The Conqueror Isn’t Alone

Regardless of Zhang Liang's decision, the next morning it was time for Xiang Yu to formally assess the merits of his generals and generals who surrendered to the Chu princes, and to further reward them.

This day is not only important for the title and status of the heroes and princes, but also for the stability of the Chu State's political power. Therefore, everyone stayed up all night. Before dawn, they got up to wash themselves, put on their gorgeous court clothes and entered the palace.

Even Han Xin, who has never been known to be very particular about appearance, was not immune to this today.

He put on new and bright court clothes, came to the palace with excitement, and waited outside the palace with everyone, just waiting for the arrival of the king.

Among the group of people who were either excited or worried, Lu Bu, who arrived just in time, stood out.

He didn't even touch the long crown of Xuan Xuan that he was supposed to wear during the ceremony. He was still wearing a bright and arrogant battle robe, with his beloved pheasant tail feather crown on his head.

The two long tail feathers are as high-spirited as their owners, swaying with the windy steps when walking.

Coupled with his tall stature that stands out from the crowd, even if he simply stands in the front row, side by side with Fan Zeng, Han Xin, Long Qie, Zhong Lihuan and others, he attracts countless attention.

His clothes were so unique that Long Qie and others only looked at him curiously, but Han Xin was a little anxious: "Brother, why don't you change your court uniform?"

Lu Bu thought to himself, where can I wear it?

I don’t know what the bastard who got kicked in the head by a donkey thought. The day before yesterday, he got a court dress sent from the palace. The top was made of cyanosis and the bottom was made of soap. It was decorated with many patterns. It made him dazzled at a single glance. Dazzling, much flashier than this shirt.

If he really put it on, standing among the Chu ministers who were mostly in uniform, he would probably look even weirder than the uniform!

Lu Bu opened his mouth to answer, but suddenly there was a sound of footsteps behind him, and he couldn't help but think.

In the evening, everyone who heard the sound turned around and saluted, and it turned out that the emperor was really here.

Across the vast crowd, Xiang Yu still managed to spot his beloved general without any effort.

Seeing that Fengxian was not wearing the gorgeous court uniform that he specially ordered, he was still wearing the same battle robe as before, but he was even more energetic and shining than before...

Xiang Yu felt slightly disappointed at first, but soon turned to joy.

That's all, since Fengxian has a straightforward temper, he must find it inconvenient to move because of the many accessories in his court attire.

Xiang Yu ran through several thoughts in his mind without changing his expression, ordered everyone to get up, and entered the hall first.

After the emperor sat down on the throne, the courtiers guarding outside the palace could lead the way and file in.

Lu Bu knew that this day was bound to be long and boring, so he originally wanted to stand on the sidelines so that he could use his painstakingly practiced skill of sleeping with his eyes open for a while.

Unexpectedly, Fan Zeng's bastard old man and his silly brother, for some unknown reason, had a tacit understanding and secretly pushed and pushed him, and they suddenly moved his position to the center of the front row - the place closest to the silly emperor.

Sitting on the seat, Xiang Yu saw all the little moves of the two of them, and he couldn't help but feel a little better. He suddenly said, "Why don't Fengxian wear court clothes?"

Lu Bu was still secretly glaring at Han Xin, the cheap guy who had cheated him for no reason. He was unexpectedly called out and asked a question, and he couldn't help but be shocked.

While he was secretly cursing this idiot for not opening the pot, a flash of quick wit flashed through his mind, and he composed it calmly: "If I win a reward with my troops and horses, I will show up in military uniform; if I rely on my strategy, I will be rewarded." After receiving the reward, I will be presented to you in Confucian attire! Unlike other generals, I am mostly brave and capable. I can do well in whatever clothes I wear, but my body strength can barely make it to the stage. Only when I present my true face to His Majesty can I show my loyalty."

Hearing this, Xiang Yu slightly curved his lips.

Fengxian... is really cunning.

The faces of everyone who also heard these words suddenly became subtle.

In the huge Chu camp, Lu Dushi, who became famous in one fell swoop after the palace banquet, was the most famous; strategically, he was the most able to influence the state of Chu, killing traitors, recommending talented people Han Xin, and guarding the capital with his own hands; he was even more unmatched. Yes, even His Majesty dared to punch and kick the god twice when his advice failed...

How could such an important minister, who even his father, Fan Zeng, was willing to take the second place, say such nonsense that "he can barely reach the stage with his own strength"!

However, although His Majesty's expression did not change, the atmosphere around him showed some satisfaction. No matter how much emotion everyone felt, they could only sigh that Lu Bu had really touched the emperor's heart.

Not only is he good at deducing the intentions of his Majesty, but he is also gifted with powerful abilities. No wonder he is favored by His Majesty.

Because everyone knew that Lu Bu had made many meritorious deeds and came from behind, so he would be rewarded the most and earliest.

Then Xiang Yu personally announced that Lü Bu, as a nobleman who had rendered loyalty to Chu, made plans, and charged into battle, and who had made the greatest contribution to Chu, would be named prime minister, and would be granted the title of Marquis of Che, the highest among the twenty nobles, and could personally choose a county in Guanzhong. , taking 30,000 households as fiefs.

Such a generous reward made all the ministers marvel in their hearts, and all their eyes showed envy.

Lu Bu's expression remained as usual.

That day, he did not hesitate to abandon everything and flee thousands of miles, which completely proved his determination to become an official. Not to mention Xiang Yu, who fell in love with him, even Fan Zeng did not dare to press any harder, and could only feel regretful. Sighing, while discussing today's matters.

Even if Lu Bu didn't want it, just because he came from behind in the Chu camp and made the first contribution, Xiang Yu must reward him both publicly and privately.

Xiang Yu still held the thought that "after Feng Xian has figured it out, maybe he is willing to agree" and let Yafu and Feng Xian finish discussing how to perform the play.

However, Lu Bu has a lazy temperament, and he has been suffering from the pain that he couldn't stop thinking about a while ago.

I'm so scared of the pain. Now that I'm going to have to take revenge, I'm still willing to work stupidly hard!

Then he thanked him on the spot without blinking an eye: "Earlier, Your Majesty defeated the violent Qin Dynasty and garrisoned outside the military pass. I was wandering around. I was lucky enough to join the Chu camp. It must be the guidance of God. Moreover, I have little ability and only loyalty. It is advisable to always be with His Majesty. Fortunately, Your Majesty is wise and wise. He can choose a wise one among a hundred fools and a virtuous one among the useless. He has a keen eye to recognize heroes and has strong generals like clouds and wise men like rain under his command. Only then can he defeat the enemy one after another. Today we are unified. The hegemony in the world is clearly a destiny given to your majesty by God. How dare I take credit without authorization? I am satisfied only by being granted a title, and I dare not accept it regardless of whether it is a title or a household title!"

Without blinking, Lu Bu memorized the draft here. It was already over, so he bowed down and waited for Fan Zeng to smooth things over.

But somehow, when he saw the fool's expression of disappointment, he rolled his eyes and continued without realizing it: "A man is upright and has been through life and death all year round. It is inevitable that he has the wish to make meritorious deeds and become a prince. The same is true for me. However, I see that the common people have been devastated by His Majesty, and they are all covered with blood and guts. However, their bones are "exposed" in the wilderness and no one cares about them. The weeping sounds of fathers and sons separated are endless, and the fertile fields are abandoned and no one is cultivating... If I can only claim the title of king for myself. Selfish desires make it difficult for the world to be unified, and to fall into a state of fragmentation as it did some time ago. Wouldn't it be unfair to His Majesty, who is dedicated to revitalizing the world and restoring prosperity?"

Lu Bu bowed deeply to Xiang Yu and said loudly: "How can a child have multiple parents and relatives on his head? In the past, your majesty was only the king of Chu, and you only had to show mercy to the people of Chu. But now you are the emperor, and you are respected all over the world." In the wilderness, all the people are your Majesty's subjects. What does it matter whether they are included in the fiefdoms of your ministers? The Zhou Dynasty was strong for a while. At the beginning of the war, all the heroes came together, the world was riddled with holes, and the people were displaced."

Not only the Zhou Dynasty, but also the Han Dynasty, which he was more familiar with.

When the imperial court was in great power, the governors were all conscientious and their territory was stable; but when the court was in turmoil, the governors with real power all escaped control and competed in the Central Plains by relying on the advantage of "the sky is high and the emperor is far away".

Recalling the miserable scenes he had witnessed with his own eyes, even though he was as hard-hearted as Lu Bu, there was also a bit of sadness in his eyes.

"Your Majesty is willing to take pity on your ministers, and it is a blessing for you; however, you should also know the meaning of being a subordinate, and you should not put all the subjects in the world into trouble! Being granted a title is a reward, and I am willing to accept it; I am also happy to receive gold, silver and jewels; however, if it is torn apart The soil is a gift, but I think it is absolutely unacceptable!"

After hearing this, some of the ministers who were still holding on to luck could only admit it in pain, no matter how unwilling they were.

Although they didn't know why, how could Lu Bu not be so obsessed with fame and fortune, and insist on rejecting the reward that had been given to him...

But I know that the matter of breaking the earth and conferring kings and marquises will probably never happen again.

After all, even Lu Bu, who had outstanding achievements, was humble and refused to be granted a title, citing the righteousness of the world as an excuse.

Their achievements are far less than the other's, so how can they start talking about it again?

Moreover, the one who contributed the most to suppressing the backs of the world and breaking the backs of the princes was Xiang Yu himself, who had unparalleled reputation among the Chu army and was unparalleled in his words.

Xiang Yu lowered his head, seemed to be listening attentively, and was silent for a long time.

At the end, Fang sighed softly, his eyes complex and gloomy: "I will follow what Fengxian said."

After Lu Bu said his thanks and received only a title without any land and gold and silver treasures, the ministers who were granted titles after him could only grit their teeth and admit it, even if they were unwilling to do so.

Not daring to be the one who was bound to be beaten, I reluctantly resigned.

So Xiang Yu then awarded a circle of rewards. The titles and money he sent were countless, but there was no shortage of territory under his jurisdiction.

Apart from Lu Bu, who wished he had nothing to do and wanted to be free and happy, the only people who were really happy about this were Fan Zeng, Han Xin and Chen Ping.

Even the loyal generals Long Qie, Zhong Lihuan, Ji Bu and others who had followed Xiang Yu for many years could not help but feel a little disappointed when they really learned that there was no hope for the fiefdom.

Fan Zeng was already old and had long given up his selfish desires. He only wanted the prosperity of Chu State and the realization of his lifelong ambition.

Han Xin, on the other hand, had military books, military belts, and battles to fight—even if he only had one of the three, he would be satisfied. Being recognized as a prince made him even happier.

As for whether there was a fiefdom... Even if there was one, he would not be willing to seal it despite his virtuous brother who was destined to stay in Xianyang and the countless military books that he had not yet finished reading.

In contrast, Chen Ping's calmness was due to his thorough understanding.

He cast a playful glance at Lu Bu, who looked calm.

——There is no empty person under the famous name. This Lu Qishi is really far-sighted.

Chen Pingping smiled, narrowed his fox eyes slightly, and thought to himself: Who cares about the higher the merit, and who cares about the trust of the king? If Guangsha collapses, today’s honey will be tomorrow’s.

Even if Xiang Yu really has that kind of magnanimity and endures for the rest of his life, his successors may not necessarily turn a blind eye to this fatal threat.

The more generous your Majesty is today, the more vicious and cruel his methods will be if he intends to withdraw the gift in the future.

It would be better to be like Lu Bu, who took a few steps back gracefully, which not only showed his innocence of ambition, but also completely consolidated the emperor's trust.