With victory after victory in war, Han Xin's standing within Liu Bang's faction rose ever higher. A commander who won every battle could always earn greater respect and trust.
Han Xin had long been ready for Liu Bang to appoint him as the general who would secure Guanzhong. After Xiang Yu made Liu Bang King of Han, he told Luo Cai, "Lady Cai, just watch. There is bound to be a war among the Three Qin, and when that time comes, His Majesty will surely appoint me as his general.
"His Majesty has plenty of valiant generals under his command, such as Zhou Bo, Xiahou Ying, and Fan Kuai. First to scale the walls and cut down enemy generals, they are all brave warriors.
"Even Lü Ze possesses a commander's talents. They are all first-rate generals, but none can compare with the famous generals of antiquity.
"Securing Guanzhong and subduing the Three Qin is a matter of life and death for the Han State. If we become bogged down here, the Altars of State will be in danger of toppling, so the King of Han will certainly entrust it to me.
"Defeating Meng Tian; openly attacking Luoyang while secretly breaking through Wu Pass; the great battle at Lantian.
"Those were my previous achievements. Now subduing the Three Qin will be another. Lady Cai, my name truly resounds throughout All Under Heaven."
Luo Cai watched the radiant Han Xin, tenderness and helplessness flashing through her eyes.
Han Xin was indeed a military genius, but he was also truly inept at politics.
He had completely failed to notice that Liu Bang's control over the army was growing ever tighter. Every general Han Xin now commanded was someone Liu Bang trusted most, someone Han Xin could never win over.
Liu Bang could entrust