The fighting continued, but suddenly a warhorse neighed from the rear of the Jiujiang army, followed by chaos.
It turned out that someone had spurred his horse and knocked over several people, then charged straight through the enemy lines and arrived in front of Xiang Yu. This horse was none other than Xiang Yu's steed, the magnificent Ta Yun Wu Zhui!
"Xiang Yu! Mount your horse!" The rider leaped and tackled a Jiujiang soldier to the ground.
If Zhou Yin were to see this person, he would surely recognize him as the one he had previously trampled underfoot as a stepping stone.
Xiang Yu was overjoyed to see the black horse, and mounted it with ease, feeling as if a tiger had wings!
"Hahaha... All soldiers, listen to my command! Immediately seize the camp gate and welcome the cavalry army into the camp!"
"Here you go!"
...
As soon as chaos erupted inside the camp, the Jiujiang soldiers at the gate hurriedly ran into the camp to close the gate.
But there were so many Chu soldiers waiting to 'surrender' outside the gate, how could they be allowed to close the gate? Perhaps some of them really wanted to surrender, but under these circumstances, they probably wouldn't have the chance to surrender.
Who would have thought that Xiang Yu would turn the tables and risk such danger to feign surrender and enter the camp? He was incredibly audacious!
However, given that Liu Ji's armies were surrounded on all sides, opened their camp gates to surrender, and Xiang Bo sent out false intelligence, this was a near-perfect breakout plan!
The Chu soldiers, who had initially thought Xiang Yu was doomed and unable to break through, were now filled with hope. This was the perfect opportunity to break out. If they could return to Jiangdong, the Hegemon might just be able to turn the tide and win.
Clang, clang, clang... The bell rang incessantly, and the Jiujiang army rushed towards the camp gate upon hearing the sound.
However, when they saw the Chu army, united and determined, occupying the camp gate, and the ever-approaching thousands of troops outside the camp, they all chose to retreat without exception, even though the Jiujiang army knew that most of the Chu army in front of them were unarmed and that the Chu cavalry coming to their aid numbered at most a few thousand.
Of the nearly 20,000 Chu soldiers who surrendered to Zhou Yin, more than 15,000 followed Xiang Yu again, while a small number of the rest remained obediently in the area, choosing not to help either side, hoping for the best.
Despite having 100,000 troops, the Jiujiang army did not have a significant numerical advantage in the camp area. Moreover, with the Chu army on the verge of defeat, no one in the Jiujiang army, from top to bottom, was willing to fight to the death.
But these Chu soldiers were different; only by fighting to the death to break through the encirclement could they survive and return home!
Rumble rumble...
Huan Chu charged ahead, followed by eight hundred elite cavalrymen who fought bravely. Behind them were Xiang Han and Xiang Guan, who carried Yu Ji. Around them were two thousand Chu cavalrymen, each with three horses!
The Chu army was able to have such a great momentum because, in addition to the warhorses they rode, these two thousand cavalrymen led two more horses, bringing their total to nearly seven thousand warhorses. Moreover, the extra warhorses were also equipped with necessary supplies such as weapons and provisions.
Those soldiers who fled the fortress to surrender did not take their weapons for fear of being misunderstood by the enemy, but leaving behind their warhorses was their last act of loyalty to Xiang Yu and the Chu army they left behind. If everyone had a horse during the breakout, perhaps there would still be a sliver of hope.
Of course, there are many who take away their own warhorses, or even steal other people's warhorses, but such people are destined to be despised, even if it's a bit like the pot calling the kettle black.
Because the gate of Zhou Yin's camp had been occupied by the Chu army inside beforehand, Huan Chu easily led his troops in.
"Horses and weapons are at the rear! Those skilled in cavalry, mount up!" Huan Chu was extremely excited. He hadn't expected that Xiang Yu's plan would actually succeed. They had entered Zhou Yin's camp without bloodshed and had even saved so many Chu soldiers.
But after circling around several times without seeing Xiang Yu, his expression changed drastically. "Where is King Xiang? Where is King Xiang?!"
Chapter 29 Breakthrough (Part 7)
Although Xiang Yu made a unilateral decision when announcing the new breakout plan, Huan Chu still approached Xiang Yu afterward, intending to go to the enemy camp in his place to feign surrender.
In Huan Chu's view, the act of feigning surrender to enter the camp was too dangerous. First, one could not ride a horse into the camp, and second, one could not carry weapons. Once the enemy discovered the deception, it would be extremely difficult to break out from inside.
If the enemy had known beforehand that Xiang Yu was going to feign surrender and set up an ambush, it would have been even more dangerous; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that he would have no chance of survival.
But this only applies to ordinary people. With the Overlord's abilities, seizing a weapon or even a warhorse wouldn't be too difficult.
Moreover, with Hao Jiu's system, it was incredibly easy for Xiang Yu to bring his weapons into the camp, and his safety was guaranteed. That's why Hao Jiu proposed such a bold plan.
As it turns out, Hao Jiu's strategy was quite successful, with each step closely linked to the next, leading to the current favorable situation of breaking through the encirclement.
However, to Hao Jiu's dismay, the plan was too effective; far too many Chu soldiers were willing to break through the siege with Xiang Yu and change their minds!
The warhorses brought by Huan Chu were certainly not enough. Given the vast disparity in troop strength between the enemy and ourselves, it would be almost impossible for the Chu army without warhorses to break through the encirclement, even with Chu cavalry clearing the way.
Xiang Yu and Hao Jiu's original plan was to take advantage of the Jiujiang army's lack of reaction, mount up their horses, and break out with Xiang Yu, either the two of them or one horse.
After breaking through the Jiujiang army camp, the cavalry covered the rear, allowing the infantry to advance first via another route.
But now there aren't even enough warhorses for two men, and the remaining infantry have become a burden.
If Han Xin or others had been in command, they would have used these men as cannon fodder to cover the rear. However, Xiang Yu was unwilling to do so. He had promised to take them home with him, and he was determined to keep his promise.
Xiang Yu had this kind of personality, and it is precisely because of this that he is more respectable and lovable than those ruthless emperors.
What can Hao Jiu do? He chose this host himself, so he'll fully support him and spoil him. That's how capricious the strongest system is.
Fortunately, Xiang Yu not only possessed a heart of benevolence and keeping his promises, but he was also extremely powerful, giving him the right to act recklessly.
He made swift changes based on the current situation, which is why Xiang Yu disappeared.
In the Battle of Julu, Xiang Yu dared to burn his boats and break the cauldrons; in the Battle of Pengcheng, Xiang Yu dared to launch a thousand-mile raid. And at this moment, what Xiang Yu needs to do is—to break through the pass alone and capture the king first!
After Hao Jiu reminded Xiang Yu that this move might endanger Yu Ji, Xiang Yu still did not change his mind, so Hao Jiu stopped trying to persuade him. With his assistance, Xiang Yu might be able to capture Zhou Yin while he was off guard. At that time, the Chu army should be able to retreat at will, and they could also take the opportunity to eliminate the traitor and avenge themselves.
To be honest, Xiang Yu's approach is quite to Hao Jiu's liking. So many people are willing to return to Xiang Yu's command, it would be a waste not to take them with them. It would be best to also take some of the Jiujiang army with him.
At this moment, Xiang Yu had already broken through the enemy's blockade, leaving the pursuers behind. Under the cover of night, he rushed straight into Zhou Yin's central command tent. He also found an opportunity to have Hao Jiu change his weapon to his own exclusive weapon, a large, nameless halberd.
Actually, there are weapons for sale in the God's Shop. I'll get Xiang Yu a cooler and more powerful weapon when I'm richer in the future, but for now, I can only make do with this halberd.
This halberd had been kept in Hao Jiu's storage space, and Xiang Yu hadn't taken it out to use it after successfully seizing it.
Because Hao Jiu doesn't want Xiang Yu to perform magic tricks in front of outsiders, the longer the storage space function is kept secret, the better.
Therefore, items in the space should only be kept as backups in case of emergency, and it is best to take them out in an environment where there are no people around or where there is cover.
Of course, if someone actually sees it, there's nothing you can do. Just say you pulled a long halberd out of your crotch, believe it or not.
Zhou Yin learned his skills from Xiang Yu, and the camp layout was similar. Xiang Yu had also asked about the general layout beforehand, so he easily found the central command tent.
"Who's riding a horse? Stop immediately! Ahead is... Ah!" Before the junior officer from Jiujiang could finish speaking, he was swept away by Xiang Yu's halberd at lightning speed, and was definitely not going to make it out alive.
At this moment, Zhou Yin had just received news that the Chu army had feigned surrender.
Having followed Xiang Yu in battle for many years, Zhou Yin understood perfectly well that Xiang Yu had broken out ahead of time and had focused his efforts on his Jiujiang army!
"That old man Xiang Bo has ruined me!" While sending someone to notify the army to assemble and form ranks to meet the enemy, Zhou Yin also endured the pain and had his attendants help him put on his armor again.
Because he had fallen off his horse earlier, Zhou Yin had just taken off his armor to rest properly when the accident happened.
Just then, chaos erupted outside the central command tent.
Clang clang clang... Ahh!
"Grand Marshal, hurry! The Overlord is here... Ah!" A Jiujiang soldier had just stepped into the central command tent when a bloody halberd head protruded from his chest.
Zhou Yin was shocked and turned to run, but suddenly aggravated his back injury, "Hiss..."
Sizzle...
Xiang Yu cleaved through the central command tent with his halberd and charged in, horse and all. "Zhou Yin, you little brat, did you ever imagine this day would come when you betrayed me!"
"Your Majesty, you have misunderstood! My defection was truly out of necessity. I was just thinking of secretly helping Your Majesty break through the encirclement when Your Majesty arrived!" Knowing he couldn't escape, Zhou Yin decisively knelt down.
Xiang Yu used his halberd to lift Zhou Yin's chin. "Is this true?"
"It is absolutely true! If King Xiang does not believe me, I can immediately order the entire army to follow King Xiang in breaking through the encirclement, or I can cover the rear. I will risk my life to cover King Xiang's breakout!" Zhou Yin understood Xiang Yu's character quite well, and Xiang Yu sincerely hoped that he had not betrayed him.
Hao Jiu immediately became anxious upon seeing this, "Hey, my Overlord, you don't intend to believe this traitor's sophistry, do you? The enemy's main force is tied up at Gaixia, and Zhou Yin is facing only Liu Jia's 20,000 men. How can he be forced to do something? Ask him what happened with Shu Tu Liu."
Xiang Yu snorted coldly, "I didn't believe him, but what exactly is the story behind Shu Tu Liu?"
Hao Jiu sighed, "That was Zhou Yin's pledge of allegiance to Liu Ji. He slaughtered all the loyal subordinates in the Jiujiang army in the six counties."
"Aaaaah! Zhou Yin deserves to die!" Xiang Yu was furious upon hearing this, and with a single thrust of his halberd pierced Zhou Yin's collarbone, lifting him up.
"Ouch!... King Xiang, I'm innocent!" Zhou Yin hurriedly grabbed the halberd with both hands to ease his pain. He knew that if Xiang Yu wanted to kill him, he would never miss. Perhaps this was a test?
"Wronged? Then order the entire army to lay down their weapons." Xiang Yu had no intention of letting Zhou Yin down. He held his halberd in one hand and impaled Zhou Yin, making him look like a flag.
"Quickly, quickly spread the order: the entire army must lay down their weapons and not fight against Xiang Yu's army, quick..." Zhou Yin dared not move at all, but even so, the feeling of being skinned and dismembered was so painful that he was about to faint from the pain, but he was instantly awakened by the pain.
"Yes, sir!" Zhou Yin's guards hurriedly went out to relay the order, afraid that being too slow would anger Xiang Yu.
Xiang Yu, carrying Zhou Yin, turned his horse around and left the central command tent, coldly staring at the layers upon layers of Jiujiang soldiers outside.
"Grand Marshal Zhou, are these people planning a rebellion? Your orders don't seem to be working very well."
"I am Grand Marshal Zhou Yin, and I now order you to lay down your weapons! Lay them down now! Ouch... Do you want to kill me with pain?" Zhou Yin desperately turned his head behind him.
Xiang Yu thoughtfully raised his halberd to the side so that the surrounding Jiujiang soldiers could see it clearly, but still no one lowered their weapon.
Zhou Yin grew increasingly panicked, wanting to curse those people as traitors who disregarded his life, but then he suddenly remembered that it was he who had led them to betray Xiang Yu...
"Do you all wish to be my enemies?" Xiang Yu asked without changing his expression.
The soldiers of Jiujiang did not answer, but gripped their weapons tightly, seemingly hesitating whether to rush forward and kill Xiang Yu and Zhou Yin at the same time.
Zhou Yin's face turned ashen; did he still have a chance to survive?
Chapter 30 Breakthrough (Part 8)
Hao Jiu was somewhat surprised that the strategy of "capture the leader first" didn't work, or rather, it didn't achieve the desired effect.
The fact that the Jiujiang army did not swarm Xiang Yu shows that Zhou Yin, as a hostage, was still somewhat useful, but that was about it; it was unlikely that they would lay down their weapons and surrender.
Compared to Zhou Yin's life, their own lives were naturally more important. They were all traitors to Chu, and what if Xiang Yu didn't intend to let them go?
More importantly, although Xiang Yu captured Zhou Yin in a surprise attack, the allied forces still held the upper hand in the entire Gaixia battlefield. Even if Xiang Yu could accept them back into the Chu army, what would happen afterward? Could they defeat the allied forces? Would they have to surrender again?
Therefore, these Jiujiang soldiers neither laid down their weapons nor launched an attack on Xiang Yu. Instead, they chose to retreat and make way for him. Since Xiang Yu wanted to break through, they let him pass.
With Grand Marshal Zhou Yin captured, the highest-ranking officers in the Jiujiang army were Left Marshal Zhang Ning and Right Marshal Zhao Yu.
"Retreat!" The left and right commanders exchanged glances and each led half of their troops to retreat to the east and west. The Jiujiang army split up, leaving a road leading directly to the south gate.
A short while later, Huan Chu led his army to the location.
"King Xiang!" Huan Chu was alarmed when he learned that Xiang Yu had charged alone into the central command tent. He immediately ordered an attack to meet Xiang Yu in his direction.
However, the Jiujiang army grew larger and larger, and not only could they not reach the central command tent, the entire Chu army was also on the verge of being surrounded.
Unexpectedly, the Jiujiang army retreated on its own initiative during the fighting, clearing a path to the central command tent.
Xiang Yu frowned when he saw Huan Chu and the Chu cavalry behind him; there were more than five thousand of them.