Volume 3 Chapter 55: Fan Zeng's First Meeting with Liu Bang

  Xiang Liang was somewhat arrogant and disdainful in his attitude towards Liu Bang, and he didn't hesitate to kick the troops from Pei County out of this Battle of Pengcheng. Qin Jia's breakout from Xicheng wasn't pursued, but no credit would be given either. Despite this, Commander-in-Chief Xiang performed quite well when it came to treating his own people.

  Yu Ziqi, Ying Bu and Chen Yin took Pengcheng smoothly, and Jing Ju, a noble of Chu State, died in the chaos.

  Yin Xu finally caught up with Qin Jia, the Grand Marshal of the fake Chu state, after two days of pursuit. After a fierce battle, he beheaded the rebel leader Qin Jia. With this, the rebellion in Pengcheng was perfectly put down, and Yin Xu also smoothly took the last and most eye-catching credit.

  As for Liu Bang, he went to congratulate him that afternoon and deeply apologized for letting Qin Jia go. At the same time, he requested to lead troops to attack Huling and help Yin Xu defend Zhou City of Wei State. After a brief consideration, Xiang Liang agreed immediately.

  Liu Bang did not delay, and although it was already noon at the time, he immediately set out with his troops. Liu Bang had previously attacked Huling and Feng County when he first rose up in arms, so he was familiar with the terrain, and Xiang Liang's side was also delighted to be rid of him.

  Yin Xu returned and understood the ins and outs of the matter, with a clear mind, knowing what Xiang Liang's heart was. The success of the first battle made General Xiang somewhat arrogant and proud, and in his treatment of Liu Bang, he also mixed in many personal emotional factors, but more so from a politician's perspective.

  It can be seen that Kuaiji is far away in the southeast, separated by a large river, and it is not very suitable as an anti-Qin base. The trend of the Kuaiji army's northern migration is inevitable, and Pengcheng and nearby Xue are the most suitable places. This time, after capturing Pengcheng, Xiang Liang has already moved his mind. As for Liu Bang's cooperative attitude, in Xiang Liang's eyes, how could he be willing to sit on an equal footing with a rogue like him? If you don't surrender, then go and be independent yourself! Leave Pengcheng to me.

  Zhang Liang's suggestion that Liu Bang advance on Huling was also based on this consideration. On the one hand, it could expand its own base, and on the other hand, it could expand its own strength and influence, in short, all were to gain political capital.

  However, in Yín Xù's view, Xiàng Liáng may have another layer of meaning. This time, the capture of Péng Chéng and the annihilation of the rebel army, Yín Xù and Yīng Bù's merits are undeniable, showing off their extraordinary strength, proving that they are not just empty names. At the same time, it also brings related negative effects, a big tree attracts wind, too much merit will inevitably attract envy, Xiàng Liáng uses belittling Liú Bāng to perhaps strike at Yín Xù and Yīng Bù. Whether it is out of protection for his excellent generals or intimidation, it is unknown.

  When unable to feel the pulse, Yin Xue chose to keep a low profile. He firmly believed that a tree standing out in the forest will be felled by the wind. Especially at this time when they had just achieved great success and were basking in the glory of their triumph, it was especially necessary to keep a low profile.

  Summer arrived, and Xiang Liang led the great army to Xue Di, expanding its influence to the northernmost part of the former Chu State. The news was transmitted back to Kuaiji, where there was a jubilant atmosphere, and Xiang Yu and Fan Zeng led the great army northward, with the anti-Qin base of the Chu army in Kuaiji officially moving north.

  At the same time, the unfortunate news was confirmed - Chen Sheng really died!

  The leader of the anti-Qin uprising, Chen Sheng, died. Although General Lv Chen formed the "Cang Tou Army", defeated the Qin army, recaptured Chen County and executed Zhuang Jia who killed Chen Sheng. The pillar country Xiang Liang eliminated Jing Ju and Qin Jia who were self-proclaimed in Pengcheng, and his power was greatly boosted. However, an indisputable fact appeared before them, the uprising army fell into a state of being leaderless.

  If things go on like this, Zhang Han's army will be defeated one by one, and the collapse of the insurgent army is only a matter of time. Therefore, a new leader of the insurgent alliance is an urgent task of great importance. In May, on the day when Xiang Yu led his troops to arrive, Xiang Liang convened a grand meeting in Xue County, gathering various anti-Qin insurgent armies and vassals to form an alliance and discuss the overall plan for counterattacking Qin.

  On this day, the leaders of various routes gathered together to discuss important matters. Wu Rui from a distant Fan County also rushed over. Ying Bu, as his son-in-law, was the first to greet him and have a conversation. Of course, Liu Bang, the Marquis of Pei, who had briefly appeared in the Hu Ling area, would not be absent either. Xiang Liang's goal had already been achieved, and now that they were facing a great enemy together, they put aside their past grievances to discuss important matters.

  At the meeting, Yin Xu's position was significantly improved. As the first person to make a meritorious contribution in this battle of Peng City, he received congratulations from various lords. The crowd also recognized for the first time that this young and promising general, Yin Xu, was highly praised by everyone for his youth and achievements. The more this happened, the more humble and low-key Yin Xu became.

  Even so, there were still some discordant glances floating around, with Long Que being the most notable. Yin Xu once again proved his strength, letting his doubts fall flat and even giving him a great favor. Looking at Long Que's unfriendly gaze, Yin Xu had originally planned to tease him a few sentences, but thought better of it.

  Xiang Yu was very enthusiastic and supported Fan Zeng to enter the door, just in time to see Yin Xu, immediately stepped forward to congratulate: "Donglai, this time you did a great job, good for you!"

  "Thank you, Big Brother Xiang Yu!" Others often addressed him as Xiang Ji, but Yin Xu had called him Big Brother Yu from the start, and their relationship became much closer.

  "No need to be modest about coming from the east. Within two days, we independently captured Tongshan and besieged Pengcheng. Well done!" The speaker was Fan Zeng.

  Xiang Yu laughed and joked: "See, Mr. Fan is not easy to praise others." During the time Fan Zeng stayed in Kuaiji, Xiang Yu showed great respect, often serving him on both sides, it was really hard for a heroic man like him. Perhaps it was because of this that Xiang Yu had a deep affection for Fan Zeng, and in later years they could have a "deep father-son relationship"!

  Yin Xu was overwhelmed with praise and humbly said: "Mr. Fan has overpraised me!"

  Fan Zeng's praise was certainly surprising, but Yin Xu did not let his guard down and responded cautiously. This old gentleman was cunning and scheming, being praised by him and being remembered by him might not be a good thing.

  Zhong Li Mei and Ji Bu also expressed their congratulations, Yin Xu proved his skills with facts, and surrendered to the two Han men in terms of military power and war achievements.

  "By the way, I heard that this time there is a Liu Bang of Pei Gong to assist you?" After chatting for a while, Zhong Lidi asked curiously.

  "It's like this, Liu Peigong ambushed the relief troops of Yong Chi and happened to arrive at Su An's surrender, opening the city gate, so he could smoothly capture Tongshan." answered Yin Xurou.

  Ji Bu said: "Who is this Liu Peigong? I really want to meet him!"

  Yin Xu smiled and said: "A few days ago, he led his troops to attack Huling, according to reason, he should have come today, alas! You see, he is talking to Mr. Xiang Bo over there!"

  Everyone followed Yin Xu's gaze and looked over, two men were talking to Xiang Bo, with several civil and military officials following behind them, it was Liu Bang and the group of civil and military officials from Pei County.

  Seeing the puzzled expressions of the crowd, Yin Xu explained: "The red-clad man is Liu Bang, Duke of Pei, and the brown-robed scholar beside him is Zhang Li, who is very strategic and an old acquaintance of Mr. Xiang Bo." As for the rumor that Liu Bang was the son of the Red Emperor, Yin Xu had already heard something about it. Wherever Liu Bang went, he wore red clothes, and his ambition was self-evident.

  Xiang Yu turned around and said: "You know? In the past, when my uncle killed someone and was being pursued, he received help from Mr. Zhang Liang while hiding outside."

  Fan Zeng also turned around curiously and asked: "So, I'd like to meet this Liu Pei Gong too!"

  At this time, Xiang Bo invited Liu Bang and Zhang Liang to go forward together.

  Liu Bang walked closer and closer, Fan Zeng's smile on his face faded, until it finally solidified, and his body couldn't help but tremble slightly. Yin Xu clearly sensed the change in Fan Zeng's emotions, seeing the old man staring intently at Liu Bang, his lips tightly pursed, his expression agitated. Yin Xu's heart skipped a beat as he recalled the historical records of Fan Zeng repeatedly urging Xiang Yu to kill Liu Bang, thinking: Could it be that he really saw something?

  Liu Bang walked up close, and everyone was about to greet him, when they heard Zhong Li Mei shout: "Mr. Fan, what's wrong?"

  Everyone was shocked, and Fan Zeng couldn't help but stumble, almost falling over, luckily being caught in time by Xiang Yu and Zhong Li Mei.

  Yin Xuquan did not expect that Fan Zeng's first meeting with Liu Bang would be in such a situation, and there would be such a big reaction. It seems that some things are not just rumors...