stonecrandall Chapter 971: The conspiracy laid out in advance left Kuai Tong with no solution!
Chapter 971: The conspiracy laid out in advance left Kuai Tong with no solution!
Chen Ping currently served under Wei Bao. Ever since the anti-Qin rebellion began, Chen Ping had joined Wei Bao. At that time, Gao Yao, either due to a lack of power or the wrong timing, had been unable to recruit this talented individual. Now, with Xiao He managing internal affairs and Zhang Liang directing the military, and two of the "Three Heroes of the Early Han Dynasty" already under his command, how could he not cherish the memory of Chen Ping, who had also left a profound mark on history?
In Gao Yao's mind, Chen Ping was a top talent who absolutely could not be underestimated. His reputation sometimes seemed less prominent than that of Zhang Liang and Xiao He. This was largely due to Chen Ping's relatively late arrival at Liu Bang, and his inability to accompany him for as long as Xiao He and Zhang Liang. At the time, Zhang Liang's strategic planning and decisive victories from afar, Xiao He's stabilizing the country, comforting the people, and ensuring a steady supply of food, and Han Xin's unifying an army of millions, ensuring victory in every battle and every siege, all shone too brightly, to a certain extent, overshadowing Chen Ping's talent.
But in fact, Chen Ping's ability was very impressive, and even more outstanding in some aspects. After he followed Liu Bang, he was quickly appointed as a captain, and stayed by his side as a charioteer, in charge of the guards, and successively served as the second-in-command and the lieutenant of the guards, which shows that Liu Bang trusted and relied on him.
During the infamous Siege of Baideng, Liu Bang was trapped in Pingcheng for seven days and nights by the Xiongnu army led by Chanyu Maodun. His situation was extremely precarious, but he ultimately managed to escape the city by adopting Chen Ping's strategy, bribing Chanyu's wife with a large sum of money and exploiting the jealousy and influence of women. This feat alone earned him the title of Marquis of Huyou, and later the title of Marquis of Quni.
Even more intriguing is Chen Ping's political acumen and resilience. After Emperor Gaozu of Han's reign, Empress Lü ascended to power, becoming suspicious of and suppressing Liu Bang's former ministers. Many of these founding heroes met with tragic endurance. Yet, Chen Ping managed to remain resilient amidst the turbulent court. Not only was he appointed Imperial Physician Commander by Empress Lü to assist and mentor Emperor Hui of Han, he was later appointed, along with Wang Ling, as the Left and Right Prime Ministers.
Even after Wang Ling was dismissed from his position as prime minister for opposing the enthronement of the Lü clan, and Chen Ping was demoted and stripped of his power, he remained patient and waited for his opportunity. Upon Empress Lü's death, he immediately conspired with Grand Marshal Zhou Bo to quell the Lü Rebellion with swift action, enthroning King Dai Liu Heng as Emperor Wen of Han and restoring the Han Dynasty. Early in Emperor Wen's reign, he skillfully ceded the position of Right Prime Minister to Zhou Bo, while taking on the role of Left Prime Minister himself, demonstrating both grace and avoiding the spotlight. Soon after Zhou Bo's dismissal, he naturally became the sole prime minister, earning Emperor Wen's admiration for his thoroughgoing performance of his duties.
It can be said that Chen Ping's true brilliance largely occurred during the treacherous political struggles that followed the founding of the Han Dynasty. He possessed exceptional political acumen, a keen eye for identifying and employing individuals, and a keen sense of assessing the situation, excelling in self-preservation, and seizing crucial opportunities. Compared to Xiao He's composure, Zhang Liang's indifference, and Han Xin's military genius, Chen Ping perhaps comes across as more of a man of ingenious strategies and expediency. His diplomatic skills, insight into human nature, and grasp of the current situation placed him in a class of his own.
The secret letter in Gao Yao's hand was a detailed report on Chen Ping's recent situation from his spy within Wei Bao's sphere of influence. Gao Yao paid considerable attention to Chen Ping and Kuai Tong, another of Wei Bao's advisors, and had his men closely monitoring their movements.
In his eyes, both men were rare talents. While Kuai Tong's strategy might be slightly inferior to Chen Ping's, he was more stable and reliable. Meanwhile, Chen Ping, now in his prime, if he could be recruited, his keen insight and endless strategies would serve him well in the long struggle for hegemony and governance, becoming another invisible and powerful weapon in his arsenal.
After reading the secret letter, Gao Yao slowly folded the letter and put it into his sleeve. He once again looked up at Nazha who was still dancing in the field, but his eyes were no longer filled with pure admiration and desire, but with a hint of deep calculation. Beauty is indeed attractive, but the talents in the world are the "treasures" that Gao Yao really wants to take into his pocket. The banquet is still going on, but his mind has already drifted to the world beyond, and he began to plan how to completely capture Qu Nihou, who is still under Wei Bao's command.
From the moment Kuai Tong arrived in Nanhai County, he fell into a vast, yet invisible, web woven meticulously by Gao Yao. Initially, it all seemed like an overly enthusiastic hospitality.
Although Gao Yao failed to persuade this lobbyist, who was famous for his eloquence and strategy, to rebel on the spot, he played the role of a good host and showed undisguised admiration for Kuai Tong's talents in his conversation. When discussing the general situation of the world, his views often coincided with Kuai Tong's. Even on many details, Gao Yao's civil and military officials could have in-depth and harmonious exchanges with Kuai Tong.
All of this left Kuai Tong with a very deep and comfortable impression - this Gao Yao was indeed a heroic ruler who knew how to appoint people to the right positions and had a broad vision, far superior to his own King Wei.
However, beneath this comfortable surface, undercurrents were already surging. Just as Kuai Tong had completed his official mission and was about to depart, Gao Yao, with various irresistible excuses, coerced him into staying for a full ten days. Today, he would observe the military exercises of Nanhai Commandery's newly trained elite soldiers; tomorrow, he would tour the bustling commercial port and its vast fleet; the day after that, he would host a banquet to discuss ancient texts. He even arranged a seemingly accidental debate on the governance of public life, allowing Kuai Tong to shine amidst the intellectual exchange with Gao Yao's advisors.
During these ten days, Kuai Tong drank and chatted with Gao Yao's core circle members almost every day, and the conversations were very close. To outsiders, their relationship had already surpassed the boundaries of ordinary envoys and hosts, and was unusually close.
Finally, Kuai Tong embarked on his return journey. Gao Yao publicly prepared a generous gift, presenting it to the King of Wei as a vassal, fulfilling all the formalities. But at the same time, the real killing spree had just begun. Gao Yao privately prepared another gift, one that far surpassed the one presented to the King of Wei in quality, quantity, and care. Rare treasures, South China Sea specialties, and even some rare and unique books were meticulously packaged. Intentionally or unintentionally, Gao Yao ensured that the delivery of this "private gift" was observed by some "concerned individuals."
Gao Yao knew Wei Bao's character well. He wasn't known for his generosity, especially when it came to his advisors, and he didn't truly trust them wholeheartedly. Kuai Tong, under Wei Bao's command, had always been undervalued due to his far-sightedness, and held a delicate position. Now, Kuai Tong's mission to Nanhai County, seemingly a success, had seemingly been successful, yet he remained there for ten days without cause, interacting closely with Gao Yao and his cronies. This in itself was enough to arouse suspicion. Now, with this private exchange, far exceeding the tribute, what would Wei Bao think if news of it reached him?