Chapter 42 Chapter Forty-Two

Li Shiqi was brought by Lu Wan to meet Liu Bang. When he saw Zhang Liang, he was taken aback for a moment. After saluting Liu Bang, he said to Zhang Liang: "Mr. Mr. Fang once tried his best to support the stupid and despicable Han Wangcheng, and almost lost his life because of it. Now, he is trying his best to advocate that the Six Kingdoms cannot be established, what Mr. Fang said and what he did are so contradictory!" Zhang Liang didn't expect Li Shiqi to say this, he was taken aback and his face turned pale.Seeing that his strategy worked, Li Shiqi was very proud. He straightened his clothes, walked up the steps calmly, and stood at the same height as Zhang Liang.

Suddenly, Zhang Liang laughed and said, "Sir, you are truly a debater. You can use the spear of the son to attack the shield of the son. This is indeed an old story that Zifang can't bear to look back on, but since everyone in the world knows it, why don't you tell me about it?" Think of it as a kind of experience. Sir, have you ever heard of the folk proverb, "Eat a ditch and grow a wisdom"? The reason why I urge the King of Han not to set up the Six Kingdoms today is precisely because of the painful lessons of the past. Besides, Mr. Knowing that Han Wangcheng is stupid and despicable, it is difficult to become a great weapon, but still encourages the king to entrust his descendants, what is the intention?"

Liu Bang swept the bowl and chopsticks on the ground, furious, pointed at Li Shiqi and cursed.Li Shiqi quickly apologized, and said: "I, I came here for other things, just because I saw Mr. Zifang here, I just said a few more words... Please forgive me, the King of Han! In fact, I am sorry for the king's decision No objection!" Liu Bang said: "Do you have anything else to report? Get up and talk about it!" Li Shiqi timidly wiped the sweat from his forehead, stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I think that Yan and Zhao are settled, only Qi has not yet been conquered. Now Tian Guang controls the land of Qi for thousands of miles. Tian Jian led 200,000 people to occupy Li City, you should not be underestimated!"

Zhang Liang said: "Your Majesty, what Li Gong said is very true. The Tian family is very powerful, backed by the sea and Mount Tai, relying on the danger of the river, and the south is close to Chu. They are cunning and changeable. Although Your Majesty sent hundreds of thousands of troops to go north. , it seems that it is not something that can be conquered in a year or so. I have a strategy, you can try it." Liu Bang said, "Tell me, Ovary!" Zhang Liangdao: "Mr. Li is very knowledgeable, his debating skills are strange, and he has made outstanding achievements. In my opinion, it is better to trouble Mr. Li to bring His Majesty's edict to persuade King Qi to submit..."

When Li Shiqi heard this, he immediately bowed his head and bowed, repeatedly saying: "I'm afraid that if I don't think carefully, I will spoil your majesty's important affairs!" Zhang Liang said: "Duke Li, the current plan is to make all the princes except Chu, big and small, submit to the King of Han and fight against Chu together. Why worry about Xiang Yu's invincibility. You are the first to notice the Tian family. Besides, just now Mister's debating skills make Zifang feel inferior, besides Mister, who else can take on this important task?" The Han army barracks were full of hungry and dying people everywhere, lifeless.

Two soldiers are fighting for a very hard and black glutinous rice cake. The tall soldier said, "My legs are so swollen that I can't walk. If I don't eat, I will starve to death. Let me eat." The little soldier said: "Don't be afraid of death! What's more, you starved to death to serve the country and save the common people in the world. All the people will remember you!" The tall little soldier said: "...But I can eat it and not die! Why do you have to snatch it from me?" The little soldier said: "I didn't rob you for myself, you misunderstood me. Do you still remember what the king once said to us? All the hardships we endure today are for the sake of our children and grandchildren in the future. No worries about food and clothing. But you can’t fight now, if you still waste this cake, we can’t defeat the Chu army, your wife and children will starve to death like this, would you like it?”

The tall soldier said, "I don't want to. But I don't want to starve to death either." The little soldier said: "How can you do this? You are starving to death alone, and I can still drive away the Chu army and avenge you. If everyone is like you, who will fight in the world? Who will rescue the common people?" The tall soldier said, "Please, I'm so hungry that I can't stand up for three days..." The little soldier said: "Since you can't get up for three days, why do you still have wet mud left by last night's rain on the soles of your shoes?"

The tall soldier said: "Then...just now the chief guard said that this is what he saved for me." The little soldier said: "You blinked three times and touched your ears twice, you must be lying!" The two soldiers fought over each other for a piece of bran cake. Liu Bang, who was on patrol, laughed when he heard the conversation, and said, "What a soldier who observes meticulously and is eloquent!" The little soldier is called a hound dog. Chen Ping said: "Your Majesty, I think this humble dog understands etiquette, is good at observing words and expressions, and is very good at debate. He is the best candidate for an envoy to Chu."

Liu Bang looked the dog up and down again, nodded, and said, "Well, let's use a puppy to tease Xiang Yu." Liu Bang's envoy led by the dog came to Xiang Yu's tent. The humble dog said: "...In order to avoid greater losses for both parties, the King of Han is willing to take the west of Xingyang City as the territory of Han. As for the whole world, my lord, it will all belong to you." Xiang Yu said: "Well, the whole world east of Xingyang City?" The humble dog said: "Your Majesty, in fact, the King of Han just sincerely wants to get your approval. This is no different from you entrusting a prince."

Xiang Yu nodded and said, "That's true." Seeing that the situation was wrong, Fan Zeng immediately walked up to Xiang Yu and said, "Your Majesty, I have something important to discuss with you, can you order the envoys to wait here for a while?" So Xiang Yu and Fan Zeng went to the inner room.As soon as the door was closed, Fan Zeng knelt down and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, you have become merciful again!" Xiang Yu said: "The widow hasn't agreed yet. Besides, we can't attack Xingyang for a long time, and Liu Bang still has the Guanzhong Plain as a backing. It's not an option to continue the confrontation for a long time. At this time, Liu Bang is taking the initiative to show weakness. Isn't it good for us to take advantage of the situation and reconcile with him? ?”

Fan Zeng said: "The so-called reconciliation is a strategy for both sides to take a step back. But in terms of numbers, we are far more than the big Han; in terms of the situation, we have cut off the food and grass backup of the big Han, and they will soon be defeated; in terms of reputation , our country of Chu is strong and invincible, which is the aspiration of the people and the trend of the times. I dare to ask your majesty, is there any weakness in our great Chu that needs to be reconciled?" Xiang Yu couldn't answer for a while, Fan Zeng continued to persuade patiently: "Your Majesty, the Han Dynasty has long been like a dying patient. If they stop fighting and reconcile, they will gain the wealth in Guanzhong and become strong again. As long as Liu Bang is still there, Your Majesty He is not number one in the world. Now it is time to use all of Chu's power to completely wipe out Liu Bang!" The two returned to the main room, and Xiang Yu changed his mind and flatly rejected the peace negotiation. The dog said: "Your Majesty, I implore you to think twice! Isn't your purpose also to establish a kingly land where everyone is happy and encouraged? But in this way, the King of Han is too pitiful. He sincerely hopes to accept your title what!" Another envoy of the King of Han also said: "Not only is the King of Han pitiful, but the soldiers and people on both sides will fall into starvation and war again. Is this also your intention, Your Majesty?" Xiang Yu glanced at Fan Zeng and had no choice but to refuse again. The dog looked frustrated and said, "In this case, according to the etiquette, can you ask the king to send an envoy to Xingyang to directly convey the will to the King of Han?" Xiang Yu said: "Well, I will definitely send envoys to Xingyang." Several envoys nodded, showing a smug expression. On this day, Liu Bang and Chen Ping discussed in secret for a long time, and finally decided to allocate 40,000 jin of gold from the total of 50,000 jin in the national treasury for Chen Ping's use, and the expenses need not be reported one by one. Chen Ping nodded gratefully, and started his "poison" plan. He asked the dog to select 200 smart and capable soldiers from among the soldiers who had worked in the Chu army to form a secret garrison.As for what the team is going to do and where to go, everything is under the command of Chen Ping alone. In a few days, the team was formed.Chen Ping asked several guards to lift baskets of heavy objects and put them on the ground. Each basket was covered with oilcloth.The two hundred soldiers in line watched and discussed among themselves. The oilcloth was lifted off with a brush, and baskets full of golden gold were piled up in front of everyone. Everyone was quiet, looking straight at this incredible scene. Chen Ping said: "I know that everyone has been in the Chu army, and some friends or brothers are there. Your mission is very simple, just to infiltrate the Chu army, and then distribute the gold to them. But you have to do it with all your might! Do you understand?" Everyone didn't react, they were silent, and after a while they shouted together: "Understood." Chen Ping said: "If you sneak into the Chu army, what kind of meritorious service you will make, I will use these eyes to watch carefully. As long as you make meritorious service, you will be rewarded with a lot of money. In case of death, the gold will be sent to your family. .Don’t be stingy with gold. If you find like-minded people in the Chu army, distribute it to them. But——you must never let them realize that you are a spy of the Han Dynasty.” Someone asked: "The king of Chu is notoriously suspicious. If we give people gold for no reason like us, if people ask, how can we explain it?" Chen Ping said: "If you want to say that you are the people under the elders in the Xingyang area." Someone asked again: "But, won't the elders expose this lie?" Chen Ping said: "Don't worry, the elders hate Xiang Yu's tyranny. Even if they use their names, they will be forgiven afterwards. In short, our purpose is only one, which is to make Xiang Yu doubt the loyalty of his generals. I also Will go with you, so don't try to be clever or lazy, now you understand?" Everyone looked at each other in blank dismay. After a period of time, Chen Ping was called into the palace by Liu Bang for questioning.Liu Bang asked: "The widow asked you to come because I want to hear what you think of Xiang Yu during the days you have been in Chuying." Chen Pingdao: "In my opinion, King Xiang is an outstanding person. He is also like this. He will never treat those close to him or his subordinates roughly, and always treat the generals with courtesy. General, and never insult or humiliate lightly." Chen Ping suddenly praised Xiang Yu, which surprised Liu Bang. Chen Ping immediately said: "Your Majesty, calm down. The reason why the minister praised the award is to show that in this regard, His Majesty should not pay attention to etiquette, and manage a gang of mobs in the way of rascals." Liu Bangdao: "That said, it makes sense. Isn't I, Liu Bang, a local ruffian? Look at the good buddies around me, how many of them are not scoundrels? Of course, there are also literary ruffians like you! Then you Look, how does a team like ours compare to theirs?" Chen Ping said: "The people gathered around Xiang Yu are all sages and brave men, and they all have strong self-esteem. Therefore, when it comes to the generals gathered around His Majesty, except for a few, they are all trash. They They came here because of His Majesty's generosity, so they are only greedy for self-interest, lack integrity, and there are very few people who are willing to devote their lives to His Majesty." Liu Bang looked at him sharply and said: "You say that others are greedy for self-interest, and the widow asks you, what about you?" Chen Ping said brazenly: "No one is perfect, and of course I have such and such small problems. However, what I pretend to be the most in Chen Ping's heart is righteousness. When it comes to this point, all the generals under Xiang Yu are very consistent. " Liu Bang said: "It seems that you are boasting that they are addicted, and you also brought yourself along. Tell me, how does it conform to the law?" Chen Pingdao: "For example, with Fan Zeng as the leader, there are also Zhongli Mei, Long Qi, Zhou Yin, etc. These people are not only outstanding as generals, but also able to repay Xiang Yu's courtesy and love for his ministers. They are honest and selfless. Everyone is an upright person.” Liu Bangdao: "Hmph, you are so upright. Didn't you say that no one is perfect? ​​If you come to him, you will become a saint?" Chen Ping said: "Of course not. Just talking about King Xiang has a fatal weakness." Liu Bang asked with interest: "Fatal?" Chen Ping pointed to his chest and said, "People's hearts, hearts of suspicion." Liu Bang asked: "Is this what you mean by anti-interference?" Chen Ping said: "Exactly." Liu Bang said: "I'm surprised. From your point of view, they value righteousness over profit. They are all heroes with high integrity. How the hell do you try to drive these people apart?" Chen Pingdao: "Don't worry, my lord. Even if they are heroes and saints, as long as they are living people in this world, they will inevitably have weaknesses in their hearts. The four outstanding generals in the Chu army I mentioned earlier, King Xiang did not They did not cede land to these outstanding people. This is absolutely wrong. However, this is all because of King Xiang’s stinginess. They were all dissatisfied with this matter and complained: Although they did their best for him , but still only has the status of a hound." Liu Bang nodded and said, "It seems that I am very generous." Chen Ping said: "That's natural. My lord, I saw these problems in the Chu camp, and started spreading rumors, saying that they had long been in collusion with the Han. After the Xiang family is eliminated, everyone will be able to be a leader." Your Majesty. These are all the appointments made by the King of Han and them." When Liu Bang heard this, he couldn't help but stepped forward to hug Chen Ping and said, "Chen Ping, Chen Ping, you are more rascal than a widow when you start these sowing discords!" Chen Ping said: "When the two armies confront each other, you will die or we will die. It doesn't matter who is the more rascal." In Xiang Yu's camp, Xiang Yu was talking to Xiang Bo and Xiang Zhuang. He said: "Go and talk to Liu Bang, talk about anything, for example, let him surrender, or make peace with him. If you are in trouble , or not to mention this topic.” Xiang Bo and Xiang Zhuang looked at each other. Xiang Yu went on to say: "You are my uncles and brothers, and they are the closest people. I won't go around with you. Recently, there are some rumors like this, have you heard of them?" Xiang Bo asked, "What rumor?" Xiang Yu said: "Among our own generals, there are people who secretly communicate with Han." Xiang Bo asked, "Does King Xiang still believe such rumors?" Xiang Yu nodded and said, "You are here to convince me that this is a rumor." Xiang Bo and Xiang Zhuang came to the gate of Xingyang City. The city guard asked, "Who are you?" Xiang Zhuang said: "We are envoys from the Chu camp, and we are here to pay a visit to the King of Han." Suddenly there was no movement in the city. The two looked at each other, very worried.Suddenly, the city gate opened, and Xia Houying came out on horseback: "You two generals, I have been waiting here for a long time, please hurry up! Please hurry up!" Xiang Zhuang and Xiang Bo looked at each other, extremely vigilant. When they arrived at the King of Han Palace, they were greeted by Liu Bang at the main seat in the hall. When he saw them coming in, Liu Bang got up happily and said, "Uncle Xiang, long time no see. Come, please take your seat." Xiang Bo hurriedly said, "The King of Han is really very polite." Xiang Zhuang glanced at Uncle Xiang suspiciously, and the two sat down. Liu Bang said: "I am looking forward to your people coming sooner or later. Today, I must treat you well." Liu Bang said and clapped his hands.In an instant, the servant brought up a large bowl of meat. Liu Bang introduced: "This dish is called Tai Lao. I think you all know it. This is a sign that can only be brought out to entertain the most important guests. This is your blessing. Look, the three delicious meats of cattle, sheep and pigs come together. One pot, who wouldn't be greedy after seeing it!" Liu Bang clapped his hands again.The curtain on one side was opened, and a bronze tripod and a cutting board for cooking food had been prepared in a corner of the hall.Liu Bang said: "The widow over there is specially prepared for the two of you. If you want to eat anything and how you want to eat, just ask the servants to cook it for you immediately." Xiang Zhuang and Xiang Bo exchanged glances and began to eat delicious food.But Liu Bang has already come to toast with the two of them in person, holding a wine bottle. Liu Bang said: "To be honest, I was actually very surprised that Uncle Xiang came here, but after thinking about it again, I don't think there's anything wrong with it. Here we are, we are our own people!" Hearing this, Uncle Xiang waved his hands in fright and said, "Don't dare." Liu Bang said: "I heard that my father has been in poor health. I wonder if his diet has improved recently?" As soon as Liu Bang said this, Xiang Bo and Xiang Zhuang were stunned. Liu Bang asked with concern: "How is it? You should talk about it, so that the widow will not worry about it every day." Xiang Bo said, "The king of Han, Yafuta, has been well." Liu Bangdao: "Oh, that's good. Uncle Xiang, I feel more at ease with you working over there." After Liu Bang finished speaking, he took a big sip.At this moment, Xiang Zhuang stared at Uncle Xiang and didn't speak. Xiang Bo asked, "King of Han, why do you suddenly care about Father Kia?" Liu Bangdao: "My friendship with Yafu has been going on for a long time, what happened suddenly? You are interesting, are you still pretending to be confused?" Xiang Bo asked, "Where do we start?" Liu Bang looked at Uncle Xiang strangely and said, "Before you came here, Yafu didn't mention anything to you?" Xiang Bo said, "He didn't mention it." Liu Bangdao: "Uncle Xiang, first take out Yafu's letter and give it to me." Xiang Bo said: "Letters? I have never been given any letters." Liu Bang said: "Yafu asked you to come, but didn't you bring a letter?" At this moment, Xiang Zhuang couldn't bear it anymore and stood up. Xiang Zhuang said: "What Yafu? We have nothing to do with him, King Xiang sent us here!" As soon as this remark came out, Liu Bang was startled, and the wine bottle in his hand fell to the ground.Here Xiang Bo anxiously pulled Xiang Zhuang to sit down. Liu Bang said, "Say what you just said again." Xiang Zhuang said: "I am a person sent by King Xiang, and I have nothing to do with Fan Zeng!" Liu Bang asked, "What about you, Uncle Xiang?" Xiang Bo said: "I am the same as him. King of Han, there must be some misunderstanding." Liu Bang was silent, he walked back to the main seat, thought for a moment, and suddenly said: "What a disappointment! We're gone!" After Liu Bang finished speaking, he left by himself.The two people here looked at each other, still confused. Suddenly many servants crowded into the banquet hall, they moved things, carried cases, and even took away the unfinished meat in front of Xiang Zhuang and the others. Xia Houying walked in at this time, changed from the enthusiasm just now, and said with a serious face: "Both, please!" After the two left, Liu Bang excitedly said to Chen Ping who was hiding behind: "Did you see me from behind just now? How was my performance?" Chen Ping said: "Your Majesty played very well." Liu Bangdao: "Okay? I think it's not enough." Chen Ping said: "This is going to be over, it's not good." Liu Bang shook his head and said, "I don't know what's going on here. Uncle Xiang and Xiang Zhuang, I have known them for many years. You are a literati who is sensitive. Some words, if I speak lightly, they may not understand." Chen Ping said: "This, I don't understand." At this time, Liu Bang glanced at Fan Kui, who had just entered the tent, and said, "You see, he came just in time. I'll let you see what it means to not understand." Fan Kuai strode forward, Liu Bang asked: "I heard that you gathered a crowd to drink in the camp yesterday, I am very happy." Fan Kuai said: "My lord, I can only kill the enemy when I have drunk enough wine." Liu Bangdao: "Now the battle is tense, but you, General Fan, can let it go and let it go." Fan Kui said: "Who says it's not? My lord, I appreciate it." As Fan Kui said, there was a look of complacency on his face. Liu Bangdao: "Stupid! You're so drunk that you don't even recognize your own mother, what kind of enemies are you killing, what kind of bullshit are you fighting!" Fan Kuai said: "Master, if you want to scold me, scold me, don't talk about my old lady!" Liu Bangdao: "I want to scold, not only scold your old lady, but also scold you!" Fan Kuai said: "I, Fan Kui, don't like others to call my mother!" At this moment, Chen Ping hurriedly interjected, "Okay, General Fan, don't get angry. My lord is also in a hurry." Fan Kuai said: "Hmph, I promise I won't drink it!" Liu Bang said: "Remember what you just said! Get out!" Fan Kuai responded and left. Liu Bang asked: "How?" Chen Ping replied: "Understood." Besides, Xiang Zhuang and Xiang Bo were placed in the courtyard of the post house, and there was only a simple table in front of them.The two servants stepped forward and casually placed some vegetarian dishes made of rotten leafy vegetables on the table. When Xiang Zhuang saw it, he said angrily: "It's so rude, it's unbearable!" Then he kicked the case over. Uncle Xiang hurriedly stopped him, and whispered softly: "I think there is something wrong with this situation." Xiang Zhuang said angrily: "It's because they are wrong." Xiang Bo said: "I mean, if Fan Zeng had a secret agreement with them, and we accidentally learned this important news, would the King of Han let us go back?" Xiang Zhuang said: "Oh! I said, such a treatment is actually going to kill people later!" Xiang Bo said, "I just don't know if I can escape at this time." Xiang Zhuang was taken aback for a moment, and then hurriedly dragged Xiang Bo to the door together.