The Third Volume: The Guest of Kuaiji Chapter 52: Besieging Pengcheng

  A simple banquet was held in the military camp, which was both a welcome banquet for Liu Bang and Zhang Liang, and a celebration of the great victory of Tongshan.

  At this time, Yin Xu finally understood the reason for his association with Liu Bang. It turned out that Zhang Liang had been hiding in Xiapi until the Daze Village Uprising, when the banner of righteousness was raised on the former territory of the six eastern states. Seeing an opportunity, Mr. Zifang finally came out of the mountain and gathered hundreds of people. In the early days, he had been dealing with the local Qin army, hiding and evading, until recently when the situation improved slightly.

  Zhang Liang had originally planned to lead his men to surrender to Jing Ju and Qin Jia, but halfway there he heard that they had declared themselves king, attracting the condemnation of various righteous armies. Xiang Liang from Jiangdong even led a large army northward to punish them. Upon learning of this, Zhang Liang immediately realized that he could no longer go to Pengcheng. He had originally planned to surrender to Xiang Liang in the south, but in reality he would be surrendering to Yin Xu.

  Xiaopi is east of Pengcheng, Qin Jia set up a long defense line south of Pengcheng to resist Xiang Liang, and it was not easy for Zhang Liang and others to pass through. Just at this time, I heard that Liu Bang in Pei County, northwest of Pengcheng, had started an uprising. Weighing the risks and benefits, Zhang Liang led his men to detour north of Pengcheng and head to Pei County, where the journey was relatively safe and could temporarily have a place to stay.

  At the first meeting in Pei County, Zhang Liang saw that Liu Bang had a great ambition and was not an ordinary person. Zhang Liang also sensed that he was no ordinary visitor, and this Mr. Zifang's profound wisdom and military strategy were what he needed most at present. Although Liu Bang came from a humble background, he treated Zhang Liang with respect and courtesy, which made people like Fan Kuai feel jealous. However, Liu Bang remained calm and composed, showing great respect to Zhang Liang, whose status seemed to have surpassed that of Xiao He, becoming the second-in-command in Pei County.

  Yin Xu sighed greatly at this, missing Zhang Zifang by a hair's breadth in the south and north over two days, truly making one clench their fists in regret. However, thinking it through again, he felt somewhat relieved. There were many garrison troops stationed in Pengcheng to the south, and Zhang Liang had his concerns, so for safety's sake heading north to Pei County was also a reasonable thing to do. Moreover, even if Zhang Liang had come south, what could he have done? Could he have tied himself up?

  It's obviously impossible, a person under someone else's roof, without his own independent path and strength. Regardless of Zhang Liang's personal intentions or the suspicions of the Xiang family, these are all unrealistic. Moreover, given the deep friendship between Zhang Liang and Xiang Bo, it is highly possible that he was introduced or otherwise connected to him. Rather than seeing something unattainable, it's better not to see it at all. Besides, the road ahead is long, will Zhang Liang definitely follow Liu Bang resolutely? Will there be no more interactions between Yin Xu and Zhang Liang? Who can predict the twists and turns of life?

  However, the harvest this time is still great. First of all, there is Su An. Yin Xu has talked to him, and although he is young, his vision is extraordinary. If Chen Liao can listen to him, Tongshan would also be easily broken through. Xu originally thought about introducing him to Xiang Liang according to the procedure, but unexpectedly this kid took the initiative to propose staying by his side first. Yin Xu doesn't know what kind of mentality Su An has, but he is also happy to see it happen, and a young man with a promising future can stay with him.

  There was another point, which was the first cooperation with Liu Bang, and it was a complete success. Yin Xu hurried over to celebrate, although Liu Bang's character wasn't great, this time he didn't play any tricks, and pinching a sweat was considered a good gamble. As for the future days, he didn't know, and in the future, the grudges between him and Xiang Yu might be something he couldn't control...

  Today, at least it is certain that Liu Bang's name matches reality, and he is indeed not simple. The vassals of the Pei County group also had the good fortune to see him, Fan Kuai, Cao Shen, Zhou Bo, and Xiahou Ying were not like that either. Compared with Liu Bang and Zhang Liang, they are ultimately just minor characters. However, in the days to come, perhaps something should be noted, although historical books cannot be trusted entirely, this is absolutely a unique opportunity, an unparalleled advantage that others cannot match.

  Liu Bang was also secretly rejoicing, unintentionally picking up this treasure Zhang Liang. His luck was so good that he didn't expect it. He saw that Zhang Liang's knowledge and demeanor were not ordinary, with rich wisdom and a gentle manner. Except for the ambush at the Kuai Water River to capture Yong Chi, he hadn't further understood him yet. However, after arriving at Tongshan and listening to Yin Xu's words, all his doubts in his heart were dispelled.

  When he learned from Xiao He's personal soldier that Yin Xu was familiar with himself, he was really surprised. Thinking in his heart that this person is so mysterious, he really wants to ask him clearly face-to-face, but now he has no intention of doing so. From the moment he saw Zhang Liang and casually called out his style name, Liu Bang knew that this young man was indeed extraordinary.

  As for Huangshi Gong's pointing and saying, Liu Pei had always kept a few doubts in his heart and did not completely believe. At the time of doubt, there was an unexpected joy, that is Zhang Liang. Born into a noble family of the State of Han, a brave warrior who assassinated Qin Shi Huang, a disciple of the hermit Huangshi Gong, these halos made him overjoyed and could be utilized. He was glad that Zhang Liang had defected to himself, and at the same time secretly decided that he must win this person over, as his future career was crucial.

  Huangshi Gong pointed out the matter of Yin Xu, Zhang Liang had also been suspicious, but he couldn't help but believe. Otherwise, those details wouldn't have been so clear to him. At the same time, he was very impressed with this young hero, who at a young age showed extraordinary vision and ability, with great prospects. Also facing Liu Bang's enthusiasm and humility, he was also satisfied, now it seems that this person is indeed a worthy ruler to assist.

  Through this matter, Ying Bu also had two brand new understandings of Yin Xu. He was shocked by the young man's experience, from their first meeting in Peng Ze Mountain Cave, to his fight with Ba Hu, and his ruthless killing of over 70 bandits, he could see that this young man was not simple. The series of events that followed confirmed this point, he admired and even revered Yin Xu. He knew that Yin Xu was a rare talent, with great vision and insight, but he had not expected Yin Xu's knowledge to be so vast and extensive.

  Marquis of Pei Liu Bang, Xiao He Zhang Liang, they all heard but never seen, Yin Xu's door was clear, making him marvel endlessly. As for Yin Xu's Will County riot rumors, he didn't quite believe them, and as for this Huang Shi Gong... Yin Xu had never mentioned it before, no wonder he achieved success at a young age, it turned out that there were high-ranking officials guiding him. It's just that his mouth was so tight, not revealing a single word, at this time Ying Bu's emotions were very complicated.

  The heaviest mood is Qin Jia. The news of the loss of Tongshan has already been transmitted to Pengcheng. What shocked him even more was the alliance between Liu Bang and Yin Xu, which made the three thousand horses in the west of Yong Chi be incorporated, making the defense of Pengcheng even more difficult.

  Tongshan has fallen, and the southern defense line is now meaningless. Upon receiving the news, he immediately withdrew his troops to defend Pengcheng with all his might. The loss of 9,000 soldiers made Pengcheng's defenses seem precarious. The vanguard of the Wuji army now numbers over 10,000, only 30 or 40 miles from Pengcheng, and Xiang Liang's main force will arrive soon. Qin Jia realized for the first time that he might have been wrong, but does it matter what is right or wrong at this point? What should be done next? The pseudo-Chu State Grand Marshal fell into deep worry...

  Yin Xu's messenger, who was sent out at the first time, met with Xiang Liang's troops in the deep night of that day and handed over the good news to General Xiang. Xiang Liang was suddenly delighted, Yin Xu and Ying Bu did not disappoint his high expectations, and within two days, they had already taken down Tongshan and were approaching Pengcheng. At the same time, they also annihilated tens of thousands of Pengcheng soldiers, making people overjoyed, it seems that this rebellion can be ended earlier.

  Peng City is already in sight, the army swings northward, and the great army surrounds. With a distant gaze, on the vast plain, the city stands out, and Xiang Liang reveals a heartfelt smile.