Although he is good at intelligence work, Pengcheng is no longer the home of the young marshal army, Song Yi, Jing Ju and other Xiong Xin cronies have frequent contacts with the Chu army in private, although Chen Ping and his young marshal army spies are also aware of it, but they have never been able to figure out the specific situation, especially without spying on Xiang Yu and Liu Laosan's reaction to Song Yi's wooing, so at the Chu State court meeting two days later, the resourceful Chen Ping was rarely caught off guard.

The cause of the incident is, of course, Xiong Xin once again brought up the issue of the reorganization of the Chu army, at the beginning Chen Ping still sneered in his heart, gloating and ready to appreciate the embarrassing appearance of Xiong Xin's decision being rejected by the generals of the Chu army, who expected that Xiang Yu, who had a higher status than Xiang Kang in the Xiang family, was the first to jump out, raised his hands in agreement with Xiong Xin's decision, and clearly expressed his willingness to temporarily hand over the military power, and then Liu Laosan, who would rather die in order to maintain his independence and not be incorporated into the young marshal army, also defected and praised loudly: "The king is wise, and your subordinates have been thinking about it for the past two days, I think that my Great Chu army should indeed seize the time to reorganize and unify the command, and then be able to resist the tyranny of Qin and rejuvenate the Chu State. ”

Xiang Bawang, the most influential in Xiang Liang's old department, and Liu Laosan, who was notoriously stubborn in the establishment of the issue, defected together, and both took the lead in supporting Xiong Xin's decision-making, and the generals of the Chu army, who had already hesitated and wavered under the persuasion of Jing Ju, had no backbone, even if they were still a little reluctant in their hearts, they could only nod their heads in agreement, and Xiang Bo, who was also done through the ideological work, in order to be able to grasp the military power after the reorganization, praised endlessly: "The king's decision is sage, after the reorganization of my Great Chu army, it will definitely be able to order and prohibit, and all ten thousand people are united, Overthrow the tyrannical Qin, rebuild the Great Chu, capture and kill Zhang Handpifu, and avenge my brother and thousands of Chu soldiers ...... revenge. ”

"Trouble, these idiots must have believed in Xiong Xin's bewitchment, and are ready to help Xiong Xin forcibly confiscate the right general's military power." Chen Ping complained bitterly in his heart, and at the same time secretly rejoiced, and said in his heart: "Fortunately, our right general is shameless enough, foresighted, and found an excuse that his condition has not healed, and deliberately did not rush back to Pengcheng, otherwise now we have no chance to remedy it and deal with it." ”

When Chen Ping muttered in his heart, Xiong Xin also said with a smile on his face: "Since all of you Aiqing feel that the army of Chu should seize the time to reorganize, then let's settle this matter." Come, please Aiqing temporarily hand over the seals, and after the Chu army is reorganized, the widows will personally return the seals to Aiqing. ”

The palace guards agreed, immediately brought a jade plate, and went to the Chu army generals to collect the seal ribbon that controlled the army, and then it was still Xiang Yu who took the lead, and was the first to hand over the seal of military power that he did not dare to leave at any time, and then Liu Laosan and others also followed suit, and handed over the seal of military power with different thoughts, and Feng Zhong, who was almost already the commander of the light pole, could not twist his thick thighs with thin arms, and also honestly handed over his seal.

Struck while the iron was hot, and successfully deceived back the military power of the remnants of the Chu army, Xiong Xin immediately smiled at Chen Ping and said: "Mr. Chen Ping, you have also seen the situation, the right general has been recuperating in Suiyang for many days, and he thinks that he is already in good health, and Mr. Fulao and the widow's envoys return to Suiyang as soon as possible, urging the right general to immediately lead the troops to withdraw back to Pengcheng, and cooperate with our main force of Great Chu to complete the reorganization of the army." ”

Without even blinking his eyelids, Chen Ping immediately replied: "Weichen respectfully obeys the king's orders, please rest assured that Weichen will clean up a little today, and he will return to Suiyang tomorrow, and go to ask General Right to lead the army back to Pengcheng immediately." ”

"That's hard sir."

Xiong Xin was overjoyed, and glanced at Song Yi next to him, Song Yi nodded slightly, Chen Ping noticed their small actions but did not reveal them, but sneered in his heart and said: "It's not for nothing, it seems that I can have a foreign fortune in the account." ”

In addition to rewarding Chen Ping with some gold and jade on behalf of Xiong Xin, he also promised Xiong Xin that as long as Chen Ping could help Xiong Xin's envoys persuade Xiang Kang to temporarily hand over the military power, so that the army under his command would accept the reorganization like the main force of the Chu army, Xiong Xin would make Chen Ping a worker, and let Chen Ping, who had a bad reputation in terms of money, master the construction of the project in Chu and make a lot of money from it.

Of course, Song Yi underestimated Chen Ping, Chen Ping is more greedy for money, but his professional ethics are better than anyone else, after respectfully thanking Song Yi for his gifts and promises, Chen Ping patted his chest and promised that he would try his best to persuade Xiang Kang to hand over the military power, but as soon as Song Yi left on the front foot, Chen Ping immediately went out on the back foot, and ran directly to Xiang Yu's residence in Pengcheng to ask for a meeting, asking Xiang Yu if he had a letter to Xiang Kang, and asked Xiang Yu to take the time to meet him.

Knowing that Chen Ping was Xiang Kang's confidant, Xiang Yu also gave face, personally came forward to meet Chen Ping, and wrote a letter on the spot for Chen Ping to take back to Suiyang to hand over to Xiang Kang, persuading Xiang Kang to return to Pengcheng with the army as soon as possible to reunite with the Xiang family. Chen Ping respectfully accepted the letter, and then said very directly: "Lu Gong, can you temporarily hold back your side?" There are a few heartfelt words below, and I want to state to Lu Gong alone. ”

"What do you mean, sir? Is there anything that can't be said directly? Xiang Yu asked vigilantly.

"Gong Lu, the stakes are very high, and I can only state it to you alone." Chen Ping said in a deep voice.

Seeing Chen Ping's serious expression, he hesitated again, Xiang Yu temporarily drove the guards in the room out of the room, and Chen Ping also said: "Lu Gong, I just want to remind you that other people's verbal promises, no matter how nice they sound, are empty, some things are temporarily put down, and it will be difficult to get them back." ”

After that, Chen Ping arched his hand and immediately offered to leave, Xiang Yu agreed in confusion and sent someone to send Chen Ping out of the gate. As a result, as soon as Chen Ping left, Old Man Fan, who had fallen in love with Xiang Yu at first sight, walked out of the back room, looked at the direction of Chen Ping's departure with a gloomy face, and said: "Little Shaft, I didn't expect to be so powerful, I was able to guess that we promised to temporarily hand over the military power with a little clue, and the real purpose was to weaken Xiang Kang's army." ”

"Father, what do you mean by that?" The more Xiang Yu listened, the more confused he became, and asked, "Also, what does the sentence that Chen Ping Pifu just said?" ”

Old man Fan sighed first, and then said: "Chen Ping's words just now are to remind you not to fall for Song Yi, credulously believe his promise, and you can't take it back after handing over the military power." ”

"He dares!" Xiang Yu was furious when he heard this, and said: "I took the initiative to hand over the military power, for the sake of the rejuvenation of the Chu State, he dared to speak but did not believe it, I killed him!" ”

Old man Fan was silent, and only said after a while: "Let's take one step at a time, fortunately, the current leader is your cousin Xiang Kang, and the king must rely on you in order to suppress him." ”

In this way, early the next morning, Chen Ping left Pengcheng with Xiongxin's envoys, and hurried to Suiyang to summon Xiang Kang to lead the army to withdraw to Pengcheng to join the main force. At the same time, Xiong Xin also handed over the mission of reorganizing the army to Ling Yin Songyi, and asked Song Yi to preside over various affairs of the reorganization of the army on his behalf, and then not to mention, Song Yi really fulfilled his promise to Liu Laosan, and reorganized the relatively complete Liu Laosan army a little, and soon returned the army to Liu Laosan's command, Liu Laosan happily took back the seal, Xiang Yu and other Chu army generals also felt at ease, and felt that since Liu Laosan could re-command the headquarters army, he must be the same.

However, with the rapid passage of time, Xiang Yu and other generals of the Chu army gradually began to find out that something was wrong, the reorganization of the army had already been completed, but Xiong Xin was reluctant to return the seal ribbon and assign troops to the generals of the Chu army. ”

After finishing speaking, Song Yi also reminded Xiang Yu with a smile: "Also, has Duke Lu forgotten that if you assign an army now, there are many soldiers and generals, how many army commanders can the king allocate to you?" Isn't it only when the right general's army comes back and reorganizes his army and our main force that the king can let you command more troops than before? ”

After thinking about it carefully, it was found that Xiang Yu, who was almost negative in political ability, was patient and continued to wait patiently with the generals of the Chu army. But it's strange to say, it stands to reason that even if it rains heavily, Chen Ping and the messenger of the edict can rush to Suiyang in five days at most, but a full ten days have passed, and there is still no movement on Suiyang's side, and there is no report of Xiang Kang leading the army eastward, nor does Xiang Kang send someone to send news to tell Xiong Xin his decision.

After waiting for another three days, he still didn't receive the news that Xiang Kang's troops were heading east from Suiyang, not to mention Xiang Yu and others, but Xiong Xin and Song Yi were a little breathless, and Xiang Bo, who was anxious to command the troops, was even more openly noisy at the court meeting, scolding: "What is Xiang Kang doing? Why did the king announce that he had returned to his teacher, but thirteen days had passed, and he had not yet set off from Suiyang? Does he want to rebel? ”

"Your Majesty, the right general ignored the king's order and delayed his troops, and this matter must be guarded against." Cao Ji also said loudly: "Your Majesty's opinion, in addition to sending envoys to urge, we must also immediately make preparations for prevention, and appoint generals to lead the army as soon as possible to prevent accidents!" ”

"That's right!" Xiang Bo, who was about to go crazy thinking about military power, shouted even more and said: "Please send the army immediately, arrange the commanders of the army, and prevent Xiang Kang from having different intentions!" In addition, the king should also take down all of Xiang Kang's wives and wives to warn Xiang Kang's rebels! ”

At this time, even Xiang Yu saw that something was wrong, and in the face of Xiang Kang's blatant resistance, Xiong Xin hesitated, and only said after a while: "Master don't worry, the right general has not withdrawn for a long time, maybe there is something else to hide, and the widow will send someone to urge." The right general has worked hard in the country, and he has always been loyal to the state of Chu, so we must not be suspicious of him. ”

After that, Xiong Xin really arranged a messenger on the spot, asking him to rush to Suiyang with an edict to urge Xiang Kang to return to the army as soon as possible, and selectively forgot Cao Ji and Xiang Bo's suggestion to dispatch the army as soon as possible. Seeing this scene, Xiang Yu, who was not even extremely stupid, was also suspicious, and just finished the court meeting, he couldn't wait to ask Old Man Fan on the way: "Father, my brother has always refused to withdraw his troops, why doesn't the king even dare to ask?" Don't let our army prepare to prevent Adi from having a different heart? ”

"The king doesn't dare to ask for the guilt, of course, because your brother has the power of the army, and he can't control it at all." Old man Fan replied truthfully, frowned again and said: "As for not preparing our army, I'm afraid this matter is the same as Chen Ping's suspicion of that little erector, the king wants his cronies and courtiers to control the army, and he doesn't want to return the military power to you." ”

Before Old Man Fan's words fell, Xiang Yu had already ordered the carriage to turn around directly, and wanted to rush back to Xiong Xin's temporary palace to find Xiong Xin to settle accounts, but fortunately Old Man Fan stopped him in time and said: "Don't worry, wait and see, you can't be impulsive at this time, don't forget, you have no military power, if you offend the king, the king gives an order, you will be imprisoned at the lightest, and if you don't do it well, your head will fall to the ground." ”

To the surprise of Xiong Xin, Song Yi and others, it was still to come, and two days later, news finally came from Suiyang, saying that Xiang Kang not only did not lead the army eastward, but instead sent an army north to attack Yuxian, which was still controlled by the Qin army! As a result, hearing the news, Xiang Bo was of course furious, and almost shouted at the court meeting like crazy, asking Xiong Xin to immediately let himself lead the army to fight against Xiang Kang's rebels who disobeyed the order!

Xiong Xin's lust and the true face of not wanting to let go of power were also exposed at this moment, facing the sound of shouting and killing in the court, Xiong Xin did not have the courage to fight with Xiang Kang, and was unwilling to return the military power to Xiang Liang's old department headed by Xiang Yu, but also found an excuse for Xiang Kang in a low voice, saying that Xiang Kang must have his own reasons for doing this, and then in addition to arranging for Liu Laosan to lead the troops to Xiao County to prevent accidents, he also sent envoys to Suiyang again to understand the reason why Xiang Kang sent troops to Yu County.

At this point, of course, the generals of the Chu army also saw that the situation was wrong, and they all suspected the reason for Xiong Xin's refusal to return the military power, and they all regretted that they had credulously believed the promises of Song Yi and Jing Ju, and took the initiative to hand over the military power seal and let the mermaids eat. At the same time, in the afternoon of the same day, the more careful old man Fan was surprised to find that outside his and Xiang Yu's residence, some unfamiliar faces appeared, secretly staring at himself and Xiang Yu.

Afraid that Xiang Yu would be impulsive and bad, Old Man Fan didn't dare to tell Xiang Yu about the situation, and chose to secretly inform Xiang Liang such as Cao Zhi and Huan Chu, who were loyal to the Xiang family, and Cao Zhi and Huan Chu, who were loyal to the Xiang family, were both very angry, and immediately agreed with Old Man Fan that they decided to join forces to attack Xiong Xin at the court meeting the next day, forcing Xiong Xin to immediately hand over the military power in his hands. At the same time, in order to prevent accidents, Old Man Fan, Cao Ji and others also secretly wrote a book and arranged a reliable messenger to send a letter to Xiang Kang for help immediately when Xiong Xin turned his face.

Old man Fan and the others failed to execute the reservation plan, because when the next day's court meeting was about to be held, outside Xiongxin's temporary palace, Xiang Kang's lackey Chen Ping suddenly appeared, Xiang Yu was happy and angry when he saw it, and immediately stepped forward to ask Chen Ping why Xiang Kang refused to withdraw to Pengcheng, but Chen Ping smiled easily, and said to Xiang Yu: "Lu Gong, don't worry, this is not the place to speak, everything will be seen above the court meeting." ”

After that, Chen Ping smiled again and asked Xiang Yu, "Lu Gong, how is it?" Have you put down something that you haven't gotten back yet? ”

"What do you mean by that?" Xiang Yu asked angrily.

Old man Fan grabbed Xiang Yu again and said to Chen Ping: "Sir, don't worry, if General Right has any ideas, the old man will definitely persuade Lu Gong to do his best to support him." ”

"Thank you, Gong Fan." Chen Ping thanked him, and the smile on his face became more and more calm and confident.

After another while, the bell finally rang to summon the hundred officials to enter the court, Chen Ping followed the hundred officials into the court, but as soon as he stood in the hall, Xiong Xin couldn't wait to click Chen Ping's name and asked: "Mr. Chen Ping, you and the widow's edict envoy returned to Suiyang together, and the right general was summoned to return to Pengcheng immediately, why did the right general not come back after more than half a month, but sent troops to Yu County?" ”

"King Qiyu, the right general did not return to the division immediately, not because the right general disobeyed the order, but because he had no hidden feelings, and he had to do it with his rights, and I hope that the king will forgive his sins." Chen Ping replied very respectfully.

"Bold!" Xiang Bo, who was about to go crazy, roared angrily: "The king announced the recall of the army, and Xiang Kang refused to carry it out, isn't it disobedience and disobedience?" ”

"Master, the general is outside, the king's order is not affected, and the right general really can't help it." Chen Ping replied more respectfully.

Afraid that Uncle Xiang would ruin his Huairou plan, Xiong Xin hurriedly asked: "Mr. Chen Ping, then tell me, why does General Right act expediently?" ”

"Returning to the king, this is the case." Chen Ping explained: "Previously, when our army escorted the body of the general from Wanqu to Suiyang, passing through Xue County, the violent Qin army in Xue County not only refused to surrender to the wind, but took advantage of the opportunity of our army's eagerness to go south to send troops to pursue, killing our soldiers for many days, and afterwards the violent Qin army in Xue County actively contacted Zhang Handip, in a vain attempt to lead Zhang Handip's main force south, seize Suiyang and force the hinterland of our Chu State, the right general He wanted to avenge our dead Chu State soldiers, and also for the scope of the main force of the violent Qin to go south, so he had to postpone the return date, At the same time, he sent troops north to attack Xuxian County and defend the territory of our Chu State. ”

Xiang Kang's excuse is, of course, how far-fetched and far-fetched it is, but there is no way, Xiang Kang took the army to hide in Suiyang and said that he would not come back, and Xiong Xin also had nothing to do with Xiang Kang, so Xiong Xin could only nod reluctantly with anger, and said with a smile: "So that's the case, General Right is really anxious about the country's urgency, and the widow understands." But Mr. Chen Ping, General You's army has been lonely for a long time, this is not a solution? When exactly does General Right plan to withdraw to Pengcheng? ”

"Don't worry, the king will be back soon." Chen Ping bowed his hand and said very sincerely: "General Right said that as long as he arranges the defense of Dangjun and guards the road for the violent Qin army to enter the hinterland of Chu State, he will immediately return to Pengcheng to ask you for your guilt in person." ”

"That's good." Xiong Xinqiang nodded with a smile, and asked again: "Mr. Chen Ping, what else did General Right say?" ”

"King Qiqi, General Right He also asked Weichen to bring three seals, and implore the king to adopt the permission." Chen Ping replied.

"Where's the seal?" Xiong Xin asked casually.

Chen Ping was not polite, and immediately picked up a seal written by Xiang Kang, and said loudly: "King, this is the first seal that the right general asked Weichen to bring, the right general is courageous, and implores the king to use people in an eclectic manner, canonize Xiang Yu, the prince of Chang'an, as the former general of the Chu State, and assist the king to lead the soldiers and horses of the Chu State, break the tyrannical Qin, and restore the Chu State." ”

"Title me a former general?" Xiang Yu's four pupils (real numbers) stared at each other, and said in surprise: "Brother plays me as a former general?" ”

"Mr. Chen Ping, General Right is too much, right?" Song Yi couldn't bear it, stood up and said coldly: "The official position of the Chu State has its own king in charge, and the right general, as a courtier, how can he dare to encroach and ask for the candidate of the former general for the king?" ”

"Lord Yin has said it." Chen Ping hurriedly arched his hand and said: "General Right, this is not trespassing, but an invitation, whether it is allowed, of course, you have to ask the king to decide, how dare General Right be arbitrary?" The right general just felt that Lu Gong had made outstanding achievements, bravely crowned the three armies, and should lead more soldiers and horses to serve the country, so he took the liberty to ask, which is also the right general to exercise the duties of a courtier, and to be virtuous and not avoid relatives. ”

To Xiong Xin and Song Yi's surprise, after hearing this, Xiang Yu's old friend Fan Lao Man actually jumped out and said to Xiong Xin: "King, although the right general's invitation is to be virtuous and not to avoid relatives, but Lu Gong, as a pillar of the army, cannot arrange his position at will, and please think twice." ”

"Did my father take the wrong medicine? Ah Di asked the king to give me a promotion, why did he jump out and oppose it? ”

Xiang Yu was dumbfounded again, and looked at Old Man Fan in great confusion, Xiong Xin and Song Yi were also a little puzzled, but after thinking about it, Xiong Xin and Song Yi suddenly realized, and said secretly: "It turns out that this is the case, Xiang Kang Xiaoer deliberately played Xiang Yu as a former general, because he wanted to set Xiang Yu's official position in advance, and also vacate the position of the general for Xiang Kang Xiao'er to sit!" Good opportunity, this is a rare opportunity to divide the children of the Xiang family! ”

After discovering Xiang Kang's sinister intentions, in order to separate the relationship between Xiang Kang and Xiang Yu, Xiong Xin did not hesitate, first asked people to present the seal brought by Chen Ping, and then pretended to look at it, and quickly nodded and said: "What General Right said is extremely true, Lu Gong has worked hard and made great achievements, and he should be reused as much as possible, and he is accurate." Xiang Aiqing, the widow will now crown you as the former general of the Chu State, above the right general. ”

Xiang Yu, who had a negative political value, was overjoyed when he heard this, and hurriedly saluted Xiong Xin to thank him, but Xiang Yu's sworn friends such as Old Man Fan, Cao Ji and Huan Chu were pale and black, and they all scolded in their hearts: "Xiang Kang Xiao'er, with sinister intentions, in order to become a general, he deliberately used such despicable means to deliberately set Lu Gong's official position first, and there is no way to compete with you for the position of general!" Since it is so unkind, don't blame us for being unjust, wait for us! ”

Appreciating the ugly faces of Old Man Fan, Cao Yi and others, Xiong Xin and Song Yi also secretly laughed in their hearts, and said secretly: "Xiang Kang Xiao'er, don't be too happy, what about the current general of Xiang Yu's puppet?" As long as we grit our teeth and don't let you become a general, you won't want to get your wish! When the time comes, you Xiang brothers will fight dogs and dogs in their dens, and we will control you better! ”

With a smug smile in his heart, Xiong Xin's smile on his face became more kind, and he asked Chen Ping again: "Mr. Chen Ping, didn't General Right let you bring three seals?" Now that the first seal has been approved, what are the contents of the other two seals? ”

Chen Ping calmly answered the content of Xiang Kang's second seal, and then before Chen Ping finished speaking, Old Man Fan and Cao Ji and other Xiang Yu's dead friends had suddenly realized, turning anger into joy, all admired Xiang Kang's scheming methods, and also admired Xiang Kang's good intentions in order to show favor to Xiang Yu, but Xiong Xin and Song Yi opened their mouths together, and invariably screamed in their hearts: "Fooled!" Xiang Kang Xiaoer, what a fucking treacherous! How could he come up with such a vicious idea! ”