Chapter 41: United Troops 3

  Another military camp.

  Inside, tents were arranged irregularly, white tents, in that hazy morning light, looked very eye-catching. And among the gaps of those white tents, war chariots were occasionally placed, and some places had several war horses. Around the military camp, countless flags fluttered in the wind, with a large "Chu" character on them.

  Here was the camp of Xiang Liang and Xiang Yu, uncle and nephew, of the Chu army.

  In the central army tent of Xiang Liang, a young man knelt down on the ground and saluted Xiang Liang, who was seated in the main seat, saying: "Han Xin from Huaiyin pays his respects to General Xiang Liang."

  "Who is Han Xin?" It was clear that Xiang Liang did not know who this so-called Han Xin was. Just then, another person sitting on the ground burst out laughing and seemed to have remembered something, saying to Han Xin: "Han Xin? Are you Han Xin? Are you the one who used to share food with a widow every day?" This person was Xiang Yu.

  Han Xin himself did not know that his past deeds had been spread among the people in such a way. Sharing food with the old woman? What's wrong with sharing food with the old woman? But, I've even crawled into someone else's pants! However, when asked by Xiang Yu in front of so many people, Han Xin still looked somewhat embarrassed, but that was something he had done himself, and a good man takes responsibility for his actions, what's there to be afraid of?

  Then Xiang Yu lowered his head and replied: "That's right, it is indeed Han Xin!"

  "Hahaha...!" Xiang Yu couldn't help but feel extremely delighted. Previously, he had only heard people talk about it, but he never thought that today, in his own camp, he would actually meet the legendary figure, Han Xin, who was the subject of so much gossip! This was just too interesting, too interesting!

  Xiang Yu suddenly stood up and walked directly to Han Xin's side, circled around him a few times, laughed loudly, and asked in a teasing tone: "Han Xin? Ha ha, are you really the same Han Xin from Huaiyin who crawled through between people's legs?"

  Han Xin felt extremely humiliated at this time, and almost wanted to find a seam in the ground to drill into. He wasn't ashamed of his current humiliation, but rather of those shameful past events that had been so widely spread, which he hadn't expected. As soon as he thought about it, people would discuss their own affairs after tea and meals, and even talk about them with relish, Han Xin's heart felt extremely suffocated.

  "One day when I become a king or a noble, I will definitely put to death all those who have humiliated me! One day when I become a king or a noble, I will definitely put to death all those who have humiliated me!" Han Xin repeatedly vowed in his heart.

  But for now, no matter what, I have to get through this step first, otherwise, what's the point of coming here today? So, Han Xin subconsciously looked around and reluctantly lowered his head again, replying: "Yes, it's indeed Han Xin!"

  "Hahaha...!" Xiang Yu couldn't help but burst into another fit of laughter upon hearing Han Xin's response. His laughter was so infectious that it also made Xiang Liang laugh, who asked: "Nephew, why are you laughing?"

  "Uncle, you don't know this, but this man is quite famous in the Huaiyin area. I heard that he has been fond of reading military books and playing with swords since childhood, but his family was extremely poor. When his mother died, they had no money to bury her, yet he found a geomancer and insisted on finding a burial site that could accommodate tens of thousands of people, saying it was for the sake of his future generations. Uncle, don't you think this man is ridiculous?"

  Xiang Liang also felt that this person was somewhat stern. Because according to common sense, if your family is so poor that you can't even afford to bury your own mother, what other thoughts could you have? However, this person asked a Feng Shui master to look at the Feng Shui, search for treasure land, and said something about leaving a burial ground that could hold ten thousand people for future generations. Generally speaking, if he wasn't an idiot, then he was a reckless fool. But in front of him, looking at his appearance and demeanor, there was always an air of elegance emanating from him, as if he had grand ambitions that had not yet been fulfilled.

  Xiang Liang then asked Han Xin: "Is this really true?"

  "Yes, it is true, without a single falsehood." Han Xin suddenly raised his head, and a sharp glint suddenly appeared in his eyes as he replied to Xiang Liang.

  At this time, Xiang Yu was still indulging in his own emotions, circling Han Xin three times and commenting as he turned: "Someone like you is truly a rare sight in the world! You became someone else's subordinate husband, yet you say 'a great man can yield and adapt', it's really laughable to the extreme, really laughable to the extreme!" After speaking, Xiang Yu burst into another fit of loud laughter.

  Xiang Liang heard Xiang Yu say that the man in front of him, Han Xin, had actually said something with a very reserved tone, "A great man can yield and stretch", and felt that this person was not an ordinary commoner. He asked further: "Is this really what you said?"

  Han Xin calmed down at this time, thinking to himself that even if those shameful secrets from back then were exposed, what's the big deal? At most, he'd just leave this place and have nothing to do with these people again. Who cares about them?! When Xiang Liang asked him once more, he firmly replied: "Yes, it was indeed Han Xin who said that, not a single word off."

  "Uncle, look, if we also accept someone like this, won't we be ridiculed by the world in the future?" After Xiang Yu said this, he refused to look directly at Han Xin, who was still kneeling in front of the tent. It seemed as if he feared that Han Xin would pollute his eyes. However, he did not know that this Han Xin, whom he had once again brought up old grievances and exposed his scars, would use divine military tactics four years later during the Chu-Han War, defeating Xiang Yu utterly. At that time, did he ever regret underestimating this "village husband"?

  But Xiang Liang was older and more serious, he wouldn't consider what others would think if he accepted this person, but he did worry that if he didn't accept him, it would give him a bad reputation for "refusing talented people who come to join". So Xiang Liang thought for a moment before saying to Xiang Yu: "How could we think like that? Brave warriors have come from afar to join us, how can we not accept them? That's not the style of our Xiang family's righteous army!" After saying this, Xiang Liang hesitated for a moment, then said to Han Xin: "Hmm, let's do it this way for now. Han Xin, you'll start as a spearman in front of the tent. If you have military achievements in the future, we'll consider promoting you."

  As for his uncle Xiang Liang's decision, Xiang Yu was still very puzzled. He had never liked Han Xin to begin with and thought that after his reminder, his uncle would no longer keep him around. But unexpectedly, his uncle not only kept him but also made him the Vanguard Commander. Oh man, this means he'll have to see this guy every day! Alas, it's so infuriating, so humiliating! What's wrong with Uncle today? Has he become senile in his old age?

  Xiang Yu looked at his uncle Xiang Liang with great puzzlement and said, "Uncle Commander, what we lack now are wise strategists and good ministers. We can't just pick up anyone like a vegetable basket, can we? Someone like Han Xin, such a ** husband, how can we accept him?"

  Xiang Liang furrowed his brow after hearing Xiang Yu's words, and didn't say anything else. He naturally neither confirmed nor denied the doubts. Suddenly, he turned around and asked Xiang Yu: "When your uncle went to invite Zhang Liang to come out of retirement, did you get any news from him?"

  "Oh, it should be almost time, right? According to his schedule when he left, he's already overdue. Hopefully nothing unexpected has happened!" Xiang Yu also started to worry about Xiang Bo's delayed return. Meanwhile, Zhang Liang was having a great time drinking and chatting with Liu Bang in the big tent!

  In a military tent of the Chu army, Han Xin was having a hearty drink with a high-ranking general named Zhong Li. This was already the fifth day since Han Xin had arrived at Xiang Liang's camp, and apart from standing guard in front of Xiang Liang's tent, he also had some time to look for old friends and chat about old times. Although this military life couldn't let him show off his talents, compared to his previous wandering life, it was still much better. And Zhong Li was exactly an old acquaintance Han Xin met in the army. They were very happy to meet again under the Chu army's tent today. So that night, Zhong Li invited Han Xin to drink wine in his tent.

  "Come on, come on, Han Zhuangshi! Let's have a drink tonight, we brothers won't stop until we're drunk, won't stop until we're drunk! Haha haha!" Zhong Li said to Han Xin with great enthusiasm.

  Zhongli knew that Han Xin had defected to Xiang Liang's camp because five days ago, when Han Xin had just defected to Xiang Liang's camp, Zhongli was in the vicinity of Xiang Liang's main tent as a well-known general of the Chu army. Seeing his old acquaintance being toyed with by Xiang Yu like this, Zhongli felt it was somewhat excessive.

  At most, Xiang Yu looked down on others and didn't need to say three or four things about them, especially exposing their scars and making fun of them as his own entertainment. In the end, he even refused to let him stay. If it wasn't for Xiang Liang that day, Han Xin would probably have no place in the Chu army's account. As a friend, Zhongli really stood up for Han Xin. However, as an onlooker, Zhongli couldn't understand: How could a seven-foot-tall man be so easy to bully?

  After two people drank three cups of wine in a row, Zhong Li filled up the wine for Han Xin and said to him: "Please forgive my brother's straightforward words! Han is a hero with both literary and military talents, with great ambitions, with a belly full of strategies, and can be called one of the rare geniuses in the world! However, there is one thing that Zhong Li does not understand."

  "General Zhongli, if you have any doubts, just speak up." Han Xin also seemed very bold and open-minded, thanks to the effects of the wine.

  "Well, I'd like to ask the strong man, a robust and dignified seven-foot-tall hero, how could he suffer such humiliation and be ridiculed by others?" Zhong Li finally asked the question that had been puzzling him.

  Han Xin listened to Zhong Li's words, first staring at him blankly, then bursting into loud laughter. "As the saying goes, 'A small concession can ruin a great plan.' Although I, Han Xin, am not talented, I also have ambitions for the world and my goals are yet to be fulfilled. Since that's the case, why would I bother competing with some local rascal? That would be beneath me! You may have heard of dogs biting people, but has anyone ever heard of a person biting a dog? If I, Han Xin, were to stoop to their level, then I wouldn't be Han Xin anymore!"

  After hearing Han Xin's words, Zhong Li couldn't help but nod frequently. Han Xin continued to say: "Hmph, let those ordinary people mock me if they want! A person who wants to do great things, how can he be on the same level as those people? I, Han Xin, am not worth worrying about!"

  "Hahaha, Han Zhuangshi, after hearing your words, I, Zhong Li, have truly felt a lot of emotions! Ah, I've benefited greatly, benefited greatly! Zhong Li has even more admiration for Han Zhuangshi, it's really even more admiration! Zhong Li actually also expressed his true inner feelings. After all, people who can think of this point may exist, but those who can really achieve it are probably nonexistent. What kind of breadth and magnanimity is required? What kind of vision and heart are needed? Unless one has great ambitions, it's almost impossible to do something extraordinary like this. Thinking about himself, Zhong Li wouldn't be able to do it if he encountered such a situation. So, after hearing Han Xin's explanation, he truly admired him."

  "Han Zhuangzi has a broad mind, able to tolerate what ordinary people cannot. He will surely achieve great things in the future! I, Zhong Li, truly admire him, truly admire him! Come, Han Zhuangzi, let's drink!" Zhong Li toasted Han Xin again.

  But who would have thought that after Han Xin finished listening to Zhong Li's words, he only smiled coldly and then said to Zhong Li: "Admire? Despise? What's the use of admiring or despising? Even if I have a lot of strategies in my belly, what's the point? Now I'm just a small lieutenant in front of the account!" After finishing speaking, Han Xin drank up the bowl of wine and then burst into loud laughter with Zhong Li.

  Inside the Chu army camp, a forest of banners and flags fluttered in the wind, rustling softly.

  At dawn, the sky was slightly bright. Xiang Yu hastily got up from his own tent and quickly came to the main tent of Xiang Liang. At this time, Han Xin was on duty outside the account.

  Just then, as Xiang Yu had just walked past him, he also looked at him with a glance, and hummed a sound from his nose. Han Xin was furious, but also helpless, and could only let out a long sigh. He knew that since the first day he came to the Chu army's camp, he had not been favored by Xiang Yu, and it could even be said that Xiang Yu had been very hostile towards him. If it weren't for his uncle Xiang Liang, he would not have been able to stay here. Thinking of this, Han Xin couldn't help but let out another long sigh, looking extremely helpless.

  Yes, what else can he do? As the saying goes, "Under someone's roof, one must lower his head." In those years, he had endured such humiliation and yet still managed to fall in love. Now, with just this small matter, he couldn't even bear it? If he couldn't even tolerate such a trivial thing, how could he achieve great things? Han Xin kept encouraging himself, reminding himself of the humiliation he had suffered at others' hands, warning himself that a real man must be able to yield and adapt, and absolutely must not act rashly.

  Although this spearman is just a idle post, it also has its own advantages. That is to say, he will not be sent to the front line as a small soldier or cannon fodder, even if he dies, he will die in vain. Moreover, this spearman in front of the account also has an advantage, that is, for the things inside the camp, he can all hear and know with his own ears, only he cannot express his opinions.

  At this time, Han Xin only heard that Xiang Yu quickly walked into the main tent, and at this time, inside the main tent, Han Xin knew that, including the newly arrived Xiang Yu, there were only three people, namely Xiang Liang, Xiang Yu, and Xiang Bo. A few days ago, Xiang Bo returned from Liu Bang's military camp and told Xiang Liang about what had happened, but Xiang Liang was very dissatisfied with Xiang Bo for leaving Zhang Liang in Liu Bang's camp.

  These three people, Han Xin knew, were the main characters of the Xiang family who participated in the uprising. Naturally, the most important ones were still Xiang Liang and Xiang Yu, while Xiang Bo was just relying on his extensive social connections to connect some strategists and good ministers for Xiang Liang. Of course, Xiang Liang also recognized that, especially now that their strength is not low, strategists and good ministers are extremely important to them. It can be said that a strategist with real talent and learning is enough to rival 100,000 troops.

  "Alas, this good fellow is slow in coming. What about the matter of my self-appointment as King of Chu? How can it be resolved?" Xiang Liang was getting increasingly impatient at this time. As his own strength continued to grow, more and more small forces came to surrender to him, which further fueled his ambition for kingship.

  He had thought that after the famous hermit Zhang Liang was invited, he would listen to his teachings and then take concrete action. But this incompetent Xiang Bo, who often caused more harm than good, actually left Zhang Liang with that scoundrel Liu Bang, causing his own affairs to be delayed, no wonder he's anxious now!

  Just as Xiang Yu sat down, he heard his uncle say this and said carelessly: "Uncle, don't worry, this matter is not that difficult to handle! We can immediately send someone to fly a horse book, inviting the various lords and heroes of all parties to our Xue County for discussion. With our strength, Uncle, you want to establish yourself as the King of Chu, who else dares not to follow? After all, our strength is right here! Now, isn't it all about speaking with strength?