Chu and Han contend for the throne

Chapter 466

Conferring rewards is actually quite a complicated task, the key is that it is difficult to agree on one's opinions.

The rewards for the hundred or so Marquis of Guandong were relatively simple, and it only took half a day to complete, but it involved Bi Shu, Xiang Ta, Xiang Tuo, Gao Chu, Pang Yu, Huan Chu, Ji Bu, Zhou Yin, Yu Zi, etc. Qi, Zhong Limei, Jin Xiang, Hu Yan and other civil and military officials were more troublesome in awarding rewards, and there were even fierce quarrels during the period.

People are greedy, and everyone wants to maximize their own interests.

Xiang Zhuang watched coldly, allowing the ministers to quarrel fiercely in the hall without stopping. In fact, it is beneficial for the ministers of various factions to have rifts or even grievances. Mediation, it will be relatively easy to control the court situation, this is the so-called imperial mind.

Of course, with Xiang Zhuang's current prestige, there is absolutely no need to play tricks on the emperor.

However, Xiang Zhuang had to think about his descendants. When he was around, he could certainly control the court calmly, but if one day he died, the crown prince Xiang Zheng might not be able to control the court as easily as he did after succeeding to the throne. At that time, it is quite necessary to use the disputes between the various factions to check and balance.

The fierce quarrel lasted for five full days before finally having a result.

Bi Shu was granted the title of Duke Wu, and he received eight thousand shi;
In the early days of Gaochu, he was granted the title of Duke of Wei, with a salary of six thousand stones;
Pang Yu was granted the title of Duke of Shu, and his food salary was six thousand stones;

Meng Yu was named the Duke of Qin, and he was given four thousand stones;
The rest of the ministers were all named Liehou, and the food salary ranged from two thousand shi to six hundred shi.

In addition, because of the special case of the Wei State, many ministers wrote to ask to revise the reward regulations and restore the old system of the princes' food towns. The so-called food towns are the feudal states. Township and Ting will become a country within a country, but this move was flatly rejected by Xiang Zhuang, which disappointed many people.

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Three days later, the news that King Xiangzhuang of Chu rewarded his ministers in Ziling spread throughout China. On almost the same day, Bi Shu also rushed to the outside of Linzi city day and night, and handed over his letter of credence to King Hanhe of Qi.

King Han He of Qi immediately summoned Lou Jing, Minister of State, and Zhao Yan, the military adviser, to the palace to discuss matters.

"Minister of the State, Military Advisor, Xiang Zhuang has finally rewarded the ministers." Han He handed the Feige letter from Ziling to Lou Jing, and Lou Jing passed it to the military advisor after reading it.

"This is also expected." Zhao Yan put down the secret letter and said, "Xiang Zhuang should also be rewarded."

Lou Jing said: "The reward is expected, but I didn't expect that Xiangzhuang would sell the five counties to restore the Wei State."

"In my opinion, this is not an easy matter." Han He paced back and forth, thinking thoughtfully, "At least it can be explained that Xiang Zhuang, just like Xiang Yu, only wanted to be a uncle, and he never thought about being an uncle. Like Qin Shihuang, unify the world and be an emperor!"

Lou Jing frowned and said, "Your Majesty, it is indeed surprising that Xiang Zhuang is entrusted with the title of King Wei, but it is a bit arbitrary to say that he is just another overlord Xiang Yu just for this reason?"

Han He felt a little displeased, Lou Jing's tone of voice made him feel a little uncomfortable, he turned his head to look at Zhao Yan, and asked indifferently: "Military division, what do you think?"

"This, I can't say well." Zhao Yan didn't dare to take it lightly.

In the battle of Lixia a few months ago, Han He firmly blocked the attack of the 2 Zhao army with only [-] remnants of soldiers, and did not rely too much on Zhao Yan's conspiracy, which made Han He's confidence unprecedentedly inflated In addition to relying on the assistance of the Prime Minister Lou Jing in politics, he no longer relies heavily on Zhao Yan in military affairs.

"Okay, let's not talk about this for the time being." Han He waved his hand and said again, "General Bi Shu of the Chu State has arrived outside the city and handed over his credentials to the widow. Tell me, did the widow see him or send him a letter of credence?" The army destroyed him?"

Lou Jing and Zhao Yan looked at each other, they really didn't expect Bi Shu to come to Linzi!

Han He stroked his bare chin, imitating Han Xin's expression and behavior when he was pacing, and said with a sneer, "I really didn't expect that Bi Shu would dare to come to Zi, did he really think that I would not dare to kill him?"

Zhao Yan said: "Your Majesty, the two countries should not behead envoys when they engage in war, and kill envoys arbitrarily, for fear of imparting facts." Zhao Yan, like Zhang Liang, is a modest gentleman, who advocates acting in an open and aboveboard manner, and the schemes he devises are also upright ones.

Lou Jing, on the other hand, was in the same category as Chen Ping, and immediately advised: "Your Majesty, this is a rare opportunity, you should kill Bi Shu!"

A faint smile slowly formed on the corner of Han He's mouth. Since he inherited the throne, this is the first time that the Prime Minister of the country and the military adviser have different opinions. This is very interesting.

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In the afternoon of the same day, Bai Mo also rushed to Handan.

Zhou Guanfu hurried into Bai Mo's room, and said in a deep voice, "Prime Minister, Zhao Guo's hidden work in Linzi sent back news that Chu State sent envoys to Qi State, and they have already arrived in Linzi!" Zhou Guanfu said again, "Prime Minister, you must have no idea who this envoy will be."

"Who is it?" Bai Mo's heart moved slightly, and he asked, "Could it be my junior brother, Bi Shu?"

Zhou Guanfu's eyes widened instantly, and he said in disbelief: "Prime Minister, I really can't hide anything from you!"

"It's really my junior brother?" Bai Mo's face darkened instantly, he walked back and forth in the room for a few steps with his hands behind his back, and finally looked at the night sky outside through the window, and said in a low voice, "No wonder Xiang Zhuang unexpectedly separated It turned out that this was the intention of the five counties to restore the state of Wei, and it must be my junior brother's plan, it's amazing."

Zhou Guanfu was confused when he heard this, scratched his head and asked, "Prime Minister, what are you talking about?"

Bai Mo shook his head and muttered: "This matter is complicated, and I can't explain it to you in a hurry, but the matter in Handan needs to be paid close attention to, otherwise, the plan may change unexpectedly!"

Zhou Guanfu said solemnly: "Prime Minister, please tell me, what should I do?"

Bai Mo walked back and forth for a few steps, finally made up his mind and said: "In this case, you immediately send someone to Zhao's residence, and tell the truth that the prime minister has prepared a banquet at the posthouse, invite him to come to the banquet, and discuss important matters." After a pause, Bai Mo picked up another letter from the desk and handed it to Zhou Guanfu, and then said, "Send this letter to Niujiazhuang in the east of the city, and you go there yourself."

"Here!" Zhou Guanfu took the letter, turned around and left.

Watching Zhou Guanfu's figure go away, a vague smile suddenly appeared on the corner of Bai Mo's mouth, and he whispered to himself: "Junior brother, this is the first direct confrontation between you and me in the same sect. It's really a bit of a brother." Looking forward to it, hehe, I don’t know if your vertical and horizontal skills have improved, but don’t let Brother Wei down.”

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Hu Yan walked into Bi Shu's big tent proudly, and said loudly: "General, the scouts and rangers have been sent out, and the surrounding terrain has been carefully surveyed. Even if the Qi State sends a hundred thousand troops to come, we will not be able to stay."

Bi Shu nodded, and said again: "If the person from Wumuya arrives, let him come to see me directly."

Hu Yan said without hesitation: "General, don't worry, the last general has already given orders. If anyone from Wumuya comes, he will bring them to you immediately." After a pause, Hu Yan said again, "General, you said Han He What will you do after receiving the letter of credence? Should you send ministers to see you, or send an army to kill you?"

Bi Shudao: "Why think so much, don't you know tomorrow?"

Hu Yan groaned, scratched his head and went out of the tent, but Bi Shu turned his gaze to the northwest direction, and said softly to himself: "Brother, brother, you should be in Handan by now, right? I haven't seen you for 15 years, but I don't know you, brother." Is it still in style?"

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Zhao Wu rushed to the post house where Bai Mo stayed overnight under the guard of Zhao Zhong and fifty dead men. Bai Mo said that he had something important to discuss, so he dared not come. The matter is very urgent, maybe it is about usurping King Zhao's throne, how could Zhao Wu not come?

Because Bai Mo brought three hundred attendants and a large number of people and horses, he took over the entire post house.

Looking at the majestic Han soldiers outside the gate of the post house, Zhao Wu was a little hesitant. Although this is Handan, the post house is completely under the control of the Han army. If he enters the post house, his life and death may be at stake. It's all in Bai Mo's hands. If Bai Mo has any intentions of harming him, it will be a trap for himself.

There is a saying that a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall, should he change his place?
Just as Zhao Wu was about to turn around and leave, there was the sound of disorderly footsteps from inside the gate of the posthouse, and then a hulking general of the Han army came out protecting a gentleman in white. He said: "This must be the General Zhao Wu, I met the General in Xiabaimo."

The hulking Han general also clasped his fists at Zhao Wu, and said in a low voice, "The last general, Zhou Guanfu, see the general."

Standing behind Zhao Wu, Zhao Zhong and the fifty dead men all had a serious expression, Zhou Guanfu?The champion who beheaded the Xiongnu Zuo Xian Wang Ji Porridge among the ten thousand armies?
Zhao Wu also had an awe-inspiring expression, and praised: "A real tiger general."

Bai Mo chuckled, turned around and said, "Please, General."

For this reason, Zhao Wu had no choice but to bite the bullet and follow Bai Mo into the post house. What made him feel a little relieved was that Champion Hou and the sharp soldiers of the Han army guarding outside the gate of the post house did not stop Zhao Zhong and the fifty officials of the Zhao family. , They have been following Zhao Wu into the post house, and Zhao Zhong has been following Zhao Wu into the lobby of the post house.

Two banquet tables had already been prepared in the lobby, and Bai Mo invited Zhao Wu to the table.

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of food, Bai Mo turned his head and gave Zhou Guanfu a wink, then said with a smile: "General, I want to borrow something from you, but I don't know if the general is willing?"

Zhao Wu said with a smile: "As long as it is within the scope of the old man's ability, why not?"

Bai Mo smiled and said: "Okay then, I want to borrow the head of the general from the top."

"Uh..." Zhao Wu uttered an urg when he heard the words, and the wine glass in his hand fell on the table with a clang.

Zhao Zhong, who was standing behind Zhao Wu, suddenly changed his expression, and pulled out his long sword with his backhand. However, he had just pulled out the sword, but the cold sharp sword had already touched his neck, and he looked slightly sideways. Go, saw Champion Hou looking at him like a tiger with murderous intent on his face, Zhao Zhong was silent like a cicada, and did not dare to act rashly again.

(End of this chapter)