General Qin

"The prince anticipated the enemy's opportunity, used his troops to defeat the prime minister, and suppressed the Xiang family's rebellion in a short period of time. We all admire him."

"Yeah, yeah, it's a shame that we were trapped in Pengcheng and couldn't fight with the king, otherwise I would definitely kill him in the Xiang family's rebel army, with heads rolling in!"

In the Pengcheng mansion where the martial arts lord Zhao Tuo temporarily resides, a small banquet is being held, and the speakers are Fan Kuai and Cao Shen, former members of the Northern Expeditionary Army.

The two of them raised their glasses and toasted, praising Zhao Tuo's achievements in suppressing the rebellion, but regretting that they had missed the opportunity to kill the enemy on the battlefield and make meritorious deeds.

In the past, Cao Shen, Fan Kuai and Xiao He followed Zhao Tuo in the Northern Expedition and were awarded titles for their merits.

Xiao He became a senior official, Cao Shen became a senior official, and Fan Kuai rose to the rank of Zuo Shu Zhang.

At that time, during the Northern Expedition, there were too many knights, and the central department's deadline had just passed, so there were no suitable positions assigned to them. So after Fan Kuai and the others stayed in Xianyang for a while, they said goodbye and returned to their hometown in Peixian County, waiting for vacancies in the future to make arrangements.

Among them, Xiao He's title was not high. After returning to Sishui County, he was immediately appointed to the post of chief official by the magistrate of Pei County, with whom he had a close friendship, and became a county official. Now, because of the assassins in Pei County, the whole country The county is under martial law and there are many affairs, so it is not possible to come to visit Zhao Tuo.

As for Fan Kuai and Cao Shen, their titles are higher than Xiao He. The Duke's Cao Shen can serve as a county lieutenant in a county, and Fan Kuai can hold official positions such as county lieutenant and captaincy. The corresponding positions have not been vacated yet, so the two of them are considered free.

When they heard that the First Emperor was driving to Sishui County to salvage the tripod, the two of them and Xiao He made an appointment to come to Pengcheng to meet their benefactor Zhao Tuo.

Unexpectedly, the emperor's chariot encountered Zhang Liang's assassination before he entered Pengcheng. Zhao Tuo immediately led his troops south, while Fan Kuai, Cao Shen and others were trapped here due to martial law in Pengcheng, and they lost the opportunity to follow Zhao An opportunity for Tuo to quell chaos.

When they thought of this at the wine table, Fan Kuai and Cao Shen sighed. After going to the battlefield, their talents and hobbies for fighting were developed, but it was a pity that they did not have many opportunities to participate in the war.

Fan Kuai even muttered: "If I had known this, when I was in Xianyang, I should have followed Brother Ren to fight against the southwestern Yi like Chen Ping."

Zhao Tuo's heart moved and he said: "If you want to go to the battlefield again, I can give you a chance, but I don't know if you are willing to go to the land of Haidong."

Haidong?

Fan Kuai and Cao Shen were stunned for a moment, and then thought of the news that had spread in the past two days that Zhang Liang colluded with Lord Canghai and the King of Korea to assassinate the emperor.

"The emperor wants to conquer Haidong? Is it the prince who will lead the army?"

The two were overjoyed and stared at Zhao Tuo with bright eyes.

Zhao Tuo smiled and shook his head and said: "It's General Li Xin who is fighting in Liaodong. The emperor will dispatch a partial army to Liaodong via Yan to be commanded by General Li Xin, and then, together with the Liaodong Army, go south to attack Haidong and North Korea. Both countries are weak barbarians, so there is no suspense in this battle. If you want to go, you can join this partial army and kill the enemy in the east of the sea to make meritorious deeds."

When he heard that Zhao Tuo was not coming to lead the army in this battle, Cao Shen showed hesitation.

But Fan Kuai couldn't wait any longer and shouted: "Okay, as long as there are enemies to attack, it will be the same everywhere. I, Fan Kuai, am willing to go to Haidong! If I can catch another Korean king to kill, I can at least get one or two more titles this time." !”

Hearing Fan Kuai mention the promotion, Cao Shen was also moved, and he held his hands and said: "I would also like to go under General Li to conquer the Haidong rebels."

"Well, I will give a revised letter to General Li at that time, and you can take it to me."

Zhao Tuo nodded. With his relationship with Li Xin, and the abilities of Fan Kuai and Cao Shen, this time the Qin army will conquer Haidong, and they will definitely shine.

At the same time, it would also allow Zhao Tuo's power in Da Qin to increase day by day.

"The central government, local governments, and the army all have my people."

When Zhao Tuo lowered his head to drink, a gleam of light flashed in his eyes.

Originally, the chaos in the late Qin Dynasty after the death of the First Emperor in history has always been like a big stone hanging in Zhao Tuo's heart.

On the one hand, while trying his best to change history, he was also on guard against possible coups.

Zhao Tuo knows very well that political power comes from the barrel of a gun, so he has always attached great importance to the extension of his power.

In Xianyang, Zhao Tuo's old subordinates such as Shejian, Heiyi, Zhongli Mei, Lu Wan, and Li Shang served in important military departments such as Taiwei, Lieutenant, and Weiwei respectively.

At the local level, Zhao Guang was a lieutenant of Sishui County, and Xiqigu, Bai Rong, Zhang He and others were either county soldiers, county commanders, or county lieutenants.

In the army, Wang Li, the commander-in-chief of the Yuezhi expedition to the west, Meng Tian, ​​who led one hundred thousand prisoners, and Meng Tian, ​​who built the straight road in Guizhou, were all his old subordinates of Zhao Tuo.

Ren Xiao, the commander-in-chief of the expedition against the southwestern barbarians, was his brother Zhao Tuo, and his military adviser was the former counselor Chen Ping.

Li Xin, who was conducting the Northern Expedition to Liaodong and was about to capture Haidong, was Zhao Tuo's old boss.

Even Feng Wuze, who was managing Baiyue in the southeast, had many friendships with Zhao Tuo.

But Zhao Tuo felt it was not enough.

Fan Kuai and Cao Shen were very loyal to him, because there were no suitable positions idle in their hometown, which seemed a bit wasteful. It is better to take advantage of the opportunity to attack Haidong and send them to Li Xin's army, so that Fan Kuai and others can be promoted to nobles for meritorious service, and after returning from the war, they can assume more powerful positions.

"When all the central, local, and military personnel are my people, no matter what major events happen in the future, they will be able to deal with them calmly."

Thinking of this, Zhao Tuo breathed a sigh of relief.

However, after deciding where Fan Kuai, Cao Shen and others would go, Zhao Tuo's mind became active again.

His old subordinates basically all have titles and hold positions in the government and the army. They cannot always follow him, and the influence would not be very good. Therefore, during this eastern tour, Zhao Tuo basically had no real people around him. Confidants are available.

“It’s time to hire some new people.”

Thinking of this, Zhao Tuo put down his wine glass and asked Fan Kuai and Cao Shen: "Do you know the man named Zhou Bo in Pei County?"

Zhou Bo?

Fan Kuai and Cao Shen looked at each other, both showing confusion.

Cao Shen shook his head and said, "I have never heard of this person's name."

Fan Kuai shouted: "Junhou, what does Zhou Bo do this? Tell me, and I'll see if I have any impression."

Zhao Tuo looked embarrassed.

Zhou Bo was the founding hero of the Western Han Dynasty. He served as a Taiwei, a Prime Minister, and a Marquis of Ten Thousand Households. After Liu Bang's death, he suppressed the Lu rebellion and established Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty. He was very famous.

His son Zhou Yafu was a famous general in the Western Han Dynasty. He once put down the chaos of the Seven Kingdoms and stabilized the world.

But Zhao Tuo had no idea what Zhou Bo did before following Liu Bang.

"You can tell Xiao He the name of Zhou Bo and ask him to help me keep an eye on this person."

Hearing that Zhao Tuo was so concerned, Fan Kuai and Cao Shen quickly agreed.

Zhao Tuo was a little unwilling to give up and asked another impressive name: "Do you know Xia Houying?"

Xia Houying?

Fan Kuai blinked and muttered: "This man's last name is quite unique. If I hear it, I will never forget it. I wonder what he does?"

"groom!"

However, Cao Shen shouted: "Junhou, I know this person. He is the groom from the stable in Peixian County. Brother Fan and Brother Xiao and I went to the county temple for a banquet. After the banquet, the man who drove me back was At that time, I saw that he was good at horseback riding and drove smoothly. I asked him casually, so I remembered his name."

"Hey, is it the banquet after coming back?"

Fan Kuai said in shock: "Why don't I remember this person?"

Cao Shen rolled his eyes and said, "You were drunk and you were clamoring to go to the nvlu to have some fun. Later, the county magistrate asked his concubine to help you into the inner room to rest."

Fan Kuai also remembered this incident and chuckled: "That seems to be the case. The county magistrate was too hospitable."

Zhao Tuo was not very interested in Fan Kuai's affairs, and Xia Houying was the focus.

He nodded and said, "Well, since Xia Houying's driving skills are good, he can be my groom."

Fan Kuai touched his head and reacted: "No, I, a native of Pei County, don't know Xia Houying's name. How do you know about him, Junhou, and why do you want him to be your groom?"

Zhao Tuo showed a mysterious smile and did not answer.

Why does he know Xia Houying?

Because this person is also a figure who will leave his name in history.

Xia Houying, the chariot god of the Western Han Dynasty, is very famous for his deeds.

Xia Houying was accidentally injured by Liu Bang. After being reported for a private fight, he perjured himself for Liu Bang. As a result, the incident later happened and he was charged with perjury. However, he was stubborn and was imprisoned for a year and whipped hundreds of times. Liu Bang was finally released. Come down.

Of course, Xia Houying's most famous deed is that after the Battle of Pengcheng, he drove Liu Bang to escape in a carriage. On the way, he met Liu Bang's children and put them in the carriage.

The Chu army was chasing after them in a hurry. Liu Bang panicked and kicked his children out of the carriage several times in order to run faster. Xia Houying couldn't bear it and put Liu Ying's sister and brother on the carriage several times. Liu Bang was so angry that he thought about this more than a dozen times. To kill him.

From these two things, we can see that Xia Houying is an upright, loyal and courageous person, and Zhao Tuo naturally likes him.

In addition, Xia Houying also saved Han Xin.

It is said that when Han Xin first joined the Han army, he was ready to be executed. Thirteen of his accomplices had already been executed, and it was about to be Han Xin’s turn to be killed. Han Xin looked up and saw Xia Houying. In order to survive, he shouted: "If you don't want the superiors, you will have the world? Why do you want to kill a strong man?"

Xia Houying felt that this man's words were extraordinary, and seeing Han Xin's majestic appearance, he let him go. After a conversation, he admired Han Xin very much and recommended it to Liu Bang.

It's just that Liu Bang didn't appreciate Han Xin very much, so he only appointed him as the Zhisu Captain in charge of food and wages. But this appointment also laid the foundation for Han Xin to contact Xiao He later, and then Xiao He pursued Han Xin under the moon.

Without Xia Houying's rescue and appreciation, Han Xin would have been killed by the military judge long ago, and he would not have the reputation of being a soldier in the future.

So just because of these few things, Zhao Tuo thought highly of Xia Houying.

"I don't want too many talents."

Zhao Tuo murmured in his heart that since he wanted to conquer Xia Houying, Han Xin, the soldier immortal who was related to Xia Houying, would naturally also be interested in him.

"Han Xin, it's time to come into my arms."