"Come back, Overlord! Han Xin is too despicable!"
...
The Chu soldiers were outraged. Some wanted Xiang Yu to return, some volunteered to go out and help, but most cursed Han Xin for being shameless.
Han Xin cupped his hands in greeting, "King Xiang misunderstands! What I wish to compete with you in is the strategic deployment of our armies, not a contest of martial prowess between one or two individuals. King Xiang, why don't you quickly select a thousand elite troops to assist in the battle? I can wait."
Of course, everyone knows that Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King, is a warrior capable of defeating ten thousand men. My using a thousand men against him doesn't really count as outnumbering him. If Xiang Yu doesn't mind, I could even fight one against a thousand.
"Hahaha... Since King Qi wants to compete in troop deployment and battle, how can I, the King, possibly ruin his pleasure by defeating a thousand men with a single horse? Lü Matong, go back to the fortress and muster two hundred elite cavalry to fight!"
If you wish to join the battle, you must ride a horse; if you do not wish to come, then wait at the fortress. Also, stop those who attempt to leave the fortress on their own initiative. Without my order, even if I am besieged by the enemy outside, you must not leave the fortress.”
Xiang Yu knew that Lü Matong was mediocre in martial arts but eager for military merit, but this battle was too dangerous, so he decided that it was up to Lü Matong to decide whether to participate.
"Yes!" Lü Matong replied happily. He wanted to ask Xiang Yu why he only needed two hundred cavalry, but in the end he didn't ask, because even if there were a thousand cavalry outside the fortress, there was still a risk of being surrounded and annihilated.
Han Xin snorted coldly. As expected, Xiang Yu was prepared. The two hundred cavalrymen were fast enough to easily retreat back to the fortress.
Very well, then I shall defeat Xiang Yu in front of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and shatter the invincible status of the God of War!
Chapter 11 The Battle of Gaixia (Part 4)
Soon, two hundred elite Chu cavalrymen rushed out from inside the fortifications and formed a neat square formation behind Xiang Yu, but Lü Matong did not follow.
In this situation, choosing to save one's life is understandable, and Xiang Yu had already stated his position, so he wouldn't be blamed for it. The area outside the fortress is far too dangerous; without the determination to fight to the death and overwhelming strength, coming here would only lead to certain death, so it's better to stay inside the fortress.
Hao Jiu didn't want to miss such a wonderful duel, so he decisively found the best viewing spot: God of War vs. God of War, Xiang Yu with two hundred cavalry and Han Xin with one thousand soldiers, a full five times the number.
If this duel ends with Han Xin suffering a minor defeat, it will be much like what is recorded in history. Hao Jiu, the prophet, will have been halfway to success, and he will not be afraid of Han Xin's wavering.
Therefore, whether out of affection or for the sake of her mission, Hao Jiu hoped that Xiang Yu would win this competition.
Xiang Yu's goal was to defeat Han Xin's 1,000 elite troops with 200 cavalry, then retreat safely back into the fortified camp. It would be even better if he could kill Han Xin.
Han Xin's goal was to entangle Xiang Yu and buy time for the troops of Generals Kong and Chen. Whether he surrounded Xiang Yu outside the fortifications or followed the Chu army into the fortifications, both outcomes would be favorable.
After giving a few instructions to his soldiers, Xiang Yu took a few steps forward with his halberd. "Han Xin, you can rest assured. I said I would only bring two hundred cavalry, so the troops in the fortified camp will not suddenly come out to support us. There are no traps. Come on!"
Han Xin snorted coldly, "Xiang Yu is only a year older than me, isn't he? Isn't it ridiculous that he keeps calling me 'child'? Issue the order! The Death Squad will split into two groups to flank and attack from behind! The Warriors will surround and kill Xiang Yu from the front! The Cavalry will prepare to launch a surprise attack to cut off Xiang Yu's retreat! The Swordsmen and Archers will form ranks to protect me and advance cautiously!"
The Qi army's suicide squad consisted of surrendered soldiers with families and children, selected by Han Xin. They were trained to fight with a life-or-death mentality, wearing only simple leather or rattan armor and armed with ordinary bronze short swords.
To be fair, these suicide soldiers had no advantage whatsoever against the Chu cavalry; their role was merely cannon fodder, meant to buy time for the elite infantry to surround and kill Xiang Yu.
However, if Xiang Yu ignores them or only sends a small portion of his troops to deal with them, these loyal soldiers will teach Xiang Yu a painful lesson.
Xiang Yu glanced contemptuously at Han Xin, who was hiding in the army formation. "All troops, engage the enemy's elite soldiers! Do not underestimate them. After you have dealt with them, forget everything else and come quickly to my aid. Do not make any mistakes! Kill!"
"kill!"
Two hundred Chu cavalrymen automatically split into two groups of one hundred each, charging towards the Qi army's elite infantry who were attempting to flank them, while Xiang Yu charged alone towards the two hundred enemy soldiers in front.
"How dare you!"
Han Xin did not expect Xiang Yu to use such tactics. The suicide squad was completely destroyed, but Xiang Yu also faced the crisis of fighting against two hundred men.
Hehe, Xiang Yu underestimated the Wu soldiers too much, and he also underestimated me!
"Cavalry battalion, charge! Go around and cut off the Chu army's retreat!"
...
At this moment, the Chu cavalry and the suicide squad, Xiang Yu and the elite infantry finally clashed.
"kill!"
Just before Xiang Yu approached the Wu Zu camp's formation, he suddenly changed direction and charged past it from the side edge. At the same time, he swung his halberd in a circle and swept it across the heavily armored Wu Zu.
The Overlord could lift a cauldron weighing a thousand catties with one hand; his strength to uproot mountains was no ordinary feat.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
In the blink of an eye, several soldiers were swept away, and the soldiers behind them were knocked down as well. The soldiers with strong defenses were as fragile as porcelain in front of Xiang Yu.
However, the elite soldiers trained by Han Xin were no ordinary troops; they quickly adjusted their formation and stabilized their position.
Xiang Yu glanced at Han Xin's position, then turned his horse around and charged back towards the Wu soldiers' camp.
This time, the elite troops were prepared, advancing and retreating as needed, and quickly formed a semi-encirclement around Xiang Yu.
However, Xiang Yu charged straight ahead, wielding his halberd with incredible speed, moving with unparalleled speed and breaking through the encirclement of the elite soldiers.
The soldiers formed a circular formation once more, each one looking as if facing a formidable enemy. The might of the Overlord was truly terrifying!
Hao Jiu was incredibly excited to see this from afar; Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King, was truly too powerful!
Judging from this situation, it's clear that Xiang Yu, the Hegemon-King, has surrounded two hundred elite soldiers all by himself. No, there are already fewer than two hundred left. How many are left? One hundred and eighty? One hundred and fifty?
At this moment, the Chu cavalry also began to massacre the Qi soldiers' suicide squad. Yes, massacre. With equal numbers of soldiers, the lightly armored suicide squad had no chance of winning.
Han Xin originally thought that Xiang Yu would only send a portion of his troops to deal with the suicide soldiers, so that the suicide soldiers could effectively replace the Chu cavalry with their numerical advantage.
However, Xiang Yu did not give Han Xin the opportunity to fight with superior numbers; instead, he himself ended up in a situation where he was outnumbered.
This tactic requires both courage and wisdom. Even if Han Xin could think of it, he couldn't do it. Xiang Yu dared to lead the charge because of his superior martial prowess, while a general like Han Xin could only command from within the army formation.
The battlefield situation changes rapidly. No matter how sophisticated the means of relaying orders are, they cannot be faster than Xiang Yu, who is fighting on the battlefield, in a local situation.
Even if someone knew how to counter Xiang Yu's tactics, by the time the method reached the front lines, Xiang Yu would have already switched to another tactic.
However, Han Xin showed no panic at all when he saw the death squad and elite soldiers being slaughtered, because he never expected that the four hundred death squad and elite soldiers could defeat the two hundred elite cavalry led by Xiang Yu.
"The outcome of this contest is irrelevant, and what does personal honor or disgrace matter? Hmph, it's finally over... Light the fire!" As soon as Han Xin finished speaking, a plume of smoke rose into the air beside him.
Just after Han Xin's two hundred cavalrymen charged through the battlefield of Chu cavalry and suicide soldiers, Chen He and Kong Cong's troops, which were originally on the east and west sides of the Chu army's fortifications at Gaixia, suddenly moved!
Both sides had hundreds of cavalry charging straight at the fortified gate, followed by more than 20,000 infantrymen running wildly. The true intentions were revealed, and Zhang Liang's plan was finally launched!
Zhang Liang smiled slightly. "Under these circumstances, can the Chu army inside the fortress still hold out? Quickly rush out to rescue your Overlord Xiang Yu; the more the merrier."
"Oh no! The Han army is charging!"
"Despicable! Everyone, rush out and save King Xiang!" Xiang Bo shouted, raising his arm.
"No one is allowed to move! King Xiang has ordered us to hold the fortifications to the death and not to engage in battle!" Zhongli Mei shouted loudly from the east side of the camp gate.
"Do you all intend to rush out and block the gate, causing Xiang Yu's death?" Ji Bu, standing on the west side of the camp gate, stepped forward just in time.
Lu Matong stood at the camp gate, shouting, "All of you, go back! Anyone who leaves the camp without Xiang Yu's orders will be punished according to military law!"
“But if we don’t go out to rescue him, what if something happens to King Xiang…” Xiang Bo cried out anxiously.
"King Xiang has his own plans! Your rash actions will only cause trouble for him!" Ji Bu shouted.
"Xiang Yu is in grave danger, yet you all stand by and watch him die! Are there no brave men left in the Chu army? Follow me to rescue Xiang Yu!" Xiang Bo said, making a move to leave, but found that no one responded, and he immediately retreated in embarrassment.
Zhang Liang frowned. "It seems there's a reason why Xiang Yu's Chu army has been so invincible..."
Han Xin sneered, "So what if he doesn't come out? Issue the order! Ding Fu's entire army will launch a full-scale attack to surround and kill Xiang Yu! Hmph, thinking you can escape so easily... Hmm?"
Han Xin, who had been full of confidence just a moment ago, suddenly changed his expression drastically. "How dare Xiang Yu do this! Protect the emperor at once!"
Chapter 12 The Battle of Gaixia (Part 5)
Just as the Han army, which had broken its promise, suddenly mobilized, the battle between Xiang Yu and Han Xin continued.
The two hundred Chu cavalrymen had naturally seen Han Xin's cavalry flank them long ago, but Xiang Yu's previous orders were very clear: deal with the assassins and immediately go to Xiang Yu's side.
Therefore, the two hundred Chu cavalry did not hesitate at all and headed straight for the location of the elite soldiers to join Xiang Yu.
"All troops, bypass the elite infantry and fire at Han Xin! After two volleys of arrows, you must immediately break through and return to the fortress. Do not linger!" Xiang Yu said, abandoning his elite infantry and charging straight at Han Xin alone.
"Yes, sir!" the Chu cavalrymen responded, each taking out their bows and arrows.
"Han Xin, you little brat, prepare to die!" Xiang Yu, wielding a blood-red halberd, charged straight at Han Xin amidst the astonished gazes of countless people.
Why, instead of rushing to break through the fortifications, do they desperately try to kill Han Xin?
"Is Xiang Yu trying to take Han Xin down with him?"
"Or is it that in Xiang Yu's mind, the outcome of this contest is more important than the survival of the entire Chu army?"
Zhang Liang's eyes widened. "No, Xiang Yu wouldn't be so reckless!"
"Xiang Yu, you brute! Even if you kill me, you will take the entire Chu army with you!" Han Xin had barely finished speaking when the first wave of arrows from the Chu army arrived.
Han Xin also had archers, but they were all infantry. When the Chu cavalry shot arrows, they could use the momentum of their horses charging forward, making their arrows have a much longer range than those of the Qi army.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh...
Puff puff puff...
Ahhh...
Most of Han Xin's swordsmen and shieldmen were positioned at the front of the army formation, with a small number defending around Han Xin, while the archers were left largely unprotected.
After a volley of arrows, the Qi army suffered heavy casualties. The few archers who returned fire completely lost their aim. Before the Qi army could regroup, the Chu army launched a second volley of arrows.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh...
Puff puff puff...
Ahhh...
Just then, Xiang Yu arrived on horseback, swinging his halberd left and right, shouting, "Die!"
Bang bang bang!
"Ah..." Han Xin's swordsmen and shieldmen were all killed by the recoil from their shields.
Just as Xiang Yu was about to break through, Han Xin, who had already fled in panic, suddenly gave the order to launch a barrage of arrows.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh...
Puff puff puff...
Ahhh...
This was a rain of arrows from the Qi army, and Xiang Yu, along with the remaining Qi soldiers around him, became the target.