Mythical Qin: I, Gao Yao, will never be a eunuch!

Chapter 876: Preparing to attack Xianyang, the crisis in Xianyang!

Xiang Yu was therefore filled with deep guilt. He realized that his misguided decision had a significant impact on the overall outcome of the battle and had wasted the efforts of his soldiers. This sense of guilt made him doubt his own abilities and decision-making, and it also prompted him to re-evaluate his strategy and approach.

In the end, Xiang Yu made this decision - he did not let his temper run wild and act rashly, but chose to listen to Yi Xiaochuan's advice. This undoubtedly made Yi Xiaochuan breathe a sigh of relief, and his tense nerves finally relaxed a little.

For Yi Xiaochuan, Xiang Yu's decision was a rare achievement. He knew Xiang Yu was a strong-willed man with strong opinions. His ability to suppress his personal emotions and prioritize the greater good was a rare transformation. More crucially, Xiang Yu's presence near Xianyang at this time held immense strategic significance. Currently, communication was a major weakness. The Southern Border Army had clearly mastered some unconventional means for this era, most likely through specially trained carrier pigeons, establishing a highly efficient information transmission system.

In either case, Yi Xiaochuan believed that the speed of information transmission was not an absolute advantage. Once the mechanism was understood, it might be possible to turn the enemy's communication chain into an opportunity. Xiang Yu's deployment was a foregone conclusion, but Yi Xiaochuan was almost certain that Gao Yao was unaware of his exact location and deployment. In other words, he remained hidden, out of sight.

If Xiang Yu did not appear, even if the Chu army truly intended to attack Xianyang, Gao Yao would undoubtedly harbor suspicions, fearing a ruse. In that case, even if Xiang Yu sent troops to support Xianyang, he would likely not lead them personally, but instead would stay in the rear and strengthen security—this would obviously pose a significant obstacle to Yi Xiaochuan's plan to launch a surprise attack on Gao Yao.

If Xiang Yu's army were to reach Xianyang and launch a fierce attack, Gao Yao would undoubtedly become restless upon learning the news. After all, Xianyang housed nearly all of his family and relatives. Knowing Gao Yao well, Yi Xiaochuan knew he would not sit idly by and would most likely personally lead his troops to support the situation—of this, Yi Xiaochuan had little doubt.

Because of this, Yi Xiaochuan insisted that Xiang Yu take the lead in attacking Xianyang, while he himself focused on setting up an ambush and awaiting the arrival of Gao Yao's reinforcements. He not only wanted to win this battle, but also to seize this opportunity to defeat Gao Yao's core forces in one fell swoop.

Meanwhile, Gao Yaochu, on the other hand, was unusually relaxed. Inside the tent, candlelight flickered. He had just received a carrier pigeon message, informing him that the Black Armored Cavalry Commander had personally led 10,000 elite troops to support the attack, and would arrive at Yangping Pass tomorrow. Even more reassuring was the news that Ying Bu would also arrive with 20,000 infantry the day after tomorrow. With this, Yangping Pass's defenses were now impregnable, free of worry.

The nerves of days of tension finally relaxed a bit, and Gao Yao even had time to sit down and drink with Xiao He. Outside the tent, while the Chu army had not yet retreated, their offensive had already become a clear feint, all talk and no action, with no real intention of breaking through. Initially, Gao Yao had been somewhat wary, but now he was truly relieved.

The setting sun cast its afterglow into the tent, casting long, slanted shadows. Xiao He poured tea for Gao Yao. Seeing the frown still on his face, he couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, reinforcements are arriving soon, and the pass is secure. Why do you still seem so unhappy?"

Gao Yao sighed deeply, drained the wine from his cup, and spoke with a heavy voice, "Alas, my three thousand personal soldiers... now only a thousand remain. These are the elite soldiers I have spent countless efforts to train, each one of them a formidable warrior capable of taking on ten enemies."

It wasn't that Gao Yao disregarded the lives of ordinary soldiers, but rather that his personal guard battalion was truly exceptional. The resources invested in selecting and training each personal guard were nearly equivalent to those of three to five ordinary soldiers, not to mention the time invested and meticulously honed loyalty—these things simply couldn't be measured in monetary terms. Now that most of them had been lost, even with his current abilities, rebuilding such a force would take at least a year or two. How could he not be heartbroken?

Xiao He listened to this, his expression silent, yet a sense of helplessness welled up within him. It was Gao Yao who had insisted on personally marching to Yangping Pass to meet Xiang Yu, and now he regretted the casualties among his own troops. He offered solace, "Your Majesty's safety is the most important thing the world has to offer. I have ordered a detailed list of the fallen soldiers, and compensation arrangements will be immediately implemented upon our return to Xianyang."

Gao Yao shook his head and smiled bitterly: "I really feel sad...but Xiang Yu is indeed no longer the same person he was before." He changed the subject and his expression became more serious.

He couldn't help but sigh at the change in Xiang Yu. While Xiang Yu had been incredibly brave in the past, he was ultimately a mere warrior driven by sheer valor. But in this encounter, Gao Yao clearly sensed a difference in his opponent—the unstoppable strength, unparalleled courage, and arrogance of the King of Western Chu seemed to have quietly faded, replaced by a strategic, composed, and composed commander.

While this change indirectly contributed to the success of Xiao He's strategy, it also made Gao Yao wary. Xiang Yu was no longer the reckless, reckless man he once was. Even more troubling was the fact that his opponent was clearly taking him more seriously than before.

Furthermore, Xiang Yu now had by his side not only the wily and calculating Fan Zeng, but also the transformed Yi Xiaochuan. The former was one of the era's foremost strategists, the latter a time traveler possessing a knowledge beyond his time. Gao Yao's true fear had always been the unfathomable Yi Xiaochuan—he possessed millennia of accumulated knowledge and experience, and his martial arts skills were at an impeccable state. Even Gao Yao, without his secret technique to unleash his unleashed potential, could only manage a draw with Yi Xiaochuan, a situation he would struggle to overcome.

Now Xiang Yu's forces were strengthened, one possessing both courage and wisdom, the other a master of both history and modernity, and a master of martial arts. The combination of these two undoubtedly added a great deal of uncertainty to his ambition to unify the world. Thinking of this, Gao Yao unconsciously tightened his grip on the wine glass, his gaze gazing out at the deepening dusk outside the tent, a surge of unprecedented urgency and solemnity welling up within him.

"Your Majesty, I am actually more worried about Xianyang right now."

Xiao He put down his teacup. His voice was low, but every word was clear. The atmosphere in the tent, which had been slightly relaxed due to the arrival of reinforcements, suddenly became tense again.

"Hmm? Xianyang?"

Gao Yao's attention was immediately drawn, his brow furrowed slightly, a hint of confusion evident. He leaned forward slightly, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the table. "Why worry about Xianyang? I've left 30,000 elite troops to garrison it, and the city's defenses have been significantly strengthened. Furthermore, the city is now filled with civil and military officials, and their families are all here. Everyone has a stake in the city, and they will defend it to the death. While the Chu army may be strong, will they really risk their lives to tackle this tough nut to crack? They have no chance of victory."