After Pei Gong and Peng Yue joined forces to defeat Wang Li, they quickly sent someone to report the situation to Qingzi Champion. At this time, Qingzi Champion led the troops to rescue Zhao and came to Anyang City in Chengwu County, Dongjun. This place was still behind Peigong's army and was very safe. Qingzi Champion held a banquet with the soldiers in the military camp. When he heard that Wang Li was defeated by Pei Gong, he laughed and said: "Wang Li is a famous general of the Qin State, but he was beaten so badly by Liu Bang. Why is this? Isn't it because I have an army of 200,000 men stationed here?" "?" The envoy asked: "Master Champion, how do you say this?" Song Yi explained: "The army of Chu is here, how can Wang Li dare to fight? He even scared him away! It's something that even children understand. , don’t you understand? Hehe!” After Song Yi said this, he ordered: “After today’s banquet, all officers and men will be on standby at their posts. Without my general order, no one is allowed to talk about military affairs!” The envoy felt. Inexplicably, when the report was over, Xiang Yu was still nowhere to be found. After he walked out of the military tent, he asked the sergeants where the deputy general was. Someone showed him the way and said, "The deputy general is in the camp over there." The envoy walked towards Xiang Yu's camp.
After the envoy met Xiang Yu, he recounted how Pei Gong defeated Wang Li in Juyeze. After hearing this, Xiang Yu said very happily: "My brother defeated Wang Li, I am really happy! We became sworn brothers in Pengcheng and agreed to jointly destroy the Qin State. But now I have no ambition to serve the country, but I have nowhere to show it!" The messenger! Seeing that Xiang Yu was angry and unjust, he asked what the problem was. Xiang Yu said: "Your Majesty, the champion is too slow to advance, and I am really worried." The envoy asked: "Since ancient times, rescuing people has been like putting out fires. King Huai ordered the general to go to Hebei to rescue Zhao, but why is it stagnant now?" Xiang Yu replied: "I don't know either? Your Majesty the Champion just ordered the army to camp here and not move forward even half a step. I have been anxious all day long, and it is hard to get food and tea. How can I think about feasting? Hey! I just hope that the general will give the order, and I will You can go to Hebei to fight the Qin army. But he drinks and has fun all day long as if nothing has happened. Alas! I really don’t know what his strategy is?" After hearing Xiang Yu’s words, the envoy took out Pei Gong’s letter and gave it to Xiang Yu. . Xiang Yu opened the letter and saw that it read:
Ever since I became sworn brother, I have been living a happy life. Although I don't read much, I still know a few things about the ancients. Whenever I hear about Yang Jiao'ai and Zuo Botao's emphasis on loyalty, I'm shocked in my heart. Therefore, you must be loyal and don't violate your conscience. This is also what people praise. My brother and I were entrusted by King Huai to divide our forces to attack Qin. The last time I received the order from the champion of Qingzi, it was as if I had received the order from my brother, so we won the battle. This was all relying on my reputation. ! Brother, I don't dare to think of myself as a great person. Even if I work hard, I can't express my admiration for you. There are too many words to say, but the paper is short and the love is long. I only hope that you will make great achievements as soon as possible, defeat the Qin army, and shame your family with the snow country.
After Xiang Yu read the letter, he said to the envoy with great emotion: "Go back and tell my brother that I must use practical actions to prove my determination to save Zhao!" The envoy said goodbye and went back.
On this day, Xiang Yu came to Qingzi Champion's tent and asked to see him. The guards said: "Yesterday, Mr. Champion gave an order that no one is allowed to enter." Xiang Yu thought for a while and then had to go back. Two days later, Xiang Yu once again came to Qingzi Champion's military tent. The guards reported, but the guards still blocked him and said: "Master Champion has an order that no one is allowed to enter. General, please go back!" Xiang Yu said to the sergeant: "I have something important to discuss, please go and inform Mr. Champion." The guard refused. Xiang Yu pushed the guard to the ground, and the guard fell unconscious. When the other guards saw it, they hurried in to report it.
After a while, the guard came out and said, "Your Majesty the Champion has orders not to see anyone." Xiang Yu returned to his tent angrily. Xiang Yu sat for a while, thinking about it, and became angry, so he sent someone to invite Fan Zeng. After a while, Fan Zeng came to the tent. Xiang Yu frankly said to Fan Zeng: "King Huai asked us to rescue Zhao and hand over 200,000 troops to the general. This is a major matter related to the rise and fall of the world. But after the general came here, he had three meals a day. Quite a few of them set up camp without panicking at all, as if nothing was wrong. However, the kings and ministers of Zhao State were trapped. Saving people has been like putting out fires since ancient times, but why did the general act like this? Fan Zeng said with a smile: "General Zheng When you are calm and confident, how can you make rash guesses? Xiang Yu felt confused and asked Fan Zeng why he stopped advancing. Fan Zeng replied, wiping his long beard: "I told you a few days ago that the general has no intention of saving Zhao!" "Xiang Yu almost jumped up in shock when he heard this, and hurriedly asked why. Fan Zeng replied wisely: "When setting off from Pengcheng, King Huai made an agreement with the generals: whoever enters the pass first will be the king of Guanzhong. Now the general only wants to be the king of Guanzhong, so he is not interested in saving Zhao! Xiang Yu was surprised and said, "Isn't this disobeying the king's order?" Fan Zeng said: "The general is in great power now, and he may not be controlled by King Huai." Xiang Yu said anxiously: "What does he want to do?" Fan Zeng said: "Don't worry, I don't know what he thinks yet." I will go see him in person tomorrow and declare first the importance of going north to rescue Zhao and see what he says. As soon as he finished speaking, someone suddenly walked in and reported: "Master Champion, please invite the two generals to come and discuss important matters." "Xiang Yu and Fan Zeng thought that they were about to send troops, so they came to see Qing Zi champion in great excitement.
As soon as the two people walked to the door of the military tent, they smelled a strong aroma of wine. When they walked in, they saw a sumptuous banquet already held inside, and strangely, a stranger was sitting at the head. When the stranger saw Xiang Yu and Fan Zeng coming in, he stood up, bowed, and then sat there motionless. Seeing the two of them come in, Qingzi Champion smiled and pointed at the stranger and said: "This is the envoy sent by the State of Qi, and he is also a friend I made when I was on a mission to the State of Qi. He came to the army to communicate with our country. OK, and I also request that someone be sent to Qi State to serve as prime minister. I would like to discuss with you two to see who is suitable to send?" When Xiang Yu heard that he was an envoy from Qi State, he was very angry and looked serious. Said: "General, in the past, Lord Wu Xin relieved the siege of Dong'a and marched westward, but Tian Rong ignored it. As a result, Lord Wu Xin was attacked by Zhang Han and sacrificed his life for the country. The Chu army also suffered heavy losses. Now that Qi has come to Tonghao, it is Do you want to wipe out the past sins? Besides, King Huai ordered us to go to Hebei to rescue Zhao. How can we want to be the prime minister of Qi? Saving people has been like putting out fires since ancient times. Now please send troops to the north quickly. Don't listen to the lies of the Qi people. It delayed the important task of rescuing Zhao!"
Champion Qingzi said displeasedly: "Being on good terms with Qi State is related to the survival of the world! And the deputy general keeps talking about family matters and personal grudges. Why are you so narrow-minded?" Xiang Yu was very unconvinced when he heard what Champion Champion Qingzi said. Fan Zeng hurriedly interrupted: "It's okay for the general to want to be on good terms with Qi, but it is up to the king to decide who to send as prime minister. As generals, we only think about fighting. Now the army is delaying to advance, which is a waste of opportunity. Ah?" Qing Ziyuan said: "Sanchuan is the foundation of the world. If we don't capture it first, it will be a military mistake. I am determined to destroy Qin, and I don't care about one or two battles!" Fan Zeng said: "The general is right, but Zhao's envoys asking for help are arriving one after another. The general should be ordered to lift the siege of Julu, right?" Qing Ziyuan said: "Zhang Han and Wang Li, with hundreds of thousands of troops, are in Hebei and are now confronting Zhao. As the saying goes, "When two tigers fight, one of them will be injured." The reason why I don't lead the troops is to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight. When one tiger eats the other, I will take full advantage. This is my plan, you don't understand. !" Fan Zeng argued: "The so-called 'two tigers fighting' means that the two sides are equally powerful. But now Qin is strong and Zhao is weak. The total number of Qin's troops is no less than 300,000, while Zhao alone defends one city and has only a few soldiers. They were widowed and lacked food and grass. Wang Li and Zhang Han besieged the giant deer, just like two well-fed tigers guarding a hungry sheep. The hungry tiger would definitely devour the sheep and become stronger. How could there be a situation like "two tigers fighting each other"? talk?"
The champion of Qingzi continued: "Although the Zhao army is not as good as the Qin army, it can still hold on until now. Doesn't it also mean that they are very powerful?" Fan Zeng said: "In short, our army can't delay any longer. If we go north, we will fight with them." If the Zhao army attacks the Qin army, the Qin army will be defeated. Then enter the pass, and a big deal will be decided." Champion Qingzi thought for a while, and then said: "The old general's words are reasonable, but now Qi State takes the initiative to make peace with our country. , If you don’t reply, you will lose the diplomatic relations of a big country. Countries are like people, how can they live without friends?” At this time, the envoys of Qi State also stood up and said: “Qi State and your country are really on good terms, how can you Can you doubt it?" Fan Zeng immediately said: "It is okay to have a good relationship with Qi, but this matter should be left to the king. Now Qin is strong and Zhao is weak. If we wait any longer, the Qin army will win and the Zhao army will lose. After the Qin army defeated the Zhao army, its strength It will become stronger. With Zhang Han's wisdom and Wang Li's courage, our army will not be able to defeat him. Moreover, Wang Li has just been defeated by Liu Bang. We should take advantage of his escape to attack in one fell swoop, and the siege of Julu will be easily solved." The champion of Qingzi sneered: "Old general is known for his strategy. How can you say such a thing? You can't fight with blood and courage alone. How do you know my general strategy?" Fan Zeng said: "Waiting any longer is a waste of opportunity, general. What general strategy is there?" Champion Qingzi said: "General strategy is a confidential matter and should not be talked about lightly!" Fan Zeng said: "But how can you disobey the king's order?" Champion Qingzi replied coldly: "'The general is outside. You are not accepting your orders!'" He flatly rejected their requests. Xiang Yu walked out angrily. Fan Zeng then stomped his feet and left in disappointment.
In the next few days, Qing Ziguan had frequent exchanges with envoys from Qi. They only talked about the diplomatic relations between Qi and Chu, and never mentioned the rescue of Zhao. Champion Qing also summoned his son Song Xiang from Pingyang, and decided privately that he would send Song Xiang to Qi State to serve as prime minister. On the night when Song Xiang came, Qing Ziyuan and several envoys from Qi had a banquet and talked happily.
When Xiang Yu heard about this, he came to Fan Zeng again and said, "The general is determined to have his own way. He has already brought his son back. I heard that he will be sent to Qi as an official. What should we do?" Fan Zeng said, "First Wait and see how he acts?" So Xiang Yu and Chen Ping were invited to inspect the military camp, and the three of them arrived at the camp. It was already October and the weather was very cold. The soldiers, wearing only single clothes and armor, huddled in the tents to keep each other warm. Xiang Yu asked about the food situation again. The sergeants replied: "I only ate some plain rice steamed with thick rice to barely fill my belly." After hearing this, Xiang Yu saw that the scene in the soldiers' camp was in stark contrast to the scene where Qingzi champion ate and drank all day long. The comparison made me extremely angry. Someone asked why the army was stagnant. Xiang Yu had no choice but to reply: "This is Qingzi Champion's order! But please don't worry, I will go to discuss with him tomorrow. We must go north!" When the sergeants heard that Xiang Yu could not understand Qingzi Champion's order, they all said in unison. : "Please, deputy commander, please follow the example of Lord Wu Xin, we can't be cowardly turtles!" Xiang Yu was very moved after hearing what everyone said.
The next day, Xiang Yu came to Qingzi Champion's camp again and asked the guards to report. The guard still refused. Xiang Yu drew his sword, killed the guard, and then broke in. Champion Qingzi had not gotten up because he was drunk. When he saw Xiang Yu barging in, he said angrily: "As a deputy general, why don't you understand the rules?" Xiang Yu said angrily: "Why don't you allow me to comment?" Champion Qingzi was still scolding Xiang Yu loudly. Xiang Yu suppressed his anger and said: "You and I share the great trust of King Huai. Now the Zhao Kingdom is in danger. If our army does not go north, when will the siege of Julu be solved?" The champion of Qingzi angrily scolded Xiang Yu and said, "I want to slap the cow on the back." The big midges on the grass cannot kill the small lice on the cattle. My appetite is either big or small. Now the Qin army is besieging Zhao with all its strength. If the Qin army wins, they will definitely be tired. Our army will take advantage of its fatigue. , a sudden attack will lead to a complete victory. But if the Qin army is defeated, our army will turn around and march westward, attacking Xianyang in one fell swoop. The Qin army will naturally surrender without a fight! Now is the time for us to reap the benefits, so Don't you understand the simple truth? When it comes to being strong and brave, charging into battle, I am indeed not as good as you Xiang Yu, but if I sit down to strategize and win a decisive victory thousands of miles away, you are far from being able to compare with me? You'd better go back Read the art of war carefully, I really don’t know how your uncle taught you the art of war back then?" After Qingzi Champion finished speaking, he was so angry that he blew his beard and glared. Xiang Yu didn't expect that Qingzi Champion would accuse him like this and even mention his dead uncle. He walked out of the tent angrily as if he had been humiliated.
Fan Zeng heard that Xiang Yu had gone to the commander's tent again, so he came with Zhong Limei and happened to meet Xiang Yu. When Fan Zeng saw Xiang Yu leaving angrily, he followed Zhong Limei to Xiang Yu's military tent, and then asked the general what he said. Xiang Yu angrily rebuked: "Song Yi, a common man, is determined to go his own way. He is still doing the same old thing, saying that he must wait for the Qin army to win before fighting! If the Qin army loses, he will march westward! Is this a war? This is a conspiracy!" Fan Zeng He said: "Please calm down. I was afraid that you would be reckless, so I came here. Since the general will not save Zhao, I have to think of a perfect plan." Xiang Yu casually said: "Kill him, I will do it!" Fan Zeng was shocked and said: "Don't talk nonsense!" Then he tried to dissuade him in every possible way, and said: "You can bear it for now, and let's see how he acts next?" Xiang Yu was still furious.
