Zhang Xi, the county magistrate of Guanzhong, marched into Qin and Shu, breaking through the city walls, and the Qin and Shu armies retreated to Bao Han.
At this time, the cavalry of Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou had already escaped from Xixiang County, while Zhao Yu's light cavalry had pursued them to Baijia Dam. Although both sides were cavalry running, it was unclear why Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou's cavalry were slower, while Zhao Yu's light cavalry was faster, and the distance between them was getting closer and closer. When they arrived at Chenggu County, Zhao Yu's light cavalry was about to catch up, Sima Cuo hastily led 3,000 Qin military cavalry, 2,000 Shu military cavalry, and 500 Shu military defenders to use the earth wall of Chenggu County as cover, blocking the attack of the Chu military cavalry. He ordered all soldiers to "advance and live, retreat and die", fighting to the death to protect Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou's 25,000 cavalry from retreating to Bao Han (Hanzhong City). Zhao Yu's large light cavalry arrived at Chenggu County, saw Sima Cuo standing with his sword drawn, leading 5,000 cavalry lined up under the city wall, waiting in a strict formation. Zhao Yu ordered 10,000 Chu military cavalry to form a line and charge at Sima Cuo's 5,000 cavalry, while 40,000 Chu military cavalry divided into two routes, bypassing Chenggu County on both sides, rushing straight to Bao Han (Hanzhong City) to capture Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou alive. Sima Cuo saw the situation and ordered 4,000 cavalry to intercept the Chu military cavalry in two routes, while he himself led 1,000 cavalry and 500 defenders to fight against Zhao Yu's 10,000 Chu military cavalry. Sima Cuo's 5,000 cavalry intercepted Zhao Yu's 50,000 Chu military cavalry, which was like hitting a stone with an egg, courting destruction. However, they were able to delay for some time, allowing Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou's 25,000 cavalry to escape further. It was clear that this would be a suicidal mission, but Sima Cuo had no choice but to sacrifice himself to protect his lord. This was the so-called "abandoning the pawn to save the general" strategy of Sima Cuo. At Guquan County's Gupaiping, Sima Cuo's "abandoning the pawn to save the general" strategy resulted in 70,000 Qin and Shu allied infantry becoming ghosts under the knives and souls under the guns of the Chu military cavalry, but allowed Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou to escape to Chenggu County. Today, they had to sacrifice the lives of another 5,000 cavalry and 500 infantry to allow Qin Huiwen King and Shu Hou to run more than 20 miles ahead. Alas! The Qin and Shu allied military...
It's like an army collapsing, and the road is exhausted at dusk.
Only to see Zhao Yue rushing over with his horse and spear, 10,000 Chu army cavalry also followed suit, Sima Cu knew that no one in the Qin and Shu armies could withstand Zhao Yue, so he had to ride his horse and raise his sword again. Unfortunately, the Chu army was too strong, Sima Cu's 1,000 cavalry were all scattered, and they didn't dare to fight anymore, so they turned their horses around and retreated back to the city of Gongyi to defend against the enemy. However, only 200 infantry and 300 cavalry managed to rush back to the city, while the remaining 700 cavalry and 300 infantry were all killed. Zhao Yue did not order the attack on the city but instead 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 your life." Sima Cu painfully said: "I am willing to die for the country, if I can delay Zhao Yue's cavalry for more than 10 minutes, the king can run further away." The general said: "Your words are wrong! If you go out again, Zhao Yue only needs to send out 1,000 Chu army cavalry to kill you, and he will still pursue the king. If you die, who will protect the king? If the king has any accidents, you will be guilty even if you die." Sima Cu listened and said: "If it weren't for your reminder, I almost made a mistake." He then took 300 Qin army cavalry and hastily escaped from the back door, rushing to catch up with King Huiwen of Qin's escape route.
The allied army of Qin and Shu with 4,000 cavalrymen on both sides of the city fought to the death against the 40,000 Chu cavalrymen, all were killed in just fifteen minutes.
For the cavalry, these fifteen minutes were too important. Because of these fifteen minutes, Qin Huiwen Wang and Shu Guo Hou could run more than twenty miles away, and the Chu army's cavalry would have to run for a long time to catch up. The two hundred Shu soldiers who stayed in the city were also eliminated by the Chu army after they arrived.
Qin Huiwen Wang and Shu Guo Hou, under the protection of 25,000 cavalrymen, ran all the way to Bao Han (Hanzhong City), where there were 3,000 Shu soldiers guarding. Just as Qin Huiwen Wang and Shu Guo Hou were about to enter the city to rest, they heard a general shouting behind them: "Your Majesty cannot enter the city!"
Qin Huiwen Wang and Shu Guo Hou turned around and saw Sima Cuo, covered in blood, leading 300 Qin soldiers on horseback. Qin Huiwen Wang asked: "Why can't we enter the city?" Sima Cuo said: "Bao Han (Hanzhong City) is located on a plain, with its back to the Han River, and there are no natural barriers to rely on. Zhao Xie's 50,000 Chu light cavalrymen have already arrived twenty miles away. If Your Majesty enters the city, Zhao Xie's army will surround it as soon as they arrive, and when Chu Huai Wang's army arrives, even with wings, we won't be able to fly away."
Qin Huiwen Wang said: "Then what do you think is the best course of action?" Sima Cuo said: "For now, the only option is to abandon Bao Han (Hanzhong City) and retreat. Your Majesty can lead the army to quickly flee to Lueyang County. If the Chu army pursues us, we will abandon Lueyang and retreat to defend Longnan. Once we reach Longnan, we will be safe. Shu Guo Hou should lead his troops to cross the Han River and guard Nan Zheng City (present-day Nan Zheng County)."
Qin Huiwen Wang said: "Good!" Sima Cuo led 15,300 Qin soldiers on horseback to protect Qin Huiwen Wang as they fled to Lueyang County. Shu Guo Hou led 10,000 Shu soldiers on horseback and the 3,000 Shu soldiers guarding Bao Han (Hanzhong City) to cross the Han River and defend Nan Zheng.
When Zhao Xie's Chu cavalry arrived at Bao Han (Hanzhong City), Qin Huiwen Wang...
After passing through Mian County, they rushed to Lüyang (County), and the Marquis of Shu had also crossed the Han River and rushed to Xinzheng (County). Zhao Yu led the main force to advance and station in Bao Han (Hanzhong City), waiting for the arrival of King Huai of Chu before making a decision.
The next morning, King Huai of Chu led 30,000 cavalry and 50,000 infantry to rush to Bao Han. The day after tomorrow, the third batch of 50,000 Chu army also rushed to Bao Han to gather grain. After King Huai of Chu arrived in Bao Han, 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 strike before they can stabilize their footing." Zhao Yu said: "Your Majesty! I had this intention, and I was waiting for you to decide." Therefore, King Huai of Chu 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 personally led 30,000 cavalry and 20,000 infantry to attack Lüyang (County). The rest of the Chu army was left to guard Bao Han (Hanzhong City) and prepare for a response at any time.
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