Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was almost the end of the year.
Since the battle ten days ago, there had been no more battles due to the heavy snow. Qin Chu and Qin Chu had a tacit understanding that neither side would send out a single soldier to fight. The confrontation was even quieter than before. However, anyone with discerning eyes could see that an even more terrifying storm was brewing behind this unusual silence.
The royal court of Chu had no objections to Xiang Yan's actions. As for the royal order of 'defeating Qin in a month,' no one mentioned it again. At that time, Xiang Yan had sent the general of the Zhao family, Tanya, to Shouchun to report the situation of the war. Tanya had brought back the king's order: The Qin army's stronghold is strong, Great General should plan another strategy and wait for an opportunity to defeat the Qin army! Xiang Yan knew that the officials of the court were already powerless to restrain them. After losing more than 200,000 soldiers in this battle, the entire court fell into panic.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Xiang Yan once again petitioned for the army to retreat south. The King of Chu and his courtiers naturally refused righteously. However, how could Xiang Yan give up on this plan that he had been planning for a long time? Within a month, Xiang Yan had sent a report to the Six Paths Army, repeatedly emphasizing that " our army is not well-dressed and does not have enough meat for a picnic. Many of our soldiers have frostbite. If we do not move to Huainan and reorganize our army to fight against Qin, our army will be in danger and our country will perish."
In the face of Xiang Yan's pressure, Fu Chu and his courtiers could only reluctantly agree to the strategy of withdrawing their troops from Huainan in the coming spring. However, the King of Chu also proposed that he would never move the capital again and requested that Xiang Yan must leave his main force outside Shouchun City to resist the Qin army. To this, Xiang Yan agreed without thinking. This request of King Chu could be said to be exactly what he wanted.
Ruyin County, Chu camp, Xiang Yan's big tent.
Xiang Yan, who was dressed in khaki-colored casual clothes and had a half-white beard and hair, stood in front of the tent door and looked at the snowflakes outside the tent silently. Behind him stood two middle-aged men in their thirties, who were also wearing khaki-colored casual clothes. They were full of heroic spirit. Xiang Yan had two sons, the eldest son Xiang Chao and the second son Xiang Liang.
After a long time, Xiang Yan sighed softly." Ask away if you have any doubts.”
The two of them looked at each other. Xiang Chao nodded. Xiang Liang asked,"Father, at this moment of crisis, wouldn't your plan to mutiny add insult to injury to the Chu Country? At that time, without the king's suppression, the royal court would definitely fall apart. How would the various aristocratic families support the Chu Country to resist the Qin Dynasty?”
Xiang Liang turned around and looked at his two sons. In terms of military affairs, these two sons were capable of taking charge of the military alone, especially Xiang Liang. He was even known by the outside world as Xiang Yan's successor, but the two of them really did not know anything about politics.
"In the current court, be it the King or the officials, they only have their eyes on Shouchun. However, this time, the Great Qin Empire had mobilized all of its troops to destroy the Chu Empire, so how could Shouchun be defended? The only way out for Chu was to retreat to Huainan and use Jiangdong as the foundation to unite with the Yue to resist Qin. The more dangerous the situation was, the better the opportunity to turn the tables. If they could use this opportunity to defeat the Qin army, Chu would definitely be able to create a new situation. As for the Shouchun clan?"
Xiang Yan paused for a moment before continuing with a hint of sarcasm,"Didn't they ask for the main force to be stationed in Shouchun? Leaving this army behind can serve as our reserve force, and more importantly, it can limit the rebellion of the old noble families against the new king.”
Hearing Xiang Yan's words, Xiang Chao and Xiang Liang both nod their heads. They admire their father for being able to think so far ahead, but at the same time, they feel somewhat ashamed. They are still too far behind.
"It's the end of the year. This snow should be the last snow of the year.”After burying 200,000 bones, Xiang Yan's voice carried a hint of loneliness." After this snow, the fog will rise, and that will be the day our army retreats.”
"Not waiting for spring?" Xiang Liang frowned." It's covered in snow. I'm afraid it's not easy to march."”
"Although it is difficult to march under the cover of snow, it is even more difficult for cavalry to advance. I am afraid that the Qin army is also waiting for spring to give our army a final blow. At that time, the ice and snow will melt, and it will be even more difficult for us to retreat.”
Xiang Yan walked up to her two sons and patted their shoulders. She said in a deep voice," Chao 'er, Ji Liang, remember, if everything goes smoothly this time, then forget it. If the retreat is unsuccessful, then each of you…"
"Father, haven't you already made arrangements? We will definitely succeed." Before Xiang Yan could finish, Xiang Chao interrupted him.
"Shut up." Xiang Yan growled at Xiang Chao. Seeing him lower his head, she sighed and said,"Although everything has been secretly arranged, the Black Ice Platform and the net of the State of Qin are everywhere. Who knows if they have discovered anything? Not only was Wang Jian good at military affairs, he was also good at political affairs. He would not be able to hide anything from him. Furthermore, there was a young master of the Yin-Yang School in the Qin camp! I have the confidence to deceive Wang Jian, but I don't have the slightest confidence to deceive this fifteen-year-old youth.”
At the end of her speech, Xiang Yan felt a little powerless when she mentioned this youth who was only fifteen years old. According to the reports from the spies, many of the Qin army's strategies were devised by Ji Yun. His plan to use the Hundred Schools of Philosophy was also seen through by Ji Yun and then cracked.
"So we have to prepare for the worst. If it really comes to that, you can leave it to fate. But the first thing to do is to protect Shaoyu.”
"Father, don't worry. We will protect Yu 'er and let him leave safely.”
Xiang Yan nodded." Then I won't have to worry." Uncle has already brought his only son back to Jiangdong and is secretly stationed in Jiangdong. As long as Shaoyu can escape, our Chu country will definitely make a comeback.”
"Father." Hearing Xiang Yan's words as if she was leaving behind a funeral, Xiang Chao and Xiang Liang felt a pain in their hearts, and tears gushed out. Seeing her two sons in such a state, Xiang Yan's eyes became misty with tears. She turned around again and wiped her tears away."Alright, you may leave. Arrange for the retreat."
"Yes, your son will take his leave. Father, rest early." Xiang Chao and Xiang Liang cupped their fists at Xiang Yan and left the tent. "Wait a minute."
Just as the two were about to leave the tent, Xiang Yan stopped them and said with a deep meaning,""I have something else to tell you. It was only during this war that I realized that the Hundred Schools of Philosophy were an extremely powerful force. Regardless of the outcome, it would be useful to befriend the Hundred Schools of Philosophy, especially the young master of the Yin-Yang School. Don't be confused as to why I said this; the Yin-Yang School and Great Qin have always been using each other, and Ji Yun is a genius who has never appeared in the world. I have a premonition that in the future, he will be the one to stir up the storm. My Xiang Clan will definitely have some interactions with him.”
Although the two of them had doubts, they did not ask any more questions when they saw the unconcealable fatigue on their father's face. They took their leave.
…………
Qin camp, Ji Yun's tent.
"The shogunate gathered their generals, but they didn't use the General-Gathering Drum. It seems like the Chu army is making a big move.”Watching the messenger leave the tent, Ji Yun, who was sitting behind a few tables, tapped his fingers on the table, deep in thought.
After a long time, Ji Yun stood up, put on a white fur cloak, and walked out of the tent.
Ji Yun's tent was closest to the central army tent, so when Ji Yun arrived at Wang Jian's central army tent, there were only Wang Jian and the central army Sima Li Xin inside.
Ji Yun cupped his fists towards Wang Jian and Li Xin. Li Xin also cupped his fists. Wang Jian nodded towards Ji Yun before handing a bamboo slip to Ji Yun.
Ji Yun looked at the contents of the bamboo slip. Xiang Yan was disappointed with the King of Chu and the court of the State of Chu. He sent his three sons, Xiang Bo, and the only son of Jiangdong to secretly return to Huainan to plot to support the Lord of Changping as the new King of Chu with the Qu family. Moreover, Xiang Yan has decided to withdraw his troops from Huainan in the near future. Later, he will unite with Baiyue and resist our Great Qin by land and water.
"Your prediction is correct. Xiang Yan has decided to launch a mutiny and plans to withdraw his troops in the next few days.”Indeed, the secret report sent by the Black Ice Secret Guard regarding Xiang Yan's series of actions in secret was actually exactly the same as what Ji Yun had predicted. It was completely accurate. This caused Wang Jian to be at a loss for words. Li Xin was calling him a monster in his heart.
Ji Yun smiled and didn't say anything. On one hand, this was his own guess. On the other hand, Xiang Yan in history had done the same thing.
A moment later, the generals rushed over, and many of them were already sweating profusely. However, the generals were all in high spirits. This was because the gathering of generals at this time was most likely due to the Chu army's abnormal movements. What followed next was the decisive battle that the generals had been waiting for!
Everyone stood around the sand table. Wang Jian said,"I just received a secret report that Xiang Yan has decided to withdraw his troops and establish a new king in Huainan to unite the Yue to resist our army.”
The first sentence ignited the enthusiasm of the generals. Wang Jian picked up his long staff and pointed at Pingyu and Sleeping City, where the Chu army was stationed." The Chu army's retreat strategy is to first let the soldiers of Pingyu and Sleeping City reach Qi City through the official road behind the Ruyin camp and cross the Huai River. Xiang Yan will lead the main force of Ruyin to cover the rear. As for the time of retreat…"
Wang Jian paused. The moment the Chu army started to retreat, it was the best time for the Qin army to attack. However, this timing was not easy to grasp.
At this moment, Ji Yun took over Wang Jian's words," The snow in Ru Yin will stop tomorrow. There will definitely be a thick fog after the sun shines. Xiang Yan is familiar with the geography and will definitely choose to retreat day and night. He will lead the main force to bring up the rear and delay it by about half a day.”
Wang Jian didn't ask how Ji Yun judged this timing and directly said to everyone,""Now that we know the timing and route of the Chu army's retreat, I'll start making arrangements. At that time, as long as the Chu army starts to retreat, the horn of our central army will blow, and the various troops will not have to wait for the order to attack. Do you understand?"
"Understood." The generals roared in unison.
"The 100,000 troops, led by Xin Sheng, will attack the Pingyu Chu army from the west to the east.”
"Yes!"
"Right army 100,000. Feng Quji led the army from west to east to kill the Chu army in the sleeping city.”
"Yes!"
"Feng Jie will lead the 100,000 troops in the front, and Yang Duan He will lead the 100,000 troops in the left.”
"Yes!"
"The 120,000 troops led by General Meng Wu will rush to the outskirts of Qi County to stop the Chu army from crossing the Huai River!”
"Yes!"
"The Crossbow Armament Battalion and the cavalry guards have a total of fifty thousand. Zhang Han is leading them to cross the Huai River and attack Shouchun!”
"Yes!"
"20,000 Longxi winged cavalry, led by Zhao Tuo and Meng Tian, will protect the shogunate and provide support!”
"Yes!"
"Generals, you must know that the Chu army is only allowed to escape to Huainan, but not Jiangnan! For this reason, the various tribes must pursue him with all their might in Huaibei, especially not allowing Xiang Yan's main force to escape into Jiangnan!”
"Understood!" (Part of this point is taken from "The Iron-Blooded Civilization of the Great Qin Empire")
"General, please kill Xiang Yan for the sake of the journey of death!”At this time, Li Xin cupped his fists towards Wang Jian and requested for his orders.
All the generals looked at Li Xin. They naturally understood Li Xin's request. Many of them had the same thought.
Looking at Li Xin's red eyes, Wang Jian said,"This old man has carefully selected eight thousand elite winged cavalry warriors. Today, I order you to hunt down Xiang Yan's Jiangdong soldiers.”
"Thank you, General." Li Xin sobbed and the generals sighed.
"I hope that all of you will work together to defeat the Chu army in Huaibei and take revenge on Chu in this battle!”
"Take revenge and destroy Chu in this battle!" In the tent, the angry roars of the generals sounded.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。