Chapter 24: Three Feet of Green Edge Fighting for Fame (4)

  Tang Lie had once privately commented on the people of Chu with Liu Quan.

  "The people of Chu are different from those in the Central Plains when it comes to war. Influenced by their customs, the people of Chu have a barbaric nature when fighting. When they start fighting, it's like a volcanic eruption, extremely fierce. However, tactically, they lack planning. When things go smoothly, they can be overwhelming, but once they fall into trouble, morale drops easily and people's hearts scatter. Therefore, when fighting the people of Chu, one must not let them gain momentum, and must seize their morale."

  It's easy to say but hard to do.

  Liu Quan's sudden attack was beyond the expectations of the Jingnan army. What is meant by "seizing the initiative" is probably this kind of situation. You are ferocious, I am more ferocious; you don't care about your life, I care even less about mine. When two armies meet, the bravest wins - this principle has been unshakeable since ancient times.

  After a melee, the Jingman army retreated.

  Many bandits began to flee, Wang Ling beheaded nine people and killed a bandit leader on the spot, finally stabilizing the situation.

  One against four, Wang Ling has an absolute advantage. However, in reality, the morale of the Qin army is greatly boosted, making it very difficult to win.

  Wang Ling couldn't help but wonder if he should continue fighting.

  On the other hand, the grain team retreated back to the wall after paying the price of more than 40 lives and over 100 injuries.

  Zhaoda burst into a rage and replaced Liu Kan, ordering him to guard the great banner in the central army. At the same time, he appointed Ren Hao as the head of the vanguard, taking over Liu Kan's troops. On the surface, it seemed that Liu Kan was being punished, but those with discerning eyes could see that not only had Liu Kan not been demoted, but he had actually been rewarded. The great banner is a guarantee of morale; as long as the banner does not fall, morale will not dissipate. Not just anyone can guard it.

  In this battle, Liu Kan killed seven people, including a bandit leader.

  According to the Qin system of military merit and nobility, killing one enemy soldier could result in a promotion of one rank. Liu Quan is no longer an ordinary commoner now.

  Zhao Tuo made this decision, and there was another purpose. Their task was to drag down Wang Ling and then wipe them out all at once. Judging from the current situation, the morale of the grain team is high, and it's not impossible to defeat Wang Ling. But in that case, the significance of this mission would also be lost.

  Killing one king is better than killing a hundred bandits.

  But Zhao Tuo's thoughts could not be told to others.

  Liu Jian seems displeased, and Ren Ao, who replaced Liu Jian, also doesn't look very happy.

  "Liu Dage, the left vanguard is now led by Ah Qian. How can I possibly command them? Isn't General Zhao giving me a difficult problem?"

  Liu Bang looked at Liu Jian, who was holding a large flag and standing behind Zhao Tuo, with a helpless expression. He sighed and said: "Don't think about replacing Liu Jian, just listen to orders and act accordingly. With Tu Zi not around, in this entire camp, I'm afraid no one can replace that kid's position. Let's do it this way."

  Liu Bang suddenly grabbed Xiahou Ying.

  "Ah Yin, I have an assignment for you."

  Xiahou Yuan was killed quite satisfactorily this time, beheading three people, and now his whole body is covered in blood.

  Upon hearing Liu Bang's words, Xiahou Ying excitedly nodded repeatedly, "Big brother just give the order, I will definitely do it."

  "Keep an eye on Yung Chi!"

  Xiahou Ying and Lu Wan were taken aback. They looked at Liu Bang in surprise, asking softly: "What's the point of focusing on Yong Chi again?"

  "Just now I noticed that the young man's eyes were darting about, and he may have other plans. He is a powerful Chu nobleman, and Wang Ling also comes from Chu, so it's hard to guarantee that nothing unexpected will happen. Ah Yin, keep an eye on him and his men for me, and if there's any change, report back to me immediately, understood?"

  Xiahou Yan nodded vigorously, indicating understanding.

  After Xiahouding left, Lu Wan couldn't help but ask: "Liu Bang, isn't it really that we still have to risk our lives for that old Qin man?"

  "It's not about being desperate, but rather following the trend. Lao Qin has already unified Guandong, which is the general trend. Given the current situation, anyone who tries to stop it is like a mantis trying to stop a chariot. From now on, if we want to establish ourselves in Pei County, we must have something to rely on."

  Unconsciously, Liu Bang took a glance at Liu Jian, who was holding the banner, with piercing eyes.

  I won't lose to you!

  Liu Bang thought to himself: Such a good fellow, if I, Liu Ji, don't use him, who will? When I have a position, I will definitely recruit you under my command.

  Wang Ling made several more attempts to attack the grain convoys, with little success.

  Both sides suffered losses in the back-and-forth battle, but the black dragon banner that represented the Qin army's flag still fluttered in the night wind.

  The rain has stopped.

  The battlefield echoed with the mournful cries of the wounded, several ownerless war horses wandered aimlessly in the darkness, occasionally letting out a sorrowful whinny. Zhao Tuo's face grew increasingly cold and stern. Although their side's morale was high, they had also suffered heavy losses. The number of dead wasn't many, but the number of wounded was countless, already accounting for thirty percent of the total number of men. To have fought to this point, it could be said that it had already exceeded Zhao Tuo's prior expectations.

  "General, if things go on like this, it's going to be very hard for everyone to hold on!"

  Liu Kan couldn't help but say in a low voice: "If one person is injured, the morale will drop. Since everyone still has some strength left, why not take the initiative to attack?"

  "Attack?"

  Liu Jian said: "In the opinion of a humble subject, although there are many bandits, their morale has already been defeated. At this time, if we make a concerted effort, we will definitely be able to defeat them."

  Zhao Tuo glanced at Liu Kan and suddenly revealed a bitter smile.

  Liu Jian's words, he didn't understand, but the problem is that Ren You's order was to hold off Wang Ling, not to defeat him. The arrows have been exhausted, and next only a bloody battle remains. Indeed, if they were to take the initiative to attack, the effect would certainly be good. But what about Wang Ling?

  That guy is cunning and will definitely escape!

  "Liu Kan, this is a big matter in the army. You are just a commoner, how dare you speak recklessly? Just guard the great banner well, and don't worry about anything else."

  As soon as Zhao Tuo said this, Liu Jian understood in his heart.

  It turns out that it's not just a bait, but also a dead soldier. It seems that the Qin people are preparing to wipe out Wang Ling and then kill one to warn a hundred.

  Suddenly enlightened, Liu Gan unconsciously tightened his grip on the large flagpole.

  "The bandits are coming! The thieves are here again!"

  Among the right-wing cavalry, someone suddenly shouted loudly. A team of cavalry appeared, with about 70 or 80 people. At the head of a fiery red war horse, a sturdy man sat upright, shouting loudly at the grain team: "I am Wang Ling of Chu, and you are also from Chu, why do you want to help those old Qin people? Have you forgotten how the old Qin people humiliated us Chu people back then?

  Humiliate me, King of Chu, shame on the people of Chu.

  "In the past, our Chu kingdom was vast and boundless. If it weren't for those old Qin people, would we have ended up in today's predicament? Yong Chi, if you are still a Chu person, then stand shoulder to shoulder with me and fight!"

  Liu Bang and others shivered with a cold sweat.

  Wang Ling recognized Yong Chi. This is no wonder, they all made a living along the Si River, how could Wang Ling not recognize someone like Yong Chi?

  At the same time, a fear arose in his heart: I hope Wang Ling doesn't know my true identity.

  Rise up, right-wing people.

  Dozens of pairs of eyes suddenly fixed on Zhao Tuo and others. The gaze carried a strong sense of resentment, which shocked Zhao Tuo. This guy actually played this trick. Before that, he didn't think about it, indeed underestimating the leader of the Jing Mo army.

  At the same time, the Jingman army also moved.

  However, the grain team has become somewhat disunited. The hatred between the Chu people and the old Qin people has become so thick that it cannot be dissolved. Wang Ling's provocation made the Chu people under Yong Chi's command have different ideas. Moreover, this mood is also spreading rapidly.

  Pei County is a place where the remnants of the six states coexist.

  As for the hatred between us and the old Qin people, which of the six countries does not have it. Tang Li is a Wei person, Shen Shui is a Lu person, and Ren Ao is a Qi person.

  There are countless such cases.

  A Chu man suddenly jumped out and shouted loudly: "Wang Ling, there is no one here..."

  Liu Jian and Liu Bang reacted subconsciously. One bent his bow to shoot an arrow, the other raised his hand to throw a spear. The sharp arrow and copper spear flew out almost simultaneously. Although the Chu warrior dodged Liu Bang's sharp arrow, he couldn't block Liu Jian's copper spear. A miserable cry sounded as he was pierced through by the copper spear.

  The body fell off the carriage, and the canopy landed on the ground.

  Yong Chi subconsciously stood up straight, glaring at Liu Bang and Liu Quan: "What are you doing?"

  Liu Bang was about to speak, but Liu Quan spoke first: "Yong Chi, do you want to be implicated and have your whole family executed? Don't forget, our parents and families are still in Pei County. The most urgent task is to drive away the bandits. Whoever dares to harbor rebellious intentions, I, Liu Quan, will not forgive him first."

  One sentence calmed many people down.

  Those who achieve great things do not get bogged down in trivialities. But the question is, since ancient times, how many people have been able to accomplish great things? In the end, ordinary people are the majority, and while one person may not fear death, can they really abandon their parents and siblings with a clear conscience? After all, in this era, the concept of nation has not yet emerged, and everything is still centered around clans. Among the seven states, only the old Qin state governed by law, and it took two hundred years for things to change.

  The clan concept, combined with Liu Quan's previous display of military force and Liu Bang's prestige, temporarily calmed the crowd.

  At least on the surface, everyone seems to have made their goals clear. But whether the true thoughts in their hearts are unified is unknown to outsiders. The Jing Mo army has already charged forward, and the resistance of the grain team has weakened compared to before, especially on the right wing.

  Wang Ling concentrated his main force in the direction of the central army and the left wing.

  The right-winged Yōng Zǐ's department looks like it's making a big fuss, but in reality, it's all bark and no bite.

  Wang Ling and Yong Chi, in this brief moment, had already reached a certain unspoken understanding. Zhao Tuo knew it was so, but he couldn't help it. Seeing the circular formation being torn open, the Jing Mo bandits kept pouring in, he knew it was time to fight for his life...

  "Liu Kan, hold on to the great banner!"

  Zhaotuo wielded his iron sword and shouted loudly as he charged into the chaotic formation.

  In an instant, the cries of killing filled the air, and everyone had no choice but to face the biggest crisis since the start of the war.