Chapter 27: The Uprising in Pei County Begins

  However, the actual situation was that after those ubiquitous recruitment notices were sent out, hardly anyone came to join the army. It's easy to understand why - in these turbulent times, who would want their son to become a soldier? That's a life of certain death! Unless absolutely necessary, no family would take this step.

  It was actually Xiao He's plan all along, with the goal of luring Liu Shanhe out of the deep mountains and old forests to achieve greater things. As for the notices that were posted earlier, it was unlikely that many people would come forward to enlist in the army, which Xiao He had also anticipated. Everything was unfolding according to his calculations.

  "As long as that dog official listens to your words, when Liu Ji comes down the mountain and leads a crowd into our county city, everything will be easily settled! With Liu San as our backing, what are we afraid of? That bird!" Xiao He said with great satisfaction to Cao Shen. He and Cao Shen were both good friends with Liu Shanhe, so naturally they were also quite familiar with each other in their daily lives. In this tumultuous autumn, some things, some ideas, the two people would often gather together to discuss them.

  "Alas, I don't even know how many men Liu Bang has under his command now." Cao Shen said with some worry. This sentence was actually what Xiao He had in mind as well. For the two of them, since they wanted to make a name for themselves in this chaotic world and didn't have that kind of charisma - they were both very self-aware people, they knew that rebelling was a monumental task, although they also thought highly of themselves and believed not many could surpass them. However, they also knew that having talent and strategy was different from possessing leadership charisma. The two of them only had some strategic thinking, with strong recognition and adaptability to the real world, but if they were to lead a rebellion, they knew they didn't have what it took. That required an extremely charismatic leader, and such a person would naturally have an emperor-like aura, which was not something ordinary people could achieve.

  "Hmm, anyway, we must get Liu Bang back. His current forces may be a bit fewer, but they are enough to deal with that dog official." Xiao He poured the cup of wine fiercely into his own belly, and his eyes seemed to have a fire burning fiercely.

  "It's been over ten days, and there are hardly any people signing up to join the army at the county government office. It seems that everything is developing in the direction we predicted! I'm telling you, Old Xiao, I'm more and more admiring of you! You really are prescient! In this case, if we wait another two or three days, we can implement our second plan, and by then, that dog official won't be able to stop Liu Bang from returning!" Cao Shen also downed a cup of wine, and excitedly said to Xiao He.

  "Haha, wait another two or three days? No need, no need! Tomorrow, tomorrow I'll go and confront that corrupt official. The timing is ripe! Xiang Yu was also thrilled that his plan had gone so smoothly. It seems that the fall of Qin is indeed heaven's will! As for himself, he had placed his bet on Liu Bang, but didn't know how much chance of winning he had. However, up to now, he felt that he hadn't made a mistake. Liu Bang was a man with many flaws, but he was open-minded and valued loyalty, willing to risk his life for friends, and prioritized honor over wealth. He was indeed a rare talent in this chaotic world. Moreover, he had one major characteristic - he was good at listening to others' opinions and suggestions. Unlike some people who were stubborn and self-opinionated, refusing to listen to others' advice, Liu Bang was able to accommodate different views and gather the talents of many to achieve great things."

  The next day, Xiao He arrived early at the county government office. The magistrate of Pei was not as leisurely as before, but instead walked around the flowers in the courtyard, thinking about the scene three years ago when he and Liu Bang drank together under the chrysanthemum flowers during the Mid-Autumn Festival. At that time, the flowers were blooming, the moon was full, the autumn air was crisp, and the wild geese flew south. It was indeed a cool and pleasant autumn!

  At that time, Liu San had just helped him solve a few cases that made him very worried, so he was very appreciative of the guy and gave him a position as the head of Sishui Pavilion. Although the position of Sishui Pavilion was not very big, it was just the smallest sesame official. However, it was also an official of the Qin Dynasty, enjoying the formal salary of the state. Although it was only such a small official position, I don't know how many people had sent him gifts and asked for this position! But he also knew that although this official was small, it could also test a person's ability to some extent. Without certain abilities, it would definitely not be done well. Moreover, choosing what kind of person to do this job also affects whether his work is done well or not! Therefore, he looked very good at Liu Bang and felt that with him in charge of Sishui Pavilion, the place where there were often troubles on weekdays would definitely improve a lot.

  Later, the development of facts also proved that his judgment was correct. Liu Bang really had some ability, and since he took office as the head of Suiyang for more than a year, there were fewer cases of theft and robbery in the area, which saved him a lot of trouble.

  However, in the blink of an eye, several years have passed. Now, Liu Bang, who had once helped himself a lot, has become a fugitive! That guy is so bold, openly releasing those prisoners who were recruited to build the imperial mausoleum, he's really reckless!

  However, his dissatisfaction with this guy didn't start from this matter. In fact, Liu Bang's success today is ultimately due to the efforts of this county magistrate. He is naturally clear about this point. You little brat just became a small Ting Zhang and you're so arrogant, it's really gotten to your head! That night at Lü Gong's house, he completely disregarded the official's face and performed with abandon, showing off his skills. You performed very successfully! Among all the people present, you were the most capable! You were the most outstanding! Don't you dare to take a piss and look at yourself? What do you think you look like? Ugh, really! Who do you think you are? A rascal, a hoodlum, just a local thug! If it weren't for this official thinking you had some use and promoting you to become the small Ting Zhang of Si Shui, where would you have the qualifications to come to Lü Gong's house to offer congratulations? You really overestimate yourself!

  What's even more infuriating is that you actually snatched away Lü Zhi's most beautiful eldest daughter, Lü Yu! That little vixen has been the object of my desire for a long time now! Damn it, I never thought that she would be taken by you, you scoundrel! Every time I think about that beauty being pressed under your body, making those soul-stirring moans, I almost go mad! So, I have a grudge against you, and the more I look at you, the more I dislike you! Even as the small Magistrate of Sishui Pavilion, I've long wanted to get rid of you! It's just that I haven't found an opportunity yet. But now, there's a great assignment from above - to escort those imprisoned people to Xianyang Rui Mountain to build the imperial mausoleum. Hehehe, this is a perfect chance! You should know what kind of people these are? They're all fugitives! Not easy to manage! If a few of them escape on the way, that's enough to make you, Liu Bang, suffer! According to the laws of the Great Qin Dynasty, if the prisoners are not delivered in full number, the person responsible will be put to death! This time, I'll see what tricks you have up your sleeve, Liu San! Hehehe, once you're dead, won't Lü Yu become my plaything again?

  But I never thought that you, a reckless and audacious guy, would actually dare to let all those prisoners escape! And what's more, you yourself have also hidden in the deep mountains and forests, not daring to come out! You're still considered clever, otherwise, once I catch you, you'd be killed ten times over!

  Originally, Liu San was staying in the deep mountains and old forests, it didn't matter, anyway, it wasn't easy to get there. If things went wrong, he would have been killed by the barrier gas in the deep mountains! But, who could have thought that the changes in the world today are so great? Someone actually rebelled! And now, those rebels are not far from his own Pei County! They even forced this dignified county magistrate to surrender to the thieves!

  A few days ago, Xiao He, his chief officer, had given him an idea, although he knew it might not work. But now, with no other options left, he could only try Xiao He's method. However, in his heart, the Magistrate of Pei was well aware that Xiao He, despite his appearance of loyalty and honesty, was actually very cunning and not a good person at all.

  Just when Pei Gong was anxious like an ant on a hot pot, Xiang Yu, who had given him advice, appeared in front of him again.

  "Ah, ah, so it's Xiao Zhuli! You've come just in time, you've come just in time! I don't know if your method has had some good effects now?" Pei Ling immediately stopped turning around and stared at Xiao He, asking anxiously.

  But when he saw Xiao He's worried face, his heart sank. Alas, it's all over, one look at Xiao He and he knew that things had definitely not gone well.

  "Alas, I'm truly sorry, County Magistrate! The notice has been posted for seven or eight days now, but the number of people who have come to report for military service is only a dozen or so! Alas, this might also be because the world is in chaos and people are unwilling to let their children take this risk!" Xiao He said with great helplessness. However, immediately after that, he continued, "But, County Magistrate, I still have a plan, I don't know if it's worth mentioning or not!"

  "Say it now, as long as there's a way, it's not bad!" Na Pei's words also reflected his current state of mind, which was that he really had no other choice.

  "Yes, that's right. Although this time, we didn't gather people together, but we can expand the scope of gathering further. Because in these two times, we only posted notices in rural areas and didn't post them in mountainous areas. Now, there must be many people who are hiding from some disasters and hiding in the mountains, and there are also many people gathered in the mountains, with dozens or hundreds of people. If we can recruit these people, won't our goal be achieved too? I hope the county magistrate will think carefully." Xiao He said his last plan calmly. As long as this plan is successful, their plan will basically succeed. But can the county magistrate listen to his opinion this time?

  Xiao He's eyes stared unblinkingly at the county magistrate, trying to discern something from his face.

  The county magistrate was speechless for a moment, turned around with his hands behind his back and started circling the courtyard again. One circle, two circles, three circles... with an indecisive look on his face.

  Xiao He understood in his heart that the county magistrate was afraid that if Liu Bang returned, he might be disadvantaged. After all, he wasn't a complete fool. Thinking of this, Xiao He's eyes rolled over and another plan came to mind, thinking that it seemed like he still needed to add fuel to the fire, otherwise it would go out.

  "Magistrate, as far as I know, Liu Bang has long wanted to come out of the mountains and return to your side to serve you. However, he is worried that you still hold a grudge against him and won't forgive him. If only you would issue an amnesty order, wouldn't Liu Bang be overjoyed? Think about it, who wants to stay in the mountains forever? It's not a place for humans to live after all! For the sake of our county's safety, please, Magistrate, offer amnesty to Liu Bang!" Xiao He spoke with such clarity and persuasion that he truly deserved to be called wise and compassionate.

  At last, Pei Gong seemed to have made a great determination, and said to Xiao He: "Xiao Zhuli, let's do it as you said. As long as Liu Bang is loyal to the official, the official will not hold him accountable for those things he has done!"

  "Magistrate, you are wise! Magistrate, you are wise! Xiao He will go and take care of it right away!" After hearing the words of the magistrate of Pei, Xiao He bowed deeply to him and continued: "However, as for who to send to persuade Liu Bang to surrender, I would like to ask the magistrate to decide personally."

  That's also a problem. Then, he turned his eyes and said to Xiao He: "Then let Master Xiao go in person! You have a good relationship with Liu Bang, don't you?" There was a different tone in Pei Ling's voice.

  As for the order that might make him surrender to Liu Bang, Xiao He had already considered it. Hearing what the Magistrate of Pei said, he smiled slightly and said: "Magistrate, your words are inappropriate! Think about Liu Bang, although we used to be close, but those were all past events. At that time, no matter how you put it, we were both Qin officials, anything could be said, but now the situation is different. I am still a Qin official, but he has become a fugitive! You also know Liu Bang, usually good, but now the situation is special, if I go, once he suspects me, my life will not be guaranteed. I hope Magistrate will send someone else!"

  Actually, Xiao He insisted on declining the invitation to surrender Liu Bang, also because he didn't want his plan to be exposed. If he had agreed to go, it would have definitely raised the suspicions of the county magistrate, who would have thought that he was going to collude with Liu Bang or discuss countermeasures with him and then return to play a double role. The county magistrate's thoughts were transparent to Xiao He, so he deliberately refused to go, in order to make his last plan succeed.

  "If you don't go, then who should we send instead?" The county magistrate at this time couldn't care about anything else and could only follow Xiang Yu's wishes.

  "It's best to find someone who has a connection with Liu Bang. That way, he won't be suspicious! Sir, think about it, is there such a person in our Pei County?" Xiao He kept reminding the county magistrate.

  "There really is such a person, Fan Kuai. Yes, what about Fan Kuai?" The county magistrate was like a drowning man who had found a lifesaving straw and suddenly mentioned the name of Fan Kuai.

  "That Fan Kuai and Liu Bang are in-laws! Hmm, I think it's okay! With this relationship, even if Liu Bang is dissatisfied with Fan Kuai, he won't do anything to him! Of course, if he wants to surrender, that would be the best thing!" The county magistrate thought this plan was still quite good and couldn't help but praise Xiang Yu's wisdom again: "Alas, thanks to Magistrate Xiang again! He always comes up with a solution at the most critical moment and helps me get out of trouble! With this relationship, even if Liu Bang is dissatisfied with Fan Kuai, he won't do anything to him! Of course, if he wants to surrender, that would be the best thing!" The county magistrate thought this plan was still quite good and couldn't help but praise Xiang Yu's wisdom again: "Alas, thanks to Magistrate Xiang again! He always comes up with a solution at the most critical moment and helps me get out of trouble!"

  "No, no! This is what I should do as a subordinate!" Xiao He's mouth was very humble, but in his heart, he was constantly sneering. In his mind, he thought: "You dog official, your good days are also coming to an end!"

  And then Fan Kuai, having received the county magistrate's order, rode a fast horse and rushed towards Mount Mangdang. Along the way, he didn't stop to rest his horse and finally arrived at the foot of Mount Mangdang, where he was led up by Lü Ruo, who was in charge of guarding. On his way up the mountain, he saw that the entire forest was filled with numerous soldiers, holding various weapons, training vigorously, looking very spirited. Moreover, beside those soldiers, there were specialized instructors, pointing and directing.

  "Ah, I really didn't expect it, I really didn't expect it, this third brother actually gathered so many people and horses! It's really not simple! It's really not simple!" Fan Kuai followed the guide Lou Luo to Liu Shanhe's residence, while constantly marveling in his heart.

  At last, at the entrance of a mountain cave, the Lou Luo who was responsible for guiding the way stopped and said to Fan Kuai: "You wait here for a moment, I'll go in and report to you!" After that, he left Fan Kuai in his original place and quickly ran into the cave. Soon, Fan Kuai heard the sound of footsteps coming from inside the mountain cave. When he looked closely, he saw several people walking out of the cave, with Liu Ji, also known as Liu San Ge, who had not been seen for a long time, walking in front!

  "Third brother! Third brother! Ah, I thought you were dead!" Fan Qiang rushed forward a few steps as soon as he saw Liu Shanhe. Liu Shanhe was also extremely excited when he saw Fan Qiang, and he tightly grasped Fan Qiang's hand, saying emotionally: "Old brother, I thought I would never see you again in this lifetime! I thought I would never see you again in this lifetime! Come on, let's go into the cave to talk!" As he spoke, he pulled Fan Qiang along, laughing and talking as they walked towards the inside of the cave.

  "Huh, where's my sister? Didn't she also come to your place?" Fan Kuai arrived at the mountain cave and looked around, but surprisingly didn't see his elder brother-in-law Lü Zhi's figure, so he became suspicious.

  Lü Gong had two daughters, the elder daughter was Lü Zhi, who married Liu Shanhe; the younger daughter was Lü Yu, who had already married Fan Kuai, that dog butcher. It was precisely because of this relationship between Fan Kuai and Liu Bang that the county magistrate sent Fan Kuai to come and persuade Liu Bang to surrender.

  When someone first proposed the marriage between Lü Zhi and Fan Kuai, Lü was very unwilling. She said: "My sister, no matter what, at least married a Ting Chang, but how can I marry a butcher?" However, at this critical moment, her father used his skill in physiognomy to find a noble son-in-law for his youngest daughter. Lü Gong said: "Don't underestimate this butcher, his face is actually very good! In the future, he will definitely become a king or a marquis! Listen to your father, marrying him is not wrong!" So, despite Lü Zhi's great unwillingness in her heart, she eventually married Fan Kuai. Even so, it was natural for Fan Kuai to address Lü Zhi as "older sister".

  "Oh, my sister just happened to go out and pick mushrooms, she'll be back soon. Come on, come on, quickly prepare wine and dishes for me and my brother, I must drink with my Fan Zeng brother today, no drunkenness, no rest! No drunkenness, no rest! Haha haha haha haha haha haha, I Liu Bang haven't had such a wonderful time in a long while! Always staying in this deep mountain forest, not seeing a familiar face for years, I say brother, you are the first familiar person I've seen since hiding in these mountains! And it's my own relative too!" Liu Shanhe's mood was extremely excited. Spending all day with the mountains and forests, usually just training troops every day, still training troops, nothing else to do, the feeling of isolation from the world was very strong.