Chapter 261 Xiang Yu Wants Peace Talks
Xingyang City.
Liu Bang, Luo Yi, Lu Ze, Zhang Liang and other high-ranking Han army leaders sat together, looking at the battle report sent by Han Xin, without saying a word.
Looking closely, everyone's faces were filled with confusion and disbelief in their eyes.
Only Luo Yi was shocked, but his eyes were full of smiles. Recommending Han Xin to Liu Bang was indeed the proudest thing in his life besides the Luo family.
One sentence was echoing in everyone's mind: How could this person be so fierce? Is he still a human being?
It's only been a year since we borrowed troops from Liu Bang. This amount of time is not even enough for training the troops, but they have already conquered Zhao, Dai, and Yan?
Zhang Liang had made plans based on a plan that took more than five years to complete, but he never expected that Han Xin's abilities would be beyond his expectations.
Liu Bang finally recovered from his shock, looked around at everyone and said: "The general's contribution is too great, no matter whether you are a king or a marquis, you can never repay your contribution.
Apart from making him a king, I really don’t know what to reward him with.
Send an envoy quickly to convey the order to the general, conferring upon him the title of King of Zhao, commanding the armies of the three kingdoms of Zhao, Dai and Yan, and marching south to ally with Qi to attack Chu.
No one had any objections. Luo Yi frowned slightly but didn't say anything.
Everyone bowed their heads and agreed. They were finally going to have a big war with the State of Chu, and the atmosphere suddenly became tense.
The messenger hurriedly went to find Han Xin with the order.
At this time, Han Xin was leading hundreds of thousands of troops from Wei, Zhao, Dai and Yan.
These armies were well-organized under his command, completely different from the time when Liu Bang was commanded by Xiang Ying.
If Liu Bang saw this, he would probably wave his hands vigorously and shout "Impossible, absolutely impossible".
Han Xin met Liu Bang's envoy on the way south to Qi State and hurriedly welcomed him into the central army.
Who would have thought that the envoy would kneel on one knee as soon as he walked in, and said loudly: "I pay my respects to the king!"
Luo Cai narrowed his eyes slightly and guessed that Liu Bang was going to make Han Xin a king.
Han Xin was shocked and asked repeatedly, "Messenger, what do you mean?"
The messenger handed over the decree directly and said with a smile: "Your Majesty has made great contributions. The King of Han wants to make you the King of Zhao and order you to lead the army south to attack Chu."
Han Xin finally understood and was overjoyed. He had finally reached a high position among high-ranking officials. He immediately turned to look at Luo Cai.
Then Luo Cai’s pretty face came closer and the two of them had a brief conversation.
The messenger did not hear the beginning, he only heard Han Xin say that he hoped Luo Cai would become the queen, and Luo Cai said that being the lady was enough.
When the messenger walked out of the camp with Han Xin's letter declining the throne, he was still confused.
He really couldn't imagine that there would be someone who would refuse the throne, especially since Han Xin's contributions made him worthy of the title of king.
Luo Cai looked at Han Xin who was somewhat dazed and asked softly, "My dear, are you reluctant to give up the throne? The messenger has not gone far yet, he can be called back."
Han Xin quickly shook his head and said, "Of course not. I have Cai Niang, and the position of a prince is just that. I was just wondering, if I really took the throne, would the king be afraid of me?
The king has been kind to Xin, and Xin is loyal to the king.
Although I sometimes feel that the king is rude, I have never thought of betraying him. Will the king really risk his life for the throne?"
Luo Cai sat beside Han Xin and whispered, "My dear, don't speculate on things that have not happened. As a minister, it is enough for you to always do your duty.
Kings are the most unreasonable people in the world. My brother said that every king will become a tyrant, so don't take any risks.
You don't want the throne now, and considering what you just said to the envoy and your past loyalty, the King of Han will not touch you.
If you have done this much and he is still worried about you, then go and ask your elder brother for help. As long as your elder brother is willing to help, there is no problem that cannot be solved.
Don't think too much, prepare well, the next battle with Xiang Yu will not be so easy.
If you defeat Xiang Yu, you will be the best military strategist from ancient times to the present."
Listening to the gentle words in his ears, Han Xin gradually became determined, "Contact Qi State and go south to attack Chu."
A mighty army of 400,000 marched south from Yan and Zhao under the leadership of Han Xin. It was the strongest military force in the world at that time.
…
Linzi City.
King Lu Cheng of Qi laughed wildly, waving the battle report in his hand to his left and right, and then loudly asked to his left and right: "How is it? How is it?"
Lu Cheng now felt that King Su must favor him, so he followed Luo Ling at first and then firmly got the throne of King Qi.
He was displeased with Xiang Yu and defected to him. After Liu Bang was defeated, he invested in Liu Bang. Unexpectedly, in less than two years, the situation in the world would turn around to this point.
Liu Bang actually occupied the lands of Bashu, Guanzhong and the Three Jins. In addition, Jiujiang and other places were Liu Bang's allies. Together with Qi State, Liu Bang already had 80% of the power in the world.
Now the King of Qi only wanted to say to Xiang Yu that the situation of attack and defense had changed.
The ministers of Qi all bowed and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"
The King of Qi said in high spirits: "The King of Han, General Han Xin, sent a letter to invite me to join the army. I will immediately mobilize my troops. Xiang Yu has fought me for so long. It is time to return the favor."
When Han Xin joined forces with the King of Qi, their military force had swelled to as many as 500,000. Such a large force pressed forward from Qi and Zhao, while Liu Bang was in Zheng. The entire Chu State was surrounded by enemies from all directions.
Xiang Ying.
Xiang Yu also looked at Han Xin's achievements in disbelief. On the geomancy map, all the lands were Liu Bang and his allies. This was exactly the same scene as when the Qin State finally destroyed the Chu State.
Long Qie asked anxiously, "My lord, what should we do now?"
Xiang Yu took a deep breath, forced himself to calm down, and said in a deep voice: "It's just a matter of meeting the enemy with a general and blocking the water with earth. Back then, the Qin army in Handan had 400,000 soldiers and Xiang Ying had 600,000 soldiers, but I still defeated them. Am I still afraid now?
I am invincible in the world, and I have the support of the people of Chu, so I can conquer the whole world."
The officials of Chu retreated to prepare for war. Yu Ji appeared and found that Xiang Yu's majestic body was trembling slightly. She knew that Xiang Yu was not afraid, so she asked softly: "My king, what's wrong with you?"
Xiang Yu said in a deep voice: "The last time I returned to Jiangdong to reward the elders with food and cloth, I saw the graves of many of my sons. Back then, my uncle and Luo Gongling led the Jiangdong sons across the river to the north to defeat Qin. Later, my uncle died in battle, and these Jiangdong sons followed me.
Now there are only 5,000 men left. I am really afraid that if all of them die in the war with Liu Bang, even if I gain control of the world, I will not even dare to return to Jiangdong."
Jiangdong has been the fiefdom of the Xiang family for hundreds of years, and the elders of Jiangdong are the real elders. If all these people really died, even if the elders of Jiangdong pitied and loved him, Xiang Yu himself would not have the face to return to Jiangdong.
Just like the bloody royal capital incident in the past, which led to the death of a Luo Hou due to grief and anger. A big part of the reason was that he was too ashamed to face his elders and was under too much mental pressure.
Yu Ji's heart sank when she heard this, but she still said softly: "My king, please don't blame yourself so much. In this chaotic world, it is rare to have a king like you. This is why the people of Jiangdong are kind to you."
Xiang Yu looked up to the sky and sighed, "What's the point of defeating Liu Ji again?
After the Battle of Xiang and Ying, I thought the world was settled, but I didn't expect that in the blink of an eye, Liu Ji would make a comeback, and even be much stronger than last time.
It has been three years since I came out from Jiangdong. All those who resisted me were defeated, and all those I attacked obeyed me. Everyone in the world knows that I am a good fighter. I don't understand why the victors are getting weaker and the losers are getting stronger.
This may be because King Su did not protect me, but God protected Liu Ji.
I do not want to fight this meaningless war any more. It is useless to defeat Liu Bang again. I will negotiate with Liu Ji."
Yu Ji didn't want Xiang Yu to fight again, especially as the situation was becoming increasingly dangerous.
Hearing that Xiang Yu was willing to negotiate, of course he was willing, but then he worriedly asked: "But now the King of Han has the upper hand, will he agree to negotiate?"
Xiang Yu smiled and said, "This morning, Prince Xin suddenly visited me and told me the special status of the Queen of Han in Liu Ji's army.
The Queen of Han's brother, Lu Ze, controlled one-third of Liu Ji's troops.
King Lu Cheng of Qi is of the same clan as Lu Ze and the Queen of Han, and they have always been in contact with each other. Other forces also support the Queen of Han.
Liu Ji had the advantage because he had many allies, but many of them were brought by his wife.
I offer the Queen of Han as a trade. If Liu Ji is unwilling, he will cause chaos within his own ranks."
After Luo Xin learned that Xiang Yu had received the news, he went straight to Lu Zhi's courtyard.
After two years of house arrest, Lu Zhi did not look haggard at all. Instead, she looked full of energy and even more charming.
Luo Xin smiled and said, "E'er, you should be able to leave here soon.
The King of Han has already gained most of the world, and even King Xiang cannot bear it anymore, so he wants to negotiate with the King of Han and stop the war. "
Lu Zhi paused after hearing this, and a look of surprise appeared on her face, "Are you serious, sir?"
Luo Xin laughed out loud and said, "Of course I take it seriously."
Lü Zhi raised her head slightly to look at the sky, with an expression that seemed to be both smiling and crying on her face, and said slowly: "Sir, if I can leave here, I will definitely repay your kindness and friendship."
Luo Xin didn't care. Just as his elder brother said, he just followed his heart and didn't care about the final outcome.
Xiang Yu wanted to negotiate peace and offer the queen in exchange.
When this news reached Liu Bang's army, most people were silent. Lu Ze said directly: "We should negotiate. The queen and the crown prince are the foundation of the country. Xiang Yu is already a fish on the chopping block. It is obvious who is more important."
Luo Yi said: "When Luo State existed, the king and the crown prince could represent Luo Clan. After Luo State fell, only the head of the family could represent Luo Clan and King Su.
But my eldest brother lives in Zhaocheng and does not see outsiders, so he will not be a witness to such ridiculous peace talks.
Would Xiang Yu believe in the peace talks without Luo's participation?"
Liu Bang was struggling inside. He was certainly unwilling to negotiate. He had no shortage of women and children, and even if Liu Ying died, he would not be without an heir.
But he knew that looking at the people in front of him and then looking at the King of Qi and others who had troops at their disposal, this was actually not a multiple-choice question.
————
The "Xingyang Peace Talks" is one of the famous conspiracy theories in history. Liu Bang was the strong party and Xiang Yu was the weak party. However, in front of Xiang Yu's peace talks, Liu Bang had no choice but to agree. Liu Bang could not even think too much, but had to agree immediately. This involved countless balances between people and things, which was extremely ingenious. ——"Looking at the Workplace from the Perspective of the "Ten Major Conspiracies""
I finally took a break today and started saving drafts and adjusting my update time. From now on, I will update the first chapter at 12 noon every day, and I will start updating when I have saved the third chapter. Otherwise, I am worried that I will encounter another emergency and stop updating.
(End of this chapter)
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