In the county town, people were crawling on both sides of the road, eating pots of pulp, and welcoming the rebel army that had just defeated the Qin army and stood proudly in Pei County.

There was a long line of troops. Although the clothes were ragged and the weapons were messy, the formation of the rebel army was extremely neat. The leader was a general, wearing a red robe. He was Liu Bang. Behind him were Xiao He, Cao Shen, Fan Kuai, Zhou Bohe

Guan Ying and others followed in turn.

The common people chanted words, kowtowed repeatedly, and prayed to the rebel army, hoping that the war would stay away from Pei County and their homes.

Half an hour later, the heads of the county magistrate Yu Guan, Binliao and others were hung on the execution ground of Cao Cao in the city. Several soldiers were responsible for guarding them. After the people coming and going saw it, they all despised it. The tyrannical Qin government had oppressed them for many years.

Now that they have avenged their previous shame, what they hope more is to revive the Chu Kingdom.

In the county government office, Liu Bang has summoned the three elders and powerful men from Peixian County, about fifty people. Everyone gathered in the county government office. On the high platform, Xiao He was speaking: "Now the world is in turmoil, and the state of Zhang Chu spans Sishui County and Chen County.

The arrogance is at its peak, how can we, the elders of Peixian County, lag behind?"

When Xiao He said this, he looked at everyone present and said: "The general trend is that we have only two ways to go. One way is to surrender to Zhang Chu's regime and move closer to Chen Sheng, and the other way is to establish Pei County on our own and eradicate the surrounding

The power of the Qin State will establish our own homeland."

After Xiao He finished speaking, there was a burst of excitement below. Everyone was discussing one by one, and someone shouted: "We don't want to surrender to Zhang Chu State, we only want our own Chu State!"

"Yes, we are Chu people. We want Chu State, not Zhang Chu State!" Everyone was in an uproar. At this time, Xiao He nodded with satisfaction. He did not want to join Chen Sheng. He was very satisfied with everyone's performance at this time.

Xiao He looked at Liu Bang and said: "A strange thing once happened in Dangshan Mountain. A white snake wandered around the mountain and swallowed passers-by. But we, a hero from Fengxiang, Pei County, slashed the snake with his sword and saved our lives.

To slay demons, I think the one who can lead us to rise is none other than him!"

"Yes, I have also heard that an old woman once said that her son, the son of Bai Emperor, died at the hands of the son of Red Emperor, and that son of Red Emperor was Liu Bang!"

"Indeed, Liu Bang is indeed the son of the Red Emperor!"

"Ah, I've heard of it too."

"I agree to support Liu Bang!"

Everyone was discussing with each other, completely ignoring Xiao He on the stage. However, Xiao He had quietly looked at Liu Bang at this time. The reason why he provoked this matter was to win Liu Bang's hearts and make him

Being able to gain the support of the people of Peixian County can completely consolidate his position in Peixian County.

At this time, everyone raised their arms and shouted: "We are willing to follow Liu Bang!"

Liu Bang was overjoyed when he saw that everyone had returned, but he pretended to be confused on his face. He walked up to the high platform, and Xiao He stepped aside. At this time, Liu Bang sighed and lowered his voice: "Fathers and fellow villagers, I can understand you.

I feel like I’m in this moment, but I, Liu Bang, am so good and capable that I can occupy a high position and lead everyone?”

Speaking of this, Liu Bang looked at the crowd and said: "I think we must choose a talented person to lead us and rise up, not me, the former Pavilion Chief of Surabaya."

Everyone raised their hands and shouted: "We are all willing to support you, please don't apologize!"

"Support Liu Bang!" Everyone shouted. Liu Bang saw that the public's support was his, so he no longer gave in. He also raised his right hand and shouted: "Since everyone trusts me so much, I am willing to temporarily occupy the position of Pei Gong. If there is a suitable candidate in the future,

I am willing to give up my seat!"

"Support Pei Gong! Support Pei Gong!" the crowd shouted again.

At this time, Liu Bang waved his hand downwards, and everyone stopped shouting. Liu Bang said again: "Since everyone has elected me, I will exercise my authority as Pei Gong. From today on, my Peixian army, flags, and uniforms will all use red.

Responding to the old colors of Chu State."

Speaking of this, Liu Bang took Xiao He aside and ordered: "I accept my fate. Xiao He will be the prime minister, Cao Shen will be Zhongjuan, Fan Kuai, Guan Ying, Zhou Bo will be the servant, Xia Houying will be the servant, and Ren Ao will be the guest...

"

...

In the early morning, notices were posted in many places in Peixian County. Anyone over the age of thirteen but under the age of thirty was to have one person from each household join the army. Those who did not join the army would be punished with a cane.

In Peixian County, three straw sheds were set up. Under the straw sheds, the clerks wrote down notes. In front of them, there was a long queue. The young men rushed to join the army and serve under Liu Bang. In less than ten days,

Over time, Liu Bang's team surged from more than 2,000 people to 5,000 people, and Peixian County Da'an.

A month later, the Pei army uniforms were unified, and weapons were withdrawn from the treasury. Although they could not meet the full manpower requirement, most of the main troops were fully equipped and well-trained.

In the county government office, Liu Bang and others gathered in front of the map, discussing the next move of Pei's army. At this time, some people advocated going south, marching to Pengcheng, completely controlling Sishui County, and imitating Zhang Chu's army. At the beginning, Zhang Chu's army was all in one go.

They captured Chen County and established a solid foundation, but some people opposed attacking Pengcheng. After all, Pengcheng was not like Chen County. If you wanted to capture Pengcheng, the strength of Pei's army was far from enough.

Because of this, some people advocate going north to march troops to Xue County to seek a solid foundation and increase their strength. This view was recognized by Liu Bang. He believed that going south would most likely touch the interests of the Zhang Chu regime, which would lead to

If the relationship between the two armies deteriorates, it is better to go north and encroach on Qin first. Qin will be destroyed and the world will be in chaos. Otherwise, Qin will not tolerate any army standing proudly in Shandong, and sooner or later it will send troops eastwards.

Just as Liu Bang was staring at the map, Fan Kuai and Xia Houying raised their hands and said: "Pei Gong, we two are willing to lead our troops northward as pioneers."

Liu Bang looked at the two of them, and then looked at the map again. Finally, he made up his mind and ordered: "Since you two asked for orders, I will give you this opportunity. You two can lead a thousand people as vanguards to march into Huling."

He Fang and the Second County, I will command three thousand of the main force to follow you and support you."

The two of them were overjoyed, clasped their hands and smiled and said, "We will definitely live up to our expectations."

The two turned and left. Liu Bang fell into deep thought again. Soon, he looked at Guan Ying and Ren Ao and ordered: "I order you two to lead a thousand troops to defend the city. If you encounter a powerful enemy, report to me immediately. If you are unable to do anything,

enemy."

The two of them held their hands and sang the promise. At this time, Liu Bang ordered: "Everyone prepares, we will set off tomorrow!"

...

Huling is located to the north of Peixian County and on the border of Xue County. There are about 300 defenders. At this time, the city is extremely tense. The Pei army is independent and has raised the Chu flag. Huling has entered a state of war readiness a few days ago.

But they did not expect that Pei's army would be so fast. In just half a month, they marched north.

At this time, more than a thousand people were temporarily recruited in the city to transport rolling logs and thunder stones to the city tower, preparing to defend the city. Not far away, I suddenly remembered the roaring of war drums, and gradually, a piece of red came like a sea of ​​fire. This was Pei

The vanguard of the army arrived.

Under the city, Fan Kuai and Xia Houying rode their horses in front, and a thousand troops armed with long swords lined up at the back, forming a square camp. On both sides of the camp, five hundred soldiers had already carried ladders, waiting for the order to attack, and the drums beat loudly.

, breathtaking.

On the city tower, a young general wearing leather armor stood by the battlements, staring at the bottom of the city. He was the captain of Huling County. At this time, he was covered with sweat. There were a thousand people in the vanguard of the Pei army, and behind him, the main force.

I don’t know how many troops there will be, and I don’t know if I can stop Pei Jun’s footsteps?

Just when the county captain was worried, a series of deep horn sounds suddenly sounded from the city tower. This was the order for the Pei army to attack. The county captain trembled, and he couldn't help but wave his hands and shouted: "Quick, go to the city to defend!"

More than a hundred crossbowmen came behind the female wall and began to draw their bows. Under the orders of the officers, they released them toward the city. More than a hundred arrows rained down on the city. Many Pei soldiers fell to the ground groaning after being struck by arrows.

/ groaning and rolling, but more Pei troops broke through the defense line and came to the foot of Huling City.

Aerial ladders were put up on the top of the city, and Pei's army began to climb up. On the city tower, rolling wooden rocks and thunder stones were continuously thrown down. The soldiers who were hit screamed and fell, but then soldiers filled the gap and continued.

Climbing up, on the city tower, the county captain's voice became hoarse because of the anxiety. He shouted loudly: "Get on top of me, don't let them get close to the battlements!"

The war had lasted for two hours, and both sides suffered heavy casualties. However, the Pei army failed to climb the tower and continued to attack desperately. At this time, Fan Kuai was furious. He rode his horse to the bottom of the city, threw the horse away, and picked up a horse.

He picked up a shield, drew out his bronze sword, and climbed up the city in person. Seeing this, the soldiers of the Pei army were all shocked and their morale was greatly boosted. A new round of strong attack by the Pei army began.

On the city tower, a soldier had just thrown down a big stone, but heard a "squeak". He couldn't help but look curiously, and a copper sword slashed at him. The soldier's head was cut off, and blood spattered everywhere. At this time, Fan Kuai

With a loud roar, he suddenly jumped up and slashed with his sword. Afterwards, Pei troops climbed up to the top of the city and killed in all directions.

The county lieutenant drew // his sword and wanted to sneak attack Fan Kuai, but Fan Kuai threw his shield away and hit the county lieutenant on the forehead. The county lieutenant was injured and turned around to escape, but Fan Kuai picked up a spear and threw it out.

The tip of the spear pierced the county captain's chest. After screaming, the county captain was nailed to the tower.

The flags of the Qin army were taken off, thrown into the fire, and thrown under the city tower. The flags of the Pei army were fluttering in the wind. As the sun went down, Hu Ling was finally captured by the Pei army.

Three days later, Liu Bang's main force finally arrived and began to enter the city one after another. However, the day before Liu Bang arrived, Fan Kuai and Xia Houying had led the remaining 700 troops and continued to march north, heading straight for Fang Yu County to kill.

After the victory, Liu Bang was in a good mood. Accompanied by everyone, he inspected the city defense. If Fang Yuxian was conquered, Liu Bang decided to continue northward and approach Xuejun County and Zhilu County.

Just when Liu Bang was feeling complacent and planning for the future, a Pei soldier rushed towards him. As he approached, he knelt down on one knee and loudly reported: "Pei Gong, I have been ordered by General Ren Ao to report here.

Liu Yu passed away, General Ren Ao asked Pei Gong to rush back to Pei County immediately!"

This news was like a bolt from the blue. Liu Yu was Liu Bang's mother. After her death, Liu Bang had to give up his plan to continue attacking Fang Yu County and temporarily return to the army. On the side, Xiao He seemed to see through Liu Bang's plan. He stepped forward and whispered

: "If we return to the army, I'm afraid Hu Ling will not be saved. It's better to give up together and wait until the day when we go north to recapture it."

Liu Bang pondered for a while. At the moment, there was no better way. Thinking of this, Liu Bang had no choice but to nod: "Okay, give the order to abandon Huling and let's return to Junpei County."
Chapter completed!