Chương 179: "Inviting You to Dinner"

Liu Ce returned to the Liu residence and told the steward, Uncle Liu, "Uncle Liu, I'll be away for a few days. Please take good care of the house."

"Don't worry, young master," Uncle Liu nodded, "I will take good care of the manor."

Then, Liu Ce went to say goodbye to the women.

Cai Yan was teaching Zhen Mi to play the zither when she heard that Liu Ce was going out. She said softly, "Husband, please come back soon."

Zhen Jiang carefully said, "Husband, bring some dry food and a change of clothes. Although it's not far, we still need to be well prepared."

Zhang Ning straightened Liu Ce's collar and said, "Be careful on the road, and come back soon."

Ren Hongchang, Zou Yu, Du Xiuniang, and the Zhen sisters also gathered around, offering their advice in a cacophony of words.

Liu Ce felt a warmth in his heart and said, "Don't worry, it's just a trip to the border. I'll be back in a few days."

Then he called Lu Bing over and instructed him:

"Wenfu, send someone to Lu Nu in Zhongshan Commandery to invite Zhang Chun to the border between Zhongshan Commandery and Zhuo Commandery."

Liu Ce instructed, "Tell him that I am leading soldiers on an inspection tour of Zhuojun, and that I will invite him to dinner to discuss military matters in Zhongshan Commandery. Remember to use my status as the 'military commander of Ji Province' when you invite him."

A knowing glint flashed in Lu Bing's eyes: "Our lord intends to... host a banquet?"

Liu Ce laughed and said, "Yes, I'm treating you to dinner. You know what I mean, right?"

Lu Bing smiled and nodded, saying, "Understood. I'll take care of it right away."

Lu Bing accepted the order and left.

He chuckled inwardly: "My lord's move is brilliant! By inviting people under the guise of discussing military affairs, even if Zhang Chun is suspicious, he wouldn't dare not come."

...

Soon after, Liu Ce led Dian Wei, Xu Chu, and eight hundred members of the Dragon Cavalry, along with Lu Bing and a dozen or so Imperial Guards, and set off in a grand procession.

"My lord," Xu Chu couldn't help but ask, "what exactly are we going to do? Are we really going on an inspection tour?"

Dian Wei muttered, "Brother, is it really an inspection?"

Liu Ce laughed and said, "You'll see when we get there."

...

A day later, the group arrived at the border between Zhongshan County and Zhuo County. It was an open area with mountains in the distance and a river nearby; the terrain was quite good.

Liu Ce looked around and nodded in satisfaction, saying, "Let's set up camp here."

Dian Wei and Xu Chu then directed the eight hundred soldiers of the Dragon Cavalry to set up camp in an orderly manner.

These soldiers wore modernly crafted, gleaming armor that shimmered with a cold metallic sheen in the setting sun. The gleaming breastplate on their armor was so bright it could blind a person.

The warhorse was tethered to one side, grazing quietly. A composite bow and quiver hung on its back, and a sword dangled beside the saddle.

The entire camp was completely silent, save for the occasional clanging of metal and the fluttering of flags in the wind.

Strict discipline, yet restrained in its killing intent.

This is the elite Longxiang Battalion, which Liu Ce built over a year using modern training methods, the essence of Li Shimin's military training, the guidance of the Eighteen Riders of Yanyun, and advanced equipment.

Soon, one after another, well-organized military camps were built – the tents were neatly arranged, the fences were sturdy, and the watchtowers were towering, clearly indicating an elite force.

After finishing their work, Dian Wei and Xu Chu gathered around Liu Ce.

Dian Wei and Xu Chu stood at the camp gate, looking at the scene before them, still completely bewildered.

"Brother, what's so special about patrolling this place?"

Dian Wei scratched his head and said, "There are only trees and grass, not even a rabbit."

Xu Chu asked, puzzled, "Yes, my lord, what are we waiting for here?"

Liu Ce walked out of the tent, holding a roasted sweet potato in his hand—he had brought it from Zhuo County as provisions for the journey.

He took a bite of sweet potato and mumbled, "Actually, it wasn't an inspection, it was an invitation to dinner."

"Inviting you to dinner?" Dian Wei's eyes widened.

"Inviting whom? Here?"

"Please invite Zhang Chun," Liu Ce said with a mysterious smile.

"Zhang Chun, the Prefect of Zhongshan."

Dian Wei and Xu Chu exchanged a glance, even more bewildered.

Why travel so far to invite a prefect to dinner? Couldn't you have done it in Zhuo County?

Liu Ce laughed and said, "This is called... the Feast at Hongmen, understand?"

"The Feast at Hongmen?" Dian Wei and Xu Chu were even more confused.

"Where is Hongmen? Was the feast delicious?"

Lu Bing walked over and explained, "It was Xiang Yu who invited Liu Bang to dinner, intending to take the opportunity to kill him..."

"Oh!" Dian Wei and Xu Chu exclaimed in sudden realization, "Our lord intends to kill Zhang Chun?"

"I might not kill him," Liu Ce said with a smile.

"It depends on the situation. If he surrenders obediently, I'll spare his life and hand him over to the court for judgment. If he resists... well, that's hard to say."

Dian Wei rubbed his hands together excitedly and said, "Then I need to get my weapons ready! My lord, when are we going to make our move? I'll be the first one in!"

Liu Ce smiled and said, "No rush, let's wait for the guests to arrive."

...

"E'lai, Zhongkang," Liu Ce looked at the two men, "what do you think Zhang Chun's reaction will be if he sees this formation?"

Dian Wei grinned and said, "He was scared out of his wits!"

Xu Chu chuckled and said, "I think he would kneel down and call me grandpa."

Liu Ce shook his head and said, "No, he'll pretend to be calm, but inside he'll be wondering what I'm up to."

He gazed at the setting sun gradually sinking in the west.

"Zhang Chun is a bit clever, but his vision is too narrow. He thought he could succeed by colluding with the Wuhuan, but he didn't know..." Liu Ce paused and continued, "In the face of absolute power, all schemes and tricks are just paper tigers."

Dian Wei and Xu Chu exchanged a glance. Although they didn't fully understand, they felt that their lord's words made a lot of sense.

Dian Wei waved his hand: "Who cares! If Big Brother says he'll treat us to a meal, then he will! Brother Xu, let's go see how the cooks are preparing; the whole roasted lamb needs to be cooked perfectly!"

Xu Chu nodded and said, "Yes, yes, the mutton must be roasted until it's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside..."

The two of them headed towards the cooking squad as they talked.

Liu Ce watched their retreating figures, shaking his head with a smile.

"These two are such a handful..."

Two days later, Zhang Chun arrived.

He was accompanied by a dozen or so attendants and five hundred county soldiers, making a grand procession.

……

Zhang Chun was taken aback when he received Liu Ce's invitation. The last time he met Liu Ce was two years ago when the Yellow Turbans besieged Lu Nu. At that time, Liu Ce led eight hundred Xuanjia Iron Cavalry to relieve the siege, and the two had met briefly.

Afterwards, Liu Ce quelled the Yellow Turban Rebellion, was enfeoffed as Marquis of Champion, appointed General of the Cavalry, and served as Governor of Youzhou, rising through the ranks. Although Zhang Chun remained the Prefect of Zhongshan, the gap in their status had widened considerably.

"Liu Ce invited me to dinner? And to discuss military matters?" Zhang Chun stroked his chin, muttering to himself, "Could it be... he's discovered something?"

He quickly went to discuss it with Zhang Ju.

"Liu Ce has invited me to the border, saying he has military matters to discuss. What do you think?"

Zhang Ju frowned and said, "Could this be a trap? A trap set up at Hongmen?"

Zhang Chun thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "It can't be that bad, can it? I have no grudge against Liu Ce. He even saved Lu Nu City two years ago. Besides, I am now the Prefect of Zhongshan, an official appointed by the imperial court. Would he dare to touch me? Moreover, he is now the General of Chariots and Cavalry and the Governor of Youzhou, holding military power in Jizhou.

He is nominally my superior, so it is perfectly reasonable for him to ask me to discuss military affairs in Zhongshan Commandery. Besides... I can't refuse."