Liu Bang's army is 100,000, and Xiang Yu's army is 400,000, whether it is the comparison of troops or the quality of generals, the gap between the two sides is obvious. Liu Bang Group has come to the brink of life and death.

At this critical moment, someone betrayed Liu Bang. This person is Zuo Sima Cao without injury. It is calculated that Cao Wuxian is Liu Bang's old subordinate, and he followed Liu Bang as early as the beginning of the uprising when he attacked Sichuan County, and made a lot of contributions. Now seeing that Xiang Yu is powerful and Liu Bang's prospects are uncertain, he wants to take refuge in Xiang Yu.

Cao Wuxian sent someone to tell Xiang Yu: "Pei Gong plans to be the king of Guanzhong, appoint Ziying as the prime minister, and take all the treasures of the Qin Palace for himself. ”

Xiang Yu was furious, and he couldn't wait to find Liu Bang immediately and question him face to face.

Fan Zeng, the father, sat on the side, brushed his beard and said: "Liu Bang used to be greedy for money and lustful, and when he entered the Guanzhong, he had nothing to take from his property and nothing to do with women, which shows that his ambition is not small. I ordered the warlock to measure his qi, and there were clouds and qi in the shape of a dragon and a tiger, and the color was colorful, which was the qi of the Son of Heaven. Take advantage of this opportunity to destroy him! ”

Fan Zeng observed and compared Liu Bang's performance before and after entering the customs, and he was keenly aware of Liu Bang's terribleness. He was worried that Xiang Yu would not be able to do it, so he deliberately said that he had asked the warlock to strengthen Xiang Yu's determination to get rid of Liu Bang.

Fan Zeng's words inspired Xiang Yu's fighting spirit, he took a deep breath, and ordered loudly: "Pass the order, the whole army will rest, and attack Liu Bang tomorrow!" ”

This night, many people did not sleep well.

Xiang Yu's little uncle Xiang Bo and Zhang Liang are friends. After receiving Xiang Yu's attack order, Xiang Bo was worried about Zhang Liang's safety, so he rode on a horse to find Zhang Liang overnight and persuaded Zhang Liang to go with him.

Zhang Liang refused, "I'm helping Pei Gong for King Han." Now Pei Gong is in trouble, I can't escape, this is unrighteousness! ”

Zhang Liang immediately reported to Liu Bang. Liu Bang was taken aback: "Things have come to this point, what should I do?" ”

Zhang Liang came up with an idea and said: "There is only one way now, use Xiang Bo to pass the word and confess to Xiang Yu, Pei Gong does not dare to betray General Xiang." ”

Liu Bang asked the doubts in his heart at this time: "How did you have a relationship with Uncle Xiang?" ”

Zhang Liang confessed: "When he was young, Xiang Bo broke the law and killed people, but I saved him, and he has always been grateful to me. ”

Liu Bang put his mind at ease, warmly invited Uncle Xiang to meet, entertained Uncle Xiang with the courtesy of his brother, and made an appointment with Uncle Xiang to his children's family.

At the end, Liu Bang complained: "After I entered the customs, Qiu did not dare to commit it, sealed the treasury, and waited for General Xiang." The reason for the closure of Hangu Pass was the fear of thieves coming and going. How dare I forget Xiang's kindness! ”

"I'll go back and intercede for you." Xiang Bo promised: "You come early tomorrow to explain to the general." ”

Xiang Bo rushed back overnight and found Xiang Yu to say good things for Liu Bang: "Pei Gong attacked Guanzhong and made a great contribution. We are going to attack him, and it is unreasonable. It's better to treat him well. ”

Xiang Yu agreed.

Early the next morning, Liu Bang only took more than 100 followers to ride to Hongmen, the garrison of Xiang Yu's army. The two sides had an in-depth exchange of views on issues of common concern. Liu Bang fondly recalled the years of fighting side by side with Xiang Yu, saying that there were villains who sowed discord, and he resolutely supported Xiang Yu's de facto leadership position.

Liu Bang's humility, Xiang Yu was very satisfied, and he shirked and said: "It was your Zuo Sima Cao Wuxian who said it." Otherwise, I wouldn't have done it. ”

The talks ended in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

Xiang Yu invited Liu Bang to dinner. Liu Bang deceived Xiang Yu and Xiang Bo, but he couldn't deceive one person - Fan Zeng.

At the banquet, Fan Zeng's eyes hinted that Xiang Yu would make a move and kill Liu Bang. Xiang Yu did not respond. Fan Zeng held up the jade jue in his hand and signaled Xiang Yu to 'decide in case of trouble'. Xiang Yu pretended not to see.

Fan Zeng found a reason to leave the table, summoned Xiang Yu's cousin Xiang Zhuang, and ordered him to wait for an opportunity to assassinate Liu Bang in the name of dancing the sword to help the fun. Xiang Bo realized the danger and left the table to practice with Xiang Zhuang. The two of you come and go, and Xiang Zhuang can't find a chance to start.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Zhang Liang left the table and went outside the military tent, told Fan Hao about the situation, and whispered a few words in his ear.

Fan Hao didn't wait for the report, he broke into the big tent with a shield in one hand and a sword in the other, and he didn't salute, glaring at Xiang Yu angrily.

Suddenly an uninvited guest appeared, Xiang Yu was half awake, he pressed his sword in his hand, and asked sharply: "Who is it?" ”

Zhang Liang replied: "This is Pei Gong's guard Fan Xu." ”

Xiang Yu praised: "Strong man, give wine." ”

Fan Xu thanked him, took the wine glass, and drank it all.

Xiang Yu ordered again: "Give meat." ”

The servant served the meat—a pork leg. This is obviously ill-intentioned, and only the sacrifice of the dead will bring raw meat. Fan Mengren was not stunned at all, and showed off a sword with a shield as a board to cut raw pork and drink wine.

Xiang Yu laughed and asked, "Strong man!" Can you still drink alcohol? ”

"I'm not afraid of death, am I still afraid of drinking!" Fan Hao replied loudly: "The Qin Dynasty is brutal, and everyone in the world has risen up to resist. King Huai agreed with the princes that the first to enter the customs would be crowned king. Pei Gong first captured Guanzhong, and Qiu did not commit any crimes, waiting for the princes' army to come. If you have made great contributions, you will not be rewarded, but you will listen to slander and want to harm those who have made meritorious contributions. To do so is to follow in the footsteps of the Qin Dynasty, and you will definitely not do this, General. ”

Fan Xu's words were straightforward and methodical. Xiang Yu was speechless, and asked Fan Hao to sit down.

The wine was drunk, and the words were spoken. Liu Bang excused himself to go to the toilet and left the table with Fan Xu. After a short discussion, Liu Bang decided to leave first, leaving Zhang Liang to resign. Liu Bang only took Fan Hao and four other cronies, walked back to the barracks on foot, returned to the camp, and immediately killed Cao Wuxian.

Estimating that Pei Gong was about to return to the camp, Zhang Liang got up and said: "Pei Gong is not strong enough to drink, he has already gone back, let me say goodbye on my behalf and offer gifts, a pair of jade bi for the general, and a pair of jade buckets for Ya Father." ”

Xiang Yu didn't react. Fan Zeng returned to his residence, angrily drew his sword and smashed the jade bucket, and scolded: "The vertical son is not worth conspiring for!" The person who will compete for the world in the future must be Pei Gong! ”

Fan Zeng's judgment was completely correct.