Aside from Liu Ji and the others, as well as Han Xin in the north, everyone else reacted just as fiercely. But in the end, their reactions were of little consequence.
The leads in this grand drama, which had already escalated to ever greater heights, had been decided. Only a scant few could stand at the center of the stage.
After Xiang Yu and Xiang An's great battle at Dong Commandery City, Western Chu chose to rein in its offensive. For the first time ever, it withdrew its armies a considerable distance, pulling back from Dong Commandery City all the way to the Chengyang and Dingtao regions, yielding the fertile lands between the Yellow River and the Huai River.
Xiang An's departure had not only taken several capable generals with him, but also half of Western Chu's army. It was no small blow.
Yet Xiang Yu, at the heart of the storm, had not shown himself again because of his injuries.
"Lord Xiang Yu, do you feel any better?" Yu Meiren sat by the bed, feeding the medicine porridge she had personally prepared to Xiang Yu, who lay in bed.
"Hah." Xiang Yu sat up and let out a breath. Expressionless, he took the bowl from Yu Meiren and drained its contents in one gulp.
After setting the bowl aside, Yu Meiren sighed. "I wonder how Uncle is doing now."
"Lord Xiang Yu, why did you insist on driving Uncle away? Clearly... there were better ways to resolve this, weren't there?"
Xiang Yu shook his head, answering something else entirely.
"He has already declared the founding of his state. Its name is Northern Chu. He likely intends to conquer the Three Qi and make them his territory." Xiang Yu sat upright and placed his hand over Yu Meiren's, speaking calmly.