Mythical Qin: I, Gao Yao, will never be a eunuch!

Chapter 900: Sending troops to Xianyang, Xiao He’s concerns!

"This... Your Majesty, is this truly possible?" Xiao He's brow furrowed upon hearing this, his suspicion growing even deeper. But it was no longer pure denial, now tinged with deep suspicion and weighing. "From what I understand, while the Chu and Han armies haven't been in direct conflict, they're certainly not allies. Xiang Yu is arrogant and headstrong. How could he easily cooperate with the mysterious 'Liu Bang'? The interests and trust involved are enormously problematic."

Gao Yao heard this and a complex, bitter smile appeared on his face. It was filled with the helplessness of someone who had seen through the world and a subtle hint of fatigue. "Sir, in these troubled times, what is impossible?"

He sighed deeply, walked to the window, and gazed into the distance, as if gazing at the ever-changing situation in the Central Plains. "Except for Wei Bao, the King of Wei, who lingers on, caught between us and the Chu-Han factions, the current situation in the world is essentially a three-way balance of power: our Southern Border, Western Chu, and Northern Han. And our Southern Border, having undergone years of governance, boasts a well-trained army, ample provisions, and a vast territory. It holds the greatest momentum and has undoubtedly become the most prominent 'leg'."

His voice deepened, carrying a heavy burden of pressure. "A tall tree attracts the wind, sir. Precisely because we are so powerful, we are most likely to become the target of public criticism. Historically, the weak have united to resist the strong, a common strategy in politics. For Xiang Yu and Yi Xiaochuan, they may be a source of worry to each other, but I, Gao Yao, am probably their common and most powerful threat! Faced with sufficient benefits and a common crisis, why is temporary cooperation impossible? It can even be said to be an inevitable choice!"

Gao Yao turned around, his gaze once again resolute. "It's precisely because I've long considered this that I stationed a general like Han Xin in Dongjiao County! Do you really think it's to guard against those stragglers? No! It's to guard against a possible surprise attack by the mysterious Yi Xiaochuan! Dongjiao County is a strategic coastal area, and one of the directions that could be threatened from the north. With Han Xin stationed there, I can focus on matters in Xianyang to the west."

He slammed his fist down on the map on the table, landing on the location of Xianyang. "So, we must lift the siege of Xianyang! Not only that, but we must do it quickly, demonstrating our resolve and strength to intervene! We must use concrete actions to tell Xiang Yu that directly seizing Xianyang is impossible! If they want to join forces against me, they must consider whether they can withstand my thundering counterattack! Only in this way can we break the tacit understanding they may have formed, nip any signs of cooperation in the bud, and continue to maintain this relatively favorable triangular balance! Waiting will only bring the worst outcome!"

"Well, okay, then..."

"Tomorrow I will lead Ying Bu, 10,000 cavalry, and 20,000 infantry to Xianyang!"

Gao Yao's voice was unwavering, unquestionable. The flickering candlelight within the tent illuminated his sharp features, flickering in and out of focus. Xiao He opened his mouth, his throat churning, but ultimately, a barely audible sigh escaped him. He knew Gao Yao well. Once he flashed that look—a look mingling determination, hatred, and a certain profound calculation—it signaled that any attempt at persuasion was futile.

Xiao He's heart was weighed heavily by worry. Xianyang was in danger, and His Majesty's foundation was shaken; rescue was urgent. However, a terrifying thought kept swirling in his mind: Could this be a carefully orchestrated plot by Xiang Yu?

Using Xianyang as a decoy, the real target might be Gaoyao's hastily rushed reinforcements. Encircling Wei to save Zhao, making a feint to the east and attacking in the west—these are common tactics used by military strategists. Xiang Yu relied heavily on Fan Zeng, his advisor, who was even more shrewd. They could easily exploit Gaoyao's eagerness to rescue Xianyang and set a deadly trap to siege the city and attack its reinforcements. If Gaoyao's elite troops were destroyed in a field battle, not only would Xianyang be in jeopardy, but also Yangping Pass, the support base, and indeed the entire war effort.

However, Gao Yao's subsequent analysis, like a cold chisel, precisely dissected the deeper layers of the situation, leaving Xiao He shuddering. Gao Yao's vision transcended the gains and losses of Xianyang, even the immediate battle against the Chu army. His blazing gaze pointed to a more distant and more dangerous future—the enigmatic Yi Xiaochuan, whose foes were indistinguishable from friend or foe.

"Xiao He," Gao Yao said in a low, calm voice, as if stating a fact unrelated to him, "Every day we delay here increases the risk of Xianyang's fall. This is certainly a concern, but what's even more terrifying is that as the siege drags on, the dynamics become increasingly complex. If Xiang Yu... do you think, under immense pressure and temptation, that some within the city, or those left behind by Liu Bang, would strike some kind of... deal with Xiang Yu outside? Either forced or voluntarily?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao He felt a chill run down his spine. He had considered this possibility, but it wasn't as thorough and certain as Gao Yao's. Yi Xiaochuan's background was unknown, his methods were treacherous, and his position was always ambiguous. Was he currently in Xianyang, a meritorious official protecting the emperor, or a hidden threat with ulterior motives? No one could say for sure. If, as Gao Yao predicted, the Chu army, unable to capture the city after a prolonged siege, resorted to offering generous rewards or exerting even greater pressure to induce Yi Xiaochuan to cooperate with Xiang Yu, the consequences... would be unimaginable. What would be lost would not only be Xianyang, but also the disintegration of the entire anti-Chu alliance and the collapse of faith.

Gao Yao paced slowly, the candlelight stretching his shadow long across the rough tent walls, like a contemplative giant. "On the battlefield, sometimes a temporary retreat, a voluntary surrender of a small portion of initiative, is necessary to avoid falling completely into the enemy's rhythm and to regain a larger, more crucial strategic initiative in the future. I'm risking my troops today, and while it may seem like I'm putting myself in danger, if I can preemptively thwart a possible Chu-Han alliance, or even inflict a severe blow on the Chu army, then this risk is well worth taking."

Hearing these words, Xiao He felt a complex mix of admiration and astonishment. He had to admit that Gao Yao, at this moment, seemed to have surpassed him in terms of strategic foresight and depth. While he was adept at government affairs, managing supplies, and maintaining the rear, he was far inferior to Gao Yao in the ever-changing dynamics of the battlefield and his strategic audacity to take bold risks. He saw more of the pros and cons of the immediate battle, while Gao Yao saw the broader trajectory of the world and the potential risks involved.

The only thing that puzzled Xiao He, and even somewhat unsettled him, was the deep resentment Gao Yao expressed towards Xiang Yu and Liu Bang, evident in his words and eyes. He could understand his hatred for Xiang Yu. Even before the Pei County uprising, Gao Yao had harbored a grudge against Xiang Yu. Afterward, Gao Yao was repeatedly pursued by Xiang Yu's troops, facing life and death on several occasions. The two sides had long been irreconcilable. This hatred had a clear origin and a clear path.