Chapter 254 I, Liu Bang, want to fight for the position of the world's common ruler
Xiang Yu traveled day and night from Qi to Chu. Just after crossing the Qi-Chu border for only two hundred miles, he saw his own people riding horses and galloping towards him. There were traces of tearing on their armor and large patches of blood on their bodies, and there was a baby in their arms.
Seeing Xiang Yu, the man immediately stopped his horse, knelt on the ground, and cried bitterly: "Your Majesty, Xiangying City was captured by the princes' coalition army led by Liu Ji, and the princes are looting the city.
The tribesmen risked their lives to rescue the little prince."
The coalition forces looted Xiangying City on a large scale. He was not making this up. Liu Bang's control over the princes was very weak. They were true allies and there was no status between the monarch and his subjects.
At that time, Xiang Yu moved all the treasures that Qin had looted from the six kingdoms back to Chu, and then burned down the Xianyang Palace. Nearly half of the Xianyang Palace was reduced to scorched earth. As for the Afang Palace, the foundation had just been laid, so there was nothing to burn even if he wanted to.
Now that these treasures have fallen into the hands of the princes, they naturally want to rob them. But at least the overall situation is still under control. They are just looting and there is no massacre.
These nobles had all seen Luo Ling call the wind and rain with their own eyes, and everyone knew that Luo Ling was watching them in Zhaocheng. Anyone who dared to massacre the city would probably be hit by two storms, thunder and lightning.
Xiang Yu reached out to take his only child. Looking at the baby's tear-stained face, he almost burst into tears. Yu Ji even burst into tears and quickly took the baby from Xiang Yu's hands.
Xiang Yu then asked angrily, "Where is Liu Ji? He has always been greedy for money and lustful. What did he do? Did he kill any members of the Xiang family?"
Xiang Yu had complicated feelings towards Liu Bang. When they met in Zhaocheng, Liu Bang was the only prince he had a good impression of.
Because at that time only Liu Bang dared to attack Qin to the west, he thought Liu Bang was a good man, and he made a brotherhood agreement with Liu Bang, and agreed to encircle and annihilate Meng Tian together.
Later, Liu Bang did not join him in encircling and annihilating Meng Tian, but turned around to break through Guanzhong. He felt somewhat deceived, but later news came that Meng Tian's tens of thousands of troops were annihilated by Liu Bang's army. Xiang Yu's feelings towards Liu Bang became more and more complicated.
It was not until Liu Bang broke into Guanzhong that Xiang Yu completely regarded Liu Bang as his opponent. The subsequent move was to dismantle Guanzhong from Liu Bang, but in order to silence Liu Bang, he still gave Bashu and Hanzhong to him.
Xiang Yu was most worried that Liu Bang would ask him, "Lord Xiang, when we agreed to be brothers, is this how you treat your brothers?"
That would be a disgrace to his ancestors. If it were not for the stability of the throne of the emperor and the eight hundred years of glory of the Xiang family, Xiang Yu would never be willing to do such a thing as betrayal to a minister like Liu Bang, who had made great contributions and had also pacted to be his brother.
After learning that Liu Ji had captured the city, Xiang Yu knew that the Xiang family would definitely be retaliated against, but he was most concerned about Liu Ji. If Liu Ji attacked the Xiang family, Xiang Yu would no longer have any burden in his heart.
The Xiang clan member thought for a moment and choked up, saying, "The Han king's army didn't do anything. They just entered the palace and took away the treasures. They didn't plunder the city, nor did they retaliate against the clan members.
Basically, the armies of the princes were robbing ordinary Chu people. If they did not resist, it would be fine. If they did, they would be killed. In order to protect the little prince, many people died in the city. "
Liu Bang originally did not want to control the Qin people. After all, the Qin people had resentment towards the Chu people, and it would be better to vent it out.
But Luo Yi persuaded, “My lord, once you do something, your bottom line will be broken, and you will become more and more unscrupulous.
You are just condoning the soldiers to plunder now. If you don't allow them to plunder next time, they will be dissatisfied. Will you do anything when they want to kill and plunder next time?
Besides, the Qin people are venting their anger for a while, and when they come to their senses, they will find that you are the same person as King Xiang, which will not be good for your future. "
Liu Bang recalled that he felt a little embarrassed when he kicked open the widow's door for the first time, but later he didn't think it was a big deal to let the widow give birth to a child.
He knew that Luo Yi was right.
However, the Qin people came all the way to Chu State, which would be detrimental to unity if there was no benefit.
Finally, Liu Bang made a heroic decision, "I will give all the gold, silver, pearls, jade, and countless copper coins in the palace of Chu to the soldiers who have made meritorious contributions. This is what they deserve."
After this move, the Qin soldiers became even more favorable towards Liu Bang. After fighting for so many years, when had they ever seen such a generous reward?
When Xiang Yu heard that the Han army did not plunder, he felt somewhat relieved. However, when he heard that the Xiang family members in the city were slaughtered, he was filled with fear.
Fortunately, most of the Xiang family members were in their hometown of Gusu in Jiangdong, and not in Xiang Ying, otherwise there would have been heavy casualties.
Thinking of the Xiang clan members and the Chu people who might have died tragically, Xiang Yu, who had recovered from his fear, was instantly furious and said in a hateful voice: "You are a bunch of corrupt nobles who should have died long ago. If I cannot kill you all this time, how can I face my uncle, grandfather and the ancestors of the Xiang clan?
Return to Xiang Ying immediately. I will make these insects pay for their crimes with blood."
"Blood debt must be paid with blood!"
The Chu army let out a roar that shook the earth, and Xiang Yu laughed heartily. These were the Chu people. As he led the Chu people to destroy the Qin, the sounds of horses and chariots roared throughout the land of Chu.
Twenty thousand infantrymen protected Yu Ji and Xiang Yu's son, while the remaining soldiers rode horses or drove chariots at full speed towards Xiangying City.
Xiang Yu knew that the army attacking Chu was 600,000 strong, but he was not afraid. For him, the more people there were, the more loopholes there would be.
Xiangying City was so rich that almost half of the entire Qin State's wealth was here, and the princes were enjoying fighting for it. Looking at this scene, Luo Yi's face was very ugly, and so was Zhang Liang.
The two met under the palace pillars. As wise men, they immediately knew what the other was worried about. "Zi Yu, there is nothing I can do. Even I can't persuade the king. Money is too tempting."
Although the King of Han was a noble of the Korean royal family, he had a very miserable life during the Qin Dynasty, which caused him to love money too much. Now seeing these gold and silver treasures, he naturally didn't want to let them go. Although he listened to Zhang Liang's words, it was completely ineffective if he continued to take them while listening.
Luo Yi was a little disappointed that he had not expected this scene, and sighed: "If Big Brother Ling was here, he would definitely not make such a big mistake.
I should have purged the princes earlier. Now I have lost the opportunity. If Xiang Yu attacks now, can the current army of the princes resist?
well.
I am really worried, and now I have to go and persuade the King of Han to leave here quickly."
Zhang Liang's face changed slightly. If Liu Bang left, the coalition army would be completely without its backbone. But he changed his mind and said thoughtfully, "Zi Yu.
The King of Han would not agree. He had an army of 600,000 and more than a dozen princes. They were the strongest force in the world. As long as he could defeat King Xiang, the King of Han would be the new ruler of the world.
He could even be crowned as the king of Chu in the Chu capital. Is there anyone in the world who could resist such temptation?
Although Liang was not close to the King of Han, he appeared to be a gangster on the surface, but in fact he was a true hero rarely seen in the world.
Such a hero will never be afraid before a battle. He will definitely fight with King Xiang. This is his pride. You will return empty-handed."
"well!"
Luo Yi sighed slightly. He knew that Zhang Liang was right. Liu Bang was not the kind of person who would be afraid before fighting. If he was weaker than his opponent, Liu Bang would certainly listen to advice and fight back later. But now it was Liu Bang who had the advantage!
An army of six hundred thousand!
When Wang Jian conquered Chu, he brought such a large army. Moreover, most of Wang Jian's 600,000 troops were farmers, and their quality was far inferior to the current army inside and outside Xiang Ying City.
These armies have all gone through many years of war with the princes, and many of them are elite veterans. Once they put on armor, they will be a strong army.
Luo Yi still decided to give it a try. There are many things in this world that cannot be taken for granted. Even the most talented and wise people cannot delve into the depths of people's hearts about everything.
What if Liu Bang had experienced something and happened to be weak in his heart, or had something that made him anxious to leave?
After returning to Liu Bang, Luo Yi said straight to the point: "My king, since entering Xiangying City, the Han army has been able to maintain stability under your generosity and restraint, but the princes' army has been in chaos, and even the troops stationed outside the city are in some confusion.
I am really worried.
If an army like the princes' army were suddenly attacked by Xiang Yu, would there be any other outcome except failure?
The most terrifying thing on the battlefield is the defeated soldiers. If the armies of the princes are defeated, can the Han army still survive?
Your Majesty, I have heard that choosing an ally is like choosing an arm. If the ally is strong, you will become more powerful. If the ally is weak, you will have no power. Now, not only are your allies powerless, they may even cause harm to you.
I think we should leave here immediately and wait until these allies regain their senses."
Liu Bang kept laughing when he heard this, but when Luo Yi finished speaking, he said directly: "Zi Yu, maybe what you said makes sense.
But now Xiang Yu has an army of 600,000 inside and outside the city of Ying. If Ji Du dares not to fight Xiang Yu with such a large army, it would be better for him to guard the fortress of Guanzhong and never go east again.
Things in this world are like rowing a boat against the river, either moving forward or backward. This is the case with Ji now. This may be the closest Ji has ever been to the ruler of the world in his life, and this is the time when Ji has the greatest power.
A full 600,000-strong army!
If we retreat now, where can we find so many troops later? Without so many troops, how can we defeat Xiang Yu?
Moreover, war is the most uncertain thing in the world. Ji will not necessarily lose. King Xiang was able to win the Battle of Handan because he had the assistance of Luo Gong and the help of other princes. Now he is the only one left.
600,000 versus 30,000 or 50,000, is Ji going to lose?"
(End of this chapter)
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