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

Han Xin also looked bewildered.

"Um...would you like to say it again?" Han Xin was already mentally cursing.

He wouldn't hesitate at all to sit in the main seat of the command tent, and even enjoyed it very much, but if you ask him to sit at the negotiating table...

Forget it.

However, his bewildered and inexperienced negotiation skills successfully led Jiang Ming astray as well.

"So, we'll give you all the food, we'll take the money, and you don't want the territory?"

"Yes, of course." Jiang Ming felt utterly exhausted. "So, that's it?"

"That's enough." Han Xin also felt quite tired.

The State of Zhao was gone just like that.

Excluding Gong Ao, the only remaining feudal lords are three.

Xiang Yu, the King of Western Chu, occupied the fertile land from the central part of the Central Plains to the lower reaches of the Huai River and the lower reaches of the Yangtze River.

Xiang An, the King of Northern Chu, occupied the northeastern part of the Central Plains, and the lower reaches of the Yellow and Huai Rivers were under his control, as well as part of the territory of the Wei Kingdom to the north and the entire Yan Kingdom.

Finally, Liu Ji, the King of Han, occupied all the remaining territory.

"In the north, after winter, we'll have to figure out a way to wage war against Northern Chu," Liu Ji murmured as he walked along the Ying River, clad in armor and gazing at the snowy landscape.

Zhang Liang followed behind Liu Ji without saying a word.

Liu Ji turned to look at Zhang Liang and sighed softly.

Zhang Liang remained in this mental state ever since he learned that Xiang Yu and Xiang An had performed acts of saving the world.

I felt somewhat dazed and lost in thought.

Liu Ji shook his head slightly; he could roughly understand Zhang Liang's thoughts.

However, he had no intention of handing over the Central Plains, even if the other party was someone who had saved the Central Plains.

"Should we still leave the north to General Han?" After a long while, Zhang Liang stopped and asked Liu Ji.

“Yes, only Han Xin can restrain Xiang An. I can’t.” Liu Ji readily admitted that he couldn’t beat Xiang An, with a slight smile on his face. “Xiang An is better than me in many ways, and better than Han Xin in many ways. He is a truly ‘all-rounder’.”

"But when fighting against Han Xin, he can only use methods that are comparable to Han Xin's, and there is no other way to use them. And my goal is simply for Han Xin to keep Xiang An in the north."

"Western Chu won't last long. These two brothers can't possibly join forces against the enemy again. Given their personalities, it's impossible for them to do so in this lifetime."

Zhang Liang looked at Liu Ji's convinced expression and shook his head with a wry smile.

"Even though Zifang has witnessed Your Majesty's ability to recognize and select talent many times, he cannot help but admire it. Your Majesty's greatest skill in getting to where you are today is your ability to use people effectively."

"In terms of bravery, I am inferior to Xiang Yu and Xiang An." Liu Ji found a clearing where there was no snow, sat down, and said indifferently, "In terms of military campaigns, I am inferior to Han Xin and Xiang An."

"I am not as good as Xiao He in logistics management, and I am not good at magic or assassination."

"That's why I rack my brains to make use of what I have."

“If we don’t do this, we can’t survive in this world.” Liu Ji’s eyes dimmed slightly, then became firm again. “So, I want to end this chaotic world.”

"We are all living too tiring lives. Whether it's me, or Xiang Yu and Xiang An, we are all too tired."

"I want to end this chaotic world and create a Central Plains where people can live vibrantly and achieve happiness even without racking their brains or exerting all their strength."

The border between Western Chu and Han, a Han army camp.

"Commanders Zi and Huai," a soldier called out to the figure standing with his back to the camp, "There is a troop mobilization order."

"Your Majesty wishes to see you."

Zihuai glanced back at the Han soldier, nodded, and said nothing.

The Han soldier nodded: "The fast horse is ready."

After saying that, he pushed her out, clearly already familiar with Zihuai's coldness.

With a heavy sigh, Zihuai tucked the order into his arms, packed his things, left the tent, mounted a fast horse at the camp gate, and rode towards Liu Ji's defensive line.

"Zihuai, are you feeling better lately?" Liu Ji's eye bags were a bit deep, but he still looked at Zihuai with a smile.

"Not bad." Zihuai simply nodded, without showing any particular respect.

"You..." Liu Ji shook his head, somewhat helplessly looking at Zi Huai.

He intended to change some of Zihuai's personality, but in these chaotic times, he didn't have much time.

As he himself said, he was very busy, extremely busy.

In the past few years, he and Zihuai only kept in touch occasionally, letting the child live according to his own wishes.

"Your Majesty, is there something you need to tell me?" Zihuai raised her head and asked Liu Ji.

"There are indeed some matters." Liu Ji nodded. "Your skills are quite good. Since you are willing to become a Han soldier, would you be willing to do me another favor?"

"I will carry out your orders." Zi Huai's expression was calm, even cold.

With a sigh, Liu Ji stopped worrying about Zihuai's psychological issues; he didn't have time to dwell on them now.

"After the Awakening of Insects, I need you to gather intelligence on Western Chu."

"Yes." Zihuai nodded.

"Just protect yourself. Don't fight if you don't have to. Just keep an eye on Western Chu for now. As for Northern Chu," Liu Ji rubbed his chin and accidentally plucked a beard hair, "we'll talk about Northern Chu when you get back from Western Chu."

"Remember, don't alert them. Come back immediately once you get the intelligence," Liu Ji emphasized to Zi Huai again.

"Yes, I understand." Zihuai lowered his head.

Then, in an instant, he disappeared into Liu Ji's camp.

Liu Ji looked at the spot where Zihuai had disappeared and shook his head.

"What a terrible time!"

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

Chapter 987 Entanglement Between Nations

No war broke out in winter. When Han Xin and Jiang Ming negotiated, it was already December. Xiang An was busy taking care of the winter affairs of a vast area, ensuring that the people could survive the winter. At the same time, he discussed with his ministers the spring planting and the war after the spring.

The war is not over. The remaining four feudal lords will have to die before the war ends. Even if someone were to unify the world, they would still have to spend a lot of energy dealing with potential rebellions and the Xiongnu who raid southward every autumn and winter.

Therefore, although Liu Ji gave Zi Huai the order, Zi Huai did not set off immediately. During the winter, Xiang Yu was probably busy dealing with the same things as Xiang An and Liu Ji. The defense line would definitely change again in the spring, and that would be the time for Zi Huai to take action.

"After all these years, there's still no news of your brother?"

In Langya County, the source of the glue, Xiang An and Zi Juan sat in the mansion, chatting idly.

“…No.” Zijuan was also dealing with some documents. Hearing Xiang An’s words, she couldn’t help but sigh. “Liu Ji doesn’t have a general named Zihuai under his command. There are too many more detailed things to do. There’s simply no opportunity to look for him.”

"...I'm sorry, the Northern Chu has just been established, and there are too many things to shoulder." Xiang An paused for a moment while writing, his eyes showing some fatigue.

“I didn’t say I blamed you, Second Brother, why are you apologizing?” Zijuan said, somewhat amused and exasperated. “When I decided to leave with you, Second Brother, I was already prepared to shoulder the burden of this new country with you. It was just a choice, my own choice, and it has nothing to do with you, Second Brother.”

"As for Ashu..." Zijuan's eyes dimmed slightly, "Although I feel somewhat sorry for him, I'll wait until Bei Chu is more stable before I go to him."

"I must find him." Zijuan gripped the pen slightly, her tone resolute.

"Besides, Second Brother, you said you have a lot on my shoulders... Who has more on their shoulders than you do?" Zijuan looked at Xiang An and sighed.

Xiang An did not respond, pretending not to hear, and continued doing his own thing.

His hair and beard were turning gray, even with the powerful life force of the savior machine supporting them.

The battle with Xiang Yu by the river depleted Xiang An's life force. Although both of them were injured at the time, Xiang Yu had Yu Meiren by his side who could share the burden and help heal his wounds. As for Xiang An... Zijuan was powerless to help. The injuries that were so severe that they would have killed an ordinary person several times over were something that Xiang An had to endure on his own.

Moreover, Northern Chu was established during a chaotic period, and the pressure and risks that Xiang An had to bear were on a completely different level compared to those of Liu Ji and Xiang Yu.

But the Ministry of Security weathered it all.

“After spring, Han Xin will definitely launch an offensive in the north, and the defense work in the south will still be left to General Wei.” Xiang An changed the subject and started talking about serious matters.

“We can use the old counties of Zhao as our front line and engage Han Xin in skirmishes there,” Zijuan said, her tone becoming serious.

“That’s not a good idea. It’s too far north. Han Xin wouldn’t choose that direction. He’ll definitely attack the old Wei territory.” Xiang An frowned, glanced at the map posted on the opposite wall, and thought for a moment. “After the spring planting next year, I will personally become his opponent.”

"On the south side, however, we must consider the possibility that Liu Ji might attack both countries simultaneously."

"Therefore, if possible, we must annihilate the army led by Han Xin as soon as possible."

Xiang An raised his head, his tone carrying a hint of fierceness and... a deep sense of worry.

Han Xin... is not so easy to deal with.

......

“Lord Xiang Yu…” In the palace in Pengcheng, Yu Meiren sat beside Xiang Yu, her face filled with sorrow.

“Yu…” Xiang Yu raised his head, looked at the sorrowful Yu Meiren, and couldn’t help but shake his head, “Perhaps I shouldn’t have told you this so soon.”

"Is there truly no room for negotiation, Lord Xiang Yu? I..."

"This is for the sake of the world, for the sake of the Central Plains." Xiang Yu interrupted Yu Meiren and patted her head.

"I'm sorry, Yu... this is the reason for my existence."

"Feel sorry......"

......

Winter passed quickly.

Losses are inevitable in winter, especially in the current chaotic winter. Not to mention civilians, even in the military, there will occasionally be cases of starvation and freezing to death.

But after the spring thunder, everything came back to life, along with the desire to fight.

With the army not engaged in production, after the spring, the Han state launched a full-scale offensive against the two Chu states. Not only did Western Chu face numerous Han troops along its border, but Han Xin also began to attack Northern Chu.

Zijuan, the Grand General of Northern Chu and also the Grand Commandant, immediately set off to the northern defense line to block Han Xin's attack, while the harassment in the south was handled by Wei Hao, another Grand General appointed by Xiang An.

After arranging all the internal affairs of Northern Chu, Xiang An immediately set off with the remaining part of his army to the north, hoping to outmaneuver Han Xin and directly destroy Han's military deployment in the north.

But that was Han Xin.

How many generals dare to say they can definitely defeat Han Xin?

There wasn't a single one, and Xiang An wouldn't dare say that.