The defeated Chu army under Xiang Liang, as well as the anti-Qin coalition army led by Yingbu, Lu Chen and Wei Bao, are undoubtedly much easier than the young marshal army, and there are no more than two reasons, the first is that the Chu army and the anti-Qin coalition army were defeated and fled far away, and they broke away from contact with the main force of the Qin army early, forcing the young marshal army to take on the task of the palace, and there was no need to worry about being caught up and entangled by the Qin army.

The second is that Xiang Kang still has a little conscience, after getting in touch with Xiang Liang who was fleeing in defeat, he immediately sent an army to escort the grain cart forward, and sent some rice balls to the Chu army and the anti-Qin coalition army that had lost all the food utensils, so that Xiang Liang and other troops had some rations on the way to retreat, so that they would not completely collapse because they were too hungry, so Xiang Liang and Lu Chen and others were able to flee back to Suiyang with most of the remnants of the defeated army to get food, and did not suffer greater losses.

Having said that, when they fled back to Suiyang City, the Chu army and the anti-Qin coalition army in bright armor when they set off to pursue still completely turned into a group of people called Huazi, all of them were unkempt and sweaty, and many of them were still in incomplete armor, and they didn't even know where to leave their weapons and banners when they fled, so embarrassed that the Suiyang defenders almost didn't dare to recognize each other.

What's worse is that because they fled too fast, the Chu army and the anti-Qin rebel army also lost contact with the young marshal army in charge of the palace, I don't know how the young marshal's army retreated eastward, whether it was caught up by the Qin army, and whether it was defeated by the Qin army's pursuers? Will the main force of the Qin army come to attack Suiyang again after the defeat turned into victory? Therefore, even if they had a full meal under Suiyang City and reorganized the army a little, there were still many civil and military forces of the Chu army who hurriedly made a statement to Xiang Liang, suggesting that Xiang Liang quickly take the army and continue to retreat eastward, so as not to be caught up by the main force of the Qin army and give up his life in vain.

Fortunately, Xiang Kang still has a little conscience, Xiang Liang is also a good uncle who loves his nephew very much, and immediately shook his head after listening to everyone's words, and said: "Don't be in a hurry, the situation is unclear now, Kang'er's army is behind us and sacrificed his life for us, if we leave Kang'er's army and continue to retreat east, if Kang'er's army is caught up by the main force of the Tyrant Qin, or even directly surrounded by the Tyrant Qin army, without our army to respond, his army will be finished." ”

"Brother, you can't be a woman anymore at this time." Xiang Bo, who shouted the loudest shouting to retreat eastward, was so anxious that he stomped his feet and said: "We have lost too many weapons and baggage, there are not so many weapons in Suiyang City that can allow us to rearm the army, and there are not so many arrows that can allow us to continue fighting. ”

"General, the last general also thinks that we should quickly retreat eastward, and we can't take care of Young Marshal Xiang's army anymore." Ji Bu's maternal uncle Ding Gu, who was also desperately shouting and fleeing quickly, also said: "At this time, the main force of the Tyrannical Qin will definitely advance eastward at full speed, and it is impossible for Young Marshal Xiang and them to get rid of the pursuit of the Tyrannical Qin army, and they must have been killed and scattered by the Tyrannical Qin army before they reached Suiyang, it is not difficult for us to waste time for their defeated army, and catch the Great Chu army that you have worked so hard to build." ”

Everyone echoed one after another, and the friendly generals, including Yingbu, Lü Chen, and Wei Bao, all believed that it was impossible for the young marshal's army to get rid of the Qin army's pursuit, and withdrew to Suiyang to continue the battle, and all advocated seizing the time to flee immediately and widen the distance from the Qin army's pursuers as quickly as possible. Only Xiang Yu, who attaches great importance to family affection, as well as Xiang Han, who was absorbed by the Chu army in Fuli, and the upright old man Fan, stood up to express their opposition, but Xiang Yu, Xiang Han and others still advocated that Xiang Liang should retreat east with the main force as soon as possible, so that he could lead the first army to stay and prepare to meet the young marshal's army, and it was also convenient to take on the task of the palace for the main force after the young marshal's army was completely dispersed.

At the critical moment of deciding his future prestige and face, Xiang Liang made a choice of affection and righteousness, and after repeated calculations, Xiang Liang gritted his teeth and said: "Can't withdraw!" If it weren't for Kang'er's sacrifice of his life, we would have been killed by the pursuers of the Tyrannical Qin army. Kang'er is loyal and filial, I, as an uncle, can't bear him! If you don't withdraw, you will organize the army here and wait for the rear team to pick up Kang'er! ”

"Brother——! Xiang Bo wailed, his voice was sad, and his tone was full of despair.

"General!" Ding Gu also screamed, and his eyes were a little red in a hurry.

"Shut up!" Xiang Liang shouted angrily and roared: "If you are afraid of death, you can go first!" I want to go there, go there! But if I don't leave, I must wait for Kang'er's army to come back! ”

Since he was a child, he was afraid of his majestic brother, so Xiang Bo could only obediently close his mouth, retreat to the side and hang his head together with Ding Gu, who was also reprimanded, and hated Xiang Kang, who had dragged himself back, to the extreme. Xiang Liang ordered the Chu army to enter the strong camp left by the young marshal's army before it, arrange the soldiers, horses and weapons to prepare for another battle, and at the same time sent people to the west to investigate the situation of the young marshal's army, and let the anti-Qin coalition army garrison outside the city, so that it could join forces with the Chu army at any time to send troops to meet the young marshal army who was pursued and killed by the Qin army.

Of course, Xiang Liang is also a more cautious person, in addition to being determined to prepare to receive his beloved nephew's army, he secretly ordered the defenders of Suiyang to transfer the grain and grass in the city out of the city, and at the same time rushed to make a large amount of dry food, so as to facilitate the immediate evacuation of Suiyang when the situation is wrong.

Just after noon the next day, the scout Kuaima sent by Xiang Liang to the west to investigate finally saw the main force of the young marshal's army retreating westward in disarray, and reported the news to Xiang Liang as soon as possible. Xiang Liang was overjoyed when he heard the report, and hurriedly asked, "How is the current situation of Kang'er's army?" Did you see the tyrannical Qin army chasing them? ”

"Back to the Pillar Kingdom, the little one didn't see the pursuers of the Tyrannical Qin army." The scout who came to report the news replied truthfully: "However, the situation of Young Marshal Xiang's army should be very bad, except for the chariots, there is no baggage cart carrying grain and grass and military supplies, and in addition, Young Marshal Xiang's army is still in a panic and retreats very quickly, it is likely that the situation is not good." ”

"Oops!" Xiang Bo shouted like a pig: "There must be a Tyrant Qin chasing army behind him, maybe the main force of Tyrant Qin has also been killed!" ”

"General, you can't hesitate any longer!" Ding Gu also shouted again: "We must prepare to withdraw our troops immediately, otherwise, once the Tyrannical Qin army follows Young Marshal Xiang's army to kill, our situation will not be good." ”

After hesitating for a moment, Xiang Liang made up his mind and ordered: "Order the whole army to immediately pull out the camp and load the vehicles, and prepare to retreat." Yu'er, you led the cavalry to attack, went to break the queen for Kang'er, and found that the violent Qin army was pursuing Kang'er, resolutely blocked it, and bought Kang'er time to retreat. ”

Xiang Yu agreed loudly, and immediately rushed out to organize the cavalry to attack, Xiang Bo and Ding Gu and others couldn't wait, and rushed out of the big tent even more quickly to convey the order to prepare for Xiang Liang to retreat. Even the camp of the anti-Qin coalition army not far away was also in chaos, and the chickens and dogs jumped in the hurry to prepare for retreat, panicking as if the end was coming.

After another period of time, Xiang Kang finally rushed back to Suiyang City with the main force of the young marshal army, and then before Xiang Liang, who had personally left the camp, saw the current establishment of the young marshal army, Xiang Kang, who was covered with dust and sweat, had already stumbled in front of Xiang Liang, and while saluting in a panic, he asked impatiently: "Uncle, do you have anything to eat?" The soldiers of the little nephew are all dying of hunger. ”

Knowing that the situation of the young marshal's army was not good, Xiang Liang had of course prepared a large amount of dry food and drinking water, and when he heard Xiang Kang's plea, he immediately sent someone to send water and food, and personally handed a rice ball and a scoop of water to Xiang Kang. Xiang Liang felt distressed, and hurriedly said: "Eat slowly, drink slowly, don't be in a hurry, it's not good for your body." ”

"Kang'er, where is the Tyrant Qin army?" Uncle Xiang next to him was even more impatient, and hurriedly asked, "How far is it from Suiyang?" ”

"Tyrannical Qin army?" Xiang Kang was asked by Uncle Xiang, and then said: "Third uncle, don't worry, the chasing front team of the Tyrannical Qin army has been defeated by me the night before yesterday, although I don't know the situation of the main force of Tyrant Qin, but my scouts have not found them, they should be far away from here." ”

"The front line of the Tyrannical Qin army? Defeated by you? Xiang Bo opened his mouth wide and asked in disbelief: "You retreated in such a hurry, can you still defeat the pursuers of the Tyrant Qin army on the road?" ”

"Luckily, I took the risk of arranging an ambush on the road, and luckily defeated the pursuers of the Tyrannical Qin army." Xiang Kang replied smoothly and said: "But in order to fool the tyrannical Qin pursuers, I was forced to throw away all the grain, grass and military supplies, and I ran out of food yesterday, and the soldiers were very tired, so I fled very embarrassed." ”

Xiang Liang and Xiang Bo and the others opened their mouths together, and then, still seeing that the main force of the young marshal army that arrived one after another was still intact, and not even a single flag was lost, Xiang Liang hugged Xiang Kang fiercely, and laughed: "Good boy! Good boy! Disappointing! It's really angry! The situation is so critical, and it is still possible to win the battle and bring the army back intact! Uncle is not as good as you, uncle is not as good as you! ”

Xiang Kang smiled bitterly and modestly, and then after Xiang Liang was finally happy enough to let go of himself, Xiang Kang knelt down on one knee to Xiang Liang again, hugged his fists and arched his hands, and said in a tired but very clear voice: "The marshal is above, and the last general Xiang Kang was ordered to fight with the enemy in two battles, one draw and one victory, luckily defeated the tyrannical Qin pursuers, and successfully withdrew to Suiyang. ”

What answered Xiang Kang was Xiang Liang's excited hug again, hugging his beloved nephew and shaking excitedly, Xiang Liang also scolded Xiang Bo, Ding Gu and others: "Fortunately, I didn't listen to your nonsense!" Otherwise, the old man would never have the face to see Kang'er and his soldiers today! In the future, I will pay attention to what I say, and then dare to speculate and confuse the hearts of the army, and don't blame me for the ruthlessness of military law! ”

Xiang Bo and Ding Gu and other fugitive factions were full of shame and shut up, and although Xiang Kang also knew very well that Xiang Liang was offending people for himself by saying these words, but he was helpless, and the main force of the young marshal army was too tired, so Xiang Kang also begged Xiang Liang to allow him to lead the army into the city to station, and sleep in the safest Suiyang City.

Because it was repeatedly confirmed that the Qin army did not pursue, the Chu army and the anti-Qin coalition army of course also gave up their plan to evacuate Suiyang immediately, re-established the camp tent to continue the garrison, and at the same time, the news that the young marshal army defeated the Qin army on the way to retreat quickly spread among the Chu army and the anti-Qin coalition army. As a result, it was natural that the generals and soldiers of the Chu army and the anti-Qin coalition army were of course amazed and amazed at Xiang Kang and the young marshal army, while the generals who had previously thought that the young marshal army would inevitably be wiped out were all gloomy, becoming a laughing stock for everyone, and also attracted a lot of resentment to Xiang Kang, who was already a young man.

After a day's rest, the exhausted main force of the young marshal's army quickly recovered some vitality and returned to the city to set up camp, and at the same time, the Chu army, who ventured to the far west to inquire about the situation, also sent accurate news, saying that the main force of the Qin army had given up the pursuit and retreated to the direction of Chenliu across Suishui. Xiang Liang heard the great joy of the report, and hurriedly convened everyone to discuss the withdrawal of troops, but when the army was too tired and the military supply was seriously insufficient, Xiang Kang also raised his hands in favor of the withdrawal of troops, and withdrew to Pengcheng to rest and reorganize, everyone was also full of this opinion, Xiang Liang did not hesitate, and immediately decided to withdraw the army to the east the next day, and at the same time sent messengers to invite all the anti-Qin rebels around Huaisi to Pengcheng to join the alliance, and prepare to discuss the anti-Qin plan with all the heroes.

After the meeting, of course, there was a big banquet, wishing the success of the draw with Zhang Han, during the period, the eye-catching Xiang Kang and the young marshal generals naturally became the focus of the banquet, Xiang Liang personally toasted to Xiang Kang and the young marshal generals, not to mention, Yingbu, Ji Bu and Lu Chen, who were not very convinced by Xiang Kang before, were also abnormal, and ran to Xiang Kang to toast and thank him, and expressed his admiration for Xiang Kang. Even the arrogant Old Man Fan brought a glass of wine to Xiang Kang for the first time, and sincerely invited Xiang Kang to drink it.

Seeing this scene, Xiang Bo, who didn't like Xiang Kang very much since he was a child, of course had an extremely ugly face, and he didn't drink a few cups before he went out for a walk under the pretext of being unwell, and would rather miss an opportunity to eat and drink than look at Xiang Kang's villain's ugly face. As a result, to Xiang Bo's surprise, he didn't wander around for long after the account, and his friend Zhang Liang, who had stayed in Suiyang, actually walked out of the Chinese army's big tent, and Xiang Bo, who was bored, hurriedly beckoned Zhang Liang to the front, and asked with a low sneer: "What?" You can't get used to the appearance of that little vertical villain? ”

"What do you mean by that, uncle?" Zhang Liang was a little surprised by Uncle Xiang's brainless words, and after quickly waking up, Zhang Liang hurriedly smiled and said: "Uncle misunderstood, it's not that I can't get used to anyone, but you also know that my health is not good, and I don't dare to drink too much, so I use the excuse of urinating to escape and hide from drinking." ”

Of course Uncle Zhang Liang's health is not very good, but Uncle Xiang still said hatefully: "It's okay if you don't drink, talk to me, I really don't want to see that little shaft." ”

"Uncle, why are you doing this?" Zhang Liang smiled bitterly and persuaded: "After all, he is your nephew, although he is indeed a little disrespectful to you, but as an elder, you don't need to worry about him." Besides, if it weren't for him sacrificing his life this time, we would be really in danger this time, and it is only natural that everyone will be grateful to him. ”

"Don't mention him, I'll be angry when I mention him." Xiang Bo waved his hand angrily, and said hatefully: "It's just shit luck!" If it was replaced by me, it would definitely not be worse than him! ”

Zhang Liang smiled, unwilling to continue on this topic with Xiang Bo, but Xiang Bo was reluctant, and said: "Zifang, this time to withdraw to Pengcheng to reorganize the army, do you think my brother will hand over the military power to me, let me take charge of the army alone, and lead the army alone?" ”

After hesitating for a moment, Zhang Liang told the truth and said, "Uncle, don't blame me for pouring cold water on you, I'm afraid it's difficult." First of all, you have no military merits, and secondly, you have never commanded the army, Xiang Zhuguo should not do this, otherwise not only will the generals not be convinced, but Xiang Zhuguo will definitely not dare to rest assured. If my expectations are correct, even if Xiang Zhuguo asks you to command the army, he will only leave you under the tent and listen to you, and will never risk letting you be left alone. ”

Knowing the selfless temper of his brother, Xiang Bo's face inevitably became more gloomy, and after thinking about it for a while, Xiang Bo simply asked again: "What about that little vertical man?" What will my brother arrange? ”

"Uncle, if you don't like to hear it, he will definitely be reused by your brother." Zhang Liang said very carefully: "Because the foundation of Huaisi was originally laid by him for your brother, and he has worked hard, and at the same time, he has won the hearts of the army and has a great influence in the Huaisi army, so whether it is reasonable or reasonable, your brother will definitely reuse him, and he will definitely let him continue to be independent." Otherwise, not only will everyone not be convinced, but your brother's reputation and prestige will also be greatly affected. ”

"There's no way to take this opportunity to suppress this little shaft?" Xiang Bo said angrily: "If he is allowed to be so arrogant again, not only will he not take the old man in his eyes, but he is afraid that he will be disrespectful to my brother sooner or later." ”

"If only ......."

Zhang Liang replied casually, but after the words were finished, he forcibly swallowed them back into his stomach at the beginning, not daring to give Xiang Bo any bad ideas. It's a pity that Xiang Bo also has some understanding of Zhang Liang's personality, and hurriedly said: "Zifang, why do you only say half a word?" Do you have a solution? Why not? ”

"Uncle, I have to advise you, the anti-Qin cause is the most important." Zhang Liang said helplessly: "At this time when unity and concerted efforts are most needed, we had better not make extraneous branches, and do something that is happy for relatives and enemies." ”

"It's just for the sake of opposing Qin's great cause, that's why I have to try to suppress that little vertical." Xiang Bo said angrily: "Just like what you said in the ovary, the foundation of Huaisi was laid down by him by stealing chickens and dogs, and his total strength is still above my brother, if my brother continues to be reused for him, he will inevitably be one army and two masters after a long time, one day and two days, sooner or later, there will be disasters." Only by taking this opportunity to suppress and weaken him quickly can my brother truly master the army and not leave a disaster! ”

Zhang Liang was still silent, and Xiang Bo observed his words, so he hummed again: "Ofan, I'm begging you." Don't forget, you want to ask my brother to find the king of Han and make him king to revive Korea, but my brother has not yet made up his mind. ”

Knowing Uncle Xiang's bearish temper, in order to prevent this despicable villain from deliberately making trouble in his major matter of reviving Korea, Zhang Liang hesitated again, but still said: "If Uncle just wants to suppress and weaken him, it is very simple, as long as Brother Uncle, you can persuade your brother to reuse Feng Zhong, and let Feng Zhong also take charge like your nephew, and directly obey your brother's orders, you will be equivalent to cutting off one of his arms." ”

"Feng Zhong? Is that country man so important? Xiang Bo asked in surprise.

"For your nephew, uncle, Feng Zhong is only more important than we imagined." Zhang Liang said in a low voice: "Uncle may still not know, the reason why your nephew was able to predict the night attack time of the Tyrannical Qin army in advance was actually not his credit, but Feng Zhong's clever strategy. ”

"Is there such a thing? Really? Xiang Bo was shocked again.

"Absolutely." Zhang Liang nodded, and said in a low voice: "Although your nephew claimed in front of your brother that the amount of cooking smoke from the Tyrant Qin army was arranged by him, but at that time, I happened to be his supervisor, and I found out the accurate news in his army, this matter is actually Feng Zhong's masterpiece, as early as when the Tyrant Qin army deliberately showed weakness, Feng Zhong had already asked his subordinates to steal the amount of cooking smoke of the Tyrant Qin army every day, and only then did he find the clues that the Tyrant Qin army was preparing to sneak attack." ”

Xiang Bo opened his mouth wide, and Zhang Liang said in a low voice: "Also, this time in Xiangyi, in fact, it was Feng Zhong who first discovered that the situation was not good, and immediately decided to let his army immediately get up and prepare for battle, so that your nephew could block the sneak attack of the tyrannical Qin army, so that your nephew's army could be alone in the defeat that night, and became the only undefeated army." ”

"Or is it him? How do you know? Xiang Bo asked in even more surprise.

"Your eldest son told me." Zhang Liang replied: "This morning, when your nephew's army went out of the city to set up camp, I met with your eldest son, Xiang You, and he told me that Feng Zhong first asked him to wake up the army to prepare for war that night, and then went to your nephew to war. So in the battle that night, it was actually Feng Zhong, the rural village man you have always looked down on, not your nephew, who really established the miracle of the world. ”

"Besides, brother, have you found out?" Zhang Liang reminded again: "Since Feng Zhong got the opportunity to take charge of himself, has he suffered a defeat?" Whether it's a military strategy, has he missed that once? Even with the inferior equipment of the Southern Front, he still defeated the elite of the Violent Qin in Fuli, and your nephew may not be able to fight such a battle! It's just that he is low-key, not ambitious, and has the same brotherhood as your nephew, and is willingly driven by your nephew, so he is overshadowed by your nephew's brilliance! Otherwise, his achievements will definitely not be below your nephew. ”

still had to be reminded by Zhang Liang, and Xiang Bo was also surprised to find that Feng Zhong, a rural puppet he had always looked down upon, had indeed won all battles after being alone, and had never been defeated, and many hard battles were not only better than Xiang Kang, but also more beautiful! And after waking up to this, Xiang Bo quickly slapped his thigh and said with great joy: "That's right! It's a great idea! Persuading my brother to reuse Feng Zhong, let Feng Zhong's puppet and the little vertical man sit on an equal footing, and directly accept my brother's command, which is equivalent to cutting off one of the little vertical man's arms, weakening his strength, and in addition, it can also make him have nothing to say, and even have a grudge against Feng Zhong! It's a great plan, and I must do it! ”

After finally knowing the way to weaken and suppress the unfilial nephew, Xiang Bo was ecstatic, but Zhang Liang, who had this bad idea, hung his head helplessly slightly, and said secretly in his heart: "Young Marshal Xiang, don't blame me, it was your uncle who forced me." Also, for the sake of the anti-Qin cause, Xiang Zhuguo also has to weaken you appropriately, otherwise, if you continue to sit like this, Chu State, the main force of the world's anti-Qin, I am afraid it is really possible to split. ”

"It's not enough!" Xiang Bo rubbed his hands in his heart again, and said secretly: "In addition to cutting off Xiao Zhuzi's arm, I also have to find a way to pull Feng Zhong, a country horseman, over as much as possible, and let him be used by me!" By the way, I heard that this husband has several children, and it just so happens that the old man's two sons are not married, so it is better to marry him directly, so it is much easier to win him over and buy him. ”

"Ahh

At the same time, in the Chinese military tent, Feng Zhong, who was drinking, suddenly sneezed, and couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart, and said in his heart: "What's the matter? The hotter you usually drink, the colder you drink today? Don't be too hard these days and get a wind, right? ”