Han Dang is stronger

Chapter 269 Human Weakness

Shame on Li Shiqi, the elder brother of a famous Confucian scholar in the late Qin Dynasty. Although he grew up accompanied by his elder brother who was well-read in poetry and books, Li Shang, a general of the Han army, not only had little interest in studying and studying, he didn't care about running a family and making a living. Like Xiang Kang and Liu Laosan in the past, they like to wander around all day long, eating and drinking everywhere. They are typical country gangsters who can hardly find a wife in Taiping years.

It's also quite strange, in the troubled times at the end of the Qin Dynasty, it was this kind of people who were the most successful, not to mention the children of the Xiang family, Liu Laosan and his little buddies from Pei County, the same was true for Li Shang, relying on his elder brother Not only did he get a good job under Xiang Kang's command, but he was also entrusted with a heavy responsibility by Xiang Kang to lead an army into Guanzhong Bashu alone, which made people envious and got the opportunity to be alone.

In terms of fighting, Li Shang finally did not embarrass his brother Li Shiqi, nor did he disappoint Xiang Kang. With a single army, Li Shangleng took down Hanzhong, which is easy to defend and difficult to attack, and the land of abundance. In the Sichuan Basin, although a large part of the reason was that the Qin court ordered the counties and counties of Hanzhong Bashu to surrender voluntarily, no one can deny the credit of Li Shang. In addition, among the generals of the Han army, no one is more familiar with Hanzhong Bashu than Li Shang. The situation, so Xiang Kang has always asked Li Shang to guard the land of Hanzhong Bashu for him when the southern line was in constant crisis, giving Li Shang quite a lot of independent power.

Power is the easiest to corrupt people, and Li Shang is no exception. After the power is in hand, Li Shang's diet and daily life will inevitably start to be luxurious. In addition to being surrounded by beautiful beauties, there are also some flattering and flattering villains. It was inevitable that his mind would be a little bit flustered. Although these were not enough for Li Shang's gratitude and loyalty to Xiang Kang, they also gave Li Shang a real taste of power.

Another weakness of Li Shang is that his political sense is too poor. When Xiang Yu's secret envoy, Han Sheng, came to Hanzhong quietly and secretly asked him to meet him, not only did Li Shang not immediately arrange for Xiang Kang to be his civilian deputy. Cangpi notified this important situation, and because Han Sheng, Xiang Yu's emissary, said that he had brought news of Li Shiqi, Li Shang didn't think about it, and immediately summoned Han Sheng in the lobby of his house.

Li Shang really had a deep relationship with Li Shiqi's brother, and he was very concerned about Li Shiqi's current situation. He was not polite after meeting, and immediately asked Han Sheng, "Where is my brother now? Is he still in good health? Is there any help from him?" My letter?"

"Please rest assured Mr. Li, Mr. Li is in very good condition." Han Sheng replied, "Of course the old man is in Pengcheng now. Out of respect for him, I have always treated him with courtesy, specially arranged reliable staff to wait on his food and daily life, and respect him as the honored guest. As for Mr. Li's letters..."

Speaking of this, Han Sheng deliberately paused, and then said: "Don't dare to lie to the general. Before coming, the emissary did meet with Mr. Li and asked him if he had any letters for the general, but Mr. Li But the master refused to write a book, and just wanted the envoy to bring a word to the general, asking the general not to worry about his safety, but to serve the King of Han with all his heart, and not to delay the important affairs of the King of Han because of him."

He never expected that Xiang Yu's emissary, Han Sheng, would bring him such a message. Li Shang was taken aback for a while, and then smiled proudly and said, "Yes, this is indeed my brother's speaking style. You are smart, and you didn't make up anything. Tell me nonsense to deceive this general, otherwise, this general guarantees that you will not be able to walk out of this gate today."

"The general has said it." Han Sheng smiled and said, "Mr. Li's loyalty and uprightness are unknown to everyone in the world. Even if the envoy has had the guts of a bear, he certainly doesn't dare to fabricate and change Mr. Li." Otherwise, not only will you never be able to hide your belief in Chengjun, but you will also be laughed at by Confucianists all over the world."

Although he knew that Han Sheng was deliberately speaking sweet words to make him happy, Li Shang was quite pleased with Han Sheng's flattery to Li Shiqi, and smiled and said, "It seems that you brought me a message from my brother." For your sake, sit down and tell me why you are here, but this general has something to say first, if Xiang Yu wants to use my brother to threaten and lure me, it is a daydream, if I will be moved by his threat, my brother will not be the first to agree .”

"Please trust Mr. Cheng to rest assured about this point. How can we, the king of Western Chu, have such a noble bearing? How could he do the despicable thing of threatening the general with a hostage?" Han Sheng replied with a smile, and sat down again under the guidance of Li Shang's guards. Then he said: "But the little envoy is indeed here for the sake of Lord Xincheng. The little envoy knows that Xinchengjun will soon face a catastrophe, and even his life is in danger, so he has worked tirelessly and traveled thousands of miles to rescue him. Believe in Chengjun."

Li Shang was stunned again, and then sneered, "Sir, you startle first and caress later. Such a lobbyist trick, you are not worthy of carrying my brother's shoes."

"Mr. Xincheng thinks that the envoy is scaremongering?" Han Sheng pretended to be surprised and asked back, "Could it be that Mr. Xincheng really didn't hear anything?"

"What did I hear?" Li Shang asked suspiciously.

After carefully looking at Li Shang for a moment, Han Sheng nodded and said, "It seems that Mr. Xincheng really doesn't know, and dare not lie to Mr. Xincheng. After our court of Western Chu received the news that Chai Wu was beheaded by the King of Han, Someone came to us, the King of Western Chu, to persuade us to make you the King of Hanzhong and replace Chai Wu as the ruler of Hanzhong and Bashu."

Li Shang's face changed immediately, and Han Sheng observed his words, and immediately said: "We Western Chu courtiers made such remarks, of course, to drive a wedge between the King of Han and you, Lord Xincheng, and to make the King of Han suspicious of you, Lord Xincheng. To achieve this goal, our Western Chu court deliberately made this news public, so that the secret agents sent by the King of Han to Pengcheng could hear the news and report the truth to the King of Han."

Li Shang's face turned ashen, and he immediately said viciously: "You despicable villain, do you think that our King of Han will fall for your shameless tricks?"

"Why didn't the King of Han fall for it?" Han Sheng immediately asked back, and then said, "Please put yourself in the position of King Xincheng, if you were in the position of King Han, and you heard the news and knew that your elder brother Xincheng Being held as a hostage by our King of Western Chu, will you become suspicious and strengthen your defense against Xin Chengjun?"

Li Shang was speechless, and had to admit that if he was Xiang Kang, he would definitely have doubts. Han Sheng struck while the iron was hot, and said, "Of course, with the ability of the King of Han, he will definitely understand right away. It was just a divorce plan by the court, but I don’t know if Mr. Xincheng has heard the story of Zeng Shen’s murder? Someone suddenly told Zeng Zi’s mother that Zeng Zi killed someone, but Zeng’s mother didn’t believe it. The second person told Zeng’s mother that Zeng Zi killed someone. I still don’t believe it, but the third person said that after Zeng Zi killed someone, Zeng’s mother was scared and ran away over the wall.”

"Mr. Xincheng, please think again. How many people will say that you kill people in front of the King of Han?" You were entrusted with the important task of guarding Bashu in Hanzhong, but those old Huaisi generals who followed the King of Han to raise troops as early as Huaisi, and who is not envious of Chengjun, is your current position of power? There is an opportunity to take advantage of, and there is a loophole to take advantage of How could they be willing to miss the opportunity to replace you, Xinchengjun? At that time, three people will become tigers, and everyone will make money, no matter how wise the King of Han is, how can it be impossible for you to be jealous and guard against Xinchengjun?"

With great difficulty, Han Sheng, the counselor of Xiang Yu who was recommended by Kuai Che, was fully fired. Every word and every sentence pointed directly at the instinct of human nature, so that Li Shang could not refute it. He could only sneer and said, "So what? The King of Han Could it be that because of your despicable dissension, you will kill me with a knife indiscriminately?"

"Who dares to guarantee that there is no such possibility?" Han Sheng immediately asked back, saying: "The King of Han has doubts about you, General, and is worried that you will suddenly rebel. In addition to directly executing you once and for all, another option is to take away your military power, General. If he does this, how can he not be worried that you will be dissatisfied and hate him, general, and become a hidden danger in the Han Dynasty? When the time comes, general, you only need to behave slightly wrong, or That despicable villain who is jealous of your achievements and power, General, slanders you a few words at will, how can the King of Han not feel murderous?"

After endlessly slandering Xiang Kang's ability to control his subordinates, Han Sheng went on to say: "Take a step back, even if the King of Han is wise and powerful, and insists on ignoring other people's instigation, but you, General, still have a bright future. Is it? After taking back your military power and putting it on the shelf, the King of Han, no matter how wise and powerful he is, will never dare to use you again, right? At that time, the general will not be able to succeed, he will not be able to relieve his grievances, and he will not be able to save him even if he has relatives. What kind of painful situation?"

Divorce schemes are always the most disgusting tricks. Even though he knew that Han Sheng was scaremongering, considering the instinct of human nature, Li Shang was still beating his heart and had to hear Han Sheng's words in his heart.Han Sheng seized the opportunity, took out a yellow silk imperial edict, got up and held it in front of Li Shang, and said, "Mr. Xincheng, don't worry, as long as you accept this gift from the King of Western Chu, not only will there be no more Any hidden dangers will make my brother, Mr. Li, return to Hanzhong soon and reunite with your brother, the king."

Li Shang was quite sensible and didn't reach out to take the edict. He just glanced at the edict that had been spread out by Han Sheng. Seeing that the edict was written by Emperor Xiong Xin of Chuyi, the ruler of the world respected by all princes outside the pass, he directly canonized himself As a king, he also knew that the land of Hanzhong Bashu was sealed to himself as his country, and the seal of Emperor Chuyi was stamped on it.

It is human nature, in the face of the temptation of the throne and more power, it is absolutely false to say that Li Shang will not be moved at all, but fortunately, Li Shang only had his heart moved, and then immediately smashed the imperial edict that had been held in front of him, He shouted: "Don't do this! The king of Han has treated me with such kindness as a mountain, and I will never betray the Lord's injustice!"

"Why is Your Majesty still obsessed with obsession?" Han Sheng said earnestly, "Do you dare to make a bet with the emissary? In a few days, the King of Han will at least send more people to closely monitor your every move, Your Majesty. It is to directly order you to be recalled to Guanzhong, and to be taken care of nearby, if you refuse to obey, your Majesty, you will be killed immediately."

Glaring at Han Sheng fiercely, Li Shang suddenly showed a sinister smile, and said, "If you don't tell me, this general almost forgot! Come on, take this poor man down immediately, put him in a prison cart, and take him to Xianyang to ask the King of Han to send him down. Use this common man's head to prove the innocence of General Ben!"

The guards in the hall agreed, and immediately stepped forward to hold Han Sheng down. Han Sheng didn't resist, but just smiled and said, "Your Majesty, the envoy dared to come to ask for death. Of course, he was prepared to never go back. But the envoy I have to remind you, Your Majesty, when the news of Xiaoshi's death was reported to Pengcheng, it was also the day that Brother Ling was killed, there is absolutely no second possibility!"

"you!"

Li Shang's complexion began to turn black, but Han Sheng showed no fear, and said, "My lord, these words are by no means a threat from a small emissary. You will know it as soon as you think about it, your lord. If you reject the kindness and kindness of our King of Western Chu, then you will be so kind." What's the use of our King of Western Chu keeping brother Ling behind? Can't we just kill him with a single blow and let everyone in the world know the fate of following the King of Han wholeheartedly?"

After all, he is not as rascal as Liu Laosan, and he couldn't say the cruel words of asking his brother to take a share of the pie. Li Shang hesitated, and Han Sheng took the opportunity to say: "Your Majesty, please don't worry, our King of Western Chu still has an explanation. If the envoy can go back safely, no matter whether you are willing to accept his kindness or not, he will continue to treat Mr. Li with courtesy and give you a chance to reunite with your brother in the future."

"You...!" Li Shang gritted his teeth, and soon understood Xiang Yu's vicious intentions, and said, "If I let you go back, will I make it clear in front of the King of Han in the future?"

"Is there anything you can't explain?" Han Sheng asked again, and said, "The one who can serve you here is not your most trusted confidant. You don't have to worry about them leaking the news? My little envoy After leaving here, before leaving the land of Han, would you still seek your own death, take the initiative to expose your identity, go to the Han King's people to report (surrender), and risk my own life in order to frame you?"

Li Shang was shaken, but Han Sheng said lightly: "My lord, the brotherhood between you and Mr. Li, I have also heard about the brotherhood. Your parents passed away early, your lord, and it was your brother who brought you up." , and you are called brothers, but are actually father and son, so you really have the heart to exchange the life of your little envoy for that of your elder brother?"

The fate of the dearest brother hangs in the hands of others. No matter who is in Li Shang's current position, he will never be able to make up his mind. He stared at Han Sheng fiercely with a ferocious expression. Li Shang gritted his teeth and wanted to order Han Sheng several times. Even if you are escorted to Xianyang, you can't be cruel.Han Sheng understood what Li Shang was thinking, so he said, "Your Majesty, I don't think you need to hesitate. For Brother Ling's safety, let the emissary go. No one will know what happened today."

Li Shang's fists had already been clenched until his joints turned white, but after trembling for a long time because of his own brother Li Shiqi, Li Shang sat down slowly, waved his hands weakly, and commanded in a hoarse voice: "Let him let's go."

The guards present were indeed Li Shang's confidantes. After listening to Li Shang's orders, they immediately let go of them. Han Sheng breathed a sigh of relief, and did not dare to continue to provoke Li Shang. Xia Li Shang sat in the hall and was worried, with a lot of thoughts and mixed feelings in his heart.

Li Shang soon regretted the weak decision he had made. Before evening, Li Shang realized that he was too careless in letting Xiang Yu's emissary Han Sheng go. Password ban, but who can guarantee that they will really not leak any news?Wouldn't you be greedy for glory and wealth, and secretly inform Xiang Kang?In order to keep it secret, do you want to kill all these guards?
Considering this danger, of course Li Shang was so worried that he stayed up all night. However, what made Li Shang even more frightened was still to come. Only a little more than a day later, the steward of his mansion suddenly came to report to him, saying that someone was hiding in the dark. Ask the servants in his family for news, and find out if he met a strange guest from outside the day before yesterday?Li Shang was startled and frightened when he heard this, and hurriedly asked, "Do you know who secretly inquired about me?"

"I don't know." The steward's answer by shaking his head made Li Shang feel even more frightened. He immediately guessed that the mastermind behind the scenes might be Han Chinese Wu who was loyal to Xiang Kang, and regretted that he was forced to let Xiang Yu go for Li Shiqi's safety. The secret envoy sent by him made him unable to understand even if he wanted to jump into the Yellow River.In desperation, Li Shang could only be forced to strengthen the secrecy work in his home, and beware of the eyeliner secretly staring at him.

This, of course, formed a vicious circle. The more careful Li Shang was in keeping secrets, the more vigilant and suspicious he would stare at Li Shang in secret, and the more closely he stared at Li Shang in the dark. Such clues were caught by Li Shang After discovering it, Li Shang's heart was of course more vigilant about fear and regret, and he inevitably came up with the idea - if he really had nowhere to go, should he take a gamble?
Under such circumstances, if Xiang Kang also took action, or personally sent people to strengthen the surveillance of Li Shang, or took away Li Shang's military power for safety reasons, and transferred Li Shang back to Guanzhong to monitor nearby, then needless to say, The desperate Li Shang may be forced to make a painful choice, and there will definitely be a rebellion in the rear of the Han army, which will give the enemies who are ignorant and procrastinated in the surrounding area an opportunity to take advantage of, leading to regrettable consequences!
Fortunately, at this critical moment of life and death, Zhang Liang, Xiang Kang's special envoy, finally arrived in Hanzhong. However, to Zhang Liang's surprise, he had just stayed in the building and was about to go to Li Shang's residence before he had time to change clothes and take a shower. During the visit, the special agent of the Han army that Chen Ping arranged for him came to report and said: "Zhang Situ, the villain has already contacted our people. The situation is wrong. Cangpi, the governor of Hanzhong County, has been secretly watching General Li Shang. .”

"Why?" Zhang Liang asked calmly.

"Someone threw a letter into Cang Junzun's courtyard, telling the news that General Li Shang met with the envoy of King Xichu in secret." The Han army spy replied in a low voice: "Our people also secretly heard the news. The monitoring of General Li Shang has been strengthened."

Zhang Liang smiled wryly, and said: "Sure enough, he secretly instigated rebellion, and at the same time took the initiative to inform. The Overlord of Western Chu has also learned from his cousin, the King of Han."

(End of this chapter)