novelhk Chapter 803 Yi Xiaochuan’s transformation, Fan Zeng is running out of energy!
Chapter 803 Yi Xiaochuan’s transformation, Fan Zeng is running out of energy!
Yi Xiaochuan turned around, looking at Xiang Yu with a scorching gaze, his tone filled with power: "Brother Yu, the power of 'not moving' at this moment is far greater than a blind 'attack'! It is like an invisible shackle, firmly locking Gao Yao's hands and feet, making him unable to sleep or eat, and making it difficult for him to take care of everything! The fortifications he spent a huge amount of money to build and the gunpowder he buried have become a heavy burden! He has fangs and claws, but no target to attack! This is the real torment that makes Gao Yao most uncomfortable! Time is on the side of patience!"
Yi Xiaochuan's words were like a stone dropped into a deep pond, sending ripples reverberating through Xiang Yu's heart. He fell into a long silence, his thoughts swirling beneath a furrowed brow. For the first time, his rugged, resolute face betrayed a profound sense of deliberation and solemnity. Clearly, Yi Xiaochuan's meticulous, insightful, and to-the-point judgment had shaken his impulsive need for revenge.
On the other side, military advisor Fan Zeng's eyes, which had seen through the vicissitudes of life and understood the world, were firmly fixed on Yi Xiaochuan.
Deep within that gaze, there quietly grew an indescribable admiration, even a hint of disbelief and amazement. Fan Zeng's heart was now in turmoil: the reckless boy whom he had once declared "unable to achieve anything" and even nearly given up on leaving to fend for himself, had transformed into this in just a few years?
Memories flooded back. His rejection of Yi Xiaochuan back then stemmed from his personality. Fan Zeng saw Yi Xiaochuan as possessing a reputation for bravery and a touch of quick wit, yet possessing a troublesome inner compulsion. He was overly blunt, even clumsy, in his dealings with others, lacking the ability to navigate political strategies. This often led to conflicts, as his style of conduct conflicted with his own calm and experienced approach.
In the grand vision Fan Zeng planned for Xiang Yu, such an angular and difficult-to-control general was not only not a help, but a huge destabilizing factor, easily derailed by personal emotions or reckless actions. Therefore, Fan Zeng would rather abandon him than allow him to become a hidden danger around Xiang Yu.
When Yi Xiaochuan, having weathered many storms, reappeared in the Chu army's ranks, Fan Zeng keenly sensed the profound transformation. The brow of Yi Xiaochuan before him was weathered. His flamboyant nature, while still present, was now shrouded in a deeper undertone. He no longer acted on pure passion; he had learned to be more thoughtful and considerate.
Although his occasional temper still lingered, his perspective on issues and the way he weighed the pros and cons had undergone a fundamental, almost subversive shift. This transformation forced Fan Zeng to reconsider his approach.
What ultimately compelled Fan Zeng to set aside his prejudices and even actively accept Yi Xiaochuan back into the core decision-making circle stemmed far more from Yi Xiaochuan's growth than simply his own, unavoidable reality: his own inability to cope. Following Xiang Yu's uprising from Kuaiji, he battled his way north and south, treading on countless mountains of blood and blood. By then, Fan Zeng was already over sixty years old. In the chaotic late Qin Dynasty, at this age, ordinary families would have enjoyed a comfortable retirement with four generations living under one roof. Yet, he dragged his increasingly frail body to the brink of exhaustion in his military tent.
Fan Zeng clearly sensed the irreversible and rapid aging of his body, his energy draining away like the tide. His once masterful and calculated mind now often felt sluggish and fatigued. Even more worrying was the fact that Gao Yao's subordinates—Zhang Liang, the master of strategy, Han Xin, the master of military tactics, Xiao He and Cao Shen, the wise rulers—were all talented men in their prime. And what about himself? He was already aging.
He had to admit a harsh reality: with Gao Yao now occupying most of the world, possessing a well-trained army and ample supplies, and possessing a deep-rooted foundation, defeating him would not be a matter of a day or a night; it would be a protracted war of attrition. And in his twilight years, he feared... he wouldn't survive until victory.
This realization weighed on Fan Zeng's heart like a cold rock. He knew that Xiang Yu, though a formidable warrior, was also stubborn and easily defeated. He needed someone around him who could make strategic decisions and offer a cold shoulder at crucial moments. In the past, Yi Xiaochuan simply wasn't worthy of being trained to become such a figure. But now things were different!
Fan Zeng was impressed by Yi Xiaochuan's performance today, and any remaining doubts were replaced with admiration. Not only had he meticulously analyzed the situation, but he had also discerned Gao Yao's hidden intentions to lure the enemy into submission. His meticulous thinking and far-sightedness far exceeded Fan Zeng's expectations. Even more commendable was his ability to set aside personal preferences, particularly his deep-seated hatred for Gao Yao, and, from the most cold-blooded and rational perspective, he made the seemingly passive but actually most advantageous strategic decision for the Chu army, "holding ground," and clearly mapped out the future course of action. This calmness and overall perspective were exactly what Fan Zeng desired.
Fan Zeng understood Xiang Yu all too well. While the setbacks of recent years had tempered some of Xiang Yu's impetuousness, his inherent pride and fierceness, which looked down upon the world, never truly changed. He was prone to underestimate the enemy and act rashly in times of victory, and acted impulsively in times of setbacks, making him vulnerable to traps set by his opponents who exploited his emotions.
Xiang Yu needed someone by his side who could see the worst-case scenario at a crucial moment, speak up, offer a cold shoulder, or even rein in his actions. Fan Zeng had once thought he could always play this role, but his body was giving him warnings. Now, Yi Xiaochuan's demonstrated qualities gave him hope of taking on this important role.
Fan Zeng was particularly pleased by Yi Xiaochuan's reaction to the name "Gaoyao." Once upon a time, simply hearing the word "Gaoyao" would have made Yi Xiaochuan's eyes redden, his mind swirling, his desire to charge in and fight to the death. But this time, far from losing control, he calmly analyzed the enemy's strengths and weaknesses, meticulously deducing Gaoyao's possible plot. This restraint and growth was proof of a complete transformation.
Fan Zeng's gaze slowly moved between the silent Xiang Yu and the calm Yi Xiaochuan. The heavy worry in his heart caused by aging was finally quietly diluted by a trace of relief that there was someone to succeed him.
He looked at Yi Xiaochuan, as if he saw a young tree standing tenaciously in a storm. Though its branches still bore the scars of the past, it already possessed the potential to provide shelter from the elements. He nodded slightly, his admiration finally transforming into silent recognition. Perhaps, before he collapsed from exhaustion, this young tiger had finally found a truly reliable partner to march shoulder to shoulder. Ultimately, the chess game of the world needs new players to continue its moves.
Of course, Fan Zeng also saw that Yi Xiaochuan was gradually accumulating power and even intended to fight against him, but this was a good thing for Fan Zeng. If he really had no desires, it would be a problem.