Disciplining Emperor Gaozu of Han

Inside the Han army camp.

"King Wei, I've missed you so much!" Liu Bang personally came out to greet him, his face beaming, and jogged over.

"King Han, I've missed you so much!" Wei Bao exclaimed with delight, running over to him.

The two older men opened their arms and embraced each other, patting each other gently on the back. Their bromance was palpable, as if they truly missed each other.

"What excellent actors! It's a pity they've strayed onto the path of tyranny!" Liu Ying thought to himself with disdain.

The two clearly had their own ulterior motives, yet they acted as if they genuinely missed each other. Their acting skills were so superb that it would be a shame if they didn't pursue acting.

"King Wei, I was so worried about you. I thought I would never see you again." Liu Bang's tears streamed down his cheeks and soaked his clothes.

"King of Han, who can disagree? I'm worried about you too." Wei Bao's tears flowed like a waterfall, as if they were free.

"King Wei, it is truly a blessing from heaven that we meet today. We must drink to our hearts' content." Liu Bang held Wei Bao's hand and warmly pulled him into the royal tent.

"The King of Han has such a generous capacity for alcohol, I really miss him. I must get thoroughly drunk today!" Wei Bao said with great gusto.

Upon entering the royal tent, Liu Bang gave an order, and Lü Ze oversaw the arrangements. Soon, wine and meat were served.

"King Wei, come, sit here." Liu Bang showed Wei Bao great respect and asked him to sit next to him.

"King of Han, I dare not accept such an honor," Wei Bao declined.

"Given our friendship, it should be so." Liu Bang strode over, grabbed Wei Bao's hand, and pulled him to his side, helping Wei Bao kneel down.

Lü Ze and Xiahou Ying personally moved Wei Bao's short table in front of him.

This courtesy was so generous that Wei Bao was "deeply moved," his eyes reddening, and he repeatedly said he didn't deserve it.

Liu Bang knelt down and personally poured wine for Wei Bao, saying with a smile, "King Wei, please."

"King of Han, please," Wei Bao said, raising his bronze wine vessel to Liu Bang.

The two looked at each other and smiled, then tilted their heads back and drank it all in one gulp.

Lü Ze sat at the head of the table on the right, and Xiahou Ying sat at the head of the table on the left, the two of them raising their cups in accompaniment. Cups were passed back and forth, creating a lively atmosphere.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Wei Bao finally couldn't hold back any longer and said, "It is truly an honor to meet the Prince of Han. However, I have been away from home for a long time and have many matters to attend to. I must take my leave now."

"King Wei, what are you saying? We've only just met to ease our longing. Let's wait a little longer and get to know each other better." Liu Bang wasn't about to let him leave.

Wait a moment? I just don't know how long you mean by "wait a moment".

It may take a few days, a few months, or a few years.

"Your Majesty, there are simply too many affairs of state to attend to. As the ruler of a nation, I cannot be away for too long. Please forgive me, Your Majesty," Wei Bao said, bowing with his hands clasped.

"Don't worry about that. Peng Yue is the Prime Minister of Wei, he will definitely handle it well." Liu Bang used Peng Yue as a shield.

Whenever this matter is mentioned, Wei Bao wants to point his finger at Liu Bang and curse him, saying, "You forced Peng Yue to be the prime minister just to take away my power and sideline me."

However, given the situation, he had no choice but to plead repeatedly, but Liu Bang refused.

"May I ask, Your Majesty, who is this noble son who invited me to see you?" Wei Bao had nothing more to say, so he could only try to make conversation.

Liu Ying took him directly to the Han army camp to see Liu Bang without revealing his identity. As a result, Wei Bao still does not know that Liu Ying is Liu Bang's eldest son.

"What noble young master? He's my son." Liu Bang puffed out his chest, beaming with pride. "Ying'er is quite remarkable; at such a young age, she managed to capture the King of Wei. May I ask, King of Wei, how did it feel to be captured by my son?"

"The taste... is quite peculiar." Wei Bao gritted his teeth.

You'll know what it's like to be captured by a child once you try it yourself.

Liu Bang saw Wei Bao's frustrated expression and was overjoyed.

Wei Bao's eyes darted around, and as if he had thought of something, he smiled and said, "I would be grateful if the Prince of Han would invite your son here."

"Ying'er is too young to be in your presence," Liu Bang said tactfully.

"Since it's our first meeting, as Uncle Wang, I should give him a generous gift," Wei Bao said with a smile.

"Since you are so kind, I cannot refuse," Liu Bang instructed.

Tian went to find Liu Ying, and not long after, Liu Ying returned with Tian and entered the royal tent.

"Your Majesty is truly blessed! Your son is a man of exceptional talent and outstanding ability, with a future that is limitless." Wei Bao stared at Liu Ying for a long time, praising him endlessly.

It sounds very convincing, but in reality, anyone with a normal IQ knows it's all fake.

However, Liu Bang was delighted and laughed heartily: "Haha!"

Liu Ying's performance was stunning, making Liu Bang eager to have Liu Ying call him "Father." Unfortunately, he had destroyed their familial bond with a kick, and Liu Ying still hadn't called him that. Hearing Wei Bao's insincere praise, he was genuinely pleased.

Not only was Liu Bang delighted, but Lü Ze and Xiahou Ying were also happy, grinning from ear to ear.

Wei Bao saw this and cursed the three men as fools in his heart. He smiled and took out a jade pendant from his pocket, held it with both hands, and handed it to Liu Ying: "Prince, your uncle has nothing else of value, so I can only give you this. Please accept it."

"Thank you, Uncle Wang." Wei Bao was the King of Wei, and Liu Bang was the King of Han. Although they were master and servant, they were nominally of the same rank, so Liu Ying addressed him as Uncle Wang.

Liu Bang listened attentively, nodding heavily, thoroughly pleased. Liu Ying calling Wei Bao "Uncle" was, in effect, calling himself "Father."

Liu Ying opened her eyes wide and examined it closely. It felt very good to the touch; there was no doubt it was top-quality jade. Even more remarkable was its thick patina, indicating it was an old object from many years ago.

The carving depicts a beast fighting: a strong man, bare-handed, is wrestling with a ferocious beast. This beast resembles a bear but is not quite a bear; it has an elephant trunk, a lion-like head, tiger-like feet, and a cow-like tail. It is larger than a fine horse and has black and white stripes.

The carving is superb; the strong men are brave and the beasts are majestic, all lifelike, as if they came to life.

"What is this?" Liu Ying was completely confused.

Liu Bang reached out his hand, and Liu Ying handed it to him. Liu Bang took it, opened his eyes wide, gasped, and exclaimed, "King Wei, what a generous gift you have to present me with such a thing!"

"No problem, no problem," Wei Bao said hurriedly.

"What's the explanation?" Liu Ying asked.

"The ancestor of the King of Wei, Wei Chou, was an important minister under Duke Wen of Jin and one of the Five Worthies of Jin. He followed Duke Wen of Jin and wandered abroad for nineteen years." Liu Bang explained to Liu Ying, "When they came to the State of Chu, the King of Chu treated them with great courtesy and went hunting with Duke Wen of Jin in the Yunmeng Marsh. There was a ferocious beast called 'Mo', which had a peculiar appearance and immense strength, and was impervious to swords and arrows."

Looking at Wei Bao, he said, "Your grandfather fought him bare-handed, captured him alive, and presented him to the King of Chu, creating a legendary tale. After Duke Wen of Jin returned to his country and became the ruler, he had this jade carved and bestowed it upon your grandfather."

Because of this incident, Wei Chou gained the deep trust of Duke Wen of Jin and became an important minister under Duke Wen, thus establishing the Wei clan. Later, when the state of Jin was divided into three, the Wei clan established the state of Wei.

It has both symbolic meaning and was a gift from Duke Wen of Jin. It is also an antique that is hundreds of years old. It is indeed a treasure. No wonder Liu Bang was shocked and Liu Ying accepted it with a smile.

With this jade as a prelude, Wei Bao seized the opportunity to say some nice things, and the atmosphere became more relaxed. He smiled and said, "King of Han, please allow me to take my leave."

Ultimately, they just wanted to slip away.

"King Wei, you have given Ying'er such a generous gift. I will have Ying'er find a gift to reciprocate. Please wait a moment." Liu Bang looked at Liu Ying and blinked.

"I will obey the King of Han's command," Liu Ying said happily.

The father and son acted together seamlessly, successfully keeping Wei Bao at bay.

The only thing that Liu Bang regretted was that even at this point, Liu Ying still didn't call him "Father," but instead referred to him as the King of Han.

Wei Bao was quite disappointed to find that the gift of treasure was useless. He could only force a smile and drink and make merry with Liu Bang.

Wei Bao had a decent alcohol tolerance, but compared to the womanizer Liu Bang, he was far inferior and was easily drunk. Liu Bang ordered his men to take him away and keep him under control, then asked Liu Ying, "What do you think of this man?"

"That's stupid." Liu Ying grinned.

"Stop talking nonsense," Lü Ze retorted. "While Wei Bao may not be a great ruler, he is not a fool either. How can you say he's stupid?"

Liu Bang and Xiahou Ying agreed.

"After the defeat at Pengcheng, he didn't really need to flee," Liu Ying said with a smirk.

"Not escape? Won't we fall into Xiang Yu's hands?" Liu Bang sneered.

"He fell into Xiang Yu's hands, and Xiang Yu handed over Hedong Commandery without any consequences. He remained the King of Wei. What was the point of escaping?" Liu Ying pointed out the essence of the matter.

Liu Bang: "..."

Lü Ze: "..."

Xiahou Ying: "..."

~~~~~~~

Fan Kuai, his clothes tattered and torn, lay limp in the wilderness, his eyes lifeless, muttering to himself, "I'm going to die! I'm going to die! So many dogs are rushing at me, trying to take my life!"