Chapter 26 3. Step by step, the Han army marched eastward to achieve fruitful results

After Xiang Yu entrusted the eighteen princes, the overall situation was initially settled. On the surface, it looked calm, but in fact, there was a storm in the dark. A bigger storm was brewing in the Central Plains, and the era of feudal lords was coming.Liu Bang sent troops to Guanzhong without knowing it, and other princes and kings were also ready to move. Xiang Yu's cohesion and prestige were not as good as before. The centralization of power in the Great Qin no longer exists. Although King Huai of Chu is called Emperor Yi and is the emperor supported by all the vassal states, his name is only in vain.The brave and brave Xiang Yu became more and more stubborn and arrogant, and he thought in his heart that one day he would compete for the world.After returning to his capital Pengcheng from Guanzhong, Xiang Yu immediately moved Emperor Yi to Chen County in Changsha County, and secretly sent someone to kill Emperor Yi on the way to the country.

After the death of Emperor Yi, the vassal states lost their already fragile centripetal force and cohesion.It was unfair for Xiang Yu to be named king. Many princes and kings immediately fought for interests after returning to the country, killing and annexing by force, and the Warring States situation was re-enacted. Liu Bang's plan was also carried out in an orderly manner. Han Xin won the first battle, and the Han army occupied a stronghold in Guanzhong and gained a firm foothold.Liu Bang was full of pride, and immediately led his army to advance eastward to Xianyang, and sent troops to surround Feiqiu. The generals seized the land and pacified Longxi, Beidi, and Shangjun.

Let’s look at the three kings in Guanzhong, Yong Wang Zhanghan has become a shrinking turtle in the waste hills, Sai Wang Sima Xin who occupies the east of Xianyang, and Zhai Wang Dong Yi who occupies the north of Xianyang know that they are invincible, so they simply surrendered to Han.In this way, Liu Bang returned to Guanzhong smoothly, pacified the Sanqin, and achieved the first goal of competing in the Central Plains and competing with Xiang Yu for the world. But Xiang Yu is not easy to mess with.At the beginning, I thought that Liu Bang had burned down the plank road, but he really had no intention of returning it to the east. He suddenly discovered that Liu Bang had not only pacified the Sanqin, but was also planning to develop eastward, so he was deceived.Moreover, Qi State and Zhao State also betrayed Chu State. In a rage, Xiang Yu made Zheng Chang, the former magistrate of Wu County, the King of Han, and prevented the Han army from expanding eastward for himself.Liu Bang returned to Guanzhong, and Zhang Liang returned to Han again.

Mao Xiang Yu was really provoked this time, and Liu Bang actually didn't have any confidence in his heart. After all, Xiang Yu's strength is still very strong, and the next step is to confront Xiang Yu head-on, can he do it?Liu Bang told Zhang Liang about his worries, and Zhang Liang was silent for a while and said: "At present, my lord can't confront Xiang Yu head-on, or it will be bad for the Han army." Why is Xiang Yu willing to let it go?" Zhang Liang thought for a while and said, "I'll think of a way to slow down Xiang Yu first..." Liu Bang was relieved after hearing this.

On the second day, Zhang Liang led his troops to attack South Korea. Liu Bang sent him out of the city and said sincerely, "It's up to you." Zhang Liang smiled and said, "Don't worry." Xiang Yu was about to send troops to attack Liu Bang when he suddenly received a letter from Zhang Liang.Xiang Yu has a good impression of Zhang Liang, but he doesn't know why Zhang Liang likes to follow Liu Bang, and feels helpless for Xiang Yu. When he saw Zhang Liang's letter, it turned out that he wrote it for Liu Bang.The letter wrote: "The king of Han returned to Guanzhong mainly because the soldiers missed their hometown, and also hoped that King Xiang would fulfill the previous agreement between King Huai of Chu and the generals and get back what he should get. If the two sides abide by the agreement, the king of Han will stop immediately. , and no longer expand eastward." Lian Xin also sent documents from Qi and Liang to rebel against Chu, telling Xiang Yu that Qi State was planning to unite with Zhao State to destroy Chu State.

This was originally Zhang Liang's sophistry, but it was to stabilize Xiang Yu's strength, but Zhang Liang also saw Xiang Yu's predicament at this time.Why did Xiang Yu listen to Zhang Liang's sophistry?Of course, Xiang Yu didn't expect Liu Bang to stop his eastward march. He just underestimated Liu Bang's ambition. He was very confident in himself and felt that it would be a matter of time before Liu Bang was dealt with. After weighing the pros and cons, Xiang Yu decided to give up attacking Liu Bang in the west and go north to attack Qi country.A letter from Zhang Liang delayed Xiang Yu's steps.

When Xiang Yu attacked Qi, Zhang Liang took the opportunity to attack South Korea. Han Wang Zhengchang resisted desperately and refused to surrender to Han.When Liu Bang heard the news, he sent out the general Han Xin with three punches and two palms. King Han couldn't stand it anymore, and surrendered to Liu Bang without much effort. The earth rejuvenated, and in just five months, Liu Bang successfully completed the first step of the Eastern Expedition plan and achieved brilliant results. On the basis of occupying Guanzhong and boosting the morale of the army, Liu Bang pursued the victory and made persistent efforts to take another step forward. With the addition of a letter from Zhang Liang, Xiang Yu was slowed down and won precious time for the Han army.Liu Bang quickly seized the opportunity and took a decisive step in his battle with Xiang Yu for the world.Since then, Liu Bang has gained a firm foothold in Guanzhong, relying on his stable rear, and fighting Xiang Yu in the Central Plains.