Why did Liu Bei let Zhang Lu dislike it so much, "I'd rather be a slave for Cao Gong than a guest for Liu Bei".
Zhang Lu, born in Peiguofeng County, has been blessed since childhood, is the tenth grandson of Zhang Liang, and is also the grandson of Zhang Ling, the ancestor of Wudoumi Taoism. With such a famous background, Zhang Lu became a great warlord in Hanzhong and dominated this place for more than 30 years. He is not an unreasonable warlord, but more like a sober-minded and strategic leader. In Hanzhong, he was not only a ruler, but also the third generation of Wudou Midao, ruling the people with Taoist ideas.
However, his relationship with Yizhou Mu Liu Zhang was very strained. Liu Zhang tried to teach Zhang Lu a lesson, but due to his own lack of strength, he had to ask Liu Bei for support. After Liu Bei went to Yizhou, he occupied the magpie's nest, replaced Liu Zhang, and drove him out of Yizhou. This process gave Zhang Lu a deeper understanding of Liu Bei's ambitions, and laid the groundwork for his later choice.
As Liu Bei gradually established his position in Yizhou, Cao Cao began to worry that Liu Bei might take advantage of the opportunity to seize Hanzhong, a key artery connecting Chengdu. Cao Cao decided to personally lead a large army to conquer Hanzhong. Although Zhang Lu had a certain foundation in Hanzhong, his strength was far inferior to Cao Cao, so he fled to Bazhong. On the occasion of leaving Hanzhong, someone suggested that Zhang Lu burn the grain and materials that could not be taken away from Hanzhong, but Zhang Lu refused, and even ordered his subordinates to properly place these things.
After Cao Cao entered Hanzhong, he sighed. He admired Zhang Lu's personality and wisdom even more, so he arranged for someone to recruit Zhang Lu, and said that as long as Zhang Lu surrendered, he would treat him with courtesy. Cao Cao's attitude makes one wonder, why does he appreciate a defeated warlord so much?
At the same time, after Liu Bei learned the news of Cao Cao's attack on Hanzhong, he hurriedly sent someone to contact Zhang Lu and expressed his willingness to support. The strategists around Zhang Lu suggested that he cooperate with Liu Bei to at least keep his position. However, after listening to these suggestions, Zhang Lu looked very angry, and he said bluntly: "I'd rather be a slave for Duke Cao than a guest for Liu Bei." ”
This is puzzling, especially in the context of the time. However, through subsequent developments, we may be able to get a glimpse of what Zhang Lu meant. He finally chose to surrender to Cao Cao, and Cao Cao's appreciation of him was even more extraordinary.
After Cao Cao saw Zhang Lu, he not only treated him politely, but also named him the general of Zhennan, gave him the Marquis of Langzhong, and ate 10,000 households. Zhang Lu's five sons were also named marquis, and his daughter was married to Cao Cao's son Cao Yu, and the two families became in-laws through marriage.
Many people were puzzled by Cao Cao's move, after all, with Zhang Lu's status, Cao Cao did not need to use him so seriously. Why does Cao Cao value Zhang Lu so much? In fact, Cao Cao's move has two main considerations.
First of all, Cao Cao hoped to better attract Liu Bei and Sun Quan through such a reward. Cao Cao knew that even a strength like Zhang Lu could get such a high status after surrendering, which was even more of a demonstration for Liu Bei and Sun Quan and stimulated their desire to surrender.
Secondly, Cao Cao's admiration for Zhang Lu was not without reason. Zhang Lu and Cao Cao have similarities in ideology and beliefs. As the successor of Wudou Midao, Zhang Lu's admiration for Taoist thought and Cao Cao's family's preference for Huang Lao's doctrine formed a point of convergence. This allowed the two to have a common place in their thinking and enhance their trust in each other.
So, why did Zhang Lu finally choose to surrender to Cao Cao instead of cooperating with Liu Bei?
First of all, Cao Cao and Zhang Lu have similarities in ideology and beliefs, while Liu Bei is different. In Zhang Lu's view, only by working with Cao Cao can he be better reused. In fact, Cao Cao's appreciation of Zhang Lu also stemmed from the ideological fit between the two sides, which became an important reason for Zhang Lu's surrender.
Secondly, Liu Bei offended Zhang Lu in his early actions. In order to support Liu Zhang in dealing with Zhang Lu, Liu Bei finally occupied Yizhou, which made Zhang Lu dissatisfied with Liu Bei. This past grudge became an important factor in Zhang Lu's distrust of Liu Bei.
In the end, Liu Bei's past behavior made it difficult for Zhang Lu to trust him. Liu Bei had united with Liu Zhang against Zhang Lu, but eventually took his place, which made Zhang Lu have deep doubts about Liu Bei's ambitions. He did not want to become Liu Bei's pawn again, let alone experience the fate of being replaced by Cao Cao again.
To sum up, the reason why Zhang Lu chose to surrender to Cao Cao was because he believed that cooperating with Cao Cao would be more beneficial to his status and security. Cao Cao's appreciation of him stemmed not only from their ideological commonality, but also to attract the surrender of other forces through Zhang Lu's surrender, and to create conditions for Cao Cao to further expand his power. Zhang Lu's choice was not only out of trust in Cao Cao, but also out of dissatisfaction with Liu Bei's past behavior and a deep understanding of his ambitions.