At about midnight the next day, several princes and princes came to meet the emperor again, and on this day they were invited to hunt and play with the emperor, and the theme was archery and horseback riding. After eating breakfast, Liu Bang was in a good mood and led them to Shanglinyuan for a safari, each of them a horse galloping horse racing skills, hunting, all tigers and tigers. The princes did not give in to each other, but when they competed with the emperor, they were all as if their skills were clumsy, and they were generally not the emperor's opponents, and they did not fight as much prey as the emperor, and the horses they rode were not as fast as the emperor's horses. Liu Bang knew that they were letting themselves, when Chu and Han were fighting for hegemony, they did their best to fight, although they knew that Peng Yue's horse skills were good, but they didn't try it with him after all, and they didn't know what their skills were, so they stopped and asked Liang Wang Peng Yue to compete with him, and told Peng Yue to come to the real thing, to see whose archery skills were good, and to see whose horse skills. In order not to make Peng Yue deliberately let himself and in order to test Peng Yue and other princes and kings to be loyal to the Han Dynasty, Liu Bang made a condition, if Peng Yue lost, Liang would be cut off a county, and send 10,000 servants of Liang to repair river embankments or garrisons without compensation, etc., if he lost, he would reward Liang with a county and 10,000 catties of gold, so as to cut the county to see the reaction of the princes and kings. Peng Yue hesitated slightly, the conditions offered by the emperor were very tempting, and at the same time risky, if he failed, he would have to cut off a county in the feudal country, there were not many counties, and he would be cut off if he lost, Peng Yue was really hesitant and did not dare to accept the duel with the emperor. I was about to ask the emperor to have a duel with Huainan Wang Dibu, but the princes and kings next to him pounced Peng Yue vigorously, shouting "duel duel ...... duel". Thinking about it again, his ability is never under the emperor, he should be able to win him, and the emperor has opened such extreme conditions, that is, he has to move his own real character, the emperor will not blame himself for his brave performance, and if he wins, the emperor can also get a county and ten thousand gold, which is also very cost-effective.

So Peng Yue finally reluctantly agreed, and the other princes and kings were all watching the contest between the emperor and the princes with their necks raised. They all rode on horseback and waited for the emperor to compete with Peng Yue, all with different expressions, some hoped that after Peng Yue lost, they would see how the emperor would solve the county of Liang, whether to fill it into the Zhao State of Qi or directly assign it to the direct management of the Han Court? Some hope that after Peng Yue wins, it will be seen whether the emperor will give Peng Yue that county, cut a county from which vassal state, or withdraw a county from the 15 counties directly under the emperor's direct jurisdiction to him? Everyone waited with bated breath.

Xiao He sent people to set up targets along the road in Shanglin Yuan as early as possible, and chose the end place. The emperor shot to the right, and Peng Yue shot to the left. The emperor and Peng Yue each reselected their horses and got on their horses, took bows and arrows, and announced the results with Prime Minister Xiao He as the referee. After the sound of the drums, the two of them galloped together, and they were neck and neck for a long time, but Liu Bang had two more targets than Peng, so he naturally glanced at Peng Yue who was neck and neck. Peng Yue's face was serious, he was aiming at the target with a bow and arrow in his hand, and he shot three targets in a row when he put an arrow over, all of them were in his heart, and everyone praised Peng Yue's archery skills as well as the Shen Chunqiu marksman Yang Yuji. The emperor saw that Peng Yue was killing three birds with one stone, and the arrow hit the bull's-eye, only to feel that Peng Yue was really letting himself, the original pride suddenly disappeared, and the strict face observed Peng Yue from time to time, and rushed forward with a whip on the horse's belly, in order to leave Peng Yue behind, he didn't shoot a few bullseyes, and Peng was left far behind, but Peng Yue was a little calm and shot the bull's-eye first, and then overtook the emperor Liu Bang.

Liu Bang ran in the front, and heard the princes behind shouting the word 'good' again and again, thinking that everyone was cheering for themselves, so he rode faster, and then looked back at Peng Yue, but did not see his figure, Liu Bang was proud again, bypassing the heavy dry forest pavilion, seeing that he was about to reach the end, but also remembered that he did not hit a few bullseyes, so he slowed down to shoot the target. When the people next to him cheered, Liu Bang felt a gust of wind whistling by, and his own hair fluttered with the wind, and when he blinked, he was surprised to find that it was Peng Yue, and there were three arrows left in Peng Yue's quiver around his waist, and he definitely surpassed himself with his archery skills. Liu Bang felt a short nervousness in his heart, and hurriedly took a bow and shot arrows to catch up with Peng Yue. Peng Yue, who was running in front, left Liu Bang behind more and more, and shot an arrow with a bow, but he still shot it in the bullseye impartially, and everyone cheered again.

"The emperor's skills are unparalleled, and no one can match them." Xiao He, who was watching from a distance, cheered up the emperor with an open voice, Xiao He saw that Liu Bang couldn't catch up with Peng Yue, so he became anxious, he knew Liu Bang's temperament, and he was afraid that even if Peng Yue won him, he would definitely hate him in his heart. Even if there are advisers to solve difficulties for the emperor and improve relations with the vassal states, I am afraid that he will see the opportunity to attack Peng Yue's Liang State, which is likely to cause Peng Yue's dissatisfaction and do something threatening to the Han court. Peng Yue's backwardness made Liu Bang's face quickly lose smugness and feel anxious, Xiao observed Liu Bang from time to time, but he also quickly noticed the change in his expression. Looking at Peng Yue running in front of him, he didn't care that the emperor had fallen a hundred meters away, and his face was red and beaming, and he was full of anger in his heart to win the emperor in order to get the county and ten thousand gold rewarded by the emperor.

Liu Bang heard that Xiao He was cheering for himself, and he was grateful and had already guessed Xiao He's intentions, and through Xiao He's words, he rode a horse and whipped to chase Peng Yue, Liangguo County has enough towns, how can he give Peng Yue County to increase his land range, so that he has enough strength to eat milk and chase after the horse's belly. Let's say that when Peng Yue heard Xiao He's words, he originally thought that Xiao He was simply encouraging the emperor, so he didn't pay much attention to it and continued to run wildly, and the sentence 'unparalleled for thousands of years, no one can reach it' suddenly floated in his ears, so he pondered it carefully, and felt that there was something in Xiao He's words, and Xiao He was obviously right for what Peng Yue said. Peng Yue inadvertently slowed down, chewed on Xiao He's meaning, and thought that the emperor would take the county as a condition for winning or losing in this competition, and the land was precious, how could the emperor use the land to talk about things in order to compete with him? Peng Yue was puzzled, he couldn't think of the emperor's intentions, and continued to gallop in a daze, even forgetting to shoot arrows, and his heart was full of Xiao He's words and the intention of competing with the emperor. Suddenly, Peng Yue's eyes lit up, and he was surprised, and he suddenly realized in his heart, and suddenly felt a chill in his heart, his mouth became dry, and there was only one voice in his head - he couldn't win this game. So Peng Yue deliberately made trouble to resolutely lose the game. There are still 200 meters to the end line, seeing that Peng Yue is about to reach the finish line, Liu Bang can't care about archery and chase hard, the sound of the horse's hooves seems to step through this annoying hard land, a whip whip on the horse's belly, causing the horse to neigh, as if to get rid of Liu Bang as if desperately running forward, Liu Bang only grabbed the reins and raised the whip.

'Poof-', but I saw Peng Yue in front of him roll off the horse without warning, rolled into the withered yellow grass next to him, scratched the edge of his right cheekbone, and fell to the ground unable to get up. Seeing this, the attendants hurriedly ran up and surrounded Peng Yue to inquire about Peng Yue's situation, Xiao He was the first to come up, called the accompanying imperial doctor, and rushed to see Peng Yue's illness. Huainan Wang Duo Bu also came up and asked, "Is King Peng in the way?" ”

Liu Bang was surprised and caught up, and then quickly dismounted, pulled away from the crowd, squatted on the ground and asked the imperial doctor Peng Yue's situation, "How is King Peng?" Grabbing Peng Yue's hand again, Peng Yue hissed, it turned out that his right hand was also injured, Liu Bang asked the imperial doctor again, Peng Yue endured the pain and said, "It's okay, the eldest husband is not afraid of skin trauma." ”

Liu Bang didn't have time to pay attention to Peng Yue's husband's courage at this time, and turned his head to ask the imperial doctor sternly, "What is going on?" Are there any internal injuries? ”

After the imperial doctor checked it, he hurriedly arched his hand and said, "King Peng is lucky, it's just a fracture, and there are no internal injuries." ”

Liu Bang sighed, "That's good, that's good." He also said to Peng Yue, "King Peng is sick, so he will return to the mansion for the time being." Today's game has to be abandoned, otherwise we will have to win or lose the battle between us. ”

Everyone responded silently, and the emperor asked Peng Yue to get on the jade chariot where he was sitting, and when he arrived in the palace, he changed Peng Yue's own chariot and ordered more than a dozen guards to send Peng Yue back to the mansion. The rest of the princes had no heart to continue the hunt, and after Peng Yue left, everyone and Liu Bang talked half a little bit and then went back to the mansion.

After everyone left, Liu Bang left Xiao He alone, "The prime minister is so smart, otherwise I will cede the land to Peng Yue." He laughed, stroked Xiao He's back, and said, "The prime minister knows my thoughts?" ”

Xiao He bowed and said, "I heard that the border between Liang and Qi is not very pleasant because of a Caisang county, and it just so happens that this county is on the border between Liang and Qi, so both countries regard it as their own territory." King Qi didn't say it because he didn't want to insist on the county in the name of His Majesty, and King Peng didn't say it because he wasn't sure whether His Majesty would assign Caisang Yi to him, so the two countries were deadlocked. Today, His Majesty settled their dispute in the name of the competition, so that King Peng took the initiative to retreat, but fortunately, King Peng was smart. ”

Liu Bang hesitated slightly, "You said Peng Yue ......" The words were not clear, and his index finger scratched the bridge of his nose and glanced at Xiao He.

Xiao He immediately understood, and said, "It must be treated well, the land must not be given, and the ten thousand gold will be rewarded to him, and the tax of the county shared by the Qiliang border for more than ten years is less than this ten thousand gold, Peng Yue should know, but the land is even smaller." ”

Liu Bang nodded 'um', feeling that Xiao He's words were reasonable.

In the evening, Liu Bang specially took people to Peng Yue's official residence in Chang'an and inquired about his condition. Peng Yue hung a cloth frame from his neck to his right hand to support his right arm, and he was flattered by the emperor's presence, and hurriedly said that it was no longer hindered after bandaging. Liu Bang instructed someone to bring 10,000 gold to Peng Yue, Peng Yue was flattered and did not dare to accept it, Liu Bang forced it to accept, Peng Yue had to sweat and take it, Liu Bang inquired about Peng Yue's customs and customs, silk and linen industry, iron smelting industry and other things, Peng Yue answered one by one. Looking out, Yue'er was already hanging high, Liu Bang already had the intention of leaving, but there was a slight regret on his face, his steps were moving very slowly but he was reluctant to go out, and it seemed that something had not been resolved. Peng Yue had been thinking about the reason for the emperor's competition with him since the way back, and finally understood a little, so after a little contemplation, he took the initiative to tell Liu Bang that he wanted to ask the emperor to attribute the Caisang Yi on the border of Qi and Liang to the Qi State. Liu Bang pretended to be surprised, and waved his hand several times seriously and refused to accept it, saying that King Peng was too worried, how could he casually transfer the county to others. Peng Yue resolutely refused to back down, saying that it must be assigned to the Qi State, and it was very inconvenient for the two countries to share a county, and there might be a military dispute, so it was better for a country to govern it well. Liu Bang pretended to be reasonable and nodded in agreement, so he humbly gave in three times, and then stepped down the steps, and quickly said that he had thanked King Peng for the king of Qi, and the people of its feudal country could be exempted from tax service for three years. Peng Yue was grateful to Dai De, and was polite to the emperor again. Liu Bang was happy in his heart, stroked his back again and again, enthusiastically asked Peng Yue about his warmth and coldness, and asked the palace people with him to serve King Peng well, leaving the beautiful palace people by Peng Yue's side to serve. Half an hour later, Peng Yue personally sent the emperor, Liu Bang took people back to the palace tiredly, and Liu Bang used his actual actions to dispel Peng Yue's resentment towards himself, and the anger in Peng Yue's chest suddenly became invisible.

After stopping for two days, Liu Bang remembered that the King of Qi was going back to Qi today, so after finishing his meal in Yuzao Palace, he came directly to Changxin Palace and waited. Empress Lu was also there, and the two said something that didn't hurt or itch, waiting for King Qi to come.

About a little after the end of the hour, Liu Fei, the king of Qi, and Cao Shen, Xiangguo, entered the palace to say goodbye.

"Minister Liu Fei, see the emperor and queen."

"Minister Cao Shen, see the emperor and queen."

When the master and servant came in, they made a great salute.

Liu Bang has not seen Cao Shen for a long time, and he has not seen him since he followed his son Liu Fei to Qi in the sixth year of the Han Dynasty. When we met again, it was the banquet of wine a few days ago, and it was also a glimpse from afar, and I didn't say anything, because there were too many ministers in the court, and they all greeted each other. And when he went to the southern suburbs to worship the sky, he didn't have time to talk to him, and he didn't have time to ask him if he was okay in Qi country. When I saw it today, I saw Cao Shen so closely, and found that Cao Shen was still the same as before, peaceful and heavy, Liu Bang was like a good brother who had not seen him for many years.

Step down the steps, walked to Cao Shen's side, helped him up, patted his hands with both hands, Cao Shen felt extremely cordial, and suddenly remembered the time when he followed Liu Bang to fight the world, there was also such a time, Liu Bang patted his hands, as if to give him trust and comfort, but also like a heavy sustenance, this feeling is very kind and feels very heavy, Liu Bang said, "Cao Gong, long time no see, everything is okay?" ”

Cao Shen said, "Emperor Xie is worried, and everything is fine with the ministers." ”

Liu Bang looked at him with a smile, and said, "With Cao Gong here, King Qi has no worries." ”

Cao Shen lowered his head and listened to what Liu Bang said to him.

Empress Lu looked at Liu Bang so well to Liu Fei, and thought to herself that Liu Feiguo was one of his most important sons, and now the King of Qi has the largest feudal state among the princes and kings, and his strength is the strongest. Liu Bang also has the intention of making him bigger and stronger, and he can't help but think that although Liu Bang wants to change Ruyi to be the prince, Empress Lu will definitely not let him succeed, but the current King of Qi may also be her big trouble in the future. You can control what is in front of you, Qi Ji can't make any big waves, she can deal with Qi Ji, but the king of Qi is far away in Qi and can't see his thoughts, what should I do, if I come to fight for the throne in the future, won't it become a threat to the crown prince?

But this is just her worry, she hasn't dealt with it yet, how can she have time to manage the affairs of King Qi, and he has not shown that he has the intention of competing for the prince now, so she is no longer so nervous and suspicious.

Liu Fei watched with a smile on the side as his father and Cao Xiangguo talked happily, and it was not easy to disturb, so he didn't interject, just listened carefully on the side, and laughed with their conversation from time to time. I also noticed that Empress Lu was on the side, but there was still a little caution in the laughter, so as not to expose his mind under Empress Lu's nose.

Empress Lu looked at his smile, and he didn't feel much disgusted at the moment, but walked to King Qi's side, evoked a smile that made King Qi feel a little unnatural, and said, "King Qi is going back, the queen mother asked someone to prepare some Chang'an specialties for you, you take them back, and also ask your children to taste them, when you have time, come to Chang'an to see the queen mother, just bring Xiang'er when you come, Zhang'er ......" stopped again when he said this, lowered his head and smiled, and said, "It's still not wanted, they are still young and can't withstand the long journey." ”

Liu Fei still maintained the most grateful smile, and looked at Empress Lu deeply, "Thank your mother, your sons will definitely come to Chang'an to visit your mother." ”

Empress Lu nodded with a smile, waved her hand to Dai Qing again, and asked her to take out the special products prepared last night and hand them to King Qi, who didn't dare to say no, so he had to accept it and thank Empress Lu again.

Here, Liu Bang also finished talking to Cao Shen. Seeing that there was nothing more to say, they prepared to set off. Liu Bang and King Qi walked out of the palace side by side, Cao Shen followed, and Empress Lu also followed outside the hall with the support of Dai Qing.

Suddenly, Liu Bang said that he would personally send King Qi and Cao Xiangguo to them, so that he could talk to them for a while, and he also had some necessary things to say to Cao Xiangguo.

Originally, they came to Changxin Palace to say goodbye to Liu Bang and Lu Hou, so they went back, but Liu Bang's mind was hot, and he said that he would send them in person, which Lu Hou did not expect, and his eyes suddenly opened wide, I don't know what he thought. One is his own son, and the other is the most important minister, and he should also send it, Lu Hou thought, since Liu Bang wants to send it, then she should also send it herself, so as not to make Liu Bang feel that she doesn't like King Qi, and it will not make him feel that he will take any action against King Qi in the future.

said to Liu Bang, "Since Your Majesty is going to send King Qi and Cao Xiangguo, then the concubines should also go." ”

Empress Lu said to Liu Bang with enthusiasm on his face, thinking that he would definitely agree, this is not a bad thing, but it is just to send two ministers, not to interfere in politics. Unexpectedly, Liu Bang lowered his head and pondered for a while, looked at Lu Hou, walked to her side, patted her shoulder gently, and said gently, "The queen doesn't have to go, I will send it in person, is the queen still worried?" Besides, King Qi and Duke Cao are both people we know, so you don't have to be polite. Yesterday, the King of Chu heard that the queen has been playing a lot of games recently, and he really wants to play a game with you, so you can rest here and wait for him. ”

"This ......" Empress Lu didn't think that Liu Bang didn't agree to her, and she was a little embarrassed.

King Qi and Cao Shen hurriedly took advantage of her embarrassment to say their final goodbyes to her, saying, "Queen Mother, take care, don't say goodbye." ”

While speaking, only Empress Lu and Dai Qing were left on the steps, and Liu Bang and them had already descended the steps and hurried all the way away.

Liu Bang and Cao Shen, the king of Qi, sat in the same Luan car, and the Marquis of Ruyin, Xiahou Ying, drove away leisurely.

In the car, Liu Bang told them something about Chang'an, about Qi, and about some of the general trends in the world between other countries, and said that Qi is a big country, with six counties and seventy-three cities, and it is the strongest feudal country, and he intends to make the king of Qi bigger and stronger, but he must take it step by step, be cautious, don't ask others to catch any handles, and report to the center, Cao Shen, the king of Qi, nodded when he heard it, and his face was a little serious and nervous.

Xiahou Ying just drove the car, and sometimes her ears were unflattering to listen to those two sentences, buried in her heart.

Liu Bang also said that Liang and Huainan are also not small countries, and their strength should not be underestimated, Liang King Peng Yue Huainan Wang Yingbu is an indispensable hero to help him seize the world, Qi is not afraid of which country surpasses, if you are afraid, you are afraid of Liang and Huainan, so they are told to operate the country carefully.

After that, he said some things that were not related to the country's laws and politics, and only said some of Chang'an's customs and beauties, which could be heard by King Qi and Cao Shen with red faces, and listened to Liu Bang laughing from time to time without saying a word, and sometimes bowing his head and chuckling, they all just nodded.

After they got out of the car, they looked at the road in the distance, and then looked up at the blue sky above their heads, and Liu Bang solemnly explained to them, "King Peng has taken the initiative to request that Caisang County on the border of Qiliang be assigned to your fiefdom and govern it well." Liu Fei, the king of Qi, and Cao Shen, the king of Xiangguo, both opened their mouths in surprise and didn't believe it, and Liu Bang said, "Return to Qi State, run the country carefully, develop the economy, don't do things that stand out from the crowd, and don't indulge the people to make trouble, just treat everything carefully, just watch things and deal with them." Try to follow the rule of inaction, and don't fall behind Liang Guohuai Nanguo in strength, and everything else can be ignored. ”

Seeing that Liu Bang said so solemnly, King Qi and Cao Shen also understood what Liu Bang meant, and both nodded.

It was not early, Liu Bang watched them get into their own car, after the car drove away, they left their rut marks on the ground, and the team of Qi Guo went away with a flag, and Liu Bang returned to his car and walked back.

King Qi and Cao Shen left, and finally left safely, Liu Bang was in a good mood, and actually hummed the 'Song of the Heroes' and went back with joy.