Chapter 52 51 Giant Deer War

After Xiang Liang reorganized the army, he won several victories one after another, defeating Zhang Han, the general of the Qin Dynasty.Xiang Yu and Liu Bang led another team to kill Qin general Li You.Xiang Liang became proud, thinking that the Qin army was nothing special, so he relaxed his vigilance.Zhang Han replenished his troops, took advantage of Xiang Liang's unpreparedness, and launched a fierce counterattack.Xiang Liang was killed in the battle.Xiang Yu and Liu Bang also had to retreat to Pengcheng. Zhang Han defeated Xiang Liang, thinking that the Chu army was seriously injured, so he temporarily left the south side of the Yellow River aside, and led the Qin army to attack the State of Zhao (this State of Zhao is not the State of Zhao in the Warring States Period, but a newly established regime). Soon captured Handan, the capital of Zhao State, and Zhao Wangxie fled to Julu (now southwest of Ping Township, Hebei).

Zhang Han sent Qin General Wang Li to surround Julu, and he led the army to station in the Jiyuan south of Julu.He also built a grain road between Jiyuan and Julu to deliver grain and grass to Wang Lijun. Zhao Wangxie sent people to Chu Huai Wang for help several times.At that time, King Huai of Chu was about to send people west to attack Xianyang.Xiang Yu was eager to avenge his uncle and asked to lead troops into the pass. Several old officials around King Huai secretly said to King Huai: "Xiang Yu is too hot-tempered and kills too many people; Liu Bang is a loyal man, so it is better to send him." It happened that Zhao Guo came to ask for help.King Huai of Chu sent Liu Bang to attack Xianyang, Song Yi as the general, and Xiang Yu as the deputy general, leading an army of 200,000 to Julu to rescue Zhao.

The army led by Song Yi arrived in Anyang (now southeast of Anyang, Henan). Hearing that the Qin army was powerful, he ordered the Chu army to stop. . Song Yi stood still and stayed in Anyang for forty-six days.Xiang Yu couldn't bear his temper, so he went to Song Yi and said, "Qin's army has surrounded Julu. The situation is so urgent. Let's cross the river quickly and attack Zhao's army inside and out. We will definitely defeat Qin's army." Song Yi said: "Let's wait for the decisive battle between the Qin army and the Zhao army." He then said to Xiang Yu: "I can't compare to you when you go to battle with the enemy; if you want to sit in a tent and come up with a plan, you can't compare to me." Fuck me."

He also issued an order: "Anyone among the soldiers who disobeys the command shall be beheaded according to the military law!" This order was clearly aimed at Xiang Yu, and Xiang Yu was furious.It was already November weather at this time, the weather in the north was cold and it was raining heavily.The army food in the Chu camp could not be supplied, and the soldiers complained about being cold and hungry. Xiang Yu said: "Now there is no food in the barracks, but the general does not move, drinking and having fun by himself. He has no regard for the country and the soldiers. He does not look like a general."

The next day, Xiang Yu drew his sword and killed Song Yi during the court meeting.He raised Song Yi's head and said to the soldiers: "Song Yi betrayed the king (referring to King Huai of Chu), and I have executed him by the king's order." Most of the soldiers were Xiang Liang's old subordinates, and Song Yi didn't have much prestige among the soldiers.Seeing that Xiang Yu killed him, everyone expressed their willingness to listen to Xiang Yu's command. Xiang Yu sent someone to report Song Yi's execution to King Huai of Chu.Although King Huai of Chu was very dissatisfied, he had no choice but to make Xiang Yu a general.

After Xiang Yu killed Song Yi, he first sent generals Yingbu and General Pu to lead 20,000 troops in the vanguard, cross the Zhangshui River, cut off the Qin army's grain transportation, and separate Zhang Han's and Wang Li's troops.Then, Xiang Yu led the main force across the river. After crossing the river, Xiang Yu ordered the soldiers to take three days of dry food, smashed all the cooking pots in the army, and scuttled all the boats crossing the river. Said: "This time we are fighting, we will advance and never retreat. Within three days, we must repel the Qin soldiers."

Xiang Yu's determination and courage greatly encouraged the soldiers.The Chu army surrounded Wang Li's army, and everyone's morale was boosted, and they fought more and more bravely.One person is worth ten Qin soldiers, and ten is worth a hundred.After nine fierce battles, Wang Li was captured alive, and the other soldiers of the Qin army were killed or escaped. The Qin army surrounding Julu collapsed like this. At that time, there were more than a dozen people from various generals who came to rescue Zhao.But they were afraid of the strength of the Qin army, so they all pitched their camps and did not dare to confront the Qin army.This time, when they heard the earth-shattering shouts of the Chu army, they huddled on the wall to watch.Seeing the scene of the Chu army rushing into the Qin camp, they stuck out their tongues in fright and held their breath.When Xiang Yu defeated the Qin army and invited them to meet him in the barracks, they all knelt down and crawled in, not even daring to raise their heads.

Everyone praised Xiang Yu and said: "The majesty of the general is really amazing. There has been no second since ancient times. We are willing to obey your command." From then on, Xiang Yu actually became the leader of various anti-Qin armies.