Teasing the First Dragon at the Start

"But the Xia army did not attack at all. After beating drums and gongs for a while, they left. Then they changed groups of people several times and repeated the process several times."

"We thought the Xia army was using the same old tactics, so we didn't take it seriously and told the soldiers to rest as soon as possible and prepare for battle tomorrow. Who would have thought that we had just lain down for a short while when the Xia army actually broke in this time."

“We were caught off guard and lost a lot of food and supplies. We suffered over a thousand casualties. By the time we realized what was happening, the Xia army had turned and fled. We didn’t have time to chase them.”

After hearing her words, Xiang Liang's expression immediately turned serious. "This Bai Su is indeed cunning. He's trying to wear us down with a strategy of exhaustion."

Xiang Yu was taken aback: "A strategy to wear down the enemy?"

Xiang Liang nodded slightly and explained, "Our Chu army soldiers are brave and skilled in battle, and have always longed to have a decisive battle with the Xia army on the battlefield as soon as possible to determine the victor. Bai Su saw through our idea of ​​a quick victory and deliberately avoided battle, using the strategy of exhausting our troops to harass us."

"Taking advantage of the city's defenses and the large number of troops, he created a net that could not be cast, constantly sending small teams to harass our camp day and night, preventing our soldiers from getting any rest."

"If we maintain a high level of alert, we'll become drowsy and our bodies will break down in less than ten days."

"But if we don't stay vigilant enough, they'll take advantage of our weaknesses, launching surprise attacks here and there, winning small victories one after another, gradually eroding our strength."

"This is an extremely insidious and despicable strategy, but it's one that leaves people with no other choice."

As she finished speaking, the entire tent fell silent.

Faced with an opponent like Bai Su who goes straight to the heart of the matter, even the usually composed Xiang Yu couldn't help but twitch his lips a couple of times.

She had never encountered such an infuriating opponent since she started her rebellion.

Despite having such a large fortune, they always played small cards, only three or two cents at a time, never willing to play a big hand, giving them no chance to turn the tables.

This is like playing an infinite firepower mode and shamelessly sneaking into someone's base; such people are absolutely disgusting.

What's even more disgusting is that they really don't know what to do about Bai Su's shameless behavior for the time being.

Bai Su was far too cautious.

If the commander-in-chief is changed and his prestige is insufficient to command the troops, the Chu army can still use tactics such as feigning weakness, insulting the troops outside the city, and luring them out, and then seize the city.

But Bai Su is like that. He has prestige in the army and can win people's hearts. The people in the city will not rebel. He also has connections in the court. No one will hinder him from behind at a critical moment.

We can attack wherever we point, and no one will disobey orders or leave the city to fight at will.

They were finding Bai Su's methodical approach extremely difficult to accept.

After a long silence, Xiang Yu suddenly spoke up: "Now, there is only one way."

Xiang Liang was taken aback: "What method?"

Xiang Yu took a deep breath and said coldly, "Faced with such an opponent who almost never makes a mistake, continuing the stalemate will only diminish our advantage. The only way to break through the current situation is to put ourselves in a do-or-die situation."

Xiang Zhuang couldn't help but ask, "What does the General mean...?"

Xiang Yu said coldly, "Concentrate all our forces to launch a fierce attack on the Xia army's city, tear open a gap, and I will lead a lone army, like a long spear, straight into Bai Su's heart."

Xiang Liang frowned and retorted, "No, that's too dangerous. We're already exhausted from attacking the city, and you're going to lead a small, isolated army to attack Bai Su's camp."

"You must understand that Bai Su, as the commander-in-chief of the Xia army, has countless fierce generals and armored soldiers around him. If you were to lead a lone army to break through the Xia army's many and tight defenses without any support from the rear, it would be almost impossible."

"If you make even the slightest mistake, you'll be trapped with nowhere to go."

Xiang Zhuang, who was standing to the side, also nodded.

She couldn't help but advise, "Yes, General, why don't we think about it again and see if there are any other ways? This is like having one foot in the grave, it's too dangerous."

Xiang Yu, however, remained calm. He glanced at the moonlight outside the window with his almond-shaped eyes and said indifferently, "Don't worry, Fan Kuai, Xiahou Ying, Zhang Han, Liu Ji and the others are nothing but a bunch of chickens and dogs, worthless scoundrels. I don't even care about them."

"Right now, this is the only way to break the deadlock."

Hearing Xiang Yu's words, Xiang Liang's lips parted slightly, as if he wanted to say something, but he stopped himself from speaking.

After all, with wolves in front and tigers behind, they are caught in a dilemma. The only hope is to fight their way out.

Continuing to delay will only make the situation worse.

Xiang Yu slowly stood up from the table, gripped the black Overlord Spear tightly in one hand, and gazed at the distant city. In an instant, various images flashed through her mind.

The image depicts the suicide of the grandfather, Xiang Yan, and the fall of the Chu capital to ruins under the iron cavalry of the Xia dynasty.

As a child, she drifted to Jiangdong. In the fields, amidst the pouring rain, she leaned wearily against an ancient tree. There, a young girl named Yu Ji, dressed in a red dress, held a bamboo umbrella to shelter her from the rain.

The scene shows him smiling and handing over the pastries after hearing her stomach rumble.

The two had a deep bond and had been like sisters for many years. However, under the full moon, Yu Ji turned her back to her and said that she already had someone she loved and hoped that she would not disturb her anymore.

The image of that slowly receding scene still pains her deeply.

They made a pinky promise when they were little, that once he became the greatest general in the land, he would personally take her to see all the splendor of the past.

And the root of all this is that despicable man!!!

Bai Su's hateful face slowly surfaced in her mind.

Recalling the mistreatment she had suffered at the hands of this man, when she sent him clothes belonging to prostitutes, he returned the favor by sending her even more shameless garments, hoping she would wear them herself.

They also took away the most important person in my heart.

Adding to this, the various old and new grudges from the battlefield surged into his mind, causing him to unconsciously clench his fists, which cracked loudly.

Xiang Yu suddenly opened his almond-shaped eyes, like a tiger awakening, and gritted his teeth, saying, "Bai Su... I will make you pay for this in blood! The humiliation you suffered today will be repaid tenfold in the future..."

Chapter 356 Xiang Yu's Surprise Attack, the Future of the Central Plains

The next day, early in the morning.

Bai Su, wearing an outer garment, sat upright on the corridor, gazing at the falling withered leaves and the rippling blue water of the pond in the distance.

"My lord, it's chilly this morning, please take care of yourself." Yu Ji came out from the house behind her and stood beside Bai Su. As she sat down, her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.

Bai Su held Yu Ji's soft, fragrant hand, as delicate and smooth as solidified white jade, and couldn't help but ask, "What... is wrong?"

"It's all because of you, sir, who bullied me so much last night..." Yu Ji glanced at Bai Su, a hint of resentment in her eyes.

They say things like "a brave man carries a three-foot sword at his waist" and "a daughter has five cartloads of books in her belly," which I thought was some kind of poetic imagery.

But I never expected to be bullied so badly; even now, thinking about it makes my body go weak.

"Does it still hurt?"

Bai Su smiled as she watched her delicate eyebrows furrow slightly and her hand clutch her abdomen.

"My lord, you're still laughing..."

A blush rose on Yu Ji's fair face, and she reached out to pinch Bai Su's waist.

"Okay, okay, I won't laugh anymore, alright?"

Bai Su rubbed her nose. She had to admit that the Yu Ji in front of her was graceful and beautiful, with skin as white as jade. She was simply like a goddess descended from heaven.

With such a beautiful woman and a beautiful jade in his arms, what man in the world wouldn't be tempted?

Just then, Chen Ping strode in, cupped his hands, and said, "Sir, the enemy is attacking."

Bai Su raised an eyebrow and murmured, "You've already made up your mind so quickly? You're more decisive than I expected."

Yu Ji's beautiful brows furrowed slightly, and she couldn't help but ask, "My...my lord, what's wrong?"

Bai Su gave her a reassuring smile, then draped her coat over her shoulders and said, "Don't worry, you can rest in the manor. I'll go check on her..."

Yu Ji bit her red lips. She knew that she was always thinking about Yu'er, and that serving the master was just an act. But as she acted, she slowly fell into the trap herself.

Even now, seeing Bai Su about to embark on the battlefield and leave.

A pang of reluctance welled up in her heart. After a long pause, she whispered, "Then be careful."

Bai Su nodded, then changed into an outer garment, took down the sword hanging on the wall, and strode outside.

As he walked, he asked, "What are the specifics?"

Chen Ping replied, "As you instructed, we are constantly harassing the Chu army by exhausting them. If the Chu army retreats, we will press them closer."

"If they remain locked in a stalemate for too long, we will continuously wear down their morale. According to the original plan, the Chu army will surely be thrown into chaos within ten days."

"But at this critical moment, Xiang Yu not only did not retreat, but instead defied public opinion and led the Chu army to launch an attack on us. She wanted to achieve a quick victory over us before the morale of the Chu army collapsed."

Bai Su stroked his chin, his expression grave, and said, "To put ourselves in a desperate situation and then survive, although it's not a wise strategy, it might be a viable option for the Chu army right now. We must be extremely careful and vigilant."

"Nothing is more terrifying than a cornered beast fighting back, especially a ferocious beast like Xiang Yu. Her desperate counterattack is not so easy to stop."

Chen Ping nodded and said, "Our army is ready for battle. General Zhang Han is supervising the battle from the city wall, and Liu Ji, Fan Kuai, and others are on their way with their troops."

Meanwhile, atop the city wall.

Zhang Han's face was gloomy. The Chu army was attacking from afar, but that wasn't the most important thing.

After all, the battle between Xia and Chu had been going on for more than a day or two, and she had long been prepared to face a strong attack from the Chu army.

But she never expected that the Chu army would be so desperate.

Long Ju, Ying Bu, Ji Bu, Zhongli Mei, Yu Ziqi, and almost all of Xiang Yu's fierce generals came out in full force. This massive formation made her feel a strange pressure.

However, as one of the best among the younger generation of generals in the Great Xia Dynasty, she has traveled all over the country and fought in various battles over the years.

Seeing this unusual situation, he didn't panic too much.

Zhang Han's delicate eyebrows furrowed, and after sensing that the distance was about right, she said coldly, "Release the arrows!"

"Yes!"

Although the Mohists helped the Great Xia Dynasty acquire many more defensive weapons, bows and arrows remained the primary means of defense on the battlefield.

After all, the Great Xia Dynasty is not yet so extravagant as to provide each city's defending army with large quantities of oil, crossbows, and other such equipment.

Choo Choo Choo!

A dense barrage of arrows pierced the air, a dark, overwhelming mass sweeping in, each arrow carrying a chilling aura as it hurtled towards the enemy.

"Form ranks."

Long Qi waved his hand, and the surrounding soldiers raised their shields.

On a distant high slope, Xiang Zhuang and Xiang Liang stood side by side, gazing at the battle unfolding in the distance.

Xiang Zhuang, watching Long Ju fend off the Xia army's arrows and advance step by step toward the city gate with his battering ram, couldn't help but laugh and say, "Sir, look, our army has already approached the city gate. At this rate, taking the city is just around the corner."

Xiang Liang frowned slightly and slowly shook his head: "We must not underestimate Bai Su. This person is no ordinary person. It won't be easy to take this tough nut from him."

Xiang Zhuang felt a slight sense of resentment.

After all, she admired her cousin Xiang Yu, an unparalleled general who could break through enemy lines, and she looked down on those scholars who were powerless.