I switched allegiance to Zhang Han and rebuilt the Qin Dynasty; Liu Bang was heartbroken.

Of the original 30,000 soldiers, after the last bloody battle, very few elite warriors remain who can continue to fight for a long time; at most, there are only four or five thousand.

The hunting operation in Chang'an Village, in a battle against Liu Bang, recruited eight thousand surrendered soldiers. These men were also Liu Bang's elite troops, so there was no harm in using them.

Selecting a portion of the soldiers according to the Qin army's standards and dispersing them to join the Qin army directly would also be a reasonable approach.

In addition, we will recruit some strong and capable people from the common people.

In this way, we first armed 15,000 elite troops.

They were warriors who, in equal numbers, were invincible, according to the standards of the elite soldiers of the Qin Dynasty!

Lu Matong was overjoyed. As one of the three generals handpicked by Zhao Long, he was destined to be a pillar of the Qin army.

Although he knew that this identity was mainly given to Xiang Yu, Lü Matong was still very excited, as this was his chance.

Walking directly into the heart of the Qin army, a surge of passion welled up within me, a burning desire to fight to the death for this Qin dynasty, which was about to rise from the ashes!

Zhang Han was somewhat worried: "Isn't 15,000 main force too few?"

Since he had decided to rebuild the Qin Dynasty, he had to consider all aspects. His Yong region was surrounded by enemies on three sides: the Western Rong, the Xiongnu in the north, and the Yi people in the south. He also had to deal with Liu Bang.

With so few soldiers, facing so many enemies, they were somewhat stretched thin.

Zhao Long explained with a smile, "We only have 15,000 sets of armor right now, and we have to thank Xiang Yu for sending them. These are just the main force on the surface."

Xiang Yu sent 10,000 sets before, and this time he sent 5,000 sets.

Although it was said to be the armor of the Chu army's elite troops, it was actually Qin armor that Xiang Yu had seized from the Qin army's warehouses in various places, and the Qin army could use it directly.

The remaining rubble of the Epang Palace could be used, but it couldn't be given to the main force of soldiers.

The Qin army that Zhao Long wants to build is composed of top-tier elite soldiers capable of winning battles!

The Qin army suffered repeated defeats and lost the entire world. Now, what is needed more than ever is a vanguard to set an example for all Qin soldiers!

Moreover, this was also meant for Xiang Yu to see.

"In secret, we must not stop recruiting soldiers. Select the strongest and most capable men, and take as many as you can!"

"This training will be left to the veterans who haven't left the camp!"

He, Zhao Long, could also pull off a similar tactic of feigning an attack on one side while secretly advancing on another.

Everyone understood that the 15,000 troops were meant to be a show for the feudal lords, a small force that would put them at ease.

In reality, the Qin army could continue to expand in secret!

How much to expand will depend on the situation at that time.

The most important thing right now is to have an elite force to keep Liu Bang occupied.

This was the Qin army's cash cow; as long as Liu Bang remained powerful, the Qin army could receive a continuous stream of support from Xiang Yu.

This is tantamount to a disguised form of fostering bandits to enhance one's own power.

However, all the feudal lords in the world are bandits.

What the Qin army needs to do is quickly recuperate, reorganize Guanzhong, and once again march its troops to the top of the ten thousand miles!

Before that, we must first get Xiang Yu out of Guanzhong!

……

While the Qin army was training its troops, Liu Bang was already so worried that his hair was almost white.

"Even Lord Xiao can't procure enough provisions?"

Xiao He stood not far in front of Liu Bang and sighed helplessly.

"The people in Guanzhong don't have much food at home either, and we can't buy any even if we want to."

Xiahou Ying snorted coldly: "Hmph, it's obvious that they're selling grain at several times the market price."

"These Qin people are truly hateful! The Qin state has been destroyed, yet they still dare to be our enemies!"

"You don't know, not long ago Zhang Han actually wanted to distribute the army's grain to the people of Guanzhong, but these Qin people didn't want it at all. Instead, they emptied their coffers and gave all their grain to Zhang Han!"

As Xiahou Ying spoke, he suddenly became furious!

He was furious that Xiang Yu had given Zhang Han such a large amount of grain that Zhang Han couldn't possibly eat it all and had to distribute it to the people.

He was also indignant at these Qin people, the people of a fallen state, who were still so loyal to their homeland!

Xiahou Ying couldn't buy grain, let alone forcibly seize it; otherwise, they would have faced the Qin army.

Everyone knows that the Qin army was supported by Xiang Yu, and the Han army didn't dare to overturn the table.

With no way to procure supplies, the Han generals were all seething with anger.

"Damn Zhao Long, couldn't you have gathered more supplies for us before you left?!"

As Xiahou Ying began to curse, the crowd joined in.

Xiao He, his face ashen, said, "Shut up."

The more these bastards blame Zhao Long, the more it proves that Zhao Long was too good to them and let them get used to a peaceful life.

Now you know how difficult the logistics system is, right?

Not to mention, someone like Zhao Long had plenty of soldiers and provisions.

These people really spoil us.

Xiao He missed the days when Zhao Long was around. He always had a way to appease the people, provide the Han army with enough soldiers and food, and let everyone focus on the battle on the battlefield.

Now that Zhao Long has left, they've started cursing?

What have you been doing!

The crowd was still somewhat intimidated by Xiao He's imposing presence, and after they all fell silent, Liu Bang suddenly spoke up, trembling slightly: "We still haven't received any news from the strategist general?"

Cao Can shook his head: "Your Majesty, the soldiers who were chasing the rebels have all returned, and they have not found any trace of the strategist general."

Everyone's hearts sank. Only those who wanted to harm Zhao Long knew that this person did indeed have abilities.

They are now mortal enemies with Zhao Long!

Once Zhao Long goes to Guandong, no matter which warlord he joins, he will inevitably become a major enemy of the Han army in the future.

Everyone was somewhat worried.

Xiao He was happy about Zhao Long's departure, but also somewhat worried about the future of the Han army. However, these were not the most important things.

"Have you ever considered that, from the Chang'an camp to the present, the Qin army must have had a mastermind behind their methods of winning people's hearts?"

Xiao He's words indeed drew everyone's attention back.

From the regrouping of the Qin army to the current defensive measures against the Han army in all aspects, it is clear that the Qin army has excellent strategists.

This made everyone's expressions even more somber. With great generals and brilliant strategies, the Qin army would find it difficult to overcome even the hurdle of the Qin army in Guanzhong, let alone face the feudal lords who were once again supported by Zhao Long.

"How did things turn out like this?" Liu Bang sighed deeply.

From the initial uprising inspired by slaying a white snake in a dream, they marched triumphantly forward, growing into an army of 100,000.

They should have continued uphill, but how did they suddenly go downhill?

Does Liu think he can transform from a snake into a dragon without Zhao Long?

In the end, Liu Bang muttered, "Hmph, that damned Zhao Long."

The root cause of everything is Zhao Long's departure!

"Lord Xiao, send someone to find out who the brilliant strategist in the Qin army is. It shouldn't be the brilliant strategist from Guanzhong, otherwise this person would have joined Zhang Han's army long ago, and wouldn't have only appeared now that the Qin state has been destroyed."

"This man is decisive and ruthless, and his plans are grand. If we can win him over to our Han army, how can we not make great strides!"

Xiao He was in charge of spies, and he shared similar suspicions with Liu Bang, so naturally he was going to give it a try.

At this moment, a young scholar who had been recuperating from illness arrived at the main tent.

"Lord Zhang has arrived?"

"Someone, quickly bring two soft cushions."

Liu Bang hurriedly stood up and personally helped the person who had come.

This was Zhang Liang, one of his most important strategists.

Zhang Liang came from a family that had served as prime ministers for five dynasties in the state of Han; both his father and grandfather had served as prime ministers in Han.

Zhang Liang inherited his family's tradition and was also a top talent skilled in both literature and martial arts. Liu Bang always protected Zhang Liang as a treasure.

"What brings you to the main tent today, sir?"

Zhang Liang was frail and sickly, and often needed to rest. Moreover, Zhang Liang was still nominally a citizen of the state of Han, so Liu Bang rarely invited Zhang Liang to his large tent for meetings.

Zhang Liang glanced at Xiao He, then clasped his hands in a fist and smiled, saying, "I have come today to help the King of Han resolve his troubles."

Liu Bang was overjoyed. He knew Zhang Liang's abilities very well. This man's family and country had been destroyed by the Qin people. His only ambition was to restore the country. He was a staunch anti-Qin fighter!

After the fall of Qin, Zhang Liang had long harbored resentment and wanted to return to his homeland. Liu Bang did not expect that Zhang Liang would still be willing to help him at this time.

"What's the plan?"

"Xiang Yu wanted to use the Qin army to trap King Han. The Qin army resented King Han for entering Guanzhong first and were willing to become Xiang Yu's sword and fight against King Han!"

"If the King of Han wants to ease relations with the Qin people, the one who tied the knot must untie it!"

Liu Bang blushed slightly. Zhao Long had repeatedly advised him against entering Guanzhong first, and now he was reaping the consequences.

If Xiang Yu had marched into Guanzhong first, he could have won over the people's hearts from behind. Even if things had gone badly, he wouldn't have been unable to buy enough grain.

"After the Battle of Chang'an, the Qin people regarded me as a raging flood or a ferocious beast, and I..."

Liu Bang was helpless and somewhat regretful.

"Actually, there is another way. I wonder if the general has ever heard of the Yang family, a military family of the Great Qin?"

"That Yang family member of Yang Xiong?"

Liu Bang knew Zhang Liang well and was familiar with his life story. He knew that this terrifyingly resourceful man had also had some dark past.

Yang Xiong once defeated Zhang Liang so badly that he was completely disoriented!

Of course, he later avenged Zhang Liang by defeating Yang Xiong with overwhelming military superiority, and Yang Xiong was eventually killed by Hu Hai.

"That's right. Yang Xiong tried to recruit Liang several times, and General Yang himself even came to see Liang."

"Liang and the Yang family have also maintained some contact over the years."

"If the Yang family mediates, it will surely ease the tension between the Qin people and the King of Han."

"Moreover, the Yang family is also a prominent family in Qin, and they have some grain reserves, which may be enough to supply the King of Han."

"Let's first solve the King of Han's urgent problem, and then slowly procure provisions from Guanzhong."

As soon as Zhang Liang finished speaking, Liu Bang, who was moved, rushed out and tightly grasped Zhang Liang's hand: "Having Zifang is like a fish finding water."

"I will personally go to the Yang family to pay my respects to General Yang."