The Myth of Daqin: The Soul of Yi Xiaochuan

Chapter 288 Attacks from all directions

Meng Tian led an army of 150,000 southward. Along the way, all the counties and prefectures opened their gates. Only when they reached Gaonu City in Shangjun did they encounter some resistance.

After all, Meng Tian was a general with many years of experience in battle, so the mere city of Gaonu was easily conquered. In just one hour, Gaonu City opened its gates and surrendered.

Immediately, Meng Tian ordered the army to rest here for a few days.

At this time, Meng Yi came to Meng Tian's tent, bowed and said, "Brother, I would like to lead the army eastward to Zhao territory and take the opportunity to go south to the Guandong area."

Meng Tian looked at Meng Yi, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes, and said, "Okay, but brother Yi, you must be careful on this trip. The terrain of Zhao is dangerous and the situation is complicated."

Meng Yi straightened up and replied firmly, "Don't worry, big brother. I will definitely fulfill my mission."

Meng Tian nodded and began to allocate troops.

He divided the army into three parts. The first was led by Meng Yi, who led 30,000 troops across the Yellow River and marched eastward.

In the second route, Li Ze led an army of 10,000 southward, captured Diaoyin, and went straight to the Zhengguo Canal area along the Luoshui River, taking the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on the important town of Liyang in Guanzhong.

The third route was to personally lead an army of 110,000 south along the Jing River, approach Xiaoguan, and attract the troops from Guanzhong.

Meng Yi's eastern army advanced smoothly, quickly breaking through the defenses of the Zhao counties. Knowing the value of speed in battle, he made few stops after each capture, leaving only a small number of soldiers in Jinyang to appease the people and maintain law and order while the main force continued its rapid eastward advance.

After the army arrived at Shangdang County, Meng Yi ordered them to rest for a few days.

He pondered inwardly that historically, Xiang Liang had been killed by Zhang Han in Zhao. Although history had changed, he still didn't dare to take it lightly. If Xiang Liang were to die in battle, the conflict between the Chu and Qin peoples would surely intensify, and the situation that had been so hard to save might collapse in an instant.

Moreover, Meng Yi also planned to visit Liu Bang to find out if he had any second thoughts. If Liu Bang really had ill intentions, then Meng Yi would definitely not show mercy.

Immediately, Meng Yi summoned Xiao He, Ying Bu, Han Xin, Li Ziwei and others.

Everyone gathered together.

Meng Yi said in a deep voice, "Now that Zhao and Yan have both reclaimed their kingdoms, they may be advancing with a fierce force, but in reality, they are merely rogues with no ambition. Now is the perfect time for us to lead our army to attack them while their foundations are still unstable. This will also lay a solid foundation for future stability in the world."

Everyone nodded in agreement after hearing Meng Yi's words. Xiao He stepped forward and said worriedly, "General, this plan is brilliant, but our forces are limited. If we disperse our forces, I'm afraid there will be many problems."

Meng Yi nodded slightly, a confident smile on his face. He turned to look at Han Xin and Ying Bu and said loudly, "You are right, Great Master. However, I believe that Han Xin and Ying Bu can definitely raise two powerful teams in Zhao and Yan!"

Han Xin and Ying Bu looked at each other and saw the desire and determination for war in each other's eyes.

Han Xin clasped his fists and saluted, then said in a resounding voice, "General, rest assured. I will live up to your trust!"

Ying Bu also echoed.

Meng Yi nodded with satisfaction and then warned, "Han Xin and Ying Bu, there are many generous and tragic people in the land of Yan and Zhao. You two must be very careful on this trip."

So, Han Xin and Xiao He led an army of 15,000 and rushed towards Zhao like a gust of wind, while Ying Bu and Meng Xin led an army of 10,000 and rushed towards Yan without stopping.

Meng Yi and Li Ziwei continued to move south.

After Meng Tian's western army arrived at Xiaoguan, it did not immediately launch a fierce attack.

At this time, Feng Jie had led 50,000 southern troops to Xiaoguan.

He stood on the tall city wall of Xiaoguan, looking at the densely packed military camp of Meng Tian outside the pass. Suddenly, a feeling of powerlessness surged in his heart, as if he was suffocated by an invisible mountain.

Feng Jie sighed inwardly and said, "Forget it. I will just stay here and guard the pass. With the walls of Xiaoguan Pass, even Meng Tian will find it difficult to break through in a short time."

However, Feng Yu on the side looked eager to try, with a determined look in his eyes.

Feng Yu said, "Father, I am willing to personally lead 5,000 cavalrymen to attack the enemy camp under cover of darkness. After I burn their food supplies, I will also let Meng Tian know that my Feng family is not to be trifled with!"

Feng Yu had always been brooding over the fact that Meng Yi had chopped off his father's left arm. At this moment, the hatred in his heart was like a burning fire, becoming more and more intense.

Seeing this, Feng Jie knew that his son Feng Yu wanted to avenge him, but he also knew that his strength was far inferior to Meng Tian, ​​and that the other side had an army of over 100,000, while his own pass had only 60,000 defenders.

How can we fight this war when the disparity in power is so great? And what can we use to fight it?

Feng Jie sighed, his tone filled with helplessness and worry, and said, "Yu'er, don't be impulsive. Meng Tian is an extremely skilled military commander. He's holding his troops in place, so he must have some ulterior motive. We must not act rashly."

Feng Jie stared at Feng Yu, hoping that he could understand his difficulties.

Feng Jie then consoled him, saying, "Yu'er, as long as we hold our ground and wait for the arrival of Zhang Han's 200,000-strong army, we will surely defeat Meng Tian's forces."

Feng Yu listened to his father's words. Although he felt unwilling, he also understood the reason behind it. He gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and the light in his eyes gradually dimmed.

In this tense atmosphere, the conversation between the father and son seemed to be frozen in time, their expressions and eyes revealed their inner struggle and helplessness.

The wind whistled past the city wall, as if sighing for the unknown outcome of the war.

Li Ze also successfully captured Diaoyin City.

"Report! General, the Qin army in Guanzhong has deployed tight defenses in the area from Zhengguo Canal to Hengshan, and our army has encountered stubborn resistance!" A spy hurried to report.

Li Ze frowned slightly, knowing full well how difficult this battle would be. He turned to look at the deputy general beside him, a hint of determination flashing in his eyes: "Pass on my order, the entire army rests and prepares to meet the enemy."

The deputy general took the order and left, while Li Ze stood alone on the mountain pine, staring into the distance, secretly thinking about how to break through the enemy's defense line.

Soon, a soldier came running to report: "General, the enemy seems to be taking action!"

Li Ze's spirits lifted, and he immediately ordered: "Closely monitor the enemy's movements and report to me at any time!"

The soldiers were busy and nervous, and the atmosphere in the barracks was tense.

Li Ze responded calmly. He used the terrain to set up a strategy of confusing the enemy and pretended that the main force was attacking here.

"Charge! Kill!"

The soldiers' shouts resounded through the sky, as if to tear the entire battlefield apart.

In the rear, Li Ze quietly sent out an elite force, who carefully took a detour to avoid the enemy's eyes and ears.

"I must succeed!" Li Ze prayed silently in his heart.

This elite force moved through the mountains and forests like ghosts and finally arrived behind the enemy lines.

"Kill!" With the order, they rushed down the mountain like tigers and launched a surprise attack on the Qin army in Guanzhong.

The Qin army in Guanzhong suddenly fell into chaos and its formation was in disarray.

"What's going on? Why are there enemy troops behind us?!"

"Quick, organize the defense!"

The Qin army generals in Guanzhong were panicked. They didn't expect that Li Ze had this trick.

Li Ze took the opportunity to lead the main force forward, gradually approaching Liyang.

As luck would have it, Hu Hai ordered Zhang Han to return to Guanzhong immediately to provide support, so at this moment Zhang Han led a vanguard of 50,000 troops through Tongguan and headed straight for Liyang.

The remaining 150,000 troops had just arrived at Hangu Pass.

Zhang Han was riding on a horse.

At this moment, a scout came galloping over, his horse was panting and covered in dust.

The scout came before Zhang Han, knelt on one knee, clasped his fists, and said, "General, the Northern Frontier Army is heading straight for Liyang along the Luo River."

Zhang Han's expression changed slightly. He gripped the reins tightly and asked, "Who is the commander? How many men are there?"

The scout took a breath and replied, "The commander is Li Ze, with about 10,000 men."

Zhang Han felt relieved after hearing this. The corners of his mouth curled up slightly, revealing a disdainful smile. He thought to himself, "If General Meng Tian had led his army here, I wouldn't have been so confident. How dare a mere Li Ze challenge me?"

He turned around and said to the deputy general beside him, "Pass my order. Tell the soldiers to speed up their march and stop the Northern Frontier Army before they reach Liyang."

The deputy general nodded and shouted, "All soldiers, listen up! Speed ​​up!"

The soldiers responded in unison, their pace became quicker, and the sound of horse hooves echoed throughout the valley.

Zhang Han looked at the high-spirited army and felt full of confidence.