My father, King Chu, was besieged at Gaixia

Chapter 149 Three ways come out together
In response to the Han army's tactics of using a line of chevaux-de-frise to block the attack of their own Chu cavalry, and ambushing the "Zao cavalry" behind the chevaux-de-frise to raid the Chu cavalry, Tian Jian also responded immediately and made adjustments to the battle formation.

After completing the reorganization in the shortest possible time, Tian Jian led hundreds of escort cavalry to continue the first round of charge. Before rushing to the next barricade, he threw the javelins in his hands again at the Han soldiers behind the barricade.

After the flying throw, he led hundreds of cavalry to immediately move to both sides. The remaining one thousand or several hundred Chu cavalrymen behind him acted as the second wave of attack, galloping to fill the position. Then a round of rain of arrows poured down and shot at the Han soldiers behind the chevaux de frise.

After all, the chevaux de frise set up against war horses were not heavy shields and their defensive power was greatly insufficient. Under these two waves of long-range attacks, a large number of Han soldiers hiding behind them were killed or wounded.

The Chu infantry, newly equipped with giant axes, giant hammers and giant hatchets, launched the third wave of attack. They rushed forward with firm steps, wielding the heavy weapons in their hands and smashing and chopping them randomly, smashing and breaking the barricades made of wooden nails one after another.

After breaking through the barricades, the fourth round of Chu infantry - spearmen, holding spears and long spears, advanced step by step, engaging in hand-to-hand combat with the Han infantry, forcing out the "Zao Cavalry" hidden among them, and killing them one by one.

As a result, the Chu cavalry completely changed to a coordinated force, using arrows to assist in suppression from the rear. Their power was greatly reduced, but the overall attack power of the Chu army was greatly enhanced. Moreover, as the cavalry and infantry armies cooperated with each other more tacitly, their forward advancement speed was also accelerating.

In this way, they broke through six barricades in a row. By the time they reached the seventh barricade, the Chu army had fully formed a mature and efficient mode of harvesting the soldiers on the barricade defense line. It was bloody, brutal and wild, turning the entire battle into almost a one-sided massacre.

Faced with this situation, the Han army soldiers' fighting spirit was finally crushed. After a shout, they all fled backwards.

After the Chu army methodically cleared the last line of chevaux-de-frise - the seventh line, a few hundred meters away, more than 26,000 Han infantrymen with heavy shields on the ground and spears standing in rows, exuding an indestructible aura like a wall of iron and steel, were ready for battle.

"Is it finally the final decisive battle?" Up to now, Tian Jian was in full swing of his strength, his handsome and thin face brimming with murderous intent.

He raised his spear high, turned around suddenly, and shouted to the Chu army following him: "Soldiers, Master Chang is watching us from behind. Although the Overlord is far away in Qi, his eyes are always on us. The thousands of brothers who died before us in the Chu army are watching us from underground and cannot rest in peace. Facing these remaining Han troops, what should we do?!"

"Kill! Kill! Kill! Kill them all!" Although there were only less than 3,000 Chu troops left, they were not afraid at all when facing the 20,000-odd Han army array. They brandished their weapons and roared loudly, their aura rising and the sound waves deafening.

Tian Jian said nothing more, his eyes bulged out, his eye corners cracked, and he roared, waving his spear and rushing to the front. The remaining 3,000 Chu cavalry and infantry screamed like crazy and rushed towards the Han army formation with a determination to die.

Seeing the 13,000 Chu cavalrymen pouring in from the rear, the commander Ji Bu couldn't help but look crazy, and at a command, he disregarded all tactics and formations, and rushed towards the Han army camp with the blood surging in his heart that seemed to be boiling.

Zhou Bo and Chai Wu, who were in charge of the left army of the Han army, watched helplessly as the Chu army, like a dragon stirring up trouble in the sea, tore through and destroyed the seven layers of chevaux de frise that had been painstakingly laid out one after another. Their faces were gloomy and looked extremely ugly.

In other words, the two generals are veterans of many battles and have strong nerves. If they were any other ordinary generals, they would probably have lost their fighting spirit and become completely scared.

But now he saw that not only had the Chu army's edge not been dulled, but it was attacking them even more ferociously and recklessly, treating the life-and-death charge as a prize that everyone was vying for, he could not help but feel frightened.

The two looked at each other and nodded at the same time, their eyes firm: Now we have no choice but to fight to the death! After all, Liu Bang's personal soldiers were right beside them as the supervisors, and if they retreated, they would be killed immediately.

"Boom!"

The fierce attack of the Chu army was like a raging tide continuously hitting the embankment, and wave after wave severely slammed into the defense line of the Han army camp.

For a moment, shields were flying all over the sky, spears were shattered, soldiers and horses were wailing in unison, and limbs and armor were blown away at the same time.

The entire Han camp defense line retreated more than ten meters under the full-force attack of the Chu army, but there was no sign of collapse. Instead, it still had the power to fight back, showing great tenacity.

The combat effectiveness of the Han infantry was not inferior to that of the Chu infantry, and they also had the advantage in numbers. The Chu army and cavalry continued to attack and trample, force a breakthrough, and maintain the initiative. Otherwise, it would be difficult to suppress them.

Tian Jian, who was rushing in the front, threw his javelin at the same time as the escort cavalry when he was about to crash into the wall of heavy shields and spears of the Han army. He shot the Han army behind the heavy shield and spear formation into pieces. Then he swung the giant axe he had just picked up and hit the heavy shield that blocked his way, knocking both shields away. Then he rode his horse suddenly into the densely arrayed Han soldiers.

Almost instantly, the horse he was sitting on was pierced to pieces by the dense spears, and fell limply to death. Tian Jian rushed forward uncontrollably and fell heavily to the ground. Just before the chaotic spears of the Han army pierced him like a hedgehog, he suddenly jumped up, turned his body, and swung his axe in a circle, slashing and knocking away the Han soldiers who were taking advantage of him one after another.

Next, he swung his axe back and forth like a hungry tiger descending from the mountain, chopping as if he were chopping wood stakes, and knocked down the Han soldiers around him one after another, charging forward quickly step by step.

Those of his cavalry guards who had managed to survive the Han camp's heavy shield and spear formation also gathered around him, protecting him and charging forward together.

On the rear observation platform, Xiang Zhuang watched the left, center, and right armies struggling to break through the Han army's chevaux-de-frise defense line, suffering heavy casualties. At one point they were even blocked by the Han army. The situation was critical, with sweat pouring down his forehead, and he paced back and forth anxiously on the platform. At this time, he saw the final decisive battle with the Han camp beginning, with an intertwined fight. Although the Chu army had the upper hand and pushed the Han army's front line back and retreated continuously, it had been difficult to defeat it. The battle situation fell into a stalemate and a state of consumption, and he could not help but become more anxious.

Looking up, he saw Xiang Chang standing steadily on the spot without moving an inch, his face calm and indifferent, like an unperturbed calm. He truly had the demeanor of a great general, and he couldn't help but admire him greatly.

Xiang Zhuang hesitated for a moment, then said, "General, although our army has the upper hand at this moment, it is only a matter of time before we break through the Han camp and win a great victory. However, every moment of delay will undoubtedly cost the lives of countless soldiers. Can we consider sending the 20,000 reserve troops into the battlefield to completely tear open the Han army's front line, defeat them, and end this battle?"

Zhongli Mei didn't say anything, but kept nodding his head gently, obviously agreeing with Xiang Zhuang's opinion.

All the Han army's forces were now in front of them, with only 12,000 cavalry troops maneuvering in the rear. This was undoubtedly the best time for the entire army to move forward and seize the final victory.

Xiang Chang also showed a hesitant look on his face, and instinctively nodded in agreement.

Just when he was about to nod, he suddenly shook his head and said coldly: "No! Wait and see!"

Xiang Zhuang and Zhongli Mei were both stunned and puzzled, wondering what there was to wait for at this point.

Xiang Chang looked up at the two large flags of "Han" and "Liu" flying high behind the Han army, and said with a stern face: "Although Liu Bang's military strategy is far inferior to that of my father and Han Xin, he is not a weakling. This battle is too smooth. I always feel uneasy. I feel that this old thief should have a backup plan." Xiang Zhuang and Zhong Li Mei were puzzled. At this point, all the Han troops under Liu Bang were in front of them. What backup plan could he have? Is he a god? Can he appear out of thin air?

Xiang Zhuang disagreed and was about to persuade him again, but Zhongli Mei shook his head gently to stop him and told him to be patient and wait.

"Come on, old thief Liu, the war has reached this point. If you delay any longer, your Han army camp will be defeated. I don't believe you are not anxious. Hurry up and reveal your cards so that I can see them clearly." Xiang Chang, who had completely calmed down, stared at the rear of the Han camp and muttered to himself.

Behind the Han camp, on the tall observation platform.

Liu Bang, surrounded by several of his generals, was also watching the battle nervously.

The Chu army was in high spirits and seemed to be invincible. Although the battle with the Han army was in a stalemate and the offensive momentum was obviously strong, the Han camp could still resist for a while, but any discerning person could see that it was only a matter of time before they were defeated and collapsed.

Both Cao Shen and Xiahou Ying looked pale, at a loss, and with despair in their eyes.

If they lose this battle, it will be a disastrous situation for their Han camp. After all, all the elite troops of the Han Dynasty are here.

Liu Bang also looked nervous, but he was not watching the battle between Han and Chu. Instead, his eyes were fixed on the "Chu" and "Xiang" flags flying behind the Chu army.

There was a dead silence, and the 10,000 cavalry and 10,000 infantry, who were the reserve forces, were stationed there steadily, without making any movement.

"Although Xiang Chang is young, he doesn't show any impatience at all. It's weird!" Liu Bang punched the wooden guardrail heavily and said unwillingly.

Cao Shen and Xiahou Ying looked at each other and tried to persuade Liu Bang to send 12,000 reserve cavalry into the battlefield, but when they saw Liu Bang's angry face, they finally kept silent.

Since the execution of Han Xin, Liu Bang has become a dictatorial and arbitrary person who refuses to listen to anyone's opinions.

For example, in the current battle formation against the Great Chu, he appointed Cao Shen as the main general of the central army, with Wang Yi, Yang Xi, and Yang Wu as deputy generals, leading 50,000 infantry; the left army appointed Fan Kuai as the main general, Zhou Chang as the deputy general, leading 40,000 infantry; the right army appointed Zhou Bo as the main general, Chai Wu as the deputy general, leading 40,000 infantry.

As for the 12,000 Han cavalry who were frightened by the Chu cavalry and had little fighting power, they were led by Ding Fu, and Ding Li, Zhang Yue, Wang Jing and others were deputy generals, serving as a reserve army and not moving.

It must be said that his desperate military strategy, which was like a gambler who had lost everything, was opposed by almost all the generals as soon as it was announced. However, the old villain, who was always good at accepting advice, insisted on his own way this time and forced all the generals to follow his intentions.

In order to prevent the generals from playing tricks, secretly disobeying orders and causing unfavorable results in battle, he also specially dispatched a supervision team to monitor the battle.

"Do you think I'm crazy for adopting this doomed military strategy to fight against the Chu? Now is the time to tell you, I did all this on purpose." Liu Bang said in an unfathomable tone.

When Cao Shen and Xiahou Ying heard this, they looked at each other in surprise and doubt.

In their minds, Liu Bang was not the kind of general who was good at planning and winning by surprise. This time he wanted to implement a strange plan, and for a moment they couldn't decide whether to force-feed them a surprise or a shock!
"Pass the order, let's take action!" Liu Bang said decisively to Yang Tian, ​​the eunuch behind him, with a look of planning a strategy.

Yang Tian respectfully accepted the order and quickly went down to the observation platform. Not long after, three thick smoke billowed into the sky from behind the camp.

Almost at the same time, on the observation platform of the Great Chu camp, Xiang Chang also saw the three smoke signals, his eyes gloomy: "As expected, the old thief Liu has a backup plan! Hehe, there are three forces, and all who can come are here. They are really happy to join in the fun!"

As he finished speaking, smoke rose from the southeast, southwest, and northwest directions at the same time, which was very eye-catching under the clear sky of early winter. Then the ground in these three directions shook, dust like fog covered the sky, and three armies rushed towards the battlefield at the same time.

To the southeast was an army of 30,000 cavalrymen. On the first few flags flying in the sky, there were words like "Chu", "Han", "Ying", "Gu", etc., like a hodgepodge. It turned out that Ying Bu and Chen Xi's forces were joining forces and joining the Han camp again, joining in this final decisive battle.

The 30,000-strong army in the southwest had red flags with words like "Lu" and "Yong" written on them. They were the reinforcements sent by Xiao He from Guanzhong.

As for the northwest, the army had a total of 40,000 troops, all of whom were cavalry. A huge word "Peng" was written on the dark blue flag - it was the Peng Yue army that had been silent for a long time and had reappeared!
Looking at these three armies consisting of a total of 100,000 elite soldiers, Zhongli Mei and Xiang Zhuang's faces changed drastically and they trembled all over.

"Didn't Ying Bu kill Shusun Tong? How, how..." Xiang Zhuang shouted angrily.

"It's a tempting thing! Killing Shusun Tong is obviously to confuse us. Humph, not only him, but also Peng Yue, I'm afraid Liu Bang has made conditions that they cannot refuse." Zhongli Mei said angrily.

"These two bastards are fickle-minded. Aren't they afraid of being struck by lightning and left without a burial place?!" Xiang Zhuang cursed.

Han army observation platform.

Looking at the three armies that suddenly appeared, Cao Shen and Xiahou Ying were shocked, and looked at Liu Bang as if he were a god!

Facing the shocked and admiring eyes of the two generals, Liu Bang was secretly pleased. In fact, this military strategy was from Han Xin, not his work. It was precisely because he felt that the military strategy should be a sure thing to defeat the Chu army that he killed Han Xin so decisively and without hesitation.

"Xiang Chang, aren't you cunning and wise? How will you deal with this overwhelming pressure? Last time, I was able to force your father into a desperate situation in Gaixia City, and now, I can also destroy your son here. Humph, this Gaixia is destined to be the burial place of you and your son!" Liu Bang looked up at the rear of the Chu army, his tone full of murderous intent and chilling to the bone.

(End of this chapter)