Qin Official

"One general is incompetent, and all three armies suffer."

In mid-March, a few miles south of Qicheng, the Chu army formed a formation behind the city. Looking at the exhausted Chu soldiers who had been defeated for half a month, Xiang Yan of Shangzhu State was filled with tragedy.

As early as February, although Xiang Yan was aware of Wang Jian's sudden intention to attack the Chubi camp with a large army and evacuated the soldiers and civilians in advance, he still misjudged the fighting power of the 30,000 elite soldiers selected by Wang Jian. They bit the Chu army by the tail and fought on the banks of the Ying River, killing 10,000 Chu soldiers and 30,000 civilians being separated and captured.

Xiang Yan could only fight and retreat. He did not listen to the King of Chu's order and led his army to evacuate to Shouchun on the Huaihe River in the south because he believed that the Yingshui River could provide the Qin army with continuous supplies of grain ships.

He used the same tactics he used against Li Xin, constantly retreating to the east where there was no big river, hoping to lengthen the supply line of the Qin army, and at the same time, let the civilians with little combat effectiveness stay in various cities, while the combat troops were always concentrated Together, this is done in the hope that the Qin army will divide its forces while attacking cities and territories, so that the number of people on both sides who can invest in the battle will equalize.

Only in this way can the Chu army have the possibility of victory.

According to the plan, the Qin army would become increasingly tired and their numbers would become smaller and smaller as they were divided. However, Wang Jian seemed to see through his intentions and changed from his usual steadiness. After crossing the chasm and Ying River, he allowed his soldiers to carry only ten days' worth of troops. He led his army to bite the main force of the Chu army, regardless of the many "traps" left by Xiang Yan along the way.

Although the armies of the two sides have not come into contact, the scout activity areas they released completely overlap, and sporadic confrontations occur every day.

Wang Jian's goal is obvious. As long as he fights the main force of the Chu army as soon as possible and defeats it, Chu will lose its resistance. At that time, the army can advance to Suishui to meet the grain ships sent by the Northern Army, and can retreat back to Yingshui, They ate at the border, and then slowly captured the cities of Chu.

When Xiang Yan learned that the Qin Army's Mengwu Division had broken through Ruyin, crossed the Ying River, and appeared dozens of miles southeast of him, while the Qin Army's Northern Army, led by Feng Wuze, had wandered to Fu Fu, a hundred miles away to the north. When he left the fortress, he realized that he wanted to lead Wang Jian into a trap, but unexpectedly, Wang Jian had surrounded him!

This kind of strategic encirclement within hundreds of miles is frightening. Xiang Yan understands that he has no retreat. If he continues to retreat, the encirclement will become smaller and smaller. The only chance is to stop in Qinan and fight with The Qin army fights to the death!

But in his heart, he was no longer sure about whether he could win.

"Don't say discouraging words in Shangzhu Kingdom."

At this time, the weather was overcast and wet, with drizzle. Seeing Xiang Yan sighing after inspecting the situation of the army, Zuo Sima Zhaohua comforted him and said: "The Qin army has also been dragged by our army for more than two hundred miles, and the Chu people are exhausted." , the Qin army is also tired. Moreover, the food in Qicheng is tens of thousands of stones, which is enough for our entire army for six days. However, in order to pursue our army, the Qin army only took a small amount of food on the road and left the baggage behind. It may be close at this moment. Without food, this is the moment when they are at their weakest!"

What's more, Qicheng, this was also the place that brought luck to the Chu army in the last war. For more than a year, it was here that Xiang Yan allowed the Chu army to gather and march towards the city father, following the arrogant Li Xin and taking him to the city. Defeated in one fell swoop.

Although the lonely and empty winter scenery at that time has now been replaced by green spring clothes, Zhaohua believes that Shangzhu Kingdom will be able to create miracles again here!

When the rain ended, Xiang Yan also regained his confidence. He ordered his son Xiang Rong to leave with more than a hundred people and go to Xiapi, two hundred miles away in the northeast, and the Xiang family's territory to see if he could bring more. When people came over, he and Zhaohua and others were riding horses, inspecting the surrounding terrain and choosing a place for the decisive battle.

"The rainy weather is a good thing for us."

Xiang Yan told the generals of Zhaohua, Jing and Qu that the roads were muddy, the fields were turbulent, and the rivers were swollen. The Qin people may not be accustomed to the climate here, and the progress of the Mongolian armed forces dozens of miles away in the south would also become difficult.

Although Wang Jian was so powerful that he set up a large encirclement of hundreds of miles wide for Xiang Yan and the 100,000 Chu troops within the territory of Chu State, he could not have taken into account the weather, so there was a flaw in the encirclement. Even the southern and northern Qin armies were unable to arrive here in a short time, which gave the Chu army an opportunity.

But how could Wang Jian not know? Zhou Wen reported on the day that more than 100,000 Qin troops stopped more than ten miles to the west and began to set up camp again. They were not in a hurry to attack the Chu army.

"Wang Jian wants to wait for the northern and southern armies to come and join together, and then attack me with twice the force."

Xiang Yan knew the plan of his old rival very well. He didn't bother to dry his beard and hair in the camp, so he pointed at the map with his rain-stained hand and said: "The Qin invaders' northern army Feng Wuze's troops were blocked by Fuli Barrier. It took three days." We can arrive! The Mongolian Military Department of the Southern Army has marched hundreds of miles in a hurry to gain advantage, and it is raining again. It will not be able to arrive until tomorrow at the earliest!"

There is only one opportunity before Xiang Yan, and that is to make a time difference and defeat the Qin army on the opposite side, which is about the same size as the Chu army, in one fell swoop! In this case, there may be a glimmer of hope!

"The Art of War says that if the enemy surrounds us and cuts off our front and rear, this is the world's most trapped army. If we use it violently, we will win; if we use it slowly, we will lose."

Since Wang Jian camped and could not advance, Xiang Yan could only take the initiative to counterattack and attack the Qin army!

"Jing Rui, Jing Ju!"

Xiang Yan first named the two Jing brothers in the commander's tent.

"Your father, Grand Sima Jingyang, is a scheming man. He once sent troops to save Yan, planned to defeat Qi and Wei, and subdued the princes. Today, Chu is in danger. Are you willing to command the soldiers of the Jing clan to defend me from the enemy?"

Jing Rui is brave and good at drinking but is reckless, Jing Ju is smart but likes to speculate. None of them are people that Xiang Yan likes. However, the Jing family is the head of the three major clans with a total strength of 20,000, so he has to rely on Zhong. .

At the moment, Xiang Yan hopes that the Jing brothers can take Jing's troops to the south to intercept the Mengwu troops who may arrive at the battlefield at any time. As long as they block it for one more day, they will still have a chance of victory when they attack Wang Jian's army alone.

The two Jing brothers looked at each other and took the order to leave. Xiang Yan also ordered the Qu, Zhao and Xiang clans, with a total of 90,000 soldiers, led by nine captains. This was all the troops he could use. .

"The Qin army has just arrived and the camp is not yet strong. Tonight, we will set up four military forces to attack Chen. They will use their chariots and cavalry to frighten their army. Tomorrow, after the meal, we will have a decisive battle with them!"

That night, the armies of both sides fought numerous battles within an area of ​​more than ten miles. The Chu army kept trying to use their familiarity with the terrain to harass the Qin camp. The Qin army also set up defenses everywhere, leaving no opportunity for the Chu army to take advantage of. Due to the lack of opportunity and a light rain in the middle of the night, the Chu army's plan to burn the camp came to nothing.

At noon the next day, the rain started to fall, and after the whole army had had a good meal, at the beginning of midnight (9 to 11 o'clock), more than 90,000 troops came out of the camp and set up a formation within a range of four to five miles in front of the camp. , and then slowly advanced towards the Qin camp more than ten miles away to the west!

Xiang Yan had some considerations in choosing to march in the morning. The Chu camp was located in the south of Qicheng, with its back to the city, facing south, while the Qin army camp was located in the west and faced east. Therefore, the weather was fine today and the sun came out again. In the morning, they set out to invite battle. The sun was in the east. The Qin army went out to fight and lined up, just in time to face the dazzling sunshine, which was more beneficial to the Chu army.

After all, it was a temporary camp that was set up just the day before yesterday. The Qin army had no barrier protection, and they did not dare to just defend the camp to avoid fighting like they did in winter. Therefore, as soon as he heard the drums beating loudly in the Chu army's camp, and saw them marching out in full force and forming an array outside the camp, he knew that Xiang Yan was about to fight him decisively, so he did not show any weakness.

Wang Jian immediately ordered all the captains to lead their troops out of the camp. They also formed a formation in front of the camp and waited for work in the west where the terrain was higher, waiting for the Chu army to attack.

The Qin Zhongjun originally had 150,000 combat troops, but because some troops and horses were left behind along the way, and all the baggage was left behind, there are now 120,000 combat troops.

Including the Chu army's 90,000, the two sides totaled more than 200,000 horses, arrayed on this land with a radius of dozens of miles, and the hills, farmland, and even streams were densely packed. The spears they held were really The endless forest, with people neighing and horses hooting, is noisier than any city.

For a time, in the southwest of Qicheng, flags covered the sky, and war drums and horns continued. The rainy weather for many days seemed to have been washed away by the murderous intent of more than 200,000 people. The dazzling sunshine broke through the clouds, covering both sides. The coach's banner shines brightly.

Under the red commander's banner of the Chu army, Xiang Yan's beard and hair stood out. He was wearing a bright red armor, with a pair of burning phoenixes flying in relief on the bronze armor. His great cloak was blown up by the wind, and under the rays of the rising sun, it seemed like It was a fluttering flame that rekindled Chu Ren's already cold heart.

Xiang Yan shouted solemnly from the carriage: "The King of Qin is greedy and sent troops to attack us. He wants to destroy our country and our people. The Qin invaders have been in the country for half a year, and we have no way to retreat. Fighting leads to life, cowardice leads to death! Whether the second and third sons, family members and wives will become captives of Qin, and whether the state of Chu will survive or die for 800 years, it all depends on this battle! "

But ten miles away, Wang Jian's big banner with tall teeth and dragon flags and feathers were fluttering in the wind.

Old General Wang was in high spirits. Although his armor and clothes were not as flashy and gorgeous as those of Chu Shangzhu Kingdom, they were still majestic. His buns were gathered under his crown, his long sword was hung on his waist, and he looked ahead. He kept getting closer and could not see the red Chu formation at a glance. He also smiled and asked the soldiers to send a message to the Qin army:

"According to the order of the king, we have mobilized all the people, Zhang Jinyi is angry, decorated with armor-plated soldiers, and brave warriors. It has been half a year in Chu. The second and third sons have eaten well and rested for half a year, just for today! We and we We are not alone. The northern and southern armies are approaching in an instant. After this battle, we will be victorious in front of the king and reward everyone with merit. The three thousand miles of the Chu Kingdom will also be the homestead in your name. !”

While the soldiers of Qin and Chu sides were shouting loudly, they could also hear the familiar yet unfamiliar accent of the other party, penetrating a distance of ten miles and coming towards their faces!

Both Wang Jian and Xiang Yan knew it.

The two countries of Qin and Chu have been married to each other for twenty-three generations.

Since the time of King Hui of Qin and King Huai of Chu, there have been more than a hundred years of resentment and entanglement.

This pair of feuding countries will decide the final victory here, in Qinan!