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

There was no reason for Yan to fight. Changshan and Han were still entangled with Western Chu. As for Western Chu, let's not even mention it.

"What should we do then? Second brother, you are the king, you should know our situation better than I do." Zijuan pondered for a moment, a worried look on her face, and spread one hand.

Xiang An certainly understood it better.

“I’ve sent Zhou Shoufang there. Opening up trade is our best option now. Any rash actions could very well lead us to utter ruin.”

Zhou Shoufang was a former official of Qi and a strategist. He was somewhat intelligent and, after submitting to Xiang An, was considered one of the more loyal ones.

However, even so, there are still risks.

"Don't worry, I've sent Liang Ning with me, nothing will happen." Xiang An noticed Zijuan's worry and reassured her, "We've collected enough ironware, the most important thing is to use some of it to fund disaster relief."

"However, these resources are only temporarily stored in Yan. Xiao Si, I should be able to get to the front line soon."

Zijuan's expression brightened: "This subordinate obeys your command!"

The second half of the year was relatively calm.

Aside from Han Xin's heated battle with the State of Wei under the guise of seeking aid, the central and southern parts of the Central Plains were in a period of ambiguity.

The river breached its banks and changed its course, and the victims were not only Northern Chu; Northern Chu was merely the one most severely affected. Xiang An did his utmost to salvage the situation and finally managed to stabilize the current state of affairs.

Liu Ji had already unified several vassal states in the central region. States like Changshan and Han were now things of the past, and from then on, this area belonged to the Han state.

What's even more worrying is the situation south of the Huai River. Linjiang remains as stubborn as ever, showing no desire to participate in the war. Gong Ao has repeatedly retreated his border, making other vassal states wonder if he might one day hand over his capital to Liu Ji.

As for Jiujiang and Hengshan, they fully demonstrated their closeness to Liu Ji, with frequent and undisguised exchanges between their envoys.

Xiang An's departure put immense pressure on Xiang Yu, essentially severing his right arm, which emboldened many others.

Even so, Liu Ji remained rational. He did not immediately unite with the two southern states to try to exterminate Western Chu. Instead, he launched small-scale attacks in various regions to distract Xiang Yu.

"In any case, the fact that Northern Chu, where Xiang An is located, has no intention of attacking Western Chu means that our layout in the north of Western Chu has completely failed. Therefore, the key is to manage the south well. If possible, I do not want to give these two brothers any chance." Liu Ji said to Zhang Liang and Xiao He with a serious expression. "Without a doubt, they are my biggest opponents, opponents that cannot be underestimated even when they are weak."

It is well known that Xiang An and Xiang Yu were better at fighting battles where they were at a disadvantage. From the Battle of Pengcheng to the Battle of Julu, every time everyone thought they couldn't win, they were able to use everything they could to win despite the overwhelming numerical disadvantage. Facing such opponents, Liu Ji dared not relax for a moment.

Time passed slowly amidst this back-and-forth. Perhaps the summer floods had already caused too much suffering for this land, because this winter wasn't particularly cold, which finally allowed Xiang An to breathe a sigh of relief.

If this winter is also particularly difficult to endure, then Northern Chu might as well just declare its demise.

"Xiao Si, get ready." Xiang An took the black heavy armor that hadn't been used for a long time from Liao Ye's hand and looked at Zijuan, the general of Northern Chu. "When the Awakening of Insects arrives, it will be the time for me to go to war with the Yan Kingdom."

"It's time for me to settle accounts with Zang Tu for the excessive profits he made in trade last year!"

Hearing Xiang An's calm yet murderous words, Zijuan responded with a serious expression.

"Your subordinate obeys!"

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

Chapter 980 Chaos Across the Land

"The Northern Chu has gone to war with the Yan state?" Han Xin stroked his beard, his expression intrigued.

He was keeping a close eye on the situation in Northern Chu. Winter had just ended, and everything was still in a state of disarray, requiring rebuilding. Northern Chu was already impoverished, lacking everything in terms of money, troops, and provisions. Although he firmly believed Xiang An was a capable man, under these circumstances...

"Yes, General, the Northern Chu has now committed almost all of its forces to the war against the Yan Kingdom!" The scout knelt on one knee and reported to Han Xin with a serious expression.

Han Xin did not respond, but simply waved his hand and began to think to himself.

"It seems that the King of Northern Chu is confident of winning the battle?" A young man asked Han Xin from the side.

This man was Kuai Ge, the son of Kuai Tong, a trusted confidant of Han Xin. He was resourceful and capable, and could lend a hand when Han Xin offered advice.

As for Kuai Tong, he is currently on the front lines attacking Wei.

"...Who knows? Let's focus on what we're doing now. We need to clear out the middle area before we can fight him." Han Xin thought for a while but couldn't come up with a solution. He simply smiled and stood up, walking out of the tent.

The State of Wei is not easy to defeat.

Wei Bao alone is not difficult to defeat, but Wei Bao has reinforcements. The original King of Dai, Zhao Xie, changed the name of his state back to Zhao, and his relationship with Han Xin is not good.

This is directly related to Liu Ji and Xiang Yu. Zhao Xie was originally the King of Zhao, but after Xiang Yu entered Xianyang and divided the country, not only was the name of the state changed to Dai, but his good land was also taken away and became the land of his former minister Zhang Er. After being bewitched by Liu Ji, Zhang Er, for some reason, followed Liu Ji.

The country's name was gone, the land was gone, and even the ministers who were once close and reliable were gone.

Just then, Han Xin used a trick, taking advantage of the fact that he had failed to persuade Wei Bao to surrender, and directly attacked Wei. Zhao Wang Xie, who was in Wei's rear, knew the principle of "if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold" and immediately sent troops to aid Wei, helping Wei Bao withstand Han Xin's offensive from the southwest. Now, the stalemate has lasted for half a year.

Han Xin also wanted to conquer Wei as soon as possible, but his situation was not exactly the same as Xiang An's, but it was very similar.

With no soldiers and no supplies, Han Xin was engaged in back-and-forth battles with Wei Bao on one side, while the Xiongnu, who had nothing to eat in the winter, raided the Great Wall from the south, just like last year. This back-and-forth struggle lasted for several months, and even with Han Xin's abilities, his resources were almost exhausted.

Han Xin is still stalling, waiting for Liu Ji's reinforcements of troops and supplies to arrive, otherwise the battle will be impossible to win.

Let's take it one step at a time...

......

"Little Four, grain is our primary objective." Xiang An, riding on the back of Tuanchi, led the charge as usual, speaking to the still somewhat inexperienced general behind him.

"After conquering a city, open the granary, take half and leave the other half." Xiang An turned to look at his master behind him and said seriously and sternly, "This will be our land from now on. We can't take it all. Also, Xiao Ye, you tell everyone that they are not allowed to kill civilians indiscriminately, or I will personally punish them!"

"Yes!"

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The generals presented their orders, and Xiao Ye went to inform the other generals.

Han Xin and Kuai Ge believed that Xiang An was determined to win the battle, which is why they decided to launch a full-scale attack on Yan.

But what is the reality?

This is the only option available.

If Xiang An doesn't start a war soon, Northern Chu might be doomed.

Using war to revitalize Northern Chu was Xiang An's last resort.

"I've realized that ever since I left Western Chu, I've been gambling." Xiang An gently stroked Tuan Chi's neck and sighed deeply.

Zijuan looked at the back of Xiang An's head, pursed her lips, and didn't say anything, but sighed inwardly.

Yes, we've been gambling all along.

The Battle of Linzi was a gamble, the river's course change was a gamble, the winter's temperature was a gamble, and now, the attack on the Yan state is still a gamble.

"But you won all the bets, didn't you?" Zijuan tried to keep her tone cheerful as she offered a comforting remark.

“…Hmm.” Xiang An lowered his head and nodded gently.

That's right, they all won the bet.

Linzi was decisively defeated by Zijuan. However, Xiang An did his best to stabilize the situation of the land and people affected by the river's change of course, and the winter was not too difficult to endure.

"We will win again this time." Xiang An exhaled a breath of stale air, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Little Four, it won't be long."

"Soon, Northern Chu will no longer have to participate in this competition with such trepidation, and we will no longer have to gamble."

Xiang An reined in his horse, looked at the 100,000 Northern Chu soldiers behind him, and spoke in a deep and penetrating voice that reached the ears of every Northern Chu soldier.

"The county of Tu is thirty miles ahead. I hereby order all personnel to prepare for the attack!"

"Your subordinate obeys!"

"!" Led by Zijuan, the generals of Northern Chu responded loudly to Xiang An's order.

......

War, especially the so-called "below" siege warfare, was in fact commonplace for the Northern Chu army.

Having become familiar with the war situation and with high morale, Zang Tu had not been thinking about defending the rear, focusing instead on his fierce battle with Han Guang, the King of Liaodong. When Xiang An suddenly declared war on him, he had no time to defend himself.

Therefore, at least in the early stages of the war with Yan, Northern Chu was able to gain some advantage.

Xiang An's reputation had been completely ruined by Peng Yue, but after last summer and winter, the people of Qi were now praising him.

No one would hate or spit on a king who truly helps the people. When Peng Yue publicized Xiang An's bad reputation, most of the people of Qi were completely bewildered.

Because of Xiang An's attitude during the disaster relief efforts, he gained a lot of public support, and as a result, the Northern Chu army received some reinforcements.

One hundred thousand Northern Chu troops pressed frantically to the border between Northern Chu and Yan. Last year, Changshan was actually the land that blocked their way, but Zijuan reclaimed it in a desperate move, and now they were able to directly attack the border cities of Yan.

The war progressed rapidly, and by early April, Zang Tu was forced by Xiang An to turn back and fight against him.

However, this allowed Han Guang, the King of Liaodong, to raid his hometown at will. Left with no other choice, Zang Tu had to seek help from the states of Zhao and Wei to the west.

However......

The states of Zhao and Wei are currently dealing with Han Xin's offensive, which has been replenished in terms of both troops and supplies. As for your state of Yan, you'd better pray for good fortune.

In a sense, Han Xin indirectly helped Xiang An.

The battle situation in the south remained chaotic. Xiang Yu, who had recovered, seemed to have gone mad, taking a large piece of land from Liu Ji and forcing Liu Ji to retreat to the west of Linji. Meanwhile, Jiujiang and Hengshan in the south were also intimidated by Xiang Yu and dared not move.

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Chapter 981 Twenty-Three Years Old

It's July now.

"If you submit, you may become my subject; if you do not submit, you shall die." Xiang An looked down at Zang Tu kneeling before him, his face expressionless, and spoke calmly.

“I… am willing to surrender…” Zang Tu’s face was deathly pale. After saying these words, he seemed to have lost all his strength.

"Liao Ye, untie him." Xiang An took his hand off the hilt of his sword, turned around and walked away, no longer paying attention to what was happening behind him.

Since it's a high-stakes gamble, there will be prizes to match.

Xiang An's spoils of war consisted of most of the land of the Yan state.

The goal of using war to sustain war was achieved. Occupying the heartland of Yan helped Xiang An stabilize his finances and replenish his supplies. However, a small portion of the land was seized by Han Guang, the King of Liaodong.

At the same time, Han Xin finally found an opportunity amidst the defenses of the Wei-Zhao allied forces, and in one fell swoop, he broke through the Wei defenses, captured King Bao of Wei alive, and incorporated the entire Wei state into the territory of the Han state.

By this time, most of the vassal kings that Xiang Yu had enfeoffed were gone.

The remaining contenders for the throne were Xiang Yu, King of Western Chu; Xiang An, King of Northern Chu; Liu Ji, King of Han; Han Guang, King of Liaodong; Gong Ao, King of Linjiang; and Xie, King of Zhao.

However, Gong Ao remained a coward. Liu Ji sent an envoy to ask what this guy was thinking, but the envoy returned looking bewildered. Gong Ao then simply moved the border line back several dozen miles.

This is something Liu Ji can't figure out.

Then there was Han Guang, the King of Liaodong. Just as Xiang An was observing the sand table of Liaodong and preparing his next strategy for attacking Liaodong, an envoy from Liaodong arrived.