The chariot convoy of Li Si had once looked afar at the army of Liu Bang on their way back.
Li Si knew that after returning, this army might completely destroy the Qin Dynasty.
But it was too late for everything.
He looked at the distant army, little realizing that a horseman was galloping towards him at great speed.
Li Si ordered his guards to be on their guard, but the rider of the fast horse merely said with a smile:
"General Liu has heard of the events surrounding Li Xiang's departure and has come specially to express his respects to the chancellor," said the rider.
"The Prime Minister is a superior scholar, and General Liu boasts that he cannot match him!"
Li Si smiled.
Heroes of the world should appreciate each other.
Li Si returned to the capital, and at this time, Liu Bang also could not find a way to break through the pass.
The generals under his command were not lacking in military prowess, but there were few who were good at commanding large-scale troops in battle.
The previous battles were all on the plains, and the cavalry had a forceful charge, along with some advanced equipment acquired along the way, which gave them a chance of victory.
But the Hangu Pass is not like that.
It is a complex situation here that requires much consideration.
At this very moment, a man named Xin Han gradually began to emerge.
At that time, he had not yet gained fame and was merely holding the position of a Company Commander.
At that time, Xin Han had just escaped from Xiang Yu.
He listened to Zhang Liang's advice and attached himself to Xiao He, but at this time, Xiao He had not yet recognized him as a talent.
Zhang Liang had once cautioned him, "Wait until you reach a level where you can meet Xiao He, and then mention that we are acquainted."
Later.
Because the soldiers in their company had committed crimes and should be executed by decapitation, out of the thirteen remaining, twelve had already been killed, leaving only Xin Han.
Xin Han was also to be executed, but looking at General Teng, he asked:
"Is the Prince not seeking to unify this world? Why should he swing his sword to kill these brave warriors?"
General Teng found his words interesting, and added to that, he had a distinguished appearance. So he released him.
After conversing with Xin Han, General Teng greatly admired him.
So he recommended him to Liu Bang, saying, "This man is extraordinary, perhaps he can solve your dilemmas!"
Liu Bang appointed him as the Director of Military Provisions, but he had not yet given him much attention.
But Xin Han finally had the opportunity to meet Xiao He.
He found Xiao He.
After several conversations with Xiao He, he greatly admired him.
However, because he had never had the chance to demonstrate his abilities, and also due to the fact that Xin Han did not showcase his talents, he had not been highly utilized.
When they arrived in Nan'an, several generals had fled, and Xin Han felt that he should also be recommended to Liu Bang by Xiao He.
However, Liu Bang still did not give him the opportunity to prove himself, which caused Xin Han, who had wandered for a lifetime, to once again question himself:
Could it be that Liu Bang thinks I am still loyal to Xiang Yu and does not trust me?
He judged the situation accurately, knowing that in the future, there would be a war between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu. When that time came, he felt that he might be killed by Liu Bang, so he ran away.
Xiao He heard that Xin Han had fled and did not inform Liu Bang.
On the contrary, Xiao He chose to ride a swift horse and hurried to pursue him.
Someone heard about this and informed Liu Bang: "The Prime Minister Xiao He has fled."
Liu Bang was instantly enraged.
From when he was a chief of the pavilion to the present, he has always treated his subordinates as brothers.
However, now that his brothers have run away, it does not appear that he values his own brothers.
One or two days later, he received news that Xiao He had returned.
Liu Bang was both angry and relieved, cursing, "Why not enjoy such good days under me?"
"Why should you flee? Do you think Xiang Yu and Qin Shi Huang will treat you better than I?"
"What a heartless thing to do. Work hard with me, and the chancellor position is still yours. I can't do without you."
Xiao He said, "I did not run away, but went to chase the fleeing person."
Liu Bang asked curiously, "Who are you chasing?"
Liu Bang was actually very curious. Before, many people had fled, including some famous generals, but Xiao He had never done so.
"What kind of person could make Xiao He do this?"
At least in the known talents under Liu Bang's eyes, there is no one he considers worth it. That means someone must be hiding a talent.
Xiao He said, "Khan."
Liu Bang was taken aback and cursed:
"I know Han. But he has no practical experience in battle, how can he be worth chasing? It's fine, I won't pursue it. Just don't run away anymore in the future."
Liu Bang thought Xiao He was making an excuse for running away.
But Xiao He said, "General officers are common, but someone like Han Xin is unique in the country."
"I was indeed chasing Han Xin."
"If you, Marquis of Han, only want to reign in Hanzhong for a long time and don't need Han Xin, then he is not necessary. But if you want to compete for the world, you must have Han Xin."
Liu Bang was puzzled.
How could that be?
According to Xiao He's words, this meant that there were talents that he had overlooked, which was a great mistake!
Liu Bang knew that he couldn't ask Xiao He directly, and said, "I also want to advance westward, how can we stay here for a long time?"
Xiao He shook his head: "If you want to advance westward, if you can use Han Xin, he will stay; if you can't, he will flee again."
Liu Bang picked up the thread: "Then I will appoint him as a general. Is that status enough for him?"
Xiao He still shook his head: "Although this is so, he still won't stay."
Liu Bang sighed and said, "Then I will appoint him as the General."
Xiao He nodded and praised, "That would be excellent."
"Finally, it seems that Marquis of Han still wants to seek talent. This puts my mind at ease."
Liu Bang instantly slammed the table and swore, saying that Xiao He was speaking indirectly.
Liu Bang then decided to summon Han Xin and appoint him as the Grand General.
Xiao He pointed out again that Han's mistake: "Marquis of Han is usually disrespectful to those under him, but now he appoints him as a general like calling a child, which is the reason why Han fled."
"If you want to appoint him as a general, we need to choose a good day, make sacrifices and set up altars, and follow the proper etiquette."
Liu Bang listened to Xiao He's words and found them to be sensible. As someone of humble origin, he had indeed not paid much attention to protocol in the past.
"Now is also the time to raise the etiquette."
So Liu Bang ordered preparations for the appointment ceremony of the General.
The soldiers were all very happy, teasing each other, "You're going to be a general!"
"No, it's you, it's you. You have the talent for commanders!"
"Hmm, I think Marquis of Han is very valuing us and wants us all to be generals, haha!"
The soldiers who were opening champagne halfway through the match had not yet thought about what they would experience.
