Unexpectedly, just as the two finished discussing their confidential matters, they heard the voice of a strange man.
The voice wasn't loud, but it was magnetic, sounding both sighing and admonishing.
Although it consists of only three words, it carries immense weight, making it hard to breathe.
Why bother?
"Who's eavesdropping!" Wu Rui and Mao Ping both paled. If someone with ill intentions had overheard their conversation today, Wu Rui might not be able to save her whole family even if she died.
However, the two of them looked around but did not find any other people.
"This boat is only this big, could it be in the water?" Mao Ping asked doubtfully.
Wu Rui also considered this possibility, and decisively clung to the stern of the boat to look into the river, but only saw a reflection.
"No need to look anymore, I am up there." Xiang Yu rode his black horse down gracefully and hovered above the small boat.
above?
They searched in all directions, but they didn't look at the sky. But how could there be anyone in the sky?
Even if such a thing exists, it would be something like a god!
Wu Rui and Mao Ping looked up at the same time, then rubbed their eyes simultaneously. Was it a hallucination caused by the glare of the sunlight?
A lone rider hovered in the air, treading on floating clouds. The rider was clad in scale armor, and the person on it was dressed in plain clothes and had a masked face. Yet, the rider exuded an incomparably solemn and oppressive aura. Anyone who could fly was no ordinary person!
Wu Rui suddenly had a strange feeling. The voice seemed familiar, and the other party called himself "Lone King." Could he be a king among immortals? Or was he a king first and then an immortal?
"May I ask who you are, or perhaps a deity? And what brings you to my wife and me?" Wu Rui asked, mustering his courage and bowing.
"I have come here for no other reason than to tell the barbarian king not to be so despondent as to take his own life, otherwise your wife will surely be buried with you."
Xiang Yu didn't want to come, but Hao Jiu insisted that he come, saying that the couple were both very talented and it would be a pity if they died. When Xiang Yu arrived and heard their conversation, he immediately agreed with Hao Jiu's assessment, and his hatred for Wu Rui lessened considerably.
Upon hearing this, Wu Rui immediately looked at Mao Ping and asked, "Does Madam truly intend to commit suicide for love?"
Mao Ping took a deep breath. "I do have this intention, Your Majesty. If you are willing to sacrifice yourself for your life, how can I live on alone?"
"Why bother? Can't they both just live well? I, too, have experienced the pain of losing a lover." Xiang Yu couldn't help but recall the tragic memory of the Hegemon-King Bidding Farewell to His Concubine.
Wu Rui sighed, "Thank you for your kindness, but I have reasons I must accept."
"Your reason is nothing more than fear of Liu Ji's persecution, but Liu Ji will soon be killed by me, so what is there for you to fear, my lord?" Xiang Yu chuckled.
"Hiss... You intend to kill Liu Ji?" Wu Rui's expression changed slightly.
Mao Ping's beautiful eyes sparkled. If such a divine being were to kill Liu Ji, it would surely be a piece of cake. With Liu Ji dead, Changsha would be safe, and so would she and her husband.
"Don't you believe me, sir?" Xiang Yu laughed.
"I wouldn't dare." Wu Rui kept her head down, increasingly suspicious. The voice sounded more and more familiar, but she just couldn't remember who it was.
"Whether you believe me or not is fine. I have other important matters to attend to. I'll take my leave now, and we'll meet again someday." With that, Xiang Yu rode his black horse, Wuzhui, slowly rising into the air.
"Please wait, my benefactor! May I ask if you could leave your name or show your face? My husband and I will be able to repay your kindness in the future," Mao Ping said, looking up.
Wu Rui quickly replied, "If it is inconvenient for our benefactor, we would not dare to force him."
"I am fine, but I'm afraid the barbarian lord will not be able to withstand this shock and fright." Xiang Yu stopped ascending.
"My benefactor is too kind. My husband is not a military general, but he is not a coward either," Mao Ping said with a smile.
"In that case, does the barbarian still recognize me?" Xiang Yu said, removing his mask and looking at Wu Rui with a half-smile.
"Xiang Yu?!" Even though Wu Rui had prepared herself mentally, she still felt a little unsteady on her feet.
Although Mao Ping had never met Xiang Yu, she knew about Xiang Yu's suicide at Wujiang. Upon hearing that the person in the sky was Xiang Yu, she immediately turned pale.
The two of them helped each other to steady themselves.
Wu Rui calmed herself down slightly, then bowed deeply, saying, "This sinful subject pays respects to King Xiang!"
"This humble servant greets King Xiang." Mao Ping secretly regretted why she had insisted on seeing this man's true face.
"You need not be afraid. I have no intention of causing you any trouble. Farewell." With that, Xiang Yu spurred his horse, and the black steed neighed and soared into the sky.
“Things are about to change…” Wu Rui murmured.
...
Xiapi, the palace of the King of Chu.
Han Xin paced back and forth in the room, his face full of worry.
Just then, a soldier came to report.
"Your Majesty, the General has sent someone to inquire about troop deployment."
"Oh, I understand. You may leave now," Han Xin waved his hand.
"Here you go."
"Alas, what can we do..." Han Xin shook his head and sighed, "Zhongli Mei strongly advocated for war and urged the early mobilization of troops to deal with Liu Ji, but if we really mobilize the army at this time, wouldn't that confirm the suspicion of rebellion?"
After a long pause, Han Xin finally made up his mind. "Men, assemble the Imperial Guards and come with me to the General's Mansion!"
"Here you go!"
...
Xiapi, the General's Mansion.
Zhongli Mei has become increasingly agitated these past few days. Liu Ji's hunting trip to Yunmeng was a pretense; his real intention was to deal with King Han Xin of Chu. Under these circumstances, Chu was already at a disadvantage. If Han Xin did not agree to mobilize troops in advance, it would be extremely difficult to resist once the war started.
"Damn it, things have come to this point, and Han Xin is still hesitating. Does he have to have a knife to his throat before he realizes his mistake? Could it be that he really wants to..."
At this moment, a guard came to report.
"Report! To the General, His Majesty has arrived outside the palace with the Imperial Guards!"
"Hmm? The King himself has come. How many troops did he bring?" Zhongli Mei had a vague feeling that something was wrong.
“The army is numerous! I suspect they are up to no good. I urge the general to leave immediately,” the guard said through gritted teeth.
Zhongli Mei's expression darkened. "I'm afraid it's too late. Let's go, come with me to welcome the King."
"Here you go!"
...
With a creak, the gates of the General's Mansion opened, and two rows of imperial guards filed in. Then, King Han Xin of Chu also got out of his carriage and stepped into the mansion.
"This humble general respectfully welcomes Your Majesty's arrival." Zhongli Mei clasped his hands and bowed.
"General, please rise. I came uninvited, please don't be offended." Han Xin quickly took two steps and helped Zhongli Mei up.
"How dare I, Your Majesty? It is cold outside. Please come inside with me for a chat, Your Majesty," Zhongli Mei said, clasping his hands in a fist salute.
"Good." Han Xin sighed inwardly, fearing that Zhongli Mei had already seen through his intentions. The two had known each other for many years, how could they have been so distant?
Inside the hall, Han Xin stood with his hands behind his back, not uttering a word.
Zhongli Mei recognized several imperial guards around Han Xin, all of whom were renowned experts in the army. "Your Majesty, please speak frankly. This humble general is willing to share Your Majesty's burdens."
"Alas, brother, I have already decided to attend the banquet in Chen, so the matter of mobilizing troops is absolutely out of the question, lest His Majesty's misunderstanding deepen. I hope you can understand my predicament," Han Xin said bitterly.
Zhongli Mei clasped his hands and said, "This humble general dares not address you as brother, but since Your Majesty has spoken so, I dare to offer a word of advice on behalf of an elder brother. His Majesty's hunting trip to Yunmeng is intended for the State of Chu, and the banquet in Chen is extremely dangerous. Your Majesty will not be able to return from this trip. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider and, for the sake of the State of Chu, not to put yourself in such a perilous situation. If troops can be mobilized now, it is still not too late. This humble general is confident that we can keep the enemy out of the country."
Han Xin solemnly replied, “Resist the enemy? What enemy is there? Your Majesty is merely being misled by the slander of petty men. I will personally go to prove my innocence, and I may well return safely.”
“Does Your Majesty remember the Feast at Hongmen? His Majesty used the same method to gain Xiang Yu’s trust and escape with his life. Now Your Majesty is imitating His Majesty. Whether it is true or not, how can His Majesty believe it?” Zhongli Mei retorted.
Han Xin sighed, “Brother, you are absolutely right. I came here to discuss with you how to convince His Majesty of my loyalty. Some say that His Majesty hates you to the bone, and that if I offer you my brother, I can gain His Majesty’s trust and overcome this crisis. But how could I do such a thing, given my brother’s affection for me?”
“Your Majesty, the reason His Majesty has acquiesced to Your Majesty’s regaining control of Chu and has not dared to attack is because we are together. If Your Majesty were to bind me to please His Majesty, I would die, and Your Majesty would also soon perish. My death is not a pity, but if I die, who will be able to help Your Majesty?” Zhongli Mei said neither humbly nor arrogantly.
"Your Majesty is a benevolent ruler and will not betray me. Brother, you are overthinking it. If Your Majesty is truly uneasy because I have control of the Chu army, then I should relinquish control to put your mind at ease, shouldn't I? I hope you will understand my predicament and accompany me to the banquet. If anything unexpected happens, I will take care of your wife's safety," Han Xin said, bowing.
Clang!
Zhongli Mei suddenly drew his sword and glared at Han Xin.
Clang! Clang! Clang! ...
Han Xin's personal guards also drew their swords, shouting, "General Zhong, put down your sword! Otherwise, don't blame us for offending you!"
However, Zhongli Mei slowly placed the sword against his own neck.
"Hahaha... Your Majesty, rest assured, this humble general will not allow Your Majesty to bear the infamy of betraying friends for personal gain and being unethical and untrustworthy. I only ask that Your Majesty send my family to a safe place as soon as possible, so that Liu Ji will not exterminate my entire clan!"
"Approved." Han Xin closed his eyes. Was he really a heartless and untrustworthy person who betrayed his friends for personal gain? But this was already the best possible outcome.
"I forbid it!"
Chapter 158 Attending the Banquet
"I forbid it!"
"Who..." Han Xin was shocked, but he had only uttered half a sentence when he felt a sword pressed against his neck. The icy touch was utterly despairing. Zhongli Mei had ambushed a top-notch expert in his mansion.
"You audacious villain, release the king at once!" The guards swarmed around him.
"Get them all out of here! Anyone who dares to act rashly or disobeys me, the king, will die!" Xiang Yu roared.
In fact, Xiang Yu had been there for a long time, but Hao Jiu had not allowed him to show himself. Some of his experiences were valuable lessons.
However, seeing that Zhongli Mei was about to commit suicide, Xiang Yu could no longer hide. If it weren't for Hao Jiu stopping him, Han Xin's head would have been chopped off long ago.
Hao Jiu originally just wanted to watch a big show, but he didn't expect Zhongli Mei to be so fierce. He truly deserves to be Xiang Yu's loyal and upright minister. No wonder Xiang Yu valued him.
Zhongli Mei took the sword off his neck and looked at the masked man who was holding Han Xin hostage with some doubt. The man looked so much like him, both in voice and build. How could this man possibly be Xiang Yu?
Could it be that I am already dead?
Upon realizing this, Zhongli Mei quickly touched the spot on his neck where he had just placed the sword, but there wasn't a single wound. He hadn't actually had time to commit suicide.
This person is holding Han Xin hostage with a sword, clearly intending to save him. Who could it be?
"What are you still standing there for! Get out of here at once! Close the door!" Han Xin swallowed hard, thinking to himself, who exactly is this person? He keeps calling himself "I, the King." The only other king or nobleman who has a past relationship with Zhongli Mei is probably Ying Bu, right? But didn't those two fall out a long time ago?
"Yes, sir." The guard dared not linger and slowly retreated.
"May I ask, sir, if I also wish to go out?" Zhongli Mei asked deliberately.