Chapter 14: The Battle of Xiyang, Sima walks through Guan Yu, breaks into Chengdu and Qin Shu escapes to Bao Han.
At this time, the cavalry of Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou had already escaped from Xixiang County. Zhao Yue's light cavalry had chased to Baijia Dam. Although both sides were cavalry, it was unknown how they did it, but Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou's cavalry were slower, while Zhao Yue's light cavalry was faster. The distance between the two sides was getting closer and closer.
In Xixiang, Sima Cu's cavalry was defeated by Zhao Yue's Chu army again and fled to Chenggu County. Sima Cu retreated to Chenggu County and saw that Zhao Yue's light cavalry was about to catch up. He had no choice but to order 3,000 Qin cavalry, 2,000 Shu cavalry, and 500 Shu soldiers defending the city to block the Chu cavalry in Chenggu County, with orders to advance or retreat, using death to cover Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou's 25,000 cavalry to quickly withdraw to Bao Han (Hanzhong City).
Zhao Yue's large light cavalry arrived at Chenggu County and saw Sima Cu standing with his horse and sword. Five thousand iron cavalry were lined up under the city, waiting in a strict array. Zhao Yue ordered 10,000 iron cavalry to be deployed in a row, preparing to charge and kill, while 40,000 cavalry divided into two routes bypassed Chenggu County on both sides, rushing straight to Bao Han (Hanzhong City) to capture Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou alive.
Sima Cu saw the situation and ordered 4,000 cavalry to intercept the Chu army's cavalry in two routes. He led 1,000 cavalry and 500 city guards to fight against Zhao Yue's 10,000 iron cavalry. Sima Cu's 5,000 cavalry intercepted Zhao Yue's 50,000 cavalry, which was undoubtedly a suicidal move.
Although it was so, they could still delay for some time, allowing Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou's 25,000 cavalry to run far away. It was just like this, knowing that death was certain, but only with his life could he protect his lord. This was Sima Cu's clever plan of sacrificing pawns to save the general.
The defeat at Shiquan Drum Son Ping had made 70,000 Qin and Shu infantrymen become ghosts under the knives and souls under the guns of the Chu cavalry, which allowed Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou to escape to this Chenggu County. Today, they again abandoned these 5,000 cavalry and 500 infantrymen to exchange for Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou to run more than 20 miles ahead.
Alas! It was indeed a defeat like a mountain collapse, with no way out at dusk.
Only to see Zhao Yue pat the horse, hold up the gun and rush over, 10,000 Chu army iron cavalry followed to cover up and kill, Sima Cu knew that no one in Qin and Shu armies could defeat Zhao Yue, so he had to ride his horse, raise his knife and fight against Zhao Yue again. Unfortunately, the Chu army was too strong, Sima Cu's 1,000 cavalry were all scattered, and he didn't dare to fight anymore, raised his knife, turned around, and retreated back to the city to resist the enemy. However, only 200 infantrymen and 300 cavalrymen who followed behind managed to rush back to the city, while the remaining 700 cavalrymen and 300 infantrymen were all beheaded. Zhao Yue did not order the attack on the city but ordered the Chu army cavalry to bypass the city and head straight for Bao Han (Hanzhong City). Sima Cu saw this and wanted to rush out again to hold back Zhao Yue, but was stopped by a general who said: "General, going out is like a moth flying into fire, it's a waste of life." Sima Cu painfully said: "I will die for the country, if I can delay Zhao Yue's cavalry for more than 10 minutes, the king can run more than 10 miles away." The general said: "What you said is wrong, General. If you go out again, Zhao Yue only needs to send out 1,000 cavalrymen to kill you, and then he will lead his army to chase after the king. If something happens to the king, even if you die, it's hard to avoid blame. I hope you can quickly escape from the back door and catch up with the king." Sima Cu listened and said: "If not for your reminder, I almost made a big mistake." He then took 300 Qin army cavalrymen and hastily escaped from the back door, rushing towards the direction of Qin Huiwen King's escape.
The allied forces of Qin and Shu, with 4,000 cavalrymen, fought to the death against the 40,000-strong Chu army cavalry for just 15 minutes. Although they were all killed, these 15 minutes were crucial for the cavalry. With this brief delay, King Huiwen of Qin and others could run an additional 20 miles or more, and the Chu army cavalry would have to chase after them for a long time. The remaining 200 Shu soldiers who stayed in the city were also eliminated by the Chu army infantry.
King Huiwen of Qin and the Marquis of Shu, escorted by 25,000 cavalrymen, ran all the way to Bao Han (Hanzhong City), where 3,000 Shu soldiers were guarding. Just as they were about to enter the city, a general shouted, "Your Majesty cannot enter the city!" King Huiwen and the Marquis of Shu turned around to see Sima Cuo, covered in blood, arriving with 300 Qin cavalrymen.
King Huiwen asked, "Why can't we enter the city?" Sima Cuo replied, "Bao Han is located on a plain, with its back to the Han River, and there are no natural defenses. The 50,000-strong light cavalry of Zhao Xie is already 20 miles away. If Your Majesty enters the city, Zhao Xie's army will surround it as soon as they arrive, and when King Huai of Chu arrives, even with wings, we won't be able to fly out."
King Huiwen asked, "What do you think we should do?" Sima Cuo replied, "For now, our only option is to abandon Bao Han and retreat. Your Majesty can lead the army to Lüyang (County) and defend against the enemy at Longnan. This will ensure our safety. The Marquis of Shu should lead his troops to cross the Han River and guard Nan Zheng (present-day Nan Zheng County)."
King Huiwen said, "Good!" Sima Cuo then led 15,300 Qin cavalrymen to escort King Huiwen as they fled towards Lüyang (County), while the Marquis of Shu led 10,000 Shu cavalrymen and 3,000 soldiers guarding Bao Han to cross the Han River and defend Nan Zheng.
By the time Zhao Xie's Chu army cavalry arrived at Bao Han, King Huiwen had already passed through Mian County and was heading towards Lüyang (County), while the Marquis of Shu had also crossed the Han River and was heading towards Xin Zheng (County). Zhao Xie then led his army to occupy Bao Han and wait for King Huai of Chu's arrival before making a final decision.
The next morning, King Huai of Chu led 30,000 cavalry and 50,000 infantry to arrive at Bao Han. The day after tomorrow, the third batch of 50,000 Chu troops also arrived in Bao Han with grain transportation. After King Huai arrived, he observed the surrounding terrain with Zhao Yu and said: "Lüyang (County) originally belonged to Bao Han, and it is a plain, not far from Bao Han (Hanzhong City). It is a fortress that blocks the Qin army from entering the Bao Han Plain. We cannot let the Qin army occupy it. The Nan Zheng (County) on the other side of the river has three sides of mountains and one side of water, with a high and steep terrain, and we cannot let the Shu army occupy it. My opinion is that you and I each lead an army, take advantage of the enemy's recent defeat, and catch them off guard before they can stabilize their footing." Zhao Yu said: "Your Majesty! I had this intention, and I was waiting for your decision." Therefore, King Huai ordered Zhao Yu to lead 20,000 cavalry and 20,000 infantry to quickly cross the Han River and occupy Nan Zheng (County), while he himself led 30,000 cavalry and 20,000 infantry to attack Lüyang (County). The rest of the Chu army stayed in Bao Han (Hanzhong City) and prepared to respond at any time.
