In order to become a Heroic Spirit, I had no choice but to cause trouble in history.

"Therefore, it is basically impossible to get Jiang Yuan to submit. However, the Grand General is very powerful, and it is unlikely that he will really defend Xutai to the death. So, destroying the ferry and leaving is his most likely action. You should know what this means for you, Commander." Han Xin raised his head and looked into Xiang An's eyes, and said seriously, "After all, if nothing unexpected happens, the task that you received from the Grand General is to seize the ferry when they launch a frontal attack on Xutai."

"What if, in the end, they manage to seize a destroyed ferry crossing?"

"Hmm..." Xiang An crossed his arms, let out a long breath, and his brows were filled with seriousness.

"Did you deduce all of this?" He glanced at Han Xin, a strange light shining in his eyes.

"Commander, are you willing to believe me?" Han Xin did not answer directly, but asked a question in return.

However, Xiang An was not angered; instead, he burst into laughter.

"Hahahaha—Alright! Then tell me, what should we do? If it's really as you say, I promise you, we'll do everything we can to get a reward from the General!"

"No need for rewards..." Han Xin breathed a sigh of relief and smiled with relief. "As long as I can stay by the commander's side and offer advice, that's enough."

After all, what I've been after has never been a reward...

------------

Chapter 870 Battle for Xutai Ferry Crossing

On the third day, it was still dark.

"Commander, should we really believe what that Han Xin is saying? He's clearly just a foot soldier, and from Huaiyin at that, not one of ours," Jiang Chun asked doubtfully, riding a fast horse alongside Xiang An.

Xiang An didn't speak, but just pondered, as if he was thinking about something.

"I'm telling you, Lao Jiang, you're overthinking it. Just follow Lord Xiang An and you'll be fine!" Liao Ye, also riding his horse behind Xiang An, grinned slightly.

Han Xin, I knew I hadn't made a mistake in recommending you. You actually came up with a strategy that Lord Xiang An was willing to try.

Hehe, shouldn't I get a third of the credit for this?

“If Second Brother is willing to believe, then I am also willing to believe. At least Second Brother’s judgment of people is quite accurate, isn’t it?” The speaker was not Xiang Zijuan, the fourth child of the Xiang family, but Xiang Jing and Xiang Baixing, the third child of the Xiang family who had been following Xiang Yu.

"Alright, let's stop discussing this. All you need to do is follow what I said before." Xiang An didn't let Tuanchi run too fast. Tuanchi is a top-notch horse in every aspect. If it accelerates, it might instantly leave the group behind. In that case, only Xiang An will reach the ferry crossing ahead of everyone else, and the strategy won't be effective.

"Yes!" the three answered in unison.

Xiang An tilted his head slightly, glanced at Xiang Jing who was looking excited, and frowned.

He felt that his third brother had undergone a certain change since their uncle's uprising, a very obvious change.

Back in Kuaiji, Xiang Jing was generally a polite person with a friendly demeanor. Although his appearance was somewhat frightening due to injuries he sustained as a child, Xiang An knew that he was a very gentle person.

However, this gentleness was put on hold when Xiang Liang launched his rebellion and Xiang Jing first followed Xiang Yu in attacking a city.

So-called gentleness and kindness are nothing more than confusion due to not having found one's goal.

Having tasted the bitterness of war, having tasted the pleasure of killing the enemy, Xiang Jing had tasted—

Xiang Baixing, who inscribed his own injuries onto others, seemed like a completely different person.

Xiang An was unsure of Xiang Yu and Zi Juan's attitudes, but he sensed that Xiang Jing seemed somewhat distant.

He was preparing for war almost every moment, slashing his spear at the enemy and shooting his arrows into their eyes.

Moreover, it seems that because the war is progressing steadily, Xiang Jing... is getting stronger and stronger.

Xiang Jing can now even draw a bow with a draw weight of ten shi (a unit of weight).

The strength required to draw Xiang Jing's bow was even greater than the strength required to simultaneously lift Xiang Yu's Heavenly Dragon City-Breaking Halberd and one and a half sections of Xiang An's Three-Section Great Spear.

It should be noted that the heavy crossbows that Han placed on the city walls only had a killing power of twelve stones, enough to pierce a person in two. Such crossbows, at least in terms of accuracy, could not compare with Xiang Jing's.

Xiang An withdrew his gaze.

He wasn't sure if everything happening to Xiang Jing was good or bad, but he... didn't like the change.

However, even if he didn't like it, Xiang An wouldn't say it. Choice is a person's basic right, and at least Xiang Jing's change would benefit Xiang Liang in his struggle for the world.

Xiang An narrowed his eyes as he turned his gaze back to the front.

Twenty li ahead is the Huai River. Turning east for less than three li will take you to the Xutai Ferry.

A slight smile appeared on Xiang An's lips as he said, "Hurry up and get there before dawn!"

He came out this time specifically for the Xutai ferry crossing; we must take it!

The surprise attack was very simple, but extremely effective.

Moreover, the three hundred men that Xiang An led were all elite soldiers under Xiang Liang, and there was also Xiang Jing, who was practically a miniature catapult. They all had only one purpose!

Small Bookstore

That is, to use a small group of men to control the ferry crossing before Jiang Yuan's main force begins to move.

However, this move was very risky. The ferry crossing was surrounded by water on both sides. If the enemy reacted, they would immediately form a counter-encirclement. Therefore, in addition to Xiang An's surprise attack team, Han Xin had other arrangements for this operation.

After Xiang An set off, Xiang Yu and Zhu Jishi also set off. Xiang Liang simply stationed himself fifty li away from Xutai, keeping a watchful eye on the situation. He was ready to march as soon as it was dawn. Jiang Yuan, who was inside Xutai, said it was impossible that they did not react.

He had previously fought Jiang Han to a standstill, and the disparity in troop strength was absolute. It would be a lie to say that he was incompetent, so he would definitely respond actively to Xiang Liang's attack.

At this point, the roles of Xiang Yu and Zhu Jishi became apparent.

Xiang Liang launched a general attack from the south gate, and Xiang Yu led his army to attack the east gate. Zhu Jishi assisted Xiang Yu in the attack, which was the original plan.

Now, Xiang Yu abandoned the attack on the east gate and instead led a large number of cavalry behind Xiang An, taking advantage of the darkness of dawn to attack the north gate of Xutai.

As for the posture of attacking the east gate, Xiang Yu had already shown it yesterday.

The plan was for Xiang An to launch a surprise attack on the ferry crossing first, seizing the most crucial crossing point and cutting off the possibility of the enemy destroying it in a desperate attempt to sabotage it. Then, Xiang Yu's cavalry and chariots would cut off Jiang Yuan's retreat route from south to north. Xiang Liang's main force would incorporate the infantry from Xiang Yu's army and launch a devastating attack from the south gate.

According to the original plan, although Xutai could be captured, Jiang Yuan would not leave behind any supplies or ferry crossings. However, with Han Xin's strategy, if the strategy succeeds, a great harvest awaits the Chu army!

That kid is really talented!

Xiang An grinned and tightened his grip on the reins.

If nothing unexpected happens, he might have struck gold this time!

As I was thinking, the scenery around me quickly disappeared, and I could already see the Xutai Ferry in front of me!

"Third brother! Look at the guards at the ferry crossing, which one has the highest military rank! Kill him!" Xiang An shouted at Xiang Jing.

"Good job, Commander!" Xiang Jing's face revealed a cruel expression. He immediately drew his bow and aimed an arrow at the direction of Xutai Ferry.

Let me see, the highest rank is in the military...

You are the one!

He aimed at an officer dressed as a sergeant, his one eye blazing with fury, and drew his mighty bow to its fullest extent—

"Die!" he said softly but firmly.

stop----

The arrow leaves the bowstring.

With a whooshing sound, the arrow, as thick as a little finger, hurtled wildly toward the sergeant.

Then it hit the sergeant's eye socket precisely, piercing through his head.

The ferry crossing instantly descended into chaos, with everyone leaderless.

"Good! Charge!" Xiang An was overjoyed. He roared and spurred his horse, riding the neighing Tuanchi at top speed.

Behind him followed three hundred men who filled the ferry guards with despair.

However, something seems off about this ferry crossing?

------------

Chapter 871 The Captured Cultivator

In the morning, Xiang Liang's siege had lasted for half an hour, but Jiang Yuan, who was defending the city, was already feeling the strain.

“Damn it, that son of a bitch Xiang Liang…” he gritted his teeth and cursed Xiang Liang hatefully.

"General, we can't hold on much longer! Even if the gate is held up, it's about to be broken down!" His adjutant rushed over anxiously. "Retreat quickly, General! Once we cross the Huai River, we'll definitely find a way to survive!"

Jiang Yuan pursed her lips tightly, her wide eyes trembling.

Finally, he roared in despair, "Retreat! Abandon the city!"

He was ruthless enough to abandon the troops that were still being brutally beaten by Xiang Liang's army outside the South Gate, and led the remaining men to run towards the North Gate from the central avenue. Once they were outside the North Gate, they would reach the ferry crossing.

At this moment, Jiang Yuan felt as if he were a hero cutting off his own arm.

But when he led his men to the North Gate, his heart sank.

The north gate has been breached.

"Who the hell is it—" He felt a mouthful of blood stuck in his chest, his eyes almost popping out of their sockets as he stared at the large group of men blocking the north gate. "Where are the messengers? Why didn't anyone notify me?! Why!"

Xiang Yu, who was guarding the north gate, smiled but did not answer him. He simply raised the Heavenly Dragon City-Breaking Halberd, signaling the cavalry and chariots to strengthen their defenses.

If nothing unexpected happens, Jiang Yuan will have to force a breakthrough!

"Xiao Si, Zhu Bi Jiang, prepare to charge!" Xiang Yu slammed his halberd into the ground, sending up rubble. "Today, we'll leave Jiang Yuan here!"

"Yes!"

Meanwhile, Xiang Liang in the south was about to breach the city gates.

Jiang Yuan was already at his wit's end.

......

"Awesome, bro! You were absolutely right!" Liao Ye looked at Han Xin with shining eyes, as if he couldn't believe it.

Han Xin remained unperturbed by the honor or disgrace, waving his hand and saying, "It's nothing. We were going to win this battle anyway. I just slightly increased the war's gains."

"But something seems off about Lord Xiang An's side..." Han Xin said, glancing curiously at a camp near the ferry crossing.

When the ferry crossing was captured in a surprise attack, Xiang An's situation became somewhat precarious.

It seems like...something is on their mind.

No, it could also be that they care about someone...?

Inside the tent, Xiang An was sitting opposite a middle-aged man in a long robe.

The man was bound hand and foot, staring at Xiang An with a helpless expression.