Volume 3 Chapter 47 First Collaboration

  Xiao He?

  "It's really down!" The Grand Duke Xiao looked at Yin Xu's slightly exaggerated expression and couldn't help but feel a little stunned.

  It's not surprising that Yin Xu is like this, although he has seen many heroes and famous historical figures since coming to the end of Qin. However, it's still far from being numb to such encounters, let alone when it's Xiao He, one of the three heroes of the early Han dynasty, who comes to visit him on his own initiative, how can he not be excited?

  Yin Xuke stood up and said: "Mr. Xiao He, are you sent by Liu Bang of Pei? Do you have business with us?"

  Duke Pei Liu Bang? Which sacred direction is he from? Ying Bu sat on one side, thinking hard, but it seemed that there was no such person in his memory. However, the Yin brothers seemed to know this person very well? What kind of person is Xiao He? The Yin brothers seemed to be familiar with him and were also very polite. Ying Bu had already forgotten when he himself had received similar treatment, only to be interrupted by that damned Ba Hu.

  Xiao He was even more shocked, with a cold sweat breaking out on his back. The four words "Lord Pei Liu Bang" were too stunning. Liu Ji had only called himself Lord Pei after returning to Pei County yesterday, and most of those who knew about it were the military and civilians of Pei County. How did Yin Xu, hundreds of miles away, know so much about it? Alright, even if he had just entered the camp and introduced himself as someone sent by Lord Pei to pay a visit. But Yin Xu didn't even ask who Lord Pei was? It seemed like he already knew everything in his heart, which made Xiao He feel even more surprised.

  Yin Xu directly mentioned the name of Pei Gong - Liu Bang, like a thunderbolt on a clear day, shocking to the extreme. Just yesterday, Liu Ji called himself Pei Gong, thinking that his name "Ji" was just the third in line, and people who do great things can't always be called Liu Old Three, so he changed his name to Liu Bang after some deliberation.

  Xiao He was surprised at this, the title of "Pei Gong" had been mentioned before, so be it! But where did Yin Xu get this "Liu Bang" from? Could he have foreseen it? Or is there an unusual way of transmitting information? No! I rode a fast horse and took a shortcut, it's impossible to arrive any faster!

  Yin Xu did not expect that his casual remark would frighten Xiao He, the Chancellor of the Han Dynasty. Seeing Xiao's intentional expression, he couldn't help but ask in surprise: "What? Is Mr. Xiao uncomfortable?"

  Xiao He smiled awkwardly: "Nothing, I have come under the orders of Lord Pei to inform you both of some military matters."

  "Oh? What's the military situation?" As soon as he mentioned military affairs, Ying Bu immediately became interested.

  Xiao He said: Last year, Lord Pei rose up in rebellion in Pei County and joined forces with the various lords to attack the Qin army. After Jing Ju and Qin Jia arrived at Pengcheng, they controlled the various rebel armies for their own use. My lord, Lord Pei, was still weak at that time and had no choice but to follow their orders. This time, General Xiang marched north, and the upper and lower reaches of Pengcheng were in a state of war or peace, with everyone arguing loudly. Lord Pei advised him several times, but Qin Jia would not listen to even half of what he said.

  Whether to fight or make peace is inconsistent. Yin Xu smiled in his heart, the internal personnel are unstable, can Qin Jia still win this battle?

  Xiao He continued, "The Marquis of Pei has long had the heart to kill the bandits and rebels, but he has been unable to do so due to a lack of strength. This time, with General Xiang's army arriving, it is just right. The Marquis of Pei has already returned to Pei County and gathered 3,000 soldiers, willing to cooperate with the two generals to attack Pengcheng together."

  Ying Bu asked: "How does Lord Pei plan to coordinate with us in battle?"

  Xiao He explained: "At present, there are 5,000 people stationed in Tongshan Town, led by Chen Liao, who is quite brave and fierce. The Marquis of Pei originally wanted to attack Tongshan Town from the rear and respond to the two generals' siege of Pengcheng, but unfortunately Qin Jia sent Yong Chi to lead 3,000 people to guard outside Pengcheng thirty miles away, between Pei County and Tongshan, we cannot go south to assist."

  "Huh?" Aren't you supposed to help? How can you not help again? This familiar feeling of being helpless, who are you?

  "In fact, the main purpose of stationing troops in Yongqi is to defend against Pei County and to provide reinforcements to Tongshan at any time. If Chen Liu is in a tight spot in Tongshan, Yongqi will certainly come to reinforce him, and Lord Cao will lead 3,000 soldiers and horses to attack from behind, helping the general capture Tongshan. Without the shield of Pengcheng, it will soon be in your army's pocket."

  Ying Bu smiled and said: "How does it sound like we're helping Pei Gong?"

  Xiao He also smiled: "No, it's mutual help, each taking what they need."

  Each takes what he needs, this statement is not wrong, Xiang Yu's words only reveal Liu Bang's intention to cooperate. From start to finish, there was no sign of surrendering to Item Liang. Ying Bu's strangeness lies here. However, Yin Xu was very clear that Liu Bang had great ambitions and would not easily surrender to others. This time, escaping from Qin Jia's hands, he wanted to take advantage of Xiang Liang's rebellion to establish his own name and make a name for himself, this is what Liu Bang needs.

  Yin Xudao said: "Very well, first ask Mr. Xiao to rest in the tent and we will discuss it, then make a decision."

  "Excellent! Xiao He awaits good news!"

  When Xiang Yu walked to the gate of the account, Yin Xu added a sentence: "Right, if the troops are sent out, then I will personally behead Yong Chi and send his head as a gift to Liu Bang, in order to vent the anger of Fengxiang's rebellion." At this moment, he finally remembered who Yong Chi was, sending a gift to Liu Bang, after all, it's courtesy!

  Xiao He's footsteps paused, his body slightly trembling with great surprise. How did Yin Xu understand Lord Pei so well? The army of Xiang Liang was full of capable people! For a long time afterwards, Xiao He remembered the mysteriousness of Yin Xu vividly. This memory took root in his mind, subtly influencing his attitude towards others. Surprised as he was, politeness still had to be maintained, and after thanking him, Xiao He followed the leading soldier away.

  In the tent, Yin Xu asked: "What does Ying Ge think at this time?"

  "Whatever he wants, it's all the same," said Ying Bu thoughtfully. "If what he says is true, then breaking through Tongshan won't be difficult. It would be best to do so before the general arrives and we are forced into a defensive position. But can this Liu Bang of Pei be trusted? If this is one of Qin Jia's tricks, we will be the ones to suffer."

  Yin Xu's caution is right, can't be too careful! If it's really the other side's strategy, luring oneself into Tongshan and surrounding to kill, that would not be good. But the one who came to report was Xiao He, and the one who wanted to cooperate was Liu Bang, would they deceive people?

  Immediately, Ying Bu asked: "You seem to be very familiar with that Liu Bang of Pei Gong, and you understand him well?" He had the same question as Xiao He.

  What a mess! Yín Xù knew something was wrong and had to make up another lie, half true and half false: "This Liu Bang was originally named Liu Ji, he's the head of Si Waters Pavilion in Pei County. He's a scoundrel who often cheats people out of food and drink. He once killed a white snake and rebelled against Qin. I heard these things at a wine shop in Kuaiji."

  "Rascal?"

  Yin Xu solemnly said: "Brother Ying, don't underestimate this person. Although he is a nobody, he indeed has great ambitions and is clever and tactful. Just look at Xiang Yu, he is an extraordinary talent, yet he is willing to follow a nobody. Can that nobody be simple?"

  Ying Bu nodded and said in a low voice: "Heroes don't ask about origins, that's true. Is this really what Ji Zan heard from Wine?"

  "Right!" Yin Xu laughed and said: "Brother Ying, you know that when I was in Kuaiji, I often went to the wine market. That place is bustling with people coming and going, and you can hear news from all over the world. So, you shouldn't always be thinking about your sister-in-law, you should also go out and take a stroll, haha!"

  "Smelly brat, what's your take on this Liu Bang? Can he be trusted?" Ying Bu asked with a sneer.

  Yin Xu hesitated, Liu Bang was a master of change and deception, could he be trusted? He paced back and forth in his tent, thinking about that period of history. After Chen Sheng's death, Xiang Liang had established Chu Huai Wang, who then agreed with the other lords that whoever entered Guanzhong first would become king. At that time, Liu Bang was indeed present. From this perspective, at least during this period, Liu Bang and Xiang Liang were in a honeymoon phase, so this time Liu Bang should be sincere, but things might not be entirely genuine.

  "I think it's credible, no harm in trying. Liu Bang is a clever person, Xiang Yu's army will arrive soon, he should know how to choose. Besides, Xiao He is still in the military camp." Yin Xu thought that since Liu Bang has great ambitions, he shouldn't be willing to collude with people like Jing Ju and Qin Jia, so she might as well trust him this once.

  "Alright then, just be careful!"

  One hammer settled the matter, and things were decided from then on. Yin Xu didn't know that this was his first collaboration with Liu Bang, and their journey together would be long and arduous...