Seeing that Liu Bang didn't object, the guard hurriedly handed me all the things he had taken from me. I picked out the phone and called Liu Laoliu. After listening, Liu Laoliu said leisurely, "You little rascal, you're quite the troublemaker. This is a global GPS-based military strategy; it takes a lot of effort."
I said, "Stop talking nonsense. You also need to add the ABS anti-riot police to my list, otherwise if Quanzhen slips into the river, you can expect 50,000 dead souls to come after you!"
Liu Laoliu said, "About two hours later. Time is too tight, I can only find you a place to stay randomly. I don't know where I'll put you!"
I said, "Okay. What's the password?"
Liu Laoliu said, "Isn't this ready-made? 'Strength to uproot mountains and spirit to cover the world!' Then just go wherever we want, there's no reply or password."
I hung up the phone and said to Liu Bang, "I'm going back now. You can let us go to Wujiang in two hours."
Liu Bang said, "Alright."
I patted him on the shoulder with satisfaction: "You're not so bad after all."
Liu Bang, unusually hesitant, said, "Um... there's something I need to ask you. Could you bring Fengfeng with you next time you come?"
I hesitated, "That depends on whether Fengfeng is willing or not. Her pirate empire is quite powerful; why would she come running to be your mistress?" I said with a mischievous grin, "Is she really that good in bed?"
Liu Bang sighed and said, "Actually... it's me who misses her."
I laughed and said, "See, even though the medicine was dug out of the sock, it's still effective."
Liu Bang: "Ugh—"
Chapter 176 In my dreams, I knew I was a guest, mistaking Hangzhou for Bianzhou.
After spending some time with Liu Bang, I hurried back to the Chu camp. Liu Bang saw me off and said awkwardly, "That Xiao Qiang, the promise I made to you about becoming a King of the Same Rank might have to be postponed until your brother Liu becomes emperor."
I said dismissively, "How rare!"
When we arrived at the Chu camp, I said to Xiang Yu, "Wait here, we'll leave together in two hours."
Xiang Yu asked, "Where to?"
I said, "I don't know, we'll just go wherever we end up. Bangzi will clear a path for us in a bit; Bingdaokou is right on the banks of the Wujiang River."
Xiang Yu sighed, "This time I owe Liu Xiaosan another favor."
I asked, puzzled, "Where's your Fan Zeng?"
Xiang Yu said, "I'm going back to my hometown."
Seeing his embarrassed expression, I chuckled and said, "Did you make the old man run away again?"
Yu Ji gently took Xiang Yu's arm and said, "Although Fan Zeng is wise, he likes to use strange and ingenious tricks, while Your Majesty is upright and honest. There is nothing that can be done if his ideas are different from Your Majesty's. If Your Majesty uses his schemes, you will not be happy even if you win a battle."
Xiang Yu gently stroked Yu Ji's hand and said with emotion, "To have such a confidant in one's life is enough!"
I scoffed and said, "Alright, alright, tell the brothers to pack their things and get ready to move. Take everything you need; who knows where we'll end up this time? Always going all in isn't a solution. Also, we're all going to be fathers now, so try to tone down your tempers. Don't act like hot-blooded youths. I was just like you when I was young..."
Xiang Yu glared at me. I waved my hand: "Never mind, I didn't say anything."
Yu Ji and Xiao Huan giggled. Yu Ji asked, "Your Majesty, what are your plans for the future? Are you preparing to make a comeback, or will you stay with A Yu and live a quiet life together?"
Xiang Yu said, "What do you think?"
I was about to say something, but then I stopped myself. I felt that saying anything now would be pointless; only Yu Ji's attitude could determine whether the world would be at peace in the future. If she insisted on becoming empress, that would be disastrous. With a stubborn man and a woman stirring up trouble behind him, the world would never have peace again.
Yu Ji sighed softly and said, "I'm afraid the king will blame me if I tell you."
Xiang Yu said softly, "When have I ever blamed you?"
I thought to myself, "Oh no!" When a woman uses this tactic, it's usually not a nice thing, regardless of whether she's pretty or ugly; behind her tactful words lies malicious intent. Even someone as round as a steamed bun can be caught off guard by a sudden, unexpected attack!
Yu Ji said, “I know Your Majesty’s ambitions remain unfulfilled. If I were a good woman, I would be urging you to regroup and conquer the world. But I am not a good woman. I only wish to live a peaceful life with Your Majesty. Regardless of Your Majesty’s wealth or status, whether you conquer the world or not, you will always be my hero. What I admire is your ambition to be a hegemon. In my eyes, the world has been turned upside down for you alone, and Your Majesty has already created an unparalleled legend. That is enough. As for being an emperor, it is too arduous and exhausting. Let Liu Bang be the emperor.”
Xiang Yu smiled and said, "You've never been an emperor, how would you know how hard and tiring it is?"
Yu Ji said shyly, "Even if it wasn't so bitter and tiring, the king at that time wouldn't just be Yu Ji's king."
Xiang Yu laughed loudly and said, "Forget it. I never intended to become an emperor or general. I was just trying to save face. Like Xiao Qiang said, I'm about to become a father. Let Liu Xiao San take over this miserable and tiring job as emperor."
I wiped my sweat and said, "Brother Yu, you've found a great wife!"
Yu Ji smiled sweetly and secretly gave me a playful look.
In truth, anyone with discerning eyes, except for Xiang Yu, could see that Yu Ji cleverly resolved the knot in Xiang Yu's heart. She was willing to go to great lengths to arrange for Xiang Yu to take concubines, so she naturally didn't mind if he had a large harem after becoming emperor. However, the proud Xiang Yu, having repeatedly lost to Liu Bang, was undoubtedly unhappy. Furthermore, from our brief conversations, she learned that our relationship was extraordinary. Yu Ji understood that Xiang Yu didn't truly want a life-or-death struggle with Liu Bang; he was deeply conflicted. These words were deliberately spoken by this clever woman to ease Xiang Yu's heavy burden.
No wonder Xiang Yu loved Yu Ji so much. Although he was often careless, he was not stupid; he could sense that Yu Ji loved him wholeheartedly as well.
At that moment, Xiang Yu ordered the entire army to pack their belongings and break out towards the Wujiang River at midnight.
At midnight, the Han army stationed at the Wujiang River suddenly made a move, intentionally or unintentionally opening a large gap. Xiang Yu hurriedly ordered the chariots and cavalry to go ahead, while he personally escorted them from behind.
The Han troops on both sides seemed to have received a death order; all they could hear were shouts, but not a single soldier came to attack. Although the places we had migrated through were immediately occupied by the Han army, no one chased after us. The tens of thousands of Liu Bang's pursuing troops merely lit torches that illuminated the sky, but there was no one to be seen within a three-mile radius. It was less of a pursuit and more of a farewell party for us.
The 50,000 Chu troops were mostly cavalry. They reached the banks of the Wu River in less than half an hour, but the troops ahead could no longer move. Although it was a charade, the Han soldiers leisurely caught up. Xiang Yu shouted, "What's going on up ahead?"
The scout reported: "Your Majesty, there is no way out ahead; we are at the banks of the Wujiang River."
Xiang Yu and I exchanged a glance and urged our horses forward. We saw the Wujiang River flowing eastward, and there was nothing to cross on its wide expanse.
Xiang Yu glanced at me and said, "Is this the military strategy you're talking about?"
I was quite anxious, shading my eyes with my hand and looking around. The sounds of the Han army were getting closer and closer. If the two armies really met, it would only be a charade turning into reality. Just then, someone in the Chu army suddenly cheered, "The road is over there!" It was probably a soldier who had participated in the allied forces and recognized it.