A hundred miles west of Pingling Pass, there is a nameless hill. It's a gentle hillside, but it's the highest point in the area. Except for some low bushes, there is knee-deep grass on it, which looks very desolate.

Now, though, it's bustling with activity. After tens of thousands of remnants of the Qin and Wei armies were defeated all the way here, when the way back was cut off by the Zhao army, they all had no choice but to retreat to this hillside and temporarily defend the danger. Although they all know that this is only a temporary solution, in the current situation, what else can they do?

All the soldiers were disgraced and embarrassed from top to bottom. Since the defeat of Pingling Pass, it has been out of control. Zhao's cavalry was in hot pursuit, and even if they ran desperately, it was still difficult to get rid of the enemy's pursuit. It is impossible to calculate how many bodies were left behind along this route. Anyway, after escaping to this hillside to catch their breath a little, the generals led by them roughly estimated that the armies of Qin and Wei were only forty or fifty thousand people left. As for the rest of the nearly half of the centaurs, they don't have to think about it, and they know that they are already more than lucky.

Originally, they didn't want to stop. The runaway who was panicked like a lost dog was eager to escape from the territory of Zhao in one breath. However, the world is unpredictable, how could they imagine that the 30,000 defenders of Wutong Pass in Zhao State had long been waiting for work in front, blocking all the roads they retreated.

Looking at the military formation that was waiting for a tight formation, the Qin Wei army, which had already been exhausted from running, now had no ability to rush over again. Fortunately, this gentle slope not far away provided them with a temporary place to defend. So, they all retreated here, and then tried to get out.

And those Zhao Jun didn't seem to be in a hurry to start killing them. They surrounded the hillside, dug trenches and set up antlers, apparently intending to trap them there.

Before I knew it, the wind and sand stopped, the twilight was four, and the sky was getting dark. The entire hillside was darkly lit, except for the incessant cursing and whispering cries of pain from the wounded. The lieutenant general of the leading army, lying on a rock with his sword on his pillow, felt a deep despair as he watched the continuous rise of the enemy campfire at the bottom of the mountain.

"I don't know how the general and the prince are doing now? Alas! Can we still escape? ”

Someone whispered something like this in the dark, and the lieutenant sighed. He regretted very much that he did not stay with the general of the Chinese army, and now that such a heavy burden was on his shoulders, he felt that he was not capable of picking it up at all.

"Don't think about it anymore. The Zhao army will not attack in the dark, take this opportunity to find a way to find something to eat, and filling your stomach is the most important thing. Otherwise, tomorrow there will be a battle, where will there be strength to lift the sword! ”

The adjutant general thumped his head with his hand, barely bothered himself, and ordered the people around him to look around to see if there was anything to eat on the hillside. Dozens of Qin troops went to look for a long time, not to mention wild fruits and the like, even some mountain birds and small beasts had already been scared away by the chaotic army. They returned empty-handed, and reported the sad news to the lieutenant general and several lieutenants in frustration. Everyone had no choice but to curse a few words, sit on the ground with the armor of their whole bodies, and prepare to wait for the arrival of tomorrow's unknown fate.

What a hard taste it is to be hungry! Since yesterday, most people haven't eaten a bit. The fierce battles and the constant flight will make even those who are beaten with steel and iron can't stand it! What's more, they must always be vigilant, in case the Zhao army under the hillside will attack them at any time. Under the influence of the despair that began to spread, no one thought they had a chance to escape.

In stark contrast to the lifelessness on their side, the Zhao army camp was very lively. The 30,000 defenders who came from Wutong Pass, after waiting for so many days, finally waited for their prey. Naturally, there is no need to say much about the excitement of the whole army. Now their task is to besiege all the enemy forces here, waiting for the order to attack.

Not long after, with the neighing of war horses in the distance, the hearts of the Qin and Wei soldiers sank to the bottom. There is no doubt that this is the rush of those Zhao cavalry who killed them. The enemies at the bottom of the hill have finally converged, and although it is not certain when they will attack, no one will close their eyes and rest even if they think about the doom they are about to face. Everyone clutched their weapons tightly as if that were their last straw. It was in such a frightened mood that these unfortunate Qin Wei soldiers spent the longest night of their lives.

However, the worst they expected did not happen. The people of Zhao just organized many sergeants with loud voices to shout at the bottom of the hill in turn, telling them to lay down their arms and take the initiative to go down the mountain and surrender. But there was no attack. And some people are even shouting loudly, saying that their General Wang Jian and Gongzi Nie Yunfeng have been captured alive, and there is no point in resisting any longer...... Yunyun.

"This is a trick by the people of Zhao to shake the hearts of our army! Ignore everyone. Everyone was in good spirits and waited for the dawn to find an opportunity to rush down the mountain...... As long as we are willing to fight hard, the enemy will not be able to stop us! ”

Several generals and colonels who led the troops kept repeating the words of reassurance over and over again. In fact, in their hearts, even they do not believe what is said. The more than 80,000 elite troops, under the personal leadership of General Wang Jian, could not withstand a blow from the Zhao army. What can these remnants of their defeated army do when they have completely lost the will to fight? It's all up to fate!

In the tent temporarily erected at the foot of the mountain, Wang Jian, who was a prisoner, naturally heard the shouts of those Zhao soldiers. The general, who had been stripped of his armor, was hunched up, and his depressed appearance at this time looked very much like a farmer who had been working in the fields all year round.

"They will not surrender. What's the point of you sending these people over there to shout? ”

Through the afterglow of the blazing bonfire, Wang Jian wanted to see clearly what he was thinking from Chu Jiangmian's face. It's just that he has been observing for a long time, but he has found nothing. This young man is so unusual. If it were someone else, in the case of such a great military victory, he would definitely take advantage of the high morale to fight to the end. Killing all the enemies is the best result.

However, the young man had only ordered his army to intercept and besiege, and tonight was the best opportunity to attack, and he never looked like he was going to give an order for battle. Hearing that the famous general of the Qin State finally spoke, Chu Jiangmian smiled faintly, and casually threw a piece of meat cut with a short knife into the boiling water. Everyone could see the glint in his eyes.

"How can you be sure it doesn't work? I'm sure they'll surrender after dawn...... And not a few, it's all! ”

"Absolutely not! I don't dare to say about the Wei army, but the soldiers of Great Qin will never surrender ......! ”

"I said yes! Or make a bet? ”

Chu Jiangmian's expression was meaningful, and he calmly looked at the general of the Qin State who was sitting cross-legged not far away. He saw anger and unwillingness on the face of this "tiger" whose claws had been pulled out. Many of the soldiers of the Zhao State who were on strict guard around watched silently, they were a little strange, why did His Royal Highness the Prince say such nonsense to this subordinate prisoner.

Nie Yunfeng, who was sitting side by side with Wang Jian, was also a little stunned. Ever since they were brought here, they had been watching Chu Jiangmian's deployment. After arranging the encirclement of the Qin and Wei armies on the hillside, he began to order the soldiers to bury the pot and cook rice, looking like a reward for the three armies. Then they even let people untie Wang Jian's body, and now the two of them are sitting here, watching Chu Jiangmian start to cook meat after adding various condiments to a large cauldron.

"What bet?"

Nie Yunfeng heard Wang Jian say these words in a dull voice, and at the same time heard the gurgling sound in his stomach. The prince of Qin couldn't help but smile bitterly, and soon the smell of meat lingered around him, not only Wang Jian couldn't stand the hunger in his belly, but he himself couldn't do it. If Chu Jiangmian was doing this on purpose, it would be simply ...... It's so damning!

"Oh, it's easy. If the Qin army wants to resist stubbornly tomorrow and wants to fight with us to the end, I will let you go immediately. Whether you go to lead them to continue the battle or go back to the Qin State alone, you will all listen to it. I promise that no one will stand in your way. What do you think? ”

Wang Jian's expression was shocked, he tried to hold back the hunger in his stomach, swallowed his saliva vigorously and said loudly: "Is this true?"

"The big husband has a word, and the horse is hard to chase! I, Chu Jiangmian, have never been a word when I speak. ”

"Good! So what conditions do you have? ”

"Another condition...... If your subordinates choose to surrender without a fight and all lay down their weapons and walk down on their own, I hope General Wang Jian can do three things for me. ”

What does that mean? Don't...... Can you spare them from dying? ”

Wang Jian's eyes widened, and he didn't even realize it, in fact, deep down in his heart, he had already admitted his defeat.

"I'm not a murderer, and I certainly don't want more people to die. As long as they lay down their weapons, they will return to their home country intact in the near future. ”

"And what do you want me to do? If you want me to surrender, don't even think about it! ”

"General Wang Jian, I will not force you to surrender. You'll go back with your men. And what I let you do in the future has nothing to do with the relationship between Qin and Zhao...... What about this condition? ”

"Good! Deal. ”

Wang Jian and Chu Jiangmian struck lightly with the palms of both hands, and made an oath.