novelhk Chapter 806 Analyzing Gao Yao’s purpose, this is a trap!
Chapter 806 Analyzing Gao Yao’s purpose, this is a trap!
This map was a far cry from the sophisticated, "plug-in-grade" maps Yi Xiaochuan remembered Gao Yao possessing, which displayed precise contour lines, river depths, road widths, and even forest density. In this information-scarce era, a map like this, showing the approximate locations and relative distances of major counties, was an extremely valuable strategic resource, cherished by countless generals.
Gao Yao, relying on his foresight and the existence of a system, has long been invincible in the "information war", while they can only grope their way through this "fog".
Yi Xiaochuan took a deep breath, suppressing his inward complaints about the "map hook," and forced himself to focus completely on the crude map before him, a map that held the lives of countless soldiers. His gaze, like a probe, traced the long route from Nanhai County to Xianyang inch by inch. Fan Zeng also narrowed his eyes, his withered fingers slowly moving across the rough leather scroll, as if measuring invisible distances, sensing the barriers of mountains and rivers.
For a moment, the only sounds in the study were the crackling of the candlelight and the heavy breathing of the three people.
Just a moment later, Yi Xiaochuan and Fan Zeng jerked their heads up almost simultaneously! Their pupils suddenly constricted as they stared at the map, their brows instantly twisted into knots! They were both fixed on a single point on the map—the specific route the messenger had mentioned, indicating Wu Can's attack on the Gaoyao relocation team!
"Xiaochuan? Yafu? What's going on? Speak!" Xiang Yu watched the two men, their expressions etched with the same solemnity and furrowed brows, his heart aflame with anxiety. They had just stopped him from sending his troops, and now they were staring at the map without a word. This feeling of being kept in the dark made this overlord, accustomed to charging into battle, extremely suffocating. He couldn't help but urge them, his voice resounding in the silent study.
Yi Xiaochuan sighed deeply, with a hint of disbelief. He raised his head and looked at Xiang Yu with a complicated expression: "Brother Yu... I'm afraid... this matter is definitely not as simple as it seems!"
"Oh? What do you mean?" Xiang Yu's heart tightened and his body leaned forward involuntarily. The huge shadow almost covered the entire table.
Yi Xiaochuan tapped the glaring marching route on the map, his fingertips turning slightly white from the pressure. "This marching route is absolutely ridiculous!" His voice was filled with suppressed anger and confusion. "Brother Yu, look carefully! Wu Can just suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Southern Border Army. Even Wu Rui was captured alive! His remaining troops are still in shock, their strength has been greatly reduced, like a frightened bird! Under such circumstances, why would he dare to take the initiative to attack Gaoyao's elite capital relocation army? This is tantamount to hitting a rock with an egg! This is the first reason, it is illogical!"
He paused, his finger swiping fiercely along the winding route on the map. "The second, more fatal doubt is the route! From Nanhai County to Xianyang, there are more than one route to choose from. There are at least four or five safer and more convenient routes that avoid Nanjun controlled by our Chu army!" His finger moved quickly on the map, pointing to several other routes that were relatively far away from Nanjun and might be flatter or more hidden.
"If I were Gao Yao, shouldering the heavy responsibility of moving the capital, protecting the King of Qin, a symbol of righteousness, and countless baggage, I would never choose this route that runs right along the border of Nanjun, exposing myself to the Chu army's potential attack at any moment! This would simply mean putting my most vulnerable flanks and back into the enemy's grasp! Whether in terms of marching speed, safety, concealment, or logistical support, this is definitely not the best option. It could even be considered the worst choice!"
Yi Xiaochuan suddenly raised his head, his gaze blazing at Xiang Yu, then turned to Fan Zeng, whose face was equally ashen, and word by word, he unleashed his chilling conclusion: "Such an unusual route choice, such an illogical 'suicidal' attack... Brother Yu, Mr. Fan Zeng! What do you think? Does this seem... does it seem like Gao Yao did this on purpose? Is he... playing a grand chess game that we haven't yet fully grasped? Could this so-called 'King of Qin captured' or 'two tigers fighting'... be... a giant trap?!"
As Yi Xiaochuan finished speaking, the study fell into dead silence. The ecstasy in Xiang Yu's eyes had long disappeared, replaced by anger of being deceived and deep fear of an unknown conspiracy.
Fan Zeng slowly closed his eyes, his bony fingers tapping the table unconsciously, as if rehearsing an invisible, terrifying chess game. The air seemed to freeze, the heavy pressure making every breath difficult. Beneath Gao Yao's seemingly passive appearance, an invisible net seemed to be quietly unfurling.
"Xiaochuan, are you saying that the capture of Prince Gao of Qin was intentional?"
Xiang Yu's eyes widened, his rugged face filled with disbelief and astonishment. "Gao Yao did this on purpose?!" He repeated Yi Xiaochuan's conclusion, his voice rolling like thunder through the study, tinged with a hint of anger at being fooled. "Is he crazy? Using the King of Qin... the entire relocation team as bait?!"
"No, he's not crazy. He's playing a risky game, a game that could completely change the situation!"
Fan Zeng's old voice sounded decisively, his cloudy eyes as sharp as an eagle, fixed on the strange marching route on the map, as if he wanted to penetrate the rough leather scroll and see the true intentions of the powerful official in the deep palace of Xianyang.
"Given the current strength of the Southern Border Army, it's only a matter of time before they conquer Southern Commandery. Gao Yao has a strong army and ample food and fodder, so there's no need for him to be so anxious!"
Fan Zeng poked his finger heavily at the spot representing Nanjun. "On the other hand, look at Wu Can! His father, Wu Rui, King of Hengshan! A few months ago, he led an army of 100,000 to raid Jiujiang County, hoping to retake lost territory. What was the result? He first achieved success in the surprise attack, but then suffered repeated setbacks. He even resorted to a massacre in anger. Finally, when Gao Yao arrived, he defeated him in a single battle! The 100,000-strong army was annihilated, and even Wu Rui himself became Gao Yao's prisoner! This devastating defeat was like a broken spine. The morale of the remnants of the Hengshan King's army has long since collapsed! And Wu Can, a mediocre talent, barely able to maintain the status quo, how could he have the audacity to dare to challenge Gao Yao's authority and abduct the most important King of Qin?!"
Fan Zeng's speech became increasingly rapid, yet his logic remained exceptionally clear. Every word was like a hammer, hammering down upon Xiang Yu and Yi Xiaochuan's hearts. He took a deep breath, as if to unravel the suffocating truth:
"Look at Gao Yao, on the other hand! He first proclaimed himself 'King', breaking the barriers of the Qin system; then he forcibly relocated the capital to Xianyang, demonstrating his desire to change the dynasty! Now, this shocking incident of 'the capture of the King of Qin'... everything is interconnected! In my opinion, this is most likely a show directed and performed by Gao Yao himself! His purpose is obvious - he wants to completely get rid of the 'King of Qin', the last and greatest obstacle, and clear the way for his official ascension to the throne!"