I switched allegiance to Zhang Han and rebuilt the Qin Dynasty; Liu Bang was heartbroken.

At the end of the Qin Dynasty, the First Emperor died and the feudal lords rose up.

King Huai of Chu declared that "whoever enters Guanzhong first shall be king." All the feudal lords in the land shared the same goal and joined forces to attack Guanzhong. Prince Ziying of Qin surrendered.

The magnificent empire, built upon the legacy of six generations, collapsed in just over a decade.

Xiang Yu was dissatisfied with Liu Bang's entry into Guanzhong first and did not want to stay in Qin territory. He promoted King Huai of Chu as the Righteous Emperor of the World and then proclaimed himself the Hegemon-King of Western Chu, bestowing great rewards upon the meritorious officials who followed him into Guanzhong.

The eighteen warlords, though powerful, were all wary of Liu Bang and instead granted him a fiefdom in what was considered a barren land by the world: Bashu.

At this time, on Ba Shang, in the Han army camp.

A young scholar, with striking features and a handsome appearance, walked with a smile, holding a feather fan, into a noisy tent.

Wherever he went, the soldiers he encountered bowed and said, "Greetings, Military Advisor General."

The young man entered the tent and saw a group of Han generals arguing heatedly.

The most agitated was Fan Kuai: "Xiang Yu, you treacherous dog, has gone too far! We entered Guanzhong first, and instead of giving us Guanzhong, you've banished us to that godforsaken place!"

Others also spoke up, but no one was willing to go to the King of Han's fiefdom.

"What's all this noise about!"

As soon as the young man spoke, everyone's eyes turned to him, many with gleaming eyes, while Fan Kuai snorted disdainfully.

Liu Bang knelt down, his eyes fixed on the locations of Hanzhong and Bashu on the geomantic map, as if trying to see a hole in the ground.

"The strategist general is here! Right now, that treacherous Xiang Yu is being unreasonable, and the brothers are just about to go find him!"

The young man clasped his hands in a fist salute to Liu Bang and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."

His name is Zhao Long. He is a lucky time traveler who came to this era and joined Liu Bang's army in Dang County, Chu Province. He offered advice and strategies to Liu Bang and was valued by him.

He also oversaw military affairs and assisted in the management of supplies.

After Liu Bang was enfeoffed as the King of Han, Zhao Long accumulated merits and was promised the title of Military Advisor General of the King of Han, becoming one of the generals of the Han army.

Faced with Liu Bang's defiant words, Zhao Long simply smiled and waved his feather fan, confidently saying, "What you see as a barren land is actually a land of plenty. If we go there, we can have enough grain to sweep across the world in just one year!"

As soon as Zhao Long finished speaking, he felt the chill in the tent intensify, and Fan Kuai immediately started yelling at the top of his lungs.

"Keep bragging. That Sichuan and Chongqing region is so barren that even birds don't poop there. It's where the Qin people exiled criminals. You, a man from Jiangdong, wouldn't you have taken bribes from Xiang Yu and deliberately come here to trick Liu Bang, would you?"

Zhao Long sighed.

He was indeed born into a prominent family in Jiangdong, and was one of the eight thousand Jiangdong youths who led Xiang Yu in his rebellion against the Qin Dynasty.

Liu Bang's Huaihai entrepreneurial group never liked him, a native of Jiangdong.

Now, there's the matter of Xiang Yu deliberately setting Liu Bang up, and because of his great contributions, Liu Bang had no choice but to appoint him as a general.

Zhao Long understood that the dissatisfaction these old men, who had followed Liu Bang from Mangdang, with him had reached its peak.

Just as he was about to speak, he heard that low voice: "Does the strategist and general really think that if I go to Bashu, I will still have a chance to sweep across the world?"

Zhao Long also noticed that Liu Bang had turned his head to look at him, dressed in rough clothes with disheveled hair and a sallow complexion.

Clearly, he's been in very poor condition lately.

"Your Majesty, when he was in Xianyang, Lord Xiao took away archives and maps from all over the country. Among them, it was recorded that the water conservancy in Bashu was well developed and that the land of Chengdu was fertile for thousands of miles."

"The world was in chaos, and the people in all places suffered greatly. The fertile fields were stained with blood and no grain grew."

"The land of Bashu has natural barriers, making it the best place for us to isolate ourselves from Xiang Yu and recuperate."

Without a second thought, Fan Kuai retorted, "Nonsense! It was strange enough that you, a mere lad from Jiangdong, joined Liu Bang with a hundred men in Dang."

"Over the years, you have seemingly been advising Liu Bang and procuring provisions, but in reality, you are a spy sent by Xiang Yu, just to deliberately mislead Liu Bang now."

"The land of Bashu is surrounded by mountains, which seem to be a barrier, but in reality, Xiang Yu wanted to trap our Han army there and turn it into a huge prison."

"You've been hiding your true colors, kid!"

"Now that Xiang Yu has gained power, you're not going to hide anymore, are you? You want to trap us in the end?"

Facing Fan Kuai's challenge, Zhao Long showed no fear and looked at Liu Bang with an unchanged expression: "Your Majesty, Bashu will surely be the place where Your Majesty rises to prominence. I will go to Lord Xiao to retrieve the relevant records."

A cold glint flashed in Liu Bang's eyes: "No need. I know what Bashu is like."

"Over the past two years, the strategist general has offered me many advices. General, you have worked hard. Now, you should rest for a while and recharge your energy so that you can serve me again in the future!"

Zhao Long's expression finally changed, and he looked at Liu Bang in disbelief.

After joining Liu Bang's army, he built his career step by step, starting with the hundred soldiers he had recruited by spending all his family wealth.

With the support of political orders and the combined consideration of military strategy and command of troops, Liu Bang's current strength is twice as great as it was in history!

Only now do I realize that Liu Bang never truly trusted him.

Just because he wasn't a senior minister of Fengpei?

Just because he served in Xiang Yu's army?

However, Xiang Yu and Liu Bang both came from the Chu army, but their troops were separated and placed in the rear. Now, a large group of former Xiang Yu soldiers were in Liu Bang's army!

Were they all spies?

"Your Majesty, Bashu..."

"Alright, no need for further words. The affairs of Bashu will be handled by the outstanding strategies of my men. There's no need for the general to trouble himself!"

Liu Bang interrupted him abruptly, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

Zhao Long took a deep breath, clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Yes, Your Majesty, I thank you for your consideration. I will go and rest."

"I would like to remind Your Majesty that you must not hold a grudge against Bashu because of my matter."

Liu Bang's expression grew even more hostile, and with a complicated look in his eyes, he left without looking back at Zhao Long.

"Your Majesty, this man has repeatedly urged us to go to Bashu. He must be a spy of Xiang Yu."

“Starting from Dang, this man devised strategies for us. It seemed that every strategy would lead to our great victory, but in reality, he avoided attacking the core of the Qin people, allowing Xiang Yu to take the lead in the major battles.”

"Xiang Yu gained unparalleled prestige by suppressing the tyrannical Qin Dynasty and has the support of countless powerful armies. Now he can hold our lives in his hands."

Fan Kuai deliberately spoke loudly.

So that Zhao Long, who hadn't gone far, could hear it clearly.

In an instant, a chill ran through my heart.

Regardless of the losses suffered in attacking the Qin army, Liu Bang's foundation was too weak. Even though he publicly proclaimed the Three Laws with the people, he still secretly allowed his soldiers to plunder.

Otherwise, given the Han army's logistics, it would have been impossible for them to even reach Xianyang.

He possessed prophetic abilities, avoided major wars, enforced strict military discipline, and prioritized consolidating his strength in all matters.

On the other hand, externally, it was to prevent Liu Bang's army from killing Qin people and causing the Qin people to resent Xiang Yu.

Zhao Long had been waiting for Liu Bang to be enfeoffed as the King of Han, so that he could reduce resistance when he amassed troops in Bashu and marched into Guanzhong.

With the army of the former Qin Dynasty, we can sweep across the land even faster and reduce casualties!

However, in the eyes of Fan Kuai and his group, all of this was seen as a deliberate attempt to mislead and harm Liu Bang.

Zhao Long walked very fast; he understood that Fan Kuai was clearly doing it on purpose.

He had long been dissatisfied with himself, an outsider, holding a high position, so he vented his anger towards Xiang Yu on himself.

Just because I'm not one of Feng Pei's direct followers, I've offended them!

Liu Bang dismissed him because of his great achievements and his efforts in governing the region and managing logistics, which won him many people's hearts. Liu Bang had long been wary of him.

Zhao Long sensed the coldness in Liu Bang's eyes just now. This time, because of the matter of the fiefdom of Bashu, Liu Bang really wanted to kill someone!

Zhao Long recalled his entire experience after arriving in this era, including when he first developed a rift with Liu Bang.

It was when he imposed strict discipline on Liu Bang's bandit army in advance, which led to a shortage of food supplies for the army. However, Liu Bang was eager to send troops out and secretly condoned Xiahou Ying's massacre of the city and looting of food. He then forcefully punished Xiahou Ying to enforce military discipline, which caused a big argument between Liu Bang and himself.

It was when Wu Guan himself suggested that Xiang Yu enter Guanzhong first and run amok, so that Liu Bang could more easily win over the hearts of the Qin people, that Liu Bang was dissatisfied and cursed him.

It was when he was trying to raise funds and supplies, and he was dealing with various powerful clans, that the old man of Fengpei accused him of forming cliques and having ulterior motives.

There are many other examples. In all matters, Zhao Long's consistent plan was to flatter Xiang Yu to his death, rise secretly, and bide his time.

Wait for the right opportunity to make a name for yourself, seize the still-established Guanzhong Plain, and sweep across the world.

Zhao Long had never intended to hide these plans from Liu Bang; he had told him the truth long ago. However, Liu Bang's dissatisfaction suddenly erupted today.

The saying "Rome wasn't built in a day" applies here. As Liu Bang grew in power, he became dissatisfied with his series of plans.

He was not satisfied with everything he had, and he resented Xiang Yu's arrogance and humiliation, so he naturally vented all his anger on himself.

The reason for this is that he is not a direct descendant of Feng Pei, and is a native of Jiangdong.

At that time, he offended the old ministers of Fengpei who were eager to make meritorious contributions, because he wanted to uphold military discipline and recuperate.

Liu Bang would definitely stand by those old men.

These things had been brewing for a while.

However, this incident was the last straw that broke the camel's back.

He is dissatisfied with his current power and status!

He couldn't hold out any longer!

"Did it help you accumulate a greater power than in history, and also further fuel your ambition?"

Zhao Long muttered to himself, realizing that he could not stay in Liu Bang's camp for long.

He can command troops in battle and maintain local stability.

Liu Bang was granted the title of King of Han, but he did not want to give himself a high position. He was only forced to be appointed as a military advisor general because of his great achievements.

It sounds nice, but in reality, he was not allowed to command troops, nor was he a general commander of the entire army like Xiao He.

If they continue to stay in Liu Bang's camp, they will either live a mediocre life or sooner or later have an even stronger conflict with the Fengpei loyalists!

When Liu Bang had just driven him away, Zhao Long understood that Liu Bang had a large number of loyal followers and didn't care what choice he made.

"Liu Bang is a man of extraordinary talent, but he is not the man I am destined to serve."

Liu Bang didn't care whether he continued to advise the Han army; he was only worried about whether he was really Xiang Yu's spy, which would affect his power and status.

"Don't doubt people who are suspicious of you, don't doubt those who are employed."

Zhao Long knew very well that once Liu Bang, as a powerful and ruthless ruler, planted the seeds of dissatisfaction and suspicion towards others when his power and status were threatened, they were very difficult to change.

Unless we wait until the day Xiang Yu is defeated.

But by then, what would be the point of him staying in Liu Bang's army if he were to continue serving Liu Bang?

What they sought at the beginning was not only future wealth and glory, but also to minimize losses in this chaotic war and to deal with the behemoth that was forming in the north!

The Siege of Baideng: A disgrace for all time!

The Han Dynasty's enduring legacy was always marred by significant flaws.

Besides, once he relinquishes his power, will those Fengpei people let him go?

After returning to his tent, Zhao Long sat in silence for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh.

"Perhaps it's time to leave..."

He said loudly, "Someone, go and call Han Xin over."