The retreat route Xiang Yu had mapped out went from Dingtao across the Wen River to Chengwu, passing through Fengyi and Pengcheng, then crossing south over the Huai River, all the way to Xutai, the Chu capital.
On the road of retreat, Xiang Yu and Xiang An rode two thousand-li steeds at the very front of the column. Both were somewhat silent. Even Wu Zhui and Torrent Gallop, who normally did not get along particularly well, had quieted down.
"We need to reflect on this, Brother," Xiang An said to Xiang Yu as he looked at the road ahead.
"What do you mean?" Xiang Yu asked calmly, his eyes likewise fixed forward.
"Bringing this up afterward might make it seem like I'm making excuses for our defeat, but what exactly caused Uncle's death and our loss at Dingtao?" Xiang An lowered his gaze slightly, tightening his grip on the reins.
Xiang Yu turned his head slightly and glanced at Xiang An. He said nothing, merely continuing onward with an unchanged expression.
"Troop strength. That was our problem. That was why we lost at Dingtao." Xiang An's voice was loud enough for the other generals behind them to hear.
Zi Juan raised her head slightly and looked at Xiang Yu and Xiang An ahead of them. Xiang Lu patted her shoulder and shook his head.
A long silence followed, broken only by hoofbeats that kicked up dust and yellow sand, making the brothers' expressions grow increasingly grim.
"I already killed Tian Jia," Xiang An said in a low voice.
"What use is killing him now? Zhang Han and Wang Li are attacking Yan, Zhao, and Qi together. Tian Rong won't hold out for long," Xiang Yu answered slowly, his tone calm.
"It doesn't matter. He was a thief who usurped a