The Merit of Conquering a State-Can You Take It Back? One Man Charges the City, the Fangshi Yun Yu

"His Majesty the King:

Your servant Meng Wu bows twice and dares to report the battle in Nanyang before Your Majesty.

Since the day we captured Ye County, Zhao Cheng reported that the Chu Army was rushing day and night, hoping to join forces with the remnants inside the city and trap our army beneath Fang City.

Fortunately, Zhao Cheng led thirteen thousand cavalrymen at a gallop to Chou Yi Gorge, cutting off their retreat.

Xiang Tuo made the desperate choice to sacrifice two thousand Chu soldiers to cover the rear, intending to lead thirty thousand in a desperate charge through the encirclement.

Zhao Cheng charged to the front with his halberd, facing Xiang Tuo in the midst of the battle. With a single exchange, he broke his opponent's momentum.

Xiang Tuo was terrified out of his wits. He abandoned his banner and fled.

Zhao Cheng pursued his advantage, cutting through the ranks and charging in, shouting challenges as he went.

Unable to bear the humiliation, Xiang Tuo turned back to face him, but Zhao Cheng took his head with a single halberd stroke and displayed it as a warning.

The Chu Army was leaderless and broke apart in the wilderness, where our army annihilated them to the last man.

After the fierce battle, Zhao Cheng was still in high spirits. He led three thousand Assault Cavalry once more, slipping away under cover of night toward Chou City with their weapons muffled.

He went alone, disguised as a Han courier, tricked the city gates open, killed the defending general with his own hands, and seized the city, opening its gates.

Our army swarmed in like ants amid the chaos. Before the third watch, we had already taken the fortified city.

In this battle, Zhao Cheng's bravery surpassed