"I hope so." Xiang Yu looked up at the sky. Whether it was good or bad that it was snowing at this time was hard to say. Although they had won today, the situation of the Chu army still did not allow for any optimism.
The enemy has already discovered the defenses within the fortified walls, so they can no longer fall for the trap. Presumably, the next move will be either a more frantic attack or a heavy siege. However, their food supplies are truly insufficient. If Zhou Yin's reinforcements cannot arrive in time, abandoning Gaixia and breaking out to the south bank of the Huai River will be inevitable.
"Look, King Xiang! The armies of Qi and Han have regrouped and re-formed their battle formations. They haven't left!" Xiang Bo exclaimed in surprise.
Xiang Yu suddenly snapped out of his thoughts. The current situation was indeed as Xiang Bo had said: the Han army was in the west and the Qi army was in the east. They had not retreated. Could it be that they were planning to launch a general offensive?
No, if a general offensive is to be launched, why are there no troops in the south?
Xiang Yu suddenly thought of the most unlikely possibility, the one mentioned by the ghost and god...
"King Xiang! Three more armies are coming from the south!" Xiang Bo exclaimed, pointing ahead. He was overjoyed, for reinforcements had arrived!
Chapter 16 The Battle of Gaixia (Part 9)
Xiang Yu fell silent. So, three large armies had indeed come from the south? If one of them was indeed Zhou Yin's rebel army, how should he deal with it?
"Why are there so many reinforcements coming from the south again?" Zhongli Mei was a little confused.
"Hmph! One of them must be the troops of Ying Bu, the King of Huainan," Ji Bu said resentfully.
"Could it be that Jiujiang County has fallen?" Xiang Bo sneered inwardly. What good was winning the battle? The disparity in troop strength was only widening.
“Impossible. The enemy’s main force is at Gaixia. Grand Marshal Zhou Yin is brave and skilled in battle. There are still more than 100,000 troops in Jiujiang Commandery. How could they be defeated so quickly? The enemy must have secretly divided their forces and deliberately circled around to the south.” Huan Chu said with certainty.
"Let's all rest for now. It's getting late, and the enemy won't attack again today. Their large army is just trying to scare us. How much stronger can they be than the tens of thousands of soldiers we just killed? As long as we work together, no matter how many enemy soldiers they send, it will be in vain! I will definitely lead you to final victory!" Xiang Yu clenched his fist.
“That’s right! As long as the Overlord is here, Great Chu will never be defeated! What is there to be afraid of!” Zhongli Mei echoed.
“That’s right! Who’s afraid of who’s a grandson!” Huan Chu patted Xiang Bo on the shoulder.
"I'm not afraid at all," Xiang Bo said, speaking his mind.
"The Overlord is invincible! Great Chu will surely win!" Ji Bu shouted, leading the way.
"The Overlord is invincible! Great Chu will surely prevail!"
...
Xiang Yu felt somewhat relieved, his morale was high, and his army was in good hands. He knew there was still a chance to win this battle, and having more soldiers did not guarantee victory.
At this moment, the three large armies coming from the south were getting closer and closer.
The group in the middle had the largest number of people and flew the Jiujiang Army's "Zhou" banner. The group to the west flew the Han Army's "Liu" banner, and the group to the east flew the Huainan Army's "Ying" banner.
Then, several dozen riders broke away from the three armies and sped toward the fortress.
"Don't fire the arrows! We have a gift for King Xiang! Please show yourself on the city wall!" shouted the soldier running ahead.
Xiang Yu's pupils contracted as he spotted several familiar figures in the crowd: Zhang Liang, Ying Bu, and finally, Zhou Yin!
How could this be!
Xiang Yu's head buzzed. Why was this happening? He had treated Zhou Yin with utmost kindness and righteousness, even appointing him Grand Marshal, a position above Ji Bu and Zhongli Mei, and granting him control of Jiujiang Commandery. Yet he…
"King Xiang, the enemy doesn't have many men. Should we fight or not?" Ji Bu asked.
"General Ji Bu, what kind of talk is this? When two countries are at war, envoys should not be killed, especially when the envoys are here to deliver gifts. Are you trying to put King Xiang in an unjust position?" Xiang Bo questioned.
"Hmph! So what if it's unjust? If Xiang Yu hadn't listened to your unjust words and killed Liu Ji long ago, things wouldn't have come to this!" Zhongli Mei glared at Xiang Bo.
"You! Are you trying to accuse me of treason? A scholar can be killed but not humiliated. Do you know that blood will be spilled every five steps?" Xiang Bo said, and then made a move to rush forward.
"Enough! With the enemy at our doorstep, we mustn't let them laugh at us! Order the gates to be opened, and I, the King, will go out and meet them!" Xiang Yu decided to confront Zhou Yin in person to get to the bottom of things, and given the current situation, he couldn't allow them to get too close, especially Zhou Yin.
If the generals of the Chu army knew about Zhou Yin's betrayal, their morale would likely be unstable again. This might be the real "gift" from the enemy!
...
At this moment, Zhang Liang and his group slowed down. The Chu army's attitude was unclear, and they dared not get too close to the fortifications.
"General Zhou, don't say anything rash when you see Xiang Yu later. If you accidentally anger him, we'll all be in danger." Zhang Liang smiled slightly. Zhou Yin's mere presence in front of the Chu army was enough to shake their morale. Saying too much would only incite their anger.
"Yes." Zhou Yin cupped his hands in greeting, his forehead beaded with sweat, his gaze somewhat unfocused, and his breathing becoming increasingly erratic.
He originally thought that after surrendering to Liu Ji, he could continue to enjoy wealth and honor, and be made a king like Ying Bu, or at least a marquis. However, he did not expect to receive two pieces of news that made him collapse as soon as he arrived at Gaixia.
Firstly, Ding Gu's arrogance angered Liu Ji, who killed him to establish his authority and intimidate the surrendered generals. He reasoned that if anyone was disloyal to Xiang Yu, they would die, let alone someone disloyal to Liu Ji.
Secondly, he was supposed to come to the front lines with Zhang Liang to see Xiang Yu. What a joke! He had just led his men in rebellion and was about to be handed over to Xiang Yu. When it came to knowing Xiang Yu well, Zhou Yin was definitely the most knowledgeable. Who could stop the wrath of the Overlord?
They might even tear that traitor to pieces on the spot!
"Haha, Grand Marshal Zhou, no need to be nervous. We all know Xiang Yu's character; he wouldn't do something like killing an envoy." Ying Bu walked alongside Zhou Yin, his expression calm and composed.
“What the King of Jiujiang said is very true, but I am not nervous, I just feel a little sorry for him. King Xiang is really pitiful.” Zhou Yin forced a smile, but he inadvertently noticed that Ying Bu’s hands were also trembling, and his fear grew.
"Alas~ I am not worthy of the title of King of Jiujiang. Please call me King of Huainan. Hmph, there is always a reason why someone is pitiful. Back at the Feast at Hongmen... Never mind, we have already submitted to the King of Han. What's the use of bringing that up? The era when one could win the world with benevolence, righteousness, and bravery is long gone. Only self-interest matters." Ying Bu sighed, and his body relaxed considerably.
"Indeed, Xiang Yu is terrible at using people. Look at the kind of people he used to rely on. Long Ju and Cao Jiu were both brainless brutes, and Xiang Bo and Ding Gu were... well, if King Xiang had made me a king back then, things wouldn't have come to this."
Zhou Yin glanced at Ying Bu. This guy didn't do his job as the King of Jiujiang properly, but insisted on being the King of Huainan. Did he really think Liu Ji would grant him the entire area south of the Huai River?
Ying Bu also realized this problem. Huainan included Jiujiang Commandery. Now that Zhou Yin had rebelled against Chu and made great contributions, how would Liu Ji reward him? Would it threaten his own interests?
However, with Ding Gu's example before him, Ying Bu wasn't particularly worried. Perhaps once Xiang Yu died, Liu Ji would eliminate backstabbers like Zhou Yin. The world is only so big; how would so many people with great achievements be divided up?
"Heh, how can just anyone be granted the title of king? Take Ding Gu for example, he should take a piss and look at his own character."
"Hmph, those who are made kings are not necessarily virtuous, are they?" Zhou Yin felt inexplicably relaxed after his banter with Ying Bu. Xiang Yu was almost finished, so why was he afraid of him? Perhaps Xiang Yu would even have to beg me to show mercy.
Just then, the gates of the Chu army's fortified camp opened!
Xiang Yu, carrying a long halberd, charged out first, followed by cavalry!
Ying Bu and Zhou Yin reacted almost simultaneously, turning their horses to run back.
"Halt! Do the King of Huainan and the Grand Marshal of Western Chu have such cowardice? What is the punishment for desertion in the face of battle?" Zhang Liang gave them a disdainful look.
Ying Bu and Zhou Yin turned around and saw that Xiang Yu had only brought about twenty riders out of the camp, and it did not look like he was going to start a battle.
Zhou Yin gave an awkward smile, gritted his teeth, and returned to Zhang Liang's side. "The strategist has misunderstood. How could this humble general dare to commit a crime?"
Ying Bu didn't feel embarrassed at all. "Isn't the strategist afraid that Xiang Yu will suddenly charge at us? Our few dozen guards are no match for Xiang Yu."
Zhang Liang smiled and said, "If I were afraid, I wouldn't have come. Send the order down to have the main force behind us move closer quickly!"
Yingbu, "..."
Chapter 17 The Battle of Gaixia (Part 10)
As Xiang Yu looked at Ying Bu and Zhou Yin, who were becoming clearer and clearer in the crowd opposite him, he felt a mix of emotions, but mostly pain. Why was it like this...?
"Pass down the order that everything seen and heard at this meeting is classified and must not be disseminated without authorization."
"Yes!" Those who followed Xiang Yu out of the camp were all his personal guards, the kind who would stand guard with weapons in their hands even while he slept. Lü Matong was one of them.
With hundreds of thousands of enemy troops right in front of them, Xiang Yu showed no fear whatsoever. He walked straight to Zhang Liang and the others and reined in his horse about five zhang away.
"King Xiang is well." Zhang Liang bowed and glanced at the twenty Chu soldiers on each side of the front, feeling somewhat relieved.
Ying Bu and Zhou Yin gritted their teeth and clasped their hands in greeting, "King Xiang."
Xiang Yu barely suppressed the urge to rush over and kill them. "Are the King of Jiujiang and the Grand Marshal here to present me with a gift? Could this gift be Zhang Zifang, Liu Ji's trusted advisor?"
Ying Bu and Zhou Yin lowered their heads and remained silent. Although they had both betrayed Xiang Yu, they knew they were in the wrong and hadn't yet gone so far as to be shameless.
"Haha, King Xiang is joking. Originally, only Zifang needed to deliver these gifts, but thinking that King Xiang might miss these two old friends, I brought them along as well," Zhang Liang said with a smile.
"Zifang, speak quickly, or I fear I might lose control and rip off your dog's head right now," Xiang Yu said coldly.
"Oh? Two great traitors of Western Chu are here. Is it I who King Xiang wants to keep? Then I'd better hurry. Didn't General Zhou Yin have something to say to King Xiang? You haven't forgotten, have you?" As Zhang Liang spoke, his warhorse slowly retreated a few steps.
With a forced smile, Zhou Yin spurred his horse forward and shouted, "King Xiang, my defection to King Han is out of necessity. The current situation is far too unfavorable for Chu. The destruction of Western Chu is a foregone conclusion. Why doesn't King Xiang lead his army to surrender to King Han? With King Han's magnanimity, he will surely treat the surrendered soldiers and generals of Western Chu well..."
"Shut up! There is absolutely no way I, the King, will surrender to Liu Ji. If it weren't for Ding Gu and you traitors, how could Western Chu have fallen to such a state? I have trusted you and entrusted you with important responsibilities. Before I change my mind, get out of here. It would be as easy for me to take your lives." Xiang Yu gripped his halberd tightly.
Zhang Liang scoffed, "Why does King Xiang need to do this? Even if you can kill one of us, there's a good chance you'll be left here. To be honest, with the fortifications and gates wide open, I really wish your army could charge in. But I'm afraid your army won't be as lucky this time as it was last time."
“Zifang, you may try, or you may try to see if I can keep you here. If you do not make a move in ten breaths, I will have to give you a try.” Xiang Yu stared intently at Zhang Liang.
"Someone, take this gift to King Xiang." Zhang Liang waved his hand, and a soldier brought over a bloody human head.
“Nine.” Xiang Yu glanced at Lü Matong.
Lu Matong immediately stepped forward to take the head. After seeing the face clearly, he gasped in shock. It was Ding Gu, who had recently surrendered to Liu Ji and made great contributions!
Xiang Yu glanced at the severed head. "The King of Jiujiang and the Grand Marshal are not afraid even knowing Ding Gu's fate today. They truly have extraordinary courage. Eight."
Ying Bu and Zhou Yin thought to themselves, how could they not be afraid? But they had no way back!
Zhang Liang smiled and said, "The King of Han sent us here with sincerity to persuade him to surrender. I'm sure King Xiang also hates this villain to the bone. So, let's behead him and send him to King Xiang."
"seven."
"King Xiang might as well reconsider, or discuss it with the generals of the Chu army. The King of Han will surely treat all of you heroes well..."
"six."
"I have finished speaking, farewell!" Zhang Liang said, turning his horse around. Ying Bu, Zhou Yin, and the others followed suit.
"Five, four." Xiang Yu quickened his countdown.
"Giddy up! Giddy up! Giddy up!" Zhang Liang tightened his grip on the horse's flanks and vigorously shook the reins. He knew that Xiang Yu really wanted to keep him here.
"Back to camp." Xiang Yu gritted his teeth and spat out the two words, then rushed back to the fortress first.
Zhang Liang breathed a sigh of relief, hesitated for a long time, but ultimately did not give the order to attack.
"Order all armies to surround the Chu army's fortifications. The Qi King's army will guard the east, Lü Ze's army the west, Zhou Yin's army the south, the Huainan King's army the southeast, and Liu Jia's army the southwest. All armies should support each other and be vigilant against the Chu army's breakout. Also, send someone to inform King Peng Yue of Liang that if he cannot reach the north bank of the Xiao River and establish a defensive line before dark, then he should not come!"
"Here you go!"
...
The Chu army's fortifications, the central command tent.
On the table lay Ding Gu's head, his eyes lifeless yet stubbornly refusing to close, a testament to his deep attachment to this world.
The execution of the traitor should have been a cause for celebration, but the death of one led to the arrival of two even greater traitors, who also extinguished the Chu army's hopes of turning the tide.