Does Xiang Kang want to be the king of Guanzhong and monopolize the fertile soil of Guanzhong?

Saying that I don't want it must be false, for Xiang Kang himself, in order to reward the birth and death of the accomplice lackey, and to fulfill his promise to his beautiful sister-in-law, in fact, from the moment he successfully forced Ziying to surrender, Xiang Kang was already thinking about how to change history, try to make the overlord's cousin recognize his Guanzhong throne, and peacefully solve the problem of the ownership of the land in Guanzhong.

If you want to do this, it is undoubtedly the best way to tie Xiang Yu's hands and feet with your hands and feet, so Xiang Kang was mentally prepared to let Xiang Yu's army enter Guanzhong early on, and he had already made up his mind, and decided to take the initiative to hand over the land of Nanyang and most of the treasures of the Qin court's treasury, and honestly say all the good things in exchange for Xiang Yu admitting that he occupied Bashu in Guanzhong - the disparity in strength was too great, and Xiang Kang did not dare to dream that he could use force to block the anti-Qin coalition army outside the Hangu Pass and monopolize all the interests of the Qin State.

It's a pity that after forcing Ziying to lead the Qin court officials to surrender, because the roads were blocked, the large and small cities and local armies in Guanzhong had not yet surrendered immediately, and Xiang Kang didn't have time to send someone to get in touch with Xiang Yu and tell Xiang Yu that he was willing to settle the Guanzhong problem peacefully with him.

But fortunately, the county governance implemented by the Great Qin Empire helped Xiang Kang a lot to annex Guanzhong, there was no military aristocracy of the six countries to lead private soldiers to make trouble, and there was no fief lord to divide one side, self-contained system and confrontation with the central government, after Ziying's surrender edict was promulgated, local officials in Guanzhong still took the initiative to send a table of surrender, Yi Zhi changed the banner of Chu State, and swore to accept Xiang Kang's command and command, no city refused to surrender, and no army resisted by force, just a few days, The 800-mile Guanzhong Plain has basically become the world of the young marshal's army.

After entering Xianyang, the greedy and lustful Xiang Kang restrained his desire in his heart, and set an example, Leng has never lived in any palace city, nor has he bullied any woman, and at the same time strictly restrains the soldiers, strictly prohibits robbery and adultery, and kills innocents indiscriminately, so as to stabilize the people's hearts and buy the people, and abolish the harsh and complicated Qin law, and replace it with a concise and easy-to-understand three chapters of the law, so as to stabilize the post-war order.

Although Xiang Kang's political methods are mediocre, they also happen to the appetite of the military and people in Guanzhong, Qin annihilated the six countries, the Qin people have a deep grudge with the six countries outside the Guan, and now the Qin State is destroyed, no Qin people in Guanzhong are not afraid of the opportunity to retaliate by the army outside the Guanzhong, seeing Xiang Kang so hypocritical and pretentious treatment of the old people of the Qin State, the Qin people in Guanzhong are of course extremely grateful, in addition to willingly accepting the rule of the young marshal army, after the situation has stabilized a little, and there is no need for Xiang Kang or the young marshal army officials to give a hint, the people of Guanzhong have spontaneously organized, Nominated a well-known old man as a representative, brought pigs, sheep, wine and food to reward the young marshal, and ignored the repeated resignations of Xiang Kang and the young marshal's soldiers, and insisted on imploring Xiang Kang and the young marshal to accept it.

No matter how much he insisted, it was useless, Xiang Kang, who was anxious to win the hearts of the people, still refused to take advantage of such a small advantage, and continued to express his generosity, saying that there was a lot of grain in the warehouses in various parts of Guanzhong, and there was no shortage of food in the army, so there was no need for the fathers and villagers in Guanzhong to break the bank.

Seeing Xiang Kang so generous and loving the people, more than a dozen representatives of the people who were elected by the public were naturally overjoyed, and they took the initiative to say: "General Right, I heard that the king of your Chu State issued an edict, and the one who enters the pass first is the king, and now you are not only the first to lead the army into the Guanzhong, but also directly forced the Xianyang court to surrender, and please be sure to be the king in the future in Guanzhong, protect our Guanzhong Qianshou Li Shu, we, the old people of Qindi in Guanzhong, will definitely obey your decree and support you as the king for generations." ”

is not sure that he will be able to monopolize the fertile soil of Guanzhong, Xiang Kang actually doesn't really want to mention this topic, but now that the representatives of the people in Guanzhong have taken the initiative to mention this matter, Xiang Kang can't help but give them an explanation, and said: "Rest assured, elders, although I have never coveted the throne of Guanzhong, since the Lord of the Six Nations Alliance, King Chu, has issued a decree, and the father of Guanzhong, Sang Zi, also hopes that I can be the king, then I must not let you down, about the matter of the throne in Guanzhong, I will definitely give you a satisfactory explanation as soon as possible, You will not be disappointed. ”

Fearing from the bottom of his heart that the six countries outside the border would take the opportunity to retaliate, seeing that Xiang Kang, who was hypocritically benevolent and righteous, made such a promise, more than a dozen representatives of the people were very excited, and hurriedly saluted Xiang Kang and thanked him, Xiang Kang also hurriedly picked them up one by one, and constantly made all kinds of good promises, promising to treat the people of Guanzhong well in the future.

At this time, Chen Ping suddenly came to the side with an urgent letter with chicken feathers, and gave Xiang Kang a few looks with an anxious expression, Xiang Kang understood, and hurriedly handed over the matter of entertaining the people's representatives to Zhou Zeng, who was good at civil affairs, and found an excuse to leave temporarily, led Chen Ping to a secluded place in the distance, and asked in a low voice: "What's wrong?" In such a hurry? ”

"Ning Qin urgently reported that Liu Ji, a general under the command of the former general, broke through the Hangu Pass that had been surrendered by force." Chen Ping replied very directly, and while handing over the urgent report of the military situation he had just received to Xiang Kang, he said quickly: "After the city was broken, Liu Ji also slaughtered the sergeants of the pass, and only more than twenty defenders of Hangu Pass escaped back to Ningqin to report the police. ”

"How is that possible?!" Xiang Kang was taken aback, "How could Liu Ji come so quickly?" Still so ruthless? ”

Without being there in person, of course Chen Ping couldn't answer Xiang Kang's question, and Xiang Kang could only quickly open the military intelligence report sent by the Ning Qin defenders on fast horses, but it was still a pity that the Ning Qin defenders only reported the general process of the loss of Hangu Pass according to the news brought back by the defeated soldiers of Hangu Pass, saying that the Qin army in Hangu Pass changed to the banner of Chu at the last moment, but Liu Laosan did not give any excuse, forcibly attacked the city by force, and then brutally slaughtered. As for why Liu Laosan attacked the friendly army, the means were still so cruel, the main force of the anti-Qin coalition army arrived there, but the defeated troops at Hangu Pass knew nothing.

"Immediately arrange a messenger to go to Hanguguan to contact Liu Ji, and ask him face to face why he did this? Send more detailed work to the east of Hangu Pass, and let me find out the current situation of the main forces of the Six Nations as soon as possible. In addition, a ban order was issued, and what happened in Hangu Pass was not allowed to be announced to the public, and it was not allowed to be concealed from the people for as long as it was. ”

This is a contingency decision made by Xiang Kang, and it is also the only contingency decision that Xiang Kang can make at present, although Ning Qin's side reported in the military emergency report that Liu Laosan's strength is less than 10,000 people, and it is impossible to be the opponent of the young marshal's army, but the Qin court has surrendered to the current position for only ten days, and the military and people's hearts in Guanzhong have not had time to completely stabilize, and the young marshal's army has not yet gained a stable foothold, how can he dare to start a war lightly? Moreover, Xiang Kang also knew very well that if he took drastic measures against Liu Laosan, he would definitely only give the anti-Qin coalition army an excuse to take the opportunity to start a war against the young marshal's army, and Xiang Kang, who had only more than 30,000 troops, naturally did not dare to act rashly.

At the secret meeting held that night, several important civil and military forces of the young marshal's army also unanimously agreed with Xiang Kang's decision, but for the sake of prudence, Zhou Shu still suggested that Xiang Kang immediately lead the main force of the young marshal's army to move to Hongmen, beware of the anti-Qin coalition army directly sending troops to raid Xianyang, and at the same time go to various cities west of Linghangu Pass, and order the local Qin army to prepare to defend the city. Xiang Kang nodded and accepted, and the next day, under the pretext of trying to avoid the army disturbing the people, he moved to the Hongmen Heights on the shore of the water with the main force of the young marshal's army, so as to build a water defense line to resist the attack from outside the pass.

In addition, Xiang Kang adopted Zhou Zeng's suggestion and sent two messengers to Guanwai at the same time, contacting Xiang Yu and Xiong Xin respectively, informing them of the situation in Guanzhong and Hangu Pass, asking them to come forward to stop Liu Laosan from continuing to advance westward to avoid further expansion of the conflict, and at the same time to make clear the victim position of the young marshal's army.

It's still okay, although Liu Laosan unceremoniously pitted Xiang Kang, but in order not to completely provoke Xiang Kang, he led the main force of the young marshal's army to launch a counterattack immediately, Liu Laosan still personally came forward to meet with the messenger sent by Xiang Kang to contact him, and insisted that it was Wang Muli, the guard of Hangu Pass, who claimed that Xiang Kang had claimed the king in the pass, and blocked his army from entering the pass by force. cheekily put all the blame for the fire union on Wang Muli, the Qin army who had died in the battle in Hangu Pass. The envoy of the young marshal army was shocked, so he could only hurry back to Hongmen and report the situation to Xiang Kang in person.

Unable to know the truth, after listening to the envoy's report, Xiang Kang was of course surprised, and once suspected that the culprit of the matter was Wang Muli, the general of the Qin army, and said in surprise: "Could it be that Wang Muli, the guard general of Hangu Pass, deliberately provoked the conflict between us and the princes' coalition army, and wanted to borrow the hands of the princes' coalition army to avenge our revenge for destroying Qin?" ”

Considering that there were indeed some diehards in the Qin army, Zhou Zeng, Zhou Shu, Li Shiqi and others would inevitably have such suspicions, but Chen Ping was very calm, and after thinking for a moment, he said: "General Right, Wang Muli should have been wronged, and the soldiers who fled back from Hangu Pass reported very clearly that Liu Ji's army took advantage of the gate to open wide and took Hangu Pass by sneak attack. ”

"If Wang Muli deliberately provoked the conflict between us and our friendly forces, and used the hands of the army outside the border to avenge the tyrannical Qin court, he would definitely not be so negligent, let Liu Ji easily sneak attack, use Hangu Guan Jiancheng to block Liu Ji, further expand the fire and conflict, and make things completely out of control, so that the effect will be the best. But Wang Muli didn't do this, and he was so careless that he didn't even pay attention to closing the door, and let Liu Ji's army get close to the sneak attack, which is enough to show that Wang Muli was not deliberately sowing discord and luring Liu Ji to join him. ”

After thinking carefully for a while, and finding that Chen Ping's words were very reasonable, Xiang Kang only thought about it, and immediately his face changed, and said, "Could it be that Liu Ji lied and deliberately slandered Wang Muli to cause a fire?" In fact, he is sowing discord and wants to create an excuse to give my brother an excuse to start a war against me and enter the customs by force? ”

"General Right, the truth of the matter is really like this." Chen Ping said in a deep voice: "Liu Ji must be very clear, your elder brother's former general Xiang Yu absolutely does not want to see us monopolize Guanzhong, but he was bound by sibling affection and couldn't find an excuse to start a war, so he deliberately slandered Wang Muli for stirring up a fire and making your brother famous for seizing Guanzhong by force!" ”

Considering that Liu Laosan is as noble as himself, Xiang Kang certainly does not dare to rule out this possibility, especially now that Xiang Kang does not know where the main force of the princes' coalition army is and what situation it is in, Xiang Kang of course has to prevent his overlord cousin from pushing the boat down the river and using this as an excuse to start a war against himself. So after thinking carefully for a while, Xiang Kang couldn't help but say worriedly: "If this is the case, then we will be in big trouble, my brother's temper is already short-tempered, and after listening to Liu Ji's reversal of black and white, it is likely that he will not listen to any of our explanations and directly turn his face and start a war with us." ”

"Right General, if the mastermind behind this matter is a former general, it is not very likely." Li Shiqi said gloomily: "But for sure! ”

Xiang Kang didn't believe that his simple-minded overlord brother could be so insidious and vicious, but considering the incident at the beginning, Xiang Yu could deliberately not give himself the opportunity to capture Zhang Han for the position of a general, and the master Xiang Boxiang who hated himself deeply by Xiang Yu's side, Xiang Kang, who had no God's perspective, still didn't dare to rule out this possibility. So after thinking about it for a long time with a gloomy face, Xiang Kang could only ask: "If this is really the case, what should we do?" ”

Chen Ping, Zhou Zeng, Li Shiqi and the others racked their brains together, and after talking in a low voice, Chen Ping came forward and replied: "General Right, when things come to this point, we can only make preparations with both hands at the same time, the first is of course to hurry up and prepare for war and prepare to defend Guanzhong. The second is to push the boat down the river, put all the responsibility on Wang Muli, the commander of the Hangu Pass who has been killed, and use this as an excuse to contact and negotiate with the former general, sacrificing some land, city and treasure interests, and striving to make this matter a big and small matter. ”

"How do you push the boat down the river? How do you contact and negotiate? Xiang Kang asked quietly.

"We can find out the documents that Wang Muli had previously contacted with the Tyrannical Qin court, imitate his handwriting, and forge a letter he wrote to Ziying." Chen Ping said: "In the letter, I told Ziying in the tone of Wang Muli that he was unwilling to be destroyed by us, and was determined to take advantage of the opportunity of him to guard Hangu Pass, deliberately claiming that the right general you have already claimed the king in Guanzhong, and using your banner to prevent the armies of the six countries from entering the pass, so as to provoke internal strife among the armies of the six countries, and are also ready to sacrifice his life for this." Please prepare as soon as possible, and when you have the opportunity, you can quickly restore the Qin State, and take the violent Qin army in Guanzhong to the south of Bashu to rebuild the violent Qin court. ”

"Then we will give this letter to the former general, and it will be said that our guards who monitored Ziying caught the messenger sent back to Xianyang from Hangu Pass by Wang Muli and found it on the body of the messenger Wang Muli." Chen Ping continued: "In this way, we will not have to bear any responsibility for the Hangu Guanhuo, and we can also take the opportunity to bargain with the former general and sacrifice a part of the city land under our control in exchange for the former general not to pursue it and resolve the matter peacefully." ”

Xiang Kang quickly calculated, and quickly said: "Although the method is feasible, I'm afraid that my elder brother not only wants a little city land, but will be greedy for the entire Guanzhong." ”

"General Right, if the former general really wants the entire Guanzhong, I'm afraid we can only admit it." Chen Ping said very helplessly: "After all, now that we are fighting with the former general, we definitely have no chance of winning, the former general is now a famous division, if we can't satisfy his appetite, he can completely insist that the matter of Hangu Pass is wrong for us, and use this as an excuse to forcibly take down the entire Guanzhong." ”

Xiang Kang was even more helpless than Chen Ping, and after a long time, Xiang Kang said dejectedly: "I can only try my best, and I can keep as much city land as I can." ”

"General Right, let the old man go." Li Shiqi once again volunteered and said: "The old man just gives up this old life, and he will definitely persuade the former general to give up attacking Guanzhong by force, and try to keep some more city land for you." ”

Xiang Kang was also very aware of Li Shiqi's eloquence, so he immediately nodded in agreement, and decided to let Li Shiqi bring more rare treasures out of the customs to persuade Xiang Yu not to kill himself for the control of Guanzhong, and also let Li Shiqi secretly buy Xiang Yu's cronies and cronies, and strive to let the sycophants around Xiang Yu say more good things for him. Chen Ping also tried his best to help, and took the initiative to explain to Xiang Yu, who had secretly contacted him before, and arranged for people to help Li Shiqi attack these people and bribe them to help talk.

Before the matter was over, Xiang Kang suddenly remembered a very important question, and hurriedly sent someone to invite Zhang Liang to come over to meet him, and then said to Li Shiqi: "Mr. Li, it's not enough for you to go alone, you have to ask Mr. Zifang to go with you, and let him come out for you to deal with my third uncle Xiang, otherwise, my third uncle who stirred up will definitely do everything possible to ruin our big thing." ”

When he was in Pengcheng, he taught Uncle Xiang, and knew how difficult Master Xiang was, how unreasonable and how much he hated Xiang Kang, and of course Li Shiqi did not refuse Xiang Kang's arrangement. Then after a period of time, Zhang Liang, who had already released his suspicions with Xiang Kang, was invited to the account, Xiang Kang treated him politely, first told Zhang Liang carefully about the cause and effect of the matter, and did not even hide the preparation of forging Wang Muli's letter, begging Zhang Liang and Li Shiqi to go out of the customs together to help him resolve this crisis, responsible for persuading Xiang Bo not to get in the way, and promised to help South Korea recover as soon as possible after the matter is completed.

After listening carefully to Xiang Kang's plea, Zhang Liang quickly replied: "General Right, the foreign minister can go on a trip for you, but the foreign minister has said it first, and you may have to sacrifice the entire Guanzhong this time." Because your elder brother will definitely not be satisfied with just a part of the land of Guanzhong City, and will definitely take the opportunity to annex the entire Guanzhong and the throne of Guanzhong. ”

Xiang Kang smiled bitterly and replied categorically: "As long as you can prevent me and Brother Li from fratricidal confrontation and give Brother how much land in the city, Mr. Zifang and Mr. Li have the final say, as long as you can still give me some foothold!" ”

Zhang Liang nodded, and said in his heart quite worriedly: "I'm afraid that your brother doesn't want to leave you with a foothold at all, with a younger brother like you who can fight well and is good at buying people's hearts, that brother dares to rest assured that you will be in charge of an army alone and raise tigers?" ”

Of course, Xiang Kang also had such worries, so Xiang Kang was also mentally prepared early, planning to really turn his face against his overlord cousin when Xiang Yu's conditions were too harsh, and solve the problem of Guanzhong and the ownership of the Guanzhong throne by force.

The overlord's cousin is very strong, but to fight a war not only by force, but also by brains. The anti-Qin coalition is very powerful, but the composition of the anti-Qin coalition is very complicated, they only work together for the common interests of destroying Qin, and they are definitely not monolithic, if Xiang Kang is willing, he can come up with a hundred ways to sow discord at any time, so that the anti-Qin coalition army under Xiang Yu will be torn apart, and even turn against each other. At this point, Xiang Kang is also absolutely confident!