Eastern Han Dynasty, not the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 235: Fa Zheng Zhang Xiu Adds More Civil and Military Powers

Ma Chao's expression changed as he took in the two men's faces. He shouted to his men, "Untie them quickly! Untie them quickly!" The soldiers, startled by his eager tone, scrambled to untie the ropes. Ma Chao hurried forward, personally removing the rags from their mouths. With a look of guilt on his face, he said, "Mr. Fa Zheng, Brother Zhang Ren, I didn't expect you two to come. This is like a flood sweeping away the Dragon King Temple. Family members no longer recognize each other!"

Zhang Renyi looked aggrieved and angrily said, "Fa Zheng, Fa Zheng, I shouldn't have listened to you and come here to join Ma Chao. I thought Ma Chao was a very awe-inspiring figure, but I didn't expect him to treat me this way!"

Ma Chao hurriedly apologized, "Oh, oh, you two, I'm truly sorry. It's truly because the soldiers in the army didn't recognize your talents and that caused this blunder. I'm truly negligent, negligent! I, Ma Chao, apologize to you both!"

Ma Chao turned and introduced them to the crowd, "Second brother, third brother, please step forward. This is a renowned talent from Shu. This is Fa Zheng, also known as Fa Xiaozhi. His strategic vision is unmatched, radiant like a sky full of stars." Pointing to Zhang Ren, he added, "This is General Zhang Ren. His marching and deployment of troops are exquisite, his tactics are exceptional, and he is truly a rare talent."

Then he addressed Fa Zheng and Zhang Ren, "Don't be embarrassed, both of you. Come and meet these people. This imposing and majestic man is my sworn brother, Sun Ce, Sun Bofu. Born with extraordinary strength and valor, he earned the reputation of "Little Overlord" in Jiangdong at a young age, a name that strikes fear into the hearts of our enemies!"

Upon hearing this, the two hurried forward to greet him. Sun Ce also hurriedly returned the greeting, his smile as bright as the warm spring sun, and he said loudly, "I have long heard of your great names. It is truly my honor to meet you today!"

Ma Chao pointed at Zhou Yu and introduced him, "This is my sworn brother, Zhou Yu, also known as Zhou Gongjin. In his early years in Luoyang, he was renowned for his fame. The saying goes, 'If the song is wrong, Zhou Lang will look back.' This is the talented and handsome Zhou Lang."

Fa Zheng quickly bowed, his eyes full of admiration. "Oh, so this is the prodigy Zhou Lang, who was famous throughout the world and in Luoyang back then. Seeing him today, he is indeed unparalleled in grace and bearing, truly a rare talent!"

Zhou Yu also smiled and bowed in return, saying gracefully, "Mr. Fa Zheng, thank you for your compliment. I am flattered to receive your praise."

At this time, Xu Huang and Zhang Xiu came over with playful smiles and winks. Xu Huang put his arm around Fa Zheng's shoulders and said with a smile, "Hey, Lao Zheng, there's no need for us to introduce ourselves. Before we captured you, we were already very close!"

Not to be outdone, Zhang Xiu quickly stepped forward and, pretentiously brushing the dust off Zhang Ren, muttered, "Brother, are you here to see me? I've missed you so much!"

Zhang Renyi waved his hand vigorously with a look of disgust, saying, "Go away, get out of here! We've come here on business. You two are so dishonest and bandit-like. How can you be considered a general leading an army? You're nothing but two idiots!"

After hearing this, everyone burst into laughter, and the laughter echoed in the house. The atmosphere suddenly became relaxed and cheerful, just like a festival.

Fa Zheng coughed lightly and spoke first, "General Ma Chao, to be honest, we are both at the end of our rope and have come to you for help. Liu Zhang of Shu is cowardly and incompetent, lured by slander and full of suspicion towards us. Huang Quan, Wang Lei, and other treacherous figures have been ostracizing and suppressing us at every turn, attempting to put us to death. Zhang Ren and I have great ambitions, but nowhere to realize them. With no other choice, we have left Shu and come here. We hope you will take us in."

Zhang Ren added, "General, the Shu region has been reduced to a state of chaos and the people are suffering. We simply do not want to be associated with those villains, so we risked our lives to escape and come to seek your protection."

Ma Chao said nervously, "Please tell me in detail, don't be anxious."

Ever since Fa Zheng, Zhang Ren, and Yan Yan had led the remnants of their defeated army back to Chengdu, bearing the cold bodies of Liu Yan's two sons, Liu Fan and Liu Dan, with expressions of despair, Liu Yan, already gravely ill and on the verge of death, had heard the devastating news. His face had instantly turned pale, his eyes wide open, as if they were about to burst from their sockets. He raised a trembling hand, like a withered branch, and pointed at the three men, his throat rasping with a hoarse, furious roar: "You... you actually killed my two sons!" The voice was shrill and mournful, like the cry of a cuckoo, as if it were tearing his heart and lungs apart.

Liu Yan desperately struggled to rise from the bed, but the surging anger overwhelmed him, and his entire body slumped back like a tattered piece of cotton wool, gasping for air with the sound of a worn-out bellows struggling to operate. Tears streamed down his face like a broken dam, instantly soaking the pillow. His face, already gaunt and withered, now looked even more withered, as if all life and energy had been drained away in an instant, leaving only a shrunken shell.

"Drag them out and behead them! Behead them!" Liu Yan roared frantically, his voice hoarse and broken with extreme grief and indignation, almost inaudible. The attendants beside him paled with fear, their legs buckling as they knelt, kowtowed, and begged for mercy. Under their earnest entreaties, Liu Yan's fury gradually subsided, and he reluctantly let the three men go.

However, this devastating blow left Liu Yan with a heavy heart knot that was difficult to untie. He lost his appetite and couldn't sleep, constantly muttering his two sons' names, his voice sometimes low and whispered, sometimes piercing and high, like a lost ghost. A few days after burying Liu Fan and Liu Dan, Liu Yan finally died, his heart knotted. With endless regret and pain, he died in despair and remorse.

After Liu Yan's death, his three sons were all playboys, frivolous and incompetent, unable to handle the important responsibilities. In desperation, the people had no choice but to let his youngest son, Liu Zhang, succeed him. Liu Zhang was weak and incompetent, with no independent thinking, which led to the government of Shu falling into the control of the local aristocratic families. For a time, Shu's political affairs were in chaos and turmoil.

Fortunately for Yan Yan, he was already a highly respected veteran general in Shu. During his time in Shu, he had earned the respect of the people with his outstanding military achievements and noble character. His students and former officials were spread throughout Shu, and his family was one of the most influential in the region, with deep roots and extensive connections in Shu.

Fa Zheng and Zhang Ren suffered greatly. Their youth, their time in Shuzhong brief, their foundations precarious. They had joined the expedition with lofty ambitions, hoping to achieve great feats, but luck was against them. The rapidly changing battlefield situation ultimately led to the death of their leading general and the loss of countless Yizhou troops. This outcome undoubtedly cast a heavy shadow over their fate.

Desperate to give an explanation to the people of Shu, Liu Zhang blindly listened to the slanderous words of treacherous and treacherous individuals, completely disregarding the battle-hardened sacrifices of Fa Zheng and Zhang Ren, and placing all the blame for the failed campaign on them. From then on, the two men became infamous throughout Shu, their notoriety spreading far and wide. Wherever they went, they were met with scorn and criticism. People pointed fingers behind their backs, their harsh words piercing their hearts like sharp arrows. The swirling gossip in the streets and alleys made them the target of public criticism, subjecting them to endless humiliation and pressure. Their once-high ambitions were ruthlessly shattered by reality, and the road ahead seemed increasingly uncertain and difficult amidst this chorus of accusations.

After the two men finished their stories, they knelt together to pledge their allegiance to Ma Chao, saying earnestly, "General Ma, from now on, we two will serve you with unwavering devotion, even at the cost of our lives."

Ma Chao quickly helped the two men to their feet, holding their arms tightly with both hands. He said with a sincere look, "Please stand up quickly! Liu Jiyu is blind and doesn't recognize your talents. As a result, you are like pearls in the dust in his eyes. Now, I, Ma Chao, am fortunate to have your help!"

Ma Chao's face was filled with unconcealable joy as he continued, "I believe that with your talents, you two will be able to realize your ambitions here. Let's work together to create something great!"

He smiled heartily, his eyes full of longing and anticipation for the future. "Having you two join me is like taking a reassurance pill. I feel so relieved and happy!"

After hearing what Ma Chao said, Fa Zheng and Zhang Ren were deeply moved and secretly decided to assist Ma Chao with all their strength.

Xu Huang cracked another joke. He stood up and said with a hearty laugh, "Haha, that's great! We have two more talented people. From now on, the battle will be even more exciting!"

He walked over to Fa Zheng and Zhang Ren and patted them on the shoulders: "Now that you two are here, you must follow our general and work hard. I guarantee you will have a good life!"

Fa Zheng and Zhang Ren were left feeling a bit amused and helpless by his annoyance, but the atmosphere also became much more relaxed.

Zhang Xiu picked up the wine jug, filled everyone's glasses, and said loudly, "Come, come, let's drink together to celebrate our gathering and our future victory!"

Everyone raised their glasses and drank it all in one gulp. Zhang Xiu made the atmosphere of the banquet lively again, and laughter echoed throughout the hall.