The interior furnishings are just like an ordinary farmhouse. There is a small pottery lamp placed on the low table. The lamp is like a bean, and the firelight is warm, which makes the rain outside the window even faster.
The four of them sat around the simple wooden dining table, with a rough and wet half-old bamboo mat underneath them, making them look a little cramped.
But just because the shabby room was cramped, the distance between these four people who originally belonged to different camps unexpectedly narrowed -
A weak relative with no strength to restrain a chicken, a wily and scheming founding strategist, a precarious King of Chu with a different surname, and a fugitive.
Although Zhang Liang had been well prepared when he arrived, being in the same room with an imperial convict whom the emperor missed so much, drinking and talking was an adventure he had never experienced before in his life.
And Han Xin, although he showed uncontrollable ecstasy when he first met Zhong Lihuan, now he restrained his emotions and fell into the same gloomy contemplation as before.
Presumably, he, who has always been cautious, has begun to worry about the risk of this old friend being exposed.
Zhong Lihuan noticed everyone's overflowing tension and anxiety, and calmly took down the three-legged copper jiāo bucket for warming wine from the stove, and filled the ear cup in front of Zhang Liang.
"This is country brew, sold from the village entrance yesterday.
Although it is not as good as the fine wines in your city, it does have a different flavor. Please try it, sir. "
Zhang Liang thanked him and took a few sips from the cup. However, he felt that the aroma was strong, pungent and sweet, and he couldn't help but praise, "It's really a good wine."
Seeing that the well-known counselor was so easy-going, Zhongli Zhen admired him in his heart. He continued to drink for him and continued,
"Mr. Zifang may not know me, but I know you. I remember that at the Hongmen Banquet, I glimpsed your face from a distance outside the account."
When the undercurrent of the Hongmen Banquet was surging, Zhong Lihuan and Han Xin were both halberd-bearing men in King Xiang's army. Although they were not guards at the banquet, they both witnessed Fan Kuai's attack on the tent.
"At that time, everyone whispered in private that Zhang Zifang's strategizing skills were comparable to Jiang Ziya who had flourished the Zhou Dynasty for 800 years. If it was destined that he would not be able to be used by King Xiang, he would simply kill him to avoid future troubles.
It's a pity that King Xiang didn't listen to us in the end and ended up like this. It's time and destiny. "
He chuckled, drank the wine in one gulp, turned to Han Xin and said,
"And you.
The story about how you rewarded Piao Mu with huge sums of money in Huaiyin has been heard even by me, a village man in the mountains.
Although you have returned home in fine clothes, I think your life now may not be as enjoyable as you thought before. "
Zhong Lihuan poured himself a drink, touched the cup in his hand to Han Xin's, raised his neck, and drank again.
Zhang Liang smiled. This man was sincere and honest. He was indeed a good man. No wonder Han Xin would risk his life to protect him.
***
Lu Shizhi knew that this meeting was of great importance. Everyone's identity was extremely sensitive and it was inconvenient to stay for a long time, so he hurriedly got to the point.
"Zhongli, Mr. Zifang and King Chu are here today to discuss an important matter with you."
"What's the important matter? Could it be that my whereabouts have been exposed?"
Zhong Lihuan asked, suppressed his smile, stood up suddenly, walked to the side couch, and took out a short copper sword with the head of a chi dragon from a pile of hemp quilt piled in the corner of the couch.
Holding the sword in his left hand, he turned to them and said calmly,
"If that's the case, then without bothering you all, I'll kill myself here right now to save you all the trouble."
His movements were smooth and smooth, without any lag. He must have rehearsed them countless times in his heart and mind.
"No, no, Zhongli, where did you think you were? Come back and sit down quickly."
Lu Shizhi was shocked by his reaction and waved his hands repeatedly.
"You are very safe now. If you want, you can live in seclusion like this for the rest of your life."
"Then, what are you doing?"
Zhong Lihuan held the dagger and slowly sat back at the desk, full of doubts.
Zhang Liang took a sip of wine, stared at him, and said carefully,
"It's like this. The imperial court has made up its mind to completely clear the north and solve the problem of the Xiongnu.
There will definitely be a battle between the Han and the Hungarians, as early as three years or as late as five years. "
Zhong Lihuan stopped drinking and just listened quietly, his face uncertain and elusive under the dancing lights.
"You have also been a leader of troops. Knowing yourself and your enemy is the way to survive a hundred battles.
The imperial court will probably send a number of spies north, but——"
Zhang Liang hesitated slightly, seeming to be looking for better words.
"——It's just that you are worried about the suspicion of those barbarians. If you cannot gain their trust, all your previous efforts will be wasted. The spies can only send back peripheral information, but they will not be able to reach the core of the royal court."
Zhong Lihuan quickly answered the question, revealing everyone's concerns.
"Yes, you are all experts, so I'll just put it bluntly."
Seeing Zhong Lihuan's cheerful attitude, Lu Shizhi simply opened the window and spoke frankly.
"After much thought, Zhongli, you seem to be the most suitable candidate.
You are brave, resourceful, and know how to fight. Moreover, the whole world knows that you are the person His Majesty is always searching for. "
As the person the Emperor of the Han Dynasty most wanted to get rid of, Zhong Lihuan could naturally gain the trust of the Huns without even having to fabricate any miserable life story.
"Even the Huns probably know this very well." Zhang Liang said,
"If you are willing to go, you may be able to win the trust of Maodun Shanyu, go deep into the Xiongnu, and obtain more favorable news for us."
Seeing that Zhong Lihuan was silent for a moment, Zhang Liang hurriedly said,
"This...is not an order, nor is it an exchange.
It's just an unkind invitation, you can refuse it. "
Zhong Lihuan suddenly raised his eyes and looked at Han Xin, "What do you think?"
***
Han Xin reached for his dagger, lowered his head, and rubbed the finely carved chilong pattern on the sword's head with his fingertips. After a long time, Fang took a deep breath and said word by word,
"Zhongli, do you remember that when King Chen rose up, we joined the rebel army? We have gone through hundreds of battles. You carried me out of the dead many times. I will always owe you."
These few sentences were not difficult, but Han Xin spoke extremely slowly, as if he had devoted all his strength to them.
"So, your life is in your own control.
As long as I am here, no one can force you, and no one can control your destiny. "
After he finished speaking, he gently placed the dagger on the table in front of him, firm and resolute. He was no longer the frightened King of Chu, but turned back into the illustrious God of War who commanded thousands of armies.
It is strange to say that when Zhong Lihuan just drew his sword and was about to kill himself, his expression was as usual and he looked forward to death. However, after listening to Han Xin's words, his throat rolled and he was greatly shocked.
Zhang Liang silently took another sip of wine, knowing that a great deal had been accomplished, and couldn't help but secretly praise the queen's ability to recognize people.
After a long while, Zhong Lihuan said,
"In the past few months, my life has been very leisurely and comfortable, but I have always been depressed.
Now I understand that I actually have two choices. I can live my whole life in fear, hiding my name and being a Guizhou farmer.
Or, I can live a vigorous life and live my life in this world in vain. "
After that, he took a big gulp of wine, his eyes lit up, and he laughed.
"I have always thought that the King of Han was of humble origin and had a narrow vision. He was able to ascend to the throne of God only because he was good at judging the situation.
Unexpectedly, he had such ambitions and dared to attack the Huns in the north. It turned out that I underestimated him.
Was it he who asked you to come to me today? "
"No, Your Majesty is not aware of all this.
From rescuing you from Donghai County in the past to inviting you to go to the Huns today, everything was planned by the Queen.
It was even the queen who insisted on conquering the Huns. "
"Queen? There is such a powerful queen in the world?"
"Yes, there is such a powerful queen in the world."
"Okay! As a weak woman, the Queen is righteous and awe-inspiring, and I am fearless. I'm going to be a mere Huns!"
The three of them stared at Zhong Lihuan intently, with excitement in their chests, but they didn't know where to start.
After all, Zhang Liang was the first to calm down and asked,
"What worries do you have here?"
"My mother is still alive in my hometown. She has been on the run for months and has never dared to go back to visit her. I wish I could fulfill my filial piety to Cheng Huan."
"Thankfully you were alert enough and didn't go back.
Your Majesty must have ambushed you around your home. If you go there, you will be trapped in a trap. "Lu Shizhi said with a smile.
Zhang Liang thought for a moment and said solemnly,
"If you can trust me, I will tell the queen that she will treat you kindly and take away your worries.
This point has nothing to do with your performance in the Huns. "
"I believe it, I will leave it to you."
