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

After saying this, Xiang Yu patted Liu Ji on the shoulder and turned to leave.

After reorganizing the army, he needed to report to Xiang Liang as soon as possible so that the next operation organized in Xue County could proceed quickly.

Moreover, King Huai needed someone to escort him back to Xutai to establish his capital. This task fell to Jiang Chun, the commander under Xiang Yu. Xiang Yu also had to rearrange his troops based on the temporary departure of his men.

In short, the entire army is operating at high speed.

Liu Ji shook his head as he watched Xiang Yu's retreating figure, muttering under his breath, "Isn't this combination of carrot and stick a bit too blatant...?"

stop--

Suddenly, a figure appeared in front of Liu Ji.

"Holy crap!" Liu Ji, who was concentrating on thinking, was so frightened that he jumped a long way with a burst of strength.

"General, I'm back." Upon closer inspection, it was Zihuai kneeling on one knee, bowing to Liu Ji.

Liu Ji breathed a sigh of relief: "So it was Ashu... Sigh, didn't I tell you? You're not one of my generals, you don't need to bow to me. How could you forget again?"

Liu Ji quickly went over, helped Zi Huai up, and brushed the dust off his clothes.

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

Chapter 894 Xiang An, who is not arrogant

"You're probably planning to go back to your sister's side now, right?" Liu Ji affectionately squeezed Zi Huai's shoulder.

After sitting down in the command tent, Liu Ji sighed.

"It was my fault for not being able to judge you properly in my younger years, and that I entrusted you to a bastard like Kou Shaodan to raise..." Liu Ji's face was filled with self-reproach and a sigh. "I hope that by staying with your sister in the future, I can make up for some of the past you lost."

"Come anytime if you miss me..."

“General.” Zi Huai’s voice was slightly cold as he stood to Liu Ji’s side, interrupting Liu Ji.

"I will not go back to my sister's side." Zihuai looked at Liu Ji, her expression somewhat somber.

"...Ah Shu, are you serious?" Liu Ji frowned slightly.

Liu Ji was very clear about Zi Huai's longing and love for Xiang family's teacher, Shuai Zi Juan. And now, Zi Huai, who was almost driven mad by his longing for his sister, actually said... he wouldn't go back to his sister's side?

Liu Ji vaguely sensed that something was wrong.

“My sister already has her own life, and it’s not my intention to disturb her.” Zihuai’s head drooped slightly and tilted to one side.

"Just seeing my sister is enough..."

"For me, this level is enough..."

A slight smile appeared on his face, a... slightly eerie smile.

Zihuai reached for his waist, for the dagger hidden beneath his robe.

Liu Ji's eyes narrowed, and he slammed his hand on the table: "A-Shu! Stop!"

“You’ve locked yourself up again. Come out now!” he shouted, causing Zihuai’s hair to sway slightly.

Zihuai seemed to be startled by Liu Ji's angry shout, and froze on the spot. He swayed, and the dagger in his hand fell to the side. Zihuai then collapsed to the ground.

Looking at Zihuai, who was clutching his chest and breathing heavily, Liu Ji shook his head and sighed deeply.

"Sister, waah—sister, older sister, um, waah—"

Zihuai's trembling eyes, like a helpless infant, curled up on the ground, twitching gently, unconsciously calling out Zijuan's name.

Liu Ji walked over with a heavy heart, sat down on the ground, picked up Zi Huai, and gently stroked Zi Huai's head.

"Poor child, poor child..."

......

In the evening, at their encampment outside Geng County, Xiang An was discussing the details of the Battle of Donghai City with Han Xin.

“Although Li Zhan is almost insane, he’s not stupid. If he were truly rational, I’m afraid he wouldn’t be lured out by his dejected fourth uncle and Xiao Si.” Xiang An sat on a large rock by the roadside, munching on a dry biscuit while chatting with Han Xin.

"Three li is a distance that is both far and not far," Han Xin sighed. "Whether he can come out of these three li is the key to our victory or defeat, and we can even say that our fate is basically on these three li."

Xiang An had 12,000 men under his command, of which 7,000 were personally commanded by Xiang An. Some of these men were surrendered soldiers from the Battle of Pengcheng who were reorganized and joined Xiang An's ranks. The remaining 5,000 were divided into two divisions, which were respectively led by Zijuan and Xiang Lu.

Xiang An actually has another division under his command. The division commander's name is Jiang Chun, the old guest of the Xiang family who was lucky enough to capture Qin Jia. He is now also a division commander under Xiang An, in charge of 2,500 people.

However, he was recently borrowed by Song Yi. Because Song Yi's army was hastily dispatched and did not participate in the reorganization of the surrendered soldiers of Pengcheng, he simply borrowed one of Xiang An's divisions, since Xiang An did not lack men anyway.

"The main issue is the number of five thousand people; the deception might not be... enough?" Xiang An thought for a moment and took a bite of the dry biscuit.

Han Xin's eyes lit up when he heard this.

"That's right! Numbers!" He slammed his fist down. "No wonder you're a general; numbers are a crucial point!"

"Don't get excited, don't get excited." Xiang An forcibly pressed Han Xin, who had jumped up, back down.

“But what if we assign another group of men to Uncle Si and Xiao Si’s command? What will happen to our subsequent charge?” Xiang An asked with a serious expression. “The plains outside Donghai City can provide the best location for our charge, but we must have reason to believe that Li Zhan himself is aware of this.”

"We also need to take into account the city's defenses outside the city."

Han Xin stroked his chin and pondered for a moment.

"Two thousand." He held up two fingers.

"Divide two thousand troops into the left and right divisions, advance in a high-profile manner, and retreat in a low-profile manner. At the same time, dismantle any existing city defense facilities and destroy barricades and other items in a targeted manner during the retreat."

“…That’s good then.” Xiang An nodded.

Han Xin sat there, looking at Xiang An who was still deep in thought, and couldn't help but smile.

“That’s what I admire most about the general,” he suddenly said.

"Hmm? What's wrong?" Xiang An looked at Han Xin strangely.

"As the saying goes, 'He who wins always becomes arrogant.' One victory after another can cloud a general's judgment, but I have not seen this in you, General. Even in your victories, there were battles like Pengcheng and Jiaxian, yet they still could not sway your rational thinking." Han Xin folded his hands and raised them above his head. "General, you are a man of great talent. Han Xin is willing to bow to you."

"Don't bother with the worship, my foot." Xiang An waved his hand dismissively. "I already told you this back in Jia County, didn't I?"

"I am a war enthusiast who hates war." Xiang An finished his dry biscuit, put his hands behind his back, and looked at the sky. "Someone like me can't find any joy in war, so how could I possibly have any so-called 'pride'?"

"And rationality... You shouldn't praise me for being rational. My older brother is the rational one, while my so-called 'rationality' is just a remnant of 'emotion'."

Rice Ball Exploration

"There are still some differences between me and the general." Han Xin smiled indifferently. "The word 'enjoyment' itself is built on the suffering of other things, and that cannot be denied."

"but--"

He raised his head and smiled at Xiang An: "As long as the general is still fighting, I am willing to stay by the general's side, serve the general faithfully, and offer advice and strategies."

Xiang An also became serious, and looking at Han Xin's earnest eyes, he suddenly chuckled.

"Alright, Lao Han, then come along."

After saying that, he stretched out one of his hands and clenched it into a fist.

"For the sake of future peace and prosperity, become my trusted advisor."

Han Xin smiled confidently, and extended his fist, which collided with Xiang An's massive fist.

"If I cannot exhaust all the strategies, I will always be behind the general, following his lead."

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

Chapter 895 A decisive battle at Donghai City, where the sounds of battle shook the heavens.

After determining the strategy, Xiang An's army advanced at full speed.

On the morning of the fourth day, they arrived at Donghai City almost exactly as planned.

"Fourth Uncle, let's go!"

Zijuan twirled her spear and gave a cold greeting.

"Hmm!" Although Xiang Lu was willing to serve as a division commander under his nephew, it didn't mean he was weak!

In terms of martial prowess, the four Xiang brothers were on par with Xiang Liang! Especially considering their exceptional archery skills!

"drive!"

Without any warning, the siege began.

Zijuan and Xiang Lu led an army of seven thousand men and fiercely rushed towards Donghai City.

"Enemy attack—!"

! ”

The messengers on guard on the city wall of Donghai City were already on high alert and shouted to their colleagues.

The archers were in position within minutes. Donghai City responded to the enemy attack with extreme speed. The defending army quickly converged on the west gate, which Zijuan and Xiang Lu were attacking, while the other three city gates were quickly sealed off.

The First Evolution

"Release the arrows—!"

"!" Li Zhan had already arrived at the West Gate tower the moment he received the news and was issuing orders.

Li Zhan was a middle-aged man who looked to be in his thirties. He was broad-shouldered and had a thick beard. He glared at the army attacking from below.

"Which army is below?" he asked the adjutant standing beside him, his voice filled with anger.

"Reporting to the general, it is the army of King Huai of Western Chu!"

"Hmph, so you're one of Xiang Liang's men. Go and fetch my halberd!" He sneered and said to the guards, "Once I leave the city, I'll slaughter these rebels!"

And beneath the city walls—

"Everyone raise your shields! Block this volley!" Zijuan gritted her teeth and shouted as she looked at the rain of swords raining down on the army.

The spear spun, knocking down all the arrows she had intended to shoot from the air. Zijuan looked anxiously at her army.

Even with shields raised, a volley of that fire would result in significant soldier losses. This Li Zhan truly knows how to defend a city.

The seven thousand soldiers withstood a volley of arrows, and then the city gates opened, and an army rushed out of the city.

"Approach the enemy! Charge!" Zijuan shouted, pointing her spear, and spurred her horse forward.

The attacking and defending armies clashed.