In history, Liu Bei had occupied this land and established the Shu Han regime, dividing the realm three ways with Cao Cao and Sun Quan.
If he could seize Yi Province, Liu Xie would have a stable rear base.
Even if his plans in Ye City came to light, with Yi Province as his base, he could rise again.
In Tai'an Hall, under everyone's eager gaze, Liu Zhang angrily recounted Zhang Lu's many misdeeds.
At the same time, he secretly observed the Son of Heaven, seeking to confirm whether the man seated in the place of honor was of Liu Clan blood.
When Liu Zhang finished, before Liu Xie could speak, Yuan Shao slammed the table and rose.
"Zhang Lu ambushed and killed Su Gu, Administrator of Hanzhong, and Zhang Xiu, Grand Marshal of a separate command, in succession. Now he holds Hanzhong as his own domain, refuses to honor or obey the Governor of Yi Province, and spreads the Five Pecks of Rice Way throughout Ba and Shu. He holds the court in utter contempt and truly deserves execution!"
As soon as Yuan Shao finished, his nephew Gao Gan, Governor of Bing Province, caught his meaningful glance and immediately rose. "Your subject Gao Gan grew up in Shu Commandery and cannot bear to see Yi Province divided and thrown into turmoil by a rebel. I request permission to march on Hanzhong, punish Zhang Lu, and restore a bright, clear sky to Yi Province!"
Gao Gan, son of Gao Gong, the former Administrator of Shu Commandery in Yi Province, was renowned for his "far-reaching talent and ambition, and outstanding civil and martial abilities."
In his early years, he had joined Xun Chen in persuading Han Fu to relinquish his position as Governor of Ji Province, rendering great service to Yuan