After parting ways with Xiang An, Xiang Yu led his army north at great speed, crossing the Huai River and nearing Juye Marsh, formerly occupied by Peng Yue. He planned to cross the Wen River from there and advance toward the Yellow River.
Xiang An's ten thousand men carried relatively few supplies and traveled swiftly on light cavalry. They had already passed Waihuang and entered the territory of Quyu.
But after taking Quyu, Xiang An made no further moves.
According to the attack route Xiang Yu had originally assigned him, Xiang An's next target should have been the major city of Xingyang.
But—
"Fourth Uncle, Liang Ning, make preparations. We're going to attack Linji City." Xiang An pressed a hand against the edge of the sand table and looked solemnly at his two commanders.
Linji City lay directly north of Quyu, separated by the two great rivers, the Sui River and the Wen River, with a narrow triangular delta between them.
The waterways of the Central Plains crisscrossed in every direction. The Yellow River alone branched into numerous tributaries, including the Wen River, Sui River, Luo River, and Yi River. Some, such as the Sui River, even connected to another great river, the Huai River. This intricate network had an enormous impact on military operations, but precisely because of that, it also gave many commanders opportunities to employ unexpected strategies.
Quyu itself was a ferry crossing leading north over the Sui River, while Linji City stood proudly on the northern bank of the Wen River and likewise possessed a ferry crossing.
"Our Chu army has always excelled at naval warfare, so..." Xiang Lu considered it briefly and nodded, but then a trace of hesitation appeared on his face. "But Xiang An, do you truly intend not to follow your elder