webnovelfull Chapter 625 Xiao He, you really are still the worm in my belly!
Chapter 625 Xiao He, you really are still the worm in my belly!
"Xiao He, do you think you can live up to my trust?"
"This empire was conquered by me, not by Lü Zhi. Or do you think that with your power as prime minister and Lü Zhi's power as empress dowager, you can shake my power?"
"I am not yet dead, and you are already eager to show your loyalty to Empress Lü. I can't help but ask, whose side are you really on?"
"Answer honestly, otherwise, after all these years, you should know my temperament well."
He could joke around on ordinary days, but if you really crossed the line, Liu Bang was definitely not a soft-hearted person!
At that moment, Xiao He's legs went weak.
Although the killing of Han Xin did not happen after reading the immortal's tally.
However, the existence of immortals and the celestial canopy means that the event did not happen, but that doesn't always mean it's over.
At least in Liu Bang's case, it showed many problems.
The most important question is: Whose side was Xiao He on?
"Your Majesty, I will always be your person!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Xiao He knelt down with a thud.
Because he understood Liu Bang, he knew that if his answer at this moment failed to satisfy Liu Bang, even if he survived the challenge, he would inevitably be punished later.
It might not be for that reason; it could also be for the execution of one's entire clan simply for stepping into the palace with the left foot first for the morning court session.
"Only loyal to me? Then how did Han Xin die?"
"Don't think that Lü Zhi could kill him on her own. A man like Han Xin would not obediently accept his death unless someone he trusts tricked him into entering the palace."
Looking across the entire palace, the only person who could gain his trust was Xiao He!
"Your Majesty, I do not know. I swear to Heaven that I have never had any connection with Empress Lü, and I would never bypass Your Majesty to pledge allegiance to the Empress!"
Xiao He became anxious.
Unfortunately, his words did not satisfy Liu Bang.
"I don't need you to make oaths. I could make a whole basketful of oaths like that every day."
"The fact is that Han Xin died in the original historical records. I want an explanation, a reasonable explanation that can convince me."
"Otherwise, I can only conclude that you, Prime Minister Xiao, pledged allegiance to the Empress long ago."
swear?
Liu Bang was the kind of person who treated oaths like farts, so naturally he wouldn't believe anyone else's so-called oaths to heaven.
He only trusts his own judgment.
Han Xin's death must be inextricably linked to Xiao He; that's his current conclusion!
As Liu Bang's oppression deepened, a possibility flashed through Xiao He's mind, and he quickly spoke up.
"Your Majesty, I will never be loyal to Empress Lü, but I might be loyal to... the Crown Prince."
"If Empress Lü uses the excuse that Han Xin is arrogant and might be difficult to control after he ascends the throne, I might really be confused."
He was certain that he had no other connection with Lü Zhi and that it was impossible for him to switch allegiance to Liu Bang before his death.
The only connection is with Liu Ying!
Empress Lü used Liu Ying's weak nature as a reason, and she really had a chance to persuade him to cooperate in getting rid of Han Xin!
After all, Liu Bang knew very well that Xiao He was a staunch supporter of the Crown Prince!
"That's it..."
After hearing this explanation, Liu Bang's expression indeed improved considerably.
He simply couldn't accept Xiao He's loyalty to Empress Lü, but if the person he was loyal to became Liu Ying, although it would still be somewhat presumptuous, it wouldn't warrant punishment.
"Prime Minister Xiao, from now on you must have the ability to think for yourself. You can't just believe whatever Lü Zhi says."
"This world will ultimately belong to me, understand?"
"As long as I live, you don't need to worry about what will happen after someone else ascends the throne."
"Furthermore, you should learn more about Han Xin. If he truly had the ability to rebel, he would have raised an army when he was still the King of Qi. Why would he have been stripped of his military power and demoted to the Marquis of Huaiyin?"
"As the Crown Prince, Ying'er should have the ability to suppress Han Xin; otherwise, he is not qualified to sit firmly in the position of Crown Prince!"
After giving Xiao He a final reprimand, Liu Bang reached out and helped him up.
If he doesn't get a reasonable explanation today, he'll just laugh it off and move on.
After the challenge ended and he returned to the Han Dynasty, he used the excuse that the man stepped out with his right foot first to exterminate his entire clan.
Now that he had received an explanation, and Xiao He's explanation was not only trustable but also somewhat satisfactory, he was satisfied with it.
Therefore, Xiao He received a reprimand and was told to handle things with care.
Furthermore, since Han Xin did not die this time, the matter was considered closed.
"Your subject has remembered!"
Xiao He breathed a sigh of relief.
He knew that this matter, this problem, should be a thing of the past.
"Let's get back to the topic. Will things go smoothly for Han Xin and Xiang Ji?"
Faced with this question, Xiao He nodded.
"If we disregard their inherent instability, these two individuals could easily raise a large army within the pass."
Whether they can overthrow a powerful dynasty is another matter, but at least in the chaotic times at the end of a dynasty, they will thrive.
There's no need to worry about their abilities; their real problem lies in their unstable personalities.
Even Han Xin had a past offense of leading a large army to demand the King of Qi.
If these possibilities are ruled out, then there is almost no doubt that the two men's mission will go smoothly.
"Then tell me, what should I do now? I can't just sit here and wait for them, can I?"
"If the Manchu army were to return during this period, and there were no cities to defend, I am not a monster like Xiang Yu, and I would likely be powerless to resist with these few thousand soldiers."
Although it was phrased as a question, based on Xiao He's understanding of him, he should already have the answer in his heart.
They don't have many options right now.
Or, like the Manchus, they could wander outside the Great Wall.
But if this happens, they will certainly be powerless to stop the Manchus from entering the pass again.
Alternatively, they would have to find a way to replace Wu Sangui.
As long as he can enter the pass, even with only 5,000 soldiers, he is confident that he can keep the Manchu army outside the pass!
Based on Xiao He's understanding, Liu Bang's only choice should be the latter.
So this wasn't a question, but rather an attempt to hear the same answer from him to reaffirm one's decision.
"We must not sit idly by and wait for our doom. Our most urgent task is to find a way to replace Wu Sangui and take control of the border."
"Otherwise, if the Manchus were to easily enter the pass, even if Han Xin and his men raised an army within the pass, they would likely be unable to match them without sufficient time!"
As soon as he finished speaking, seeing the satisfied expression on Liu Bang's face, Xiao He knew he had guessed correctly.
Over the years, he has managed to keep a slight grasp on Liu Bang's little schemes.
"Indeed, Xiao He, you are still the same worm in my belly!"
“But even Xiang Ji is not confident in launching a direct attack. I, your lord, do not consider myself as strong as him, so we should rule him out first.”
"Then all that's left is to enter the city and have a face-to-face talk with Wu Sangui!"