Chapter 533: A Moth Flies Into the Flame, and a Bright Future Emerges

After Gu Rubing entered the city, he was greeted by overwhelming shouts.

Those soldiers and civilians, standing in the streets and alleys, and now in the buildings on the streets, were all shouting Gu Rubing's title crazily.

The two words "Lie Wang" were about to break through the sky and the earth.

Gu Rubing was also a little shocked when he saw this scene. If he had known earlier, he would not have received such treatment when he was crowned Lie Wang and returned to Qingzhou Linzi. As a result, he encountered such a large-scale welcome ceremony here, which made Gu Rubing a little flattered for the first time.

Gu Rubing walked along the way, recruiting soldiers and civilians along the way.

Even if he didn't say a word, he still made the soldiers and civilians crazy.

You can imagine that you used to live in a dark world without any justice, and you couldn't even have enough food.

Farmers worked hard to grow food for a year, but in the end they had to hand over 90% of the food to the court, and they couldn't even meet the food and clothing needs of their own families.

Some people who make a living are better off. Riding a horse can maintain the simplest food and clothing, but that's all. The high tariffs make them miserable. It can be said that the proportion of their taxes is even higher than that of farmers. Maybe they will only get a tiny fraction of what they originally had.

Beautiful women don't dare to walk on the street at all, let alone go to the street alone. Even if they are accompanied by someone, they can only complain about the ruthlessness of heaven after being found by the sons of the nobles.

You have been living in such a world since you were born, but suddenly one day, a man appeared, he beat all the nobles, and then announced that he would reduce taxes and let everyone have a bite to eat. He not only said it, but also did it, like a ray of light illuminating their world.

So, they followed this light and began to move forward. Countless people flocked to it and were willing to follow him to conquer the world.

Just when Gu Rubing walked not far into the city, there was a commotion on the top of the city, and then someone shouted.

"It's the Prime Minister, the Prime Minister is here too!"

Gu Rubing looked back in astonishment. He did not instruct Zhuge Liang to come here. First, this trip was really dangerous. Gu Rubing was at least a second-rate general with some military power, but Zhuge Liang was completely powerless.

Second, Xudu was now an empty city. There would be a huge difference between having these 1,000 Bai Li soldiers or not. According to Gu Rubing's understanding of Cao Cao's character in history and his experience of fighting Cao Cao so many times in the past few years, Cao Cao would definitely return.

But now is obviously not the time to consider these issues.

"Let's go and pick up the Prime Minister first."

So, Gu Rubing and his party turned back again and went to the city wall to welcome Zhuge Liang.

The soldiers and civilians in the city watched Gu Rubing and his party walking in the opposite direction. They had not yet reacted to what was going on. Why did they leave just after they came?

At the city gate, Gu Rubing received Zhuge Liang.

"Prime Minister, why are you here? Didn't we agree that you would stay in Xudu?"

Gu Rubing still cares about this legendary strategist, who is the only one in the world. Moreover, with the help of filters, Gu Rubing really trusts Zhuge Liang unconditionally, just like Guan Yu and Zhang Fei.

"My Lord."

Zhuge Liang bowed to Gu Rubing, and Gu Rubing hurried forward to support Zhuge Liang.

"My Lord, since you left Xudu, I have specially divined a hexagram."

"What hexagram?"

Gu Rubing's eyes have a hint of expectation. He has always believed in these Feng Shui. After all, he is a person who has lived three lives, and he has long been accustomed to some supernatural phenomena in the dark. Especially after seeing Zhuge Liang's hexagram, Gu Rubing is even more convinced. Now Zhuge Liang actually mentioned the hexagram, which must be a new discovery.

Zhuge Liang still has a faint smile on his face, but the words he said are not related to the smile.

"The hexagram has only eight characters, and the last four characters are 'willows dark and flowers bright'."

"What do you mean?"

"After that, I drew another hexagram, and the hexagram showed that the breakthrough point of 'willows dark and flowers bright' was in Qingzhou, so I asked Wang Ping to go back to Qingzhou and bring someone with him."

Gu Rubing said, turning sideways, revealing a person behind him. Gu Rubing was slightly stunned, and the person behind him was Hua Tuo.

Before Gu Rubing could react, Taishi Ci, who was beside Gu Rubing, had already begun to look at Zhuge Liang with an extremely worshipful look. Gu Rubing understood in his heart that someone must have been injured and needed Hua Tuo to treat him.

"What about the first four characters?"

"It's not the right time yet, and it's not the time to reveal the secret."

Zhuge Liang smiled and shook his head.

"Thank you for your trouble, Prime Minister. I'm sure you're tired after the long journey. Let's go into the city first."

As Zhuge Liang and Gu Rubing re-entered the city, the Nanjun County City, which had just quieted down, once again started a cheer that broke through the sky.

With the welcome of soldiers and civilians along the way, they came to Liu Qi's governor's mansion. Liu Qi's face was full of joy. After he knew that Gu Rubing and Zhuge Liang were coming, he hurried out to greet them. Both of them were Liu Qi's benefactors. One of them allowed Liu Qi to spend the first half of his life in isolation and helplessness safely, and the other allowed Liu Qi to entrust his entire life and property to him. It can be said that the weight of the two in Liu Qi's heart is no less than that of his deceased father.

When he came to the meeting hall, Gu Rubing saw that only Tai Shici and Pang De were sitting here, and he understood in his heart.

"Liu Qi, Nanjun is your territory. Please tell me about the defense situation of Nanjun."

Liu Qi stood up and bowed.

"Reporting to my lord, at midnight last night, Cao Cao's subordinates and Liu Zhang's subordinates launched an attack on Nanjun from the northeast and west respectively. In the northeast battlefield, Cao Cao's troops suffered 90,000 losses and ours suffered 60,000 losses. , in the western battlefield, Liu Zhang’s men lost 70,000, and we lost 23,000.”

When Liu Qi was talking, Gu Rubing waved to Liu Qi and told him to sit down. Liu Qi was not polite and sat on his seat to continue talking.

"At the cost of being seriously injured and unconscious, Meng Qi severely wounded Cao Cao's two generals, Xiahou Dun and Xia Houyuan. Later, Cao Cao entangled eleven generals to surround me, Junyi and Lingming. Finally, Junyi was injured, and then he stopped Cao Cao. His subordinates attacked. On the western battlefield, Ling Ming killed Liu Zhang’s general, the Western Spear King Zhang Ren. "

When he heard this sentence, Pang De obviously wanted to say something, but in the end he didn't say it. Gu Rubing frowned tightly. The battle situation here could no longer be described as serious. It was almost in danger. Gu Rubing turned to look at Zhuge Liang. Zhuge Liang seemed to have the same mind as Gu Rubing and nodded slightly.

"Moths fly to the flame."

As soon as these words came out, Gu Rubing's frown became even tighter.

He knew that this was the other four-character hexagram that Zhuge Liang did not say at the city gate, so when connected together, it was like a moth flying into the flame, and a bright future in the dark.

From this point of view, they do not have no chance.

When he entered the governor's mansion, Hua Tuo had already been sent to treat Zhang He and Ma Chao.

"Prime Minister, do you have any better ideas?"

Gu Rubing looked at Zhuge Liang expectantly, his eyes full of expectation. He knew that Zhuge Liang would never aim without aim. Just Hua Tuo could not be called a bright future. After all, even if Ma Chao and Zhang He had returned to their peak combat power , then their combat power is not much different from that of Cao Cao. Even if they can defeat Cao Cao and Liu Zhang together, what about Sun Jian who is following them?

When Sun Jian and Cao Cao meet up, how will they resist?

Gu Rubing did underestimate the determination of Sun Jian and Cao Cao's alliance this time, because he had already told Sun Jian about Dian Wei's betrayal of Sun Ce, and had Sun Ce testify. It was impossible for Sun Jian not to believe it, but Sun Jian still followed them all the way. Zui Zui followed far behind and arrived at the Nanjun County City. He must have joined Cao Cao by now.

In addition, there is no news about Guan Yu's pursuit of Dian Wei, and Zhang Fei was also lured away by Sun Ce. The two of them don't know when they will come back, and they cannot be used as a stable trump card. Gu Rubing was really a little worried for a while. I am at my wits end.

Seeing Gu Rubing's expectant eyes, Zhuge Liang smiled and said the last part of the hexagram.

"There are two places where the willows are dark and the flowers are bright. One is in Qingzhou, and the other is in Nanjun."

"In Nan County?"

Gu Rubing was a little confused. Could there be any variables here that would change the situation of the battle?

In contrast, Zhuge Liang did not answer, but waved his feather fan lightly.

"As for the variables in Jingzhou Nanjun, I haven't figured it out yet. My lord, why don't you ask the other generals?"

Hearing what Zhuge Liang said, Gu Rubing turned his attention to several people.

"Is there any news you haven't said yet?"

Liu Qi shook his head slightly, indicating that there was no more, but Pang De, on the other hand, looked hesitant, and Zhuge Liang could see this look.

"General Lingming seems to have something to say?"

Pang De quickly stood up, cupped his hands and clasped his fists towards Gu Rubing and Zhuge Liang.

"There is indeed something that I have not yet reported, but I don't know if it is related to what the Prime Minister said."

"Tell me and listen."

Gu Rubing became interested. At this time, anything could become the key to changing the situation of the battle.

"Actually, Zhang Ren, the spear king of the West, is not dead. He is now waiting for news from me in a small military town in the south of Nanjun County. No, it should be said that he is waiting for news from the lord."

As soon as Pang De said this, everyone in the meeting hall was stunned. What is going on? What does it mean to not be dead and still waiting for Gu Rubing in the military town?

"What are you waiting for me to do?"

Therefore, Pang De told everything about the last negotiation between himself and Zhang Ren.

When Gu Rubing heard that Zhang Ren had been hiding his clumsiness and wanted to betray Liu Zhang and join Cao Cao, there was already a hint of disgust on his face. He had always harbored such a double-minded intention. He didn't have a good impression. Even Lu Bu, the most powerful general in the Three Kingdoms at that time, came to join him, but he didn't agree, let alone Zhang Ren.

However, Gu Rubing continued to listen, because according to his understanding, there were not many records about Zhang Ren in history. He only had the title of Spear King of the West, and he was also known to be Tong Yuan's second disciple, Spear Immortal. Zhang Xiu's junior brother, Zhao Yun's senior brother.

Gu Rubing was quite curious about Zhang Ren's strength, otherwise he would have interrupted Pang De and stopped him from continuing. His intuition told him that Tong Yuan, who could teach Zhang Xiu and Zhao Yun, would definitely not He will take over a mediocre Zhang Ren as his apprentice.

After hearing Zhang Ren Zangzhuo, he understood.

After that, Pang De told Zhang Ren that he had asked Zhang Ren to kill Liu Zhang, and also expressed his concerns. When he heard that Zhang Ren was unwilling to kill Liu Zhang, Gu Rubing's expression finally changed. In this way, you can still consider subduing this West Gun King.

From the words of Zhang Ren and Pang De, he had already discovered that the reason why Zhang Ren did not want to continue to follow Liu Zhang was simply because he felt that Liu Zhang was a man with no ambitions and that such a person was not worthy of his following, so he never did. Show your strength.

A good bird chooses a tree to roost in. This is not a kind of betrayal. According to Zhang Ren, what he did has already repaid Zhang Ren's kindness to him.

After listening to Pang De's words, Gu Rubing and Zhuge Liang looked at each other in tacit understanding.

"Okay, I can go and see this legendary spear king of the West later and see what surprises he can bring to me."

Gu Rubing looked back at Pang De, a smile appearing in the corner of his eyes.

"Ling Ming, it seems you still have something to say, right?"

"ah?"

Pang De was stunned at first, but then he understood after seeing Gu Rubing's smile.

"The final general was lucky enough to be promoted to a famous general during the battle, and now he can help the lord solve his problems."

Pang De said, clasping his fists and saluting again.

Gu Rubing smiled slightly, waved his hand, and smiled deliberately.

"Oh, what do you mean, Lingming, if you're not a famous general, you can't help me solve my problems?"

As soon as these words came out, Pang De was immediately stunned. He and Ma Chao both grew up in Liangzhou since childhood. Infected by the strong folk customs of Liangzhou, both of them were somewhat spirited, but Ma Chao was heartbroken. It's more detailed, and Pang De is a little worse, and he hasn't reacted yet.

Zhuge Liang was still on the side and came to the rescue with a smile.

"Hahaha, Ling Ming, my lord wants you to get an official position. Why don't you hurry up?"

After Zhuge Liang said this, everyone in the meeting hall also laughed, and then Pang De understood the meaning of the two people's words.

"Is Zhang Ren alone?"

"No, Zhang Ren also brings thousands of elite soldiers. According to him, they are all his personal soldiers. Even if he orders them to kill Liu Zhang, they will do it without hesitation."

Pang De replied, while Gu Rubing raised his eyebrows.

"In this way, our spear king of the West is pretty good at controlling people. He can actually let these people who are receiving Liu Zhang's military salary attack Liu Zhang. I am even more curious about this spear king of the West. After a while, I The king went to see it himself.”

Later, Liu Qi reported to Gu Rubing one by one the current garrison strength of Nanjun County and Cao Cao, as well as the number of troops under Liu Zhang's command to Gu Rubing, giving Gu Rubing a general understanding of the battle situation in Nanjun County City. .