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

Chapter 1036 Unusual Movements of the Chu Army: Xiang Yu Wants to Send Troops!

Gao Yao slowly closed the secret scroll, his fingertips tapping rhythmically on the table. The candlelight in the secret room flickered, casting a half-light, half-shadow on his deep, unfathomable expression. The chess game in Xianyang had already begun, and now, the one who would play the game had returned.

At this time, Gao Yao was preparing to deal with the problems in Xianyang, secretly observing those with ulterior motives and schemes. Although the mysterious Yi Xiaochuan was dead, he was still a formidable figure, and the troubles he left behind remained. Gao Yao planned to take this opportunity to root out all these people, thus eliminating the hidden threats. However, Gao Yao was unaware that while he was making his cleanup, the Chu army was also making moves.

The winds of the North are completely different from the gentle, tender winds of Jiangdong. Like a rough file, it carries the cold sand from beyond the Great Wall, howling as it sweeps across the desolate plains, lashing every weathered face. The tattered banner bearing the character "Chu" hangs limply under the gloomy sky, its corners torn and stained with indelible dark red blood.

In the northern prefectures, the air was thick with the groans of wounded soldiers, the bitterness of herbs, and a profound weariness and despair. After the ambush, although they had reclaimed the north, as had been predicted, the Chu army was like a fully-running war machine; victory meant continuation, but defeat threatened to shatter everything under their previous pressure.

The surprise attack on Yangxia, the siege of Xianyang, the ambush… that devastating defeat, like a nightmare, still haunts the hearts of every surviving Chu soldier. Of the 800,000 Jiangdong men, less than 30,000 have retreated here with Xiang Yu. Their armor is tattered, their weapons broken, many bear wounds, and their eyes have lost their former sharpness, leaving only the bewilderment of surviving a catastrophe and a deep fear of the future.

Inside the government office in the prefectural city, Xiang Yu stood alone in his tent, his back to the tent door. His once towering, mountain-like body, capable of lifting cauldrons and splitting rocks, now appeared somewhat hunched.

His signature black armor was now covered in marks from sword cuts and chiseles, its once dazzling brilliance dimmed. He stared intently at the rough sheepskin map hanging on the tent wall, his gaze fixed on the words "Xianyang," his clenched fists trembling slightly, knuckles white from the strain.

"Father..." A low, guttural roar, like that of a wounded beast, escaped his throat, filled with endless pain, regret, and resentment. Fan Zeng's departure was a wound in his heart that would never heal. And all of this was inextricably linked to that name—Gao Yao!

Just then, a figure walked in. It was Yi Xiaochuan. He looked better than Xiang Yu, but his brows were etched with the marks of time and weariness. His once carefree and confident eyes now bore the weight of the cruelty and helplessness of this chaotic world. His robes were stained with dust and blood, a far cry from his former dashing appearance.

"Brother Yu," Yi Xiaochuan's voice was slightly hoarse, "We just finished taking stock. There are still more than 28,000 soldiers who can fight. The food and supplies... can last for another six months. However, the people in various counties are in a state of discontent. I'm afraid there will be a popular uprising."

Previously, the Chu army had drastically exploited the populace to serve in the army and mobilized various resources. If their previous strategies had succeeded, capturing Xianyang would have provided a large amount of money and food to stabilize public morale. However, a single misstep resulted in the loss of nearly 70,000 troops, and the Chu army is now at its last gasp.

Xiang Yu didn't turn around, only letting out a deep "hmm" from the back of his throat. A suffocating silence fell over the room, broken only by the howling wind and faint wails outside.

After a long silence, Xiang Yu suddenly turned around, his double pupils bloodshot and burning with terrifying flames: "Xiao Chuan! We cannot remain trapped here! That traitor Gao Yao! I... I will definitely tear him to pieces to appease the spirit of my father in heaven!"

Yi Xiaochuan's heart skipped a beat, knowing that Xiang Yu had once again been blinded by hatred. He was about to speak to persuade him when suddenly, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the tent.

"Report—!" A scout, covered in dust, stumbled into the tent, fell to the ground, and his voice trembled with excitement, "Your Majesty! News from Xianyang... from Xianyang! Gao Yao... he... he may be dead!"

"What?!" Xiang Yu's pupils constricted, and he strode up to the scout, his massive shadow completely enveloping him. "Is the information accurate? Explain yourself!"

The scout, panting, reported haltingly: "In Xianyang... rumors are rampant that Gao Yao... went hunting at Mount Li! But an accident occurred, the cause unknown... Now Xianyang is under martial law, the court is in turmoil, and it's said... several of Gao Yao's children are courtiers vying for power... The situation in Xianyang has suddenly changed, and everyone is in danger."

"Sudden death? Hahaha! Heaven is helping me! Heaven is helping me!" Xiang Yu was stunned for a moment, then burst into deafening laughter, filled with wild joy and the pleasure of revenge. "Gao Yao! You villain! You will not die a good death! Issue the order! Assemble the entire army! Break camp immediately and march on Xianyang! I will personally cut off his head to pay tribute to the heroic souls of my Great Chu!"

He was acting like a madman, about to rush out of the main tent to muster his troops.

"Brother Yu! No!" Yi Xiaochuan suddenly blocked his way, his expression more serious and solemn than ever before.

"Yi Xiaochuan! Get out of my way!" Xiang Yu's eyes widened in fury, his murderous aura palpable. "Gao Yao is dead, and Xianyang is in chaos. This is a golden opportunity! If we don't attack now, when will we?"

"What if this is Gao Yao's scheme?" Yi Xiaochuan retorted, raising his voice several decibels. "Xiang Yu, calm down! How cunning is Gao Yao? If Gao Yao were truly so easy to deal with, how could we have ended up in this predicament? How could Gao Yao have died so easily? And precisely when we were retreating north, when he was most likely to lower his guard? This is clearly bait! A trap to lure us into attacking and then completely annihilate our last Chu army!"

"A trap?" Xiang Yu scoffed, his double pupils filled with disbelief. "Gao Yao is dead, how could he set a trap? Could he possibly crawl out of his coffin and command us?"

"He might not really be dead!" Yi Xiaochuan analyzed urgently. "This could very well be a play he orchestrated himself! There are three purposes: First, to test which forces in the court are still loyal to the Qin Dynasty or dissatisfied with him, to lure them out and wipe them all out in one fell swoop; second, to lull remnants like us from the six states into a false sense of security, to induce us to take the initiative and leave our advantageous terrain, into his ambush; third, it might even be for a larger conspiracy! Brother Yu, think about it, Gao Yao has endured for many years, climbing from a lowly soldier to his current position, how could he possibly end up so easily?"