Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted, "Hey, look at the back of the group! Those thirty heavily armed men tucked in amongst them—could they be the legendary envoys from Xiliang?" The shout was like a boulder dropped into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand waves. Everyone was startled for a moment, then their gazes turned to the rear. A burly man was the first to exclaim, "Wow, their tattered clothes and armor are too shabby! Any soldier in Hanzhong is equipped better than them." A thin man in a cloth shirt nearby quickly chimed in, "That's right, Xiliang must be incredibly poor to have the envoys dressed like that. Unlike us in Hanzhong, where we're incredibly wealthy and our people have everything they need." For a moment, the crowd's laughter was mingled with unbridled disdain for Xiliang, their words overflowing with smug pride and a sense of superiority over their own prosperous Hanzhong.

Amid the bustling crowd, Zhang Lu and the officials beside him could clearly hear the people's chatter. The official, with a broad smile and an ingratiating look on his face, approached Zhang Lu and whispered, "Master, look! What the people are saying is not entirely without reason. Look at these envoys from Xiliang, each one dressed so poorly and simply. How can they compare to the people of Hanzhong? Not to mention our well-trained soldiers, even the ordinary people in these streets and alleys are living comfortably and well. This prosperity is all due to your outstanding contribution, Master."

Zhang Lu's gaze slowly shifted to the incessantly chattering official. His eyes held no trace of admiration; instead, a subtle tinge of distaste rose. He glared fiercely at the official, his icy gaze like a sharp arrow, instantly wiping away his smile. The flattery had hit the horse's hoof, and the official felt a chill run down his spine. He retreated a few steps, timidly refusing to breathe, and obediently shut his mouth.

Zhang Lu's thoughts at this moment were completely different from those of the flatterers around him. It's true that the Hanzhong envoys sent to negotiate with Xiliang were always dressed in gorgeous attire, appearing dignified and distinguished. But beneath this seemingly dazzling appearance, how many of them truly possessed the talent to help the country and bring peace to the nation, the ability to maneuver at the negotiating table and secure long-term benefits for Hanzhong?

The Xiliang delegation, on the other hand, was quite small, and the members' clothing and armor were mostly tattered and worn, appearing rather shabby at first glance. However, Zhang Lu keenly noticed a detail that no one else had noticed: the delegation of just thirty people exuded an invisible yet captivating aura of murderous intent, like a cheetah lurking in the shadows, not yet in action, yet already commanding the least regard.

The more Zhang Lu observed the Western Liang delegation's unassuming and unassuming demeanor, the more clearly he realized this was evidence that the Western Liang people didn't consider Hanzhong a formidable adversary worthy of their attention, perhaps even deliberately disdaining it. This feeling of being looked down upon, like a small yet sharp thorn, pierced Zhang Lu's heart, leaving him feeling rather queasy. But then, as he thought of the renowned Ma Chao still being held captive in Hanzhong, like a powerful trump card in his hand, his reassurance gradually eased. After all, Ma Chao's presence meant he still held a crucial bargaining chip in the game of chess with Western Liang.

As the Xiliang delegation approached, Zhang Lu calmed down, temporarily putting aside his turbulent thoughts. Meanwhile, the Hanzhong delegation halted first, orderly moving aside to clear the path to Zhang Lu's location. Yang Song stood still, his posture erect, his gaze fixed intently ahead. A moment later, Li Ru rode slowly and leisurely, his demeanor as if he were simply strolling in the garden. Although Li Ru was only a scholar, horseback riding was a fundamental skill required of everyone in Xiliang. Only when he reached Yang Song did Li Ru dismount calmly. He was dressed in ordinary clothing, unadorned by the appearance of a Xiliang envoy, plain and simple. Even so, Yang Song dared not show any slightest disrespect. His face was filled with respect, and he respectfully led Li Ru steadily in the direction of Zhang Lu.

Zhang Lu's gaze was fixed on the approaching middle-aged scholar. He was dressed in ordinary attire, his frame so thin and frail that a gust of wind might blow him over. Yet, every step he took, every gesture, exuded a calm and composed composure. Though he wore a seemingly gentle, caressing smile, for some reason, he emanated a faint, frightening aura, like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, poised to spring forth and inflict harm.

Zhang Lu stared intently at Li Ru, who, smiling, slowly approached him. As the distance between them closed, Zhang Lu felt an inexplicable chill run down his spine, as if a chill had run straight up his spine. Perhaps it was Li Ru's long-standing reputation; even though he was just an ordinary-looking, thin, middle-aged scholar, he still exuded an invisible intimidation that made Zhang Lu dare not be disrespectful or slack off.

Before Li Ru could even take a moment to settle, Zhang Lu, beaming, took the initiative to greet him. Even before he arrived, his hearty laughter reached him. "Mr. Li Ru, you've taken the trouble to come all the way from Xiliang. It must have been an arduous journey! I've heard of your great name for years, but never had the chance to meet you in person. Now that we've finally met, I realize you're truly extraordinary, and your reputation is well-deserved!"

Li Ru looked up at Zhang Lu, knowing well that as the lord of Hanzhong, Zhang Lu must have some ulterior motive for treating him so attentively. However, he still smiled and said, "Master, you are really embarrassing me. You are the lord of Hanzhong, yet you come in person to greet a humble scholar like me. I am flattered and feel extremely uneasy." Having said that, his face did not show any fear, and he still looked calm and composed.

Zhang Lu said warmly, "Sir, you've been traveling all this way. I've already prepared a banquet here, just in anticipation of your arrival. This will also help you cool down after such a long journey."

Li Ru just smiled and waved his hand, saying, "No hurry, no hurry. I heard that my Xiliang Young Master is currently staying as a guest in your Han Palace, but..." As he spoke, he raised his head slightly, his eyes slowly sweeping over the group of followers behind Zhang Lu, a hint of inquiry in his eyes, "But behind the Heavenly Master, there's no one who looks like my Young Master. I'm really curious, where is my Young Master now?"

Zhang Lu forced a dry laugh and said hastily, "Hey, hey, hey, General Ma is of unparalleled status. How dare I ask him to wait at the city gate in this cold wind? He's already comfortably housed in the City Lord's Mansion." Zhang Lu secretly grumbled. While his words were nice, how could he dare let Ma Chao show up so easily? What if the Xiliang people took advantage of the opportunity to kidnap him? With Ma Chao's extraordinary martial arts, how could he control the situation?

Li Ru was also well aware of Zhang Lu's intentions, knowing that he considered Ma Chao a key bargaining chip and that the old man would not easily let Ma Chao show up. Li Ru did not expose his intentions, but just stood there quietly with a smile on his face.

At this moment, Yang Song seized the opportunity and quickly made time to pay his respects to Zhang Lu. He said, "Master, this time I led the delegation all the way to the Xiliang front. I happened to meet Mr. Li Ru there, so I told him our request for peace talks, but..."

Zhang Lu hurriedly stepped forward to help Yang Song up, and said in a concerned and kind tone: "There is no need to say more, my dear driver. You brought the men of Hanzhong to the front line of Xiliang, and worked so hard for the peace talks in Hanzhong. I have seen all the hardships and difficulties along the way, and they are engraved in my heart. There is no need to say more at this moment. The city has already prepared a sumptuous banquet to welcome you, sir." After speaking, he turned to face the delegation behind him, his eyes full of satisfaction and appreciation, and said loudly: "You are all good men of Hanzhong. Zhang will remember your hard work along the way!" The 500-member delegation immediately shouted in unison, and the sound shook the sky.

Afterward, Zhang Lu addressed the thirty-man delegation from Western Liang accompanying Li Ru, saying, "Look at these warriors from Western Liang! Each one is handsome and impressive. After a long journey, they remain spirited and energetic. They truly are an elite force! Go into the city and rest up. Arriving in Hanzhong is like returning home." However, the thirty Western Liang men seemed oblivious to his words, remaining motionless on their horses, their posture erect. Though they didn't deliberately strike a commanding pose, an air of awe and awe was palpable. Only Jiang Xu gazed intently at Li Ru, awaiting his command.

Seeing this, Li Ru smiled faintly, waved his hand gently and said, "Get off your horses and follow the city lord to the mansion to have some hot food and warm your body." Upon hearing the order, Jiang Xu immediately bowed and agreed, and then waved his arm, and thirty people turned over and dismounted in unison. The movements were neat and uniform, like flowing water, which made Zhang Lu and the officials behind him look sideways.

Zhang Lu smiled and exclaimed in admiration, "Such military bearing and discipline truly demonstrate the elite of Xiliang, who have fought many battles in the past! Those who have come with Master Li Ru are all exceptionally skilled and truly an extraordinary army." Li Ru simply smiled modestly and said, "Master, you are too kind. These are merely ordinary soldiers on the front lines. I only brought some with me on this mission to look after my old bones. If not for this need, they wouldn't have come."

Zhang Lu was startled upon hearing this. Such a majestic and powerful army, yet Li Ru described them as mere ordinary soldiers? He looked at Yang Song with a hint of inquiry. Yang Song nodded slightly and said, "My lord, Mr. Li Ru is right. The soldiers of Xiliang are all such swift and brave men." Zhang Lu couldn't help but examine them again, pondering. After all, he had fought Xiliang for so long, yet he had never been on the front lines. Now, with this glimpse, he truly realized the vast gap between the Xiliang troops and his own. He couldn't help but feel grateful for the capture of Ma Chao, giving him this leverage. Otherwise, with Xiliang's powerful army, it would have been easy for them to conquer Hanzhong.