Chapter 33: The Uprising in Pei County Begins
Within a county, it is unbearable to be without a master for even one day. This concerns the peace and prosperity of all the people in Pei County. Therefore, after Liu Shanhe led his righteous army into the county seat of Pei County, the first thing he did was to gather all the influential people within the county to hold a meeting to discuss the governance issues of Pei County.
This is naturally a big deal, and Liu Shanhe didn't dare to slack off either.
In the county government of Pei County, Liu Shanhe, Xiao He and Cao Shen sat in the central position, while those invited social celebrities also had a place to sit, surrounding Liu Shanhe and Xiao He. Everyone took this opportunity to gather together, and they all felt it was a good opportunity for communication, greeting each other, and the atmosphere was very harmonious.
"Gentlemen, gentlemen... Now that our county magistrate of Pei has been killed, as an accomplice to the cruel Qin dynasty, his death is well-deserved. After killing the county magistrate, all the people in our county are rejoicing! However, although the county magistrate is dead, the problem of managing our county still lies before us. A country cannot be without a ruler for a day, an army cannot be without a commander for a day, and a county cannot be without a master for a day! I have invited everyone here today to discuss this issue with you. Please speak freely and offer your suggestions, so that we can carefully consider the livelihood of our people in Pei County."
Liu Shanhe's words were well-reasoned and to the point, and those invited guests couldn't help but nod their heads in agreement. At this time, a white-haired old man stood up and said in his trembling voice: "Our Pei County has suffered from the brutal Qin for a long time, but we have never had the opportunity to resist it. Now, taking advantage of the uprising in various places, Liu Gong made a timely move, leading hundreds of righteous soldiers out of Mangdang Mountain, bloodlessly capturing the county seat and killing the Pei magistrate. It's truly a heavenly army! Seizing this great opportunity, I propose that our Pei County should betray the brutal Qin and govern itself. Anyway, the time when the brutal Qin will be destroyed is not far off! I propose that we elect Liu Gong as the new Pei magistrate, what do you think?" The old man seemed to have thought it through thoroughly, and his words were clear and logical.
Liu Bang shook his head repeatedly as soon as the old man said that, and said: "The proposal made by the old gentleman just now that our Pei County should turn against Qin and stand on its own, I Liu Bang naturally agree with it. To be honest, since the day I was forced to hide in Mangdang Mountain, I have already cut off my relationship with the brutal Qin! It can be said that the entire cruel Qin Dynasty has rotted away, leaving only a smelly skin bag, and now it is already in its dying years. As long as the winds of uprising from all over the country blow stronger, this Qin Dynasty will soon be finished. However, to ask me Liu Bang to take on the role of county magistrate, I dare not promise."
Liu Shanhe did not immediately accept the position of County Magistrate of Pei, and this was naturally due to careful consideration. Although he had led the charge into the county city and killed the original County Magistrate with his own hands, there were many things that needed to be taken into account. On one hand, a certain degree of humility was necessary; otherwise, even though it would have been reasonable for him to take on the role of County Magistrate, he would have left himself open to criticism and accusations of being overly arrogant. On the other hand, Liu Shanhe truly did not feel psychologically prepared to take on the heavy responsibilities of being a County Magistrate.
Although Liu Shanhe had always dreamed of changing his fate and rising to greatness like Liu Bang, who had unified China during a time of great turmoil, when the opportunity finally arose, he hesitated repeatedly. It was true that this had come too suddenly; after all, governing a large county with military and administrative power was no trivial matter! Therefore, Liu Shanhe repeatedly declined the position of County Magistrate.
To make his thoughts clearer, Liu Shanhe continued: "Fellow villagers and elders, I am only capable of leading soldiers in battle, but governance is not my area of expertise. If, due to my incompetence, our county's people were to suffer disaster, would I not be ashamed before the people of Pei County? Therefore, fellow villagers and elders, please reconsider and choose a more suitable person to govern our county."
After speaking these words, Liu Shanhe bowed deeply to everyone with a sincere expression.
The crowd of elders looked at Liu Shanhe and saw that he really wanted to resign, so they had no choice but to unanimously recommend Xiang Yu or Cao Shen to take over as the magistrate of Pei. However, when Xiang Yu heard that the elders were going to recommend him and Cao Shen for the position, he shook his head vigorously, like a rattle drum, and said: "Elders, I and Cao Shen are even more unsuitable for this job. We appreciate your good intentions, but we really can't do it!" As Xiang Yu spoke, he glanced at Cao Shen with his eyes, and the meaning was naturally understood by Cao Shen. After all, they had been colleagues for many years and had interacted with each other for a long time, so they could understand each other's gestures and expressions. Cao Shen nodded in agreement, and Xiang Yu continued: "We are really grateful to the elders for their kindness towards us. However, we really can't accept the appointment. Everyone knows that we are both civil officials, and if we were to handle personnel matters, laws, or governance, it would be fine. But when it comes to military affairs, we are absolutely clueless! In these turbulent times, without some military ability, how can we ensure the safety of our county's people? So, we two are definitely not suitable for this job, really!"
Xiao He made every effort to avoid being recommended by the famous people of Pei County, apart from the factors he mentioned earlier, there was another factor that could not be spoken of openly. That is, he also deeply knew that Liu Bang's current strength was not strong, with only a few hundred people, it was not a big force at all. As for what situation would arise in the future, no one could predict. So, who dared to guarantee that the Qin dynasty would definitely be destroyed? And once those rebel armies were suppressed, then when the Qin army came over, those who had rebelled and caused trouble would definitely receive severe punishment. People like Liu Bang, who led the rebellion, should be executed first, and it was a door-to-door search, even to the point of exterminating nine clans. Therefore, Xiao He, based on his own philosophy of "not being too radical in everything", would not be so foolish as to take over the hot potato of the county magistrate of Pei County. Moreover, Xiao He and Cao Shen were both very self-aware people, this Pei County was taken down by Liu Bang, although it was done with his own strategy, but how could he not put himself in a proper position? The other party was the master, while he was just an advisor. Where is the reason for an advisor to compete with the master for merit?
In addition, Xiao He also highly valued Liu Bang's ability, especially his ability to gather many people to do things for him. It must be known that this kind of ability and charisma is not something that can be had just by wanting it, it is a gift from heaven. On this point, Xiao He had a very clear understanding. He knew that there are all kinds of people in the world, some people are good at doing things for others, while others are good at making others do things for them; some people, if asked to carefully do something, would be very happy to complete it and even do it with great enthusiasm, as if they were born to do that kind of thing. And there are people who are naturally unable to do any work, no matter how simple the task may seem to others, they just can't do it. But these kinds of people live a carefree life, eating, drinking and having fun, and they are also good at making those who are good at doing things work hard for them. This is indeed a skill.
But Liu Shanhe, who knows if he was assimilated into the physical body of Liu Bang after crossing over, now feels that he is getting more and more used to commanding others and controlling them. It's strange to say, but originally, especially in his own 21st century, he was a person who only knew how to bury his head and work, a person who only knew how to use his strength to do things, a person who could only be commanded by others. At that time, when he wanted to command someone, he would always feel very hesitant and embarrassed in his heart, and more importantly, he didn't have any confidence in his heart, always feeling that he wasn't qualified, didn't have the ability, or the demeanor. However, since he crossed over into the late Qin dynasty, everything seems to be undergoing a huge change. Although this change is very small and subtle, he can really feel it. Because now he gradually feels that he can easily command people, no longer feeling embarrassed or hesitant. It's as if in many situations, things are just as they should be: you should listen to my commands, I should command you!
Liu Shanhe couldn't understand whether this was a progress or a regression. However, one thing was clear in his heart: after experiencing the vicissitudes of life over the years, a thick cocoon had indeed formed on his soul. Many times, many things, many people, and many situations could no longer easily stir up the emotions of that once easily sentimental heart, making it less impulsive...
As for Xiao He, he also had a deep understanding of Liu Bang's unique talent for governing and managing people. So in the end, he said: "Whether it's discussing military strategy, business tactics, or personnel management, I'm far inferior to Liu Gong compared to Cao Shen! Therefore, we two should strongly recommend Liu Gong as the county magistrate, taking charge of all matters in our county of Pei! Once Liu Gong becomes the magistrate of Pei, Cao Shen and I will definitely do our best to assist him and bring peace to our fellow villagers."
Xiao He's words were very true, sincere and down-to-earth, without any pretence or deceit. Moreover, his eloquent speech was even more convincing, leaving everyone present, including the dignitaries from Pei County, speechless. As a result, everyone's attention was once again focused on Liu Bang, almost as if by tacit agreement.
However, although Xiao He's words had already reached this point, and the villagers also expressed that the position of Pei County Magistrate was suitable for Liu Banghe, except for him, there might not be a second person more suitable. But Liu Banghe still felt it wasn't the right time and continued to show humility and courtesy. Because in his heart, he knew clearly that if he easily took over the position of Pei County Magistrate like this, then his previous words and performance would definitely be seen as pretentious.
From Liu Shanhe gathered all the people with faces in Pei County to hold a meeting, and they discussed for half a day, but still no results came out. However, Liu Shanhe couldn't be impatient. No matter how anxious he was in his heart, he had to show a very calm appearance on the surface. Later, those Pei County gentry again pointed at Liu Shanhe and said: "Forget it, Liu Ji, you don't have to make excuses anymore! We've all heard that you, Liu Ji, have 72 black moles on your thigh, and sometimes, especially when you're drunk, your body will show strange signs, and it's said that there are golden dragons flying around! Aren't these all signs of your great wealth and nobility? We've also seen that in our Pei County, except for you, Liu Ji, there really isn't a second person who can take on this important task! Duke Pei, forget it, don't be modest anymore, let's entrust our Pei County to your hands!"
The old man finished speaking, and surprisingly, he led the way in that spacious county government office, knelt down on both knees, and paid homage to Liu Shanhe. The other gentry of Pei County also followed the old man's lead, kneeling down on the ground, and firmly said that if Liu Shanhe did not accept the position of Magistrate of Pei, they would never get up again.
Alas, gentlemen, Liu Ji's virtue is shallow and his talent is scarce. He deeply fears that he cannot bear the heavy trust of you elders towards Liu Ji, so he has been hesitant to accept the appointment. However, since you elders do not despise Liu Ji and instead love him so much, for the sake of our parents and relatives in Pei County, I, Liu Ji, can only obey your orders with respect, temporarily take on this county magistrate position first, and wait until later when there is a more virtuous and capable person, I, Liu Ji, will definitely yield to him!
In the end, Liu Shanhe still couldn't withstand the enthusiastic recommendations of those rural gentry and finally accepted the position of magistrate of Pei County. Moreover, from then on, he also gained a respectful title: Marquis of Pei. As for this title, Liu Shanhe was quite satisfied with it.
However, Liu Shanhe's heart was naturally clear that if he succeeded in this matter, it would be a great opportunity for him to become rich and noble; but if things went wrong and failed, it would also be a crime punishable by the extinction of his nine clans. Fortunately, Liu Shanhe had also made up his mind, as the saying goes, "an arrow on the string must be shot".
This is an adventure, and also a gamble. Moreover, it's a political gamble, the stake he has wagered is his own family's life and death. If he wins, it's very likely that based on the various extraordinary abilities he has shown, Liu Shanhe has enough confidence to believe that although he may not necessarily be able to achieve the great undertaking of becoming an emperor, however, getting a title of nobility such as king or general is still within his grasp. At that time, with just one call, hundreds will respond, bells and drums will sound, brocade clothes and jade belts will be worn, countless beauties will be at his beck and call... Then Liu Shanhe would be the greatest hero of the Liu family; but if he fails, it would mean being beheaded in public, the entire family would be executed, and nine generations of his clan would be implicated, then Liu Shanhe would become the greatest sinner of the Liu family for all eternity.
But now, for Liu Shanhe, there really is no room for choice. To hell with it, just agree first and talk later, whether it's good or bad fortune, can't escape the disaster. Haven't you been waiting for this opportunity all along? Now that the opportunity has come, why are you suddenly timid? But now, for Liu Shanhe, there really is no room for choice. To hell with it, just agree first and talk later, whether it's good or bad fortune, can't escape the disaster. Haven't you been waiting for this opportunity all along? Now that the opportunity has come, why are you suddenly timid?
Now that things have been settled, a swearing-in ceremony must be held! Liu Shanhe attaches great importance to this swearing-in ceremony. Because he knows that whether success or failure, this step is really too important for himself. So, he must make good preparations and strive to make this swearing-in ceremony show his demeanor and style. It's possible that Liu Shanhe's debut on the stage of the times will start like this!
