Chapter 44 Chapter Forty-Four

Liu Bang was eating at the desk, obviously, he had no appetite.Suddenly Chen Ping asked to see him, and when he came in, he shouted, "Fan Zeng is dead." Liu Bang asked anxiously, "How did you die?" Chen Ping said: "Rumors about Fan Zeng's rebellion are circulating everywhere in the Chu camp. Even King Xiang suspects that he is in collusion with us. Fan Zeng is usually arrogant, but he is criticized everywhere. His relationship with King Xiang has split. To be honest, it exceeded my previous expectations. In the end, Fan Zeng was forced to leave, and King Xiang sent someone to look for him, but it was too late, and only his cold body was found."

Liu Bang sighed and said, "I didn't expect such an outstanding person to come to an end like this. It's a pity. Others saw that he was forced to death by King Xiang, but in fact, it was people like you and me who drove him to a dead end." This made me a little confused, could it be that history is created by us bad guys?" Chen Ping said: "It doesn't matter whether it is good or bad in this troubled world. Only the winner who perseveres until the end will have his voice passed down." Liu Bang asked: "Chen Ping, in your opinion, what is morality?"

Chen Pingdao: "I don't have any special opinions. My morality is all given by the King of Han." At this time, there was a mournful silence in Xiang Yu's tent.All wore white turbans.Xiang Yu looked at everyone in front of him silently, and said: "I know that many of you have different views on Yafu. And I couldn't stop myself from listening to those words. Now that Yafu is gone, he , as the most outstanding strategist and pillar of our army, he left us completely. Some people should be very satisfied with this result. But what I want to tell you is that I am very sad!" He drew his sword, "I Don’t allow your own army to have such a situation happen again, everyone should not doubt their brothers and friends, if you let me hear any rumors and slanders, it’s just like this case!" After finishing speaking, he swung his sword and chopped the case into pieces. two halves.

After a pause, Xiang Yu said again: "Listen up, all of you. Yafu urged me to attack Xingyang with all my strength many times before he was alive. Although he will no longer see our victory, I want you to use all your strength when attacking Xingyang City. The roar of the army's charge shows your respect to Yafu! Do you understand?" At night, Li Shiqi came to Liu Bang's residence and said: "The people in Xingyang City have suffered a catastrophe. They have nothing to do with us. Our army suddenly came to this city and regarded it as a place for a decisive battle with Chu. Therefore, they also had to fight with the soldiers to defend the isolated city. How can Your Majesty get the people to work together with us?"

Liu Bang said: "I let them know what kind of person Xiang Yu is. In Xin'an, which is also on the bank of the Yellow River, Xiang Yu once buried 200,000 old Qin soldiers alive. If Xingyang City fell into Xiang Yu's hands, Maybe all the common people will die without a place to bury them. Repeatedly explain this truth and ask them to fully assist our Han army." Li Shiqidao: "As far as I know, people in the city think that His Majesty is a virtuous king. As long as a person who holds a certain amount of power has a compassionate heart like an ordinary person, the common people will be satisfied. We and Although Xiang Yu's battles belonged to the wars between the princes, because Xiang Yu is powerful, his army has also acquired some bad habits of the officers and soldiers, so the plundering is even worse. On the other hand, our army is weak, if we are spurned by the peasants , You will lose your foothold immediately. The elders in Xingyang understand this clearly, and if you support you, you can protect yourself, so they always say: For the sake of the king's world, I will wait for all kinds of hardships."

Liu Bangdao: "These are not compliments from the heart. I have heard them a lot. I am afraid their real thoughts are to let Xiang Yu and I go far away from this world." Li Shiqi asked: "Then, is the King of Han prepared to evacuate?" Liu Bang asked: "You mean, let me abandon the soldiers and civilians in the whole city?" Li Shiqi said: "It's the first to break through. Xiang Yu is here to get His Majesty. If His Majesty is gone, the whole city's soldiers and civilians may be saved." After hearing this, Liu Bang stood up and said, "Every time Xiang Yu breaks the city, he intends to kill people. How can you say that he won't kill the city this time?"

Li Shiqi was speechless. Liu Bang went on to say: "It seems that you are just guessing. No matter how unjust I am, Liu Bang, I will not bet the lives of the people in the city." After Liu Bang finished speaking, he turned and left. Li Shiqi said, "I am Wang Renyi." In the barracks, soldier Ji Xin was sitting by the bonfire, and another soldier Zhou Ke came. He was wearing armor with blood on it, and he was lying down by the bonfire, exhausted and sleepy just after coming off the battlefield. Ji Xin asked: "How is the battle going?" Zhou Ke said: "The Chu army has been like a mad dog for the past few days. Under the leadership of Xiang Yu, they rushed to the death, and today they injured more than half of the brothers, so they managed to hold on."

Ji Xin said: "Although Xiang Yu is not very good, compared with him, Liu Bang is like a fool who doesn't know the so-called. He knows how to hang out with women all day long." Zhou Ke heard this, and quickly got up to stop him: "I don't even look at it, why those brothers around here refuse to warm up with us, it's because of your mouth." Ji Xin said: "Well, we both came from Fengyi. Even though we heard the news that Liu Bang was defeated by Xiang Yu in Pengcheng on the way, we did not back down, but continued to look for his whereabouts. Later, we finally learned that Liu Bang was defeated by Xiang Yu. Besieged in Xingyang, would someone else come here? But why do we still persist here, working hard for him every day?"

Zhou Ke said: "Yeah, apart from working hard for him, you also scolded him non-stop, so you are really a contradictory guy." Ji Xin asked: "You must have complaints in your heart, right? Everyone has them, but I am the only one who dares to speak out." Zhou Ke said: "Go and scold in your dream, I'm sleepy." After he finished speaking, he ignored Ji Xin, turned over and went to sleep. The Chu army attacked the city and cut off the grain road, and Liu Bang was in a state of desperation.After waking up that day, he said, "Last night I was restless, and I always felt that someone was going to kill me."

Lu Wan hurriedly asked, "What is Your Majesty worried about?" Liu Bang said: "I thought about it, maybe it has something to do with that kid named Ji Xin." Lu Wan said: "The soldier who spread unfavorable remarks against the king in the army should have been executed immediately." Liu Bang said: "No, I am puzzled by his behavior. In fact, I have sent my men to investigate his whereabouts all the time." Chen Ping asked: "Because of Fan Zeng's death, Your Majesty is worried that the other party will use the same trick?" Liu Bang said: "Yes, but the news brought back by the spies makes me even more confused. Although this Ji Xin has been speaking ill of me, he fights against the Chu army every day. He is a very brave guy."

Lu Wan said: "When I was in Fengyi, I heard that he was a person with a bad tongue, and the villagers and neighbors avoided him. Every time he recruited soldiers, his father would cross his name from the list, and he would go to the police station. Because he was afraid that he would not be able to control his mouth when he was in the army, and he would cause trouble and be killed. But Ji Xin didn't understand his father's intentions, and instead accused him." Liu Bang said: "What an unreasonable person." Lu Wan said: "However, when his father died, this Ji Xin knelt in front of the grave and wept very sadly. He was persuaded by others and refused to leave. After the news spread, people didn't sympathize with him. He's fake sad." Chen Ping asked: "Your Majesty, I wonder why you care about him so much?" Liu Bang said: "I don't have any special meaning, I just think he looks a bit like me. Hearing these things, I feel that this guy's reputation in his hometown is not much better than mine." As Liu Bang spoke, he and Lu Wan laughed.Chen Ping thought about it. Xiao He's grain road from Guanzhong to Xingyang was finally cut off.Liu Bang urgently called Zhang Liang to discuss countermeasures.Zhang Liang said: "I have considered the safest plan. First send the king to Guanzhong, recruit a large number of soldiers from the local area, Hanzhong, and Bashu, and then personally lead the reinforcements to rescue the city of Xingyang from Xiang Yu's heavy siege." Liu Bang was lost in thought. Zhang Liang went on to say: "The existing food in Xingyang will soon be exhausted. If the number of soldiers is reduced to one-fifth, it is guaranteed that the king will come to rescue them. As for the four-fifths of the troops, we can only rely on Some kind of magic trick to make it disappear without a trace." Liu Bang said: "This is a crazy idea, but how to do it?" Zhang Liang said: "This may be a daydream, but only by turning this daydream into reality is the only way for the Han army to avoid self-destruction here in Xingyang." Liu Bang asked, "What should I do?" Zhang Liangdao: "Chen Ping is a person who is good at winning by surprise. I am afraid that only by discussing with him can there be a solution. If Chen Ping can come up with a plan, His Majesty must adopt it completely, and don't even modify a word." Liu Bang asked, "Why do you say that?" Zhang Liangdao: "To tell you the truth, I don't like Chen Ping's character. However, I can't help but feel sorry for his ability to be so good at winning by surprise. Winning by surprise depends on his own set of theories to complete successfully. Your Majesty should know, If others talk from the sidelines, winning by surprise will not be established." According to Chen Ping's plan, Liu Bang first sent someone to arrest the soldier Ji Xin and take him to the palace.Liu Bang saw that it was not the Ji Xin he had met once.Zhou Ke who was caught had no choice but to admit: "My name is Zhou Ke, and I am Ji Xin's good friend." Liu Bang didn't untie Zhou Ke's rope first, but asked, "Are you also from Fengyi?" Zhou Ke replied: "Yes." Liu Bang asked: "To the west, there is a river. Do you remember that there is a wooden bridge in disrepair at the upper reaches of the river?" Zhou Ke said: "I remember it very clearly, I have seen it in my dreams at night." Liu Bang asked: "So, what kind of tree is there on the east side of the bridge?" Zhou Ke was stunned for a moment, and he thought about it carefully.Liu Bang stared at his face. Zhou Ke said, "No, it's a small wild sumac tree on the west side of the bridge." After hearing this, Liu Bang immediately relaxed, untied his rope and said, "Tell me, why do you pretend to be Ji Xin?" Zhou Ke was still kneeling on the ground, and answered Liu Bang's words: "I know that sooner or later he will get into big trouble because of his outspokenness, so if he dies because of it, then I will take his place." Liu Bang asked: "For no reason, why did you die for him?" Zhou Ke said: "He and I are the best brothers. Besides, I know that my brother has such a problem. Although he is disrespectful to you, the King of Han, his loyalty is unmatched by anyone. Instead of Let such a pure-hearted person die, why not replace me." Liu Bang asked: "In your opinion, is Ji Xin such a person?" Zhou Ke said: "He is currently on the battlefield with General Guan Ying fighting against the Chu army. This experience of life and death is endured every day. If he is dissatisfied with you, the King of Han, he will not have such a strong fighting power." Liu Bang said: "I understand. Zhou Ke, I am also very satisfied with your loyalty, and I want to promote you to be the captain of the personal guard!" Zhou Ke heard the words, but bowed down again: "King of Han, what will happen to Ji Xin?" Liu Bang said: "He is a very good soldier. However, his flaws are also obvious. He has a big mouth. I can't assign him more important duties." Zhou Ke said: "Then ask the king of Han to take back the order just now, Zhou Ke can't obey." Liu Bang asked, "Why?" Zhou Ke said: "Thank you King of Han for your wrong love. If I am appointed as an official, then my status will surpass that of Ji Xin. Now, I am quite content with the status of a soldier." Liu Bang looked at Zhou Ke a few times and let him go. At this time, Chen Ping walked out from the side. Liu Bang asked: "Did you hear it just now?" Chen Pingdao: "It's a surprise to get this Zhou Ke. Although I haven't met Ji Xin yet, I can already see his quality from Zhou Ke." Liu Bang asked: "Is it necessary for such a person to die for me?" Chen Ping said: "Sacrifice is a great quality, only such a person can do it." Liu Bang handed down the decree, Feng Jixin and Zhou Ke were Zhongjuan, and they could enter and leave the palace of the King of Han at any time in the future, and were responsible for receiving guests.Soon, Guan Ying directly promoted them to be his lieutenants. On this day, Xia Houying led Zhou Ke, who was covered in dust, to Chen Ping's army tent. Chen Ping said: "There is something that is related to the survival of this city, the survival of the Han army, and the survival of the King of Han. You... need to do something." Zhou Ke said: "I don't understand, I'm just a small lieutenant general. Can I do what you said?" Chen Ping said: "You can, if you want." Zhou Ke said: "Of course, if I can do it." Chen Ping said, "But..." Zhou Ke asked, "It's dangerous, isn't it?" Chen Ping said, "Yes." Zhou Ke said, "I want to know the whole plan." Chen Ping winked, and Xia Houying told him the plan in a low voice.Zhou Ke lowered his head and did not answer immediately. Chen Ping had already begun to regret showing his hole cards, but Zhou Ke soon showed a smile on his face and said, "The villain thinks it's a good idea. I just don't know what Ji Xin will think." Chen Ping said: "You have to tell him that this is the only way." Zhou Ke said: "The villain must go back and discuss with Ji Xin before he can give an answer." Chen Pingdao: "No, no, if this extremely confidential plan is leaked on the battlefield, it will lose everything. General Xiahou, call Ji Xin here! No, not here, call here Your Majesty will follow." Zhou Ke withdrew.Chen Ping watched his leaving back and said: "I want to talk to Ji Xin alone first. If Ji Xin refuses to accept, for the sake of confidentiality, he will be imprisoned." Xia Houying nodded and said, "Understood." When Ji Xin came to Chen Ping's military tent, Chen Ping said to him, "Ji Xin, change your clothes, and I will take you to see the king." Ji said: "Your Majesty? You mean to meet that guy Liu Bang?" Chen Ping ignored his disrespect, but said: "Ji Xin, as far as I know, when Yong Chi temporarily occupied the Fengyi area, colluded with Wei in private, and fought against the king, you once favored the king like crazy. Why is this?" Ji Dao said: "Because I don't like that kind of behavior, why do I have to collude with a foreign country like Wei? Why do people in Fengyi have to be hostile to a king who was born in Fengyi? Thinking of this, I hate those guys so much! " Chen Ping said: "Since participating in the defense of Xingyang, as a soldier, you have worked hard and been wounded three times. You may have thought that the king may not know that there are people who love him like you among the soldiers." Ji Xin said: "Hmph, I never had a good impression of Liu Bang. I always wanted to curse him for what he did." Chen Ping said: "Needless to say, you dislike all the confidantes, advisers and generals under the king, thinking that these guys are only working for self-interest. Whenever you think of this, all civil servants and generals look like Like thieves, even the king who owns these thieves and rides in a golden canopy carriage is very hateful, and even though he spoke rudely behind his back, he scolded him all over the place. However, this is all because you love the king too much and are extremely excited , the strange psychology caused by it is probably like a child's cramp, and I can't control myself anymore!" Ji Xin was speechless. Chen Ping said: "That's what happened. You spoke ill of the king behind his back. Not only did the king not blame you, but he also gave you and Zhou Ke the same treatment. Although Zhou Ke had been in and out of the inner courtyard of the palace, you never I have used this privilege, today, do you want to meet the king?" Ji Xin asked, "See Your Majesty?" Chen Ping said: "Your Majesty needs you right now." Ji Xin was agitated and said, "Your Majesty needs me? What will he need me for?" Liu Bang walked into the military tent in plain clothes, and he saw a man sitting on his main seat, wearing the royal clothes of the King of Han.It's just that the person turned his back to him and couldn't see his face clearly. Chen Ping said, "Turn around." The man turned around slowly, Liu Bang took a closer look, it was Ji Xin, but his demeanor was majestic and solemn, as if he had changed. Liu Bang said: "It looks like this, and the demeanor looks a bit similar. Are you Ji Xin? We met on the city wall before!" Ji Xin said: "Your Majesty named the villain Zhong Juan, saying that you can come to see Your Majesty at any time." Liu Bang said, "Do you think this dress fits you well?" Ji said: "It fits very well, there is no other clothes that suit me better than this." Liu Bang walked up to Ji Xin, sized him up and said, "Ji Xin, do you know what you will face when you put on this royal robe?" Ji Dao: "I don't care about life or death, and I don't care what I face." Liu Bang said: "You used to humiliate my reputation everywhere like that, but now you come to play my role, are you satisfied?" Ji Xin said: "Having someone like me tide over the difficulties for His Majesty, His Majesty should be satisfied." Liu Bang was stunned. Ji Xin said: "I know that I have said so many bad things about the King of Han, but still dare to use me to do such an important thing. It can be seen that the King of Han must know what Ji Xin really thinks in my heart." Liu Bang stared at Ji Xin and asked, "Are you really willing to die for me?" Ji Xin said seriously: "The widow is for the world of Han!" Liu Bang looked at Ji Xin in surprise, and then laughed. On this day, everyone gathered in the military tent. Zhang Liang said: "Appoint Zhou Ke as the imperial censor to command everything in Xingyang City. Tomorrow, the first team will withdraw first, and the second team can withdraw after the first team withdraws. The garrison troops will be announced by General Lu Wan later. After four-fifths of the troops have withdrawn, Dr. Zhou Ke will command the rest of the army to continue to stand firm. Most of the troops stationed should be people from Xingyang and its suburbs. Another point is that the first and second teams successfully After evacuating, Doctor Zhou Ke can take command of Xingyang. Do you understand?" Zhou Ke said, "Understood." Looking at the crowd, Zhou Ke knew that he had robbed the words and acted recklessly. Liu Bang never spoke. Chen Ping said: "I would like to add that we have assigned two generals for Dr. Zhou Ke. One is Cong Gong, and the other is, man, why haven't you brought them yet?" Just as he was talking, Xia Houying walked in with Wei Bao. Wei Bao was still wearing the servant's clothes, looking terrified. Chen Ping said: "Wei Bao, the King of Han specially appointed you as the city guard general to assist the city's defender commander, Zhou Ke. Do you understand?" Wei Bao said: "What! I was named a general, did I hear correctly?" Chen Ping said, "You heard me right." Wei Bao happily bowed down and said, "Thank you King Han for your gift!" Liu Bangdao: "You don't have to thank me. This is an opportunity for you, take it well. Do you understand?" After everyone left, Wei Bao walked up to Zhou Ke, very proud, and said, "You are Zhou Ke? You are the commander of the city? How many soldiers have you led?" Zhou Ke said, "It's just a group of soldiers." Wei Bao was shocked and said: "What, I think Han Wang is really crazy, let a guy like you be in charge of defense, hmph, I have to go and talk to him." At this time, Duke Cong walked from one side and said, "General Zhou, please don't take what just happened to your heart. I, Duke Cong, will definitely fully support your leadership." Zhou Ke said: "Thank you, General. But this Wei Bao is indeed a trouble."