Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Zhang Lu looked at his daughter, his heart a tangled mess. On one hand, he was deeply concerned for her; the journey to Xiliang was long and fraught with uncertainty. On the other, his daughter's fate and his own hopes for the sect seemed to be shattered by this tragedy. His eyes were filled with reluctance and struggle, his lips trembling slightly, yet he didn't know how to change the situation.

Li Ru, however, ignored Zhang Lu's inner turmoil and turned directly to Zhang Fubao, his face beaming with joy, his eyes brimming with delight, as if he had seen some rare treasure. He said enthusiastically, "Come, come, little Fubao, don't be afraid. Come with me to Xiliang, it's a wonderful place. My wife is incredibly gentle and kind, and treats everyone with warmth, like the warm spring sun, instantly making you feel the warmth of home. And there's my young lady, Ma Yunlu, who's about your age, not much younger, and has a lively and cheerful personality. You two will definitely get along. Oh, and there's Miss Dong Bai, too. She's well-educated, gentle, and quiet, and a very pleasant person to get along with."

As Li Ru spoke, he enthusiastically described the scenery of Xiliang: "Xiliang is a vast land, with magnificent scenery completely different from Hanzhong. There are vast grasslands. At a glance, the grass is green and the flowers are colorful, as if the earth is covered with a colorful velvet carpet. Herds of horses galloping across the grasslands, the momentum is like a painting of thousands of horses galloping, which is shocking. When the sun sets, the afterglow casts on the grasslands, and the whole world is dyed golden, with a dreamlike beauty. Xiliang's city is tall and solid, full of the heroism and ruggedness of the frontier. The city is bustling with people, and the market is filled with all kinds of novel things, including exquisite Hu clothing, gorgeous accessories, and a variety of unique delicacies. You will definitely feast your taste buds."

Li Ru talked incessantly, trying to use these beautiful descriptions to dispel the fear in Zhang Fubao's heart.

Zhang Fubao's face, originally tense with fear, gradually relaxed as Li Ru described it, and a hint of anticipation flickered in her eyes. She tilted her head slightly, her gaze filled with curiosity and hesitation, and cautiously asked Li Ru, "Mr. Li, is everything you've said true? Is Xiliang really that beautiful, and are the people there so easy to get along with?"

Li Ru was delighted upon seeing this. He nodded vigorously and assured him solemnly, "Little Fu Bao, how could I lie to you? Every word I said is true! The scenery of Xiliang is a painting painted by God himself. Everyone who has been there is amazed. As for the ladies I mentioned, they are all excellent people, kind and enthusiastic. I guarantee they will be delighted to see you. You will feel right at home there and be happy and at ease."

Zhang Fubao bit her lip and glanced at her father, Zhang Lu, whose face was filled with resignation and reluctance. Though she still felt a pang of fear at the thought of leaving her familiar homeland, the scene of Xiliang described by Li Ru was so alluring, as if an invisible force was pulling her towards it. Finally, she took a deep breath, as if mustering immense courage, and said to Zhang Lu, "Father, I am willing to go."

Zhang Lu's heart was filled with reluctance and worry like a surging tide, yet he stubbornly refused to let Fu Bao embark on this uncertain journey to Xiliang. He stared at Fu Bao, his eyes filled with love and anxiety, as if he wanted to deeply imprint his daughter's final image in his heart, trying to persuade her to stay. "Fu Bao, Xiliang is a land you're unfamiliar with, and I'm truly worried about you. The journey is long and arduous, with countless unknown dangers. What would I do if anything happened to you?"

Zhang Fubao raised her eyes, her gaze firm and resolute. She knew very well that the people of Hanzhong were suffering from the threat of war, and her heart was full of righteousness and responsibility: "Father, I understand your concerns, but I am going there to shoulder the heavy responsibility of peace between Hanzhong and Xiliang. If I don't go, the war will never be quelled, and countless people will suffer and be displaced. How can I ignore the lives of thousands of people because of my own selfishness?" Her voice was crisp but firm, and every word fell heavily on Zhang Lu's heart.

Zhang Lu felt a pang of pain in his heart. He knew his daughter's words made sense, but with such deep love for her, how could he bear to let her take such a risk? He sighed deeply, as if he had used up all his strength, his eyes filled with helplessness and sadness. He nodded slowly: "Forget it, forget it. Since you have made up your mind, father will not stop you. But you must be careful in everything you do on your trip, and don't make father worry. Remember to take care of yourself, and if you encounter any difficulties, you must find a way to send a message back." After saying this, he raised his hand and gently stroked Fu Bao's head, the movement so gentle that it seemed as if with just a little pressure, his daughter would disappear.

Zhang Fubao's eyes were red, and she held back her tears and nodded vigorously: "Don't worry, father, I will return safely. But I have one request, I hope you can let him go." She turned to look at Zhen Mi, her eyes full of earnestness.

Zhang Lu's heart surged with hatred upon hearing this. If it weren't for Zhen Mi's absurd behavior, why would his daughter be trapped in this situation? But seeing his daughter's pleading eyes, he really didn't want to embarrass her at this moment. He gritted his teeth, the rage in his heart raging like a trapped beast, but he finally suppressed it and ordered coldly, "Take her away first."

Zhang Lu finally nodded in agreement, and a relaxed smile suddenly appeared on Li Ru's face, as if the tension he had been holding for days had finally been loosened. Zhang Lu turned around, his eyes filled with worry and reluctance, and solemnly instructed Zhang Qiying and Zhang Gui, "Qiying, Zhang Gui, the two of you must immediately pack Fu Bao's luggage carefully. Consider every detail carefully and don't overlook anything. Also, select five hundred of the most capable and loyal followers to accompany Fu Bao to Xiliang to preach. The journey is long, so you must protect her well. If anything goes wrong, you will be held accountable!"

Zhang Qiying and Zhang Gui looked at each other, and saw the same solemnity in each other's eyes. They responded in unison: "Don't worry, father, we will not fail our mission!" After that, the two hurried away and began to prepare for related matters.

Seeing everything seemed settled, Li Ru smiled meaningfully. He leaned slightly to the side, his gaze steady as he looked at Zhang Lu. His tone, though calm, concealed an undeniable firmness: "Zhang Lu, my Xiliang troops will withdraw immediately as a token of our sincerity. However, I have two conditions, and I hope you will agree to them."

Zhang Lu's heart tightened. He looked at Li Ru warily and asked, "Mr. Li Ru, what are your conditions? Feel free to tell me, but please don't make things too difficult for Hanzhong."

Li Ru's expression remained unchanged as he spoke slowly, "First, Hanzhong must open up an unobstructed passage to ensure our Xiliang troops can smoothly transport food from Hanzhong to Yangzhou. General Ma Chao is currently preparing to attack Yangzhou, and the supply of food and fodder is crucial. This is of paramount importance. Second, if General Ma Chao leads his troops back to Xiliang via Hanzhong, Hanzhong must allow them to pass unconditionally without any obstruction."

He paused, his eyes flicking to Zhang Fubao beside him, then continued, "As long as you in Hanzhong act accordingly, I, Li Ru, guarantee with my integrity that Zhang Fubao will live a happy and carefree life in Xiliang, without a single harm. My wife and daughter will treat her like a dear family and take good care of her."

Zhang Lu's heart sank upon hearing this. These two conditions, though seemingly simple, actually had a profound impact on the situation in Hanzhong. A single misstep could plunge Hanzhong into a precarious position. But for the sake of his daughter's safety, and even more so for Hanzhong to quell the flames of war and spare its people, he was torn between his own conscience and his own desires.

After thinking for a long time, Zhang Lu gritted his teeth, raised his head, looked at Li Ru with a firm gaze, and said slowly: "Okay, I promise you. But Mr. Li Ru, you must also keep your promise and make sure that the talisman is safe. If anything happens to her in Xiliang, I, Zhang Lu, will not let it go!"

Li Ru smiled faintly and said confidently, "Don't worry, Master. I, Li Ru, always keep my word. As long as Hanzhong fulfills his promise, Zhang Fubao will be safe in Xiliang."

Everything was properly arranged, and a satisfied smile slowly spread across Li Ru's face. He turned and looked at the sorrowful Zhang Lu, saying softly, "Master, please don't be so sad. This matter may seem difficult, but it may not be a bad thing. This is not only a request from Xiliang, but also a rare opportunity for you in Hanzhong."

Li Ru paused slightly, his eyes looking off into the distance as if looking into the future, and continued, "The world's situation is ever-changing. When the time is right, perhaps Xiliang will be able to capitalize on this opportunity and achieve great things. And your Five Pecks of Rice Sect in Hanzhong will also be able to rise to prominence and achieve extraordinary success."

Li Ru had spent several years in leisure in Xiliang, a life he had grown accustomed to. After settling everything in Hanzhong, he decided to leave.

In the cold twelfth month of winter, outside Hanzhong City, the north wind was like a knife, cutting everyone's faces. Zhang Lu and his family stood there with solemn expressions.

Li Ru sat on his horse, his expression stern. Zhang Lu was filled with reluctance, yet dared not speak. His little daughter, delicate and helpless, lay at Li Ru's side, her eyes filled with reluctance.

Zhang Lu looked at his daughter with a broken heart, but in order to maintain peace in Hanzhong, he could only watch his daughter being taken away as a hostage by Li Ru.

Li Ru left Jiang Xu in Hanzhong for liaison. He looked at Jiang Xu and solemnly instructed him, "Jiang Xu, you remain in Hanzhong and must maintain close communication with General Zhang Lu. From now on, you will be required to coordinate all matters between Hanzhong and Xiliang. If there are any errors, military action will be taken!"

Jiang Xu clasped his fists and accepted the order: "Don't worry, sir, Jiang Xu will definitely fulfill the mission."

Zhang Lu looked at Jiang Xu. Although he was a little dissatisfied with this arrangement, he had no choice but to accept it. He said, "Since this is the case, General Jiang, if you need anything in Hanzhong in the future, we can discuss it with you."

After making all the necessary arrangements, Li Ru prepared to depart for Xiliang with Zhang Fubao and the others. Before departing, Zhang Lu held Zhang Fubao's hand tightly, his eyes filled with reluctance and worry. He urged him repeatedly, "Fubao, when you arrive in Xiliang, be careful and listen to Mr. Li. If you're wronged, be sure to tell your father."

Zhang Fubao held back her tears and nodded, "Father, don't worry, I will take good care of myself. You should also take care of yourself and don't worry too much about me."

Afterwards, Zhang Fubao, accompanied by five hundred followers, and Li Ru embarked on the journey to Xiliang. Along the way, Zhang Fubao gazed at the receding land of Hanzhong, feeling a mixture of emotions. She knew this journey carried a heavy responsibility, one that concerned not only the well-being of the people of Hanzhong but also her own future.

Zhang Lu, who remained in Hanzhong, gazed in the direction they had left, not moving for a long time. He knew full well that the situation between Hanzhong and Xiliang remained delicate, and the future was full of uncertainties. He wondered what the outcome of all these decisions would bring to Hanzhong.