"Han Xin was attacked by an army several times his own. He remained calm in the face of danger, formed an array with his back to the water, and repulsed Sima Yang's forward."
"He quickly swam across the river, waded into the water and attacked the intercepting troops on the south bank, broke out a gap, and finally broke through?"
After listening to the detailed battle report, Wang Ben remained silent, obviously not satisfied with the result.
The silence was broken by a cough, and Wang Ben gasped for breath. This was an old problem left over from many years of fighting. As soon as autumn and winter came, and the weather turned cold, he couldn't stop coughing, which would last for several months.
During the period of recuperation in Xianyang, thanks to the "Kang" invented by Heifu, life was slightly better. However, now that he is out for war, the conditions in the army are limited, and the war situation is unfavorable, and his condition has worsened. In the past few months, Wang Ben has been
Commanding while sick.
Han Xin failed to capture and kill, and the casualties among his subordinates were not as exaggerated as the "tens of thousands" mentioned by Gan Tang. It was just thousands of people fighting on the spot, thousands were captured, and Han Xin escaped with five or six thousand people...
After looking at the battle map between the two armies drawn by Sima Yang, Wang Ben sighed even more after thinking about it carefully.
"This is the Han Xin who made me fail. He is truly to be feared."
In Gantang's impression, Marquis Tongwu rarely praised others, especially towards the Wang family's children, Wang Li and others. He disparaged them more than praised them, so he said: "Your Majesty, Han Xin just took advantage of the loophole and succeeded for a while.
His power, isn’t he being killed and defeated, so what’s the point?”
"otherwise."
Wang Ben said: "In hindsight, this Han Xin is the secret soldier that Heifu has hidden for a long time. It is not an easy task to penetrate behind enemy lines. It requires wisdom, courage, and a strong ability to adapt to circumstances.
."
"Han Xin left Runan in August, and instead of taking the summer road to Fangcheng, he attacked Kunyang from the north. It seemed that he was seeking the distance for the near, but in fact, he saw that our army's main grain was transported from Aocang to the south via Yingchuan, thus cutting off the grain road.
, Nanyang will be shocked."
"Later, he made a move to attack Yingchuan, but in fact he secretly went to Luyang. Not only did he cut off the food supply of Sanchuan, he also mobilized the Nanyang defenders. Taking advantage of the emptiness in the county, he went to Wancheng and harassed
My rear forces me to retreat..."
The Art of War says that if you are good at moving the enemy, he will follow his lead. In Wang Ben's opinion, Han Xin, who was deeply versed in this method, made the defenders of Nanyang and Yingchuan turn around.
Knowing yourself and the enemy means you can fight a hundred battles without danger. After learning that there was an attack in the rear and that the enemy would be Han Xin, Wang Ben immediately asked someone to check Han Xin's deeds, including the battle to destroy Ou Luo in Lingnan, which Heifu had reported to the court.
, as well as the scattered rumors about the Battle of Changsha and the Battle of Jiangling. Although I don’t know whether they are true or false, they are all beautiful battles.
"This is probably the most capable warrior under Hei Fu. I don't know where he found such a person."
Wang Ben couldn't help but feel a little regretful: "It would be great if this son was under my command..."
The generals of the Qin Dynasty were withering, especially after the rebellion of the Southern Expeditionary Army. The generals in the DPRK and Central Dynasty were no longer available, Meng Tian could not be used, Li Xin was too far away, and the young Li You, Feng Jie, Wang Li, etc. were very mediocre, and they could only rely on Feng Wuze and Wang Ben.
Such a veteran will support the scene. After Wang Ben came to the front line, he looked at all the captains, but he didn't find anything too eye-catching.
But in Wang Ben's view, Han Xin was not perfect. He was a very talented general, but he was victorious all the way. I'm afraid it was just too smooth.
"Young people are like this. When they succeed, they are arrogant. When they win, they are arrogant, and if they are arrogant, they will be defeated."
"Han Xin succeeded easily several times with strange tricks, so he underestimated our army and saw the generals of Great Qin clearly. This time he wanted to use the same trick again, but little did he know that if a trick is used continuously, it will only be seen through!
"
Wang Ben expected that Heifu would plot Hanzhong next, and Han Xin would also go west to Danyang, so he sent people to intercept him.
He gave the captains a fatal order: "Han Xin must be stopped!"
If Han Xin was allowed to cause a scene in the rear and then leave safely, Wang Ben would be disgraced, and the morale of the Northern Army would also be in ruins...
Fortunately, Wang Ben made the right bet.
It's a pity that we couldn't kill this future general in Danshui!
"You actually let him escape. With this son's help in the future, Heifu will be even more powerful..."
Wang Ben had a headache and felt that this battle was becoming increasingly difficult to fight.
Gantang was still immersed in the joy of victory: "Marquis Tongwu, with this great victory, can he explain it to Xianyang?"
"Big victory?"
Wang Ben shook his head: "Han Xin annihilated at least 30,000 of our troops in Shangcai, Kunyang, Luyang, Wancheng, and Danyang..."
Annihilation does not mean beheading and killing, but those troops were often routed and could no longer fight without reorganization.
The three grain roads cut off by Han Xin burned hundreds of thousands of grains of grain. Nanyang's army could only eat one hungry meal. Winter was about to come, and grain transportation was even more difficult. This was why Wang Ben could not
The reason why I dare to continue fighting on the front line.
In addition to the rear, the defeat of Suixian, the rebellion of Bashu, and the fallen counties of Guandong...their losses were too great. In comparison, what was the victory of Danshui?
Thinking of this, Wang Ben asked: "Has Prime Minister Zuo (Feng Quji) ever said anything to you?"
Gantang shook his head: "I didn't say anything."
Wang Bi sighed: "Feng Quji also understood that both Bashu and Shu were rebelling, and Feng Jie was surrounded, but our army was really beyond our reach. Now we can only stabilize the Nanyang front and prevent Heifu from passing through Hanzhong, and to the north, Yingchuan is also
We must hold on, and we must try to take back Huaiyang and Honggou!"
Gantang said: "How should Xianyang be restored? The emperor has been sending envoys recently to urge Marquis Tongwu to march and to question the lost territory..."
After Wang Ben pondered for a moment, he said: "Draft a memorial for me and tell it to Your Majesty."
"The times are difficult, the rebels are like snakes, and bandits are wreaking havoc in the Kanto region. With His Majesty's trust, Wang Ben served the country with his old and broken body. He fought fiercely for several months and spent hundreds of millions of money and food, but failed to regain an inch of territory. Ben's crime
also!"
"Back then, the First Emperor's brilliant and powerful strategy brought peace to the world. Ben and his son also served in front of the army and destroyed the five kingdoms. Since he personally participated in the construction of this Guangsha, Wang Ben will not allow anyone to divide it or trample on it!"
"Wang Ben will do his best to exterminate the rebels in the south and the remaining remnants of the Six Kingdoms. He will fight for his life to honor the Emperor's kindness to the Wang family and protect the Qin State."
He coughed again, his body flickered like a candle, but Wang Ben's eyes were as solid as iron:
"Although Lian Po is old, he can still make a living!"
"As long as I'm here, Heifu, I won't be able to threaten Guanzhong!"
…
At the same time, Han Xin, who suffered his first defeat in Danshui, had arrived at Yunguan (Yunxian County, Henan) with a group of defeated soldiers...
Yunguan is located on the shore of the Han River. The Han River is wide and gentle in the upper reaches. However, when it flows near Yunguan, due to the mountains and rocks on both sides of the river, the river suddenly narrows and the water is forced into an inverted "S"-shaped flow path.
, there are many whirlpools in the water, and because of the steep slope, there are more than ten miles of rapids and dangerous shoals, and the rocks on both sides are like natural stone gates.
Since ancient times, boating on this section of the Han River has been extremely dangerous. Countless boats have capsized and been knocked into rows. After passing this water pass, the water flow becomes gentle all the way to Xiangyang.
Therefore, Yunguan became a dangerous pass into Hanzhong from land and water.
With Han Xin's remaining five or six thousand men, most of whom were defeated, it would be difficult to attack this pass. Fortunately, the 20,000 Dongmen Leopards who marched west from Jianghan along the northern foot of Wudang Mountain were also arriving.
Here, having conquered the Yun Pass, they repelled the enemy troops pursuing Han Xin's troops and helped them cross the Han River.
The two sides should have been happy to meet, but Dongmen Leopard had a gloomy face and stared at Han Xin coldly, as if he wanted to eat someone!
In addition to the huge losses caused by the death or capture of nearly ten thousand of Han Xin's men, what worries Dongmen Leopard even more is that his son-in-law, Li Cang, was seriously injured when he forcibly crossed Danshui.
Military doctors diagnose, treat and rescue...
Han Xin also lost his former energy. He and Dongmen Bao sat opposite each other outside the tent, their eyes dull.
Apart from the tragic scene of the Danshui Battle, what remained in his mind was his disdain for Wang Ben, his own self-defeating achievements, and his own pride in his own abilities.
"How dare I call myself a famous general like this?"
Thinking about it afterwards, all this was so ironic. Han Xin clenched his fists tightly and pursed his lips tightly. Then he couldn't help but reach out to the wine cup and took a sip.
The wine was very turbid and bitter, but Han Xin liked it, as if he could get drunk and forget all about this shame...
But the doctor who came out after opening the tent and the blood stains on his body brought Han Xin back to the cruel reality.
There are always some facts that must be faced.
Han Xin stood up, and Dongmen Leopard also stood up excitedly, shouting loudly: "What's wrong?"
"General Dongmen, General Han."
The doctor was a disciple of Chen Wujiu, and he bowed to the two of them cautiously: "Li Duwei, he is no longer in danger of dying, but the anesthetic has not worn off yet, and he is still sleeping soundly."
The Dongmen Leopard was overjoyed, glared at Han Xin fiercely, and strode into the camp, but before Han Xin could breathe a sigh of relief, the Dongmen Baohu came out angrily.
"You quack, where are Li Cang's feet?"
The doctor was horrified and quickly explained: "General Pi, I have tried my best. Lieutenant Li Du was rescued, but his feet were injured and ulcerated. The subordinates were really helpless. In order to save their lives, they could only saw them off..."
Dongmen Leopard could not accept it, and Han Xin felt as if he had been struck by lightning. He remembered Li Cang fighting fiercely in the water, blocking layers of pursuers, and being seriously injured. In the end, he was hit by an arrow and fell from his horse, and was mercilessly run over by the enemy's chariot.
Wei Duanbing fought hard to get him back!
Li Cang was Heifu's most important disciple from the old army. He and Han Xin fought thousands of miles apart and were an excellent assistant.
But from then on, the young man who loved to gallop could no longer stand up, walk, or mount a horse...
For a general who aspires to fame, there is nothing more desperate than this.
Dongmen Bao also knew this, and he said angrily:
"A man should be able to run rampant in the world, but he can only wear clothes and lie on the couch for the rest of his life. It would be better to die than do this!"
Dongmen Leopard completely exploded. He immediately gritted his steel teeth, picked up the halberd at hand, and walked towards Han Xin menacingly, pointing the tip of the halberd at him and saying:
"You bastard! You have made my son-in-law crippled, my daughter will be a widow, and I will take off one of your legs!"