Even if he saw the enemy's vicious intentions at a glance, he also knew that Li Shang would never be able to rebel easily, but because Li Shang's brother Li Shiqi was controlled by the Western Chu army, Xiang Kang was still secretly worried in his heart, for fear that Li Shang would be moved by family affection and do something foolish.

Not daring to be careless, Xiang Kang also used the excuse that there was a nomadic invasion in Longxi, so that the Han army in the area of Chencang entered a state of combat readiness, ready to raid and take the old road at any time, so that the main force of the Han army could quickly go south to Hanzhong and Bashu to quell the rebellion.

Fortunately, Li Shang finally made the right choice, truthfully explained what happened to Xiang Kang, and also showed in public that he would rather sacrifice his brother than betray Xiang Kang's loyalty.

However, the contest between Xiang Kang and Xiang Yu under the stage was only the beginning, and during Zhang Liang's southward journey, Zhao sent envoys to Xianyang to contact Xiang Kang, and in an ultimatum tone, asked Xiang Kang to give up his territorial claims to Shangdang County, and also sent troops to help Zhao's army flank the three-king alliance formed by Zhang Han, Sima Xin and Dong Peng, otherwise Zhao would sever its alliance with the Han army and form an alliance with Xiang Yu instead.

Xiang Kang knew very well that Zhao Guo was unreliable at all, and even knew that if Zhao Guo didn't want to use himself to keep Daijun, he would definitely not hesitate to cut off diplomatic relations with him, and instead threw himself into Xiang Yu's warm and broad arms. In order to retaliate with a tooth for a tooth and use Zhao to continue to contain the three kings of Guanzhong, Xiang Kang deliberately vaguely ordered Chen Hui to be his plenipotentiary representative and go to Julu to negotiate with Zhao Guo face-to-face, and secretly instructed Chen Hui to delay the negotiation time as much as possible, so that Zhao Guo could not decide whether to defend Daijun's attitude with all his might, and also let Zhao Guo bear the anger of Xiang Yu's persecution and coercion.

After Chen Hui sent out, it didn't take long for the Han army spies under Chen Ping to send another urgent report, saying that they had found that Xiang Yu had sent someone to secretly contact Ziying, instigating Ziying to lead the old Qin court ministers who refused to submit to the Han army to rebel and plot rebellion.

For Ziying such a Qin court legacy, of course Xiang Kang will never hesitate, in a fit of anger, Xiang Kang immediately sent someone to raid Ziying's mansion, in addition to finding Xiang Yuce's anti-Ziying letters, but also accidentally found several Qin court ministers do not know when to write to Ziying secret letters, encouraging Ziying to oppose the Han Dynasty and restore the country's letters, Xiang Kang heard the report more and more angry, and for the first time gave birth to the heart of killing, planning to kill Ziying directly once and for all.

Tang Bing, one of the four Hao of Shangshan, resolutely stopped Xiang Kang's impulse and persuaded: "King Han, Ziying deserves to die, but he killed Zhao Gao, the giant traitor of Qin State, and for the land of Guanzhong not to be destroyed by the war, he took the initiative to lead the tyrannical Qin hundred officials to surrender to you, which has made great contributions to Li Shu in Qin, and has won the hearts of the people. ”

"King, the hearts of the people can be used but not lost." Xia Huanggong Cui Guang also persuaded: "Ziying has had a fault, and he has merit, and he will lose the popularity of the people of Qin if he kills easily, instead of killing, it is better to make his crimes public, so that the old people of Qin know that he did not hesitate to let the lives of Guanzhong be miserable in order to restore him, and he is greatly disappointed, and then he will be exempted from the death penalty, strictly guarded, and show the magnanimity of King Han, so as to win the hearts of the people of Qin." In addition, you can kill chickens and monkeys, and kill all the tyrannical Qin ministers who secretly instigated the restoration and rebellion of Ziying, so as to set an example. ”

After thinking for a while, considering that he, an outsider, had slashed Ziying who had made great contributions to the people of Guanzhong, and would indeed attract the resentment of the people of Guanzhong who had been saved by Ziying, Xiang Kang decisively accepted Shangshan Sihao's persuasion, first made public the ironclad evidence that Ziying and the foreign enemy should cooperate with the outside, and then pardoned Ziying's capital crime in the name of Ziying's meritorious surrender, and instead confined Ziying's family forever, sent people to closely guard it, and did not allow Ziying to contact with the outside world again. In addition, the whole family of several former ministers of the Qin court who secretly colluded with Ziying were executed in public on the streets of Xianyang, and chickens were killed to show monkeys, so as to warn those old ministers of the Qin court who had illusions.

The matter was not over, the day after the streets of Xianyang were full of people, Zhang Liang finally sent someone to send an urgent report, telling Xiang Kang that he had successfully pacified Li Shang, but before Xiang Kang could be happy, Wang Ling, the general of the Han army who had joined the young marshal army in Nanyang, came to Xiang Kang again, and confessed to Xiang Kang with tears streaming down his face, saying that Xiang Yu had arrested all his family members in Pei County to Pengcheng, wrote a letter to threaten him to defect to Han and surrender to Chu, acted as an internal response to Xiang Yu, and presented a letter secretly handed over to him by Xiang Yu's envoy.

Xiang Kang really had no other way this time, he could only pick up Wang Ling in person with tears, crying and comforting Wang Ling with kind words, thanking Wang Ling for his loyalty to himself, and speaking emotionally, Xiang Kang also hugged Wang Ling and cried together, and finally like Li Shang, Xiang Kang could only continue to reward Wang Ling on the spot, and thank Wang Ling for his great sacrifice with a title fief.

Fortunately, Wang Ling is a very politically minded general, and resolutely declined Xiang Kang's kind reward, and said clearly: "King, your subordinates must not receive your reward, among our army, there are thousands of generals and soldiers whose families are still in Huaisi, if everyone is rewarded like your subordinates, not only will you not be able to bear it, but our army will inevitably soon be bad. ”

Hearing this, Xiang Kang was of course overjoyed in his heart, but he pretended to insist that he must reward Wang Ling, Wang Ling insisted on refusing, you push me to give way, Qili Ji Wu Shi, one of the four Hao of Shangshan, stood up to Xiang Kang and repaired the steps, and said loudly: "King Han, General Wang Ling refuses to reward him, and he is a national soldier!" If the King of Han respects General Wangling as a national soldier, he will be regarded as a national soldier of the whole Wangling General! Please be sure to take back your fate, so that outsiders will not laugh at General Wang's coy behavior behind his back, and exchange his family for glory and wealth! ”

Xiang Kang was stunned when he heard this, and then under the persuasion of Shangshan Sihao, he got down the donkey and withdrew the reward given to Wang Ling, which not only saved the title money, food and food, but also sold a favor to Wang Ling—this king did this to fulfill your good name. At the same time, Xiang Kang praised in his heart: "These four old guys really don't just look at good-looking political vases, they really have a little real talent and learning." ”

Xiang Kang and Wang Ling both did the right thing, after the news of his insistence on refusing Xiang Kang's kind reward spread quickly, many Han army civil and military relatives who were still in Huaisi really no longer had illusions, dreaming that they could get Xiang Kang's reward compensation immediately after being threatened by Xiang Yu with their families, and people's hearts were no longer floating.

Getting back to the point, after swearing that he would never forget Wang Ling's exploits and loyalty, Wang Ling had just said goodbye and left, when Xiang Kang kicked over the table in front of him, and roared angrily: "Shameless villain! Specifically threatened other people's wives and children, I was not so shameless! ”

"It's a real nuisance." Chen Ping also frowned and said: "Your lord, you raised troops in Huaisi, most of the backbone of the army are in the land of Huaisi, if the king of Western Chu still refuses to give up and insists on doing so, there will definitely be hidden dangers within us." After all, it is impossible for everyone to be as public and selfless as the two generals Li Shang and Wang Ling, and not to be blackmailed by the king of Western Chu. ”

"Is there a way to deal with it?" Xiang Kang asked casually.

Chen Ping shook his head and said helplessly: "No, unless we can recapture the land of Huaisi as soon as possible and rescue our soldiers' families, these hidden dangers will only exist forever." ”

Xiang Kang refused to give up, and after thinking about it, he said, "How about this?" Directly tell in the form of a proverb that if there are people who dare to kill the family members of our Han army, they will flee to the ends of the earth in the future, and we will definitely kill them! ”

"The king will only harm your soldiers' families if they do this." Cui Guang immediately issued a warning and said: "If the king does this, the king of Western Chu will definitely understand that you care about your soldiers' families very much, and will use your soldiers' families to make a fuss, and even deliberately force his soldiers to kill your soldiers' families, so that his soldiers have no way to retreat, and they can only resolutely fight against you!" ”

After listening to Cui Guang's analysis, Xiang Kang, who rarely came up with a bad idea, quickly closed his mouth, not daring to give Xiang Yu the opportunity to rectify himself in vain. Tang Bingze said: "King Han, the best way for your soldiers and families is to ignore them and deliberately ignore them, only in this way will the King of Western Chu feel that they are useless, forget their existence, and give the king a chance to rescue them in the future." ”

Xiang Kang nodded helplessly, and admitted that only this method is more reliable at present, and then continued, Xiang Kang, who had been disgusted during this time, was angry from his heart, and said viciously: "This period of time, we must not be so calculated, my brother has an axe, and uses a discord against me, if I don't return the color immediately, he will only think that I am afraid of him!" What is the situation of the messenger sent by Sima Wei now? ”

"At the king's orders, he was still locked up." Chen Ping replied: "However, the people below came to report that he had asked for his resignation and returned to Luoyang several times. ”

"Hurry up and discuss, how to use this puppet to make some trouble, and instead divide my brother and the people around him." Xiang Kang said even more fiercely: "My brother has arranged such a careful discord plan this time, it must be determined to win, and now that his plan has failed, we just need to seize the opportunity to release fake news immediately, so that my brother thinks that there is a traitor around him, and he preemptively told us the secret, causing him to fail." With his bear temper, he definitely has to kill people! ”

Chen Ping, who had the same smell as Xiang Kang, applauded when he heard this, and immediately said: "King, let's simply come to a big one this time, and directly attack a few of the most trusted henchmen of the King of Western Chu, and strive to directly cut off an important part of his wings." ”

"To whom?" Xiang Kang immediately asked rhetorically and said, "Cao Blame? Fan Zeng? Or Huan Chu and Ji Bu, the fierce generals under my brother's command? ”

(Xiang Bo wiped a cold sweat, "Amitabha, fortunately, Master Ben is not qualified enough.) ”）

Chen Ping pondered, and quickly said, "How is Fan Zuoshi?" His Majesty believes that with Fan Zuoshi's personality and temper, as well as his traditional means of acting, he categorically cannot arrange such a careful and ruthless divisive plan, and there must be someone else who offers advice to the king of Western Chu. ”

"In this case, why don't we try to release the news, just say that Fan Zuoshi is jealous of others who are more clever than him, and secretly send someone to tell us, so that we know early on that General Li Shang was wronged, so we were honest with General Li Shang, and cracked the discord of the king of Western Chu, the king of Western Chu must be furious when he heard it, even if he doesn't attack Fan Zuoshi, he will inevitably be alienated from him from now on, without Fan Zuoshi to give him advice militarily, we will definitely be much easier when we fight with the king of Western Chu in the future."

It was rare for Xiang Kang not to immediately accept Chen Ping's proposal, and after hesitating for a moment, Xiang Kang also said: "Not enough insurance, I know Fan Zuoshi's talent and ability, he just disdains the despicable tricks of roosters and dogs, but he may not be unable to arrange such a thorough plan, if this discord plan is really arranged by him, then we will have to work hard in vain." ”

Without God's perspective, Chen Ping didn't dare to completely rule out this possibility, so he could only frown and say, "Then who to attack?" Cao blame? Although he has mediocre intelligence and absolutely no such ability, judging from the information we have, he and Fan Zuoshi have always had a close relationship, and it is impossible for him to betray the king of Western Chu because he is jealous of Fan Zuoshi? Huan Chu, Ji Bu ....... ”

When Chen Ping was thinking about the object of revenge, Shang Shan Sihao, who was also in the palace, had already finished talking in a low voice, and then Tang Bing came forward and said with a smile: "King, can you let a few of our bad old men say a few words too?" Although the four of us are old, we still hope to serve you and repay your courtesy now. ”

"Dongyuan Gong, please speak freely, don't have scruples." Xiang Kang hurriedly smiled and said, "Xiao Wang didn't take the initiative to ask for your opinions, because he was worried that the four of you were highly respected and didn't like Xiao Wang to harm people with tricks. ”

"There is only high and low stratagem, and there is no distinction between high and low." Wu Shi smiled and said: "Our four bad old men believe in the study of Huang Lao, Huang Lao's learning not only never rejects strategy, the ancestor Guiguzi is still a generation of saints, and the disciples taught are all known for their strategies. ”

I didn't expect the famous Shangshan Sihao to be so enlightened, Xiang Kang was of course overjoyed, and hurriedly saluted and thanked Shangshan Sihao, respectfully asking for advice. Tang Bingye said at this time: "King, in the humble opinion of a few of us, in the face of such an opportunity, whether you and Chen Hujun are planning to separate Fan Zeng or Cao Qi, the cronies of the King of Western Chu, or the right-hand man of the King of Western Chu, Huan Chu or Chu Jun, they are all sacrificing their roots and losing big because of small things. ”

"Fan Zeng Fan Zuoshi is indeed outstandingly intelligent, and he is the right-hand man of the King of Western Chu." Mr. Lu Li Zhou Shu said: "But in the opinion of old age, his talent and intelligence are still far inferior to you and Chen Hujun, King Han, so there is no need to be afraid at all, there is no need to list him as your primary enemy of the king." As for Cao Qi, Huan Chu, and Ji Bu and the like, they are either mediocre in talent or reckless and brave, even if they are successfully removed, it is irrelevant, and it may even backfire and let the king of Western Chu appoint other sages. ”

"So now that you have this opportunity, the king, you must go straight to the heart and borrow the hands of the king of Western Chu to get rid of your real troubles for the king!" When Cui Guang said this, he had to be angry, his expression was mighty, and he had completely lost the detached appearance of a master in the world.

"What's on my mind?" Xiang Kang was extremely curious, and hurriedly asked: "Four gentlemen, in your opinion, who is my real trouble?" ”

"Does the king feel that the harm of Emperor Chuyi's bear heart to you is actually far above a few of the Western Chu King's civil and military henchmen?" Wu Shi smiled and said: "Although Emperor Chu Yi has no soldiers and no power, he is just a puppet in the hands of Western Chu, but as the co-lord of the world recommended by the princes outside the Guanwai, he can not only justifiably divide the kings, but also use the honor of the Son of Heaven to order the princes of the world to crusade against the ministers." ”

"With Emperor Chu Yi in hand, the king of Western Chu can use the honor of the Son of Heaven to canonize the king of your courtiers at any time, and divide the king of your command like the general of Lishang, and you can also make the king of Western Chu famous for your military division, and the princes and kings will obey the order." Zhou Shu said: "So Emperor Chu Yi does not get rid of it for a day, the king will still be the public enemy of the world for a day, whether the princes outside the Guanwai want to or not, they must at least be enemies of you in reputation, gather under the banner of Emperor Chu Yi and be hostile to the king, let the king raise your eyes and look around helplessly!" ”

Xiang Kang nodded slowly, and Tang Bing said again: "If you can take this opportunity to design the King of Western Chu to isolate himself from the world, then the situation in the world will become extremely favorable to you, the king." First of all, the first point is that without the banner of Emperor Chu Yi, the king of Western Chu would not have the orthodox name of commanding the world. The second is the throne canonized by the King of Western Chu, which is not as justifiable as that canonized by Emperor Yi of Chu. The third is that the king of Western Chu will use troops against you in the future, not only will the division be unknown, but the princes outside the gate can also find various excuses to refuse, and they will no longer have to be forced to be the enemy of the king. ”

"There are two more important points." Wu Shi said again: "First, if the king of Western Chu kills Emperor Chu Yi, the hearts of the princes of the world will be scattered, and the king can enjoy the vertical and horizontal battles, divide the princes of the world, and smash the daydream of the king of Western Chu to trap you in Guanzhong in one fell swoop." The second is that when the king has the strength to send troops outside the border in the future, it is the division that is famous and justified! ”

"Great King, the King of Western Chu is your cousin." Zhou Shu smiled and said: "Fighting a brother is a small offense, which will inevitably cause criticism, but it is natural to avenge Emperor Yi, and it is difficult for people in the world to support it." ”

Xiang Kang listened attentively, and after Shang Shan Sihao finished speaking, Xiang Kang sighed and said to Chen Ping: "Mr. Chen Ping, after listening to the words of Dongyuan Gong and Mr. Luli, have you noticed that the two of us are still too young, and our horizons are too small?" ”

"Your Majesty also feels the same way." Chen Ping nodded calmly and said, "Compared with the four seniors of Dongyuan Gong and Mr. Luli, the pattern of his subordinates is too small. ”

Xiang Kang didn't speak anymore, just thanked Shang Shan Sihao, and then said in his heart: "Sure enough, it's not a political vase, with the help of these four old foxes, I will definitely be much easier in the future." ”