Just as Xiang An had said, he and Xiang Yu were twin brothers. Even though they had been born knowing, even though they had been born bearing responsibility, they had remained inseparable. From the moment the brothers were born, they had been like two sides of the same person—one aggressive, one composed. Though their roles sometimes switched, they had always maintained that beautiful, delicate balance.
When, exactly, had that balance been broken?
Xiang An remembered clearly. It had been in Xue County, when Tian Jia, the traitor who had usurped the state, fled into the Western Chu army. That was when the brothers first disagreed.
Xiang Yu believed Tian Jia should be kept, for future arrangements in Qi. Xiang An believed Tian Jia should be killed. Every man had the right to punish such filth.
Perhaps it had not been such a major conflict, but some things were like boulders rolling down a mountain. Once they began, they gathered unstoppable momentum. They could not be stopped, could not be blocked, and could never return to how they had been.
Just like now.
Dong Commandery, February twentieth.
It was the spring equinox. The earth had only just endured spring thunder, and a fine spring rain drifted down. The overcast sky involuntarily left people feeling stifled and restless.
Western Chu's frontline camp was stationed here. Not far away, the yellow waters of the Yellow River roared.
"General, His Majesty has his reasons—ah—"
A burst of commotion came from outside the command tent. With a slight exertion of force, Xiang An sent the dissuading Chen Ping flying directly into a weapon rack. Xiang An, carrying indescribable fury, strode into the command tent at the center of the camp.
"You bastard, get out here!"
His furious voice was like thunder, deafening in its force.