A hero or a bear?

Is he a king who moves forward without fear of shrinking, or is he a villain who only knows how to avoid reality and take advantage of opportunities? Xiang Yu is using the method of meeting to force Li Yuan to make a decision.

This is his right and a test that suits his character.

Cheng Gao.

It is just a small city located northwest of Hulao Pass. It was the territory of the Eastern Guo Kingdom during the Spring and Autumn Period. After Qin and Chu formed a stalemate, Chenggao gradually developed and became an important trade channel connecting the two hostile countries.

Fish, shells, salt, silk and other materials from the East China Sea were transferred to Chang'an City, which has increasingly become the intersection of Eastern and Western civilizations, through the Chenggao trade. Similarly, rare items such as blankets, bronzes, and tiger bones from the West

, and also became a favorite of nobles and princes in Pengcheng and other places.

In addition to being active in trade, the terrain around Chenggao is also very important in military terms. A Si River runs through Chenggao. The Qin army is located to the west of Si River, and the Chu army is located to the east of Si River. Chenggao

In the city, neither country has strong troops stationed, only some local county soldiers responsible for public security exist.

Xiang Yu made an appointment to meet at this place. He really had good intentions and no one could find any reason to refuse. From a clear point of view, Chu State did not take advantage of Qin State.

"Go back and tell Xiang Ji that I, Li Yuan, have agreed and will definitely participate when the time comes." Li Yuan only thought for a moment before answering calmly.

Li Yuan vaguely guessed what Xiang Yu was thinking and what he had on his mind.

Chenggao Alliance.

This was another move by Xiang Yu to demonstrate his unique status after enfeoffing the princes four years ago.

Send letters to invite princes and heroes from all walks of life to meet in Chenggao to agree on the spheres of influence of all parties. This method existed in the Spring and Autumn Period, where princes met with each other, negotiated and negotiated to solve problems. It was very ancient.

There is quite an element of personal heroism.

In the past, the five hegemons of the Spring and Autumn Period: Qi Huan, Jin Wen, Chuzhuang and other overlords all used this form of alliance to establish their overlord status. Xiang Yu called himself the Overlord of Western Chu, so it is not surprising that he has such thoughts in his heart

.

Four years are enough to change everything, enough to turn the vast ocean into a mulberry field.

At that time, after Xiang Yu conquered Xianyang, the seventeen princes who had been enfeoffed were now very few who were killed or surrendered. Among them, Qin State conquered and destroyed the most. In the Battle of Guanzhong, King Yong Zhang Han surrendered and Zhai surrendered.

Wang Dongyi and King Sima Xin of Sai died

, in the battle of Sanchuan and Henan, King Shen Yang of Henan died, and then King Sima Mao of Yin was destroyed. King Liu Bang of Han, who was the most threatening prince to Xiang Yu among the princes at the time, was also attacked and destroyed. After calculation, the number of princes directly attacked by the Qin army reached six

indivual.

Xiang Yu, the overlord of Western Chu, did not lag behind in his annexation speed, especially in Qi. The Tian family successively proclaimed themselves four vassal kings, but was swept away by the Chu army. Jiang Tianshi, Tiandu, Tian'an, Tian Heng, etc.

All the traditional forces in the land were completely wiped out.

As for the other princes, they also killed each other, including Zhang Er, Gong Ao, Han Guang and other heroes who had risen together for a while, but they all gradually fell behind in the changing situation.

After five years of fighting with each other, to the north of the river, only the Western Wei King Wei Bao and the Yan King Zang Tu still retained a certain strength. In the south, the Changsha King Wu Rui was the only prince king who still had a certain strength.

While sending Xiang Bo to Handan to lobby the Qin State, the Chu State also issued a request for an alliance to Wei Bao, Zang Tu, Wu Rui and other princes. In order to show his magnanimity, Xiang Yu even asked Ying Bu and Zhong Limei to form an alliance. The two betrayed subordinates also made the same oath of alliance.

Redefine the sphere of influence through negotiation. As the leader and host of the alliance, Xiang Yu will undoubtedly be the biggest beneficiary.

As for the Qin State, because of its aggressive behavior, it was inevitable that it would be besieged by various princes at the alliance meeting. In this case, Xiang Yu was very interested in taking a look at Li Yuan, a new figure in the limelight. Is his performance at the political level as dazzling as his military performance?

The Qin State became more and more powerful and showed more and more aggression. After the fall of Zhao State, the only barrier between Qin and Chu no longer existed.

Facing the severe situation of a decisive battle, Xiang Yu, who has always been known for his bravery, suddenly remembered the young figure who refused to retreat at Hulao Pass.

Cherish each other.

Xiang Yu actually admired the younger generation like Li Yuan who dared to fight without fear of power. After the purpose of consuming the Qin army's strength was achieved, Xiang Yu decided to give Li Yuan a chance to make this younger generation understand through an alliance. Xiang Yu respected the situation and immediately stopped military operations against other princes.

I have to say.

Xiang Yu's political performance was far less dazzling than his military performance. But his true temperament also made Li Yuan feel authentic and trustworthy.

This was one of the reasons why Li Yuan agreed to join the Chenggao Alliance.

The territories of Wei Bao, Wu Rui, Zang Tu and other princes are not close to Chenggao. Even the nearest Wei Bao has to pass through the territories of Qin and Chu to get here. In this case, these princes It is unlikely that he will leave his territory and come to Chenggao, unless he is out of his mind.

Therefore, it is more likely that these princes who dare not offend Qin and Chu will send their trusted subordinates to Chenggao, on the one hand to accomplice the two great powers, and on the other hand to spy on the intelligence of all parties. So that you can decide how to stand next.

——.

Xiang Bo left the city in embarrassment.

He had no choice but to come back, but inexplicably left one life behind.

Xiang Bo came out of Handan in panic with a mournful face. Although he had completed his mission, a closer look revealed that Li Yuan's agreement had nothing to do with his eloquence. Instead, it was Han Xin's threat that made Xiang Bo sit down. He was so restless that he didn't want to stay even for a quarter of an hour longer.

Li Yuan had no interest in arguing with a villain like Xiang Bo. Staying in Chu State would be more useful than killing him. At least, Yan Le would not let Xiang Bo have any trouble. Lived a comfortable life.

After deciding to go to Chenggao for a while, Li Yuan left Han Xin to lead his army to garrison Zhao Di, and Su Jiao's cavalry to garrison Dai Di. Cao Xin, Gan Yong and other troops followed him across the river and headed towards Hulao Pass.

Knowing that Li Yuan had agreed to Xiang Yu's request for a meeting, the Qin government and the public were all shaken and uneasy. From Longxi in the west, Jiuyuan in the north, and Bashu in the south, the generals at the edge of the town wrote letters one after another requesting them to lead their elite troops to advance. Li Yuan came to escort him. In the city of Chang'an, represented by the reinstated prime minister Chen Ping, a group of civil servants from the Qin State issued urgent admonitions to Li Yuan one after another, persuading this important young ruler of the Qin State not to venture into dangerous situations.

assassination.

It is the last resort to reverse an adverse situation.

In just five years, Li Yuan has experienced two assassination plots against him. Although it was later found out that both times came from Liu Bang, who knows whether there will be others who are hostile to Qin.

The forces will follow suit.

Luoyang Ferry.

Li Yuan led his troops to cross south. General Jiang Yu, who was stationed in Sanchuan County, received an urgent notification from the Prime Minister Chen Ping from Chang'an and rushed to the ferry crossing to try to persuade Li Yuan to give up his decision.

"Marquis Wu, the Prime Minister has sent a letter from Chang'an, urging Yu Yu to admonish Marquis Wu. He must not leave the Chenggao appointment." Jiang Yu advised with a serious look on his face.

Among the generals of the Qin Army, Jiang Yu is undoubtedly the one with the most stable character. Having had the painful experience of defeating Lingnan, he understands the importance of caution better than other generals. This is one of the reasons why Chen Ping told Jiang Yu,

Just imagine if it were someone like Cao Xin who was worried about the world being in chaos, not only would he be admonishing, but he might even be clamoring to go together.

"The general and the prime minister are overly worried. Cheng Gao is right next to Hulao. If he doesn't go, doesn't it mean that I am afraid of him? Xiang Yu. In the past, Hulao was under the fierce attack of the Chu army, but I was not afraid.

Now that our Daqin army is strong and our horses are strong, what do we have to fear?" Li Yuan said with a confident smile.

"Marquis Wu must never be careless. Even if Xiang Yu is upright, there is no guarantee that others will not act secretly. If the Marquis makes a mistake, the general will not be able to bear the responsibility." Jiang Yu's forehead was dripping with sweat, and he kept saying

Since he was stationed in Sanchuan County, he was directly facing the threat from the Qin State's most powerful enemy, the Western Chu. In the past few years, the Chu army's provocations have also occurred frequently, but under Jiang Yu's tight defense, he almost did not take any advantage.

Cheap.

"The general's concerns are reasonable. In this case, I will take two generals, Cao Xin and Gan Yong, and Mr. Lu Jia to go with me. General Chiang can lead an army in Hulao and be responsible for the response. In addition, let

The doctor ordered Master Yan to be responsible for the secret security, what do you think?" Li Yuan thought for a while and said.

Li Yuan was not very worried about his personal safety.

Knowing that there are tigers in the mountains, you will go to the tiger mountains. If you dare not do anything because you are afraid of being assassinated, you will play into the hands of those shameless and incompetent people.

With Cao Xin's bravery, Gan Yong's cleverness, and Lu Jia's eloquence, this combination is also the best pairing carefully selected by Li Yuan. If Jiang Yu and Yan Le are added to the combination of one upright and one strange, they will be able to deal with some Xiaoxiao.

Enough.

Jiang Yu's remonstrances yielded no results. In desperation, he had no choice but to send a letter to Chen Ping in Chang'an City to report back. At the same time, he urgently recruited soldiers and horses from Sanchuan County and gathered them in the Hulao Pass area to prepare for emergencies.

Late May.

The small town of Chenggao is bustling with activity. Different from the gathering of businessmen in the past, this time there are big shots one after another who can make the earth reverberate with their stamping of feet.

The evening breeze of early summer slowly blew across the river, bringing with it the scorching heat of summer. Groups of vehicles came from all directions towards Chenggao. The people inside these vehicles were envoys from different forces one after another. At the invitation of Xiang Yu

, no prince dared to refuse or not send someone to participate. For the same reason, even those who were not invited spontaneously sent their close subordinates to come to Chenggao to inquire about the news. (To be continued...)
Chapter completed!