The Great Qin Dynasty: The egg of the Black Bird was revered as a national guardian beast.

Late at night, a torrential downpour began.

He raised his head, letting the raindrops stream down his armor.

Han Xin let out a breath, looked at the elite soldiers he had carefully selected in front of him, and raised his hand.

"All military ranks and badges."

With a whoosh, the soldier put the wooden piece in his mouth and bit it.

Seeing this, Han Xin nodded in satisfaction and lowered his raised hand: "Let's go!"

Amidst the sound of rain, the soldiers, gagged and huddled together, rushed towards the Chu army's main camp.

The Chu army's camp was located not far outside Dingtao City.

Because he underestimated the enemy, Xiang Liang did not build any defensive fortifications, only sent out a small number of sentries at night, and even the patrols were merely a formality.

Taking advantage of the heavy rain in the dead of night, the sound of the rain masked the sounds of marching.

Han Xin ordered his soldiers to split up and quietly approach the Chu army camp to form an encirclement.

At this time, the Chu army sentries were still in their tents.

Suddenly, they felt the water in their bowls vibrating. They lifted the curtain and looked into the distance.

If you listen carefully, you can faintly hear a dense and varied sound of running.

After a few breaths, the sound grew louder and louder, and then they saw the Qin army rushing out from the rain.

Not only that, but they are in all directions.

"Qin army attacks the camp!"

"Everyone, hurry!"

However, it was too late. The Qin army had already broken through the Chu army's defenses and was beating drums and shouting.

The Chu army was awakened from their sleep.

Caught off guard by the sudden and fierce attack, they scattered and fled, plunging the entire Chu camp into chaos.

The various departments lost contact with each other and became a disorganized mess.

"Damn it!" Xiang Liang gritted his teeth, slashed down a Qin soldier who was charging at him with his sword, and looked around.

You must cancel your reservation first!

After being awakened, he immediately donned his armor and took up his weapon.

He personally led his personal guards and elite soldiers to resist the Qin army, attempting to rally the scattered Chu troops.

But at this point, the collapse was irreversible.

Therefore, Xiang Liang decided that he had no choice but to retreat first.

However, the Qin army attacked from all sides, forming an encirclement. Even though Xiang Liang was brave and skilled in battle and managed to break through the enemy lines, he was still wounded several times.

He could only lead his troops in a hasty retreat to a mountain.

But Han Xin was unwilling to let him go, so he ordered the pursuit of the remaining Chu troops to be abandoned and instead led his army to besiege the mountain.

..................

Di County of the State of Qi.

After a long and arduous journey, Song Yi finally arrived here.

Along the way, he encountered many remnants of the Chu army. After inquiring, he learned that the Qin army had attacked his camp shortly after he left.

As he predicted, the Chu army suffered a crushing defeat.

The commander-in-chief, Xiang Liang, was also besieged on the mountain by the Qin army.

"Heh." With a wry smile, Song Yi didn't know what to say, so he could only sigh and raise his head.

What he saw, however, was a city.

Now, even though Xiang Liang has suffered a major defeat, he still needs to seek help from the King of Qi for the sake of the State of Chu.

As long as the State of Qi sends troops to relieve the siege, there is still a chance!

Inside the royal palace.

Tian Rong was sitting in the palace handling state affairs when a eunuch approached and said, "Prime Minister, Tian Heng requests an audience."

"Oh?" Tian Rong put down his pen. "What is it?"

He waved his hand with a smile, saying, "Let him in."

"Yes." The eunuch nodded, then folded himself and left the hall.

Not long after, Tian Heng entered, dressed in armor, and bowed to Tian Rongxing, saying, "Greetings, Prime Minister."

"My brother, it's just the two of us here, so there's no need for such formalities."

As Tian Rong spoke with a smile, he picked up a scroll of bamboo slips and began to review them.

Then he asked,

"What brings you to see me at this hour?"

It's clear he's in a good mood. Now that the Qin army has been defeated by Xiang Liang, the State of Qi is safe and sound, so naturally he's happy.

Tian Heng raised his hand and said, "To the Prime Minister."

Today, I received an envoy from the State of Chu.

Tian Rong stopped writing, looked up at Tian Heng, and asked, "An envoy from Chu?"

"Yes."

Tian Heng nodded and continued, "They said they came to convey Xiang Liang's order to request reinforcements to relieve the siege and jointly attack the Qin army."

"Explain in detail," Tian Rong said calmly, turning his gaze to Tian Heng instead of looking at the bamboo slips.

"Yes, the messenger said that Xiang Liang has stationed troops in Dingtao and wants to join forces with our country to attack Han Xin."

"Unexpectedly, Han Xin led his army in a surprise attack, and now they are besieged on the mountain, requesting the army to relieve the siege."

After Tian Heng finished speaking, he cautiously raised his eyes slightly.

Looking at Tian Rong's expression, he asked, "Brother, should we send troops?"

"After all, Qi is still an ally of Chu, and Xiang Liang has come to Qi's aid this time."

Exhaling, Tian Rong looked at Tian Heng.

His face remained expressionless; he simply said, "Go and tell him that the King is unwell and may not be able to see anyone."

Tian Heng raised his eyes: "If he still doesn't leave..."

Raising his hand, Tian Rong interrupted Tian Heng: "Then let him stay there until he leaves on his own."

As he spoke, his eyes turned to Tian Heng.

He asked calmly, "So, do you understand now?"

"Understood." With a sigh, Tian Heng bowed and left the main hall.

...................

On a hilltop.

The dust rising from the foot of the mountain made it impossible to open one's eyes. A group of soldiers stood on the mountain, their long swords drawn and hanging at their sides.

They had not eaten for several days.

At first, they had enough military rations to fill their stomachs, but in the end, they had no choice but to kill a horse to stave off hunger.

Now, however, there are no horses left to kill.

On the battlefield, there was a red flag embroidered with the character "Xiang," which fluttered loudly in the strong wind.

Xiang Liang led the army at the front, his armor covered in dust.

His face was sallow, and his eyes were bloodshot, but he still carried a heroic air about him.

We await this day to fight a decisive battle with the Qin army.

The wind howled loudly on the mountain, while below, sand swirled and the sound of galloping horses echoed.

The wind howled in disarray.

The Chu soldiers under the banner gripped the flagpole tightly.

The others did the same, gripping their weapons and swords tightly, their eyes raised.

I can't quite describe what that look was like.

It should be calm, it should be indignation, it should be facing death.

"May our army be strengthened! Kill!"

Xiang Liang's eyes seemed to burst open as he raised his sword and led the few followers behind him down the mountain.

A terrifying roar erupted from the soldiers behind him.

They charged down the mountain, the two armies clashed, blood and flesh flew everywhere, the grass and soil were stained red, and blood soaked into the earth.

Countless people fell one after another, their blood pooling together.

Until the sounds of battle subsided.

Only one person remained, covered in blood, standing there. The flag was broken, but he propped it up at an angle with one hand.

He stood with his sword at the ready, watching the Qin army that was closing in.

He grinned, but it was a smile; blood flowed from his mouth, staining his armor.

When Xiang Liang looked up, his eyes were bloodshot.

He looked at the flag fluttering in the wind, his mouth opened slightly for a moment, and then he uttered two words.

"Great Chu..."

He must have run out of strength and collapsed among the corpses.

After a long while, Han Xin walked over, looked at the person lying among the corpses, and raised his hand.

"Men, cut off his head and hang it on the city gate."