I am already immortal, why should I ascend to become an immortal?

Chapter 307: A desperate fight

"No doubt about it. I watched it carefully that day. The food and grass in those baggage carts are only enough to feed the Qin people in Runing City until the Cold Clothes Festival. In addition, the Qin army in Runing City has run out of food recently."

Although Zhongli Mei had begun to have some doubts about what he had seen that day.

But when he thought about the fact that there had not been even a wisp of smoke rising from the stoves in Runing City in the past few days, he felt relieved.

"The food and grass we have here can last for about 20 days. After a few days, we will take over Runing City, and after the army breaks through the third city and annihilates the Qin army, the world will belong to our Great Chu."

Hearing what Zhongli Mei said, Xiang Yu just waved his hand and let him leave first.

Ten days later, the twelfth lunar month will arrive.

Zhongli Mei looked at the quiet Runing City in the distance and felt more and more that something was wrong.

Logically speaking, even if there is still some spare manpower in the city, it can't last until this time!

Even if troops were sent out to attack the city, the Qin army would only hold their ground on the city walls and would never go out to meet the enemy.

In addition, a sudden heavy rain and snow prevented the Chu army from making subsequent attempts.

Another five days passed.

The rain and snow stopped suddenly.

The food and grass on Xiang Yu's side were only enough to last for one or two days.

"Zhong, with this move, are you starving the Qin people? Or are you starving us Chu people?"

Long Qie, Ji Bu and Yu Ziqi turned around at the same time and looked at Zhongli Mei and asked.

"This, this, this shouldn't happen!"

at this time.

Suddenly, countless black smoke rose above Runing City.

The aroma of the food seemed to have drifted to the Chu army camp.

"It's bad. We are the ones who have been cut off from food supplies!"

Zhongli Mei shouted.

Only then did he come to his senses.

"All troops will charge the city, and we will capture Runing within two days!"

Xiang Yu's anger reached its peak.

Months of waiting turned out to be a joke.

Although I don’t know how the Qin army did it, this is the reality after all.

At this moment, Xiang Yu only wanted to capture Runing City and then have another life-and-death battle with Jin Chan one-on-one.

Even if I die, I have to let this anger out.

Xiang Yu rode on Wuzhui and rushed ahead of the entire army.

Nearly one million Chu troops felt that they could blow away the snow on the ground with just a breath.

"General, will you personally fight in this battle?"

The city gate opens.

The Qin army, well-fed and well-drinking, charged out under the leadership of Meng Wu, Meng Tian and Yang Ruihe.

"No, just leave it to Meng Wu and the others. Tell him not to fight any longer. The Chu Kingdom has run out of food and grass!"

"Send another message to Luoyang, no need to hide and test anymore, surround the second city, and do not let Yu Wei out to support in the next few days."

Jin Chan said.

"promise!"

Sunan replied.

"By the way, if you want to go, then leave the city! Perform military merits and don't lose face for our Jin family army."

Just when Sunan was about to leave.

Jin Chan suddenly spoke.

These words also made Su Nan, Zhang Jingtao, Li Changyun, Gao Zhengbang, Feng Yongkai, the men who were the first to join the Jin family army, look happy.

"Promise, we will never damage the reputation of the Jin family army!"

Several people shouted in unison, and then led their troops out of the city happily.

This battle.

Meng Wu was well aware of the importance of this.

The Chu army had run out of food and grass, so they had no choice but to make a desperate attempt to capture the city within three days.

If it drags on for more than three days, the Chu army will inevitably face internal and external troubles.

Meng Wu also grasped this point, so he did not fight to the death with the opponent, but instead maneuvered around it.

They relied on the accumulated kerosene, boulders and arrows to consume them on the city walls.

The rest of the army marched out from the side gate, mainly to break up the enemy's formations and destroy siege equipment.

However, when facing Xiang Yu alone, Meng Wu still found it difficult even with the bronze mask.

If Wang Jian had not come to support from the rear, they would have been outnumbered two against one.

I'm afraid Meng Wu will really fall into Xiang Yu's hands.

One day later.

Although there were casualties on both sides, the Qin army, thanks to its geographical advantage, suffered far fewer casualties than the Chu army.

Moreover, after the battle was called back, unlike the Chu people who needed to split the food in half, the Qin people could eat to their heart's content and even had fine wine to drink.

the next day.

Before the sun rose, the Chu army continued to attack the city.

The city of Runing is not like Xianyang, Chang'an, and even less like Hangu Pass, and does not have such strong city walls and gates.

Therefore, Meng Wu had no choice but to let everyone leave the city, and arrange the entire army in battle array with a defensive focus to resist the repeated attacks from the Chu people.

And this day.

Xiang Yu, who was blood-thirsty, held back Meng Wu, Meng Tian and Wang Jian by himself.

He even severely injured Meng Tian.

But unfortunately, the bravery of one man is not the bravery of the entire army.

The city of Runing had not yet been captured.

At night.

In the Chu army camp.

Zhongli Mei knelt on his knees, held up his sword in his hands, and asked Xiang Yu to order him to be beheaded in front of the entire army.

"General, give the order. Most of the soldiers here have experienced the food shortage in Hangu Pass. If this continues, the army will lose its morale. Only by killing me, the culprit, can they be stabilized."

Zhongli Mei took all the blame on himself.

However, although this strategy was proposed by Zhongli Mei, it was the commander-in-chief Xiang Yu who agreed to implement it.

And it must be said that Jin Chan grasped the timing too cleverly.

Since more than a month ago, the smoke from cooking fires in Runing City had been decreasing little by little, which made Xiang Yu and his men firmly believe that the Qin army's food and grass were almost exhausted.

In addition, on the eve of the decisive battle, Jin Chan suddenly ordered the entire army to start cooking, which suddenly made the Chu army's expectations of many days become a bubble, and thus lost the morale of the army.

"The outcome is still undecided, are you going to surrender without a fight?"

Xiang Yu snorted coldly and roared.

"I dare not, but my soldiers are unstable now and need me."

Before Zhongli Mei could finish his words, Xiang Yu interrupted him.

"How can a man of the Great Chu die in such a cowardly way? Even if I die, I will kill a few Qin dogs and die on the battlefield!"

"Zhongli Mei, I now order you as the commander of the Chu army to bring me the heads of five hundred Qin dogs tomorrow."

Although Xiang Yu had a bad look on his face and a cold tone, the people around him were not fools.

Day three.

Xiang Yu looked at the city of Runing in the distance. The city walls were covered with tung oil and a large number of archers were ready to go.

His frowning brows formed the shape of the Chinese character “川” (Chuan).

On this day, the army had run out of food and fodder, and the second city where Yu Wei was located had not yet delivered food and fodder.

It seems that he is already unable to take care of himself.

"Soldiers, abandon Runing and enter the second city to join Yu Wei!"

Xiang Yu closed his eyes, thought for a moment, and then spoke to Zhongli Mei and others.

The Chu army now has nowhere to advance or retreat.

The only way to revitalize the Chu army might be to take a desperate and risky approach.

That is to enter the second city, wait until the whole army has had their fill, and then use the fastest speed to completely defeat the Qin army before the morale of the army is completely broken and the food and grass are used up.

But if this method was not done well, the Chu people would be in a real trapped situation.

"General, no, if we head to the second city now, the army will be trapped from the north and south, and the crisis of Hangu Pass will be repeated." Zhongli Mei advised hurriedly.

Although it was because of his mistake that the Chu army was now in crisis, he had to point out Xiang Yu's decision to him in person.

"I have made up my mind. The army will set out immediately."

Xiang Yu glared at Zhongli Mei and the others with a cold face, then spoke in a decisive tone.

And just as the Chu army was retreating.

Jin Chan stood on the city wall with the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

"Xiang Yu, even if I don't take action this time, the Chu people will definitely be defeated by the Qin people!"

A few hours later.

Xiang Yu's army was only about five miles away from Gaixia, the second city where Yu Wei was located.

And at this time.

Xiao Luoyang, led by Li Xin, Zi'an, Meng Yi and others, had already surrounded Gaixia and made it impossible for anyone to get out.

"Miss Luoyang, as you expected, Xiang Yu's army has arrived."

Li Xin rode a fast horse to the army and reported to Xiao Luoyang.

"If Xiang Yu wants to enter the city, stop him and force him to the river bank, and first kill the Chu army's horses. But if Yu Wei wants to break out and join Xiang Yu, then set fire to the city. Although the two armies can be allowed to join, you must burn all the food and grass in the city!"

Xiao Luoyang was wearing a white shirt, a black cloak, and riding a white horse in the center of the army.

Zhu Hai and Zi'an stood beside him to provide close protection.

"promise!"

Upon hearing this, Li Xin did not hesitate at all. He immediately clasped his fists and accepted the order. He then led the troops to set off with Meng Yi, Zhuan Zhu, Ying Dang and Ying Ji.

"Little kid, why not just kill them all? Killing a horse is not as satisfying as killing a person!"

Among the five generals under Lu Buwei's command, only Zhu Hai never covered his face.

His body is as huge as a mountain and he is endowed with supernatural powers.

Although he is rough, simple-minded and outspoken, he is sensible and willing to stand up at critical moments.

And surprisingly loyal.

If Lü Buwei had not instructed them before his death that after his death they must surrender to King Ying Lou of Qin and help the Qin Dynasty establish its cause.

Otherwise, based on Zhu Hai's character, he would have gone home to kill pigs long ago.

"Brother Zhu, I'll explain it to you next time!"

Xiao Luoyang sighed helplessly and replied.

"It's next time again. How many next times has this been?"

Zhu Hai curled his lips, put two Xuanhua axes on his shoulders and said dissatisfiedly.

the other side.

Just as Xiang Yu was about to try to rush into the city, he saw a raging fire suddenly breaking out around Gaixia City.

"Yu, go back to Chu State quickly and stop wasting time here!"

Yu Wei led his troops out of the city and fought with Li Xin and others.

But unfortunately, in the face of thousands of troops, this tiny voice was quickly drowned out.

Moreover, the raging fire in the city soon burned up their last supply of food and grass.

It took only three days for the Chu army to change from being hunters besieging others to being trapped prey.

"Today, victory or defeat will be decided."

The two Qin armies were dozens of miles apart.

But Jin Chan and Xiao Luoyang spoke at the same time in tacit understanding.

down one day.

It was getting dark.

Ten miles west of Gaixia City.

The Qin and Chu armies have now joined forces.

But the difference is that the Qin people can make fire and cook because they have food and supplies delivered continuously from the territory of Korea.

On the other hand, the Chu army was already exhausted, hungry and cold.

Everyone's face showed fatigue, and they were forced to retreat to only three miles away from the Huai River.

"Yu, General Dou Yujiang will be here with his ships in the next two days. Let's go back to Chu!"

The winter wind was biting, and the Chu army had no tents to shelter them, so they could only pick up some dead branches and burn them.

However, due to the heavy snow a few days ago, dry branches are hard to find.

There were only a few places in the entire army where bonfires could be lit.

In addition, since it was not far from the river, many people's lips had turned purple due to the cold and they fell into a coma.

"Okay, then the whole army will retreat, and we will continue to march north to attack Qin next year!"

Xiang Yu took a look at the roasted horse meat, then handed it to Yu Wei and the others, and he just drank a sip of the hot soup.

"Ah."

Yu Wei didn't dare to tell the truth.

After all, no matter how powerful Dou Yujiang is, he can only find a hundred ships at most.

It is impossible for all the millions of Chu troops to return.

"General, this defeat is all my fault. You should kill me according to military law!"

Zhongli Mei, who was filled with self-blame, lowered his head and walked in front of Xiang Yu. He knelt on the ground with a thud and began to speak.

Although he was covered in wounds, the pain in his heart was far more unbearable than the physical pain.

"Don't mention this now. Since I am the commander of this defeat, I will bear the responsibility alone."

After Xiang Yu finished the smelly and fishy soup in the bowl in one gulp, he spoke to all the generals around him.

"But."

Zhongli Mei wanted to say something, but was glared back by Xiang Yu.

The Qin army at this time.

Although the army was also stationed in the wild, food, fodder, and firewood were brought back from the third city in one trip by the White Dragon Horse.

"General, I think Xiang Yu will never surrender given his character. As long as he counterattacks with all his strength, we will retreat and fight him. Within ten days, when all the food is gone, the Chu people will have no choice but to surrender."

Li Xin expressed his analysis while gnawing on the greasy lamb leg.

"General Li is right. The State of Chu no longer has any chance. Xiang Yu made three mistakes in this battle, and each one was fatal to the State of Chu!"

Xiao Luoyang added.

"Three times? Little kid, are you talking about those three times? How come I, Old Zhu, can't see it even once?"

Zhu Hai ate half a roasted lamb by himself. His appetite was indeed much larger than that of an ordinary person.

"Brother Zhu, Xiang Yu's first mistake was that he should not have besieged Runing City, but should have taken it in one fell swoop; his second mistake was that he should not have returned to Gaixia, but should have abandoned the Chu army in Gaixia City and retreated to Chu by a detour; and his third mistake was to retreat to the riverside and set up camp like he is now."

"If Xiang Yu had fought us to the end today without rest, he might have had a chance of survival, but it was only a chance. But now that he has retreated to the bank of the Huai River, he is doomed to have no chance of survival."

Xiao Luoyang looked at Ye Xing, then waved his finger and continued.

After a night.

Dou Yujiang followed the Huai River basin and came to the rear of the Chu army.

Although the time was earlier than expected, unfortunately, there were only a few dozen ships.

At most, it can carry a thousand people across the river in one trip.

"Yu, there is hope only if you survive. If you are trapped here, the only outcome is defeat!"

"Zhongli Mei and I will cover the rear. When the Qin army attacks here, our Great Chu will at least be able to preserve part of its bloodline."

Yu Wei and a group of generals stood in front of Xiang Yu and tried their best to persuade him.

"No one should say anything more!"

Xiang Yu snorted coldly.

"feather"

Just as Yu Wei was about to continue persuading him, Xiang Yu suddenly picked up the Overlord Spear and stabbed the ground fiercely.

"All soldiers, listen up. Kill half of your horses, dismantle your boats, light your stoves, and when all the soldiers have had their fill, smash all the stoves and pots and follow me to kill the Qin dogs."

Xiang Yu absolutely could not abandon his million-strong army and return to Chu alone.

Rather than lingering on, it is better to burn your boats, cut off their retreat routes and thoughts, and fight a final and desperate battle with the Qin people.

If we win, the world will be at peace.

If you lose, your head and body will be separated.

(End of this chapter)