Chapter 33 Chapter Thirty-Three

Liu Bang led all the soldiers to revel in the city, but Han Xin led 20,000 horses out of the city. When he arrived at the camp, Kuai Che, who was warming the wine, greeted him, and said with a smile: "Is the general going to turn against you? Or do you want to lead the army away and set up another mountain?" Han Xin said calmly, "Of course not." Kuai Che asked again: "Is it because you are dissatisfied with the King of Han?" Han Xin said: "After the army entered the city, the king did not exercise restraint, and the military discipline has disappeared. But when it comes to dissatisfaction, it is still out of the question."

Kuai Che said with a dark face, "The general is in danger!" Han Xin frowned and said: "Speak clearly. Otherwise, you will be sentenced to disturb the morale of the army!" Kuai Che said: "The king of Han has won a sudden victory. This Pengcheng is like a delicious cake, which suddenly fell from the sky. He smashed him so much that he forgot his last name. He never dreamed that the victory came so lightly. Easy. But, this is Liu Bang's victory, not yours, the general. He is the king, and you are the subject. He can give you the seal of command today, and he can take it away tomorrow. In the end, you are just a man with no one to rely on That's all. They are your soldiers, and you are the soldiers of the King of Han!"

Han Xin stomped his feet and cursed: "Mr. Kuai Che! You guys who like to chew your tongue, do you only know these things about guessing people's hearts and fighting openly and secretly?" Kuai Che said innocently: "Isn't this the most basic way of survival?" Han Xin said: "Let me teach you what survival is." He picked up a branch, drew a map on the ground and said, "This is Pengcheng, with nowhere to fall. This is the ditch in the valley of Beishan, where 10,000 elite soldiers have been ambushed. Fan Zeng retreated early the day before yesterday. Xiang Yu is not a fool, he must have I understand his intentions. Therefore, it is impossible to enter the ambush of our army at the bottom of the valley. I did not withdraw this ambush. It is only because their role is not an ambush, but a scout."

Kuai Che said in surprise, "Ten thousand scouts?" Han Xin said: "That's right. Just in case Xiang Yu's scouts go south to make a surprise attack. And I will lead troops to station in the west of the city, strangling the direction that is most conducive to launching an attack formation, and Pengcheng will be safe. This is for the safety of the King of Han. How can I say it? What about rebellion?" Kuai Che asked, "Why didn't you defend the east?" Han Xin said: "Even if Xiang Yu bypassed the valley, the terrain to the east is narrow, and even 10,000 troops, not to mention 100,000 troops, cannot form a formation. Xiang Yu will not bring thousands of people to die, will he?"

Kuai Che nodded repeatedly.Han Xin threw the branch and said, "I'm done." Kuai Che said: "This is all war. What I'm talking about is how to get along with the king." Han Xin said: "Han Xin is not interested in those things. I prefer to sleep by the campfire than to smell the wine and flesh on Han Wang." Han Xin and Fan Kui hurried into the Overlord's Hall. After the emperor and his ministers saw the ceremony, Han Xin said straight to the point: "I think that within five days, the overlord will definitely send his troops to Pengcheng." Liu Bang said: "I have heard the news, Xiang Yu is in Qidi, his soldiers and horses are scattered like sand, and the rebellion in Qidi is getting worse! It's hard for the overlord to get out! Now that I have occupied his hometown, the Chu army's morale is slackened, and it is difficult to become a climate change." Isn’t this very satisfying! The widow is about to hold a banquet to thank the heroes! General, you should come back to Pengcheng, so that those soldiers can also come back and live fast.”

Han Xin said: "Your Majesty, please don't believe such reports. We have not won yet." Liu Bang said displeasedly: "Oh? How can you be sure?" Han Xin said: "It comes from my understanding of Xiang Yu's tactics." Liu Bang said: "You really know him well enough. Let the widow tell you something! There is no one to support him anymore! The army of the world is now on my side. That person is powerless to fight against me! If he comes forward Come and surrender, okay, I will definitely treat you generously, without losing the courtesy of a prince. The widow will not treat him like he treats me!"

Han Xin said: "I can't see why the overlord surrendered to the king. On the contrary, the minister saw that our army has been defeated! The king should immediately make an appointment with the kings to withdraw from Pengcheng, transfer the coalition forces to the north of the city, and spread out on the plain. Formation, advance can directly point at Qi Yan, retreat can wait for work, and fight to the death with the Overlord, only this side has a chance of life, Your Majesty!" Liu Bang suddenly stood up from Majesty Dan, and said disdainfully, "A chance? Is it that dangerous?"

Han Xin completely turned a blind eye to Liu Bang's reaction, and continued: "It's better to say that the danger is at stake. Peng Yue has already led his troops to escape." Liu Bang said: "I allowed him to leave. Peng Yue's generation is nothing more than water thieves. You are a great general of the Han army, and you care about such a guy who is like a mouse." Han Xin said: "It is precisely because Peng Yue was born as a water thief that he has become a party. His nose is much smarter than ours! This is an obvious signal!" Liu Bang tried his best not to burst out and said, "General, I think that you are exaggerating."

Fan Kui suddenly roared angrily: "Your Majesty! It's time to wake up! The Overlord will not hold another banquet for you!" At this moment, Liu Bang was furious: "You can't say such words... General, did you teach me?" Fan Kuai eagerly explained, "No, it's not!" Liu Bang stopped Fan Kui with a wave of his hand coldly, and observed Han Xin.Han Xin faced it frankly, but didn't answer. Liu Bang said: "Do you think that you are a general, so you can accuse me? Do you think that you are a general, that you can praise the enemy's self-respect? Since I can reuse you, I can also take your seal and ribbon!"

Han Xin's face changed, and he said: "Life and death are up to the king. The only thing I have to do is to punish the crime!" Everyone quickly persuaded: "Your Majesty, calm down! Your Majesty, calm down!" Han Xin nodded, got up and left.Liu Bang shouted angrily: "Han Xin! How dare you be so presumptuous?! I haven't let you go yet!" Han Xin has gone out.Liu Bang kicked over the censer, and suddenly the hall was filled with smoke and dust. Qidi Chu camp, the sky was cloudy, Xiang Yu got on his horse, and inspected the troops with Yu Ziqi.The spears were like a forest, and they held high one after another, and the soldiers shouted loudly, long live the mountain.

Yu Ziqi said: "Your Majesty, are you waiting for the troops of General Qi and General Mo? It won't be too late to start when the army is assembled!" Xiang Yu said: "No! We can't wait for a moment! Let's go immediately!" Yu Ziqi said: "However, there are too few people!" Xiang Yu said: "Raise the signal of the widow! Gather soldiers and horses along the way, and all our soldiers, no matter what division they belong to, will follow the widow! The army must not stop!" Yu Ziqi replied: "Follow the order!" Xiang Yu suddenly shook the reins and urged the horse to go forward, Yu Ziqi and others hurriedly patted the horse to keep up.The black horse galloped furiously, and the overlord's cloak was flying like a flag, galloping past the neat guards.The soldiers shook their arms and shouted wildly, proud of their overlord. With his despising spirit, Xiang Yu led only 5000 soldiers and horses to kill Pengcheng.For the motherland, for the honor, for Yu Ji! In Zhang Liang's house in Pengcheng, an oil lamp was flickering, and the house was not bright.Liu Bang and Zhang Liang sat down and talked. Zhang Liangdao: "I heard that if you are a king, you will be in danger if you punish your subordinates too much. If you neglect a person who deserves respect, you will definitely fall into loneliness. I ask the king to call Han Xin to comfort him with good words. Han Xin You are a loyal person who is dedicated to planning and working for the king. Han Xin was born in the army, so you can't expect him to know how to get along with the king. This is not his forte. Since the Mangdang uprising, your brothers have believed in you. Isn't it because of employing people's strengths and avoiding people's weaknesses?" Liu Bang said: "Oh, the general is working so hard, doesn't Liu Bang know? It's just that he is too impulsive and straightforward. As long as he is willing to bow his head to me and admit his mistakes, doesn't Liu Bang even have such a heart? He said everything. Yeah, but I just can't stand that attitude." Zhang Liang said: "You still don't know him well enough." Liu Bang smiled and said, "Could it be that he thinks he's not wrong at all?" Zhang Liang said: "Xiang Yu is preparing to take back Pengcheng, there is no doubt about it. I think the same as the general. No matter how fast Xiang Yu moves, it is impossible to quietly deploy troops in the north." Liu Bangdao: "That's right. There are our ambush soldiers there. No, it can only be regarded as a garrison now." Zhang Liang said: "The defense of the west is the key. Give him more soldiers and horses." Liu Bang said: "In this way, don't I admit my mistake to him?" Liu Bang returned to the palace and asked Xia Houying, "Have the invitations been delivered?" Xia Houying said: "The invitations have been delivered. But half of the kings and marquises are soaked in the crowd of women and can't even see each other; the other half are already drunk and fast asleep." Liu Bang said: "I wanted to invite everyone here to discuss the restoration of military discipline. This is good, they are more fun than widows!" Xia Houying said: "However, there is one person who is not drunk and is already on the way. Chen Yu." Liu Bang waved his hand and said, "Humph! Here comes the most insignificant thing." Xia Houying said: "There is another one who is not drunk, saying that 'the king is so kind, how dare Zhang Er refuse it'." Liu Bangdao: "A lot of nonsense! Forget it, two boring guys, come on, let them come... What are you talking about? Zhang Er and Chen Yu?" Xia Houying replied in a daze, "Yes!" Liu Bang stomped his feet and asked, "Where are you all? Forget it, no matter where you are, Ah Wan, go quickly! Stop Chen Yu. No! Stop Zhang Er. Don't let the two of them meet!" Lu Wan knew that she was in trouble, so she got up and rushed out of the hall. Liu Bang put on a cloak, stood in the cold wind and looked around, anxious.Xia Houying followed with her head down. Liu Bang said: "I talk a lot on weekdays, but now I'm silent?" Xia Houying said: "Your Majesty, please be at ease, brother Lu Wan has a good mind and will be fine." Liu Bang said: "I hope so. Remember, as soon as Chen Yu arrives, I will welcome him into the palace. You will wait here. If Lu Wan is wrong, you will be bound, and Zhang Er will be bound away by me!" " At this time, Chen Yu arrived, and seeing Liu Bang standing outside, he hurriedly said, "How dare you trouble the King of Han to meet him in person? Chen Yu is ashamed." Then, he got off his horse with a happy face, ran over, and saluted Liu Bang. Liu Bang said: "Get up quickly! Come on, please!" Chen Yu said: "Not busy. Chen Yu has something to say first." Liu Bangqiang said calmly: "It's windy outside, let's talk after we go in." Chen Yu said: "No! If you don't say these words, how can you be worthy of the great kindness of the king. I think Chen Yu has been bullied by that thief Zhang Er for a long time. If it wasn't for the righteousness of the King of Han, he cut off the dog's head, and Chen Yu would sleep and eat now. It's hard!" Liu Bang smiled stiffly and said: "Why do you always care about the past. The widow kills the enemy for you, it is for the world, for the common people, for the lifelong friendship between you and me!" Chen Yu was moved and nodded again and again.Liu Bang winked at Xia Houying and wanted to leave with Chen Yu on his arm. But at this moment, Zhang Er came. He didn't see Chen Yu, but said to Liu Bang, "Don't blame the King of Han, I'm late!" Chen Yu didn't look back, just said: "It seems that I am not the only one who feels the great virtue of the King of Han." Liu Bang's face froze.Xia Houying rushed forward, but did not stop Zhang Er.Zhang Er had already arrived in front of the King of Han, and he bowed and said, "Zhang Er is unknown, so why did Lu Wan stop me from drinking..." Hearing this, Chen Yu was shocked and turned his head abruptly.Zhang Er also raised his head.The two looked at each other. Liu Bang said embarrassingly: "There is actually a misunderstanding about this matter..." Zhang Er and Chen Yu shouted at the same time, drew their swords and slashed at each other. Liu Bang shouted: "Quick, stop them!" Immediately, Xia Houying and a group of guards rushed forward. Liu Bang was sitting at the bottom seat, while Chen Yu and Zhang Er were at the top seat, far apart on the left and right. Both of them were gagged and their hands and feet were tied behind their backs, but they still stared at each other. Liu Bang said: "Let me make it right first, and you can let you go. But there are three rules. One, no shouting! Two, no hands! Three, listen to me first, and then you talk. Nod if you understand. Mr. Zhang Er ?” Zhang Er nodded. Liu Bang asked again: "Master Chen Yu?" Chen Yu also nodded. Only then did Liu Bang say, "Let them go." So, the two guards released Zhang Er and Chen Yu.The two broke free from the guard and fought together again.Because he didn't have a weapon in his hand, he punched and kicked, and even used his teeth. Liu Bang got angry and said, "Are you talking like I'm farting?" Zhang Er and Chen Yu turned a deaf ear and continued to fight.The guard couldn't stop it. Liu Bang waved his hand, signaling to leave it alone, then sat there, watched the two beating, and said leisurely: "There is wine there if you are tired from the beating, and you can continue beating after drinking." Zhang Er and Chen Yu suddenly stopped and separated.Liu Bang looked at them, pulled out his sword suddenly, threw the sword out with a swipe, nailed it firmly to the post, and shouted: "Pengcheng is the territory of Lao Tzu Liu Bang, if you step on the soil under your feet, you have to listen to it!" Mine. Got it? I won’t repeat it a second time! Just now, I could cut you all with one sword, but I didn’t do that. I just want to tell you that Xiang Yu is our common enemy, I, Liu Bang, will not cut off your heads, no matter how angry I am! He Xiang Yu will!" Liu Bang glanced at the two of them, but both avoided them.Liu Bang slowed down and said, "Sit!" Zhang Er and Chen Yu sat down to the next side in a tacit understanding.Liu Bang walked slowly to the upper seat, sat down, lowered his head and said, "My heart is bitter, you don't understand. He Xiang Yu might let you open your ears, even if you once conspired with King Huai to kill him. He might also Let you off Chen Yu, you tipped off Zhang Er when he was plotting. But as long as he is alive, he will not let me go. What can I do? I can only unite with you and live on. If you don’t follow me, you just won’t let me go. If I live, I am my enemy! You fight in the nest, even if you let Xiang Yu get what you want, you still won’t let me live, and you are still my enemy! I will never show mercy to real enemies.” Zhang Er bowed down and said, "Don't say it again, the king of Han. Zhang Er won't make another mistake." Liu Bang looked at Chen Yu, and Chen Yu bowed down and said, "Chen Yu bows down." Liu Bang said: "Let's do this. After our army withdraws from Pengcheng, you can lead the army back. You don't have to return Zhang Er's territory to Chen Yu. Take care of it yourself." Chen Yu was surprised when he heard this. Zhang Er was even more surprised: "This..." Liu Bang said: "Hanoi County is a good place. Xiao He manages it very well. The people live in peace and the harvest is good. I will give it to you." Zhang Er couldn't believe his ears, and asked, "Is what the king said true?" Liu Bang laughed and said, "Do you want me to personally carry the sedan chair to take you there?" Zhang Er and Chen Yu were completely convinced, and bowed down to Xie En.Liu Bang smiled. In the Han barracks, Han Xin, Fan Kuai, and Kuai Che were walking. Kuai Che said: "The king of Han has returned the entire army to your command. The general should immediately go to the king of Han to thank him." Han Dao said: "It's too late, the defense is the top priority." Kuai Che said: "This is the king of Han bowing his head and admitting his mistake to you. No matter how you say it, it should be..." When he said this, he suddenly found Han Xin staring at him, so he said: "Okay, let's talk about it." At this time, Fan Zeng was setting up troops in Xiao Town, quietly ambush behind the powerful coalition forces, as a support for the Overlord. The deputy general reported: "Master Fan Zeng! Concubine Yu has been found!" Fan Zeng ordered: "Take her to the town so she can be resettled." Concubine Yu escaped after going through a lot of hardships after the city was broken, and now she finally arrived at Chu Ying, eager to know where the Overlord is.Fan Zeng didn't answer, but just told her to go back and rest.After she left, Fan Zeng asked General Long Qie, "How long will it take for Your Majesty to arrive?" Long Qi replied, "According to the current marching speed, it will take another day." Fan Zeng said anxiously, "Did Bawang really decide to fight recklessly in this battle?" Long Qi said: "Traveling horses to report, Han Xin has mobilized the main force of the Han army to set up camp to the west of Pengcheng. I'm afraid the general will not be able to defeat him!" Fan Zeng was silent.He looked at the back of Yu Ji going away, thought about it in his heart, and immediately made a decision. At this time, Bawang's troops had reached the valley north of Pengcheng. Yu Ziqi said: "My lord, no matter how fast we are, there are only 30,000 horses. Please think twice..." Xiang Yu said: "Don't worry, Ziqi! That boy Han Xin must have thought that a widow would only be reckless. He wanted to wait for work with ease and give me a head-on blow. But, he was wrong. Send an order to the soldiers to speed up their pace and advance quickly, north of Pengcheng. Twenty li in the deep valley set up a village." The scouts came to report: "Your Majesty! Master Fan Zeng asked Your Majesty to speed up their march. The rebels have camped on the plain!" Xiang Yu didn't say anything, but he saw from a distance that there was a red dress in the scout cavalry that came - that was Yu Ji. Xiang Yu galloped his horse to meet him recklessly. Ji Bu turned his head and asked the scouts, "Why did you send her here?" The scout said: "Reporting to the general, Xiangguo ordered Concubine Yu to be sent here. He said that the king should have nothing to worry about when he sees Concubine Yu is safe." ... Over there, Xiang Yu took Yu Ji's hand.Concubine Yu was wronged and held back tears, but finally couldn't help crying.Xiang Yu wiped away Yu Ji's tears pityingly.Xiang Yu took Yu Ji's hand and walked up the hill.Yu Ziqi, Ji Bu and others were very surprised, and went inside without knowing. Xiang Yu turned his head and said: "General Bu, the army stops advancing! Stay where you are!" Yu Ziqi said, "But Your Majesty..." Xiang Yu was already holding Yu Ji's hand, climbing non-stop, walking towards the top of the hill! The army that had been advancing rapidly stopped one after another, and all the soldiers raised their heads and looked at the figure of their overlord in admiration... Xiang Yu walked up to the top of the hill with Yu Ji in his arms.At the foot of the mountain is a vast plain, and the armor of the Chu army is bright, shining in the setting sun. Xiang Yu put Yu Ji down, and the two looked at each other. Xiang Yu said: "Soon, everything will pass. At that time, I will sit and enjoy the sunset and sunset with the woman I love, and just like this, for the rest of my life." Concubine Yu said: "Concubine Yu will wait..." The Overlord's army stood silently, and the smoke and dust gradually descended from the sky.Xiang Yu and Yu Ji sit side by side.The sunset is brilliant, the sunset glow is brilliant.