Chapter 35 Chapter Thirty-Five

After Yingbu was defeated and left, Liu Bang handed over the army to the generals to lead, and returned to Chang'an himself.Although the arrow wounds suffered in this battle were not serious, he was over sixty years old after all, so it was better to avoid overwork as much as possible.In October of the twelfth year, on his way back to Chang'an, Liu Bang returned to Pei County, his long-lost hometown. He really is homecoming. After his opponent Xiang Yu captured Xianyang and destroyed Qin, he should have stayed in the key pass, but Xiang Yu returned to his hometown in the far east.When someone thought it was inappropriate to remonstrate, Xiang Yu retorted:

Wealth and honor do not return to their hometown, like clothes embroidered at night, who knows! It means: After a person succeeds, he should go back to his hometown and show off to the villagers.To do otherwise would be to wear gorgeous clothes for a night walk, which would really waste the value of the clothes.For such a willful and childish Xiang Yu, all thoughts are centered on himself. In comparison, everything about Liu Bang is much more mature than Xiang Yu.Liu Bang knows how to be patient.Of course, he also has the idea of ​​returning to his hometown, but he can restrain himself when he is proud, and he has not returned to his hometown until now.

As a young man, he lived the life of a rogue here, doing some heinous things.However, when the world was in dire straits, people elected Liu Bang as their leader.Although some people disagreed with him at the time, generally speaking, most people in his hometown supported him. Liu Bang held a grand banquet in his hometown. "I remember all your faces. The only ones I don't know are children. Although some people's faces are not very clear, this should be due to the change of faces when they grow up!" The emperor looked overjoyed. "Your Majesty likes children very much, doesn't he?" the old man from Pei County asked.

"Yes, because children are the future masters of the country!" "Then I would like to invite the emperor to give a lecture to the children in this place, okay?" the representatives of the elders of Pei County said repeatedly. "You guys were the ones who took the lead in accusing me..." Liu Bang felt funny when he thought of this. "I have nothing to say to these children." When Liu Bang said this, a white-haired old man said solemnly and respectfully: "There is absolutely no such thing. The emperor's hadith can be regarded as the standard for generations. I respectfully ask the emperor to teach our next generation."

"You all know that when I was young, I was a rascal, and I was not qualified to teach others..." Liu Bang looked around and said, "If I am qualified to teach, there is probably only one thing." "One thing? Please also ask the emperor to teach the children of Pei County clearly." "You don't even know what I'm talking about, how can you ask to be taught this!" "We believe that the things taught by the emperor are definitely beneficial!" "Ha! Ha! The only thing I'm sure I can teach is singing. Because since I was young, my favorite thing is to play a stringed instrument, singing the lyrics I wrote casually..."

"Then ask Your Majesty to teach the songs you wrote to the children here!" "Okay, then you call the children here. It's best to bring all the children from Peixian County between the ages of eight and fourteen. I'll just teach them how to sing!" Liu Bang laughed out loud as he spoke.This kind of thing can only be done when you return to your hometown. "Yes, as ordered." The elders of Pei County immediately started to gather the children.Soon more than 120 teenagers were brought before Liu Bang. "Hey...all of them are lovely children. Alright, now you all cooperate with Zhuqi and sing the song I made. First, listen to me sing."

Liu Bang stood up, put his hands on his hips, and sang the song he composed in a rather loud voice: After repeated practice, these teenagers from Peixian County can sing the song written by the emperor fluently. More than 2,200 years ago, the two heroes who fought for hegemony in China left their own songs. This is a gratifying thing. Among them, Xiang Yu praised himself with the lyrics of "strengthening the mountain and overwhelming the world", and passed the responsibility to others as "the time is not good and the time is not dying" for the defeat. And Liu Bang did not mention his "strength" in the lyrics.

Although the world has been returned to its hometown, in order to maintain the stability of the world forever, warriors must be found everywhere to undertake the task of protecting the country and the people-this is the meaning of this song.In this song, he celebrates the strength of others, not his own. The singing voice of the juvenile chorus can be described as haunting for three days.It is precisely because they are innocent children that this song is especially touching. Liu Bang sang more and more vigorously, and finally even stood up and danced.After the dance, he was still in tears.

"It is said that 'a wanderer thinks of his hometown'. Although I use Guanzhong as my capital, after my death, my soul is still tied to Peidi, right? Yes, I started from Peigong and gradually climbed up, and finally became the emperor. Therefore, Peicheng can be called An auspicious place. In order to celebrate this auspiciousness, I have decided to exempt Peidi from all future taxes and labor!" When they heard this sentence, all the elders in Pei County kowtowed their heads to thank: "The emperor's great kindness and great virtue, the little people will never forget it, thank you for the emperor's kindness!"

Liu Bang held banquets in his hometown for more than ten days, and drank happily with the villagers for several days.In the end, he wanted to leave and return to Beijing, but the elders in his hometown tried their best to persuade him to stay. "No, I have many retainers with me, and I know that their meals alone will bring you a great burden. This is the time to go." Liu Bang then ordered to set off. "Then... let's send it to the county!" Every family in Peixian County went out to see Liu Bang off to the west of the county.According to the "Book of Han", the population of Pei County is about 2 million, and it has 37 counties under its jurisdiction, and Pei County is one of them. Therefore, the population of the county should be more than 70,000 to 80,000.So many people walked behind the emperor's queue.

When he came to the county, Liu Bang held a banquet with them because he was reluctant to leave.This banquet lasted for another three days.Among the villagers who were a little carried away by drinking, someone actually asked the emperor: "May the emperor allow the next-door Feng County to be exempted from tax and labor like us, is that okay?" In Feng County, which is adjacent to Pei, Liu Bang also stayed for a period of time when he was young.People in Pei and Feng counties are like brothers because of the many marriages.The elders of Pei County asked the emperor for this grace for the people of Feng County who were related. "No! The people in Feng County have betrayed me once." Liu Bang gave the reason for not giving grace to the people of Feng County.When he first rebelled, Yong Chi, who was sent to guard Feng County, betrayed him and went to Wei.Although Liu Bang tried to take it back, due to the strong walls of Feng County and Liu Bang's own illness later, he had to change his original intention and lead his army back to Pei County. "We know this. But it was what Yong Chi did, and the people of Feng County were forced to obey. Please be especially merciful to the emperor..." The elders of Pei County begged desperately for the people of Feng County. Will those who are forced to obey orders defend the city so tenaciously? ... Forget it, let the same grace be given to the people of Feng County, because they are all my hometown! Liu Bang finally agreed. In my hometown, sometimes weep and sometimes become a prisoner of emotion. Is this because Liu Bang is old and his emotions have become fragile?In fact, his health is not very good at this time. Going out to fight against Ying Bu in person is actually not good for his health.Originally, he planned to take the prince as the general and lead the generals to go out. But Empress Lu firmly opposed this. Liu Bang's family background is quite complicated.His current favorite woman is Mrs. Qi, whose wife, Empress Lu, has been alienated for a long time.When Liu Bang raised his troops, he received great assistance from Empress Lu's family in both material and spiritual aspects.Liu Bang, who was originally just a scoundrel, was supported by everyone in Pei County because of the backing of the Lu family.Therefore, Liu Bang has always been unable to hold his head up in front of Empress Lu. Moreover, Empress Lu is not just a helper.As mentioned earlier, Liu Bang wanted to let him go, but she killed Peng Yue by deception.Empress Lu was more enthusiastic than Liu Bang about removing dangerous heroes. For Liu Bang, Empress Lu is not only the wife of the wife, but also a comrade who has conquered the world and shared weal and woe, which is why he feels embarrassed.Therefore, he took a respectful and far-flung attitude towards Empress Lu, and it was Madam Qi who he really loved in his heart. Mrs. Qi tried her best to act like a baby to the emperor.As a mother, of course she doted on her son Ruyi, and begged Liu Bang to make him the prince.Men are generally no match for the crying and begging of the person next to their pillow, not to mention Liu Bang has always been very dissatisfied with the fact that Prince Ying is too weak. ——A person who is the son of heaven must have a vigorous personality.Ying's personality is too weak, and it will be difficult for him to rule the world in the future. Liu Bang even said this in front of his officials. Seeing Ruyi's mischievous appearance, he narrowed his eyes and said happily: ——This child is very lively, much like when I was young. Therefore, the palace began to spread the following words: ——The emperor seems to intend to abolish the unworthy (referring to Prince Ying) and establish his beloved son (referring to Ruyi). Of course Empress Lu felt anxious because of this.She has only one son, Ying.She herself regrets Ying's weak personality.Empress Lu didn't want to give away the world that she and her husband had worked so hard for, so she consulted with her brother Jianchenghou. Hou Jiancheng turned to discuss with Zhang Liang, the most wise man in the world. ——Between flesh and blood (things between flesh and blood), what is the benefit of more than a hundred people including ministers. To this, Zhang Liang replied.It means that he can offer advice on war or political matters, but it is of no help to the emperor's family, even if there are a hundred Zhang Liang.However, he gave Jiancheng Hou this advice: ——Your Majesty once recruited sages from all over the world, but four of them refused to be called into the palace.All four of them are old men.If they can be invited to serve the prince, maybe the prince's identity can be preserved? Zhang Liang also taught him how to invite the four sages. At this time, the emperor ordered Prince Ying to be the general to attack Yingbu. Besides the emperor, the prince is the highest ranking person.No matter how important the prince's achievements are, it is impossible for him to be promoted again.On the contrary, in case of failure, there is a possibility of being abolished immediately.Therefore, it is only natural that Empress Lu strongly opposed it. —— Ying Bu is a powerful general in the world, and all the generals who went to attack are your old colleagues. Isn't this the same as leading a pack of wolves with sheep?The generals will never obey the prince's order.And knowing that the crown prince is the commander in chief, Ying Bu will definitely attack with drums and drums full of courage.What Ying Bu is most afraid of now is you alone.I would like to ask the emperor to put our mother and child first, and consider the matter of personal conquest. Empress Lu cried so. Liu Bang didn't think highly of the prince.He was originally worried that the prince would lead the army, and the conquest might be protracted.Therefore, when he heard Empress Lu crying, he knew that he had to conquer himself. ——Okay, okay, I decided to go for it myself!Although I've been a little unwell lately... People who were not in good health were even more injured by the arrows at this time.Fortunately, the situation of the crusade has been decided, so Liu Bang decided to return to Chang'an. After returning to his hometown of Pei County, the imperial chariot headed west all the way. "It's really tiring..." Liu Bang kept talking to himself in the royal car. The continuous banquets for more than ten days made him a little overwhelmed.He is a person who likes to drink and feast, and he often recovers from the fatigue of the battle with a long night of feasting.But now he is tired from drinking and feasting. Doesn't this prove that he is old? "My lifespan may be running out..." He couldn't erase this ominous premonition. On the way back to Chang'an, good news came from the north.It turned out that Zhou Bo had pacified Daijun, Yanmen, Yunzhong and other places, and beheaded the rebel general Chen Xi in a place called Dangcheng. "This is indeed good news..." Liu Bang said without concealing his joy.There doesn't seem to be much time left.Before that, of course, the more things to solve, the better.Especially solving the Chen Xi Rebellion is a good thing. But a few days later, the envoy from the north sent another message. ——According to Chen Xi's confession, Yan Wang Lu Wan and Chen Xi seem to have colluded. "Now I'm going to be busy again..." Liu Bang then began to count the time he had left.