Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Yang Song and his companions learned that the Western Liang generals refused to believe they had captured Ma Chao in Hanzhong. With no other choice, they traveled to Hanzhong with a figure from Western Liang who was in control of the situation to verify the situation. The group lost all their initial arrogance. After all, the Western Liang official accompanying them was the renowned Li Ru, known as the "poisonous scholar who caused chaos in the country." Seeing this, Yang Song quickly put aside his own arrogance. The group quietly returned to Wudu City, where they awaited Li Ru's arrival, ready to travel to Chang'an to verify the situation.

As soon as Yang Song and his group left, Pang De said anxiously, "Sir, you are of such noble status, how could you easily set foot in such a dangerous place? Besides, since we don't believe the young master will be captured, we should continue to attack them according to our established strategy. Do you really believe that the young master will be captured in Hanzhong?"

Li Ru smiled faintly upon hearing this, then patiently explained the situation to everyone, "I naturally don't believe the Young Master would be captured in Hanzhong. Putting aside the question of whether they have the ability to do so, judging from the Young Master's style and strategic layout, there's no need for him to go to Hanzhong, and why would he risk going deep into the territory? After all, going to Hanzhong right now will do nothing to advance his overall strategy and march."

Cheliji also said in a muffled voice: "Since you also think that what they said is untrue, why bother to go there in person?" Li Ru still had a smile on his face, and said slowly: "Don't worry, and listen to my detailed analysis. The strategic layout needs to be implemented steadily step by step, just like we are now attacking Wudu, and even exerting pressure on Hanzhong. To put it bluntly, the purpose is to make Zhang Lu completely convinced, and then force Zhang Lu to come and ask for peace with us. Then, we will discuss the matter of borrowing grain. After all, even if we try our best to capture Hanzhong now, there is the emperor in Chang'an, who is watching the movements of all parties with a covetous eye; and Liu Zhang of Yizhou has a blood relationship with my Xiliang. Hai Shenhou. Having Zhang Lu as a buffer is actually the most appropriate situation. After all, according to my future strategic plan, we won't truly capture Hanzhong in the short term. Only when Bingzhou, Youzhou, and other places in the north are connected and we capture them together will it be the perfect time to attack Chang'an. Using Hanzhong as a springboard, we can gain an overview of the world's situation. As long as Zhang Lu is here to restrain Yizhou and prevent it from sending troops to interfere, it will be easy for us to capture Yizhou at any time. Therefore, the time is not yet ripe to attack Hanzhong. Our main goal at the moment is to make Hanzhong sue for peace with us."

Pang De and Che Liji understood a little after listening to Li Ru's words. Li Ru continued, "Since they claim to have captured my young master and are here to seek peace with us, this situation has actually almost achieved the initial success of seeking peace. As far as the negotiation table is concerned, the reason why I insisted on going to Hanzhong in person to verify it is because I am sure that the person captured in Hanzhong is definitely not my young master Ma Chao. Now that this is clear, we have a large army at the rear as a solid support, and they are suspected of slandering my young master's reputation. They can rely on the powerful military of Xiliang and this matter as a bargaining chip to put pressure on Hanzhong and achieve the goal of borrowing the grain route. Perhaps even further concessions can be made from Hanzhong. With so much to gain, why not make a personal trip to Hanzhong? This trip may seem risky, but it's actually a strategic countermeasure, minimizing risk to maximize strategic advantage. Handled properly, it will not only resolve the current predicament but also lay a more solid foundation for the long-term development of Xiliang." Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but admire Li Ru's foresight and no longer tried to stop him from going to Hanzhong, waiting for the situation to unfold according to Li Ru's plan.

Pang De said with a worried look on his face: "Sir, even if you are sure that Hanzhong dare not take action against us easily, shouldn't we send a large army to escort you? Even if they dare not make any move, it can fully demonstrate the mighty military power of my Xiliang." Li Ru smiled lightly and responded: "Ling Ming, there is no need. Look at Yang Song, he dared to step into the camp of my Xiliang army with only a dozen followers, and he was so arrogant and rude. Am I not as good as him? There is no need for many people to escort him, just send a young general to escort the carriage forward." Pang De and Cheliji still felt that this move was too risky. What if Hanzhong made a stupid move? Li Ru simply smiled and said, "You think they're too reckless and radical. Zhang Lu is just a city keeper. When it comes to preaching, he might have some skills, but when it comes to governing the local area and playing political maneuvering, I'm not afraid of you laughing at me. He's far from it. He has no ambition, so why worry so much?" With that, Jia Xu casually pointed to the officers in the tents and happened to point to Tianshui's Jiang Xu. Jiang Xu, excited, hurriedly stepped out and knelt. Li Ru smiled and said, "Let this kid go. I remember that this kid followed Dong Huang before. He should be the young general in Tianshui. He is brave and resourceful. He can bring thirty or fifty guards to ensure daily marches. After all, this is just a confrontation at the negotiation table. I guess that old man Zhang Lu will never dare to act rashly." Pang De and Cheliji had no choice but to follow Li Ru's instructions. They pulled Jiang Xu aside and secretly asked him to take good care of his health along the way. Jiang Xu nodded seriously and took on this important task.

In this somewhat bleak season, Li Ru, dressed in a simple blue shirt, without any finery or valuables, accompanied only by Jiang Xu and a mere thirty guards, slowly and leisurely approached Wudu City. Their figures, though insignificant in the vastness of the world, exuded an inexplicable calm.

Yang Song, who had returned to Wudu earlier, had already informed the entire city of Li Ru's itinerary. The 500-member delegation had also packed all their luggage in an orderly manner. Everyone was looking forward to Li Ru's arrival.

Yang Song knew Li Ru's formidable character. His reputation as a "poisonous scholar who disrupted the nation" was legendary, so how could he be easily treated with disregard? Even though Li Ru only brought a small group of twenty or thirty men, Yang Song dared not be careless. He personally went out of the city to greet him. As Li Ru approached, he hurried forward, smiling broadly and respectfully, carefully welcoming him into the city and treating him as a distinguished guest. While this shift in attitude was somewhat abrupt, it was also inevitable. After all, facing this man who stirred the world in turmoil and possessed extraordinary strategy, no amount of careful service was too much.

Yang Song, beaming, stepped forward, bowed, and flattered, "Mr. Li Ruwen, you are honored to visit Wudu. Would you like to rest for a while in the city, or should we set off for Hanzhong City immediately?" Li Ru wore a calm smile and replied calmly, "Mr. Yang, since we have arrived in Wudu City, all matters will naturally be decided by you. I have come here only to verify the matter of my young master with you. I will follow your wishes. Once you are all prepared, you can set off immediately."

Yang Song was anxious. In order to prove that Ma Chao had indeed been captured, he was anxious to have them go to Hanzhong together to verify it. He hurriedly said to Li Ru, "Mr. Li Ru, can we temporarily cease fire for the time being?" Li Ru smiled lightly when he heard it, "Now I am under your control. You are like a knife and I am like fish. Whether to cease fire or not depends on your decision. With my humble reputation, I believe that with me in your hands, the Western Liang army will not dare to attack easily." Yang Song's forehead was sweating when he heard it, and he said repeatedly, "That's right. In that case, let's hurry to Hanzhong." After that, he immediately ordered to set off.

Li Ru was surrounded by their group, with only thirty or forty men. Yang Song was naturally worried about encountering robbers along the way. If Li Ru was injured, the responsibility would be placed on Hanzhong. Therefore, Yang Song's journey seemed extremely hasty. He had come with a bit of arrogance, but now he felt like he was riding a tiger and it was difficult to get off. He could only hurriedly embark on the journey back, hoping to reach Hanzhong safely and put this matter to rest.

Meanwhile, within Hanzhong City, Yang Bai was already escorting the so-called Ma Chao back. While he might be called an escort, Yang Bai's conduct was far different from that of his brother, Yang Song. Yang Song, at the time, had only faced the generals of Xiliang, and the pressure was manageable. But the Ma Chao Yang Bai now faced was the true Young Master of Xiliang. Xiliang's current power and strength far surpassed even that of Hanzhong. It held a pivotal position within the empire, akin to a regional vassal. For this reason, Yang Bai treated Ma Chao with unwavering obedience and acceded to his every request while escorting him. Besides restricting Ma Chao's personal freedom, preventing him from meeting or speaking with his subordinates, he meticulously provided him with food, clothing, shelter, and transportation, treating him like a distinguished guest. Upon arriving in Hanzhong, Ma Chao's subordinates were detained in the barracks, while Ma Chao himself was warmly welcomed into Zhang Lu's palace. Zhang Lu was well aware of Ma Chao's unique and sensitive status, and his seemingly warm welcome likely concealed a complex calculation. Was he attempting to leverage Ma Chao's influence in Xiliang to consolidate his own position, or was he harboring other schemes and designs? All of this, like a fog, shrouded Hanzhong, making the situation even more delicate and intriguing.

"Ma Chao" was placed under house arrest in the city lord's mansion, surrounded by elite soldiers of the army, with sentries everywhere and swords and shadows hidden in the dark. Such tight defenses were due to Ma Chao's fame. His bravery on the battlefield and his ability to command Xiliang had long been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. The name "Jin Ma Chao" was well-known, forcing Zhang Lu to be on guard.

Zhang Lu immediately summoned Yang Bai and eagerly inquired about Ma Chao's condition during his escort. Yang Bai quickly bowed and replied, stating that Ma Chao had been safe and cooperative throughout the journey, without causing any trouble. Zhang Lu's anxiety eased slightly upon hearing this. He pondered to himself that if the young master of Xiliang, a distinguished figure, harbored resentment over the slightest misstep on his side, then given Xiliang's strength, Hanzhong would be in dire straits, unable to withstand the onslaught.

Zhang Lu invited Ma Chao to the city with the intention of negotiating peace with Xiliang to alleviate the heavy military pressure hanging over Hanzhong. Therefore, he meticulously planned the city's defenses, especially around the lord's residence, adopting a strategy of looseness within and tightness outside. Outside, soldiers guarded the city walls, and patrols constantly patrolled, providing a formidable warning against external enemies. Inside, although warriors were stationed near Ma Chao's residence, he provided leniency in even the smallest details, including his food and daily life. This arrangement was designed to foster a favorable atmosphere for peace talks, hoping to reach a consensus with Ma Chao and save Hanzhong from the scourge of Xiliang.