God of War through the ages: Han Xin

Chapter 11 Eternal Immortal Hongmen Banquet

In December of the first year of the Han Dynasty (206 BC), it was freezing cold at Hongmen in Xinfeng, and the north wind was like a knife, blowing the big banner in the camp of the Chu army and fluttering.

In the big tent, the fire was raging and warm as spring. The general was reclined on the brocade couch, kneeling in front of him was an official dressed in ordinary clothes.The man knelt down and said: "I was envoyed by Zuo Sima and told the general that Peigong is ambitious. Now that he wins Guanzhong, he will not let the general go. He wants to make Prince Ying the prime minister of Guanzhong, and Peigong himself will be the king of Guanzhong. Enjoy all the benefits." Ronghua I."

Zuo Sima in this population is Cao Wushang, Zuo Sima under Peigong's account.Although Cao Wushang was Liu Bang's man, he had already seen that Xiang Yu was not doing well here and would be able to kill Peigong, so Cao Wushang sent his confidants to present Xiang Yu's vote in advance.

Originally, Xiang Yu hoped that Liu Bang would give up power in a sensible manner. In that case, he might let Liu Bang die, but when he heard someone say this, Xiang Yu suddenly exploded with anger: Rogue Liu San, how dare you bully me!What merits and virtues do you have, dare to live in Guanzhong and become king yourself?

The situation has come to this point, the world is becoming more and more competitive, Liu Bang is Xiang Yu's biggest enemy, get rid of Liu Bang, the world can be settled.The younger brother Fan Zeng also held the same view. He told Xiang Yu: "I have heard for a long time that Liu Ji is lustful and greedy for money. Now that he enters the customs, the wealthy women have nothing to gain. It can be seen that he has great ambitions. If you don't get rid of Peigong, hegemony is hard to achieve. Don't doubt the general. Please hit it quickly."

Xiang Yu immediately ordered the logistics department to prepare a banquet, reward the armies of the princes under his command, and rest on the spot. Tomorrow, all the ministries will receive my unified order and attack the Peigong army westward.

There was a traitor named Cao Wushang in Liu Bang's camp, and there was also a traitor in Xiang Yu's camp, which was Xiang Yu's other uncle Xiang Bo.Xiang Bo didn't care about Liu Bang's life or death, but he was a personal friend of Liu Bang's leader, Zhang Liang. In order to prevent Zhang Liang from accompanying Liu Bang to hell, Xiang Bo slipped into Zhang Liang's bedroom at night.After Xiang Bo panted and told Zhang Liang what had happened, he held Zhang Liang's hand and was about to run outside.

Of course Zhang Liang would not abandon Liu Bang and run away, he immediately notified Liu Bang of the matter.

Although Liu Bang knew that this day would come sooner or later, Liu Bang still shuddered at the thought that Xiang Yu would issue a death notice to himself tomorrow.Fortunately, Zhang Liang gave Liu Bang an idea: Immediately establish a good relationship with Xiang Bo who is in Peigong's camp. With this person, it may help Peigong escape Xiang Yu's clutches.

Long-sleeved and good at dancing and communicating with people, this is Liu Bang's best skill.Liu Bang had a spring breeze on his face and warm words. On the one hand, he respected Uncle Xiang as his brother and wished him a birthday; Xiang Bo was won over.

This trick really worked. After Xiang Bo returned to the Chu camp, he began to do Xiang Yu's ideological work, saying that Liu Bang had made great contributions to Chu.Xiang Yu respected this uncle very much. Under Xiang Bo's efforts, Xiang Yu agreed that when Liu Bang came to apologize tomorrow, he would not attack Liu Bang.

Originally, Xiang Yu planned to attack Liu Bang early the next morning. If this happened, Liu Bang would undoubtedly die.Fortunately, Uncle Xiang came here and bought enough time for Liu Bang to save his life. The next step is to see how Liu Bang can persuade Xiang Yu.

The next day, Han Xin, the halberd-handler, entered the account and reported to the general: Pei Gong has arrived outside the gate.The general asked: Who is the fellow comer?Jijilang replied: His servants Zhang Liang, Fan Kuai, and a hundred of his own cavalry.Xiang Yu thought about it for a while, and the big tent couldn't accommodate many people, so he asked Han Xin to leave the tent, and invited Peigong and Mr. Zifang to come in and ask.

Holding the halberd, Han Xin stepped out, standing in front of Liu Bang, who was a little nervous, and asked Liu Bang to meet the general.

Liu Bang didn't know the name of the halberd bearer in front of him. He only knew that this person was Xiang Yu's gate post, so he didn't pay much attention.After getting Xiang Yu's order to allow entry into the tent, Liu Bang signaled Fan Kui and others to wait outside the tent, and he and Mr. Zifang went to see him in the tent.

After the ceremony, before Xiang Yu opened his mouth to reprimand Liu Bang for defending Hangu with heavy troops, Liu Bang took the lead.He stood in front of Xiang Yu with a humble expression, and defended himself: "In the past, according to the king's decree, the minister and the general fought to kill Qin. General Yu entered the customs, and now I can see the general here, God! I dare not have any disagreement with the general. I don’t know what kind of villain it is, but I have to punish the general for his loyalty to the general, and thank the world.”

Although there are many diplomatic talents under Liu Bang's command, Liu Bang himself is also an eloquent man, and his eloquence is no worse than that of Li Shiqi.After what he said, Xiang Yu seemed to be moved, and he didn't quite believe that with the four times difference in military strength between the two sides, Liu Bang dared to hit an egg with a rock.Thinking of this, Xiang Yu's suspicion of Liu Bang gradually faded.

It was very cold, and it was not easy for Peigong to come here. Xiang Yu ordered the hot wine to be prepared, and put the meat on the table. He invited Peigong to sit down, raise his glass, and drink happily.

Seeing Xiang Yu's kindness, Liu Bang's heart finally sank. He didn't know whether it was because the temperature in the tent was too high or he was too nervous. Beads of sweat were already on Liu Bang's forehead, and Liu Bang stretched out his sleeve to wipe it gently.Liu Bang sat down and raised a bottle to celebrate the general's birthday. Xiang Yu enjoyed Liu Bang's equestrianism very much, and excitedly cut off a pig's shoulder (that is, pork knuckle) on the table, and sent it to the entrance with a knife, and it was white.

With Liu Bang's deceiving ability, it is easy to deal with a simple young man like Xiang Yu, but Fan Zeng, the younger brother sitting beside Xiang Yu, is not so easy to deal with.

Fan Zeng had long regarded Liu Bang as Xiang Yu's greatest rival in the world, and he wanted to get rid of him quickly. Today, Liu Bang sent himself to his door. How can he miss this golden opportunity?Of course, Fan Zeng couldn't do it himself, he could only use his eyes to remind Xiang Yu: Don't be fooled by the illusion in front of you, Liu Bang is a master of acting, you can't play him, start early, get rid of Liu San, and you will never be in trouble in the future.

After signaling several times, Xiang Yu was expressionless, maybe Xiang Yu didn't see it, Fan Zeng took off the jade ring worn around his waist, put it in his hand, lifted it high, and dropped it heavily.Repeated three times, signaled Xiang Yu to do it, this time Xiang Yu saw it, but still remained expressionless.Xiang Yu had already been given heartbroken ecstasy soup by Liu Bang, so how could he be easily persuaded by Fan Zeng?

Seeing that Xiang Yu is still acting stupid, once Liu Bang takes the opportunity to escape from the scene, it will be difficult to kill this person in the future.Fan Zeng, who was loyal to the Xiang family, got up in a hurry, went out of the tent, found General Xiang Zhuang, whispered a few words, then returned to his seat, and continued to stare at Xiang Yu.

Fan Zeng returned to the table, drinking wine and eating meat expressionlessly. Before Xiang Yu and Liu Bang came back to their senses, Xiang Zhuang was already standing in the open space in the middle of the food table.With a smile on his face, Xiang Zhuang put his sword on the ground, first toasted Liu Bang for his birthday, then turned around two or three steps, picked up the sword, and asked Xiang Yu respectfully: "It's boring to sit and talk in the army. I invite you to dance the sword. Thought it was a joke."

Xiang Yu also felt that drinking like this is not very interesting, so he clapped his hands and laughed loudly.

After Xiang Zhuang won the promise, he waved the three-foot green sharp edge, like a crane spreading its wings and about to fly, like an ape hanging from a tree to pick peaches, the sword is majestic and beautiful, the general is strong, and the number is clear.However, Liu Bang found that Xiang Zhuang's sword moves were wrong, and he seemed to be getting closer to his case. Liu Bang suddenly became nervous: Xiang Yu wanted to assassinate himself!

I don't know if it was Zhang Liang's secret wink, or he was moved by Liu Bang's promise of a thousand gold yesterday. Just when Xiang Zhuang's murderous intent gradually increased, Xiang Bo, who was sitting at one end drinking alone, suddenly stood up, drew his sword and jumped into the arena. He struck Xiang Zhuang's sword with his sword, and said: "A good sword is dancing everywhere, and my uncle is not talented. Please also dance for Pei Gong."

Xiang Bo shot out of thin air, directly ruining Xiang Zhuang's mission. Xiang Bo is Xiang Zhuang's uncle, Xiang Zhuang dare not be rude to Xiang Bo, and his sword skills are already messed up.Seeing this scene, Fan Zeng was furious, and Zhang Liangyi, the next seat, was happy. Uncle Xiang had bought time for Liu Bang as much as possible. Next, Zhang Liang must find a way to let Liu Bang escape from the tiger's mouth.

Zhang Liang immediately came out respectfully, came outside the tent, called Fan Kui who had been waiting for a long time, and whispered a few words.After Zhang Liang finished speaking, he sneaked in. At this time, the sword dance was over, and with Uncle Xiang around, Xiang Zhuang couldn't get close to Liu Bang at all. Xiang Yu felt more and more bored, waved his hand, Xiang Zhuang retracted his sword, and bowed back.

Just now Zhang Liang roughly explained the situation in the tent to Fan Kui, Fan Kui was furious, Xiang Yu is a man, don't bully others!Although Fan Kuai was a dog meat dealer, he understood that once Liu Bang was killed, the Peiren Group would disintegrate, so what would Fan Kui do?Following Xiang Yu is just like the halberd man standing in front of him, becoming someone else's thug, this is not what Fan Kui pursued.

Not daring to delay for a second, Fan Kui immediately drew out his sword, copied a shield from the cavalry guard, strode forward, and was swept into the big tent like the wind.When Xiang Yu, who was sitting facing the curtain, looked intently, he saw a big male bull, as tall as an iron tower, with hair like fried hair, eyes like copper bells, full of anger, holding a shield with a sword on it.

Xiang Yu has never met this person before, but this person looks like this when he sees the princes and generals. Could it be that he wants to assassinate Xiang Yu?Xiang Yu subconsciously picked up the famous sword by his side and put it in front of his knees. His advisor Zhang Liang said, "Ovary, who is this?" Not long after Zhang Liang went out, this strong man barged in. Looking at Liu Bang's reaction, This person was probably called in by Zhang Liang.

Zhang Liang said with a smile: "Don't doubt it, General, this Pei Gong's subordinates also joined Fan Kuai."

Sure enough, he was Liu Bang's thug, but Xiang Yu was really cute. He admired a simple and strong man like Fan Kui very much, but he forgot that Fan Kui might be unfavorable to him after he entered the account.The sword in front of Xiang Yu's knee returned to his side, and Xiang Yu also smiled: "Sure enough, he is a strong man! Give me wine and drink it."

Pao Ren went forward and had a drink with Fan Kui. Fan Kui bowed to the ground to thank the general, got up, held the bottle with one hand, and drank it all in one gulp.The more Xiang Yu saw Fan Kui, the more he liked him. He also had famous generals under his command, such as Ying Bu, Long Qi, and Zhong Li Mei, but none of them seemed as straightforward as Fan Kui in front of him.Xiang Yu became very excited, and he ordered: "Give the strong man a pig's shoulder for food."

Fan Kuai took the shoulder of the pig, inserted it into the shield with his sword, cut it into several pieces, held the shield in one hand and the sword in the other, and sent the pig shoulder to the entrance, feasting on it, very chic.Fan Kuai's special way of eating made Xiang Yu dumbfounded: he is as smooth as Liu Bang's subordinates, but there are such straightforward people!
Xiang Yu clapped his hands and laughed, looking extremely cute.Xiang Yu asked Fan Kuai again: "Strong man! Can you drink again?" Fan Kui was choking heavily and needed wine to quench his thirst.However, Fan Kui knew his task of earning money, and Pei Gong was still waiting for him to save his life.

Before Xiang Yu could give him the wine, Fan Kui stood on the spot and sternly accused Xiang Yu: "I, Fan Kui, am a reckless and rough man, and my life is as cheap as mud. Why should I be afraid of a glass of wine! I have a word, please listen to it. The old Qin ruled the world with violence. , so it perished. King Huai once made an alliance with the generals, and the one who entered Guanzhong first was the king, and Peigong entered first, so he should be called the king of Guanzhong. However, Peigong entered Xianyang and sealed the mansion. He did not dare to take anything for himself. Why? The general is here! Peigong has always respected the general and is willing to be a minister under the general's command, but the general believes in the villain's slander and wants to harm Peigong. Does the general want to be the second emperor of Qin Shihuang? The minister is stupid and thinks that this plan is not enough Take it for the general."

Fan Kui's impassioned statement shocked everyone present, including Liu Bang. Liu Bang did not expect that Fan Kui, who is usually rude and upright, would speak so beautifully!Fan Kuai is not the reckless man most people imagine, he has a delicate mind and understands the truth.Liu Bang took a sneak peek at Xiang Yu, and found that Xiang Yu opened his mouth to say something, but couldn't utter a word. He knew that Xiang Yu was overwhelmed by Fan Kui's questioning, and Liu Bang secretly rejoiced that he had brought Fan Kui here.

Xiang Yu was usually clumsy and tongue-tied, and he was the worst at dealing with verbal battles. After Fan Kuai was behind, Xiang Yu was silent for a moment, but ordered Fan Kui to sit next to Zhang Liang and gave him wine.In fact, Xiang Yu didn't intend to kill Liu Bang. Fan Zeng signaled many times, but Xiang Yu was unmoved, but Fan Kui came in and made a fuss, which strengthened Xiang Yu's position not to kill Liu Bang.It's not that Xiang Yu is kind, but that Liu Bang's strength is not enough to compete with him, so there is no need to attack Liu Bang.

Xiang Yu didn't want to kill people, but Pei Gong couldn't control his own destiny. Once Xiang Yu turned his face, he would have no chance to run away.

"Ouch! Ouch!" Liu Bang cried out in pain.

Xiang Yu was taken aback, and asked Liu Bang sideways: "What's wrong with Mr. Pei?" Liu Bang smiled shyly, and got up from his side and replied: "I eat too fast, so I have abdominal pain, please wait a moment, general, I will go out to respect you, and I will be here in a while." Back." Before Xiang Yu nodded, Liu Bang had already jumped out of the big tent like a rabbit.

Outside the tent, beside Han Xin, the halberd bearer, Liu Bang asked Fan Kui, who was traveling with him, "Isn't it impolite to leave here without saying goodbye to Xiang Yu?" Is there a way out? Why don’t you quit, run!”

Liu Bang thinks about it too, that old guy Fan Zeng will not let him go, and he may not be able to play tricks.To be on the safe side, Pei Gong called Zhang Liang over and whispered a few words, such and such, such and such, I can be at ease, Zhang Liang nodded and said yes.After the arrangements were made, Liu Bang rode his horse first, and the four generals under his command, Fan Kuai, Xia Houying, Jin Qiang, and Ji Xin, walked behind the shield hall, turning around from time to time, in case Xiang Yu sent someone to chase, and the rest of the chariots slowly returned to the same track.

Great stories always have sequels.Zhang Liang wandered outside the tent for a long time. It was estimated that Liu Bang had traveled twenty miles. After safety was guaranteed, Zhang Liang slowly returned to the tent and continued to soak mushrooms with Xiang Yu.Zhang Liang took out a pair of jade biscuits prepared in advance, respectfully placed them on Xiang Yu's case, then took out a pair of jade buckets as if by magic, and placed them on Fan Zeng's case.

Xiang Yu asked Zhang Liang, "Where is Pei Gong?"

Zhang Liang replied that Mr. Pei had returned to the camp to rest because he was too drunk. Before he left, he asked his ministers to present jade biscuits to the general and a jade bucket to Yafu. Please accept these small gifts.

Xiang Yu picked up the jade biscuits and played with them carefully. This pair of jade biscuits was exquisitely crafted and was a rare masterpiece in the world. Xiang Yu was overjoyed.Just as he was about to ask Fan Zeng to bring the pair of jade buckets over for him to admire, Fan Zeng threw the jade buckets to the ground angrily, crying sadly, "Where is Mr. Wu Xin! Today, my collusion with the child is not enough to achieve great things! The general let Liu Bang go today, and I will die without a place to die in the future!"

Fan Zeng cried and cried, while Xiang Yu glanced at the broken jade bucket on the ground, and then continued to play with the pair of jade bi in his hand, with a contented smile still on the corner of his mouth.

History once again reversed in an inadvertent moment.

(End of this chapter)