Oh No, He Really Is a One-Man Army!

"...There are several key points to this battle. First, Xiang Tuo's force had always been known for its fierce fighting spirit, and they had no idea our army could take Ye County so quickly. They were desperate to join the attack and crush us from both sides.

"That was why their ninety thousand troops rushed into our trap, with their elite central army caught right in the middle."

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"If a more cautious general had been in command, he would have sent the vanguard to probe and wear us down, then brought up the rear ranks gradually. The formation would have been far less effective."

"Second, letting the enemy charge deep into our ranks was still very dangerous. We had to strike hard and blunt their momentum."

"Xiang Tuo's elite troops had penetrated deep into our army. Their courage and sharpness still made them unstoppable.

"Under an ordinary general, we wouldn't have been able to pin them down inside the formation. They might even have cut through our central army, seized the banners, and killed our commanders. We would have lost the wife and the soldiers, too."

"Father stayed hidden within the formation, issuing orders through his personal guards on all sides. He used the elite Central Army as a grinding stone, crushing the enemy in wave after wave and making the most of our soldiers' strength.

"Xiang Tuo had to face thousands of Elite Soldiers in one relentless rotation after another. Then another force suddenly joined the battle from the city, finally halting his charge and forcing him to turn back and break out."

"Third, Xiang Tuo read the situation quickly. When he broke out, he managed to preserve nearly half of the Chu Army's strength. At that point, his thirty thousand troops faced our ten thousand cavalry. Breaking out wasn't too difficult. The key to that part was you..."

"The battlefield changed in an instant, with countless uncertainties. Father had only used the enemy general's style to work out the formation, yet he had arranged every detail with such precision.

"He kept Xiang Tuo under his thumb from start to finish, giving him no chance to catch his breath. Every step he took landed him in a pit Father had already dug. It was a masterful display of strategy..."

Zhao Cheng sat in the military tent, reviewing the battle with Meng Tian and learning the art of war.

He had earned great merit in battle, and his rank had risen at rocket speed. He was now capable of leading a force into battle as a deputy general.

At this rate, sooner or later he would command an entire army on his own. Learning more could only benefit him.

Besides, after seeing Xiang Tuo's defeat, he realized that a one-dimensional fighting style could be troublesome against an old fox like Meng Wu.

If Zhao Cheng had taken Xiang Tuo's place, with his own strength, he could indeed have cut through the formation and even charged straight for the enemy rear.

But Meng Wu had been hidden among his troops, issuing orders through his personal guards.

The army had been like a vast ocean, with enemies rushing in from all sides, waves grinding against waves. A single person seemed insignificant in the midst of such an immense formation.

If he couldn't find Meng Wu quickly, his soldiers would soon suffer heavy casualties. That was something Zhao Cheng didn't want to see.

So he wasn't studying the art of war to excel at arranging formations. He just wanted a way to deal with old foxes when he met them, so he wouldn't end up fighting until he was the last man standing. That was what mattered.

As he studied in earnest, a general's guard called from outside the tent. "The Great General has summoned the Vanguard General and Captain Meng."

Meng Tian's eyes lit up. "Come on. Father probably wants us to lead a force in a surprise attack on Chou City."

Zhao Cheng was delighted too. He hurried with Meng Tian to Meng Wu's tent.

"General."

Meng Wu looked at Zhao Cheng, who seemed more vigorous than ever, and his eyes shone with delight. "One strike that drove Xiang Tuo back, then another that killed him. That's enough to make your name throughout Qin and Chu."

Zhao Cheng smiled wryly. "It's only an empty reputation. Better not to have one."

He didn't want to end up like Xiang Tuo, whose fighting style was so obvious that the old fox had seen right through him and made specific preparations.

Otherwise, the moment an enemy general saw him, he might hide inside the formation and not dare show his head. If Zhao Cheng wanted to end the battle quickly, he'd have to go to extra trouble.

Seeing Zhao Cheng's reaction, Meng Wu nodded to himself, admiring him even more.

This young man was neither arrogant nor impatient. He didn't seek empty fame and knew how to keep his light hidden. He had the makings of a great general.

"Do you still have the strength?"

Hearing the real question at last, Zhao Cheng straightened up and grinned. "I've only just warmed up."

"Haha, good!"

Meng Wu laughed too and tossed over an urgent report sealed with clay. "Then I command you two to muster three thousand Assault Cavalry and raid Chou City tonight. Take the city before dawn."

"This is the seal of the Han general who surrendered. Use it as the seal on an urgent report to help you get into the city."

"This subordinate obeys!"

Under a moonless sky, with the wind howling, three thousand Assault Cavalry galloped out of Ye County, raced across the southeastern plains, and charged toward Chou City.

Chou City.

Torches blazed along the walls. The defending general, Yuan Ming, paced back and forth atop the gate tower, his face tense and anxious. At times he looked hopeful; at others, deeply worried.

"Why haven't we received any news?"

"The Qin Army has been unable to take the city for days. They must be exhausted. The Chu Army, together with reinforcements from Wan City, gathered ninety thousand men. With thirty thousand inside the city ready to attack from within, we suddenly encircled and attacked the Qin Army. This was a heaven-sent opportunity. How could the fighting have dragged on so long?"

"Could the Qin Army have discovered us beforehand?"

"But even if they had, the Qin Army would still be in a very difficult position. Whether they forced their way into the city or tried to break through, they'd be at a disadvantage. They might not suffer a major defeat, but surely they'd at least be forced to retreat after a minor loss. That would relieve the pressure on Ye County."

"Why haven't we heard anything yet?"

"Everything hinges on this one battle. If even the Chu reinforcements are driven back, it'll only be a matter of time before Ye County falls."

"Once Ye County falls, the eastern plains will be wide open. The Qin Army will sweep down, and Chou City won't hold out for long."

"Fortunately, Xiang Tuo is a renowned fierce general. Even if they haven't dealt the Qin Army a crushing defeat, they must have worn down its strength. Ye County may be able to hold out a little longer."

"Still, Han Jiang has some ability. If he chooses the right moment and joins forces with the Chu Army from within the city, it's not impossible that they could wipe out the Qin Army!"

"Don't worry too much. The Qin Army is a pack of tigers and wolves. It's only natural for the fighting to be fierce."

He continued pacing, his eyes fixed on the dark plains in the distance, toward Ye County.

Suddenly, the distant clatter of hooves echoed faintly across the plain.

As it drew nearer, a lone rider came into view, galloping toward them.

The rider wore the light armor of a Han Army scout, with a bamboo tube hanging from his chest. At a glance, he was clearly a messenger carrying an urgent report!

"They're finally here!"

Yuan Ming was overjoyed, but he didn't open the city gate right away. Instead, he carefully checked the rider's back. Seeing no one on the empty road behind him, he let down his guard a little.

In truth, he knew he was being overly cautious. Whether or not the Chu reinforcements had defeated the Qin Army, the Qin Army wouldn't come to attack Chou City now.

Ye County hadn't fallen yet. If they attacked Chou City, they'd be waiting to have their supply lines cut off and be trapped there until they starved to death.

The messenger galloped up and announced the good news from afar, his voice carrying across the ground below the city.

"Report—"

"The combined Chu and Han forces have routed the Qin Army beneath Ye County! They pursued them for fifty li and killed more than sixty thousand of their soldiers!"

"Please verify the report, General!"

Zhao Cheng rode up to the city gate and loudly announced the good news.

Cheers immediately erupted along the walls. All the soldiers were stirred with excitement.

For days, the Qin Army had weighed on everyone's hearts like a great mountain. Tonight, they had been anxiously waiting for news. Now, the sudden report of a great victory over the Qin Army filled them all with energy.

Yuan Ming and a senior officer slapped their thighs in delight. "Good! Excellent!"

Seeing one of his men move to open the gate, he stopped him. "Lower a basket first. We'll verify the document and its seal."

The deputy general looked puzzled. "General, there's only one messenger. Even if he's an enemy spy, what harm could he do after entering the city?"

"Use your head!" Yuan Ming snapped. "What if he's a one-man army like Xiang Tuo? If someone like him got inside, do you think you could stop him from opening the city gate?"

"There can't be that many one-man armies..."

The deputy general didn't believe the rider below could be as fierce as Xiang Tuo, but he did as ordered and had them lower a basket. "Put the document in the basket. We'll let you in after we verify it."

Zhao Cheng didn't mind. He took the clay-sealed document from the bamboo tube and placed it in the basket.

They hauled the basket up. Yuan Ming immediately picked up the document and checked the seal stamped into the clay. A moment later, he smiled. "It's genuine."

Just then, a signal fire announcing victory flared in the distance.

Yuan Ming relaxed even further. "Open the gate. Let the messenger in for a drink of water."

The men below immediately opened the city gate. Zhao Cheng calmly urged his horse forward.

One man, one horse, with the endless dark plain behind him—he rode calmly into Chou City, which was heavily guarded.

The city gate slowly swung shut with a thunderous rumble.

A dangerous smile appeared on Zhao Cheng's heroic face.

On the gate tower, Yuan Ming broke the clay seal. He had only read a few lines when his expression suddenly changed.

"This isn't Han Jiang's handwriting!"

"Kill the messenger! Quickly!"

Before he could finish speaking, shouts of battle erupted below. The steady thud of blades chopping into flesh rang out, followed by a dense chorus of screams and startled cries.

The deputy general's face changed. He leaned out to look and turned as pale as paper.

The messenger who had just entered the city was charging through the men inside the gate like a raging tiger. A long sword whirled in his hand, and no one could come within seven paces of him.

He killed so quickly that he swept through the men like an autumn wind scattering fallen leaves. It was enough to leave anyone speechless!

Soldiers fell one after another before him. In a short time, a huge heap of bodies had piled up, and blood already ran like a river behind the city gate!

The deputy general's heart trembled.

The general had been right!

He really was a one-man army!

Yuan Ming saw the deputy general's face and felt dread rise in his heart. He hurried over, took one look, and was overcome with anguish.

"Oh no, he really is a one-man army!"

"Send more troops! Stop him..."