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

"Your Majesty, calm down."

Just then, Xiao He returned and quickly tried to persuade Liu Bang, who had been treating Xiao He poorly these past few days because of Zhao Long's affair.

He spoke in a cold voice: "Is there any progress on the matter of the grain supplies?"

"I have just returned from the Chu camp. Xiang Yu said that the allied war has ended and the kings should go to their respective fiefdoms. He also said that he has no more provisions for us."

"It was only after I paid a hefty sum to visit Xiang Bo that I learned that Xiang Yu had recently provided Zhang Han with ample provisions, supplies, weapons, and armor for 30,000 men."

In an instant, the temperature inside the tent seemed to freeze people to death.

The Commandant of Grain Supply knelt on the ground, his whole body instantly drenched in cold sweat.

Even though they both came from the Huaihai military group, he suspected that Liu Bang was now planning to kill someone.

Its face was ferocious and extremely terrifying.

"Xiang Yu, what a Xiang Yu! He's gone too far!"

"They forced me to march south without giving me any provisions, but provided the Qin army, who were supposed to 'protect' me on my southward journey, with plenty of soldiers and provisions. How wonderful! Hahaha..."

Liu Bang threw his head back and laughed loudly, clenching his fists so tightly that they drew blood.

Fan Kuai immediately said, "It must be that traitor Zhao Long who has long harbored rebellious intentions and deliberately cut off the Han army's food supplies."

Liu Bang was even more furious: "With 100,000 Han soldiers and hundreds of generals and strategists, is there not a single one who can procure provisions?"

"Does that mean our Han army is all mediocre without Zhao Long?"

Amidst the laughter, even the Commandant of Grain Supply felt a chill and looked at his other old comrades.

However, these people from the Huaihai Military Group were all keeping their eyes down and their faces lowered.

Only Xiao He sighed, "Without Zhao Long, the Han army is nothing!"

Over the years, we have provided the Han army with ample troops and provisions, and we have not required these generals to put in any effort. They have become so accustomed to it!

"Ziyun, I don't know where you are..."

Xiao He was powerless to stop Liu Bang from sending men to hunt down Zhao Long; he could not face the pressure from all of Liu Bang's old comrades.

Fortunately, they didn't manage to catch anyone along the way.

Xiao He's feelings were very complicated.

They hoped that Zhao Long could evade Liu Bang's pursuers and find a place to retire to the mountains, thus avoiding becoming a mortal enemy of the Han army.

They didn't want Zhao Long's talent to be overlooked.

"Zhao Long, Zhao Ben, Han Xin..."

Xiao He murmured to himself, “The combined strength of these three men could give any feudal lord the power to dominate the world.”

It's not that he's invincible, but at the very least, he has the potential to dominate the world!

For example, Shang Yang's reforms in Qin established Qin's hegemonic foundation.

As Xiao He pondered this, his gaze toward Liu Bang became strange. It had only been a short time since Zhao Long was lost, yet Liu Bang was already in a state of utter distress and had become agitated.

If Liu Bang knew that Zhao Long had supported another hegemon, wouldn't he be furious?

"What kind of look is that?" Perhaps the gaze was too intense, Liu Bang felt it too, and he spoke through gritted teeth.

How could I sense a hint of pity or sympathy?

He doesn't need pity, he just needs more food.

Just as everyone was frowning in worry, a special black-robed warrior walked in, glanced at Xiao He, and then spoke.

"Reporting to Liu Bang, someone says that our supplies have been secured."

Liu Bang was overjoyed: "Haha, I knew it! The Han army is full of talented people; it can still do well without Zhao Long..."

Xiao He frowned and dismissed everyone present. It wasn't until it was dark that a person shrouded in a black robe came to Xiao He's tent, which was heavily guarded.

"This is the King of Han," Xiao He introduced.

The man in black robes immediately lifted his outer robe and bowed respectfully: "This humble general, Lü Matong, greets Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, after receiving news that Lord Xiao had ordered me to investigate the grain supplies that Xiang Yu had given to the Qin army, I came here immediately."

"Xiang Yu did indeed give Zhang Han enough provisions to feed 30,000 men for half a year, with the aim of having Zhang Han's army 'protect' the king as he marched south, while secretly weakening the king's strength."

"Many of these provisions were delivered under my supervision. Zhang Han ordered the main supply camp to be located in Chang'an Village."

Liu Bang's expression shifted: "How many soldiers are stationed at Chang'an Village?"

"Five thousand people are stationed here."

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Bang couldn't help but smile.

He took a deep breath and looked at Lü Matong.

He was deep in thought.

Xiang Yu was ruthless enough to give the grain to Zhang Han, but Liu Bang was not a pushover either.

The Han army of 100,000 men was going to attack Xiang Yu, but they couldn't win, and it wouldn't be morally justifiable either.

When attacking the Qin army, there's no need for so much consideration.

These were remnants of the tyrannical Qin dynasty, and the Han army righteously suppressed them; no one could find fault with them.

Even now, in many parts of Guanzhong, there are still Qin troops who refuse to give up and are fighting against the allied forces of the feudal lords.

More importantly, if they use this much grain sparingly, it will be enough to feed their 100,000-strong army for two or three months.

Liu Bang was deeply moved and spoke in a deep voice.

"With so much grain and fodder, Zhang Han must be preparing to attack the Han army. The Qin dynasty is on the rise again, and this is the enemy of the allied forces of the world."

Lu Matong simply nodded in agreement: "What the King of Han says is true."

Liu Bang continued, "General, do you have any manpower stationed in the grain supply camp?"

"These provisions should be in the hands of righteous men throughout the land. I intend to seize them secretly."

"These 30,000 surrendered soldiers were previously under my supervision. In the current grain and provisions camp, there is a general who is an old acquaintance of mine. I can mobilize his 1,000 men. In addition, there are 2,000 elite troops under my command, ready to be dispatched by the King of Han at any time."

Liu Bang smiled with satisfaction, his mind at ease.

After discussing the details with Lü Matong, his eyes brightened even more.

"Very good, General. Immediately mobilize the troops. The Han army will attack Chang'an Village tomorrow night."

"At that time, I would appreciate your secret assistance, General, to prevent the Qin army from launching a counterattack."

"As long as we can cut off the Qin army's food supply, General Lü will be a hero, and the Han army will never forget your kindness."

Liu Bang immediately spoke up.

The issue of food supplies for the Han army was extremely urgent; they absolutely had to obtain the Qin army's supplies.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will go back and make the arrangements immediately and will not fail His Majesty's trust."

Lu Matong bowed respectfully and then left.

Liu Bang then spoke with delight: "Lord Xiao is truly remarkable; he has actually managed to win over this cavalry general in Xiang Yu's army."

Xiao He was in charge of the Han army's spies, and Liu Bang was also aware of who these spies were.

Lü Matong and Xiang Yu were old friends, but he also had a very good relationship with Xiao He. Dissatisfied with Xiang Yu's arbitrary command, he had secretly provided the Han army with information about Xiang Yu on several occasions.

They were just waiting for an opportunity to surrender to the Han army.

He was Xiao He's biggest spy planted in the Chu army.

What excited Liu Bang even more was that even without the support of Zhao Long, a man from Jiangdong, he still had Lü Matong, a general under Xiang Yu, to share his burdens!

I, Liu Bang, don't need another one like Zhao Long!

"Your Majesty, although the war in Guanzhong has not yet subsided, it would be inappropriate to start a war with Zhang Han at this time."

Xiao He felt that something was wrong. From the lack of food supplies, to Zhao Long's departure, and finally Xiang Yu giving the food supplies to the Qin army, Lü Matong came to report the news.

Everything was too smooth, too coincidental.

It was as if the Han army was deliberately allowed to grasp at the Qin army's food supplies as a lifeline at this moment.

"I understand Lord Xiao's concerns, but with General Lü Matong, who has secretly supported me for many years, surely 100,000 Han troops cannot deal with the mere 30,000 Qin soldiers, old and weak?"

"The Han army needs just as much food."

"If you don't take what God gives you, you will suffer the consequences!"

"The advantage lies with me, Lord Xiao, there is no need to worry."

Liu Bang had made up his mind to fight this battle, but Xiao He felt that he had overlooked something, though he couldn't figure it out.

"Does Lord Xiao have any way to procure provisions for the army?"

Xiao He fell silent, then listened to Liu Bang's order: "Summon the generals for a meeting."

"I am currently very angry!"

……

As Lü Matong walked out of the camp, a look of guilt welled up in his eyes, but after a moment of struggle, his expression turned cold and stern again.

A resolute departure.

"The prey has taken the bait, but who is the hunter?"

"Good luck, Han King."

"I hope you like this wonderful gift prepared for you by Chang'an Village."