Half a month ago, when Zhang Lu had just attacked Hanzhong, Zhao Song had suggested that Su Gu seek help from the other dukes.
Su Gu knew that it was difficult to resist Zhang Lu with his own strength, so he accepted Zhao Song's suggestion.
Therefore, Su Gu wrote two letters.
One was sent to Ma Teng of Western Liang.
One was given to Liu Biao, the governor of Jingzhou.
Over the years, Su Gu had dealt with Ma Teng a lot. He bought his livestock and he bought his food. Both sides were mutually beneficial.
Su Gu felt that he still had some feelings for Ma Teng, so he wanted Ma Teng to help his brother at a critical moment for the sake of many years of trading.
As for Jingzhou Liu Biao, Ling County, the easternmost part of Hanzhong County, was less than two hundred miles away from Jingzhou and Xiangyang. They could reach there in half a day on horseback.
Liu Biao had always wanted to win over Su Gu, wanting him to lead Hanzhong into the embrace of Jingzhou.
This way, Liu Biao could use this to extend his sphere of influence to the hinterland of Sichuan and Shu, forming a pincer attack on Liu Yan from the east and north.
Liu Yan was afraid to act rashly and did not dare to leave White Emperor City to threaten the Jingzhou region.
How could Su Gu not know of Liu Biao's great ambition?
However, the current situation was stronger than the current situation. He had to ask Liu Biao for help. He had to get through the current difficulties before he could talk about anything else.
Compared with Liu Biao, Su Gu hated Liu Biao even more.
Finally, although Ma Teng of Western Liang did not move, Liu Biao had finally arrived.
…………
When Su Gu dressed up and came to the hall of the government office, Zhao Song was serving Kuai Yue tea.
Seeing Su Gu come over, Kuai Yue hurriedly stood up and cupped his hands."Yue, greets Governor Su."
"Mr. Yidu, you're too polite. Please sit down.”
Su Gu squeezed out a smile and cupped his hands in response.
"Thank you, Governor Su."
Kuai Yue shook his robe and sat down again. He said slowly,""Governor Su, my lord has received your letter last month. He is now sending Yue Qian to resolve the siege of Hanzhong.”
"Good, that's great. Prefecture Overseer Liu is still so kind.”
Su Gu was overjoyed when he heard this. He immediately asked with a smile,"I wonder how many soldiers did Mister Yidu bring?”
Kuai Yue immediately said proudly,"I have been ordered by my lord to bring 4,000 cavalry and 3,000 infantry to help Governor Su."”
"Seven thousand soldiers?"
After Su Gu heard this, the hopeful expression on his face instantly collapsed.
In his opinion, these seven thousand soldiers were far from enough to fight against Zhang Lu and Zhang Xiu's forty thousand soldiers.
Kuai Yue saw every change in Su Gu's expression.
He smiled and said," Governor Su, don't underestimate Yue's 7,000 Jing State soldiers. They are all elite soldiers of our Jing State who can fight against ten people at once. They will definitely defeat Zhang Lu and his army of Bashu Mountain people in one battle.”
"Oh, really?"
Su Gu was slightly stunned, but his heart was filled with joy.
He was thinking that if it was really as Kuai Yue had said, that the Jing state soldiers under his command were all strong enough to fight ten men at once, then it was not impossible for them to defeat Zhang Lu.
Thinking of this, Su Gu's face was filled with smiles again.
Su Gu cupped his hands and said," Then I can rest assured. If the thief Zhang dares to attack the city tomorrow, I hope that Mr. Yidu can help us defeat Zhang Lu."”
"Haha, no problem."
Kuai Yue smiled and took out a letter from his sleeve.""Governor Su, this is a letter that my lord asked me to pass to you. Take a look first. After reading it, we'll talk about the details of assisting in the battle.”
Kuai Yue stood up and walked to Su Gu, respectfully handing the letter over.
"Oh!"
Su Gu's expression froze. He took the letter from Kuai Yue's hands and read it in surprise.
The contents of the letter at the beginning were still alright. They were all just polite words.
However, when Su Gu read the content, his face instantly turned ashen.
In the letter, Liu Biao stated the conditions for helping Su Gu withdraw his troops.
There were two conditions…
First, Su Gu took Hanzhong County under Liu Biao's command and became a county of Jingzhou.
From then on, Jingzhou would take on the responsibility of defending Hanzhong and send troops to guard it.
Second, Su Gu ceded the four counties of Xicheng, Shangyong, Fangling, and Xi County, which were close to Jingzhou, to Jingzhou. From then on, he would be separated from Hanzhong.
Before Su Gu could finish reading, he slammed the letter on the table and roared,"What is Liu Jingsheng trying to do?”
"Chief Su, don't make it sound so unpleasant.”
Kuai Yue slowly took a sip of tea and said faintly,""According to what Yue knows, the county governors of the West City, Shangyong, and the other four counties don't seem to listen to Governor Su's commands.
Rather than Governor Su being out of his reach and difficult to manage, it would be better to give it to Jingzhou.
Governor Su, please rest assured that our Jing State will definitely make them submit.”
Kuai Yue's words seemed to be mocking Su Gu.
He mocked Su Gu for not even having the ability to manage his own territory.
This made Su Gu's expression even uglier.
He wanted to be angry, but the situation was stronger than him. He did not dare to fall out on the spot and lose the reinforcements he had painstakingly invited.
And once they lost this reinforcement, they would have to face the outcome of Hanzhong being completely conquered by Zhang Lu and Zhang Xiu.
Should he abandon the four counties to protect the overall situation of Hanzhong?
Or should he fall into Liu Biao's arms and let him protect him?
For a moment, Su Gu was somewhat hesitant.
"Sir, please go to the posthouse to rest. This old man will consider this matter again.”
Su Gu raised his hand slightly and said indifferently to Kuai Yue.
"Haha, that's fine too. I'll wait for the good news from Governor Su.”
Kuai Yue smiled meaningfully, then got up and left.
As he walked out of the hall, he said faintly,"When I came here, I learned that Zhang Lu's army had already set off from Bao City. I hope Governor Su can make up his mind as soon as possible.”
"Hmph, I know."
Hearing Kuai Yue's faint threat, Su Gu finally could not suppress the anger in his heart.
After Kuai Yue left, Zhao Song said angrily,""Governor, this Liu Biao is really going too far.”
"Sigh…"
Su Gu sighed dejectedly. His face seemed to have aged a lot in an instant. He said woodenly,"Zishan, the current situation is stronger than the person. Liu Biao is certain that we have no choice but to ask him for help.
That's why he took advantage of the situation. To think that this old man once treated him as a close friend.”
"Then what does the prefect think?”
Zhao Song asked with a face full of humiliation.
"Zishan, what do you think we should do?”
Su Gu slowly raised his head and asked a question instead of answering.
"This subordinate, this subordinate does not know."
Zhao Song pondered for a moment before shaking his head in pain.
No matter which option he chose, he would have to accept the humiliation brought by Liu Biao. From then on, Hanzhong would no longer have the right to make its own decisions.
Zhao Song and Su Gu understood the principle of being the head of a chicken rather than the tail of a phoenix.
But what if he didn't agree?
"Zishan, go back and rest first. Let me think about this.”
Su Gu stood up shakily and walked toward the back hall with staggering steps.
At this moment…
"Report…"
The messenger outside the door ran in.
"Prefect, Nanjiang Liu Bei's general Zhao Yun is leading two thousand light cavalry outside the city.”
the messenger reported.
"What did you say? Liu Bei's general, Zhao Yun, what is he doing in Hanzhong?”
Su Gu, who had already stepped into the back hall, suddenly turned around and said in surprise.
"This…this subordinate does not know."
The messenger shook his head blankly.
"Governor, you are seeking an audience at this time. You should be a friend and not an enemy. This subordinate feels that it is better to meet first.”
Zhao Song suggested with a delighted expression.
"Yes, Zishan is right."
Su Gu pondered for a moment and said,"Then let him come in, but the soldiers must stay outside the city. Only Zhao Yun will come alone."”
Su Gu, who was besieged on all sides, was already a little scared.
He was worried that Liu Bei and Zhang Lulian had become one.
After all, Liu Bei was stationed in Nanjiang County because of Liu Yan.
Therefore, strictly speaking, Liu Bei was Liu Yan's subordinate.
And now, Liu Bei, who was Liu Yan's subordinate, had actually sent troops at this critical moment. What was his intention?
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