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

Liu Ji never underestimated Han Xin, nor did he criticize him harshly. In fact, he gave Han Xin immense military power, entrusting him with the entire northern part of the Central Plains. It can be said that he relied on Han Xin heavily.

"So, this time, we've truly become... rivals..."

Picking up a bamboo slip, Han Xin straightened the table and let out a long sigh, as if exhaling his soul.

"With your talent and strategy, now that birds have left their cages and dragons have entered the sea... I fear the day when we truly clash on the battlefield is approaching..."

"It's not far now..."

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

I can't take it anymore, I have to go on a business trip...

There have been too many things going on lately, which has delayed my updates, and my health condition at one point made me think I was back to the time when I was writing Zuocun last year.

But, but, even so, I still have to go on a business trip (emotional breakdown)

It will probably take two or three days. My train leaves tomorrow morning, so I need to get some sleep. Sorry, I'll finish updating the Qi'an chapter as soon as I return to updating, giving this King of Northern Chu a true ending.

Sorry!

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Chapter 975 Northern Chu

Apart from Liu Ji and others, as well as Han Xin in the north, the reactions of others were also extremely strong, but in the end, their reactions were insignificant.

The main characters in this increasingly intense drama have been determined; only a handful of people can stand at the center of the stage.

After the great battle between Xiang Yu and Xiang An at Dongjun City, Western Chu chose to curb its offensive and, for the first time ever, withdrew its army far back, from Dongjun City all the way to Chengyang and Dingtao, giving up the fertile land between the Yellow River and the Huai River.

Xiang An's departure not only took away several capable generals, but also half of the Western Chu army, which was a devastating blow.

However, Xiang Yu, who was at the center of the storm, did not reappear due to his injuries.

......

"Lord Xiang Yu, are you feeling better?" Yu Meiren sat by the bed and fed Xiang Yu, who was lying on the bed, the medicinal porridge she had personally cooked.

"Hoo..." Xiang Yu sat up, exhaled, and expressionlessly took the bowl from Yu Meiren, drinking the contents in one gulp.

Setting the bowl aside, Yu Meiren sighed, "I wonder how Uncle is doing now..."

"Lord Xiang Yu, why are you so determined to force my uncle away? There are clearly better ways to resolve this..."

Xiang Yu shook his head, giving an irrelevant answer.

“He has already declared the establishment of a state, named Northern Chu, and he probably wants to conquer the three Qi states and make them his own territory.” Xiang Yu sat up, placed his hand on Yu Meiren’s hand, and said calmly, “Moreover, given Xiang An’s abilities, he probably also has designs on the two Yan states to the north.”

"...Yes, but what are your thoughts, Lord Xiang Yu?" Yu Meiren cupped Xiang Yu's chin with one hand and looked into his eyes.

"No one understands your heart, including myself."

"Why have you been hiding yourself all this time, Lord Xiang Yu?"

Xiang Yu and Yu Meiren looked at each other, and he saw pain and sorrow in their eyes.

Even if he didn't understand humans, even if he wasn't human, and even if he didn't intend to become human, Xiang Yu understood one thing.

Yu Meiren deeply loves herself.

From the moment he casually wiped away her tears on the plateau, she fell in love with him.

Xiang Yu fell silent for a moment, trying to look away, but Yu Meiren caught up with him instantly.

Left with no other choice, he lowered his eyes and spoke slowly.

"Yu... do you really want to know?"

"All of this is cruel to you, and even if I say it, you still want to know?"

"think."

Yu Meiren's eyes were incredibly serious.

"No matter what kind of person Lord Xiang Yu is, no matter what he is like, I will love him from the bottom of my heart."

"So, let me know, Lord Xiang Yu."

"..." Xiang Yu opened his mouth, and for the first time, a hint of human helplessness appeared on his face.

I Have a Scroll of Ghost and Deity Illustrations

"Oh well."

......

"Wei Yajiang, you take your men and go from the side. Be quick, don't give Peng Yue and Tian Bing any time to react." Xiang An was already able to get out of bed. Without any delay, he donned his armor, mounted his horse, and, despite his weakened state, went to the front line to personally command the battle.

"Your humble servant obeys, Your Majesty!" Wei Hao knelt on the ground with an excited expression, his voice booming.

Xiang An was already the King of Northern Chu, so as his subjects, we should naturally address him as "Your Majesty".

"Xiao Si, this frontal attack is now in your hands." Xiang An looked in another direction, his voice filled with undeniable fatigue.

"Your Majesty, I obey your command." Zijuan replied, but her eyes revealed deep worry. "Your Majesty, you should rest now. By dawn, Your Majesty will be able to recuperate in Linzi City."

"Well, then I'll leave it to you." Xiang An smiled as gently as possible, patted Zijuan's shoulder, and then looked at Xiang Lu, "Fourth Uncle, this battle will also be entrusted to you to oversee things. Xiao Si is a little inexperienced, so please keep an eye on him."

"Your subordinate obeys. Leave it to me. Don't worry too much now, go and rest." Xiang Lu nodded and said as if shooing someone away.

"I'm fine." Although weak, Xiang An still stubbornly shook his head, looking in the direction of Linzi with a determined look in his eyes. "This is the founding war of Northern Chu. If I weren't still recovering from my injuries, I would personally lead troops to Linzi and tear Peng Yue, who spread evil words, apart by five horses!"

"So..." He looked back at the three people in front of him, his gaze sharp, "This battle must be won! Do you all understand!"

"Yes!"

It was already late at night when the three generals, leading all the troops of Northern Chu, marched in a mighty force toward Linzi.

Xiang An's military campaign was no secret. After he withdrew, Peng Yue and Tian Bing launched a trial counterattack and recaptured several cities from Western Chu. Xiang An took them back along the way, annexing all the land in Jibei and most of Qi's territory. Now, they were facing Linzi, the capital of Qi.

The defense of Linzi will be absolutely unwavering, even at night. Peng Yue and Tian Bing understand just how reckless Xiang An would be without Xiang Yu, so their defense will be equally reckless.

Even so, Xiang An still had to fight, because if he won this battle, the entire Qi peninsula would fall into his hands and become part of the new state "Northern Chu".

"Xiao Ye, do you think we'll win?" Xiang An said to his companion, riding on Tuan Chi's back and looking at the brightly lit streets of Linzi.

"Absolutely, Your Majesty!" Liao Ye said confidently, also riding a horse. "General Zi will surely achieve a resounding victory!"

Zijuan is now the Great General of Northern Chu.

"Okay, let's go back." Xiang An nodded, turned his gaze away, and looked at his abdomen.

If nothing unexpected happens, it's likely that there's some bleeding.

After fighting Xiang Yu, Xiang An suffered more injuries than he had ever sustained in all his previous battles combined. Now, being able to ride a horse and talk to others is extremely difficult.

However, what saddened Xiang An even more than his physical injuries and pain was Xiang Yu's attitude.

From beginning to end, Xiang Yu showed not a single trace of remorse or regret for his past actions, nor did he try to persuade his own brother to stay. Xiang An left Xiang Yu countless options; if Xiang Yu had simply asked him to stay, Xiang An might not have left at all.

But Xiang Yu didn't utter a single word of apology or attempt to persuade him to stay, and he acted as if his crimes were perfectly justified.

Xiang An has completely given up hope.

From this day forward, Xiang An will dominate the north of the mighty river, forming an opposition to Xiang Yu in the south, and officially joining the ranks of those vying for the title of ruler of the world.

As a feudal lord, as the king of Northern Chu.

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

Chapter 976 The Battle of Linzi Begins, General Zijuan

"Report! Your Majesty! The Northern Chu army has been spotted thirty miles outside the western city defense line and has begun its attack!"

In the dead of night, a long and urgent command echoed through the Qi King's palace, waking Tian Bing, who was sleeping.

"What!?" Tian Bing sat bolt upright in bed. "Has Lord Peng notified them!?"

"The notification has been given, and General Peng has already mustered his troops to prepare for battle!"

"Quickly, tell me the details!"

......

"General, troops are coming from three sides, and they're traveling by water! They're moving much faster than we anticipated!" Peng Yue had just stepped out of his tent when he heard a general anxiously report to him.

"Don't panic, speak properly! The defenses around Linzi City have been set up long ago, what's the rush!" Peng Yue snapped, grabbing a weapon from the nearby rack and asking as he walked, "How many troops from Northern Chu have arrived? Where's Xiang An? Which side is Xiang An on?"

"It's basically certain that Northern Chu has mobilized its entire force, determined to fight our Great Qi to the death. As for Xiang An... General, we haven't seen Xiang An appear at the front lines." The general replied to Peng Yue with a hint of uncertainty.

"Didn't he appear?" Peng Yue stopped and looked at the general with some surprise, then his face showed a look of sudden realization.

“After Xiang An left Western Chu and established Northern Chu, there were rumors that he and Xiang Yu, the King of Western Chu, fought to a standstill. Now it seems that this is true, otherwise, given his personality, he would have been at the forefront of the war.” Peng Yue said, a relieved expression on his face.

"If Xiang An really didn't come, that would be great. As long as he doesn't come, we've already won this battle to defend the city!"

In the battlefields that Xiang An participated in, it was virtually impossible for the enemy's defenses to remain intact. Xiang An, riding that damned steed, was able to single-handedly tear a hole in the complete and sturdy defenses. Then, his soldiers would launch a frenzied attack from the gap in the defenses, thus radiating the army's advantage to the entire battlefield.

Peng Yue had already experienced Xiang An's skillful and efficient warfare tactics several times and knew them by heart, but he had never had a good way to counter Xiang An.

However, this time, Xiang An did not come to the front because of his dogfight with Xiang Yu!

How could Peng Yue not be excited?

The territory of Northern Chu is not large at present, and its control over its own territory is seriously insufficient. These are all necessary stages for a newly established country. At this time, Xiang An himself is unable to enter the front line and use his most familiar methods to win for his country. Therefore, Peng Yue understands this, and Xiang An, who has returned to the military camp to await the outcome of the war, also understands this.

This was a desperate gamble, a last-ditch effort that had to be taken.

Having won the gamble, Xiang An captured Linzi, gaining control of the entire Qi state's land and resources, allowing him to recuperate and make his next plans.

If the gamble fails, Northern Chu will be unable to launch another powerful attack, and the replenishment of its resources will be a long way off. It is very likely that it will be wiped out in one blow, while Qi can take advantage of the situation to swallow Northern Chu and continue to act as Liu Ji's inside agent in the east to interfere with Xiang Yu's actions.

Victory means life, defeat means death; this applies equally to both sides in a war.

This was the war that established the Northern Chu state.

"We will not retreat in this battle! Soldiers of Northern Chu—!"

"!" Zijuan, dressed in the armor and robes of a great general, with a resolute and beautiful face and eyes reflecting the bright moonlight, raised her spear and pointed it at the defense line of Linzi, roaring, "Follow this general and kill!"

! ”

"kill--!