The Third Volume of Hui Ke Guest Chapter 44: First Try of Ox Knife

  Within one day, I saw two stunning beauties, what luck!

  Alas, Yu Ji's heart is completely devoted to Xiang Yu. Fortunately, there is still Fan Yilan, whose beauty surpasses Yu Ji's by a margin. Otherwise, it would be even more depressing. Too bad they left in a hurry and didn't ask where the young lady's family lives, what a mistake!

  Forget it, let's fill our stomachs first! This isn't the time to think about women.

  Before long, it was already the second year of Qin II's spring. On this day, Yin Xu was practicing sword with Xiang Zhuang together.

  "But in just a few months, your progress is truly rapid!" Xiang Zhuang praised, with no small amount of admiration and envy in his eyes.

  Yin Xu chuckled and said: "Thanks to your guidance, Brother Zhuang. Otherwise, even if I practiced for ten or eight years, it would still be the same old thing."

  Xiang Zhuang shook his head and said, "Alas, Donglai, you are too modest. Your natural talent is evident, if not for this foundation, no amount of guidance would be of any use."

  Over the past few months, with Yin Xu's prolonged qigong practice, the violent energy in his body had almost been completely merged and absorbed. As he practiced, it gradually merged into the meridians of his four limbs, making Yin Xu's body even stronger. Especially his previously relatively inferior strength had greatly improved. With the guidance of the master Xiang Zhuang, Yin Xu's swordsmanship level had also greatly improved.

  The two of them laughed and wiped the sweat off, going to a nearby pavilion to drink tea. At this time, a small soldier rushed over: "There is an urgent military situation, General Xiang has summoned all the generals to discuss matters in the main hall, please ask the two lieutenants to go immediately."

  Yin Xu and Xiang Zhuang exchanged a glance, the matter was of great importance, and they hurried over. Entering the main hall, all high-ranking generals under Xiang Liang's command were already seated, with an air of solemnity filling the entire hall.

  "Is everyone here?"

  "Yes!"

  "Everyone take a look at this!" Xiang Liang sat upright in the main seat, handing over a silk book for everyone to pass around. Yin Xu only understood after Gao Yi explained that it was a decree sent by Lv Chen, a great general under Chen Sheng's command, proclaiming that Zhang Chu King Chen Sheng had appointed Xiang Liang as the Supreme Pillar of State and ordered him to lead his army westward to resist the Qin army.

  Supreme Pillar of State, a high-ranking official position in the state of Chu, the highest commander of the army!

  Everyone watched and discussed it, a moment later someone stood up with fists and said: "This is a happy event, I congratulate General Yu on his appointment as the Upper Pillar of the State."

  There are not a few people who agree with what I said.

  Yin Xu's heart was filled with doubts, why did Chen Sheng suddenly enfeoff Item Liang? Looking at Item Liang's tightly furrowed brow, he knew that things were not so simple.

  It turned out that Xiang Liang took out another letter and said, "This is a secret letter sent by Huan Chu from Jiangxi (north of the Yangtze River). Because Wu Guang had been attacking Huanyang for a long time without success, Chen Wang dispatched General Zhou Wen to attack Fangguan Pass through a detour. He was defeated by Zhang Han at Caoyang Pavilion and Mianchi respectively, outnumbered and unable to fight back, he took his own life. Zhang Han's army arrived in Huanyang, Tian Zang forged an order from Chen Wang to execute Wu Guang on the grounds that 'the fake king is arrogant, ignorant of military power, cannot be plotted with, and must be executed'. Zhang Han then launched a full-scale attack on Chen County.

  Everyone knows that Chen County is where Chen Sheng is stationed. Yin Xu's heart skipped a beat, thinking to himself that Wu Guang was dead and Chen Sheng's appointment would not last long either.

  Xiang Liang continued: "According to rumors, Chen Wang had no choice but to abandon the land of Chen and retreat to Chengfu, his life or death unknown."

  "What? Chen Sheng is dead?"

  This news was like a thunderclap on a clear day, causing a huge stir in the hall. Yin Xu knew it all too well, what Xiang Liang said was just "rumor", "life and death unknown", that is to say, the news was not yet confirmed, but he had already understood that Chen Sheng was indeed dead, killed by his charioteer Zhu Jia.

  Yin Xu's gaze swept across the room, and among all the people present, only Xiang Liang, Fan Zeng, Xiang Yu, and Ying Bu remained absolutely calm. As for others like Ji Bu and Long Que, they couldn't help but show some agitation. The person who interested Yin Xu the most was Xiang Yu. Historical records described Xiang Yu as a stubborn and arrogant man, but after half a year of contact, he didn't think so.

  In Yin Xu's eyes, the current Xiang Yu is confident but not arrogant. On the contrary, he is steady and open-minded when dealing with people and things, and will listen to others' good opinions. Therefore, Yin Xu has a brand new understanding of Xiang Yu.

  "Not only that, since Chen Ying's life or death is unknown, Qin Jia has established himself as the Grand Marshal in Pengcheng and enthroned Jing Jū, a noble of Chu State, as the King of Chu. I invited you all here to discuss what we should do next."

  Lin He said, "Whether Chen Wang is really dead or not needs to be verified. For now, there are only two things to consider: first, will the general accept the appointment of Shang Zhuguo? Second, how should Jing Ju and Qin Jia treat him?"

  Long and his men said first: "General, without mentioning other things, this Upper Pillar State you have done is well-deserved! You should immediately raise troops to attack Jing Ju."

  Lin He smiled and said: "I agree with Long Xiao's words, as for attacking Jing Ju and Qin Jia, I still don't think it's urgent. The life or death of Chen Wang is not yet clear, the top priority is to jointly resist the Qin army."

  Long Ji, Ji Bu, Yu Ziqi, Zhong Limei, Ying Bu, Yin Xu and Wu Chen all held the position of Sima at this time.

  Xiang Liang's gaze fell unconsciously on Fan Zeng, whose opinion as the first strategist was crucial.

  Fan Zeng stroked his white beard and smiled: "I don't know about this matter, how do Ying Bu and Yin Xu view it?"

  Yin Xu and Ying Bu exchanged a glance, looking at each other in dismay. What is this old fellow Fan Zeng up to? He's coming over to ask for our opinions in front of everyone.

  "General, your respected father Xiang Yan is the supreme general of our Chu State. You should be worthy of the title of 'Chief Pillar of the State' and can properly lead the righteous army of Chu to jointly resist the Qin army."

  "Hmm!" Fan Zeng nodded and looked at Yin Xu, asking: "What does General Yin think should be done with Jing Ju and Qin Jia?"

  Fan Zeng's profound eyes made people feel a lot of pressure, and Yin Xu hesitated for a moment before saying: "In my opinion, it is slightly different from Mr. Lin He's. I think Jing Ju and Qin Jia should be defeated quickly."

  Lin He was a debater from Kuaiji, who went to Xiang Liang last year. As for this person, Yin Xu had no impression, and it seemed that there was no such person in history, so he must have been an unknown name.

  "Oh?" Lin He and Rao asked with interest: "Why does General Yin think so?"

  Yin Xu analyzed: "The life and death of Chen Wang has not been confirmed, and Jing Ju, Qin Jia and others are eager to move, self-proclaimed king. Unaware that the failure of the anti-Qin movement is precisely in their hands, now the Qin army is powerful, various righteous armies should unite, twist into a rope, and resist the great enemy together."

  "What about the current situation? Many generals sent by Chen Sheng to various places have different intentions, competing with each other to claim kingship, and the righteous army is openly divided. For example, Wu Cheng, who went north, declared himself King of Zhao and became a warlord. His general, Han Guang, also declared himself King of Yan after conquering the land of Yan. Zhou Shi, who captured the old territory of Wei, did not declare himself king but instead made Ningling Jun, a descendant of the royal family of Wei, king, and he himself took the position of prime minister of Wei to secure his own territory. Many heroes from various places who responded to Chen Sheng's call also refused to listen to his command, fighting on their own and scattering like sand, which gave the Qin army an opportunity to counterattack, resulting in today's situation."

  Lin He said: "Then we openly go to war with Qin Jia, what's the difference between us and the vassals who have carved up the territory?"

  "No! At this juncture, someone needs to stand up and unite the various righteous armies, rather than continuing to fight separately. Jing Ju and Qin Jia's hastily assembled troops are not enough to shoulder this heavy responsibility, while General Xiang, as the son of General Xiang Yan, has the prestige and strength to turn the tide and restore order."

  Fan Zeng nodded in satisfaction, and on the other side, Xiang Yu also looked over, with a hint of admiration in his eyes.

  Xiang Liang said: "In that case, should we send troops to attack?"

  "Exactly!" Many people nodded in agreement.

  Xiang Liang said: "Who should lead the army in this battle?"

  Xiang Yu's eyes showed a look of longing, and he was about to rise and ask for battle, but Fan Zeng interrupted: "I think it should be the General-in-Chief Xiang Yuan himself who goes, with his mighty name striking fear into the hearts of these petty rebels."

  Xiang Yu did not show a hint of dissatisfaction, slowly sat down and asked: "Then who should accompany Uncle to go?"

  The dragon at the bottom suddenly rushed out and said: "Ying Bu and Yin Xu, two school lieutenants, fought against the Qin army in Pengli Ze and became famous. The end will suggest that they accompany the marshal to go." Immediately, his eyes turned to Yin Xu and whispered: "Let's see if some people are really capable or just have a reputation?"

  Yin Xu exchanged a glance with Ying Bu, and they both stood up together: "The subordinate is willing to follow the commander-in-chief into battle, and wipe out the enemy in one fell swoop!"

  "Good!" Xiang Liang said loudly: "In that case, the two of you will accompany the commander to go, and Ji'er and Mr. Fan will stay in Kuaiji to guard it, while Ji Bu and Zhong Lidi are responsible for transporting grain and grass!"

  "Promise!"

  The crowd responded with thunderous applause. Yin Xu raised an eyebrow and glanced at Long Yue, thinking to himself: Thanks for the great opportunity you've given me!