69novels Chapter 917: Chasing Gao Yao, time waits for no one!
Chapter 917: Chasing Gao Yao, time waits for no one!
The most likely scenario, as he had deduced, was Gao Yao's impromptu decision, a counterattack driven by a desperate situation. Taking advantage of darkness and the complex terrain certainly caused immense confusion for his own side, but it also limited the ambushers' own vision and coordination capabilities. In the darkness, distinguishing friend from foe was difficult, bows and crossbows were less accurate, and the cavalry's impact could not be fully unleashed.
Gao Yao was gambling, gambling on a chance to win in the chaos, gambling that Yi Xiaochuan would subconsciously choose a safe retreat rather than a fight to the death when faced with a surprise attack.
"I underestimated him after all." A bitter sneer played on Yi Xiaochuan's lips. He had thought that with his superior numbers and the suddenness of his attack, even if he couldn't completely annihilate Gao Yao, he could still pin him down in that area and wait for Xiang Yu's main force to complete the encirclement. Unexpectedly, Gao Yao, at the very moment of seemingly desperate straits, could launch such a fierce defensive counterattack, not only stabilizing his position but also nearly causing Yi Xiaochuan to capsize.
This courage and wit to find opportunities to fight back in desperate situations cannot help but make people alert, and make him realize once again that this former "old friend" has long since transformed into an extremely tough opponent in the crucible of war.
However, Yi Xiaochuan took a deep breath and suppressed his emotion. The current setback was only temporary; the overall strategic situation was still in their hands. Gao Yao's move, while clever and courageous, seemed to Yi Xiaochuan more like a trapped beast fighting back.
If he continued to retreat towards Yangping Pass, he would undoubtedly be walking into a trap, inevitably encountering the main force of Xiang Yu, the Overlord of Western Chu, who had long been waiting for him and was ready to attack. Thinking of Xiang Yu's unparalleled courage and the fierce and fierce troops under his command, Yi Xiaochuan's heart was filled with renewed anticipation. He seemed to have already seen the remnants of the Gaoyao army crumble under the charge of Xiang Yu's cavalry, and saw the moment when his long-suffering and destined enemy finally surrendered.
By this point, he had long ceased to dwell on whether or not to personally slay Gao Yao. Years of grudges and endless battles had smoothed the edges of his personal resolve. As long as Gao Yao, the greatest uncertainty and most stubborn obstacle, could be eliminated, and as long as the foundation for the hegemony of the Chu State could be firmly established, no matter who delivered the final blow, it would be an acceptable outcome.
He was now eagerly awaiting news of victory from Xiang Yu. He ordered the camp to strengthen its security and sent out more scouts, on the one hand to monitor the possible movements of Gaoyao's remnants, and on the other hand to eagerly await good news from the west.
Time slipped slowly in the anxious anticipation. The crackling campfire illuminated the soldiers' weary, silent faces. Yi Xiaochuan paced the central tent, a map spread out on the table, his gaze constantly drifting to the inky black sky outside. From day to sunset, the last ray of light in the sky was swallowed by dusk, the stars gradually emerged, but the expected victory news still lingered. A vague sense of unease began to creep over him like a vine.
Just as the sun sank below the horizon and more torches began to be lit in the camp, the sound of hurried horse hooves finally reached the camp gate. A dusty scout, with a flag, the distinctive symbol of Xiang Yu's army, adorned his back, was quickly ushered into the tent by his personal guards.
"Report! General Yi! The King has an urgent military report!"
Yi Xiaochuan's spirits lifted, and he immediately stepped forward. "Tell me! What's the situation at the front? Has Gao Yao's army been defeated?"
However, the scout's face wasn't one of triumph. Instead, it was filled with disbelief and a hint of panic. "General! Gao Yao... Gao Yao's troops didn't retreat according to the original plan! They... after breaking through our pursuit last night, they didn't even head south to Yangping Pass. Instead... they broke out in the opposite direction. The entire army turned north, heading... towards Xianyang!"
"What?!" Yi Xiaochuan stood up suddenly, his movements shaking the desk. This news exploded in his mind like a thunderclap. He almost thought he had misheard. "Going north? To Xianyang? How is this possible?!"
The scout repeated confidently, "Absolutely true! The king has noticed the enemy's movements and has personally led the main force in pursuit. However, Gao Yao acted extremely swiftly and decisively. By the time our army discovered him, his vanguard had already advanced a considerable distance. The king has ordered me to come and inform the general immediately. Please respond immediately!"
The tent was completely silent for a moment, the only sounds being the crackling of burning torches and Yi Xiaochuan's slightly heavy breathing. He froze, his face filled with shock and disbelief. Gao Yao's move had completely exceeded both he and Xiang Yu's expectations, completely disrupting their carefully planned encirclement and suppression plan. A counter-attack? Abandoning the relatively safe Yangping Pass route and instead charging towards Xianyang, which was even more distant and likely to encounter even more obstacles along the way? This was simply madness!
But Yi Xiaochuan was a seasoned general, and after his initial shock, his mind began to race. Gao Yao's move, though seemingly absurd, was actually an extremely daring, risky tactic! It cleverly exploited the psychological blind spot of "the darkest part is the lamp." Everyone assumed he would flee westward, but he did the opposite. This move not only completely thwarted Xiang Yu's defenses at Yangping Pass, but also caught Yi Xiaochuan's newly stabilized troops completely off guard.
In an instant, all the luck and relief vanished, replaced by an intense sense of urgency and a hint of anger at being toyed with. Gao Yao wasn't fleeing; it was a proactive strategic shift, a maneuver with a clear goal!
"Quick!" Yi Xiaochuan slammed the table, his voice firm and resolute, full of unquestionable determination, "Beat the drums to gather the troops! Count the troops! Set out immediately and pursue the Southern Border Army! There is no time to lose!"
A deputy general beside him looked hesitant and cautiously advised, "General, think twice! Our army has just suffered a defeat, and morale has not yet stabilized. The soldiers are exhausted. A hasty pursuit now may... may not be a good idea. Should we let the soldiers rest for another night and then continue tomorrow..."
"Don't say any more!" Yi Xiaochuan interrupted harshly, his eyes sharp as a knife. "The opportunity for battle is fleeting! Gao Yao is making this risky move when he's at his most vulnerable! Most of his troops are infantry, and no matter how fast they move, they can't outpace our cavalry! Now he's alone deep in the enemy's territory, with no defenses or help. This is the perfect time to annihilate him in one fell swoop! The king is already pursuing him personally, how can we just sit there and watch?"
He glanced around the tent at the generals who had rushed over at the news, and raised his voice with a desperate determination: "Order to the entire army! The Southern Border Army is at the end of its rope and is fleeing eastward in panic! Now is the time for us to redeem ourselves from our crimes and redeem ourselves! Anyone who has achieved merit in this battle will have their rewards doubled and their ranks promoted three levels! Anyone who hesitates, disobeys orders, or delays military operations will be executed, regardless of rank!"