Chapter Nineteen: Bait (Two)

  She gazed at Liu Jian with a look of envy and admiration as he walked ahead.

  Liu Jian wore a black ru (a type of ancient Chinese garment) with the Qin army's standard design, over which he wore a suit of armor made from rhinoceros leather, his long hair tied up in a bun. From a distance, he looked no different from the legendary old Qin soldiers, holding a bronze shield and grasping a bronze axe handle.

  On his back was a Qin army standard iron sword, about four feet long.

  He walked with his chest out and belly in, exuding an aura of majesty and a hint of murderous intent.

  While the others, including Shi and his men, were not equipped with such gear, they were only given a slightly outdated black cuirass, holding either a spear or an arrow. Tang Lie and Cao Wushang, however, were also equipped with a 1.5-stone hard bow, and their quivers held twenty wolf-fanged arrows. Panting and gasping for breath, they marched on with the army.

  "What makes Ah Kan worthy of being paired with Jia?"

  He whispered in a low voice. To know, the soldiers who matched and did not match Jia will have vastly different fates. Having leather armor to protect oneself is always an extra guarantee. Although it's unlikely that they'll encounter any battles, having more guarantees is always a good thing.

  Cao Wu Shang sneered: "Wanting to be paired with Jia is easy, just fight a match with Ah Jian in the past, and if you win, you can definitely be paired with Jia."

  "I'd rather not have armor. Fight this guy? I'm not crazy... Among so many people, maybe only Tuzi can beat him."

  Shen Shi muttered something under his breath and shifted his gaze, but it landed on the only person riding a horse in the group.

  That man is called Zhao Tuo, a sharp soldier of the Iron Eagle. According to legend, he was only twenty years old, but had fought countless battles and killed many people. Just last year, Zhao Tuo was awarded the honor of wearing the Imperial Sword by King Zheng of Qin for his outstanding military achievements, and was very famous in the state of Qin.

  The so-called Huajia Yujian is actually the personal bodyguard of the King of Qin.

  Qin Shi Huang was suspicious by nature, especially after the failed assassination attempt by Jing Ke. He did not allow anyone to carry sharp objects and no one could approach him within 200 steps.

  The meaning of "protecting and driving the sword" is that one can wear a weapon and follow King Zheng of Qin.

  If it weren't for his loyalty and dedication, if it weren't for Qin Wang Zheng's extraordinary trust in him, how could he have received such an honor? Therefore, there were rumors that this Zhao Tuo would become the second Meng Tian. Unexpectedly, Qin Wang Zheng actually sent such a person to Pei County.

  Tang Lie said, "According to the Qin law, only those above the rank of Wuzhang can be equipped with armor. If you want Ah Qiang's equipment, then let's hope we encounter a battle on this journey. At that time, if you can kill an enemy armored soldier, you can be awarded military merit and promoted to Wuzhang."

  "Get out!"

  Shan ate his fill, but couldn't help blurting out, "Black-mouthed crow, don't say such unlucky things. What I hope most is that this journey will be smooth and safe, and we won't encounter any trouble. Best of all would be if the war in Pingyang had ended by the time we arrive, then we can go home...

  As for military merit titles or non-military merit titles, I haven't thought about it.

  Besides, wearing that suit of armor would add at least twenty pounds. On a hot day like today, I don't want to make myself uncomfortable."

  Liu Jian led the way in front, and the conversations between the people behind him were heard clearly.

  Couldn't help but burst out laughing. This guy is really something, sometimes he's a real treasure. But with someone like him around, there's indeed a lot more laughter.

  At this thought, Liu Jiao's eyes involuntarily slanted and swept a glance at Liu Bang who was advancing on the side.

  Liu Bang also wore a leather armor, with the same black collar and bun, dressed as a Qin soldier. As if he felt Liu Quan's gaze, Liu Bang suddenly turned his head and met Liu Quan's line of sight. He smiled slightly, nodded towards Liu Quan, then turned his head again, continuing on his way as if nothing had happened.

  What kind of person is this guy?!

  Liu Guang's thick eyebrows rose, and he withdrew his gaze. In these few days of marching, Liu Guang had gained a deeper understanding of Liu Bang. This person... was very generous and also had a heroic spirit. Moreover, he took great care of the people around him. From his initiative to take up arms for a low-ranking soldier, this person... at least knew how to win people's hearts. At the same time, he was very perceptive and quick-witted.

  However, Liu Jian couldn't see any qualities worth countless people following him.

  Those petty tricks might work on people like Xiahou Yuan and Fan Qiang, but how could they possibly follow someone like Xiao He or Zhang Liang?

  I don't understand, I really don't understand!

  Liu Kan thought of this and gently shook his head.

  Glancing afar, the road was so muddy. This time escorting grain and hay, not even able to bid farewell to Lady Kan before departure.

  I suppose Mrs. Kuang must also feel uneasy now.

  What about Lü Zhi, that clever girl? What is she doing at this moment? As of now, there is no intersection between Lü Zhi and Liu Bang. I wonder if it's because of my appearance that Lü Zhi and Liu Bang have taken two different paths... maybe.

  All the way, Liu Kan was distracted and had a lot on his mind.

  In the late afternoon, a gentle rain suddenly started falling from the sky. Moreover, after nightfall, the rain not only didn't stop but instead grew heavier. If it were an ordinary day, everyone would be delighted to have such a rain to relieve the sweltering heat. But now, people began to curse. The reason was very simple: this heavy rain, while lowering the temperature, also made the roads more difficult to navigate.

  The weather in May is changeable and unpredictable, with no regular pattern at all.

  When day broke, the rain grew heavier.

  It was as if the Tianhe River had burst its banks, with soybean-sized raindrops pounding down, and the entire front was shrouded in mist.

  The grain cart fell into road pits several times and needed dozens of people to work together to lift it out.

  If it rains like this for another day, the grain and grass will definitely not be delivered to Pingyang on time. According to Qin law, all those who deliver grain and grass will be punished. Liu Kan and others are anxious! But the more anxious they become, the more accidents happen, a grain cart falls into a pit.

  The wheel suddenly came off!

  The cart collapsed on the road. More than a dozen people shouted with effort, but couldn't budge the grain cart an inch. Liu Bang and Fan Kuai exchanged a glance, walked forward, pushed aside the guards, grabbed one of the cart's handles each, and without saying a word, forcibly pulled the cart out of the muddy pit.

  However, this pull made Liu Gan's face change color, and he couldn't help but take a look at the grain on the carriage.

  Something's off, this grain cart is so heavy, I'm afraid it exceeds a thousand catties in weight.

  A cart, at most, can only hold five hundred kilograms of grain... No wonder the axle would break, it's so heavy, I'm afraid it has already exceeded its limit. On the other side, Fan Kuai's face also changed a bit. He took a look at Liu Yan, then looked at the grain cart, seemingly deep in thought.

  "Hurry up and change into your roller skates!"

  That Warrant Officer named Ren Ao shouted loudly.

  Liu Gan took advantage of the moment when the wheelbarrow was lifted to take a peek at Zhao Tuo, who was not far away. It's strange, by rights, Zhao Tuo should be very anxious, why is he so calm? Looking at him, it's clear that he's not worried about the journey being delayed.

  No way, there must be something fishy going on here...

  The grain carts were soon put in order and the grain convoy continued on its way along the muddy road in the rain.

  Liu Bang suddenly approached at this time. Fan Kuai and Xiahou Ying, intentionally or unintentionally, stood behind Liu Jiao, separating the four of them, while also surrounding Liu Jiao. Liu Jiao was taken aback, looking at Liu Bang in surprise, "What do you want to do?"

  "Little brother, can you feel something is off?"

  Liu raised an eyebrow, "What does it mean?"

  "Tuzi just told me that what's loaded on the vehicle is probably not grain."

  Liu Quan was startled and turned his head to glance at Fan Qie. However, he saw that Fan Qie's face was expressionless, and when Liu Quan looked over, he simply nodded lightly.

  "What else could it be if not grain?"

  Liu Bang said, "In the past two days, the grain carts were definitely not so heavy. How can they change in weight just by encountering water? I suspect that what's loaded on the carts is probably mud or sand, which is why they become so heavy after meeting water. Young brother, it seems like there's a problem with this mission."

  Mud?

  Liu Kan suddenly felt a chill run down his spine and immediately came back to his senses.

  The carriage is not carrying grain or hay, so it seems that the destination of this mission will not be Pingyang either. Could it be...

  Liu Jian looked at Liu Bang and said in a low voice: "You mean..."

  Liu Bang nodded, "If I'm not mistaken, our mission this time is likely to be used as bait by the Qin people to catch fish."

  "Fishing?"

  Liu Jian gazed at Zhao Tuo on the distant horse and said, "Using an Iron Eagle Sharp Soldier as bait, this fish is probably not small."

  Liu Bang said, "As a result of being baited, eight or nine out of ten will be eaten by the fish. Little brother, we are now tied to the same line and should take care of each other and cooperate with each other."

  "How to cooperate?"

  "We..."

  Liu Bang glanced around and said, "If things don't look right, escape."

  Liu Qian sneered, "Escape? Where can I escape to? The world is so big, but it's all under the king's rule. I don't want to spend my whole life hiding and not daring to show my face. Besides, even if I could escape, what about my mother? Can I just watch her suffer for me at her old age?"

  "This..."

  "Don't forget, in Qin law, there is a provision for collective punishment."

  Liu Bang looked a bit embarrassed, smiled and said: "Little brother is still a filial son, great! Then I won't hide it from you, I think the fish that Qin people want to catch this time is probably that Chu country madman Wang Ling. You don't know, Wang Ling's army is strong and powerful, not easy to deal with."

  Liu Jian clenched the copper spear in his hand, "Even if that fish is ferocious, it's not certain that it won't be choked to death by the bait. As the saying goes, 'when the enemy comes, we'll fight back; when the flood comes, we'll block it with earth.' A great man should live as a hero and die as a brave ghost. I will not bring suffering to my family because of personal reasons. If there really is danger, I'll fight to the death, and who knows, maybe I can still gain an opportunity to survive. To be afraid before the battle has even begun doesn't make one a good man, I've decided to stay and fight."

  When alive, be a hero among men; when dead, be a champion ghost!

  Liu Bang's eyes lit up, and he immediately glanced at Fan Kuai and Ren Ao behind him.

  Only Fan Zeng's face was stern, but he nodded vigorously. A hint of appreciation flashed in his eyes, staring intently at Liu Yan.

  Liu Bang gritted his teeth and said, "Since it's come to this, let's go all out!"

  ————

  For everyone's convenience, Xiaoxin created a Chu-Han Heroes Spectrum. For characters that appear in the book and are historically real, Xiaoxin will provide a special introduction for reference.