Facts have proved that Chen Xi really overestimated himself and underestimated Liu Bang and the ordinary generals under his command.
When Liu Bang came to the Zhao Dynasty area and the two sides really started to confront each other, Zhao Xiangguo Zhou Chang, who was holding on in this area, hurriedly came to see Liu Bang. Liu Bang named Ruyi the King of Zhao, Zhou Chang the Prime Minister of Zhao, and Chen Xi, the leader of the rebellion.
The news was also conveyed to Liu Bang by Zhou Chang.
Zhou Chang did not look as dignified as he did in Chang'an, but his figure was still upright. He paid a serious visit to Liu Bang and said: "I served as the prime minister of Zhao, but I failed to prevent Chen Xi's rebellion, and I failed to protect Zhao's city and city.
People, please punish me!"
Liu Bang smiled and helped him up, "You just came to Zhao State and discovered that Chen Xi had evil thoughts. You made timely arrangements so that I could prepare... What's more, if you don't know the soldiers and the city falls, that's it."
Sheriff, what do the responsibilities of a county lieutenant have to do with you?"
Zhou Chang then said: "There are a total of twenty-five cities in Changshan County. Chen Xi rebelled and lost twenty of them. Since your Majesty believes that this is the responsibility of the county guard and the county lieutenant, please put all these people to death!"
Liu Bang was stunned and asked: "Have the county guards and county lieutenants rebelled?"
"No rebellion."
Liu Bang sighed, "This is due to lack of strength. They don't have many soldiers and can't stop Chen Xi. How can we blame them?"
"Pass on my edict: pardon their crimes, restore them to their posts, and let them continue fighting!"
Liu Bang stationed in Handan, where he summoned the ministers of Zhao. Although Liu Bang was still here, Fan Kuai and others had already set out to attack the thieves.
Liu Bang did not hold Zhao's ministers accountable, but instead used gentle means to appease them.
Liu Bang looked at Zhou Chang on the side and asked: "Are there any strong men in Handan who can lead troops to fight?"
"There are four people!"
"Great! Call them over to see me!"
Zhou Chang answered very quickly. The monarch and his ministers asked and answered questions, but the people below were a little confused.
This is especially true for the ministers of the Zhao State. The most capable warrior in the Zhao Dynasty area is Chen Xi. The other warriors who can fight are either rebelling or fighting against the rebels on the front line. This Handan
Where did the strong men come from in the city? There are four of them? Why didn’t we know?
After receiving the order, Zhou Chang walked to the Zhao minister below and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty is going to reward our Zhao warriors! Hurry and find four warriors!"
Upon hearing these words, Zhao's ministers' eyes lit up, and they instantly understood what Zhou Chang meant.
It is said that Prime Minister Zhou is an upright man. I thought he was unkind, but I didn't expect that he took such good care of Zhao Di. He is indeed a reliable person. What a good prime minister! These ministers hurriedly went out, Zhou Chang
Then he continued to accompany Liu Bang. Just half an hour later, four people walked into the Handan Palace and came to pay homage to Liu Bang.
Zhou Chang stood up, pointed at the four of them, and said, "Your Majesty, these are the heroes of Zhao who can lead troops to fight!"
Liu Bang nodded and looked at them.
Although these people tried to dress up to look powerful and mature, Liu Bang could smell the dandy smell on them from afar. He was too familiar with this smell. Unfortunately,
There is also one of his children who is uneducated and knows how to brag all day long. He has a dandy air and talks about what his father is doing.
These four so-called heroes of the Zhao Kingdom were obviously the trumpet-named Liu Chang. Sure enough, after asking for their names, they all started with Zhao.
Liu Bang frowned and became furious.
"Can you brats also lead troops to fight?"
Liu Bang cursed loudly. How could the four young men dare to face such an angry Liu Bang? They immediately fell to their knees on the ground, trembling and dared not speak.
Zhou Chang stood up in a hurry and said, "This is indeed the bravest warrior in the Zhao Kingdom."
Liu Bang snorted coldly, was silent for a moment, and then said: "Give them a thousand households of food and appoint them as generals!"
"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!!"
The four young men hurriedly thanked them as if they had been injected with chicken blood. The worried Zhao ministers who were kneeling on both sides immediately smiled and thanked them one after another.
When Liu Bang arrived, these Zhao ministers were still worried and extremely depressed. But by this time, they all got out of that state and began to make suggestions for Liu Bang and discuss how to deal with Chen Xi.
After summoning Zhao's ministers, Liu Bang asked them to prepare for this war as soon as possible, and asked Zhou Chang to take charge of this matter.
Zhao Yao, the imperial censor, stood beside Liu Bang and hesitated to speak.
Zhao Yao was not very old. He used to be the censor of Fu Xi and was a subordinate of Zhou Chang. At that time, someone said to Zhou Chang: "Your subordinate Zhao Yao, although he is young, is a genius. The monarch will definitely treat him specially."
His. You will find out later that he will take your place."
Zhou Chang replied with a smile: "He is a small official who writes documents. He is young, has no authority, and has no qualifications. How can he replace me?"
Later, Zhao Yao gave Liu Bang advice and said: "If your Majesty wants to protect the young master Ruyi, then arrange for him to be the prime minister of the country with a dignified and qualified senior minister who even the nobles dare not take action against!"
Liu Bang was convinced, and then Zhou Chang, the dignified, older, and qualified imperial censor, went to Zhao to be the prime minister to escort Liu Ruyi. And the young, unqualified, and un dignified Zhao Yao
He became the youngest imperial censor in the Han Dynasty...
Zhou Chang once protested to Liu Bang because of this matter. Although this protest seemed to be Zhou Chang deliberately telling a noble person: I have no choice but to show some kindness to me.
You have made great achievements, but you cannot harm the young master who is under my protection!
Liu Bang looked at Zhao Yao and asked with a smile: "Does the censor have anything to say?"
Zhao Yao hesitated for a moment and then said: "Prime Minister Zhou is my former superior. I shouldn't say bad things about him, but now that I am a royal censor, I can't ignore it!"
"Your Majesty, many people followed you into Shu County and Hanzhong County, and then conquered Western Chu. They had meritorious service but were not generally rewarded. What merits do these four Zhao people have now and why should they be rewarded?"
"Besides, from my perspective, they don't look like people who can lead troops in war. This must be the result of Prime Minister Zhou specially arranging a few children of Zhao's ministers to deceive His Majesty and get rewards!"
Liu Bang laughed, pointed at Zhao Yao and said, "This is where you are inferior to Zhou Chang!"
"Chen Kui rebelled and occupied everything north of Handan. I sent an urgent proclamation to recruit troops from all over the world, but no one has arrived yet. The only ones that can be reused now are the troops from Handan."
"Why should I begrudge the 4,000 households granted to four people and not use it to appease the young people of Zhao!"
"Only those who appease the people of Zhao can defeat the enemy in Zhao!"
Zhao Yao's eyes widened and he asked: "Is this what your Majesty had already agreed with Prime Minister Zhou?"
Liu Bang did not answer. Some monarchs and ministers do not need to explain in advance at all. In one sentence, the other party can understand what he means and then just go on with the act. This is why he likes Zhou Chang so much. This man definitely understands him best.
Minister.
Zhao Yao was shocked and said with shame: "I am young and ignorant, and I actually slandered Prime Minister Zhou in front of your majesty. Please don't tell him about this..."
"Don't worry, you are doing it for the sake of the country. How could I harm you?"
"Your Majesty and Prime Minister Zhou... are really enviable. Your Majesty is wise, and Prime Minister Zhou is even more witty!"
Liu Bang was even happier. He asked: "Do you know who Chen Xi's generals are?"
"There are Wang Huang and Manchu Chen. They were both businessmen in the past."
Liu Bang said: "That's right. You go to Zhou Chang and convey my edict to him. I will offer a reward to Wang Huang, Manchuchen and other generals. As long as they can bring his head, I will forget the blame and reward you with a thousand gold coins! Others!
The same is true for my generals. As long as they can turn from darkness to light, I will reward them with thousands of gold!"
Zhao Yao was shocked and asked: "Your Majesty, I'm afraid this strategy will not have much effect! No one will be able to kill them and bring their heads to you if there is a reward for their heads!"
Liu Bang squinted his eyes and said, "So what? After all, after offering the reward, they can't even sleep well."
Zhao Yao suddenly understood and looked at Liu Bang excitedly, "Your Majesty is so wise! I...I will go find Prime Minister Zhou now!!"
Amidst Liu Bang's laughter, Zhao Yao walked out of the palace. The moment he walked out of the palace, the excitement on his face disappeared completely and he became extremely calm.
Perhaps, this is why he can replace Zhou Chang.
ps: Personally, I feel that Liu Bang has always been a seriously underestimated king. I occasionally chat with my friends. In their eyes, Liu Bang seems to be nothing, just a gangster. Then he was lucky enough to get Zhang Liang and Xiao He.
, Han Xin, and then defeated Xiang Yu to conquer the world. The quality of the Liu emperors was really good. The Eastern Han Dynasty was a little inferior, but it was not bad. Anyway, it was much better than that of later generations.
