stonecrandall Chapter 802 Xianyang is now a trap, and you will really fall into it if you go there!
Chapter 802 Xianyang is now a trap, and you will really fall into it if you go there!
This sigh was far more powerful than a thousand words. Like an icy needle, it pierced Xiang Yu's wishful tactical conception and revealed the great worry in the heart of this old strategist. What he saw was the long-lasting consumption brought about by the siege, the precious mobile forces of the Chu army being nailed down under the city of Xianyang and the danger of being taken advantage of. It was also Xiang Yu's fatal weakness that never changed, which was to rely too much on frontal attacks and ignore strategic depth and political game.
"So are we supposed to do nothing?!" His voice was like muffled thunder, rolling through the tent. "Just sit back and watch Gao Yao establish a stronghold in Xianyang, building a city and training his troops? Once he's completely enslaved, won't that ruin our last chance of defeating him? I can't stand this!"
Xiang Yu's questioning was tinged with intense anxiety and resentment. The humiliation of the fall of Kuaiji, the frustration of repeated losses at the hands of Gao Yao, now transformed into an urge for revenge. He could not understand the strategy of inaction; in his view, it was tantamount to waiting for death.
His words were powerful, but they didn't receive the expected response. Military Advisor Fan Zeng and his brother Yi Xiaochuan exchanged a glance. Instead of anger, their faces revealed a solemnity and recognition that came from deep thought.
Fan Zeng stroked his graying beard, a gleam of light flashing in his cloudy eyes. He spoke slowly, his voice low but carrying undeniable weight: "General Xiang, be patient. On the contrary, the best strategy now is to hold our troops in place and wait and see how the situation develops. Furthermore, we must convince Gao Yao that we are unable and dare not attack Xianyang—this is the best strategy!"
"The best strategy?" Xiang Yu frowned, his face full of confusion and puzzlement. He pointed to Xianyang on the map and said, "If we don't attack, how can we defeat the enemy? Won't we hand over the initiative to others?" He couldn't understand the calmness of Fan Zeng and Yi Xiaochuan. In his opinion, this was simply cowardice.
Seeing this, Yi Xiaochuan knew he needed to delve deeper into Xiang Yu's concerns. He walked over to Xiang Yu, pointed to Xianyang, and calmly explained, "Brother Yu, the key to this matter lies in the initiative. Think about it: as long as we hold our troops, the initiative remains firmly in our hands!"
"How can we seize the initiative without attacking?" Xiang Yu's doubts deepened, as this went against his understanding of common sense in military strategy.
"Brother Yu," Yi Xiaochuan looked directly into Xiang Yu's eyes and asked a crucial question, "Do you think Gao Yao is a foolish and reckless person?"
Upon hearing this, Xiang Yu's rage subsided slightly, replaced by a solemn expression. He recalled Gao Yao's tactics—his cunning schemes, his formidable military force, and the fearsome black-armored cavalry of the Southern Border Army. He was silent for a moment, then finally said in a deep voice, "...Of course not." He knew better than anyone how formidable this opponent was.
"That's it!" Yi Xiaochuan's voice suddenly rose. "Since even we all know that Xianyang is located on a plain with no strategic locations, making it a seemingly easy-to-attack but difficult-to-defend place, how could Gao Yao, with his intelligence, not have thought of this? He has always acted cautiously and meticulously, and is definitely not a reckless man who seeks fame and disregards reality! Then why did he take such a 'big risk' and move the capital from the safer Old Capital to Xianyang? Even going so far as to mobilize 30,000 elite troops in advance and build a city wall with great fanfare?"
Yi Xiaochuan's question hit Xiang Yu like a hammer. Yes, why?
"There's most likely only one reason!" Yi Xiaochuan said firmly, "This is a carefully designed trap! Gao Yao is deliberately showing weakness to lure us into attacking Xianyang! He wants to attract the main force of our Chu army and firmly lock it under the city of Xianyang!"
Before Xiang Yu could digest this shocking conclusion, Yi Xiaochuan continued to throw out an even more terrifying scenario: "Brother Yu, don't forget what Gao Yao possesses—black gunpowder! The power of this substance is no secret. From what I know, its explosive force is earth-shattering, enough to instantly destroy anything within a radius of several feet. With our Chu army's current equipment and tactics, if we encounter it, we will be almost powerless to fight back!"
He pointed to the area around Xianyang City on the map. "Gao Yao sent troops in advance and built the city with great fanfare. All of this seems to be an active defense, creating a defensive posture. But in my opinion, it's all a sleight of hand! It's an illusion! Their real purpose is probably to bury a huge amount of black gunpowder deep under the pre-set battlefield outside the city under the cover of building fortifications! Once the main force of our army, especially the elite cavalry that is the key to victory, launches a charge and enters that area..." Yi Xiaochuan made a gesture of a violent explosion, his voice cold, "...the consequences will be unimaginable! The cavalry's advantage will be wiped out in the earth-shaking explosion! That is Gao Yao's real killer move!"
Xiang Yu's expression changed completely. He seemed to see the tragic sight of his proud Chu cavalry, blood and flesh flying everywhere amidst the flames and smoke. A chill ran down his spine. He muttered, "Illusion... Such a cruel illusion..."
"That's right!" Yi Xiaochuan's tone grew heavier. "Although the Southern Border Army's cavalry is slightly inferior to your elite troops, their black-armored cavalry is also a battle-hardened force and should not be underestimated. Their infantry is also recognized to be stronger than ours. If Gao Yao succeeds in this plan and successfully inflicts heavy damage on the main force of our cavalry, then..." He paused and continued word by word, "...the Southern Border Army will completely eliminate their disadvantages in the field battle and gain the qualification to fight our army squarely on the plains! And our army will lose its greatest reliance at the moment - its advantages in mobility and impact. By then, the situation will be completely reversed!"
Fan Zeng nodded slightly and added, "What Xiaochuan said hits the nail on the head. Gao Yao has grand ambitions. He doesn't want to defend a particular place for a short period of time, but to take advantage of this opportunity to cripple our army in one fell swoop."
Yi Xiaochuan took a deep breath and pushed his analysis to its final conclusion: "So, Brother Yu! Holding our troops still at this moment is by no means cowardly, but the most brilliant response! As long as we don't step into his carefully laid death trap, the control of this battlefield will always be in our hands! When to test, when to feint, when to truly launch a force, it is all up to us to decide! The Southern Border Army will be pinned down by us. They can't figure out our intentions, so they dare not act rashly, let alone split their forces to focus on other matters!"
He walked to the tent door, almost catching sight of Xianyang in the distance. "Gao Yao, on the other hand, will be on pins and needles! He must constantly guard against our unpredictable strike, forcing him to hoard heavy troops in and around Xianyang, afraid to deploy them lightly. He wants to continue expanding, to annex Wei Bao, Liu Bang, and the others? That would entail the enormous risk of leaving Xianyang empty! We, on the other hand, can conserve our strength, network with all sides, watch him make enemies everywhere, and patiently wait for the moment he reveals a flaw!"