The distance was not very far, and it was just noon on the second day, Xiang Kang led the main force of the Han army in the middle to escort the grain and grass to the battlefield of Surabaya Pavilion, and at the same time arrived at Surabaya Pavilion, as well as the 40,000 Sanchuan Han army led by Qi Gill and Bao Kua and other generals.

As a result, the number of troops of the Han army broke through the 300,000 mark in one fell swoop, and with the more than 10,000 Yingchuan troops that were about to arrive, the total strength of the Han army reached an astonishing 320,000, which was more than three times the main force of the Western Chu army! - This is also related to Master Xiang Boxiang, thanks to him, the main force of the 120,000 Western Chu army when it retreated from Huling is now only about 100,000, and the disadvantage in terms of troops has become more obvious.

After ordering his army to set up a camp at the site left by Uncle Zhou, Xiang Kang immediately led a team of cavalry to the camp of the Western Chu Army, and investigated the camp of the Western Chu Army on the spot to determine whether it could be stormed and taken. As a result, after arriving at the scene and seeing it with his own eyes, what made Xiang Kang quite happy was that because there was no decent highland in the area of Surabaya Pavilion, the Western Chu army could only choose to camp next to Surabaya and set up the camp on a flat terrain, and the geographical advantage of the camp was very small. In addition, because the Western Chu army only decided to build a camp in Surabaya Pavilion yesterday afternoon, even if it was rushed to build it overnight, the camp had not yet had time to be built and perfected, the wall was only more than one zhang high, and the trench to protect the camp had only had time to dig out, and the camp defense was obviously not strong enough.

After seeing these situations at a cursory glance, Xiang Kang immediately turned back to Uncle Zhou and asked, "General Zhou, with such a good opportunity, you can't have started preparing for attacking weapons, right?" ”

"Don't worry, the king just arrived at the Surabaya Pavilion yesterday evening, and his subordinates had already divided 10,000 troops to build flying ladders and trench bridge vehicles and other offensive weapons overnight." Uncle Zhou immediately replied, and said: "However, there are no suitable trees around, so your subordinates cannot make the new trebuchet that you personally pioneered, so you can only ask the craftsmen to make some old-fashioned trebuchets for backup." ”

"It's too time-consuming to build a new trebuchet, and it's not easy to collect the right stone bullets, so we have to wait until later." Xiang Kang pondered and said: "The most important thing now is that if we only rely on the offensive weapons such as trench bridge vehicles and flying ladders, will we be sure to take the camp of the Western Chu Thief Army, which has not yet had time to be built?" ”

"Your Majesty, your subordinates can't say for sure about this." Uncle Zhou said: "Your Majesty has carefully learned from Feng Zhong and Lu Kuang about the situation of the main force of the Western Chu Thief Army last night, and found that the combat effectiveness of the main force of the Western Chu Thief Army is much stronger than the estimate of His Majesty. Therefore, His Majesty is worried that even if the camp of the Western Chu thieves is not completed, I am afraid that it will be difficult for us to break through their camp and completely defeat them. ”

"It's not surprising at all." Xiang Kang said: "The Western Chu thief army in front of us is the core backbone army of my brother and the overlord of Western Chu, it is well equipped and has strong combat effectiveness, strict military discipline, and its cohesion is also ranked first in the Western Chu thief army. ”

After calmly admitting that the main force of the Western Chu army was indeed strong in combat, Xiang Kang thought about it again and said: "It depends on my brother's injury, if he is really seriously injured, we will definitely have hope even if we force the attack, but if he is only slightly injured and can continue to fight, then even if the camp of the Western Chu thief army is not successful, it will be difficult for us to take his camp, on the contrary, we will definitely have to suffer heavy losses in the battle." ”

"Your Majesty wants to report an important situation on this point." Uncle Zhou hurriedly said: "This morning, our scouts saw the king of Western Chu patrolling the camp on horseback, urging the soldiers to rush to build the camp, and his actions were no different from normal people. Although it is possible that this point was pretended by the king of Western Chu, it is also possible that his injuries are really slight, which cannot affect him to continue to lead the army. ”

Xiang Kang nodded, without God's perspective, he was not sure whether Xiang Yu was really seriously injured and whether it would affect him to lead the troops into battle. Zhang Liang next to him asked questions and said, "King, if the King of Western Chu is not seriously injured, why would he choose to set up camp in the Surabaya Pavilion?" He asked the Western Chu army to stop retreating, and he was still rushing to build a camp on the side of Surabaya Pavilion, could it be evidence that he had been seriously injured? ”

"Although this is suspicious, it must not be because of this that my brother has been seriously injured." Xiang Kang shook his head and said: "My brother's temper is there, he doesn't want to retreat to Pengcheng in a gloomy way, and chooses to fight a decisive battle on the spot on the way to retreat, he will definitely do such an impulsive thing." ”

"His Majesty also suspects that the King of Western Chu did this on purpose." Uncle Zhou said: "The terrain in this area of Surabaya Pavilion is long and narrow from north to south, which is not conducive to the deployment of our troops, and can offset our troop advantage to the greatest extent. In addition, in the decisive battle here, the Western Chu thief army can also transport food supplies by water, and can hold on for a long time, and there is even hope that we will retreat after exhausting our food. Assuming that I am in the position of the king of Western Chu, I may also choose to fight here. ”

Zhang Liang, who was not good at tactics, had no choice but to shut up, and Xiang Kang carefully observed the camp of the Western Chu army for a period of time before saying: "The enemy situation is unknown, and this is not the place to talk, let's go back first." Then carefully discuss whether to launch a strong attack as soon as possible. ”

Everyone agreed, and hurriedly rode back to the camp with Xiang Kang, Xiang Kang carefully calculated on the way back to the camp, repeatedly analyzed whether Xiang Yu was really seriously injured, and once planned to send someone to take the risk to contact Cao Wuxian, and understand Xiang Yu's current situation through Cao Wuxian, but considering that it must be difficult to know the details with Cao Wuxian's identity, Liu Laosan is both treacherous and strict-mouthed, once he sees the flaw, he will definitely use Cao Wuxian to set himself up, but Xiang Kang dispelled this idea again, and said secretly: "Forget it, With Cao Wuxian's shrewdness, as long as he can know the truth, he will definitely take the initiative to send me information, and there is no need to risk contacting him and exposing the eyeliner that I finally planted next to Liu Laosan. ”

Because the Han army in the middle of the road was still camping, after returning to the camp, Xiang Kang could only temporarily borrow Uncle Zhou's Chinese army tent to hold a meeting to discuss whether to take advantage of the opportunity of the Western Chu army's camp to launch an attack, but unfortunately the Han army's civil and military opinions were seriously different, some people thought that they should attack immediately, not to give the Western Chu army a chance to build a strong camp, and the other part of the people thought that the Han army was tired from afar, and the physical strength of the soldiers was generally greatly affected, I felt that I should first set up camp and rest for a while, and then consider a decisive battle with the Western Chu army. In addition, even Uncle Zhou was hesitant and did not dare to make a conclusion, so Xiang Kang couldn't make up his mind for a long time.

Just as he was hesitating, the guards outside the tent suddenly came to report, saying that there was a person who claimed to be Xiang Kang's cousin Xiang Zhuang, and came from the Western Chu army camp to the Han army camp to ask for a meeting, asking for Xiang Kang's personal summons. Xiang Kang was taken aback when he heard this, and blurted out: "Quick, invite him in immediately, and try to be polite to him." ”

When the guards rushed out to give the order, Zhou Shu, the old man of Shangshan who happened to be present, also stood up immediately, and quickly told Xiang Kang about the last meeting between him and Xiang Zhuang, and suggested that Xiang Kang use his own methods to persuade Xiang Zhuang to solve the problem of sibling affection that has been plaguing Xiang Kang for a long time, Xiang Kang nodded and thanked Zhou Shu: "Thank you, Mr. Luli, this matter has bothered you." ”

After another moment, Xiang Zhuang, who had saved Xiang Kang's life under the sword of the Maling Mountain bandits, was invited to Xiang Kang by the guards, but after the brothers reunited after a few years, Xiang Kang and Xiang Zhuang, who had a very close relationship, were silent for a long time, and they only met their eyes once, and they each twisted their heads away, and neither of them had the face to stare at each other.

also said that Xiang Kang was inconvenient to speak because of the presence of outsiders, Zhang Liang was the first to stand up and take the initiative to leave, but Xiang Kang shook his head and said: "Mr. Zifang, there is no need for this, my brother and I will not delay for a long time, you sit down, we have something to discuss later." ”

Zhang Liang reluctantly agreed, and hurriedly sat down again, and Xiang Kang also said to Xiang Zhuang: "Brother, Xiang It's okay, he was brought here by General Zhou, if you want, you can take him away in a while." ”

"Thank you." Xiang Zhuang's voice was obviously a little hoarse, and then he said: "It was the two uncles who asked me to come, they are on their way here from Pengcheng, I hope you don't rush to fight with Brother Xiang Yu first, and when they arrive, I will meet you, and then you will decide whether to fight with Brother Xiang Yu again." ”

After saying in a somewhat hoarse voice, Xiang Zhuang hurriedly added against his will, and said: "Brother Xiang Yu didn't want to agree, but Uncle Ji also persuaded Brother not to agree, but I led the other brothers to beg him together, so he reluctantly nodded and asked me to come here." ”

Hearing Xiang Zhuang's words, the Han army next to him was of course secretly looking at each other, all of them were suspicious of Xiang Zhuang's words, and they were extremely curious about what kind of reaction Xiang Kang would make. Xiang Kang was playing with the brush on the table in front of him, and after a while, he suddenly said, "Brother, Brother Xiang Yu forced you to come, right?" ”

"What do you mean by that?" Xiang Zhuang's heart sank.

"His delaying tactics can't fool me." Xiang Kang was shocked and said: "Actually, just now, the eyeliner I planted next to Liu Ji has already sent me a message, saying that my brother forced you to lie to me for him, and wanted me not to rush to attack for the time being, the second uncle and the third uncle have been in Pengcheng at all." ”

Familiar with Xiang Kang's temperament, the Han army and civil and military forces present were of course silent when they heard this, pretending as if they had really reported to Xiang Kang in advance, but Xiang Zhuang's eyes widened in surprise, Xiang Kang observed his words, and his heart suddenly had a bottom, and said: "Brother, don't worry, I won't blame you, I know better than anyone who you are, if it wasn't for Brother forcing you, you wouldn't have done such a thing, and you wouldn't have been able to do such a thing." ”

also said that Xiang Kang had really known the inside story in advance, and Xiang Zhuang no longer wasted saliva trying to impress Xiang Kang with family affection, but asked directly: "Then what do you want to do?" ”

"Take a word back to Brother Xiang Yu, that is, as long as he surrenders, I will never kill him, and I will ensure that he is rich and prosperous for life." Xiang Kang replied to the question, and said: "Also, tell our other brothers and tell them to be careful to save their lives on the battlefield, I don't want to see our brothers die innocently anymore." ”

Xiang Zhuang nodded and said, "Don't worry, I will definitely bring your words." If you're really talking, please let me see Xiang it, and if he's willing to come with me, I'd like to take him back. ”

"I will break my word to anyone, and I will not break my word to you, brother." Xiang Kang replied immediately, and then ordered casually: "Come, bring Xiang He to the gate of our camp, let him meet with my brother, if he doesn't want to stay, let him go back with my brother." ”

"Thanks, farewell, take care."

Xiang Zhuang arched his hand to Xiang Kang, then turned around and walked out, Xiang Kang hesitated for a moment, but still said: "Brother, wait a minute, have you checked the matter of Hangu Pass?" Who caused our Xiang brothers to kill each other, do you know? ”

Xiang Zhuang's expression obviously hesitated, but he didn't answer Xiang Kang's question, just left directly with heavy steps, and didn't look back at Xiang Kang, Xiang Kang didn't stop him, and then after Xiang Zhuang walked away, Xiang Kang let out a long sigh and said: "It seems that he really hasn't found out yet, otherwise, with the upright temper of my brother, I must have fallen out with my brother of the king of Western Chu." ”

"King, how did you see that General Xiang Zhuang was here to deceive you?" Li Shiqi asked curiously: "Aren't you afraid that what he said is the truth and hurts the hearts of your two uncles?" ”

"Even if it's true, I'd have to say he's lying to me." Xiang Kang spoke again in surprise, and said with a sad expression: "Otherwise, once I am bound by family affection and accept the persuasion of my two uncles and mothers, all the soldiers we have sacrificed over the years will die in vain, and the people in the world will continue to suffer from the disaster of war and war because of the mercy of my men." Therefore, for the sake of the common people in the world and for the sake of our soldiers, even if the two uncles are really on the way north, I can only be an unfilial son. ”

"It's fine." Chen Ping smiled and said: "Looking at General Xiang Zhuang's expression, the king, you should be wrong this time, he should indeed be the king of Western Chu who forced him to lie to you." ”

"General Xiang Zhuang also did us a great favor this time." Uncle Zhou also said: "No matter what the king of Western Chu is for forcing him to use the delaying tactic, it can be proved that the king of Western Chu now very much hopes that we will not attack for the time being, so the king, your subordinates think that there is no need to hesitate, let our soldiers work hard, and launch an attack on the camp of the Western Chu thief army tomorrow, so as not to give the Western Chu thief army a chance to calmly build a strong camp." ”

Xiang Kang nodded solemnly and said, "Let's discuss it quickly, how will we fight tomorrow's battle?" ”

…………

At this moment, of course, Xiang Zhuang didn't know that Xiang Yu's delaying tactics had had the opposite effect, and returned to the front and back of the Han army's camp, Xiang Zhuang also quickly saw Xiang It, who was injured and captured in the siege of Wuyi, and Xiang Zhuang asked Xiang it if he was willing to go back with him, Xiang Zhuang actually looked quite hesitant, Xiang Zhuang saw his thoughts, and took the initiative to say: "If you don't want to go back, you can stay, I won't tell Brother and other brothers about this, just if you haven't met me." ”

"Brother, it's not that I don't want to go back." Xiang Qi hurriedly said: "It's been the past few days, Mr. Li Shiqi has told me carefully about Hangu Pass, Uncle Xiang Kangji was indeed framed by Liu Ji's husband, and Uncle Xiang Yu is likely to know the truth, but he didn't want Uncle Xiang Kangji to be king in Guanzhong at that time, so he deliberately helped Liu Ji to wronged Uncle Ji." ”

"Then you stay." Xiang Zhuang said decisively: "Since you have believed the words of the Han thief, then don't go back, let the king know about this, no matter whether the matter of Hangu Pass is true or not, he will not spare you." ”

After that, Xiang Zhuang turned around and left, and Xiang It, who changed his name to Liu after Xiang Yu's death, hesitated again and again, and wanted to catch up with Xiang Zhuang several times, but finally gritted his teeth and stopped, and hung his head weakly......

Or come to see the situation on Xiang Zhuang's side, and after returning to the camp of the Western Chu Army that is still under construction, Xiang Zhuang of course came to the Chinese army's tent to meet Xiang Yu as soon as possible, and reported the envoy situation to Xiang Yu, needless to say, after learning that Xiang Kang claimed that he had an insider who had seen through his own delaying plan, Xiang Yu of course was pale, roared like thunder, and immediately sent Liu Laosan to ask questions and settle accounts.

The sun also came out from the west, and Master Xiang Boxiang, who received Liu Laosan's countless benefits, did not follow Xiang Yu's intentions for the first time, but tried his best to excuse Liu Laosan, and very cleverly pointed out that Xiang Kang was just framing him by doing this, even if someone really told Xiang Kang, it was absolutely impossible to be Liu Laosan's subordinates - the reason is also very simple, with Xiang Kang's treachery, how could he take the initiative to tell Xiang Zhuang who the inside line was?

Things continued to be unusual, listening to Xiang Boxiang's words to excuse Liu Laosan, Xiang Zhuang suddenly moved in his heart, and said unprecedentedly: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty thinks that it is best to investigate this matter carefully, for two reasons, one is that when Xiang Kang's traitor said that Pei Gong's subordinates were informing, several of his henchmen hurriedly coughed and reminded, it was obvious that Xiang Kang's traitor accidentally said that he missed his mouth. The second is that you decided to use a delaying tactic against Xiang Kang's traitors, in addition to you and me in our army, only Uncle Ji and Pei Gong know the inside story, Uncle Ji's people must be reliable, and Pei Gong's people must be difficult to say, so His Majesty thinks that we should carefully investigate this matter and strive to find out the eyeliner that Xiang Kang's traitor planted next to Pei Gong, so as not to continue to be betrayed by the traitor. ”

Xiang Yu, who was suspicious by nature, nodded when he heard this, and immediately agreed to carefully investigate Liu Laosan's cronies, and Xiang Zhuang volunteered again: "Brother, our Uncle Ji, who is responsible for monitoring the army, is busy with affairs, or leave this matter to me, let the younger brother and I investigate this matter, and the younger brother promises that he will find out the traitor who was planted by the Han thief next to Pei Gong as soon as possible!" ”

Of course, Xiang Yu trusted his clan brother Xiang Zhuang, he didn't even blink his eyelids, and immediately shouted: "Okay, this matter will be handed over to you!" Take the king's sword to investigate carefully, Liu Jipifu's subordinates can check whoever you want, whoever dares to play tricks and deliberately cover up, including Liu Jipifu, you can cut it first and then play! ”

When Xiang Zhuang heard this, he was overjoyed, and hurriedly sang a promise to Xiang Yu, and then said with a cruel smile in his heart: "Pifu, if I can't find out the truth about Hanguguan this time, I, Xiang Zhuang, will have no face to live in this world again!" ”