Fa Kong praises Qin and Shu's great connected army
In the spring of 325 BC (the fourth year of Chu Huai Wang and the thirteenth year of Qin Huiwen Gong, the first year of Qin Huiwen Wang), this was the year when Qin Huiwen Wang began to call himself king and prepare to compete for the Central Plains. Chu Huai Wang ordered Zhaoyang to lead a large army northward, deploying troops in Xiangyang, Nanyang, Fang, and Ye, while he personally led an army of 200,000 elite soldiers with Zhaoyu from Dangyang, advancing towards Shangyong and Fagong (Hanzhong). They claimed to be punishing the State of Shu for its unrighteous actions in invading Chu during the mourning period of King Huai of Chu in 327 BC. Why did Chu Huai Wang have to go to Fagong (Hanzhong) to punish the State of Shu? It turned out that Hanzhong (now southwestern Shaanxi Province, including the area around present-day Hanzhong City) was part of the territory of the State of Shu at that time and was a necessary passage from Guanzhong to the Sichuan Basin. In the Zhou Dynasty, this area was known as Fagong, with its territory stretching from Lüeyang County to Chenggu County. Therefore, some historical books also referred to it as Fagong-Han. In 770 BC, due to the invasion of the Di and Quanrong tribes, a group of people from Zheng (now Hua County) fled to the southern bank of the Han River in Hanzhong and settled there, which was then called Nanzheng. Later, when the Qin state expanded its territory to eastern Shaanxi, the area around Hua County became part of the Qin state, and since 451 BC, the Qin people began building a city in Nanzheng, referring to Hanzhong as their southern Zheng. Later on, after Fagong was defeated by Shu, the territory of Fagong (Hanzhong) became part of the State of Shu. The "Huayang Guo Zhi: Shu Zhi" records: "During the reign of King Xuan of Zhou, the Marquis of Shu had control over Fagong-Han."
The Marquis of Shu heard that the King of Chu was leading an army of 200,000 to invade Han (Hanzhong) and avenge his grievances. He was so anxious that he could not eat or sleep. On one hand, he led the armies of Shu to rush to Han (Hanzhong), on the other hand, he sent a letter to King Huiwen of Qin asking for help.
King Huiwen of Qin received the letter from the Marquis of Shu and immediately summoned his civil and military officials to discuss the matter. He said: "Now that the King of Chu is leading an army of 200,000 into Han (Hanzhong) to avenge his grievances, it's unstoppable. The Marquis of Shu has come to me for help, what do you think? Should we rescue him or not?"
One of the officials replied: "Han (Hanzhong) is a natural pasture and granary, it's an important strategic location for Qin's southward expansion into Ba and Shu. If Your Majesty does not send troops to rescue Shu, the army of Shu will be no match for the Chu army. Within one or two months, the entire Han (Hanzhong) region will fall into the hands of the Chu army. Once the Chu army occupies Han (Hanzhong), they will march southward and attack Shu together with their allies, and the whole of Shu will be conquered by Chu.
At that time, it will be even more difficult for Your Majesty to plot against Ba and Shu. Moreover, once the opportunity is ripe, the Chu army will march west from Han (Hanzhong), conquer Tianshui, take Baoji, and press on to Xianyang, putting Qin in a precarious position."
King Huiwen of Qin said: "Your words are most reasonable, I have also considered this. However, since the time of King Wei of Chu, their army has been strong and powerful. Now that the King of Chu is leading a large army, it's difficult to stop them. If I lead a large army personally, there will inevitably be a life-and-death struggle. At that time, the King of Wei will lead his army to attack our western border, and Qin's army will have to fight on two fronts against powerful enemies, which is not desirable."
Another official said: "Your Majesty need not worry about this. The Shu army still has over 100,000 soldiers. Your Majesty can send 100,000 elite troops, together with the Shu army of 200,000, we can defeat the Chu army. Although the distance from Fangshan to Ankang is over 300 miles, it's all mountainous terrain, and grain transportation is inconvenient.
Therefore, the Chu army cannot stay in Han (Hanzhong) for long. As long as we confront them, after some time, their grain supplies will be exhausted, and they will retreat. At that time, we can take advantage of the situation to attack and defeat the Chu army."
King Huiwen of Qin said: "Good!" He immediately ordered Sima Cuo to mobilize 100,000 elite troops (30,000 cavalry and 70,000 infantry) to follow him to Han (Hanzhong) to confront the Chu army.
In the spring of 325 BC, in the third month (the fourth year of Chu Huai Wang), Chu Huai Wang led the Chu army out of An Kang (now Ankang City) and encountered the allied forces of Qin and Shu, numbering several hundred thousand, at Han Yin (now Hanyin County). The two sides faced each other on a flat plain, with their cavalry and infantry formations waiting for battle. Chu Huai Wang rode forward and said to Qin Hui Wen Wang, "Is it not you, King Hui of Qin?" Qin Hui Wen Wang replied politely, "It is indeed I, and you are King Huai of Chu, aren't you? You truly have an extraordinary bearing, even more majestic than your father, King Wei." Chu Huai Wang said, "I am indeed. My late father told me that you were a wise and just ruler, and that our two states had a close relationship through marriage. Why do you repeatedly cause trouble for Chu?" Qin Hui Wen Wang replied, "It is not my intention to cause trouble for Chu. Shu is a neighboring state of Qin, and when they are in difficulty, they come to me for help. Can I ignore their plea? It is only natural that relatives help each other, and neighbors help each other. You should understand this principle! Moreover, our two states have a close relationship through marriage - my queen is a princess from Chu. How could I not know about it?" Chu Huai Wang said, "Shu took advantage of our country's mourning period to launch an attack on us, which was extremely arrogant." Qin Hui Wen Wang said, "That was indeed wrong of Shu, but you have already vented your anger - you have occupied Zi Yang and Suining in Shu. Why not let them off the hook? Are you determined to destroy them before you will stop?" Chu Huai Wang said, "I want Shu to compensate me for my military expenses." Qin Hui Wen Wang said, "That's a good idea! I'll have Shu Hou apologize to you in person, and we can end this war with honor." Shu Hou was afraid to come forward, but Qin Hui Wen Wang encouraged him, saying, "Don't be afraid, I am here with my trusted general, Sima Cuo." Shu Hou then came forward, trembling, and said, "King Huai of Chu, it was my fault last time. Please forgive me this once!" Qin Hui Wen Wang said, "There, that's settled! Let us value harmony above all else!" But Chu Huai Wang just smiled coldly and said, "A great army has been mobilized, involving the lives and property of hundreds of thousands of people. Can it be resolved with just a few words?" Shu Hou asked, "What do you want to do then?" Chu Huai Wang replied, "We can end the war, but Shu must compensate me for my military expenses." Shu Hou asked, "How much compensation do you want?" Chu Huai Wang said, "I want you to cede Ba Han (Hanzhong) as compensation for my military expenses." Qin Hui Wen Wang said, "You are trying to coerce them!" Chu Huai Wang retorted sternly, "This is a matter between Chu and Shu - what business is it of yours? You are just an outsider meddling in our affairs! I advise you to mind your own business and leave us alone!" Qin Hui Wen Wang said, "I will definitely intervene in this matter." Chu Huai Wang sneered, "We'll see if you have the ability to do so!" With that, he waved his hand, and the 200,000-strong Chu army divided into two routes, forming their battle lines. Chu Huai Wang personally led one route of 100,000 soldiers (30,000 cavalry and 70,000 infantry) against Qin Hui Wen Wang's 100,000-strong Qin army, while another route of 100,000 soldiers (30,000 cavalry and 70,000 infantry), led by Zhao Xiu, faced off against Shu Hou's several hundred thousand-strong Shu army. The Qin and Shu armies also formed their battle lines, ready for combat.
King Huai of Chu gave the order to beat the drums, and as soon as the war drums sounded, King Huai of Chu and Zhao She separately rode their horses and charged forward with their spears. King Huai of Chu's black horse galloped like lightning, and in the blink of an eye, he arrived in front of King Huiwen of Qin. King Huai of Chu's long spear struck down fiercely, and King Huiwen of Qin hastily raised his twin swords to block it. At that moment, General Sima Cuo of Qin swung his large sword and rode his horse forward, shouting loudly: "Do not harm my king!" With a loud clang, King Huiwen of Qin's twin swords were knocked flying, and his arms were shaken with pain. He slapped his horse and fled.
At this time, General Sima Cuo's sword had already struck towards King Huai of Chu, who hastily raised his spear to block it. General Sima Cuo was a famous general of King Huiwen of Qin, skilled in the art of sword fighting, with the bravery of a lone warrior facing ten thousand enemies.
The battle between General Sima Cuo's large sword and King Huai of Chu's long spear was intense, with the two sides clashing together repeatedly. The two men fought for over ten rounds without either gaining the upper hand. The soldiers on both sides watched with wide eyes, their spirits lifted by the bravery of their leaders.
The Chu army saw that their king was so heroic and immediately became more spirited, cheering and raising their spears. The Qin army initially saw that King Huiwen of Qin could not withstand King Huai of Chu's spear attack and were all worried, but when they saw General Sima Cuo fighting against King Huai of Chu, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Both sides beat the drums to cheer each other on, and after five more rounds, General Sima Cuo gradually became exhausted, his forehead covered in cold sweat.
Oh! This Sima Cuo, although his knife skills are pure and skilled, but his strength is not as good as Chu Huai Wang. After fighting for ten rounds, Sima Cuo already felt the pressure of Chu Huai Wang's long gun getting bigger and bigger. This Chu Huai Wang fought with great enthusiasm, let out a loud roar, and thrust his long gun fiercely towards Sima Cuo's head. Sima Cuo raised his knife to block it, but it hit the blade, making a "clanging" sound, and the knife mouth was smashed into a big gap. The shock made Sima Cuo's hands feel numb. Chu Huai Wang struck again with his spear, and Sima Cuo hastily raised his knife to block it. This time, it hit the back of the knife, making a "ding" sound, and sparks flew from the back of the knife. The shock made Sima Cuo's two palms ache in pain, and he couldn't hold the knife firmly. Chu Huai Wang struck again with his spear, and Sima Cuo raised his knife to block it with both hands. With a "ding" sound, Sima Cuo was shocked, and he retreated three steps on horseback, his two hands bleeding from the tiger's mouth. Sima Cuo knew he couldn't win, so he hastily patted his horse and fled. Chu Huai Wang clamped his legs together, urging his horse to chase after him. Three generals rushed out of the Qin army formation, shouting: "General Sima, don't panic, we're here to help you!" Chu Huai Wang's black stallion galloped like lightning, with great force. With a sweep of his spear from left to right, the two generals in front raised their spears to block it, but they were knocked to the ground with two "clanging" sounds. Chu Huai Wang thrust his spear at the Qin general behind him, hitting his chest armor and making a "clanging" sound. The Qin general was thrown off his horseback five steps away and died on the spot. Chu Huai Wang swept his spear from left to right again, and the two Qin generals fell off their horses, dead. The Qin army saw this and suddenly became silent, their morale plummeting to a low point. On the other hand, the Chu army saw their king so mighty and suddenly became enthusiastic, their morale soaring like thunder. Chu Huai Wang held his spear in his left hand and drew out the Chu King Sword with his right hand, waving it once. The Chu army suddenly let out a thunderous shout, and the sound of killing shook the sky. Thirty thousand cavalrymen and seventy thousand infantrymen charged towards the Qin army at the same time.
