More than ten miles north of Zhuyi, an open area next to a road.

Dozens of war horses were tied to trees, and nearly a thousand Chu soldiers in red armor lay on the ground around them, panting one by one, their faces still carrying the joy of the rest of their lives.

"Defeated."

Xiang Qu stroked the saber in his hand and muttered to himself.

Yes, he was defeated.

Since more than a month ago, Xiang Qutun soldiers confronted Qin general Zhao Tuo, the two sides have come and gone and clashed several times.

or pretending to be sick and luring, or scolding and fighting, or he broke the kettle and sank the boat, Zhao Tuo hung the sheep and beat the drum......

The two competed with each other, full of wits and strategies.

Although Xiang Qu basically did not take any advantage, it did not suffer much loss.

On the contrary, he also forced Zhao Tuo back, and formed a situation in which the Chu Qi soldiers in the east raided Pengcheng, and he concentrated his superior forces to pursue the Qin army.

As long as Xiang Qu can defeat Zhao Tuo's Qin army on the road and recover Pengcheng in one fell swoop, he will be able to open up a grain transportation channel connecting Lu Di and Qi State, relieving Chen Ying's battlefield from the danger of food shortage, and delaying the time for Chu to collapse.

However, Xiang Qu didn't expect Zhao Tuo to be so powerful, and the Qin army not only did not retreat to Pengcheng, but set up barriers to block it on the way.

A series of seven barracks exhausted the Chu army.

At the beginning of the official decisive battle, Zhao Tuo first rushed into battle with fire bulls, broke the vanguard of the Chu army, and blocked more than 20,000 Chu troops in the pass, followed by a bombardment of cannons, which completely smashed the morale and courage of the Chu army, causing the entire Chu army to collapse.

Immediately afterwards, the elite of the Qin army, which had been prepared for a long time, followed and pursued, chasing the dead all the way to the north, killing countless people.

More than 20,000 people under the command of Xiang Qu were defeated and out of control, and they were scattered in all directions in the rout, and were covered up and killed by the Qin army all the way, and the victims did not know how many.

Because the Qin army was in such a hurry to chase and kill, he didn't even have time to stop and gather the remnants.

As long as you stay in one place for a while, the cavalry of the Qin army will catch up, and once you are entangled by the cavalry, it will not be long before the brigade of the Qin army will arrive.

Therefore, Xiang Qu and Jingtong could only take more than a thousand short soldiers, keep retreating south, and could only eat dry food to feed themselves, galloping all the way down, and everyone was already exhausted.

"General, eat dry food."

Jing Tong walked over and comforted in a low voice: "Our army is only more than ten miles away from Zhuyi, and it will take half a day at most. There were still soldiers in charge of logistics in Zhuyi City, and there were boats for the general to cross the Suishui. As long as we have passed the water, we will be safe."

Xiang Qu didn't respond, he raised his tired face and stared at Jing Tong with red eyes.

"Zhao Tuo's military skills are so powerful."

"Since I was with him, I have been led by his nose everywhere, and several schemes not only failed to lure him to cross the river, but instead damaged his own spirit. Even if he sent strange soldiers to attack Pengcheng and lured Zhao Tuo to divide his troops to come back, in the end, he turned it into an opportunity to break our army."

"Zhao Tuo, this son, used Pengcheng as a bait and retreat as a disguise, lured our army to pursue all the way, and finally counterattacked and defeated me. This is really the art of war: "Those who are good at moving the enemy, the form, the enemy will follow him; Give it, and the enemy will take it. Move it with profit, and treat it with a pawn." 」

"He not only referred to the terrain of the art of war, but also chose the narrow area as the battlefield, and preemptively occupied it to have an advantage. In the face of the large number of our army, we built barriers, defended first and then attacked, and then looked for an opportunity for total victory after consuming our army with a strong wall. This is exactly what the art of war says is invincible, Shouya; The victor is also attacked. There is more than enough rules, but not enough offense. Those who are good at defending are hidden under the nine earths, and those who are good at attacking are moving above the nine heavens, so they can protect themselves and win all......

Xiang Qu muttered to himself, and the more he spoke, the more the decay on his face became heavier.

"Zhao Tuo's method of using military force is indeed unpredictable."

Jing Tong was touched by Xiang Qu's words, and couldn't help nodding in agreement.

The defeat of the Chu army reminded him of what he experienced last year.

A year later, the old thing repeats itself.

It is the same road to Pengcheng, the same is to pursue the Qin general named Zhao Tuo, the same Chu army occupies the advantage of troops, and it is also Jing Tong by him

to serve as a lieutenant general, and then also suffered a big defeat.

The only difference is probably that the main general is different.

"My hunch was indeed accurate, and I knew this outcome before I left Zhuyi."

Jing Tongxin secretly said that he had been mentally prepared for this defeat, and he was not as depressed and discouraged as Xiang Qu.

Xiang Qu didn't know what Jing Tongxin was thinking, he sighed: "In the past, I met Zhao Tuo in the main hall of the Qin Palace, and I shook hands with him.

"The cavalry of the Qin army is here!"

Just as Xiang Qu sighed, a sentry Chu pawn shouted in the distance, saying that nearly a hundred Qin cavalry had chased after him.

When the Chu pawns who were lying on the ground resting heard this, they immediately jumped up in fright one by one, and were about to get up and flee in the direction of Zhuyi.

It's only more than ten miles to Zhuyi, and as long as they run fast enough, it won't be long before they can be safe.

"General, please mount your horse."

Jing Tong was startled, and hurriedly asked Xiang Qu to get on the horse, and everyone ran together.

Xiang Qu sneered, and he stood up unhurriedly.

"I've escaped for more than 100 miles, haven't you escaped enough? There are still more than 1,000 Chu troops here, and they were driven away by the Qin army's hundred horsemen, how shameful is it?"

Xiang Qu's eyes were red, his personality was already impatient, and he ran all the way, feeling deeply ashamed.

Especially the closer he got to Suishui Zhuyi, the deeper the sense of shame in his heart.

In the past, he led 30,000 troops from Zhuyi to the north, determined to capture and kill Zhao Tuo to relieve the Chu crisis, but now he is returning with the remnants of the defeated army, how can he accept such an ending.

"There are thousands of people here who dare to fight, turn around with me, and kill the Qin people together!"

Xiang Qu yelled and turned over his horse. Not only did he not flee, but instead held his sword and turned in the direction from which the Qin cavalry had come.

"General Xiang!"

Jing Tong was shocked.

At the same time, among the thousands of people, dozens of passionate voices sounded.

"We are willing to follow the general!"

Most of these dozens of people are Xiang Qu's short soldiers, and they are loyal.

The rest were all hot-blooded warriors, and they immediately got up one by one, the knight turned over and got on his horse, and the foot soldier raised his spear and halberd blade, and followed closely behind Xiang Qu.

Nearly a hundred black-armored knights galloped from the north, intending to intimidate these routers into fleeing as they had done countless times before, so that they could chase after them and kill.

But this time, these Chu army soldiers did not flee, but were greeted by Chu generals.

"The son of the Xiang family is here, and the Qin people dare to be arrogant!"

Xiang Qu yelled loudly, and screamed sharply.

Its might frightened the cavalry of the Qin army at the head into horror, and they hurriedly stopped their horses and did not dare to step forward.

Xiang Qu took the opportunity to gallop into the cavalry of the Qin army, waving the blade in his hand, and was about to poke off the horse, and dozens of Chu cavalry behind him also shouted and ran.

After a battle, nearly a hundred Qin cavalry were killed by more than a dozen people, and the rest hurriedly retreated.

"Hurry!"

Seeing that the Qin people retreated, Xiang Qu did not chase after him, but laughed out loud.

The Chu soldiers who were fighting in blood around them also laughed: "The general is mighty!"

Xiang Qu turned around and smiled at Jing Tong, who was stunned on the ground, "Let's go, General Jing."

Jing Tong reacted at this time, and hurriedly said: "I have heard that the people of the Xiang clan are all the best generals in the world, and they have the courage of hundreds of enemies, Jing Tong saw it today, and the rumors are true."

Xiang Qu smiled, but his eyes were full of loneliness.

100 enemies.

On the battlefield, in the face of the skills of soldiers, what is the use of the courage of a horseman?

After repelling the cavalry of the Qin army as the vanguard, Xiang Qu did not delay and led the remaining soldiers to embark on the road to the south.

More than ten miles away, half a day's journey.

In front of this Chu army, I finally saw a city located by the Suishui River.

Zhuyi.

But the city ahead,

It is not the imaginary opening of the city gate, there are Chu generals guarding the gate to greet each other.

On the contrary, from a long distance, you can hear bursts of shouts and killings coming from inside.

"Could it be that the Qin people took a detour to capture Zhuyi?"

Jing Tong was shocked, and more than a thousand Chu troops also looked terrified.

However, when they arrived at the foot of Zhuyi City, they found that this was not the case.

There were indeed people fighting in the city, but it was not the Qin army who came to seize the city by detour, but the Chu people in Zhuyi City after hearing that the Chu army was defeated on the front line, they actually united together and attacked the Chu soldiers who were guarding the city.

Moreover, they really succeeded in their sneak attack and occupied the city.

When Xiang Qu and Jing Tong led a group of remnants to the city, the battle in the city came to an end.

"The Qin people have always been called brutal, but they still have to pay for the grain, and they will leave us with the last bite to eat. Although they are not Chu soldiers, they are better than you Chu soldiers to us!"

"You are all Chu people, but you have robbed us of our last food, leaving us to fend for ourselves in this cold winter, and even bullying women, robbing people of their property, and even taking away the kettle for us, how hateful is this behavior!"

"We would rather vote for the Qin people. I don't want to be wantonly killed and abused by you Chu soldiers!"

At the head of the city, the words full of resentment came.

"Untouchables are hateful!"

Jing Tong was furious and was about to lead his troops to capture the city.

In his opinion, the city was nothing more than a rebellion of small people, and although they were remnants, they still had armor in hand, which was enough to take down the city.

Xiang Qu sighed slightly.

"Let's go, go to cross the river near Fulisai, if you delay here, the Qin army will catch up."

Jing Tong gritted his teeth and nodded.

Xiang Qu was right, although the vanguard cavalry of the Qin army was repulsed, the main force of the Qin army pursuing behind was not far away, and it would not be long before they caught up.

He could only glance at Zhuyi City with hatred, and followed Xiang Qu to lead the troops to continue walking along Suishui.

It's sunset and dusk, and the sky is setting in the west.

They finally arrived at the opposite side of Fu Lisai, which was originally the camp where the five thousand Qin troops were stationed.

There are really a thousand Chu people waiting here, and even boats have been built to cross the river.

On the other side of the water, it is a charm.

"General, the Qin army may arrive at any time, and please cross the river first."

Jing Tong hurriedly asked Xiang Qu to get on the boat.

But Xiang Qu stood still, his feet as if they had taken root.

"Will ...... General."

Jing Tong's voice trembled, and a bad premonition rose in his heart.

Xiang Qu glanced at him and smiled.

"Zitong, do you remember what happened to Zuo Sima last year?"

Jing Tong understood.

He was shocked, "General Xiang, you must not do this! Now that my Chu State is in crisis, we need a general like a general to lead the troops to save the country!"

"To save the country? Is there any salvation for the state of Chu?"

Xiang Qu laughed, but the smile was full of misery.

Jing Tong opened his mouth, but he couldn't speak.

Is there still salvation for the state of Chu?

Xiangqu was defeated, and the Chu State no longer had the opportunity to transport grain from Lu and Qi, and now the grain on the battlefield of Chen Ying may only have about a month left.

A month later, the Chu army ran out of food.

Even the best generals in the world are useless.

How can you fight a war without food to eat?

How could Xiang Yan defeat the Qin army, which had more people than him!

With Jing Tong's knowledge, he naturally saw that the Chu State was afraid that it was going to die this time.

Xiang Qu no longer paid attention to him, but whispered to himself.

"My father ordered me to come here to deal with Zhao Tuo, so that I should not attack, so as not to suffer defeat. But I still sent troops, and I don't regret this, if I don't send troops to fight, then I really sit back and wait for death. I'd rather fight to the death than sit here

Seeing the overthrow of the Chu State."

"As for my defeat at the hands of Zhao Tuo, it is also inferior in skills, and I have no complaints in my heart."

Xiang Qu's voice became lower and lower.

"The general of Jing Chu, the day the teacher comes out, there is the glory of death, and there is no shame of life."

"Last year, Zuo Sima was defeated and killed himself to apologize. Now that I have been defeated by Zhao Tuo again, there are more dead soldiers than in the battle of Surabaya, so I can cross Suishui with the face and see my father and the king!"

At this point, Xiang Qu sighed even more angrily: "What's more, even if I cross Suishui, what can I do, do I have to watch my father lose at the hands of Wang Jian again, and watch the collapse of the Chu State in the past eight hundred years?"

"I don't want to!"

Xiang Qu turned his head sideways and looked in the direction of Pengcheng.

This time, he and Zhao Tuo held on for two months, but he never saw the appearance of this young general.

In his mind, what came to mind was the young Lang official he saw in the main hall of the Qin Palace two years ago.

That handshake contest.

It was only at this time that the winner was decided.

"Zhao Tuo, I'm not as good as this."

"But I'm not without a successor."

Xiang Qu's gaze turned to the east again, in the direction of the lower phase.

There, there is hope.

Xiang Qu pulled out his sword and muttered the last two sentences of Chu Ge's national mourning.

"Cheng is both brave and martial, and in the end he is strong and invincible."

"The body is dead, the god is the spirit, and the soul of the child is the ghost!"

A long sigh.

Xiang Qu crossed the sword and killed himself.

Red blood was sprinkled on the banks of the Suishui River.