In the coalition camp, after learning that the 200,000-strong army had suffered a disastrous defeat, Zhao Wangxie and his five men spontaneously gathered at Xiang Ji's camp, waiting for him to come back and give them an explanation.
Not long after, Xiang Ji returned to the camp in a state of embarrassment with his robes torn and stained with blood.
This outfit is not what Xiang Ji looked like when he went off to the battlefield, but was specially made by Fan Zeng for Xiang Ji to face the inevitable questioning from the five countries in the future.
Although Xiang Ji dressed up like this cannot eliminate the resentment of the five countries, but at least it will not make things worse.
Sure enough, Zhao Wangxie and others, who had originally looked unkind, softened a little when they saw Xiang Ji's miserable state, but they also thought about the heavy losses their army suffered when they first entered the battlefield, and the resentment in their hearts was difficult to eliminate.
"Wu Xinjun, please give me an explanation." The first person to speak was King Tian Dan of Qi. He considered himself to be a contemporary of Xiang Liang. He questioned Xiang Ji without any hesitation.
Xiang Ji pretended not to understand and asked: "Explanation? What explanation? I wonder what King Qi is referring to?"
If it weren't for the fact that Xiang Ji is a master-level expert and that Chu is stronger than Qi, Tian Dan almost couldn't hold back and started to curse. How dare you pretend to be stupid?
Tian Dan suppressed his anger and said: "Wu Xinjun promised me that day that as long as we hand over the army, we will be absolutely sure to capture Hangu Pass and destroy the Qin State. However, we have suffered heavy losses in the first battle. Don't you think that Wu Xinjun feels that
Should I wait for an explanation?"
Only then did Xiang Ji suddenly realize: "So this is what King Qi is referring to. I have an unshirkable responsibility for the defeat in the first battle. Please forgive me."
After saying that, he cupped his hands and hugged everyone to express his apology.
After this action, Xiang Ji said calmly: "I have just experienced a war and am busy with military affairs. Why don't you all stay away for a while and wait for me to finish handling the military affairs before entertaining you?"
Tian Dan was stunned at first, then he was so angry that he was shaking with anger. He just wanted to expose it in a few words. Do he really think that he and others are just children?
"This king wants to take back the army, please Wu Xinjun hand over the tiger talisman," Tian Dan stared at Xiang Ji and pointed it out directly.
Xiang Ji's face quickly darkened: "Is King Qi planning to go back on his word regardless of the great cause of opposing Qin?"
While saying this, Xiang Ji deliberately exuded a ray of power as a master, oppressing Tian Dan and making him retreat involuntarily.
After taking seven steps back, Tian Dan forcibly stabilized his body. He could no longer suppress the anger in his heart and said, "Does Chu want to take action against its allies? Is the attack on Qin a lie, and the annexation of the six kingdoms is true?"
Xiang Ji gave Tian Dan a cold look and snorted coldly: "King Qi, please don't forget that the six-nation covenant signed three days ago was clearly written. The six nations must obey the commander-in-chief's orders, and those who violate it will be killed.
If it weren’t for the fact that you are the King of Qi, do you believe that I would have killed you directly to enforce military law?”
The young King Zhao Xie said quietly: "Jun Wu Xin is so powerful, so the Chu State would rather leave the Qin State alone than plot against its own allies first?"
Although Wei Hanyan did not speak, she silently took two steps forward and stood together with Tian Dan. They could not understand such a simple truth as they could stand out and become kings.
Xiang Ji's whole body exuded a strong evil aura, mixed with the coercion of a grand master, filling both inside and outside the camp.
Zhao Wangxie and others carried it tightly, refusing to take a step back, and their attitude was resolute.
Xiang Ji wanted to say something: "Are you really not afraid of death?" Considering Fan Zeng's plan, he held back his words and looked at the five people with cold eyes, trying to suppress them with force.
Are Zhao Wangxie and the other five really not afraid of death?
Of course not. Under the pressure of the Grandmaster, his legs almost started to shake.
It's just that they are riding a tiger and are unable to dismount, and have no choice, because they cannot afford the price of annihilation.
Let’s talk about Tian Dan first. This time, in order to respond to the alliance, he brought almost most of Qi’s troops. If all of them were to stay here, he might not even be able to save his life after returning, let alone continuing to be his king of Qi.
After all, the Tian family has many branches, and there are many people who want to be the king of Qi and have some strength.
Without the suppression of the army, Tian Dan dared to believe that if he returned to Linzi, his uncles and brothers who were far away from him would drive him down.
If you meet someone who misses your old flame, you might be able to spare his life and live out the rest of his life. If you meet someone who is ruthless and ruthless, I'm afraid not even one person in my family will be able to survive.
The situation of Zhao Xie and others is even worse than that of Tian Dan. After all, Tian Dan has been sitting in the position of King of Qi for almost two years, and he still has some confidants who control Qi for him.
Zhao Xie and others had only ascended the throne not long ago, and they did not even have many loyal ministers and confidants. Without the protection of the army, no one could guarantee what would happen to them after they returned home.
The five of them are almost filled with regret now. They should not have rashly participated in the alliance under the instigation of the main war faction.
Probably they did not expect that the six countries' joint attack on Qin would have such a result.
Originally, their idea was that everyone would have a few battles with the Qin State and win the best. After winning or losing, they would run out of food and grass and go back, and they would also have an explanation for the subjects.
Who knew that the first battle would be so brutal, with the 200,000-strong army not even able to touch the wall of Hanguguan, but 70% of it was lost. If Xiang Ji continues to command at will, the entire army will still be annihilated?
The two sides were in a stalemate for a long time, and the atmosphere became increasingly tense. Finally, Xiang Ji withdrew his pressure with an angry look on his face and said in a cold voice: "The five countries want to withdraw their troops, but I will never agree."
This sentence caused the expressions of Zhao, Wangxie and the others to change drastically. They softened when they heard Xiang Ji's next sentence.
"With a period of one month, in any subsequent siege, half of Chu's troops will be sent. If Hangu Pass cannot be captured within one month, and the five countries want to withdraw their troops, I will never stop them."
Tian Dan, Zhao Xie and others looked at each other, with a hint of hesitation on their faces, and finally nodded to each other.
"Is this true?" Tian Dan couldn't help but ask one more question.
Xiang Ji said with a cold face: "Although I have the Tiger Talisman in my hands, the generals leading the army are all your confidants. Even if I want to cheat, can you just sit back and ignore me?"
"Wu Xinjun keeps his word, Qi has no objection."
"Zhao Guo seconded the proposal."
Tian Dan and Zhao Xie also didn't want to go back in despair. Even if the attack on Qin was just a show, they couldn't just come here to see each other, lose their troops and generals, and then flee back.
How does this make the subjects view them? Are they cowards who are greedy for life and afraid of death?
As for the fear that Xiang Ji would fall out and attack them, they would never admit it.
After the matter was finalized, the two parties looked at each other and disliked each other. Before Xiang Ji could say anything to drive them away, Zhao, Wang and Xie took the initiative to say goodbye.
Not long after the five people left, Fan Zeng appeared in front of Xiang Ji, raised his hands and asked, "Has my lord successfully managed to keep the army for an extra month?"
Xiang Ji nodded slightly and sighed: "My father is right. I was determined not to let go at first, but faced fierce opposition from the five countries. After a stalemate for a while, I took advantage of the situation and gave him a chance. As expected, they all agreed to stay for another month.
"
Fan Zeng breathed a sigh of relief and said: "That's very good. The title of the champion of the Qin Kingdom is indeed well-deserved. It almost ruined the lord's plan. My subordinates were not thoughtful enough. Please forgive me, lord."
Xiang Ji waved his hand and said, "Father, don't be depressed. I have suffered losses at the hands of Lin Ze more than once or twice. Sooner or later, I will repay you twice as much."
"According to what was discussed before, I will try my best to hold the armies of the five countries at Hangu Pass for a month. The rest will be left to you."
It was not just the five countries that were almost on the verge of being defeated. If it hadn't been a disastrous defeat, how could Xiang Ji be so passive?
…
Liu Ji's camp, Liu Ji, Zhang Liang and others gathered together to discuss the news they had just obtained.
I saw Zhang Liang taking a feather fan, fanning it lightly and saying: "The gap between the Five Kingdoms and the Chu Kingdom has arisen, and the opportunity for my lord to escape has come."
Liu Ji asked in surprise: "Why did the military advisor say this?"
"The first battle was a big defeat. The five countries no longer trust Xiang Ji. The so-called agreement is as fragile as paper. As long as the next war goes slightly wrong, the five countries will find a way to withdraw their troops. If the Chu State does not want to completely quarrel with the five countries by then,
I have to turn over the army and have to hand it back."
"The alliance broke down, and Xiang Ji had no reason to force the lord to stay. Although things got a little out of control in the middle, the fact that the lord came to gain prestige can be regarded as a complete meritorious deed."
Having said this, Zhang Liang sighed slightly: "My lord, please be patient and patient for a few days."