On that day, Xiang Yu, Lu Bu and Fan Zeng discussed for a long time in the hall, and did not go to bed until late at night.
The next morning, in order to calm the hearts of the meritorious veterans who were inevitably a little restless because of his hasty departure from the capital nearly a month ago, Xiang Yu ordered a grand banquet to be held in the South Hall of the Xianyang Palace to entertain the princes and ministers.
Everyone knew that the reason why Xiang Yu held such a grand banquet at this time was to hint that he would soon formally reward those who had made contributions, so although everyone had their own thoughts, they all appeared to be happy to attend the banquet.
Among such a large crowd, only Lu Bu, who had no desire for official positions and titles, and had no important matters to attend to, and was not afraid of being delayed by drinking, and Han Xin, who had expectations in this regard but was prepared to just follow arrangements, could concentrate on tasting the wine and food. No one else was interested in drinking.
The Emperor of Chu had a cold and dignified look on his face, and he never smiled even during the banquet, as if he was keeping everyone at a distance.
Although all the ministers wanted to praise and curry favor with the king, they found it difficult to speak. So they had to find another way and test Lu Bu, the king's favorite.
At first, Lu Bu listened patiently and said a few perfunctory words.
After being annoyed many times, disturbing him from tasting this long-lost wine, he simply put on a sullen face, released a murderous aura that was no less powerful than Xiang Yu, and said bluntly: "Your Majesty's mind is as unfathomable as his majesty. How can a minister guess it easily? If you really want to know, is there anyone at the table who knows better than Your Majesty?"
Sima Xin was speechless after hearing these straightforward words. His face turned pale and blue. He seemed to hear the people laughing in his ears. He couldn't help but feel completely annoyed with Lu Bu.
Lu Bu had lived a very frustrating life in his previous life. Now that he could earn money for free in this life, why would he feel so frustrated when dealing with a mere Sima Xin
Anyway, Sima Xin looked at his old arms and legs, and even if he got angry and attacked him, he would be no match for him.
Lu Bu snorted lazily.
He was just about to add insult to injury and make a few more sarcastic remarks to serve as a warning to the monkeys when he suddenly thought of something.
A thought flashed through his mind, and the next moment he gave Sima Xin, whose face was full of suppressed anger, a glance that contained disdain, complacency and arrogance.
But to outsiders, Sima Lu's look had a bit of His Majesty's aura and was truly unfathomable.
Unexpectedly, the dignified General Lu was thinking: "Besides, the real boss, Xiang Hanzi, is coveting my beauty, so how could he speak for this old man!"
Thinking of this, although Lu Bu still felt a little uncomfortable about the loss he suffered that day, he couldn't help but feel very happy.
While he was enjoying the wine, he was also taking care of the cheap guy sitting next to him.
Han Xin was a little embarrassed at first, but he was deeply moved by his brother's concern for him.
However, he was very perceptive and soon realized that every time his brother patted his back without knowing how to do it, he said it was to help him drink more wine, but in fact it caused him to choke. He would often use the excuse of "not being greedy" to take the jar of the most fragrant wine...
Glancing at his brother's nonchalant act of "stealing wine", Han Xin shook his head in confusion, but chose to indulge him without hesitation and did not speak out to expose him.
Also witnessing this scene was Xiang Yu, who was sitting in the main seat and frequently glancing at his sweetheart.
Seeing this, Xiang Yu frowned deeply, wondering what he was thinking.
After a while, he summoned the palace servants and gave them a few instructions in a deep voice. Soon, several jars of fine wine were brought in and placed beside Lu Bu.
Seeing this, Han Xin hastily nudged his brother, who was squinting his eyes and looking serious, and urged him in a low voice: "Your Majesty, please give me some wine. Go and thank him."
Thanks for nothing, no thanks!
Lu Bu recalled how he was held down and bitten on the lips several times that day, and then seeing Hanzi's obvious actions to please him, how could he be satisfied with this
He didn't want to offend this cheap brother, so he changed his mind and resolutely lay down on the low table, pretending to be drunk.
Han Xin knew very well that his brother was obviously half drunk, which was why he was acting so shamelessly.
He smiled helplessly and dotingly, and was about to give more advice when Xiang Yu, who had been silent all this time, suddenly stood up and said calmly, "Everyone, continue."
After saying this in a straightforward manner, Xiang Yu actually left the table first.
After the King of Chu left the banquet, the mood at the banquet inevitably rose a little. Some ministers who had been reluctantly maintaining their airs before finally dared to drink heartily.
Soon, the banquet was filled with drunkards.
Han Xin was not fond of wine, and he was not particularly keen on food, but he consumed a lot of it without realizing it.
When he felt a little full in his stomach, he stopped immediately, and looked at his brother who had gone from pretending to be drunk to being really drunk at some point, and was lying on the ground with his limbs stretched out limply, and he couldn't help laughing.
When he was about to personally carry his brother on his back to take him back to the palace, several guards suddenly stepped forward and politely stopped him, saying, "Your Majesty has ordered that drunk people can rest in the palace and can leave the palace and return home tomorrow after sobering up."
Han Xin shook his head without hesitation and said, "No need to bother."
Although he was not known for his martial arts, he was a soldier after all, and was still sober at the moment. It was difficult to carry the drunk brother, but it was not impossible.
Besides, there were many people attending the banquet this time, and many of them behaved strangely after getting drunk.
In order to prevent his brother from being plotted against by evil people while he is not in his right mind, he had better keep an eye on him carefully.
The guard was stunned when he heard this. He had never expected Han Xin to refuse in this way. For a moment, he didn't know how to persuade him next.
While they were struggling with the secret order from His Majesty, Han Xin had already laboriously carried his brother, who looked even heavier after being drunk but fortunately his limbs were still obedient, on his back, and walked out slowly step by step.
As soon as we walked out of the palace gate, there was a carriage waiting for us, not too far away.
Han Xin had not taken ten steps when he heard a heavy and orderly sound of footsteps coming from behind him, from far away to near. The people in front of him showed surprise on their faces and bowed to him in greeting.
Han Xin was stunned and turned around subconsciously, only to see that Xiang Yu, the King of Chu who had left the table first, had come back for some reason!
Xiang Yu took Lu Bu from Han Xin's back very naturally, and after a slight hesitation, he used his arms to hold Lu Bu in a position that would allow him to continue dozing off comfortably.
After hugging the man, he looked at Han Xin, who was stunned, calmly and said calmly: "Follow me into the palace."
Han Xin nodded stupidly and followed Xiang Yu woodenly.
His brother, who had found it so tiring to carry on his back, seemed incredibly light in the hands of Xiang Yu, who was unrivaled in the world for his supernatural strength to move mountains.
Han Xin was both impressed and worried.
Xiang Yu walked steadily but very quickly. Soon he led Han Xin and others to... the emperor's bedroom.
After seeing the words on the plaque clearly, Han Xin was surprised again, and a myriad of emotions emerged in his heart.
The Overlord gained hegemony over the world, and my dear brother has indeed made great contributions.
Fortunately, the Overlord also trusted me deeply and never let me down. Not only did he gladly accept my military advice several times, he even let me sleep soundly beside his bed.
After Xiang Yu entered the hall, he hesitated for a moment.
He hesitated for a moment between the main hall and the side hall, and finally just carried the person to the side hall and placed Han Xin there.
But after putting the person down, he did not rush to leave.
In Han Xin's eyes, Xiang Yu looked at his brother who was immersed in a drunken dream with deep eyes, wondering what he was thinking.
Suddenly he said as if talking to himself: "Do you know why I can win the world today?"
If it were someone else, they would definitely seize this great opportunity to flatter and praise the might of the Chu army, the bravery of Your Majesty, the divine military strategy, and the appointment of talented people...
Except for the palace maid guarding outside the door, the only person in the hall was Han Xin, who was also looking at Lu Bu sleeping.
Although Han Xin was confused by this unexpected question, he still said frankly: "It is because Your Majesty has my brother as your right-hand man and full support."
The time he spent in the Chu camp was far longer than that of Lu Bu.
The reason why he left in despair and disappointment that day was that he saw through Xiang Yu's fatal weakness.
Knowing that he is stubborn, nepotistic, cruel, short-sighted, and indifferent to the people...
Even if you have unparalleled courage, you will eventually end up dead.
Han Xin always firmly believed that all the subsequent changes were due to his younger brother.
It is easy to change the country, but difficult to change one's nature.
When he thinks back on the past now, he still finds it a little unbelievable.
I'm afraid that only a unique man like you can change Xiang Yu's stubborn temper.
Hearing this, Xiang Yu was not annoyed, but instead smiled, which was a rare occurrence for him.
He curled the corners of his lips lightly, turned around, looked at Han Xin who looked calm, and said in a deep voice: "I think so too."
Han Xin remained calm and was pondering the truth of his words when Xiang Yu suddenly spoke again, saying indifferently, "Sit down."
He looked like he wanted to have a long talk with Han Xin.
Although Han Xin led his troops to conquer several countries and made outstanding military achievements, he was neither a trusted general from Jiangdong who had followed Xiang Yu for many years, nor was he a trusted minister like his younger brother who came from behind and miraculously caught Xiang Yu's eye.
In addition, he was good at military planning but not at his own planning, and he did not know what it meant to be a senior official.
At this critical moment before the reward, when others were busy making friends and taking active actions, he was always concentrating on studying and writing military books behind closed doors. He rarely even entered the palace, let alone made a special trip to show his ability to Xiang Yu
After returning to Xianyang, he handed in the military command and returned the military power at the urging of his younger brother. Except for the day when he was urged by his younger brother to enter the palace to say a few dry words of congratulations to Xiang Yu who was about to become emperor, the only time he entered the palace was when he received a letter from his younger brother and was shocked.
This was the first time that Xiang Yu, who had always been arrogant, invited someone to have a conversation in such a peaceful and friendly manner.
Han Xin was slightly startled, but his expression remained calm. He nodded slightly to express his gratitude and then sat down.
Of course, Lu Bu had no idea about this night conversation between the two.
He was galloping on his horse in his sleep, killing people to his heart's content. Just as he was about to catch the hateful Liu Haozi and cut him into pieces, he was laughing triumphantly when suddenly he heard a very familiar voice.
Even the conversation seemed vaguely familiar to him.
It was as if the foolish emperor was asking: "... How much can I do?"
It was as if he was being naive and said, "Your Majesty, the more soldiers you have, the better."
Just when he was vaguely feeling somewhat relieved, thinking that this simple-minded elder was much better than the simple-minded emperor, and had mastered the essence of flattery without any instruction, he heard the simple-minded emperor say "hmm" indifferently and asked again: "How is your son?"
Han Xin sounded relaxed, but his words were extremely arrogant: "The more I have, the better."
—How dare these idiots brag so shamelessly in front of him while he was sleeping!
Lu Bu was filled with anger and opened his eyes suddenly. Before he regained consciousness, he could not help but angrily said, "The more the better!"