, I want to seek a good master. A few days ago, I pretended to be arrogant just to test the Duke Of Yan's mind.
"Although the Duke Of Yan is young, he has great talent and vision. He swept the north and unified the Central Plains. With such a miraculous achievement, he can still be polite to the wise. It is really beyond Zhang Song's expectations. I am willing to offer the geographical map of Xichuan's forty-one provinces and counties to help the Duke Of Yan achieve a peerless foundation! "
Bai Xiaowen was overjoyed. He hurriedly helped Zhang Song up and said, "I have Zhang Song, like Zhou has Lu Wang, and Han has Zhang Liang."
Even Zhang Song, who thought highly of himself, was a little embarrassed when he heard these two words of flattery. However, these words came from the mouth of the Duke of Yan. It was basically the evaluation of the number one person in the world. Zhang Song was naturally very happy.
Then, the banquet started again. Bai Xiaowen asked about the situation in Shu. Zhang Song did not hide anything and told him one by one.
It turned out that there was a period of time when Bai Xiaowen had just pacified Ma Chao and was conferred the title of Duke of Yan. Zhang Lu of Hanzhong wanted to establish himself as the King of Hanning, but he was stopped by Yan Pu and the others.
In order to prevent Zhang Lu from establishing himself as the King, Yan Pu persuaded Zhang Lu to merge with Xichuan first. When the time came, it would not be too late for him to become the King of Hanning.
Dan Fu, who was staying here as a guest, also agreed.
Zhang Lu did not have his own opinions, so he took Yan Pu and Dan Fu's advice and stationed troops in Bazhong to spy on Xichuan.
Liu Zhang was afraid. Thus, under the urging of some people, he invited Liu Bei of Jingzhou to help Xichuan and resist Zhang Lu.
Currently, Liu Bei was stationed at Jiameng Pass.
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