Chapter 7 1. One bad move

Faced with the sincere love and admiration of the people in Guanzhong, Liu Bang was very proud and felt that his policies were very successful. It seemed that he was really a material for being an emperor.Who is this Guanzhong king? Bashang barracks, the morning light is twilight, Liu Bang had a drink with the generals last night, and then there were maids sent by Xianyang to serve the bed, very happy.He woke up earlier, recovered his strength after a night's rest, and was full of energy. He couldn't help but have another flirtation with the young, beautiful, charming and seductive court lady.Then, he put on his clothes, walked out of the tent, and walked in the barracks through the morning frost everywhere.

The terrain here is high, and you can see it far away.Liu Bang looked at the fields and villages in the distance, feeling very happy, just like a farmer watching his crops. "This vast and fertile Guanzhong land will belong to me in the future!" In this excitement, Liu Bang couldn't help thinking of some unhappy past events when he was young. At that time, his father, Mrs. Liu, looked at him very disliked, and often called him a loafer, a loafer, a prodigal son, and a rascal.The most unbearable thing for him is that Liu Taigong always compares him with his second brother Liu Zhong (the elder brother died early, otherwise there will be another example), open his mouth about the second child, shut his mouth about the second child, and say that Liu Zhong does things Practical, diligent and thrifty housekeeping, how much land has been purchased, and how much food has been saved.In a word, he is not as capable as his second brother, and he is destined to accomplish nothing.This kind of comparison is the most hurtful self-esteem, and left a deep memory on Liu Bang, just like his sister-in-law made him faceless in front of his friends, Liu Bang has never been able to let go of it. "I must ask this old guy face to face, how does my current industry compare with my second child?"

Thinking of these old events, Liu Bang's heart was surging and his blood was surging, which could not be calmed down for a long time.With nowhere to vent, he kicked a rock far away and smashed it on the fence beside the barracks. "It's so early in the morning, what are you doing?" Fan Kuai's voice came from behind. Liu Bang turned around and saw Fan Kui holding a jug of wine in his hand, and the guards behind him holding a food gui, and immediately smiled, with wine and meat, all unhappy things can be forgotten. "It's cold in the morning, drink some wine to warm up!" Fan Kui made excuses for himself.

Liu Bang scolded with a smile: "Do you need any reason to drink?" Fan Kuai and the guard moved two stones as seats, placed the wine and food in the middle, and ate hot stewed mutton while drinking. After taking a sip of wine, Liu Bang said enthusiastically: "Back then you were a dog killer, Xia Houying was a coachman, Zhou Bo weaved mats for silkworm farmers, I was a jobless vagrant at first, and then I became a small kiosk chief. We can have today, this is because the times make heroes!" Fan Kuai was also very emotional: "Yes! Now we have become the masters of the land in Guanzhong, and Pei Gong has become the king of Qin. It is unimaginable! It has only been three or four years, the world has turned upside down, and the world has changed so fast!"

Liu Bang was very passionate, and said: "When I was young, the person I admired the most was Lord Xinling Wei Wuji. Although he was a prince, he did not hesitate to condescend to make friends with people of all kinds from all walks of life. People. With him around, the vassal states would not dare to send troops to invade the state of Wei. I remember that once he gambled with the king of Wei and his half-brother for fun. An urgent report was sent from the border, saying that the army of the state of Zhao was about to Invading the border of Wei State, scared the king of Wei at a loss. "Mr. Xinling comforted him and said: King Zhao was just out to hunt, not to attack Wei. King Wei was skeptical, and asked Lord Xinling: How do you know? Lord Xinling said that King Zhao had his own eyeliner, so he sent King Zhao He always reported his every move to himself. Later, it was confirmed that King Zhao was hunting. But because of this, King Wei began to be suspicious and guard against Lord Xinling.

"Later, the State of Qin raised troops to attack the State of Zhao, and the State of Zhao asked for help from the State of Wei, but the King of Wei was intimidated by the King of Qin and did not dare to send troops. With the help of his disciples Hou Ying and Zhu Hai, Lord Xinling took away the military power of the State of Wei and rescued the State of Wei. After leaving Zhao State, he did not return to Wei State. Ten years later, Wei State was attacked by Qin State. King Wei asked Xinling Lord to return to help. Xinling Lord summoned the coalition forces of the vassal states and repelled the Qin army in one fell swoop. But Unwilling to fail, the King of Qin sent someone to sow dissension in front of King Wei, saying that Lord Xinling planned to take the throne of King Wei with the help of the vassal states. King Wei became suspicious again and withdrew Lord Xinling's military power. Bao, from then on he stopped meddling in state affairs, drank and had fun all day long, and finally died of drinking too much."

Fan Kuai said: "The true nature of a hero, drinking to death is a worthy death." "Well said!" Liu Bang took a sip of his wine, "I don't want us to overthrow the Tyrant Qin today and establish achievements that surpass Lord Xinling. It is really a great joy in life!" "That's because Peigong is destined to be an emperor!" Fan Kui had a smirk on his face when he said this. "Bah!" Liu Bang spat the wine on Fan Kuai's face.Fan Kui didn't care, and wiped his face with his sleeve, recalling the prank the two of them directed together.

Three years ago, Liu Bang escorted a group of prisoners and migrant workers to serve in Lishan. Fan Kui accompanied him and served as his helper. He was regarded as a temporary worker hired by the government.Along the way, people kept fleeing, and the team moved slowly, which made Liu Bang very anxious.When they walked to the lake and marsh area west of Fengyi, Peixian County, their hometown, Liu Bang arranged for everyone to camp and drink with Fan Kuai in the tent.Liu Bang was very desperate. This line of work was likely to be the point of no return. The delay and the escape of the civilian husband would be a capital crime!

Fan Kuai didn't know what to do, both of them were drunk.Under the stimulation of alcohol, Liu Bang's adventurer nature finally showed. He threw the wine bowl and said decisively: "Anyway, we are all dead. It is better to flee with everyone. Maybe there is still a chance of life." Fan Kuai also With a feverish head, he echoed Liu Bang and said: "I listen to you, and you can do whatever you say!" Liu Bang asked him to release the prisoners and gather all the prisoners and migrant workers together.Liu Bang came out and said to the crowd: "Even if we rush to Lishan now, we will die. Let's all run for our lives, and I'm leaving too!" One portion of tripe and one portion of beef liver were given to him.Farewell to life and death, the atmosphere is solemn and stirring, that kind of scene will never be forgotten by Liu Bang in his life.Later, no matter where he went, as long as conditions allowed, Liu Bang must serve two pots of wine and two dishes of deer tripe and beef liver when eating.

Liu Bang, Fan Kui and a dozen people who voluntarily followed him walked through the lake and swamp, looking for a place to stay.These dozen or so people were prisoners who had just been released, and none of them were kind people. Liu Bang and Fan Kui were somewhat worried that if something happened on the way, they would not be able to control these dozen people with their strength.Later on the battlefield, Fan Kui often beheaded more than ten or twenty levels by himself, but when the incident first started, he did not have the confidence and courage. At this moment, an accident happened, and the person who was walking in front of the road came back in a panic and reported: "There is a big snake on the road ahead, let's go back quickly!" Chu people are very afraid of snakes, especially when they are walking. When I met a snake, I thought it was a bad omen.

Liu Bang yelled at him with the help of alcohol: "What's so terrible about a snake, a man only has the guts?" After that, Liu Bang strode to the front of the team. White, looking eerie in the moonlight.But Liu Bang didn't feel a trace of fear. He drew his sword in his hand and approached the white snake in full view.The white snake sensed that someone was approaching, and just about to swing its body, Liu Bang raised his sword and cut the white snake in half. The prisoner who followed him was stunned by this scene. Fan Kui was stunned for a moment, and hurried to Liu Bang's side to see if he was injured.Liu Bang stared at the two sections of the snake writhing on the ground, his eyes were straightened, and his body was still shaking a little because of the alcohol.Fan Kuai woke up from the fright, and a flash of light suddenly appeared in his mind. He looked back and saw that the people behind him were still standing still, and whispered a few words to Liu Bang. nod. He greeted the people behind him, "Continue on our way," and deliberately said to Fan Kui, "Go back and see if anyone is following you?" Fan Kui responded and left. Not long after Liu Bang and the others walked, Fan Kui chased after him, running out of breath.Liu Bang pretended to be calm and asked him: "What's wrong with you? What happened?" Fan Kuai said seriously: "I went back to investigate just now, and when I passed by the place where you killed the snake, I saw an old woman crying. I asked her, 'Why are you crying here in the middle of the night?' She actually said: "My son was killed!" I asked him again: "How did your son be killed?" She said: "My son was originally the son of the White Emperor. He turned into a white snake and lay in the middle of the road. He was killed by red The emperor's son was killed.' When I heard that this was talking about you, I wanted to catch her, but she suddenly disappeared." Fan Kui spoke vividly, except for Liu Bang, everyone else believed it.There was a mysterious halo on Liu Bang's head. These prisoners who had been rampant in law and order were full of awe towards him, and they dared not think any more. Speaking of this past event, both Liu Bang and Fan Kuai were very proud.Liu Bang stroked his long flowing beard and said, "I happen to be a snake. Qin people worship the White Emperor, while we Chu people believe in the Red Emperor. At that time, we made up this story just to deter the prisoners. The great cause has laid the groundwork, maybe this kind of unintentional planting of willows and willows is God's will!" "Later, you hid in the mountains, and I went back to Pei County to inquire about news and raise food. Lu Zhi and I told people this story everywhere, so many people went to the mountains to join you. At that time, Qin Shihuang said that 'the southeast has the spirit of heaven', so the east You suppress this evil spirit. After discussing with Lu Zhi, I said that the place where you are always shrouded in clouds, so we found you easily. In fact, if I hadn't led the way, who would have found you?" Fan Kuai said He was proud of his original masterpiece. Liu Bang poked a piece of mutton with a dagger and put it in his mouth, "Later Chen Sheng and Wu Guang rose up in Daze Township, saying 'Da Chu Xing, King Chen Sheng', and playing tricks like bonfires and foxes. Aren't these tricks exactly the same as ours? Only those who have never seen the world believe him." Fan Kuai asked: "What is Peigong going to do next? How to manage Guanzhong and make a plan for the world? Shouldn't our family members who stayed in Peixian take over?" Liu Bang nodded, "After the situation stabilizes, I will send people to Pei County to pick up the family members. The most urgent task is to let Xiang Yu and the princes of other countries abide by the "Covenant of King Huai" and recognize my status as the king of Guanzhong. Other things can be considered slowly. ". "Xiang Yu is now leading the allied forces of the princes to march towards Guanzhong. Those who come are not good!" "Soldiers come to block, water comes to cover. I want to see if Xiang Yu dares to risk the disgrace of the world and openly break the covenant of King Huai." Although his mouth was stiff, Liu Bang felt a little guilty in his heart. Judging from Xiang Yu's previous actions, He didn't take King Huai of Chu seriously at all. It is not impossible to abolish King Huai's agreement and take Guan Zhong away from him. After drinking, Liu Bang returned to his big tent, dealt with military affairs, and considered the next plan.At this time, the guard came in to report that a Confucian scholar who called himself "Jie Sheng" asked to see him.Until now, Liu Bang still didn't like these scholars very much, but after contacting Li Shiqi, he knew that Confucian scholars could also come in handy, so his attitude improved.With his current status, of course he would never take off his Confucian hat and pee in it again. "Let him in!" Liu Bang replied without raising his head, his eyes still fixed on the map of Guanzhong that Xiao He had rescued earlier. A well-mannered Confucian scholar was brought into Liu Bang's big tent, but his eyeballs rolled around, staring at the new Qin King in front of him with sly eyes.He came here with a utilitarian purpose, just to attract Liu Bang's attention and let him appreciate and support him.As for what to say and how to behave after meeting, he has been thinking about it for many days.The minds of scholars are far more meticulous than Liu Bang and the group of reckless heroes around him, which is one of the reasons why Liu Bang doesn't like scholars. Liu Bang still lowered his head, concentrated on studying his own map, and asked casually: "What can you do with me?" He had already started calling himself "King". Liu Bang's casual attitude hurt Jie Sheng's self-esteem, and he was a little discouraged.Along the way, he kept cheering himself up, telling himself not to be nervous, not to be afraid, to show confidence and arrogance as much as possible, and not let the Guanzhong Wang just underestimate him when he met.But Liu Bang's arrogance was like a thorn, piercing his bulging air bag, and he was immediately discouraged.I didn't know how to start the speech I had prepared. Just when he was at a loss, he suddenly took aim at the map of Guanzhong in Liu Bang's hand, and his eyes suddenly became clear. He immediately put aside his carefully prepared plan to lobby the King of Qin, and decided to find a breakthrough from the map in Liu Bang's hand.Jie Sheng took two steps forward, looked at the map in Liu Bang's hand, and said slowly, "Your Majesty puts so much effort into this map, do you have any plans?" Liu Bang raised his eyelids, took a look at Jiesheng, and said, "I'm studying my map, what's your business? If you have something to say, hurry up and leave quickly. Don't waste my time." Jie Sheng was confident and did not take Liu Bang's offense seriously. "What I want to say is the same thing as what your majesty is thinking. What your majesty is most concerned about now is how to keep the territory in Guanzhong and secure the seat of the king of Guanzhong. The land in Guanzhong is ten times richer than the countries in the east of the Kan. It is dangerous, you can attack it when you advance, and you can defend it when you retreat. God gave the king this piece of land that can achieve hegemony, and I am also happy for the king!" Liu Bang felt very comfortable listening to Jie Sheng's words, and his attitude improved a lot. He ordered someone to set up a seat for him, that is, spread a mat on the ground.Jie Sheng is sitting upright—kneeling on the ground, sitting on his heels, with his back straight, implying that what Liu Bang is going to say is very serious and of great importance. "I heard the news that the descendant Zhang Han was conferred the title of King Yong by Xiang Yu, 'Yu Gong Kyushu', and the jurisdiction of Yongzhou includes the current land of Guanzhong. Xiang Yu added Zhang Han as King Yong, obviously because he wanted to hand over Guanzhong, which belonged to the king. Give Zhang Han control! Now, Xiang Yu is approaching Hangu Pass. Once they enter the pass, the king may lose the pass, and the fruits of victory in the bloody battle of the king will be easily picked by others. Therefore, I suggest that the king send troops to garrison immediately Hangu Pass, to block the allied forces led by Xiang Yu. At the same time, expand the army to prepare for war, just in case. Xiang Yu is arrogant and arrogant, and he can do anything. The king must be on guard!" Jie Sheng said Liu Bang nodded frequently.Hangu Pass is the gate of Guanzhong. Only by closing the gate can this place truly belong to you. Liu Bang ordered a banquet in honor of Jiesheng, rewarded him with property, and arranged for him a position in the army.Afterwards, he called his left Sima Cao Wushang, and asked him to dispatch a team from among his subordinates to go to Hangu Pass, guard the pass, and not allow anyone to enter or leave without his permission.