Han Dang is stronger

Chapter 492

The distance is not very far, and just at noon the next day, Xiang Kang led the main force of the Han army in the middle to escort the grain, grass and military supplies to the battlefield of Surabaya Pavilion. The Sanchuan Han army has a new force.

As a result, the number of troops of the Han army broke through the 30 mark in one fell swoop. In addition, with the addition of more than 1 Yingchuan troops that are about to arrive, the total strength of the Han army has reached an astonishing 32, which is fully The main force of the Western Chu Army is more than three times that! ——This is also related to Master Xiang Boxiang. Thanks to him, the main force of the 12 Western Chu Army when they retreated from Huling is now only about [-], and the disadvantage in terms of military strength has become even worse. obvious.

The military situation was like fire, and after ordering the troops under his command to set up a camp at the site left by Uncle Zhou, Xiang Kang immediately led a team of cavalry straight to the camp of the Western Chu Army to investigate the situation of the Western Chu Army's camp and judge whether it could The attack was won, and Uncle Zhou, Zhang Liang, and Chen Ping also followed.As a result, after seeing the scene with his own eyes, Xiang Kang was quite happy that because there was no decent high ground around the Surabaya Pavilion, the Western Chu Army could only choose to camp near Surabaya and set up the camp on a flat place. , the camp's geographical advantage is very small.In addition, because the Western Chu Army only decided to build a camp at the Sishui Pavilion yesterday afternoon, even if they rushed to build it overnight, the camp had not yet been fully completed. Together, the camp defense is obviously not strong enough.

After roughly seeing the situation, Xiang Kang immediately turned back to Uncle Zhou and asked, "General Zhou, with such a good opportunity, it's impossible that you haven't started preparing weapons for attacking?"

"Your Majesty, don't worry, I just arrived at the Surabaya Pavilion yesterday evening, and my ministers have already dispatched [-] troops to build flying ladders, trench bridge vehicles and other offensive weapons overnight." Uncle Zhou replied immediately, and said: "But there are no suitable trees around. , so I can’t manufacture the new-style catapults that you personally created, the king, and can only ask the craftsmen to make some old-fashioned catapults for backup.”

"It's too time-consuming to rush to build new trebuchets, and it's hard to collect suitable stone bombs, so we can only wait until later." Xiang Kang thought about it and said, "The most important thing now is that if we only rely on trench bridge vehicles and flying ladders Fortified weapons, are we sure we can take down the unfinished camp of the Xichu Bandit Army?"

"Your Majesty, I can't say for sure about this." Uncle Zhou said, "Your servant has carefully asked Feng Zhong and Lu Kuang about the situation of the main force of the Western Chu Bandit Army last night, and found that the combat effectiveness of the main force of the Western Chu Bandit Army is stronger than that of the Western Chu Bandit Army." The minister estimated that it was much stronger. The night before yesterday, when Xiang Bo took the lead in fleeing and the West Chu bandit army was leaderless, the various teams of the West Chu bandit army still did not collapse immediately, forcing General Feng Zhong to fight for more than half an hour. At Shichen, we defeated the Western Chu bandits whose morale was seriously affected, and we paid a considerable price. Therefore, my ministers are worried that even if the Western Chu bandits' camp has not been completed, it may be difficult for us to break through their camp. Kill them all."

"This is not surprising." Xiang Kang said: "The Xichu thief army in front of us is the core backbone army of my brother, the Overlord of Western Chu. It is equipped with strong combat effectiveness, strict military discipline, and its cohesion is also ranked among the Xichu thief army. First, in a frontal battle, even our main force in the middle is not their opponent, and it is definitely not comparable to other enemies."

After frankly admitting that the main force of the Western Chu Army is indeed powerful, Xiang Kang thought again and said: "It depends on my elder brother's injury. If he is really seriously injured, there is definitely hope for us to attack the forcible, but If he is only slightly injured and can continue to fight, then even if the camp of the Xichu bandit army is not completed, it will be very difficult for us to take his camp, on the contrary, we will definitely suffer heavy losses in the fortified battle."

"Regarding this point, I just want to report an important situation." Uncle Zhou hurriedly said: "This morning, our scouts saw the king of Xichu on horseback patrolling the camp, urging the soldiers to rush to build the camp, and their actions were no different from normal people. What's the difference. Although this may be pretended by the King of Western Chu, it may also be that his injuries are really minor and cannot affect his continued command of the army."

Xiang Kang nodded. Without God's perspective, he was not sure whether Xiang Yu was seriously injured or not, and whether it would affect his leading the army in battle.Zhang Liang, who was standing next to him, raised a question and said, "Your Majesty, if the king of Western Chu was not seriously injured, why would he choose to set up camp at the Surabaya Pavilion? He stopped the retreat of the Western Chu Army's thieves and rushed to build a camp at the Sishui Pavilion. Could the camp be evidence that he was seriously injured?"

"Although this is suspicious, we must not be sure that my elder brother has been seriously injured because of this." Xiang Kang shook his head and said, "My elder brother left his temper there. He didn't want to retreat to Pengcheng in a desperate way, so he chose to retreat on the way He will definitely do something so impulsive to fight on the spot."

"I also suspect that the King of Western Chu did this intentionally." Uncle Zhou chimed in and said, "The terrain around the Sishui Pavilion is long and narrow from north to south, which is not conducive to the deployment of our troops, and can offset our military superiority to the greatest extent. In addition, a decisive battle here , the Western Chu bandit army can also transport food and supplies by water, and they can stick to it for a long time, and there is even hope that we will retreat when we run out of food. Suppose I were in the position of the king of Western Chu, I might choose to be here decisive battle."

Zhang Liang, who was not good at tactics, had no choice but to shut up. Xiang Kang carefully observed the Western Chu army camp for a while, and then said: "The enemy is unknown, and this is not a place to talk. Let's go back first. Then we will discuss carefully whether Launch a strong attack as soon as possible."

Everyone agreed, and hurriedly rode back to the camp with Xiang Kang. On the way back to the camp, Xiang Kang carefully calculated and repeatedly analyzed whether Xiang Yu was really seriously injured. He even planned to send someone to take the risk to contact Cao Wushang. I understand Xiang Yu's current situation, but considering that it is difficult to know the details as Cao Wushang, Liu Laosan is treacherous and strict, once he sees his flaws, he will definitely use Cao Wushang to give him back But Xiang Kang dismissed the idea and thought to himself: "Forget it, Cao Wushang is astute, as long as he knows the truth, he will definitely send me information. There is no need to take the risk of contacting him. Expose the eyeliner that I put so hard to plant beside Liu Laosan."

Because the Han army was still setting up camp in the middle road, after returning to the camp, Xiang Kang could only temporarily borrow Uncle Zhou's Chinese army tent to hold a meeting to discuss whether to take advantage of the opportunity of the West Chu army camp to launch an attack. The opinions of the army, civil and military are seriously divided. Some people think that they should attack immediately, so as not to give the Western Chu army a chance to build a strong camp. Not only is it uncertain to launch an attack, but it will definitely increase unnecessary casualties. I think we should set up a camp and rest for a while before considering a decisive battle with the Western Chu Army.In addition, even Uncle Zhou was hesitant and did not dare to make a conclusion lightly, so Xiang Kang was also hesitant to make a decision.

When he was hesitating, the guard outside the tent suddenly reported that a person who claimed to be Xiang Kang's cousin Xiang Zhuang had come straight from the Western Chu army camp to the gate of the Han army camp to ask for an audience, and asked to be summoned by Xiang Kang in person.Xiang Kang was startled, and blurted out: "Quick, invite him in right away, and be as polite as possible to him."

When the guards rushed out to deliver the order, Zhou Shu, the old man from Shangshan who happened to be present, immediately stood up, told Xiang Kang about the last time he met Xiang Zhuang, and suggested that Xiang Kang use his own methods to persuade Xiang Zhuang. To solve the brotherhood problem that has been troubling Xiang Kang for a long time, Xiang Kang nodded and thanked Zhou Shu: "Thank you, Mr. Luli, for worrying about this matter."

After a while, Xiang Zhuang, who had saved Xiang Kang's life under the bandit's sword in Maling Mountain, was invited by the guards to come before Xiang Kang. Zhuang was silent for a long time, and only once their eyes collided, they turned their heads away, and no one stared at the other with shame.

He also said that it was inconvenient for Xiang Kang to speak because of the presence of outsiders. Zhang Liang was the first to stand up and take the initiative to leave, but Xiang Kang shook his head and said, "Mr. For a long time, please sit down, we have something to discuss later."

Zhang Liang reluctantly agreed, and quickly sat down again, Xiang Kang also said to Xiang Zhuang: "Brother, Xiang it is fine, he was brought here by General Zhou, if you want, you can take him away later .”

"Thank you." Xiang Zhuang's voice was obviously a little hoarse, and then he said: "The two aunts asked me to come here. They are on the way here from Pengcheng. When we arrive, I will meet with you, and then you can decide whether to fight brother Xiang Yu again."

After finishing speaking in a hoarse voice, Xiang Zhuang quickly added something against his will, saying: "Brother Xiang Yu didn't want to agree at first, but Uncle Ji also persuaded brother not to agree. It was I who led the other brothers to beg him, so he reluctantly agreed." Head, let me come here."

Hearing Xiang Zhuang's words, of course the Han soldiers next to him secretly looked at each other. They were all dubious about Xiang Zhuang's words, and they were extremely curious about Xiang Kang's reaction.Xiang Kang was fiddling with the writing brush on the table in front of him, and after a while he suddenly said: "Brother, Brother Xiang Yu forced you to come, right?"

"What do you mean by that?" Xiang Zhuang's heart trembled.

"His slow-down strategy can't fool me." Xiang Kang said in a startling way, "Actually, just now, the eyeliner I planted beside Liu Ji has sent me a message saying that brother forced you to come to replace him." He lied to me, wanting me not to rush to attack for the time being, the second and third aunts are still in Pengcheng at all."

Familiar with Xiang Kang's disposition, the civil and military officers of the Han army present all kept calm after hearing this, pretending as if an insider had already informed Xiang Kang in advance, but Xiang Zhuang's eyes widened in surprise. Kang Chayan looked at the expression, and suddenly he had a bottom line in his heart, and then said: "Brother, don't worry, I won't blame you, I know who you are better than anyone else, if brother didn't force you, you wouldn't do this Things like this can’t be done.”

He also said that Xiang Kang really knew the inside story in advance, and Xiang Zhuang no longer wasted his saliva trying to impress Xiang Kang with family affection, but just asked directly: "Then what do you want to do?"

"Take a sentence back to brother Xiang Yu, that is, as long as he surrenders, I will never kill him, and I will keep him rich and honored for life." Xiang Kang answered the wrong question, and then said: "Also, tell our other brothers and tell them to fight on the battlefield. Be careful and save your life, I don't want to see our brother die innocently again."

Xiang Zhuang nodded and said, "Don't worry, I will definitely take your words with you. If you really mean what you say, please let me meet Xiang It. If he is willing to come with me, I want to take him back. "

"I will break my promise to anyone, but I will never break my promise to you, brother." Xiang Kang replied immediately, and then ordered: "Come on, bring Xiang it to the gate of our camp, and let him meet my brother." , if he doesn't want to stay, let him go back with my brother."

"Thanks, goodbye, take care of yourself."

Xiang Zhuang bowed his hands to Xiang Kang, then turned around and walked out. After Xiang Kang hesitated for a while, he still said: "Brother, wait a moment, have you checked the matter of Hangu Pass? Who caused it?" Our Xiang family brothers are fratricide, do you know that?"

Xiang Zhuang's expression obviously hesitated for a while, but he didn't answer Xiang Kang's question, he just walked away directly with heavy steps, and never looked back at Xiang Kang, Xiang Kang didn't stop him, and then he left the tent in Xiang Zhuang and walked away After that, Xiang Kangcai sighed for a long time, and said: "It seems that he really hasn't found out, otherwise, with my brother's upright temper, he must have been with my brother Xichu Wang a long time ago." Fall out."

"Your Majesty, how did you know that General Xiang Zhuang was here to lie to you?" Li Shiqi asked curiously, "Aren't you afraid that what he told the truth would hurt your two aunts' hearts?"

"Even if it is true, I have to say that he is lying to me." Xiang Kang said again with a startling expression, and said with a sad expression: "Otherwise, once I am fettered by family affection and accept the persuasion of the two aunts, we will All the soldiers who died in these years died in vain, and the people of the world will continue to suffer from the flames of war because of my mercy. So for the sake of the people of the world, for our soldiers, even if the two aunts are really on their way north , I can only be an unfilial son."

"It's okay." Chen Ping said with a smile: "Looking at General Xiang Zhuang's expression and reaction, you should be wrong this time, my lord. He should indeed be forced by the King of Western Chu to lie to you."

"General Xiang Zhuang also helped us a lot this time." Uncle Zhou also said: "No matter why the King of Western Chu forced him to use the delay strategy, it can prove that the King of Western Chu now very much hopes that we will not launch an attack for the time being. Therefore, my lord, I think that there is no need to hesitate, let our soldiers work hard, and attack the camp of the Western Chu bandits tomorrow, so as not to give the Western Chu bandits a chance to calmly build a strong camp."

Xiang Kang nodded solemnly and said, "Let's discuss it quickly. How shall we fight tomorrow's tough battle?"

…………

At this moment, Xiang Zhuang certainly didn't know that Xiang Yu's strategy of slowing down the army had already had the opposite effect. After returning to the gate of the Han army's camp, Xiang Zhuang soon saw that he was injured in the Zouyi breakout battle. Xiang Ta was captured, but when Xiang Zhuang asked Xiang Ta if he would go back with him, Xiang Ta was quite hesitant. Seeing his thoughts, Xiang Zhuang took the initiative to say: "If you don't want to go back, you can stay." Next, I won't tell my elder brother and other brothers about this matter, just pretend that you haven't met me."

"Brother, it's not that I don't want to go back." Xiang Ta hurriedly said, "Mr. Li Shiqi has already told me about Hangu Pass in detail in the past few days. Uncle Xiang Kangji was indeed framed by that idiot Liu Ji." Uncle Xiang Yu probably knew the truth, but he didn't want Uncle Xiang Kang to become king in Guanzhong, so he deliberately helped Liu Jipi wrong Uncle Ji."

"Then you can stay." Xiang Zhuang said decisively: "Since you have believed the words of the Han thief, then don't go back, let the king know about it, no matter whether the Hangu Pass incident is true or not, he will not will spare you."

After saying that, Xiang Zhuang turned around and left. Xiang Ta, who changed his name to Liu it after Xiang Yu's death in history, hesitated again and again. He tried to catch up with Xiang Zhuang several times, but in the end he gritted his teeth and stopped, and hung down weakly. head...

Let’s take a look at Xiang Zhuang’s situation. After returning to the Western Chu army camp that was still under construction with a heavy heart, Xiang Zhuang of course came to the Chinese army tent to meet Xiang Yu at the first time, and reported the situation of the envoy to Xiang Yu. As a result, needless to say, after learning that Xiang Kang claimed that there was an insider informant and had seen through his plan to slow down the army, Xiang Yu's face was ashen, and he roared like thunder, and immediately sent Liu Laosan to question and settle accounts.

The sun also came out from the west, and Master Xiang Bo, who had received countless benefits from Liu Laosan, for the first time, did not follow Xiang Yu's wishes to throw trouble, but instead tried his best to excuse Liu Laosan, very cleverly pointing out that what Xiang Kang did was just to set up a wedge, Even if someone really reported to Xiang Kang, it is absolutely impossible to be Liu Laosan's subordinate - the reason is very simple, with Xiang Kang's treachery, how could he take the initiative to tell Xiang Zhuang who the insider is?
Things continued uncharacteristically. Hearing Master Xiang's excuses for Liu Laosan, Xiang Zhuang's heart suddenly moved, and he said for the first time: "My lord, I think it's best to investigate this matter carefully. There are two reasons. When the traitor Xiang Kang said that it was Peigong’s subordinates who reported the news, several of his confidantes hurriedly coughed to remind him. It was obvious that the traitor Xiang Kang accidentally slipped his mouth. The second is that you decided to use the strategy of delaying the attack on the traitor Xiang Kang. We Apart from you and me, only Uncle Ji and Duke Pei knew the inside story. Uncle Ji’s men must be reliable, but those of Pei Gong must be hard to say. Therefore, I believe that we should investigate this matter carefully and try to bring Xiang Kang to justice. Find out the eyeliner that the traitor has planted around Pei Gong, so that our secret military information will not continue to be betrayed by the traitor."

Xiang Yu, who was suspicious by nature, nodded his head when he heard it, and immediately agreed to investigate Liu Laosan's cronies carefully. Xiang Zhuang volunteered again: "Brother, our Uncle Ji, who is in charge of monitoring the army, is busy with business, or we will leave this matter to you." Let me, let me investigate this matter, I promise, I will find out the traitor who was planted by the traitor next to Peigong as soon as possible!"

Of course Xiang Yu trusted his brother Xiang Zhuang, without even blinking his eyelids, he shouted immediately: "Okay, I will leave this matter to you! Take this king's sword to investigate carefully, Liu Jipifu's subordinates You can investigate whoever you want, anyone who dares to use tricks to deliberately cover up, including Liu Jipifu, you can kill first and then play!"

Xiang Zhuang was overjoyed when he heard this, and hurriedly bowed his hands to Xiang Yu, and then said with a grin in his heart: "My husband, if I still can't find out the truth about Hangu Pass this time, I, Xiang Zhuang, will have no face to live in this world anymore!"

(End of this chapter)