Chapter 126 Hongmen Banquet

Night, Bashang, Liu Bangjun's station
Zhang Liang was reading a book with a dim candle in the camp. A gust of wind blew and shook the candle. Zhang Liang quickly blocked the wind with his hand to prevent the candle from extinguishing. Then he raised his head and looked at the sergeant who entered the tent and said:

"What's the matter?"

"Tell the military advisor that there is a person outside the door who says he is your old friend and wants to see him."

"Oh? An old friend? It's getting late now, why would an old friend come?" Zhang Liang thought.

"Then drive him away?" the sergeant whispered back.

"Slow down! Please come in first!"

"Here!"

After a while, a middle-aged man wearing a bamboo hat walked into Zhang Liang's tent.

When the middle-aged man took off his hat and revealed his face, Zhang Liang recognized him immediately: "Uncle Xiang? Why are you here? Aren't you in Xiang Yu's army?"

Xiang Bo stepped forward, grabbed Zhang Liang's arm, and said anxiously: "Oh! Stop talking now, just follow me and leave!"

Zhang Liang was confused, stopped quickly, and asked: "Why are you so anxious?"

Xiang Bo didn't elaborate and just asked Zhang Liang to leave quickly with him. Zhang Liang didn't want to and insisted on Xiang Bo explaining the reason. Xiang Bo had no choice but to let go of Zhang Liang and said quickly: "You don't know, because Liu Bang deceived Xiang Yu, Xiang Yu has decided to send troops to attack Liu Bang tomorrow. If he doesn't leave quickly, he won't be able to escape by then!"

Zhang Liang said doubtfully: "Liu Gong did not deceive General Xiang, why did General Xiang attack us?"

Xiang Bo said, "Stop making excuses. Someone in your army has already gone to inform Xiang Yu and told Xiang Yu everything. If I didn't hurry up, I would have been trapped here! If you hadn't rescued me from prison, I’m afraid my head has long since disappeared, and now I risk my life to come here just to repay my kindness back then!”

Zhang Liang saluted and said: "I know that you are benevolent and righteous. Isn't it because you are so good that you risk your own life to come here? Now I am ordered by the King of Han to send Duke Pei into the pass, and now Peigong is in danger." , I escaped quietly, which is unethical. I must go and say goodbye to him before leaving."

Xiang Bo had no choice but to tell him to hurry up, so Zhang Liang left Xiang Bo in the tent and quickly went to Liu Bang's military tent.

Liu Bang had already fallen asleep. Zhang Liang broke in and woke Liu Bang up from his sleep. Liu Bang wanted to get angry, but when he saw it was Zhang Liang, he calmed down and said with a smile: "It turns out to be the ovary. I thought it was the ovary." Who is it? Why are you calling me in such a panic? Why don’t we talk about it tomorrow! I’m sleepy right now!”

After speaking, he rubbed his eyes and yawned.

Zhang Liang said quickly: "Master, please don't sleep, otherwise we will be dead and dismembered tomorrow!"

"Ah! Don't scare me, ovary!" Liu Bang heard that it was so serious that it was related to his own life, and he quickly asked the reason.

Zhang Liang told Liu Bang everything Xiang Bo came to see him and what Xiang Bo said.

After hearing this, Liu Bang became extremely anxious and kept pacing back and forth. Then he grabbed Zhang Liang's hand and almost begged: "Please save me from the ovary!"

Zhang Liang did not answer directly, but asked Liu Bang: "Master, do you think our army can withstand Xiang Yu's attack?"

Liu Bang was silent for a long time and said: "Xiang Yu is fierce and the Chu army is brave. Our army really cannot resist it. What's more, he now has many more soldiers than us. So what should we do now?"

Zhang Liang thought for a long time and sized up the situation. Zhang Liang came up with an idea to Liu Bang: "Please tell Mr. Xiang personally that you dare not betray General Xiang."

Liu Bang agreed without hesitation, and then asked Zhang Liang: "Who is older, Uncle Xiang or you?"

Zhang Liang said: "How many years Uncle Xiang is older than me."

Then Liu Bang said to Zhang Liang: "Zifang, please bring Uncle Xiang in for me. I will treat him like an elder brother."

Zhang Liang returned to his military tent and invited Xiang Bo to meet Liu Bang. Xiang Bo was unwilling at first, but could not stop Zhang Liang's repeated invitations, so he had to follow Zhang Liang to meet Liu Bang.

As soon as Xiang Bocai entered the tent, he saw that Liu Bang had prepared a banquet. He warmly invited Xiang Bo to the table, acted like an elder brother in every aspect, and personally poured wine for Xiang Bo to celebrate his birthday. In the end, he and Xiang Bo even became in-laws.

When Xiang Bo was drunk with wine, Liu Bang took the opportunity to say aggrievedly: "Brother, I don't know. Since I entered the customs, I have done nothing wrong. All the officials and people have been registered and naturalized, and the property in the treasury has been strictly sealed, just to wait for General Xiang." to receive.

The reason why soldiers were sent to guard Hangu Pass was to prevent other thieves from escaping into the pass and to prevent extraordinary changes from happening. I'm standing here, waiting day and night for General Xiang's arrival, so how can I dare to rebel? Please be sure to convey my thoughts to General Xiang. I will never dare to betray the general's great virtue! "

Xiang Bo said hesitantly: "This, General Xiang has made up his mind. Generally, he will not listen to ordinary people's advice."

After hearing this, Liu Bang bowed to Xiang Bo and cried: "Why is this! I, Liu Ji, the chief of a pavilion in Benpei County, have abandoned my wife and children, and shed my blood in order to overthrow the violent Qin Dynasty.

Now that Bao Qin has been overthrown, he has been framed by villains and is about to lose his head and body. How unfair is God to me!

Originally, I thought that if I became a son and daughter with you, for the sake of my children, you would give me a hand and save me from the danger of my life. However, I didn’t expect that I, Liu Ji, would eventually end up with my head in a different place. Oh my God! Why are you so mean to me, Liu Ji! "

Seeing Liu Bang crying and beating his chest, Xiang Bo was a little at a loss. Finally he had to say: "Okay! I'll just help you!"

Liu Bang immediately put away his tears, looked at Xiang Bo with teary eyes and said, "What can my in-laws teach me?"

Xiang Bo said: "I am Xiang Yu's uncle, and my words still have some influence on him. So I will go back to persuade Xiang Yu and give you another chance. You must come early tomorrow to apologize to Xiang Yu in person."

Liu Bang was overjoyed after hearing this and hurriedly paid homage to Xiang Bo: "Thank you so much, in-laws. Liu Ji will definitely remember your great kindness!"

Xiang Bo went out to fetch his horse and galloped back to Hongmen overnight. He privately asked to see Xiang Yu and told him everything Liu Bang said. Give Liu Bang another chance.

On the other hand, after Xiang Bo left, Liu Bang knew that going there would be like being a guest in a tiger's mouth, full of dangers, but he had to go. It was really a dilemma. Zhang Liang knew himself and the enemy, and analyzed Xiang Yu incisively to Liu Bang, and then promised to personally escort Liu Bang and ensure Liu Bang's life safety.

With Zhang Liang's guarantee, Liu Bang also gained some confidence.

On the second day, at dawn, Liu Bang came to Chu camp with only Zhang Liang, Fan Kuai and more than a hundred servants. Liu Bang went to the camp to meet Xiang Yu, and Zhang Liang prepared to seek help.

When Liu Bang saw Xiang Yu, he hurriedly stepped forward and paid homage: "Back then, Liu Ji had been working with the general to attack Qin. After Pengcheng, the general fought in Hebei and I fought in Henan. Unexpectedly, I was lucky enough to enter the pass first and defeat Qin, and I was able to meet the general again here. Now there is a villain slandering me, which actually caused the general to have a grudge against me. Isn’t it true that relatives hate enemies and hate them?" Xiang Yu saw that Liu Bang came to the banquet with only a hundred of his cavalry, and looked humble and aggrieved. He thought of fighting side by side in the past. On that day, he was also a little shocked, so he blurted out: "This is what Cao Wushang, the left Sima of Pei Gong, told me, saying that you want to be the king in Guanzhong and make Ziying the prime minister. Otherwise, why would I be like this."

Then he ordered a banquet to hide his emotions. During the banquet, Zhang Liang returned to the banquet, looked at Liu Bang, and gave him a reassuring look. Opposite him, Fan Zeng repeatedly raised his eyes to signal Xiang Yu, and repeatedly raised the jade he wore to signal him. Make a quick decision and kill Liu Bang. But Xiang Yu was hesitant and silently responded.

There was no other way, so Fan Zeng had to quietly go out. He summoned his personal guard Xiang Zhuang from outside the tent and ordered him to enter the tent to dance with his sword for the sake of the Xiang family's hegemony. He must wait for an opportunity to kill Liu Bang.

Xiang Zhuang agreed, so he went into the account and said to Xiang Yu: "The banquet is just drinking and eating meat. Isn't it boring? I ask for a sword dance to entertain you!"

Xiang Yu said happily: "It's accurate!"

Xiang Zhuang started to dance with his sword. During this period, he inadvertently slashed at Liu Bang many times, which put Liu Bang in danger many times. Xiang Bo saw the flaw and stood up and said to Xiang Yu: "It's boring to dance with a sword alone. Let me join in the fun." !" Then without waiting for Xiang Yu's consent, he drew his sword and danced with Xiang Zhuang, always protecting Liu Bang with his own body, making Xiang Zhuang unable to perform many feats.

As soon as Zhang Liang saw that the situation was not good, he quickly got up and went out of the tent to find Fan Kuai and ordered him to escort him quickly.

Fan Kuai didn't say anything. He held a sword and a shield and was about to break into the military gate, but was blocked by many guards outside. At this time, Bai Qing arrived and said to the guards outside: "Get out of the way. This is what I'm leading for Xiang Yu." warrior."

The guard hesitated a little, but Bai Wei came out from behind and said, "Get out of the way!"

Because of the special relationship between Bai Wei and Xiang Yu, most of the guards got out of the way. Only a few guards refused to give way. Upon seeing this, Fan Kuai immediately put his shield in front of him and rushed straight into the military tent.

Bai Qing, Bai Wei and others also followed behind. Zhang Liang glanced at Wang Zhang who was following Bai Qing, with gratitude in his eyes. Wang Zhang did not reply, just smiled in return, and then followed Bai Qing into the account. .

Zhang Liang also quickly followed in.

Xiang Yu was drinking and watching the sword dance when he suddenly saw a dark-faced man bursting into the military gate with a sword and a shield. He pushed several guards down and glared at Xiang Yu with his hair pointing up. He was so brave that no one could stop him.

Xiang Yu couldn't help but be horrified when he saw that this man could break through the layers of guards. He put his right hand on the hilt of the sword beside him and asked hurriedly: "Who are you? How dare you break into our army without permission!"

Zhang Liang hurriedly stepped forward and replied: "General, this person is Fan Kuai, the guard accompanying Pei Gong."

Xiang Yu was very interested after hearing this. He took his hand back and said, "What a man. Come on, let me give him a drink!"

The attendants on the left and right held a large glass of wine, and Fan Kuai drank it down in one gulp.

Bai Qing said at this time: "The general has a banquet, and you came uninvited. Please forgive me, general!"

Xiang Yu said with a smile: "What's wrong? I'm not honored that King Bai can come. Please take a seat!"

Then Bai Qing sat upright on Liu Bang's head and leaned very close to him. Now, Xiang Zhuang's sword dance was even more restrained. Liu Bang suddenly felt alive.

On the other side, Fan Kuai was sitting at the door, eating meat and drinking heavily, acting boldly.

Xiang Yu was delighted when he saw this and said, "Strong man! Can you still drink?"

Fan Kuai said: "I'm not afraid of death, what's the point of refusing a glass of wine?" Then he said:

"In the past, the King of Qin had a heart like a tiger or a wolf. He was afraid of killing all the people and punishing people for fear of not being able to torture them all, so everyone in the world betrayed him. Before the army left Pengcheng, King Huai made an agreement with the generals: 'First defeat the Qin army and enter Xianyang. The man he named was the king of Guanzhong.'

Now my lord defeated the Qin army and entered Xianyang. He did not dare to use anything. He sealed the palace and the army retreated to Bashang, only waiting for the arrival of the king. The reason why generals were specially sent to guard Hangu Pass was to guard against the entry of other thieves and unexpected changes.

Such hard work and meritorious service, but no reward from the title, but instead listened to the villain's slander and wanted to kill the meritorious people. I think this is just a continuation of the already destroyed Qin Dynasty. I thought the general shouldn't have taken this approach. "

Xiang Yu just smiled without explaining, and then asked someone to give him a seat.

After a while, Liu Bang saw that the situation was getting better, so he asked Fan Kuai to come out of the tent on the pretext of going to the toilet. Zhang Liang followed him out. Xiang Yu did not stop him, but just asked everyone to continue the banquet.

Liu Bang wanted to run away, but he did not say goodbye in person. He was afraid of telling the truth. Fan Kuai said from the side: "My lord, you are worrying too much. I have heard that a big business does not care about meticulousness, and a big courtesy does not hesitate to make small concessions. Nowadays, people are like swordsmen. Why should I say goodbye for the sake of fish and meat?”

Zhang Liang also persuaded Liu Bang to go alone and leave the rest to him, so Liu Bang decided to leave and let Zhang Liang stay and apologize.

Before leaving, Zhang Liang asked Liu Bang: "What did your lord bring when he came?"

Liu Bang said: "I brought a pair of jade bis, which I wanted to present to Xiang Yu, and a pair of jade buckets, which I wanted to give to Fan Zeng. Now that he is angry, I dare not offer them in person. You can offer them for me. By the way, now Bai Bai The king was also at the banquet and helped me a lot, and he happened to have a white jade on him, so you can offer it to him for me!"

Zhang Liang agreed. Liu Bang, Fan Kuai and others did not even dare to take the horses, so they fled on foot. They took a small road back to Bashang from the foot of Mount Li via Zhiyang.

When Liu Bang and others left, Zhang Liang entered the military tent and apologized to Xiang Yu, saying: "Pei Gong cannot bear to drink too much. He is already drunk and cannot say goodbye in person. He ordered me to bring a pair of jade bis to present to the general; a pair of jade bis, Dedicate it to General Fan; a piece of white jade, dedicate it to King Bai."

Xiang Yu asked: "Where is Pei Gong?" Zhang Liang said: "Pei Gong was very frightened when he heard that the general wanted to scold him, so he left alone. He must have returned to the military camp by now."

Xiang Yu had no choice but to accept the jade, put it on his seat, and played with it in his hand. King Bai also took the white jade, looking like he was concentrating on appreciating it.

Only Fan Zeng took the jade bucket, placed it on the ground, drew his sword and smashed it. King Bai and Xiang Yu looked at him, and Fan Zeng said: "Alas! Shu Zi is not enough to help him! The one who conquers the world must be Pei Gong. I am now a prisoner of him!"

Xiang Yu was a little angry at being humiliated in front of him. At this time, Bai Qing intervened: "How can it be so serious? They are all rebels and anti-Qin comrades. Why is it like this? General Fan is drunk, drunk, haha!"

After hearing this, Xiang Yu's expression improved and he said, "King Bai is laughing!"

Fan Zeng was so angry that he turned around and walked out of the military tent, leaving Xiang Yu and Bai Qing alone to drink.

After leaving the military gate, Fan Zeng looked up at the dark clouds on the horizon and sighed.

On the other side, as soon as Liu Bang returned to Bashang, the first thing he did was to kill Cao Wushang.

(End of this chapter)

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