Disciplining Emperor Gaozu of Han

Chapter 34 King Bao of Wei

The Han army, fully armored and in neat formation, advanced along the road. Their ranks were orderly and their military bearing was impressive, a stark contrast to their appearance when they had just regrouped.

Having weapons and equipment makes all the difference; it looks very imposing.

The accompanying civilians were also filled with joy and laughter, because thanks to the provisions provided by Peng Yue, they no longer had to worry about going hungry. Although the provisions Peng Yue gave them were old and had begun to mold, they didn't care at all.

In those chaotic times, they gnawed on tree bark, ate grass roots, and even ate dirt when they were starving. As long as they could fill their stomachs, they didn't care if the food was moldy or not. Even moldy food was still food.

Incidentally, they also showed more respect for Liu Bang, praising his wisdom in obtaining provisions from Peng Yue.

This was actually Liu Ying's idea, but Liu Bang stole the credit and publicized it extensively. Lü Ze and Xiahou Ying were speechless about this, but they had no intention of exposing it, because Liu Bang was too shameless. If they dared to expose him, Liu Bang would harass them and make them anxious.

Having witnessed Liu Bang's shamelessness many times, Liu Ying had no interest in paying attention to the matter. Let Liu Bang try to steal the credit if he wants.

After dark, find a place with water, trees, and shrubs to set up camp, with the army patrolling and maintaining strict security.

Inside Liu Bang's royal tent.

Liu Bang knelt down, unfolded a map, and stared at it with wide eyes, his brows furrowed.

"King of Han, are you worried about the lack of generals?" Xiahou Ying knelt to the side, craning his neck to examine the map.

"Having no generals isn't a good thing either," Lü Ze said, kneeling down on the other side. "Before, we had neither soldiers nor generals. Now, we have soldiers, but no generals. If this isn't resolved, problems will inevitably arise sooner or later."

After the defeat at Pengcheng, Liu Bang was chased like a dog by Xiang Yu. He had no soldiers or generals left, and only Xiahou Ying was by his side. If it weren't for Liu Ying's guidance to force back the Chu army, he would have been captured alive.

Upon reaching Xiayi, they acquired Lü Ze's army, which slightly boosted their morale. They also gathered over 30,000 defeated soldiers, significantly increasing their army size, but they lacked a general to command them.

The general is the courage of the soldiers; if there is no general to lead them, problems are inevitable.

"I'm not worried about that," Liu Bang said, looking at the map without raising his head. "Zifang, Chen Ping, Lu Wan, Fan Kuai, Cao Can, and Zhou Bo have been separated from me, but they will surely flee west and eventually reunite with me. As long as they return, I'll have generals, and there won't be any problems."

"That's true, but I don't know how many of them will be able to escape back," Lu Ze said worriedly.

After the defeat at Pengcheng, Xiang Yu not only sent men to hunt down Liu Bang, but also sent men to hunt down Liu Bang's subordinates. Zhang Liang, Chen Ping, Lu Wan, Fan Kuai, Cao Can, and Zhou Bo, who were Liu Bang's key figures, were the focus of the hunt.

Lu Ze had no confidence that he could escape with his life.

Liu Bang remained silent.

Xiahou Ying was equally worried.

"Ying'er, tell me, what is the most important thing for us right now?" Liu Ying stood opposite Liu Bang, staring intently at the map. Liu Bang saw this and began to test her.

Lü Ze and Xiahou Ying looked at Liu Ying with anticipation.

Liu Ying was exceptional, and they hoped he would have extraordinary insights.

"Hedong Commandery," Liu Ying said, looking at the map of Hedong Commandery.

"Hedong Commandery?" Xiahou Ying asked, puzzled. "Liu Ying, why do you say that?"

Lü Ze nodded slightly.

"We must defend Xingyang, and Hedong Commandery is of paramount importance." Liu Ying explained, "If something happens to Hedong Commandery and it falls into Xiang Yu's hands, Xingyang's northeastern flank will be exposed, posing a great threat to us."

"Good!" Lu Ze exclaimed in realization.

"Good!" Xiahou Ying echoed.

"Good boy, Ying'er, you have excellent judgment." Liu Bang looked at Liu Ying with great admiration: "As expected of my son, you think just like me."

"Don't try to get close to me, I didn't call you that." Liu Ying pouted.

"You'll call me Father," Liu Bang said confidently, looking at the map. "The only way to stabilize Hedong Commandery is to find Wei Bao. As long as Wei Bao is in our hands, Hedong Commandery won't fall into chaos."

"Good!" Xiahou Ying and Lü Ze agreed.

Wei Bao was a member of the royal family of Wei and the younger brother of Wei Jiu. At the end of the Qin Dynasty, Wei Jiu was made King of Wei, but Wei Bao was killed by Zhang Han. Wei Bao fled to the state of Chu and joined their ranks. After the fall of Qin, Xiang Yu wanted to conquer Liang, the area near the former Wei capital of Daliang, because it was located in the heart of the Central Plains, a place of fertile soil and abundant water.

Therefore, Xiang Yu enfeoffed Wei Bao in Hedong Commandery, which is the area around Anyi, the former capital of Wei, with his capital at Pingyang.

This place is located on the northeastern flank of Xingyang. If Wei Bao were to defect to Chu, Xingyang would be in serious trouble.

To stabilize Hedong County, we need to find Wei Bao and bring him under our control.

"I'll leave this matter to Ying'er." Liu Bang looked at Liu Ying with a smile and instructed, "This matter must be handled quickly; we must not let Wei Bao escape."

Wei Bao also followed Liu Bang eastward and participated in the Battle of Pengcheng; he was currently fleeing. Unlike Peng Yue, who attacked Liang, essentially cutting into Xiang Yu's territory, Wei Bao's fiefdom was granted by Xiang Yu. If Wei Bao were to offer Hedong Commandery to Xiang Yu, Xiang Yu would surely set aside his hatred and accept his surrender.

The reason is that Hedong Commandery is too important; it can threaten Xingyang.

"Understood," Liu Ying replied.

Vertical day.

Liu Ying led his cavalrymen in all directions to search for Wei Bao.

~~~~~~

Wei Bao was nearly fifty years old, but he was well-preserved, with fair skin and an extraordinary air about him. He naturally possessed an air of wealth and nobility, which was understandable given that he was a prince of the state of Wei, one of the Seven Warring States. If one were to trace his lineage back to the time of Duke Wen of Jin, over the centuries, his aristocratic bearing had long been ingrained in his very being.

Wei Bao, accompanied by more than ten trusted men, hurried along, cursing incessantly: "Liu Bang, you treacherous dog, has ruined me! I didn't want to be enemies with Xiang Yu, but Liu Bang forced me to attack Chu. Now look what's happened, I've offended Xiang Yu, and I can't even begin to regret it."

A trusted aide walked briskly beside him and asked, puzzled, "King Wei, since you are unwilling to attack Chu, why don't you refuse Liu Bang?"

"If I could refuse, why wouldn't I?" Wei Bao said bitterly. "That scoundrel Liu Bang came with a large army. If I don't submit to him, he'll be the first to kill me. I have no choice but to surrender."

"I see," the confidant said, suddenly understanding.

Hedong Commandery wasn't far from Guanzhong. Liu Bang, aiming for a major eastward expansion, wouldn't allow Wei Bao to remain unaffiliated. He had no choice but to either join Liu Bang's eastern campaign or face death. Forced by Liu Bang's overwhelming army, Wei Bao had no choice but to surrender. Even when Liu Bang, in an effort to divide Wei Bao's power, forcibly appointed Peng Yue as prime minister, Wei Bao was powerless to resist.

"Liu Bang is a scoundrel, he has no regard for old friendships at all, he's a real scoundrel," Wei Bao cursed.

"Old ties? What do you mean by that?" The confidant was puzzled.

"You don't know, do you? Liu Bang, that scoundrel, idolized Lord Xinling the most." Wei Bao sneered at Liu Bang, "He traveled thousands of miles to Daliang to seek refuge with Lord Xinling. It's just bad luck that he arrived; Lord Xinling was already dead."

When Liu Bang was young, he admired Lord Xinling the most and was proud to become Lord Xinling's retainer, traveling thousands of miles to join him. By the time he arrived in Daliang, Lord Xinling had already died.

"Liu Bang is indeed ruthless and heartless, showing no regard for past affections whatsoever," his confidant cursed.

"When I returned to Hedong Commandery, I immediately blocked the Baima Ferry and surrendered to Xiang Yu," Wei Bao said indignantly, gritting his teeth.

"King Wei, this attack on Pengcheng has offended King Xiang. Even if you want to surrender, can King Xiang accept it?" a trusted aide worried.

"Xiang Yu will definitely accept it." Wei Bao was very confident: "If Liu Bang is defeated at Pengcheng and regroups his army to fight again, he will definitely defend Xingyang. And my Hedong Commandery is located northeast of Xingyang. If we get Hedong Commandery, Liu Bang will definitely be defeated. Xiang Yu will not fail to see this, and he will definitely accept my surrender gladly."

"Excellent!" The confidant was overjoyed.

The defeat at Pengcheng cost Liu Bang not only his 560,000-strong army, but also his prestige.

The feudal lords no longer regarded him as their leader and thought of joining Xiang Yu.

"Greetings, King Wei." Liu Ying, riding his warhorse, led his cavalry to surround Wei Bao. He clasped his hands in a salute from his horse.

Wei Bao cannot die; if he dies, Hedong Commandery will surely descend into chaos. Therefore, maintaining control is the priority. Thus, Liu Ying, true to his word, greeted him.

"Little boy, your eyesight is poor, you've mistaken me for someone else." Wei Bao was shocked when he saw the Han army uniform of the cavalryman, but he pretended to be calm and tried his best to deny his identity.

"Hehe." Liu Ying chuckled. "King Wei and King Han invite you."