Chapter 45 Chapter 45: Hongmen Banquet

Liu Bang took advantage of Xiang Yu's northward journey to Julu to avenge Xiang Liang, and when Xiao Chuan fought against Li You, he planned to lead the army to approach Xianyang in order to grab the title of King of Guanzhong. In the big tent, Liu Bang and Lu Zhi were having a drink on the table.Liu Bang said proudly: "Xiang Yu was busy avenging my uncle, and Xiao Chuan cleared the way for me. I broke through Wuguan and arrived in Xianyang without spending a single soldier. I was really clever." Lu Zhi also praised Liu Bangdao: "Finally, I succeeded in one thing and lived up to my expectations. My fantasy has always been to live in the luxurious Efang Palace, surrounded by servants, wearing gorgeous clothes and jewelry."

Liu Bang laughed and hugged Lu Zhi, and said, "Ma'am, it seems that I, Liu Bang, have finally surpassed Xiao Chuan?" Lu Zhi pushed him away: "Before you got married, you promised three things, that you should surpass Xiao Chuan in terms of status, land, and wealth, but none of them have been fulfilled now." Liu Bang laughed: "When you enter Xianyang tomorrow, won't you have everything?" Just as they were triumphant, the messenger rushed in in a panic and reported: "The army entered Xianyang and suffered a strong counterattack, and suffered heavy losses! Now we must retreat 30 li immediately, please get on the car, my lord and madam!"

When Liu Bang heard this, he dropped his half-drunk wine and dragged Lu Zhi out of the big tent.After boarding the carriage, Lu Zhi opened the rear door and saw many remnants and defeated soldiers following the carriage. She looked at Xianyang City in the distance and gritted her teeth: "Idiots! They are all idiots! I can't even bite the fat around my mouth! " Liu Bang comforted Lu Zhi: "Madam, don't get angry. I have sent people to guard Hangu Pass. Xiao Chuan and Xiang Yu will not be able to get through there. We can slowly attack Xianyang." Xiaochuan's army came to Hangu Pass. Xiaochuan saw the big flag with the word "Liu" on it, so he stepped forward and asked them to open the door. Who knew that the defenders refused, claiming that Liu Bang ordered no troops to pass through.

Xiaochuan's officers and soldiers cursed angrily: "This Liu Bang actually broke his promise!" Xiao Chuan studied the map in the big tent, Hangu Pass is a natural danger, it is the only way to Xianyang, if he wants to bypass Hangu Pass, it will take at least a few months, he can't wait any longer. The guards came in and reported: "A group of Qin troops came to surrender, and they said they were the general's old troops." Xiao Chuan walked out of the big tent and saw that it was Vice General Pang and Chief Tian who came with the Flying Tigers.We were so pleasantly surprised to meet each other and hugged together.Deputy General Pang told Xiao Chuan that Zhao Gao was afraid that the Meng Family Army would oppose him, so he disbanded the Meng Family Army. The brothers of the Meng Family Army wanted to kill the eunuch who killed Meng Tian and destroyed the Meng Family Army.When they heard that Xiao Chuan had arrived at Hangu Pass, they came to help them attack Xianyang and kill the thief Zhao Gao.

Xiao Chuan nodded. They encountered the natural danger of Hangu Pass, and they couldn't break through the front. They were worrying about this matter. Now that the Flying Tigers came, he was confident. At night, according to Xiao Chuan's instructions, the Flying Tigers quietly climbed up the city wall, solved the sentries, and opened the city gate. Xiao Chuan led the team and drove directly into the opened city gate. Liu Bang originally planned to take Xianyang within ten days, but after more than ten days, his army not only suffered heavy losses, but also had no breakthrough in attack.Just at this time, a messenger came in in a panic and reported: "Hangu Pass has fallen! Xiaochuan's army has entered the pass, and it is only two days away from here!"

Liu Bang was stunned, Lu Zhi was shocked, and turned his eyes, causing others to leave the big tent. Lu Zhi sneered and said, "Once Xiao Chuan arrives, Xianyang must belong to him. We have to hand over to the King of Guanzhong. You are just an idiot and a bunch of idiots fighting in battle, forcing me to fight in person." Liu Bang asked Lu Pheasant: "What's the trick, madam?" Lu Zhi asked him to use his brain: "Why is Xianyang resisting so desperately? That's because of Zhao Gao. Zhao Gao knew that he had a deep grudge with Xiao Chuan, and he was afraid that if the city was destroyed, he would die without a place to die, so he resisted. "

Liu Bang nodded: "Ma'am is right!" In the main room of Zhao Gao's home, a person wearing a cloak came to Zhao Gao. She took off the cloak and revealed a sweet smile. It was none other than Lu Zhi.Lu Zhi said to Zhao Gao: "Master Zhao, if you surrender, Liu Bang can cancel the grievances between the two of them and guarantee you a high official and generous salary. What do you think?" Zhao Gao hesitated, thinking: How credible are Liu Bang's words? Lu Zhi smiled and continued: "Xiao Chuan has also come now. As far as we know, the hatred between Mr. Zhao and Xiao Chuan far exceeds that of Liu Bang. It is better to surrender to Liu Bang than to fall into Xiao Chuan's hands. Knowing Liu Bang's benevolence and righteousness, if you don't trust Liu Bang, who else can you trust?"

Zhao Gao thought to himself, looking back now, if Liu Bang hadn't caused him to be castrated back then, he wouldn't be Zhao Gao now, it seems that there is God's will in the dark.As for Xiao Chuan, he hated him to the bone, and he would never let Xianyang fall into Xiao Chuan's hands.Now Meng Jiajun hates him, Juxiantang hates him...everyone wants to kill him... After thinking about it, Zhao Gaosi said, "Okay, I will trust Liu Bang this time, but you must guarantee my life." Lu Zhi looked at Zhao Gao, smiled, and said, "Don't worry about that." Zhao Gao surrendered to Liu Bang, and Liu Bang finally led his army into the city gate of Xianyang.

Zhao Gao led Liu Bang to the main hall, supported Liu Bang and Lu Zhi to sit on the throne, and then fell to the ground, shouting: "The king of Guanzhong is a thousand years old!" Liu Bang and Lu Zhi stroked the throne, extremely excited.Liu Bang proudly told Zhao Gao that the name Zhao Gao made people feel uncomfortable, and from today onwards, Zhao Gao changed back to his original name Gao Yao.Since then, Zhao Gao has disappeared from history.Gao Yao accompanied Liu Bang and Lu Zhi to tour the harem and came to Yushu's bedroom. Gao Yao told them that it was the best palace among the queens of Qin.As soon as Liu Bang and Lu Zhi walked in, they saw all the court ladies and eunuchs knelt down together, shouting for the king and concubine of Guanzhong.

Liu Bang and Lu Zhi were so unhappy, Gao Yao apologized, this was a surprise he had prepared, the maids passed in front of Lu Zhi one by one holding fine clothes and jewels, Lu Zhi was dazzled and his eyes widened several times. Gao Yao secretly laughed in his heart: Sure enough, a commoner suddenly became rich, and he has never seen anything. Xiao Chuan's army came outside Xianyang City, and there was already a big banner with the word "Liu" on the city gate.He ordered the army to set up camp outside the city, and Xiaoyue and himself brought the Flying Tigers to the gate of the city, but the soldiers guarding the city stopped Vice General Pang and them, and only Xiaochuan and Xiaoyue were allowed to enter.

As soon as they entered the city gate, Xiao Chuan and Xiao Yue saw Gao Yao standing by the roadside, Xiao Chuan couldn't help but clenched his saber tightly and drew it out a little. Xiaoyue immediately got off her horse, walked a few steps and was about to kneel down in front of Gao Yao, Gao Yao quickly helped her up, and looked at her carefully.Xiaoyue called her brother, Gao Yao wept with joy, and they hugged each other tightly. Seeing Xiaoyue like this, Xiao Chuan sighed and let go of his sword. Ogawa came to the main hall.In the empty hall, only Liu Bang and Lu Zhi sat on the throne together. Liu Bang was already drunk, and looked at Xiao Chuan triumphantly with squinted eyes. Xiao Chuan said in amazement: "Just one day after arriving in Xianyang, you have already become the king?" Lu Zhi said triumphantly: "Liu Bang was the first to break into Xianyang. According to the agreement of your three brothers, he must be the king of Guanzhong." Holding the jug, Liu Bang stood up staggeringly, and announced triumphantly: "I am the king of Guanzhong, which is the aspiration of the people. Who doesn't know that I, Liu Bang, am a teacher of benevolence and righteousness, and I am invincible!" After speaking, Liu Bang fell back. On the throne, hugging the armrest, kissing and touching. Xiao Chuan looked at Liu Bang and Lu Zhi as ridiculous as jumping beam clowns, he was funny and angry at the same time, so he cupped his fists to congratulate them. Seeing that he failed to stimulate Xiao Chuan, Lu Zhi immediately changed his attitude and put on a look of regret: "Oh, I am really sorry for you, because there is no house in the world that can compare with this unparalleled palace, the richest palace in the world. There is no better place than Xianyang.” Xiao Chuan looked at the faces of the two, and told Lu Zhi calmly: "I don't care about the whole world, and I don't want any land or wealth. I just did this to save a person who is very important to me. When I save that person I am also satisfied.” Lu Zhi was stimulated, so angry, he ran to Xiao Chuan, and whispered: "I am also a princess now, I am more powerful than her, can I not compare to her?" Xiao Chuan said with a smile: "Since you insist on comparing with her, let me ask you, she can give up this palace and her status as an imperial concubine for the sake of her sweetheart, can you do it now?" Lu Zhi's eyes were scattered, and he panted violently: "No, I won't give up. I paid a lot to get these things, and I will never give up!" "Then, I won't give up on her either. The things between me and her are eternal, but the things you have are just passing away, and maybe they won't be yours in the next moment." Xiao Chuan said. Lu Zhi ran back to the throne, patted the seat, and said, "I want to see who dares to grab what belongs to me!" The drunk Liu Bang also stood up when he heard it, patted his chest, pointed in front of him, and said, "Whoever dares to snatch it! Whoever dares to snatch me will kill him!" Before the words were finished, a general ran into the hall and reported: "The big thing is not good. Xiang Yu led hundreds of thousands of troops to the outside of Xianyang City aggressively, and wants to take Xianyang back!" Liu Bang woke up suddenly, his finger was still pointing forward, his face changed drastically, his eyes stared in surprise: "Say it again!" The general reported again, and Liu Bang slumped on the throne, pulled Lu Zhi and whispered, "Our general is no match for Xiang Yu." Lu Zhi also panicked and screamed, "This Xiang Yu! Speak up!" No words! Are you still a man?" The two panicked.Xiao Chuan shook his head with a smile and left.Xiao Chuan went back to Meng Mansion alone, only to see Meng Tian's tablet was still the same, Xiao Chuan picked up Meng Tian's tablet and wiped it clean.Scenes from the past reappeared in front of my eyes... Xiaochuan heard movement outside the door, turned around and saw Xiaoyue appeared at the door with tears in her eyes. "I know you want to avenge General Meng Tian, ​​but I have a merciless request. Please let my elder brother go for my sake. He is my only family member." Xiaoyue said. Facing Xiaoyue's pleading, Xiaochuan sighed: "I owe you too much, so no matter what you say, I can't refuse." Xiaochuan thought for a while, and then said, "Come out to mess around, sooner or later I want to pay it back, and I am not the only one who wants Zhao Gao to die, Meng Jiajun, Juxian Hall and the relatives of the unjustly deceased will not let Zhao Gao go. I am afraid there will be no safe place for Zhao Gao in the whole world." After hearing this, Xiaoyue panicked: "Then what should I do, brother?" Xiao Chuan shook his head: "I have no choice." That night, Xiaoyue was frowning in the house, worrying about Zhao Gao's safety.Zhao Gao rushed in with his luggage: "Hurry up and pack your things, Xiang Yu is here, we have to run away quickly, or we will die soon." Xiaoyue sighed, and said, "Where can we escape? Now that things have happened, is there any place in the world where we can hide?" Zhao Gao was stunned, the burden fell from his hands and fell to the ground, he really had no way to escape. In the room where the battle flag was hung, Xiao Chuan burned paper money for Meng Tian alone. Lu Pheasant came in with her son Liu Ying, and she said to Xiao Chuan: "Xiang Yu set up a Hongmen banquet, and asked Liu Bang to attend the banquet. I am afraid that Liu Bang's going will be bad luck. Please help Lu Su take care of the Lu family. Help Liu Bang and our mother and son." Liu Ying also pulled Xiao Chuan's clothes, begging him to save them for Aunt Lu Su's sake.Hearing Lu Su's name, Xiaochuan's heart softened, and he thought: "Anyway, Liu Bang escaped the Hongmen Banquet in history, and he wouldn't tamper with history if he went there." At the Hongmen Banquet, Xiao Chuan, Xiang Yu and Liu Bang sat on three sides.There are many generals behind Xiang Yu, while Liu Bang and Xiao Chuan each go to the banquet alone.Liu Bang toasted Xiang Yu with a smile on his face, but Xiang Yu ignored him and only drank with Xiao Chuan. Liu Bang carefully talked about the three people clapping their hands and making a brotherly covenant, but was interrupted by Xiang Yu, who asked Xiang Zhuang to dance his sword to add to the fun.Xiang Zhuang danced and ran towards Liu Bang. Liu Bang dodged left and right, but Xiang Yu's people applauded loudly.Liu Bang was forced to retreat steadily, and retreated to Xiaochuan's side.Xiao Chuan looked at it and thought: If you don't take action, Liu Bang will lose his protection, and the Han Dynasty will no longer exist. Besides, he also promised Lu Zhi, so let's help him. Xiao Chuan got up, pulled out his sword and danced with Xiang Zhuang, acting as Liu Bang's umbrella.Xiang Yu was dissatisfied, got up and grabbed Xiao Chuan's sword, and asked him to drink with him. Xiao Chuan looked at Xiang Yu, then at Liu Bang, and was in a dilemma for a while.At this moment, a guard came in and whispered something to Xiang Yu, Xiang Yu dropped everything, got up and left in a hurry.Standing in the middle, Xiang Zhuang and Xiao Chuan were stunned. At the Hongmen Banquet, everyone, look at me and I look at you. I don’t know what kind of medicine is sold in Xiang Yu’s gourd.Liu Bang was even more panicked, he pulled Xiao Chuan and asked, "Isn't it to find someone to attack me?" Inside Xiang Yu's big tent, a woman was waiting quietly, Xiang Yu rushed into the big tent, the woman turned around, and this person was Xiaoyue.Xiang Yu grabbed her hand and said excitedly: "Long time no see, I miss me so much! I have collected a lot of good things for you!" Xiaoyue thanked Xiang Yu with a smile, then knelt down on the ground and said, "I came today to ask Brother Xiang for something, please let Liu Bang live..." Xiang Yu was greatly surprised, and said: "I promise you everything, but I can't promise this one. Everyone knows that the world was brought down by me, Xiang Yu and Xiao Chuan. If it wasn't for Liu Bang's treachery to block Hangu Pass, It will definitely not be Liu Bang who occupies Xianyang first. I will never let such a brazen person become the king of Guanzhong!" "I am also for my brother. Although the world is big, everyone wants him to die. Only Liu Bang is willing to take him in. If Liu Bang dies, my brother will definitely die. I know he has done a lot of bad things, but after all He is my elder brother. He tolerates and loves me like a father, which is as important as General Xiang Liang is to Brother Xiang." Xiang Yu pondered for a long time. When his uncle passed away, he was in great pain, thanks to Xiaoyue as his support.After thinking about it, he said slowly: "Well, for you, I promise to let Liu Bang go, but there are two conditions: First, Liu Bang must leave Guanzhong and go to Hanzhong." "What about the second one?" Xiaoyue asked. "Second, you have to promise to be with me from now on, because you are my woman." Xiaoyue originally had a sad face, but she laughed shyly when she heard the last sentence.Xiang Yu held her beautiful face in his hands, and thought to himself, he didn't care about seeing Xiaoyue's dreamy smile, let alone those idiots like Liu Bang and Zhao Gao. Xiang Yu hugged Xiaoyue's slender waist with both hands, lowered his head and kissed her lips...