Cato the Elder vs Zhang Lu

Cato served as consul and led a campaign in Hispania Citerior, suppressing a rebellion. He used harsh tactics, including mass executions, to pacify the region, and later boasted of his victories in his writings.

Cato the Elder served as censor, implementing strict moral reforms to combat luxury and corruption. He expelled senators for immorality, taxed luxury goods, and promoted traditional Roman values, earning the nickname 'Censorius'.

Cato wrote 'Origines', the first history of Rome in Latin. The work covered the founding of Rome and the early Republic, emphasizing Roman virtues and the importance of agriculture, and influenced later Roman historiography.

Cato opposed the influence of Greek culture on Rome, arguing it undermined Roman values. He led a campaign to expel Greek philosophers from Rome and promoted traditional Roman education and customs.

Cato ended every speech in the Senate with 'Carthago delenda est' (Carthage must be destroyed). His persistent advocacy for war against Carthage influenced Roman policy and contributed to the outbreak of the Third Punic War.

Zhang Lu, as the third Celestial Master, established a theocratic state in Hanzhong based on Taoist principles. He implemented communal living, charity stations, and a tax system, ruling independently for over two decades.

Zhang Lu surrendered Hanzhong to Cao Cao after a military campaign. Cao Cao accepted his surrender, appointed him as General, and allowed him to retain some autonomy, integrating the Celestial Master state into Cao Wei.