Chapter 58 7. Chasing Han Xin

Until now, Han Xin can be regarded as a person who has experienced the world. He joined the army when Xiang Liang was crossing the river, experienced the battle to kill Jingju, the second King of Chu, followed Xiang Liang to participate in the Dong'e Battle, and fled for his life in the starry night when Xiang Liang was defeated in the Battle of Dingtao.He fled back to King Huai of Chu and became a subordinate of General Song Yi ever since.Xiang Yu killed Song Yi, and Han Xin became Xiang Yu's subordinate again. After running around in the Julu Battle, he was exhausted and panting.Then he followed Xiang Yu into the pass - but Xiang Yu didn't know him at all.

The grief-stricken Han Xin defected to Liu Bang and came to Hanzhong with the army.He got a small official in charge of the granary in the Han army, but for some reason, he violated the criminal law and should be executed. The person in charge of supervising the beheading was Xia Houying, the warden of Pei County at that time.Xia Houying's current status is different from the past. He watched the condemned prisoners walk by one by one, thirteen consecutive skulls were cut off.Then Han Xin was escorted up.Seeing Xia Houying, Han Xin asked very depressedly: "Hey, didn't you say that the King of Han wants to conquer the world? Why did you kill the strong man?"

Huh?After hearing Han Xin's words, Xia Houying was very surprised.Because at that time, the people who understood Liu Bang's mind were limited to the top officials of the Han army.Xia Houying is Liu Bang's confidant, of course he understands.But a small death row prisoner actually knew Liu Bang's thoughts, which is a bit interesting. So Xia Houying called Han Xin over, chatted for a few words, and felt very good, this Han Xin is a talent.Xia Houying went to Liu Bang for recommendation. Liu Bang didn't bother to pay attention to these trivial matters, so he casually ordered Han Xin to be the captain of the millet—or a small official in charge of the granary.Then Liu Bang forgot about it.

During this period, Liu Bang was really annoying. Since he came to Nanzheng, his subordinates began to flee victoriously. Soldiers fled, officers fled, counselors fled, and generals also fled.In short, everyone is not happy to stay in this place where rabbits don't shit, and they all want to escape home and be a reunion rich man. As more and more important generals fled, Liu Bang became more and more panicked and under increasing pressure.Suddenly someone came to report from outside the door: "Report, Prime Minister Xiao He has escaped." What?This news, like a sap in the head, beat Liu Bang to the ground at that time.Xiao He was one year older than him, and had taken care of him for many years in Peixian County. He was his think tank and his right-hand man.Now that Xiao He has also escaped, it can be seen that his life and career... are probably dead.

Desperate and dull, Liu Bang spent the two most difficult days and nights in his life.On the third day, just as he was about to continue to despair, he suddenly reported that Prime Minister Xiao He was begging to see him outside.At that time, Liu Bang was both happy and angry, rushed over, grabbed Xiao He and beat him: "Damn it, what is the relationship between us? How can you abandon me and run away? You have failed us for more than fifty years." Friendship, I will kill you, kill you..." Xiao He took his hand and said, "Your Majesty, I didn't run away, I went after the one who ran away."

"Are you chasing someone?" Liu Bang asked, "Which one are you chasing?" Xiao He replied, "Chase Han Xin." Liu Bang: "Which one are you chasing?" Xiao He: "Han Xin." Liu Bang: "Please explain clearly, which one are you chasing?" Xiao He: "I've said it three times, I'm chasing Han Xin." "Impossible!" Liu Bang yelled angrily, "Now there are dozens of generals who have escaped. I will believe you whoever you say is chasing Han Xin. Why did you lie to me?" Xiao He said: "How could I lie to you? Those generals who escaped are all irrelevant. Only this Han Xin is the unparalleled talent in the country. If you want to fight for the world, there is no other person to discuss with except Han Xin. It depends on what your plans are."

Liu Bang was dazed for a long while before he said, "Oh, I don't want to stay here either. If there is a chance, I hope to develop eastward." Xiao He said: "Since you plan to go east, you must keep Han Xin. If you don't trust him, he will still be disappointed and run away." Liu Bang said: "Okay, okay, for your sake, let this Han Xin be a general." Xiao He said: "That won't work, a mere general can't keep him." Liu Bang: "What do you mean? You still want to recommend this Han Xin as a general?" Xiao He: "Why not? Since Han Xin has this ability."

Liu Bang: "Forget it, I won't quarrel with you, so let him be a general." Xiao He: "That's not okay, King of Han, you are notoriously hot-tempered, arrogant and rude to others, and now appointing Han Xin as a general is like a child. If you treat him like this, he will still run away." Liu Bang: "What do you mean?" Xiao He: "My meaning is very simple. It is to choose an auspicious day. King of Han, you have to be reverent, fast and bathe, build an altar, and have etiquette. Then go to the altar and worship Han Xin as a general, so as to retain him."

Liu Bang: "You're just messing around... OK, I'll follow you one more time, and see what kind of morality this Han Xin has that makes you fascinated." Liu Bang accepted Xiao He's suggestion and prepared to go to the altar to worship the general, but he dared not announce Han Xin's name.When the news came out, the Han army was full of enthusiasm, and most of the generals believed that they met the qualifications of a general. When it was time for the appointment, the general who was worshiped by the King of Han turned out to be a Han Xin whom he had never heard of, and everyone was very hurt.