bayedsolid Chapter 1864: Can’t escape even with wings?
Chapter 1864: Can’t escape even with wings?
Liu Xiu stood up suddenly, walked quickly to the gate of the county government office, and looked outside.
Although the specific situation could not be seen clearly, the dim light of torches in the distance outside the city, as well as the increasingly clear neighing of war horses and the clashing of armor, all clearly showed that the Chu army was not bluffing, but had really surrounded Kunyang City!
"They...how dare they?" Liu Xiu muttered to himself, his face turning a little ugly.
The Chu army was not in a hurry to attack the city, but instead divided its troops to besiege the city. It was clear that they wanted to trap them to death and wait for the arrival of the main force!
This was completely beyond his expectation that "the Chu army did not dare to attack the city."
Advisor Zhou Yongxin and several awakened generals also hurried over, everyone with a solemn expression.
"His Majesty!"
Zhou Yongxin said hurriedly, "The Chu army is surrounding us but not attacking. Their intention is very clear! They want to trap us here and wait for their main infantry to arrive before launching a full-scale assault on the city!"
"Our army is exhausted and out of food and supplies. It's impossible to hold the small city of Kunyang for long! We must seize this opportunity while the encirclement is still tight and the main force has not yet arrived. We must organize a breakout as soon as possible!"
"Break through?" Liu Xiu was extremely confused at the moment.
He was unwilling to give up the respite he had just gained, and was also frightened by the Chu army's swift pursuit and decisive siege.
His original strong confidence that "the destiny lies in me" finally showed a crack in the face of the cold reality.
Outside the city, Xue Huaide and Zhao Yu stood on a small mound outside the east gate, staring coldly at the city in front of them that looked like a sleeping giant.
The sporadic torches and faint commotions in the city showed that the Han army had been alarmed.
"Is it surrounded?" Xue Huaide asked in a deep voice.
"General, all four gates have been blocked, and troops have been dispatched to control all important roads!" replied the deputy general.
Zhao Yu looked at the city wall and licked his lips. "General Xue, do you want to feint an attack first to test their strength?"
Xue Huaide shook his head: "No need, His Majesty will be here soon, and then the Holy Lord will make the final decision."
"Have the soldiers remain alert, take turns resting, and keep watch over the city gates. Liu Xiu...will never escape this time!"
Under the cold night, Kunyang City was like a huge cage. The Han army, which had just had a chance to catch its breath, fell into a deadly crisis again.
Liu Xiu's fanatical belief in "heaven's will" also faced its first severe test in reality.
Inside the city and in the county government office, the atmosphere was so heavy that it was almost suffocating.
The sound of Chu army horns, the sound of horses' hooves and the light of torches coming from all directions outside the city were like a tightening noose, causing the Han army generals who had just had a moment of respite to fall into great panic again.
Liu Xiu's face turned ashen. The fanatical confidence that he had previously felt due to the "auspicious sign from heaven" had mostly dissipated in the face of the cold reality, and was replaced by anxiety, humiliation and a hint of imperceptible panic.
He originally thought that the Chu army had suffered a divine punishment and had already lost their courage and dared not pursue, let alone besiege the city.
But reality slapped him hard in the face! Not only did the Chu army catch up, but they also acted so quickly and decisively that they immediately surrounded Kunyang City!
"His Majesty!"
A general's voice trembled, "All four gates are blocked by Chu cavalry. Judging by the number of torches, there are about 10,000 to 20,000 soldiers, and they are all cavalry. This... what should we do?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Kunyang City is small and has little food. Our army is exhausted. If the main force of the Chu army arrives and launches a strong attack, we will all die without a burial place!"
Another general also said urgently.
The counselor Zhou Yongxin calmed down at this moment. He walked quickly to Liu Xiu and said in a quick and firm tone:
"Your Majesty, the situation is clear! The Chu cavalry is skilled in field combat, but incompetent at sieges. They are surrounding the city without attacking, precisely waiting for the infantry and siege engines!"
"At this moment, their encirclement is just beginning and their deployment is not yet complete. This is our only chance to break out!"
"If we wait until daybreak and Chu Ning arrives with the main force of the army and sets up a tight net, then everything will be over! We must break out immediately and escape at night. There is still a glimmer of hope!"
Liu Xiu suddenly looked up, his eyes bloodshot.
Breaking out? It meant abandoning the city they had finally reached, stepping into the dangerous wilderness again, and facing the pursuit of the Chu cavalry.
But being trapped... as Zhou Yongxin said, is definitely a dead end!
Under tremendous pressure, the emperor's decisiveness was once again demonstrated.
He gritted his teeth, a fierce look flashing across his face: "Okay! I'll do as you say! Break through!"
He glanced at the generals and quickly gave the order: "Order! Gather all soldiers who can still fight, especially my personal guard battalion and the remaining cavalry. Follow me to break out from the east gate!"
"The terrain outside the east gate is relatively open, and there might be hope! The rest of the troops, stay behind the city walls, hold up torches, wave flags, and shout slogans, pretending to be defending the city. This will confuse the Chu army and buy time for me to break out!"
"Your Majesty, there are many Chu cavalry outside the east gate. I'm afraid..." a general said worriedly.
"No need to say more!"
Liu Xiu interrupted sharply, "My mind is made up! We must fight to the death! Prepare now!"
The order was passed on quickly.
Soon, about 6,000 of the most elite and relatively well-preserved soldiers of the Han army were assembled, including hundreds of cavalry.
Although these people were equally exhausted, there was a glimmer of determination to survive in their eyes.
Liu Xiu personally put on armor and mounted his horse, holding a long spear, and stood at the front of the team. He was going to lead the breakout himself.
"Open the city gate!"
Following Liu Xiu's order, the east gate of Kunyang City slowly opened with a heavy creaking sound in the darkness.
"kill!!!"
The moment the city gate opened, Liu Xiu took the lead and rushed out like an arrow!
The six thousand elite soldiers behind him let out an earth-shaking roar, and followed closely behind, like a flood bursting through a dam, launching a desperate charge towards the Chu cavalry formation that was waiting outside the city!
Their goal is simple: at all costs, defeat the enemy in front of them, tear open a gap, and then run eastward without looking back!
However, the Chu army commanders Xue Huaide and Zhao Yu were both veterans of the battlefield and had long anticipated that the defenders in the city might become desperate and try to break out.
Heavy troops were deployed at the most important East Gate, and the fierce general Zhao Yu was personally in charge!
Seeing that the Han army had indeed rushed out from the east gate, Zhao Yu was not surprised but delighted, with a bloodthirsty glint in his eyes:
"Just in time! Soldiers, His Majesty has ordered that no one should be allowed to escape! Push forward and stop them!"
He waved the spear in his hand, and the Chu cavalry, which had been ready for action, immediately launched a counterattack!
They did not collide with the Han army as usual, but quickly spread out to both wings, forming a huge semi-encirclement. At the same time, dense arrows shot from both sides at the charging Han army columns like pouring rain!
"Raise your shield! Charge!"
Liu Xiu roared and swung his spear to block the incoming arrows without slowing down at all.