The Myth of Daqin: The Soul of Yi Xiaochuan

Chapter 292: Arrogant Soldiers Must Be Defeat (Part 2)

After Wang Li was defeated and trapped in Puyang, just as Chen Ying had said, the tyrannical Qin sent more Qin troops from Hedong County and Henei County to Puyang for reinforcement.

At this time, Wang Li's military strength rapidly increased to 150,000.

In Puyang City, Wang Li, who received assistance, was not blinded by hatred. He knew very well that an arrogant army will be defeated. After careful consideration, he decided to confuse Xiang Liang first.

So Wang Li secretly sent some scattered soldiers to infiltrate Dingtao City and act as internal support.

After these stragglers entered Dingtao disguised as refugees, they spread the false news that the Qin army had no strength to fight anymore, and deliberately revealed that Wang Li was planning to abandon the city and flee.

After hearing these rumors, Xiang Liang became more and more confident in his enemy.

"Haha, Wang Li is just that good!" Xiang Liang laughed and said to the generals around him, "It seems that Puyang City can be captured soon."

"Lord Xiang, don't let your guard down." Chen Ying warned again, "Wang Li is well-versed in military strategy. I'm afraid there's something fishy going on here."

Xiang Liang said disapprovingly, "These are just the nonsense of some guerrillas. Once our army is fully equipped for battle, we will lead the army to attack Puyang City and see what tricks Wang Li can come up with!"

In Puyang City, Wang Li stepped up the training of soldiers, waiting for the right time.

"My fellow soldiers! Think about the time when our Great Qin destroyed the six kingdoms and unified the world. Wherever our army went, we were victorious. Now the barbarians from Chu State are bullying us too much. How can we just sit there and wait for death? Now the time has come. Follow me to defeat the enemy!" Wang Li shouted loudly while standing on the city wall.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!" the soldiers responded in unison.

"Okay!" Wang Li nodded with satisfaction. "Tonight, we will give Xiang Liang a surprise."

Not long after, Wang Li saw the opportunity and, under cover of darkness, led 100,000 elite troops out of the city and headed straight for Dingtao.

The Chu army in Dingtao City neglected to take precautions, and many of its outposts were useless.

When Wang Li's army arrived at the city of Dingtao, the city gates should be opened.

Wang Li rushed into the city first, and the Chu army was immediately thrown into chaos.

Xiang Liang woke up from his dream and responded to the battle hastily.

But at this time, the morale of the Qin army was high, and the Chu army was caught off guard, and they were quickly killed in pieces.

Although Xiang Liang fought hard, he was unable to reverse the defeat. Finally, with the help of Chen Ying, Xiang Zhuang and others, Xiang Liang escaped from Dingtao City.

After Xiang Liang escaped from Dingtao City, he was filled with regret. He realized that his underestimation of the enemy led to such a disastrous defeat.

But Wang Li did not give up. After reorganizing his army, he continued to pursue the victory.

When Xiang Yu learned about the Dingtao incident during his western expedition, he was extremely anxious and immediately turned his horse around and headed back.

Wang Li's army chased Xiang Liang's remaining troops all the way, and just when they thought the Chu army was about to be destroyed.

"Kill!" The shouts of killing were deafening. Wang Li's army was like hungry wolves, biting the tail of Xiang Liang's remaining army.

Meng Yi led 5,000 cavalrymen to this place. He led the troops, wielding his spear, and rushed into the battlefield like a flash of lightning.

When Xiang Liang saw the arrival of reinforcements, he was cheered up and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes.

Wang Li frowned and cursed in his heart: "Where did the reinforcements come from? Damn it!"

Wang Li hadn't expected Cheng Yaojin to show up midway. He knew that if he retreated without a fight, his previous victory would be greatly reduced, but if he forced a fight, his side would not have the advantage in numbers.

Meng Yi's cavalry quickly attacked Wang Li's troops, disrupting their formation.

Spears were like a forest, and the sound of horses' hooves resounded through the sky.

Xiang Liang took the opportunity to command the remaining troops to counterattack and engaged in a fierce battle with the Qin army.

For a moment, the Qin army was thrown into chaos.

Xiang Yu also came at full speed with two thousand elite soldiers. He saw the situation on the battlefield from afar and joined the battle with a roar.

"Wang Li, you little bastard, today is the day you die!" Xiang Yu's eyes were wide open, his voice was like a bell, and the spear in his hand flashed with cold light.

When Wang Li saw Xiang Yu arriving, he knew the situation was hopeless and wanted to evacuate with the remaining Qin troops.

"Xiang Yu, don't be so arrogant! The outcome of today's battle is still unknown!" Wang Li responded gritting his teeth.

But Xiang Yu would not let him go and chased him on his horse.

"Wang Li, you can't escape!" Xiang Yu chased him relentlessly.

Seeing this, Wang Li had no choice but to fight Xiang Yu himself.

The two men clashed again. Xiang Yu's eyes were full of hatred, and he danced the spear in his hand with great force, like a dragon emerging from the sea, with great momentum.

Wang Li fought hard, his sword drawing sharp arcs in the air, trying to block Xiang Yu's attack.

"Xiang Yu, die!" Wang Li roared, his voice echoing on the battlefield with endless determination.

Xiang Yu showed no sign of weakness. His spear stabbed at Wang Li like a storm, and each strike contained a tremendous force.

Just when Xiang Yu was about to kill Wang Li from his horse, suddenly an arrow shot towards Xiang Yu.

"Despicable villain!" Xiang Yu dodged sideways, but his arm was scratched by the arrow.

It turned out that it was the deputy general Su Jiao who led five thousand soldiers here.

"Your Majesty, I am here to help you!" Su Jiao shouted and led the Qin army to charge towards Xiang Yu.

Xiang Yu ignored the pain in his arm and continued fighting. His figure shuttled among the Qin army as if he was in an empty space.

"Xiang Yu, you barbarian!" Su Jiao shouted angrily, waving his sword and slashing at Xiang Yu.

Xiang Yu dodged to the side and thrust out with his spear. Su Jiao quickly retreated.

"Wang Li, do you think you can defeat me with such a small force?" Xiang Yu sneered, his voice full of disdain.

Wang Li's face was gloomy. He knew that Xiang Yu was very powerful, but he was unwilling to fail like this.

"Xiang Yu, don't be too proud too soon!" Wang Li said gritting his teeth.

Despite his injuries, Xiang Yu continued to fight and eventually succeeded in repelling Wang Li.

After Wang Li retreated, Meng Yi rode his horse to Xiang Liang.

Meng Yi dismounted, his eyes revealing concern. He quickly walked up to Xiang Liang and said with a hint of anxiety in his voice, "Master, are you okay?"

Xiang Liang waved his hands, a trace of fatigue on his face, but he still forced himself to say: "It's okay, thanks to your timely rescue, Yi'er, otherwise I would have been left here with my old bones."

Meng Yi breathed a sigh of relief, thinking to himself, "It seems history has changed. If Xiang Liang hadn't died, Xiang Yu and even the people of Chu wouldn't have held such a deep grudge against the Qin." Then, with a smile on his face, he said, "Master, good fortune will always be with you."

At this time, Xiang Yu also dismounted and walked to Xiang Liang's side. His eyes were full of respect and guilt. He said, "Uncle, I am sorry that I am late and have frightened you."

Xiang Liang helped Xiang Yu up, looked at him with satisfaction, his eyes sparkling, and said, "Yu'er arrived just in time. This time, it's all thanks to you and Yi'er."

Meng Yi and Xiang Yu smiled at each other, their eyes revealing their trust and tacit understanding of each other.

Meng Yi stepped forward, hugged Xiang Yu tightly, and said with a smile: "It has been almost two years since we last met in Kuaiji. Brother, you have become even more heroic."

Xiang Yu chuckled and suddenly changed the subject, saying, "Brother Yi, my uncle and I originally wanted to go north to attack Wang Li's troops and help you to divert some of the troops from your southern expedition to Guanzhong. We didn't expect..."

Meng Yi patted Xiang Yu on the shoulder, interrupted him, and said, "There's no need to talk about the past."

After this battle, Xiang Liang deeply reflected on his mistake of underestimating the enemy.

His brows were furrowed, his eyes filled with self-blame and regret. "Yu'er, this defeat is all my fault," Xiang Liang said self-reproachfully.

Xiang Yu quickly consoled him, "Uncle, don't blame yourself. Victory and defeat are common in war. We will surely make a comeback."

Then, Xiang Yu looked around at the crowd, his eyes revealing the majesty of a leader, and said: "Uncle, I think the most urgent thing is to boost the morale of the army."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

After this battle, both sides realized that they could not underestimate each other, and the war situation fell into a new stalemate.

Wang Li retreated quickly, gathered his troops, and returned to Puyang City.

Although Xiang Liang was not killed, Wang Li was able to stabilize the situation again with this victory, and the morale of the Qin army was greatly boosted.

After Wang Li retreated to Puyang, he reflected on the reasons for his defeat. However, he was unaware that it was Meng Yi's troops who first attacked him among the reinforcements.