Han Dang is stronger

Chapter 172
When Chen Ping and Xiang Yu rushed to discuss secretly, Xiong Xin, who had been forced into the corner by Xiang Kang with three seals, was of course not idle. At the same time, he secretly summoned Ling Yin Songyi, his biggest supporter in the court, and discussed with him face to face how to deal with Xiang Kang's aggressiveness, and tried to turn the situation around again.

Song Yi is a smart man. Seeing that Jing Ju, a member of the Chu clan who usually participated in secret discussions, did not show up, he immediately understood that Xiong Xin had lost trust in him, so he persuaded him: "Your Majesty, if you get the right way, you will get help. Although Dr. Ju has gone too far today, he has not openly turned to the Xiang family after all. Your Majesty should not be too indifferent to him, otherwise you will only force him to the side of the Xiang family, which will further weaken your majesty. Not enough strength."

"Thank you, Lord Ling Yin, for your teaching. I will remember it." Xiong Xin still pretended, first thanked Song Yi for his teaching sincerely, and then explained: "However, I have to be careful, Xiang Kang relies on military power in his hands." , blatantly contemptuous of the widow, implying that Fei Li deliberately named Jing Ju, and Jing Ju's attitude is ambiguous, obviously shaken, if the widow is not careful, not only the throne will be in jeopardy, but my life may also be in danger."

"Forget righteousness at the sight of profit!" Song Yichang sighed, and he was also very dissatisfied with Jing Ju's open covetousness for the throne of King Chu, and then Song Yicai asked again: "The king secretly summoned the humble minister, but it was because of Xiang Kang's appointment today. ?”

"Of course it's for this." Xiong Xin smiled wryly, and said with a sad face: "The widow was careless for a while, and fell into Xiang Kang's trap, and made the uncontrollable Xiang Yu a former general in public. The general, Xiang Yu and his party members took the opportunity to fan the flames and force the widow to agree. If the widow makes a concession, the Chu army will surely fall into the hands of Xiang Yu and Xiang Kang brothers. But if they do not agree, Xiang Yu and others will definitely be reluctant to let go. So there is no other way, the widow can only secretly ask Ling Yin to come here, and ask Lord Ling Yin for advice on countermeasures."

"My minister is also worrying about this matter for the king." Song Yi sighed again, and then said: "My lord, after thinking about it, I found that we have only two ways to go now, but I don't know how the king will choose. .”

"Which two ways can we go? Please enlighten Lord Ling Yin." Xiong Xin asked quickly.

"Both roads are dangerous." Song Yi replied: "The first road is that you, my lord, give in for the time being, agree to Xiang Kang's request, and acquiesce in Xiang Yu and Xiang Kang's brothers taking control of the Chu army, and then use them. The estrangement and conflict between the brothers, try to separate and divide them, let them form a situation of incompatibility, and then you will reap the benefits, my king, and slowly take back the power."

After finishing speaking, Song Yi introduced: "This way is safer. It can avoid a direct confrontation with the Xiang family, and it won't force them into a desperate situation. It's just that the effect is too slow. When will it succeed? There is no guarantee."

Xiong Xin thought about it, and asked again: "Then what about the second way?"

"The second road is more dangerous." Song Yi said: "Your Majesty, you make a decisive decision. While resolutely rejecting Xiang Kang's request, you forcefully appoint someone you trust as the general to take over the army left behind by Xiang Liang. Then, in the name of the righteousness of the monarch and his ministers, force Xiang Kang to submit, and then gradually weaken his military power, and finally completely withdraw it."

"This method is very risky, but once it succeeds, you can become the veritable Lord of Chu." Song Yi explained: "Also, although Xiang Kang has many soldiers and horses in his hands, if he openly turns against the king, you To start a war, it must be because the name is not right and the word is not right, the teacher is unknown, the army and the people of Chu will not support him, and the kings of the five countries outside the pass will definitely not agree with him to do so. In addition, the Tyrant Qin army will definitely take advantage of the fire to loot. Xiang Kang is naturally cautious. I will not ignore the consequences. So although this matter is dangerous, it may not be without the possibility of success."

Xiong Xin thought about it carefully, and said after a long time: "This risk may be worth taking, but if I forcibly appoint a general to lead the army, the Xiang family will definitely not accept it. The teacher of jackals, I am afraid that my life will die."

"If Your Majesty dares to make up his mind, there is no way to solve the hidden dangers of the Xiang family." Song Yi said in a deep voice: "Now the troops left by Xiang Liang are all stationed outside the city, but the whole family of the Xiang family lives in the city. It is under the control of Chen Ying. If the king is willing, he only needs to summon Chen Ying in secret, and promise him a high-ranking official and rich salary to persuade him to support us. Then the king can use the opportunity of the court meeting to make Chen Ying block the palace and dispatch him outside the city. The army of yours enters the city to take over the defense of the city, and at the same time let the general appointed by you, Your Majesty, go out of the city to take over the army, force the Xiang family to make concessions by force, and then the big event will hopefully succeed!"

Xiong Xin gritted his teeth tightly and did not speak. After a long time, Xiong Xin made up his mind and said suddenly, "This risk is worth taking. Rather than being the King of Zhou who is not worthy of the name, Duke Jing of Jin who was killed by rebellious officials and thieves, it is better to rise up." Give it a go, fight to the death with Xiang's rebellious officials!"

Seeing that Xiong Xin had made up his mind, Song Yi, who had formed a lot of enmity with the old Xiang family recently, did not hesitate, and immediately said: "My lord, that matter should not be delayed. In order to avoid long nights and dreams, I suggest you summon Chen Ying as soon as possible. Discuss important matters with him."

Xiong Xin nodded, and immediately dispatched his confidant secret envoys out of the palace to Chen Ying's residence in Pengcheng to preach the edict. Before the edict was announced, he personally led the army to escort Chen Ying, who had come to Pengcheng, into the palace secretly, and was going to discuss with him face-to-face the confidential matter of launching a coup d'état.

The reason why Xiong Xin and Song Yi dared to pin their hopes for a coup to seize power on Chen Ying, a general of the Chu army, was of course that Chen Ying's political stance was more inclined to the Chu royal family. When he was in power, he was not reused, and even succumbed to Feng Zhong, the head of the mud-legged pavilion, for a long time. After the news of Xiang Liang's death spread to Xutai, Chen Ying personally led the army to escort Xiong Xin north to Pengcheng to control it. The overall situation is actually an ironclad proof that Chen Ying supports the Chu royal family.So when Xiong Xin was looking for an excuse to take back his military power, he deliberately forgot to organize Chen Ying's army, which was not the main force of the Chu army, and let Chen Ying continue to command the army.

But it is a pity that Xiong Xin and Song Yi seriously underestimated Chen Ying's intelligence. Chen Ying may not be as good as many civil servants of Chu in terms of governing the government and the people; Xiang Liang, Xiang Yu and Yingbo are the opponents of the famous generals of the Chu army; they are sinister and vicious, and they are full of swords. what...

When Xiong Xin's secret envoy came to Chen Ying's residence, Chen Ying, who had been targeted by Xiong Xin and Xiang Yu's party at the same time, was eating with his son Chen Lu. Hearing that it was Xiong Xin's envoy, Chen Lu immediately put it down. The bowls and chopsticks were tidying up the clothes and they were about to go out to meet him, but Chen Ying rolled his eyes and immediately ordered: "Lu Er, go out and tell the envoy of the king that he is not allowed to go out to meet him because of his father's minor illness. If he doesn't believe me , you bring him to my bedroom to meet me."

"Father, why?" Chen Lu asked in surprise.

"Don't ask too much, you will know the reason later." Chen Ying replied smoothly, got up and went to the bedroom to lie down in a hurry, and very carefully ordered the servants to pack up her meals, and took some herbs at random to suffer in her bedroom, pretending as much as possible. Looks really sick.

Just as Chen Ying expected, Xiong Xin's secret envoy heard that Chen Ying was suddenly ill, and he really refused to believe it. He insisted on following Chen Lu to the bedroom to visit Chen Lu, and saw with his own eyes that Chen Ying was bedridden and Chen's servants face to face. After tormenting herbs, it was really impossible to follow him into the palace to meet Xiong Xin, so Xiong Xin's messenger had no choice but to leave and go back to the business.As a result, as soon as the envoy left, Chen Lu immediately asked Chen Ying in confusion, "Father, the king called you into the palace to meet him, why are you pretending to be sick?"

"Of course it's because there won't be any good things if the king calls me into the palace." Chen Ying said with a sneer: "Today's court meeting, the right general sent people to hand in three forms, both in and out of the words are ready to force the palace, it's getting dark Well, the king suddenly called me into the palace again to discuss matters, and it was made clear that it was related to the three orders of the right general. At this time, if I messed up indiscriminately, our Chen family might be wiped out. How can I take such a risk as a father? Danger?"

Hearing what Chen Ying said about Xiang Kang's watch, Chen Lu was unavoidably startled, and hurriedly asked: "Father, do you suspect that the king wants to attack the children of the Xiang family?"

"I'm not sure, but this possibility cannot be ruled out." Chen Ying replied, "But whether it is true or not, we must not get involved in this matter. Otherwise, we will have no chance to protect ourselves in the future."

Chen Lu nodded half-understood, it turned out to be a coincidence, at this moment, someone outside the door suddenly reported that it was Xiang Yu and Cao Jiu who came to visit together, Chen Lu, who already understood his father's position, did not hesitate, got up immediately and said: "Father, you continue to pretend to be sick, and the children will send them away."

"Wait!" Chen Ying stopped her son, and after a moment of quick calculation with a stern expression, Chen Ying pushed back the pajamas (quilt) and stood up, saying, "Go, father, I will go meet them with you."

"Father, didn't you just say that you didn't want to get involved?" Chen Lu asked in surprise: "The right general just submitted the three forms implying forced palaces this morning, and his cousin, the former general, came to visit again at this time. It is clear that it is related to General You’s seal, why do you still go to see them in person?”

"Don't ask too many questions, I'll tell you the reason later." Chen Ying ordered: "Also, when you meet the former general and the others, no matter what they say or say for your father, don't interrupt. If you have any questions, wait for them to leave Ask again."

Chen Lu had no choice but to follow his father to greet Xiang Yu and Cao Jiu honestly, and together with Chen Ying respectfully invited them into the back hall to sit down.Then Xiang Yu and Cao Jiu were not polite, first they asked Chen Ying to drive away the irrelevant people for the time being, and then they immediately showed their cards to Chen Ying, asking Chen Ying and the Xiang family to persuade Xiong Xin to accept Xiang Kang's invitation to set up a memorial for the time being. As the general, he also asked Chen Ying to help, and appointed Xiang Liang, who had been placed in Chen Ying's army, as the order of Lang Zhongling of the Chu Palace to take over the defense of the Chu Palace.

Of course, Xiang Yu and Cao Jiu's demands were tantamount to seeing each other. Chen Lu, who had received Chen Ying's true biography, was also very anxious. He knew that if he agreed, he would be tied to the Xiang family's thief ship, and if he didn't agree, he would be an open enemy of the Xiang family. He also regretted not insisting on persuading Chen Ying continued to pretend to be sick, and was forced into a dilemma.However, to Chen Lu's surprise, after careful consideration for a long time, Chen Ying not only agreed to Xiang Yu and Cao Jiu's request, but also drafted an order on the spot to let Xiang Ta take over as Lang Zhongling, and replace the original Lang Zhongling who had been bought by Xiong Xin. The order was transferred back to the army.

Seeing that Chen Ying was so decisive, Xiang Yu and Cao Jiu were overjoyed. They first promised repeatedly that they would not treat Chen Ying and his son badly in the future, and then left happily with the order written by Chen Ying himself.As a result, after sending them away, as soon as he returned to the back hall, Chen Lu immediately asked Chen Ying with a pale face: "Father, have you really decided to side with the Xiang family? You are not afraid of the failure of the Xiang family. We die!" No burial place?"

"Lu'er, being a father is not on the side of the Xiang family, but on the side of the winner." Chen Ying said with a smile: "You must also remember that if you face such a situation in the future, you only need to see clearly which side will win." If you want to win, you must not hesitate, you have to bet everything on the side of the winner, so that you can win the most."

"Father, do you think the Xiang family will win?" Chen Lu asked in surprise.

"Of course we will win!" Chen Ying smiled and said, "Aside from other things, the Xiang clan can be invincible with the [-] army under the command of the right general alone. In addition, Huaisi is basically Xiang's family." It was fought by Kang himself. It has great influence in the army and the people. There are many old minions. If he turns against the king, the king has absolutely no chance of winning. If this is the case, why don't we seize the opportunity quickly and let the Xiang family win faster? More thorough, so that we can win more with the Xiang family?"

"But if we choose to support His Majesty, the situation will be completely different." Chen Ying explained again: "Firstly, because our troops are weak, even if we support His Majesty, His Majesty may not be able to guarantee victory. If we win, there is absolutely no possibility to stop Xiang Kang from counterattacking, and at the same time, he will offend countless Xiang family members, so we have to be on guard against their retaliation at any time. The situation is so clear, why do we still stand on the side that is bound to lose?"

"Xiang Kang has always been known for his loyalty, filial piety and kindness. Can he have the courage to openly meet the king's swordsmen?" Chen Lu asked doubtfully.

"Loyalty, filial piety and kindness?" Chen Ying almost didn't laugh out loud, and said, "If Xiang Kang wasn't the general's nephew and was brought up by Xiang Liang himself, nearly half of his army's backbone would be Xiang Liang's. Nephew, do you think he will be so filial and honestly hand over the foundation of Huaisi that he laid down with his own hands? If he is really loyal to the king, will he present the three signs today to imply the abolition of the establishment? Meet the king with swordsmen, At most, he just lacks an excuse to send troops, but is it hard to overwhelm him? If nothing else, just relying on the king's deprivation of Xiang's military power and using others to command the army, he can use the banner of killing the treacherous ministers around the king to raise troops, Take back the power of Chu State by force!"

After endlessly denouncing Xiang Kang's despicable behavior, Chen Ying sighed again, and said, "Originally, the king had a chance to win this one. I also hoped that he would lead the army to escort him north to Pengcheng for his father." If you win, follow him to win a big one. But both father and king underestimated the intelligence of the right general, and if he stood still and insisted on refusing to return to Pengcheng, the king's hope of regaining his power was completely defeated. This time, the Xiang family will be defeated again. Forced to prepare to fight directly, if the father does not quickly stand by their side, when the overall situation is settled, our father and son will really die without a place to die."

…………

Chen Ying's resolute defection completely shattered the last hope of Xiong Xin and Song Yi. In the early morning of the next day, before the court meeting even started, Xiang Tiao who came from the military camp outside the city already took Chen Ying's handwritten warrant and took over on the spot. During this period, Chen Ying blatantly helped Xiang it seize power and suppressed some unconvinced Chu palace guards.As a result, when the news reached Xiong Xin, Xiong Xin's face was ashen. Knowing that the general situation was over, Chen Ying, who had been secretly supporting her, had already turned to the Xiang family. The last court meeting presided over by the King of Chu.

What made Xiong Xin vomit blood and Xiang Yu's party even more proud was yet to come. When the court meeting was about to begin, Liu Laosan, who had been arranged by Xiong Xin to lead an army to Xiao County to prevent Xiang Kang from turning his face, actually sent his confidant Xiao He overnight from Xiao County on a flying horse. He rushed back to Pengcheng, and at the same time, Xiao He publicly expressed his attitude before entering the palace, saying that he came back to submit the seal for Liu Laosan, and implored Xiong Xin to accept Xiang Kang's memorial, please don't set up a general for the time being, who will avenge Xiang Liang in the future Who will be the general!Chen Ping, the spokesman Xiang Kang sent to Pengcheng, couldn't help being speechless because of his well-informed information and keen political sense.

Xiong Xin was still very decisive. Seeing that Liu Laosan, Chen Ying and other generals turned their backs one after another, he was already doomed to lose, so he gave in decisively and comprehensively. They agreed to accept Xiang Kang's second petition yesterday, announcing that they would not set up a general for the time being, and that anyone who could avenge Xiang Liang with his own hands would be named a general in the future.Then he immediately returned the military power, and handed over all other Chu army troops except Xiang Kang's troops, including local garrisons, to Xiang Yu for command.Cao Jiu stood up with a sneer and asked Chen Ying to be enshrined as Zhu Guo and the five prefectures. Xiong Xin also agreed with a smile on his face, and happily rewarded Chen Ying for the old Xiang family who had betrayed him.

Xiong Xin's obedience saved his life. Originally, Xiang Yu and Cao Jiu had already made up their minds that if Xiong Xin was disobedient, they would immediately abolish Xiong Xin and make Jingju the king, but when they saw Xiong Xin With such a docile and well-behaved heart, Xiang Yu, who has a negative political value, and Cao Jiu, whose political ability is actually not high, have no excuses. In addition, Old Man Fan, who insisted on supporting the descendants of the Chu royal family as king, tried his best to persuade him to do so. After all, the matter of abolishing the establishment would hurt the foundation of the country, and it would easily cause shocks in the Chu state, and it might also cause dissatisfaction from the five countries outside the pass. Xiang Yu, Cao Jiu and others suppressed their anger, let Xiong Xin go, and let Xiong Xin continue to be on the throne. Become a puppet of the Xiang family.

Song Yi was the most unlucky. Only one day later, Song Yi was impeached by the officials arranged by the old Xiang family, saying that he allowed his son to oppress the people and robbed the people's land. Order to send the Quzhou area, which is still full of miasma in this era, to eat bran swallowing vegetables.

After forcibly driving away Song Yi, the complacent Xiang Yu quickly called Chen Ping, the spokesperson sent by Xiang Kang, and said to Chen Ping carelessly: "Mr. Chen Ping, don't waste time, quickly take my letter Go back and tell my younger brother that there is no need to worry about Pengcheng, and tell him to bring the army back quickly so that we can discuss how to avenge my uncle."

Chen Ping blinked his triangular eyes, cupped his hands and said: "Don't worry, the former general, I will return to Suiyang right now, and go to urge the right general to return to the army on behalf of the former general."

(End of this chapter)