Although most systems in lower planes are novice systems, and even the veterans aren't that old, they are still systems, so they must have a few overpowered functions, right?
"What the Overlord says is absolutely right. This energy really cannot be saved; it must be used when necessary."
"Thank you for your help, God of Wine." Xiang Yu secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Although this God of Wine was stingy, he could still distinguish between what was important and what was not.
Hao Jiu activated the system radar again, locking onto the location of the Black Dragon System, which naturally confirmed Liu Ji's location as well.
"Liu Ji is just ahead; he shouldn't have spotted us yet."
"Excellent! All troops, advance at full speed! Liu Ji is just ahead, we must not let him escape!" As Xiang Yu spoke, he charged forward with his halberd. There was always something going on, so it was best to finish the battle quickly.
"Yes!" The Chu soldiers were also very excited and quickened their pace, finally about to achieve final victory.
However, not long after, a large flock of birds suddenly flew up from the woods ahead.
Plop plop...
"Hmm? Enemy activity! Be on high alert!" Chen Ping thought to himself that something was wrong, hoping it was just a false alarm.
Liu Ji also ran out of the tent, "Strategist, what happened?"
Just then, a deafening roar came from the west.
"Old Liu Ji! Come here at once and meet your death!"
"It's Xiang Yu!" Liu Ji and Chen Ping exclaimed in unison.
"It's over, it's over, what can we do!" Liu Ji was so anxious that he kept pacing around.
"Your Majesty, do not panic. Now that Xiang Yu has found this place, let's stop hiding and quickly call for help! Light the fires and send out smoke signals for help!" Chen Ping could only hope that Xiahou Ying's army was nearby and could come to the rescue in time. With Xiang Yu coming in person, their small force was certainly not enough to hold out.
Liu Ji was taken aback. "Can we hold out until reinforcements arrive?"
“If Xiang Yu attacks our army, we probably won’t be able to hold out. But if Xiang Yu surrounds us without attacking, we will have a chance. Your humble servant has a plan to keep Xiang Yu calm for now…” Chen Ping whispered in Liu Ji’s ear.
Liu Ji's eyes darted around. "This plan is brilliant. Let's do it this way. If I can escape this calamity, I will not only appoint you as my strategist, but I will also enfeoff you as a marquis."
"Your humble servant will do his utmost." Chen Ping bowed deeply, then strode down the mountain.
...
"King Xiang! Chen Ping requests an audience!" Chen Ping ran with a smile on his face, but his heart was pounding. He would not have taken this risk if there was no other way to survive.
In this situation, they would either die at the hands of Xiang Yu or Liu Ji, so they might as well fight to the death; perhaps there was still a glimmer of hope.
"Chen Ping? What are you doing here?" Xiang Yu was furious when he saw Chen Ping. He had once valued Chen Ping highly, but Chen Ping not only colluded with Liu Ji at the Hongmen Banquet, but also secretly helped Liu Ji go to Hanzhong.
Even so, Xiang Yu did not punish Chen Ping, magnanimously letting go of this talented man. It wasn't until later, when it was discovered that Sima Ang's defection from Chu to Han was also related to Chen Ping, that Xiang Yu reprimanded Chen Ping a few times, and then Chen Ping ran away.
Chen Ping had realized that Xiang Yu was wary of him, so he simply defected to Liu Ji. Xiang Yu had always wanted to deal with this traitor, but Chen Ping unexpectedly stepped forward under these circumstances, which truly surprised Xiang Yu.
"I am here to help King Xiang," Chen Ping said, cupping his hands in greeting.
Xiang Yu glared at him, "Hmph! What good can a traitor like you do for me? Are you here to persuade Liu Ji? You shall be executed!"
Chapter 89 The Decisive Battle of Jiujiang (18)
Clang, clang, clang, clang, chop?
Chen Ping's legs buckled and he immediately kowtowed to the ground, his buttocks sticking up high.
"It's a misunderstanding! King Xiang, you've misunderstood! I've come to remind you that if you want to become the ruler of this land, you must not kill Liu Ji for now. If Liu Ji dies, the land will be in chaos, and it will probably take you more than ten or even several decades to conquer and pacify the land."
However, if Liu Ji is not killed but treated with courtesy, Liu Ji can order all the territories outside Guanzhong to be returned to Xiang Yu, and can also help Xiang Yu seize the State of Qi without lifting a finger, or even help Xiang Yu ascend the throne and become emperor.
Those who had previously rebelled against Xiang Yu, such as Ying Bu and Peng Yue, could all be bound and handed over to Xiang Yu for his judgment. If Xiang Yu still felt this was not enough, Liu Ji could hand over Guanzhong and Hanzhong to Xiang Yu, and from then on live a secluded life in Shu, becoming the King of Shu, never to step out of the country again.
The King of Han also has a beautiful daughter of marriageable age. She could marry King Xiang as a concubine, thus forging a lasting alliance between the two families. The King of Han could also provide a large dowry. What does King Xiang think?
Chen Ping spoke very quickly, as if afraid that Xiang Yu would not let him finish speaking. He spoke almost in one breath, and almost suffocated. After he finished speaking, he was panting heavily and stealing glances at Xiang Yu.
Hao Jiu clicked his tongue. "Liu Ji really went to great lengths to survive. Does the Overlord want to be Liu Ji's son-in-law? If Princess Yongle looks like Empress Lü, she should be quite pretty."
"No interest. I have Yu Ji in my life, that's enough." Xiang Yu was speechless. Liu Ji's daughter was really quite useful. She was betrothed to Xiang Bo's son when she was still a minor, and now she was going to marry him.
"But God of Wine, do you think the conditions Chen Ping proposed can save Liu Ji's life? If I capture Liu Ji as a hostage and force him to cede land and disband his army, or even force Han Xin to surrender, will they still obey Liu Ji?"
"Has King Xiang ever heard of the strategy of besieging a point and attacking reinforcements?" Hao Jiu thought to himself that it would be strange if Xiang Yu had heard of it, as it was a tactic invented by Marshal Xu.
Xiang Yu's eyes lit up. "Encircle and attack reinforcements? I have never heard of this strategy, but I understand its meaning. Dionysus's plan is brilliant."
Hao Jiu cleared his throat. "If Xiang Yu gets the benefits Chen Ping mentioned, it's probably not feasible for him to capture Liu Ji as a hostage. Everyone knows that Liu Ji was forced to give that order by Xiang Yu, and most of those people would not obey."
However, we could try a feigned attack or simply besiege the area without actually attacking, claiming that Liu Ji's army is holding a formidable position, capable of taking on ten men at once, and that our forces have been unable to break through his defenses. We could also give Liu Ji the opportunity to communicate with the outside world. If Liu Ji runs out of food, we could give him some as well.
At this point, Liu Ji's order will be sent out, and the Han army most loyal to Liu Ji will naturally come to his rescue. Xiang Yu can ambush and annihilate them. After Liu Ji's army is severely damaged, the conditions that Chen Ping just mentioned can be used as conditions for peace talks.
Given Xiang Yu's credibility, the Han army should believe that Liu Ji can safely return to Shu after those conditions are met. To further reassure them, Xiang Yu could first marry Liu Ji's daughter before discussing releasing Liu Ji.
If Liu Ji were killed now, the Han army might indeed disintegrate, and warlords such as Peng Yue, Han Xin, and Wu Rui would be out of control. It would be better to let Liu Ji live and use him to gain some practical benefits.
After the Overlord has obtained everything he wants, it will not be too late to kill Liu Ji. It is not difficult to fabricate charges against him, nor is it difficult to make him die unexpectedly. In short, he cannot be allowed to live.
With such a steady and methodical approach, there's no need to fear Liu Ji's scheming; it all depends on whether Xiang Yu wants to gain the empire in this way.
Seeing that Xiang Yu remained silent for a long time, Chen Ping became increasingly nervous, wondering what other bargaining chips Liu Ji might have to offer Xiang Yu.
"If King Xiang has any other requests, please speak frankly. If I cannot make a decision, I can immediately return to consult King Han."
"What's that smoke signal?" Xiang Yu asked, looking at the smoke that suddenly rose from the mountaintop.
"Xiang, Your Majesty, please don't misunderstand. I ordered those men to be sent here so that the King of Han's army would know that the King of Han is trapped here. That's all. If Your Majesty agrees to my request, those men can pass on a message. Since Your Majesty is here, those men won't dare to come to the King of Han's rescue rashly." Chen Ping was sweating profusely.
"Hahaha..." Xiang Yu suddenly burst into uncontrollable laughter. "God of Wine, I have always acted with integrity and sought only to have a clear conscience. But having experienced so much, I also understand the principle that the wicked must be punished. However, I do not believe that temporarily letting Liu Ji go and using him to seize the world would be easier than relying on my own strength. I want to see who in the world will dare to oppose me after I have killed Liu Ji today!"
Chen Ping was puzzled by Xiang Yu's laughter, but dared not ask. He could only laugh along with Xiang Yu, wondering if Xiang Yu's happiness meant he had agreed.
"Men! Seize Chen Ping!" Xiang Yu's expression changed instantly.
"Yes, sir!" the soldiers replied and immediately tied Chen Ping up.
"What does Xiang Yu mean by this?" Chen Ping was shocked.
"Your suggestion is good. I will discuss it with you again after I have beheaded Liu Ji!" Xiang Yu said, then picked up his halberd and charged toward the mountaintop.
Liu Ji had been hiding in the bushes spying on them. When he saw that Chen Ping and Xiang Yu's talks had broken down, his heart sank to the bottom. But he was still somewhat unwilling to give up. "King Xiang! If Chen Ping's conditions are not enough, I also have a beautiful woman and rare treasures to offer! The people of the world have suffered from the ravages of war and urgently need rest and recuperation. Why don't you and I shake hands and make peace, and work together to bring peace to the world?"
"Hahaha... Liu Ji! You dare to talk about stabilizing the world? Do you know that the people of the world have suffered from the ravages of war and urgently need rest and recuperation? If it weren't for you, I would have stabilized the world and allowed the people to rest and recuperate years ago!" Xiang Yu was furious and quickened his pace to rush over.
"Shoot arrows for me! Shoot him dead!" Liu Ji had just gathered all the archers in the army here.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh...
A hail of arrows was fired straight at Xiang Yu, and not a single one missed its mark!
These archers aren't usually this good; they just got incredibly lucky!
Xiang Yu swung his halberd with impenetrable force, deflecting the feathers of the eagles, but his footsteps never stopped, and instead grew faster and faster. "Liu Ji! Prepare to die!"
Liu Ji's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. Was this even human? "Keep the arrows going! Spearmen, throw your spears!"
Whoosh whoosh whoosh...
Waaaaah...
Arrows and spears flew everywhere, all aimed at Xiang Yu, and every shot was hit squarely!
Clang!
Xiang Yu drew his sword with his left hand and continued to wield his halberd with his right, pushing his speed and martial skills to the limit as he charged forward, dazzling the enemy soldiers.
"All archers, prepare your bows and arrows, fire freely!" Xiang Yu also gave the order for a ranged attack.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh...
Clang clang clang...
In front of the Han archers was a row of shield bearers, while the arrows that the Chu army had just fired either hit the shields, went too high, or were blocked by tree branches and fell to the ground halfway. The volley of arrows did not kill a single enemy soldier.
The Chu soldiers looked like they'd seen a ghost; the enemy's luck was just too good!
Chapter 90 The Decisive Battle of Jiujiang (19)
North of Chaohu Lake, at the top of Turtle Mountain.
The Chu and Han armies engaged in a fierce exchange of arrows, but the difference was that the Han army's target was only Xiang Yu, and every arrow and spear hit the mark, while the Chu army, for various bizarre reasons, could not hit a single Han soldier.
In ancient times, the level of manufacturing was basically determined by the skill of the craftsmen, which varied from person to person. However, the arrows carried by the Chu army were inexplicably made by those apprentices with poor skills. Coupled with changes in wind direction and force, they were all missing their targets, and many of the crossbows even suddenly reached the end of their service life and broke down.
The Chu soldiers simply abandoned their ranged attacks and charged forward, preparing for close-quarters combat to see if the enemy would survive.
Hao Jiu was almost certain that this was definitely the power of the Black Dragon System. No matter how lucky an ordinary person was, they couldn't do this. Of course, it was also quite abnormal for Xiang Yu to charge forward unscathed despite the rain of arrows and spears. This was a duel between two cheaters.
As Xiang Yu drew closer to the enemy's position, the arrows flew faster and became more difficult to defend against, but they still failed to harm him in the slightest!
Liu Ji was practically going crazy; Xiang Yu was just too difficult to kill! If things continued like this, once Xiang Yu got close, it wouldn't be a matter of luck anymore.
"Old Black! Is there any way to survive? If I die here, you're doomed too!"
"Then there's only one last move left." The black dragon looked at the unstoppable Xiang Yu with indescribable envy. What a good host he is, it's a pity that his personality doesn't match its own.
"Tell me quickly!" Liu Ji cursed inwardly. What kind of time is this to keep people in suspense? But as long as there's a way, that's fine.
"Escape!" Black Dragon gave the answer.
"Where can we escape to? There's only one road down the mountain!" Liu Ji almost spat out a mouthful of blood.
"For others there is only one path, but for you, there is a path everywhere! Charge down the mountain, and I will ensure your safety!" the black dragon roared.
Liu Ji gritted his teeth and said, "Then I will choose the most difficult path!"
"Liu Ji, don't run!" Just as Xiang Yu was about to charge into the enemy formation, he saw Liu Ji turn around and run away. However, there was no way down the mountain. The steep slope was not much better than a cliff.
"Come and chase me!" Liu Ji seemed to have gone mad, and strode off towards the steep hillside to the east.
Ugh!
Puff puff puff...
Ahhh...