Chiefs?
The old farmer looked at the young man’s back and ate the food in his hand before he was relieved to start eating the potatoes the other man had given him.
This reaction did cause the farmer on the side to freeze again and ask, in disbelief
“Aren’t you surprised?”
The farmer was a little surprised, this was the head of the farming family!
Giving you your own food and eating the food you left on the ground, shouldn’t that be a good shock?
The old farmer said, at this point, with extreme naturalness
“This is what we farmers are supposed to be like.”
“That’s what our chiefs are like too!”
What’s a farmer eating a bit of dirt?
When the peasants heard this, they froze again.
He looked at Zhao Lang’s back and it was as if he understood something in his heart.
At this moment, Zhao Lang had already arrived at a high place, where he could see the whole group’s condition.
“Nu, what’s with those old people in the group?”
He had summoned all the peasants in Gaixia to go and strengthen their voices and as a way of showing their strength.
But there were rules.
Those who were too old could certainly not come.
Nowadays, everyone is on foot, and some ox carts and wagons have to carry supplies.
The roads are too far for the old people to walk all the way here, it’s going to kill them!
Slave returned at this point with a few bitter smiles, and
“It’s been reported up before, it’s all the old people who have to come on their own.”
“We can’t stop them, we can only be more generous with the food.”
They couldn’t always tie these people up.
Zhao Lang frowned slightly and
“Have the consequences spoken to the old people?”
Nu nodded at this point and
“All have been said and some have been persuaded back, only the rest, are more stubborn.”
Zhao Lang didn’t know what to say for a while.
Nu hesitated at this point, then said that
“Master, in fact, the conditions we gave were so generous that even Slave himself, when he was a child, had never had enough to eat.”
“We haven’t treated anyone badly along the way.”
“This food is enough for these lives.”
“These lives, they are not worth so much.”
He was born a slave and had seen more than this miserable thing in the world.
A mouthful of food for a life, or even several lives!
So, when he saw Zhao Lang then, he was willing to do anything for that one chance!
The result also proved that he had bet right.
Hearing Nu’s words, Zhao Lang fell into a slight silence and said that
“Life, it shouldn’t be so cheap.”
After a pause, he added that
“At least not in the Great Qin.”
He didn’t have the heart for this, to save all mankind.
With a slight sigh, Zhao Lang quickly pulled his mind away from it and quickly asked
“How are the others progressing?”
Nou quickly replied back that
“Holy Maiden, Peng Yue, Chen Sheng, Wu Guang and the others have all led their men towards Gaixia.”
“In a few more days, they should arrive.”
“Master, among them is the news from the Holy Maiden and Peng Yue that together they have over 20,000 warlike soldiers!”
There were a few moments of joy as Slave said this; at this time, any combat-ready soldier was something to be treasured.
Zhao Lang didn’t care too much about the numbers, but merely admonished that
“Let them not have to be so fast either, there is Han Xin and the others in the way ahead, there is time to come.”
“Don’t increase the casualties because of the rush.”
When Nu naturally answered yes, Zhao Lang continued to ask
“What is the movement of the Chu army?”
Slave replied back that
“The Chu army is in a hurry to set up its defences, and has advanced all the way, and is now almost at Gaixia.”
Zhao Lang nodded, the other side’s movement was sort of expected.
It was probably to find a way to crack his crossbow plus gunpowder.
In fact, as long as he mastered the way, he really couldn’t cause too many casualties with these things.
It’s mainly a psychological deterrent and a morale booster.
But fortunately, this time, he hadn’t intended to use this trick in the first place.
There were more people than there were, so let’s see who had more people.
Soon, Nu went down to pass on the order.
Zhao Lang looked again at the procession of peasants that stretched for dozens of miles, and also turned to leave, this time the peasants were bleeding even for all the peasants.
At this time, Gaixia.
This was originally just a small earthen city on slightly higher ground.
When the Chu army moved north, it was chosen as a point to take up the rear after.
A major expansion was carried out to serve as a staging post.
Now, many more Chu troops are labouring.
At this moment, on the not-so-high walls of Gaixia, Xiang Yu was looking at the construction work and asked
“How long will it take to build another good earth wall?”
At one side, Long Tho quickly replied back that
“Your Majesty, a few more days is about right.”
“It’s just that this earthen wall won’t be particularly strong.”
Xiang Yu returned indifferently, the
“No matter, these earthen walls are just to block the Qin army’s crossbow arrows, they can just cover some of them.”
“Their crossbows won’t be able to shoot a few rounds.”
“By the way, what is the movement of the Qin army?”
Long Tho returned.
“The Qin army is almost there, only a few dozen miles from here, only I don’t know why, but they are blocking the perimeter very tightly this time.”
“Our men don’t know the surrounding area that well.”
“But spying has heard that the peasants have been compelling the peasants to come in.”
“Your Majesty, the Qin army is not up to any great trickery, is it.”
Xiang Yu listened, pondered slightly and said that
“What kind of trickery can there be? It is just the same old trick that has been used before, blocking the ears and eyes.”
“But this is the land of Chu, even if we don’t need spies, my king is still clear about the terrain arrangement here!”
“As for compelling the peasants, that’s even less to worry about.”
“I think they know that our army is large in number and want to temporarily recruit some peasants.”
“It’s just that the young and strong people here have long since been recruited by our army, leaving behind the old and weak, so that these people can join the Qin army.”
“It will only add to their burden! If Zhao Lang really dares to let them come and die, then the true nature of Zhao Lang’s false benevolence and righteousness will be known to the world.”
Hearing Xiang Yu’s analysis, Long Tho could not help but nod his head repeatedly.
It had to be said that the military talent of his own king was still extremely strong.
If he hadn’t forcibly conscripted the young and strong here in advance, and also collected all those routed soldiers as well.
Otherwise, all these people would have become soldiers in the Qin army, and then the battle would have been difficult to fight.
Now, the Qin army temporarily recruited all the old and weak, and they were all young and strong.
On the battlefield, who is stronger and who is weaker, is it still necessary to say?
This battle, as long as the Qin army’s Heavenly Thunder deterrent is broken, then it will be won too!
Thinking of this, Long Tho could not help but reveal a smile.
Since the battle with the Qin army, apart from the very beginning when it went relatively smoothly, it had even beaten the prestige of the Chu army.
But after meeting Zhao Lang, it was almost at a loss.
When the situation is stabilised this time, Great Chu will still be qualified to fight against the Qin army!
Xiang Yu continued to ask at this time.
“How are they doing, Yu Ziqi, Zhong Li Sheng Sheng?”
Long Tho returned.
“The two have also almost arrived and will be deployed on both sides of our army afterwards, as flanks.”
To fight a war, it was impossible to pile all these hundred thousand men together.
Xiang Yu nodded his head, then said, with a mid-weighted
“In that case, all the ministries take up positions and prepare to meet the Qin army!”
“Prepare the Heavenly Thunder again, and the ones we made!”
“This time, we will definitely drive them out of the land of Chu!”
“Yes! Your Majesty!”
Long Tho immediately led the order and left.
When Long Tho had left, Xiang Yu then returned to his tent, and when Dou at the door opened it for him, he saw Yu Ji inside.
As a rule, there could be no female family members in the army.
After the last time, he had to be held by Yu Ji almost every time before he could fall asleep.
Later, though, he learnt that it was not heavenly thunder at all, and the nightmare naturally disappeared.
But he still brought the other side with him.
Xiang Bo, Xiang Zhuang were all captured by the Qin army, and he had no one to talk to about what was on his mind.
“Yu Ji, bring the wine.”
Xiang Yu said with a smile as soon as he entered the camp tent.
Yu Ji was extremely obedient and took the wine.
“What is your Majesty so happy about?”
Xiang Yu returned, the
“I already have a good idea of the Qin army’s background, and this battle will be won!”
No matter which man is in front of the woman he loves, his voice will be louder.
Looking at Xiang Yu’s spirited appearance, Yu Ji could not help but remember the first time she saw Xiang Yu, so she smiled and echoed to
“Then I will wish your Majesty a great victory!”
Soon, the tent was filled with joyful voices.
It was the sound that caused Dale, who was outside the tent, to pull out his ears.
Although he was happy, Xiang Yu did not slacken off and was still extremely attentive to supervising the construction and defence of the Chu army.
It was only when the spies of the Chu army came back to report that the Qin army had arrived at the perimeter and the spies of both sides were fighting.
He then knew that a great battle was at hand.
“Gather the sergeants and don’t clash yet.”
Xiang Yu quickly ordered.
It was not that he had conceded, but now that he had not yet broken the deterrent of the Qin army’s Heavenly Thunder, the Chu army was more or less fearful.
When they make an appointment for a battle with the other side tomorrow, then, in front of both sides, they will also claim that they are blessed by the heavens.
In this way, we will be able to completely break the Heavenly Thunder deterrent of the Qin army!
“Someone! Go and give the Qin army a letter of war!”
Soon, there was a messenger from the Chu army, heading towards the Qin army.
At this moment, inside the Qin army’s tent.
Countless spies and messengers, passing on news.
Zhao Lang is in Meng Yi’s tent.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince, just leave this battle with the Chu army to my old minister.”
“Although the Chu army is large, most of them are newly recruited men, they are not enough to worry about.”
“The opponent’s cavalry, as long as this crossbow is used properly, will not be a problem either.”
Meng Yi quickly made his arrangements, but of course, his core idea was to keep Zhao Lang out of the battlefield.
To him, now that the battle had come to an end, there was no need to risk Zhao Lang!
But Zhao Lang would not listen to him this time. This battle was not only to defeat Xiang’s Chu army, but also to serve as a showcase and warning to the world!
He had to lead it personally.
Directly and without question, said
“This battle, Secretary Meng, must be led by me.”
Meng Yi and the others were slightly stunned, it was the first time they had seen Zhao Lang so resolute about the battle, the other side was usually good at negotiating.
“In these few days, then look for opportunities to engage in battle!”
Hearing this almost brutal order, Meng Yi could only give a bitter laugh, how could war opportunities just happen?
The Chu army was building a high wall, obviously not wanting to engage.
He was about to dissuade them, when a Qin soldier came in and said
“Your Highness, General, a messenger from the Chu army has sent a message of war outside!”
“He wants to fight with our army tomorrow!”
Hearing these words, everyone was slightly stunned and looked at Zhao Lang with a few odd expressions.
This was really a pillow sent to them when they dozed off.
As expected, Zhao Lang also quickly said at this time that
“Tell them that tomorrow our army should fight!”
As the Qin army led the way and left, Zhao Long said to his slave that
“Pass the order to the Nong family to gather at Gaixia early tomorrow morning!”
At once, Nou received his orders and left.
Early the next morning.
From time to time, a puff of smoke rose up around Gaixia.
This was a sign of the activity of the great army.
Watching the smoke and dust, the Chu army spies soon sent back information to the city.
Soon, Xiang Yu also led the men slowly out of the city walls to the new earthen wall built earlier.
It was ready to retreat at any time.
Having formally laid down the battle, the main generals on both sides could instead talk to each other.
This is a rule that has been in place since the Spring and Autumn Warring States.
Soon, smoke and dust slowly approached in the distance and Zhao Lang appeared in front of him.
Looking at Zhao Lang, a complex look appeared in Xiang Yu’s eyes.
He still remembered the time when he was with Zhao Lang, when he was in Xianyang, when everything fought side by side.
But who knew that now the swords had turned against each other!
“Zhao Lang, do you dare to come forward and talk to me?”
Xiang Yu exclaimed at this time.
Hearing the shout, Zhao Lang did not hesitate and walked up with Tianyi.
With Tianyi by his side, he could get away safely.
Of course, just in case, he still spaced out a distance that
“Yu, do you have the will to surrender for today’s appointment?”
Looking at Xiang Yu, although Zhao Lang knew there was no hope, he still headed towards making a last attempt.
Only Xiang Yu laughed back at this time and said
“Zhao Long! You tyrannical Qin oppress the six kingdoms, I will not surrender even if I die!”
“Do you still think that the Mandate of Heaven is only on your shoulders?”
“Now that my king has also been favoured by the heavens, he is able to summon heavenly thunder!”
Xiang Yu took the opportunity to take over at this point and spoke exclusively about Heavenly Thunder, his aim today was to break the Heavenly Thunder pressure of the Qin army!
His words were also delivered early by a messenger, to all the Chu army!
Sure enough, upon hearing this, there was a movement among the Chu army thought.
Most of the men had seen the might of the Qin army’s heavenly thunder and were extremely resistant in their hearts.
Everyone had already thought in their hearts that once the battle started and chaos broke out, they would take the opportunity to escape.
How could a man fight against the heavenly thunder?
But when they heard Xiang Yu’s words, they were shocked again.
Their own Overlord was also able to summon heavenly thunder?
At this point, having already seen Zhao Lang’s unconventional nature of action, Xiang Yu stopped nagging at this point and directly had someone light a fire that had been prepared long ago.
In a loud voice, he said.
“Heavenly Thunder come quickly!”
And took out his bow! An arrow was shot into the fire.
Not long after, an explosion shot up into the sky as all eyes watched.
This time it wasn’t just the Chu troops who were shocked speechless, even the Qin troops had their eyes widened one by one!
All had only one thought in their minds.
This King of the Western Chu, also has a heavenly destiny?
Seeing this scene, Xiang Yu couldn’t help but reveal a smug smile, no matter if others believed in the Mandate of Heaven or not, however, Chu’s army would not be afraid because of the Heavenly Thunder!
This was his purpose.
He was about to formally declare war and attack, when he noticed that Zhao Lang, who was not far away, was looking at him with pity in his eyes.
Xiang Yu could not help but raise his voice and say
“Zhao Lang, what are you looking at!”
Zhao Lang blandly said that
“I’m looking at a poor man!”
“Yu, take a good look, you’re surrounded!”
Xiang Yu looked at the battlefield where the smoke and dust had cleared at this time, and now the Qin army, with their superiority in numbers, had long since surrounded Gaixia.
But Xiang Yu did not panic in the slightest, but laughed out loud and
“This King has already known that Zhao Lang, it is you who will take a good look!”
“These old and weak, how can another hundred thousand of them be a match for the King’s army!”
“Someone! Send orders to the three armies! This battle will not end until we die!”
With that, a cavalryman came out behind Xiang Yu, demonstratively running a group in the open space between the two armies, before preparing to go and pass on the order.
Just then, behind Zhao Lang, came out an old farmer.
Defying life and death, he ran towards the cavalryman, and no one onlooker could pull him!
Seeing this scene, Xiang Yu directly raised his voice and said
“Kill him to sacrifice the flag!”
The cavalrymen immediately led the way and went towards the old farmer to kill him!
On the battlefield, it doesn’t matter if you’re an old man or not!
Zhao Lang’s face changed slightly and he was about to go to the rescue.
But the cavalry was extremely fast and had also raised their weapons, seeing that the old farmer was about to die.
No one thought that an unarmed old farmer could defeat a heavily armed elite cavalryman!
Just as everyone thought the old farmer was going to die, the cavalry stopped with a jerk, the horses were strangled and raised their hooves high, neighing.
It seemed that they had discovered something extremely shocking.
Then the next instant, everyone saw the cavalryman being pulled down by the old man and pinned to the ground for a furious beating, cursing as he did so.
“Daeva! You’re out of your depth! You dare to beat your father!”
Instantly, the whole battlefield was silent!