Being able to stand out from the late Qin generals such as Ying Bu, Ji Bu, Lu Chen and Huan Chu, and Xiang Liang personally arranged as the vanguard to pursue the main force of the Qin army. Feng Zhong's status and status among the main force of the Chu army can be seen. Xiang Liang's trust and expectations for Feng Zhong are self-evident. In time, if Feng Zhong became Xiang Liang's confidant in the army like Cao Ju, who once had great kindness to Xiang Liang, he would not find it strange.

However, Feng Zhong was a little unsatisfied this time, and the pursuit was very fast. Feng Zhong's troops easily caught up with the main rear team of the Qin army on the evening of the day of departure. However, facing the rare opportunity to pursue victory, Feng Zhong, who had been brave since he was alone, suddenly became a little timid and became a little afraid. He did not dare to fight and rush hard, nor did he dare to boldly intersperse with the open terrain. He just fought a tentative contact battle with the Qin army rear team. After forcing the Qin army rear team who did not dare to stay for a long time, he immediately stopped the pursuit and let the army rest on the spot for a night, and did not dare to take the risk of chasing overnight.

The same was true the next day. After catching up with the Qin army's rear team again with the advantage of light pursuit, Feng Zhong still did not dare to take the risk of fighting hard. He also took the initiative to retreat after losing the contact battle, maintaining a certain distance and following the Qin army forward. Rather than pursuing victory, it is better to say that it is a gift to send the Qin army to retreat.

This cannot be entirely blamed for Feng Zhong's incompetence. The main reason is that Feng Zhong's troops are not strong in combat power. The book once said that unlike the main force of the Young Commander Army, which has a strong military policy, Feng Zhongjun, who made his fortune in the Huainan battlefield, occupied a sparse and vast land and had poor land, and could not choose the best in the recruitment of soldiers like the main force of the Young Commander Army. He could only cut into the basket and was full of vegetables. When he went north for bluffing, he also recruited many old and weak soldiers. The army seemed to have a huge number, but in fact the overall combat power was not high and the equipment was quite simple.

After going north to participate in the war, relying on the battlefield seizure and supply from the Fukui rear, although Feng Zhongjun's equipment has improved a lot and has basically caught up with the main army, its combat effectiveness is still not very strong. In addition, the total strength of the Qin army is ten times higher than that of Feng Zhong, so it is reasonable for Feng Zhong to dare not take the risk and come forward.

By chance, Feng Zhong's timid performance made Zhang Han a little confused. Because Zhang Han, who had carefully collected and understood the information of the Chu army, had long discovered that the former pavilion leader Feng Zhong was definitely not an easy-to-deal role. Not only did he never suffer a defeat after being alone, but he was sometimes more powerful and difficult to deal with than Zhang Han, who was quite alert. He was better at defeating the strong with the weak and winning by surprise. Therefore, in Zhang Han's view, Feng Zhong's timidity seemed to be a deliberate sign of weakness and pretending to be a pig and eating a tiger, which made Zhang Han dare not take risks even if he had the opportunity to get rid of Feng Zhong's pursuit. He took the initiative to slow down and retreat carefully, and did not dare to give Feng Zhong any opportunity to take advantage of it.

The paper tiger will be exposed one day sooner or later. Two days later, the main force of the Qin army retreated to the city of Zhang County. He had to cross the Wenshui River before he could continue to retreat westward. It was also very easy to reveal flaws during the crossing of the river, giving Feng Zhong the opportunity to attack. Zhang Han, who has always been cautious in using troops, dared not be careless. He would rather waste time, and first built twenty floating bridges on the surface of the Wenshui River, leaving behind the elite army behind, and then organized the army to launch the crossing of the river.

Feng Zhong also revealed his true colors at this moment. The Qin army was clearly well-defended and almost ineffective. However, in order to complete the task of dragging down the speed of the Qin army's retreat, Feng Zhong still gritted the bullet and led the army to launch an attack. As a result, the Qin army's rear army, who was fighting with the back, was sobbing and howling, and fled eastward for more than ten miles before stopping. The main force of the Qin army took the opportunity to quickly cross the Wenshui River and the even more difficult Jishui River, and retreated directly to Fanyang City, and in turn threw the problem of crossing the river to Feng Zhong and the main force of the Chu army behind him.

After the main force of the Qin army retreated across the Wenshui River and Jishui River, the small town of Zhangxian, isolated on the east bank of the Wenshui River, did not hesitate at all. He immediately took the initiative to open the city to surrender to Feng Zhong. Unfortunately, the food and military supplies in the city had been completely emptied by the Qin army, and even if it was taken down, it was useless. At the same time, what made Feng Zhong confused was that although the main force of the Qin army retreated directly to Fanyang City, he deliberately gave up the insurmountable natural danger of Jishui River and did not send one army and one soldier to guard the Jishui Ferry Crossing, and he had already put on the stance of allowing the Chu army to cross the river.

If he really couldn't understand Zhang Han's intention, Feng Zhong could only ask his own Han soldiers for help, and asked the Han soldiers with shameless face, "Brother Han, what is the tyrant Qin army doing? They are not in a hurry to continue to retreat east, and deliberately give us the Jishui Ferry Crossing to us. Are they luring us across the Jishui River and then taking the opportunity to launch a full-scale counterattack? Should we boldly cross the river, or temporarily delay our advance, and wait for our main force to come and meet?"

The personal soldiers of Han didn't say a word, and looked ahead as if they hadn't heard Feng Zhong's words. No matter how Feng Zhong begged for a question, he just didn't say a word. Feng Zhong was anxious, but he had no choice. Finally, Feng Zhong gritted his teeth and ordered the army to cross the Wenshui River immediately and advance to the lower camp at the Jishui Ferry Crossing. The personal soldiers of Han still didn't say a word, letting Feng Zhong make his own decision with a stern face.

According to Feng Zhong's order, the Chu army vanguard easily crossed the Wenshui River and advanced to the Jishui Ferry Crossing that day. However, the main force of the Qin army, more than ten miles away, still had no action, allowing Feng Zhong to constantly send people to cross the river to explore the enemy situation and build bridges on the Jishui River, as if he had completely given up the Jishui natural danger.

Zhang Han's indulgence also gave the Chu army a chance. If the vanguard of the Chu army could muster up the courage to cross the Ji River and set up a camp to the west bank of the Ji River, then after the main force of the Chu army arrived at the Ji River, he could easily cross the Ji River with the cover of the front army, and no longer have to worry about being attacked by the Qin army when crossing the river, which would be very beneficial to the subsequent war. Feng Zhong's generals also saw this truth and almost all persuaded Feng Zhong to take the opportunity to cross the river and open the way for the main force to advance. Feng Zhong hesitated and said: "It is easy to cross the river, but if the tyrant Qin army suddenly sends troops and raids the army that is crossing the river, how can we resist?"

"General Feng, this must be taken." General Yu Kai pointed out: "General General asked us to serve as vanguards to pursue the tyrannical Qin army, which is a trust in us. If we do not seize the opportunity of the tyrannical Qin army without sending troops to garrison the ferry, we will cross the river decisively. When our main force arrives, the tyrannical Qin army suddenly divided its troops to guard the ferry. When the general saw that we missed the opportunity to fight, what would he think of us? What would he think of you, General Feng?"

"General, if you are afraid of the tyrannical Qin army sending troops to raid, we can cross the river secretly at night." Another general Zhu Dan also said: "First send some troops to cross the Ji River at night, build fortifications and protect the ferry. When the day comes, let the main force cross the river, and you can get much more successful. And even if crossing the river is not good, the army that crosses the Ji River can quickly retreat to the east coast with the floating bridge."

After saying that, Zhu Dan volunteered: "If the general does not abandon him, the last general will be willing to serve as the vanguard and lead his army to cross the river overnight."

The other generals agreed and all mustered up the courage to ask for the risk of crossing the river first. Unfortunately, although the generals under their command were very brave, Feng Zhong himself still looked forward and hesitated. After thinking for a long time, Feng Zhong also acted as a scoundrel and said to everyone: "I'll go to the toilet first, and I'll talk about it when I come back."

After saying that, Feng Zhong really left the military tent and went to the toilet outside the tent. The Han soldiers who were ordered to stay away from Feng Zhong were helpless and had to keep up with him as usual. As a result, after leading the Han soldiers to the deserted place, Feng Zhong suddenly stopped and turned around and said to the Han soldiers: "I'm sorry, but I'm worthy of you too. Haven't you seen that every time I receive a reward, I'm not just sharing it with you that time. Are you greedy for one and a half tael or a piece of silk that you deserve?"

"Am I a greedy person?" The personal soldier surnamed Han finally spoke and asked coldly.

"I know you are not a greedy person." Feng Zhong nodded and said, "But have you ever thought about it? If you and I exchange identities, would you be willing to hand over me and cut off your most powerful arm? Will you be willing to let everyone know that the battles you won are actually my credit?"

Feng Zhong's words were definitely from the heart. The personal soldiers surnamed Han understood it after hearing this, but they still kept silent. Feng Zhongze said again: "Also, do you think that if I recommend you to the General, the General will really reuse you? My good brother, Young Marshal Xiang, is so hardworking and making great contributions, but what is his situation in the General's account now? Don't you know? Do you think that when you get to the General's account, the General will treat you better than Young Marshal Xiang? Will you think I will treat you as much as I do, and what you say is what I say?"

The personal soldiers surnamed Han continued to remain silent. Feng Zhong waited for a long time but didn't see him speak. He could only sigh helplessly: "I didn't expect you to hate me so much. Well, as you wish, when the general's main force arrives, I will recommend you like him immediately. However, if the general will use you more, I dare not guarantee it, and I can't guarantee it. In addition, I would like to remind you that after you arrive at the general's account, your temper must be changed. Don't look down on this one and that one at all. The general is not like me, a rural man. He does not have the good temper as much as me, and will not let your temperament do whatever you want."

After saying it with great sincerity, Feng Zhong raised his legs and walked back. The personal soldiers of Han hesitated for a moment, and then he said, "Zhang Han is seducing the enemy."

"Is Zhang Han seducing the enemy?" Feng Zhong stopped, turned around and asked in surprise: "I want to trick me across the river and then attack me?"

"No, Zhang Han's target of attracting the enemy is not you, but our main force." The personal soldier surnamed Han said coldly: "While he stationed troops in Fanyang, he deliberately gave up the Jishui Ferry Crossing, with the purpose of making our main force feel at ease to cross the Jishui River, confront him on the Fanyang line, and then slowly deal with our main force."

"Since Zhang Han's daily life wants to confront us, why didn't he set up defenses in Jishui, but he just retreated to the city of Fanyang?" Feng Zhong was very puzzled and asked: "It is not safer for Zhang Han's daily life to directly rely on Jishui to deploy defenses, and confrontation is more certain?"

"Because the rainy season is coming, the area east of Fanyang is low-lying (now Dongping Lake and the famous Liangshan River Ponds in later generations), which is the most likely to launch a water attack." A personal soldier surnamed Han sneered: "As long as we lure our main force through the Jishui River, when the rainy season comes, the river water rises, Zhang Hanfu just seizes an opportunity to dig the Jishui River or Wenshui River. The flooded river water can easily flood our grain channels and even directly flood our camps. So for Zhang Hanfu, as long as we lure our main force through the Jishui River and confront them until the rainy season comes, he can hold a steady chance of winning, and is more than 80% sure to defeat our main force."

"It's different to stick to the defense line of Jishui." The personal soldier surnamed Han explained: "First, the main force of our army was blocked on the east bank of Jishui, and it is easier to retreat. Even if Zhang Han grabs the fighter, it will be difficult for him to pursue. Secondly, within more than ten miles of the west bank of Jishui, the terrain is also low-lying and easy to accumulate water. When the rainy season comes, our army may take the lead and dig the embankment on the west bank of Jishui and use floods to destroy his camp on the west bank of Jishui."

"What a vicious man!" Feng Zhong suddenly realized, took a breath of cold air, and then asked impatiently: "Then how should we deal with it?"

"It's not difficult. You can cross the river tonight with confidence. I can guarantee that Zhang Han's husband will not send troops to block the attack even if he finds it. Tomorrow you can move to the west bank of Jishui. Then..."

After hearing the countermeasures of the personal soldiers of Han, Feng Zhong immediately applauded, and then Feng Zhong gritted his teeth and said, "Don't worry, after you succeed this time, as long as you are willing, I will recommend you to the General. I am serious this time and will never lie to you again. Also, you should think carefully about it yourself. If you are willing to continue to follow me, I will ask you to lead the troops first, and then promote you as soon as possible, and let you take charge of the army as you like me. If you feel wronged you under my account, you are willing to follow me and I will recommend you to him."

After saying that, Feng Zhong patted the shoulder of the personal soldier surnamed Han again and said, "But Brother Han, I still have to say something heart-to-heart. With your temper and personality, it is really difficult to stand up under the General's account. It will definitely offend countless people you can't afford to offend. If you really don't want to help me anymore, go to Young Marshal Xiang's side. My brother is very greedy and kind to others, and he listens to advice. It is much easier for you to stand up for him."

The personal soldiers surnamed Han did not say anything, and hesitated in their hearts. Knowing that with their own status, even if they were recommended by Feng Zhong and appointed by Xiang Liang, it would definitely be difficult to get Xiang Liang's reuse. As for Xiang Kang, Xiang Kang has not only handed over military and political power, but also has an Uncle Zhou who can match him...

"Maybe it is a good choice to stay here." The personal soldier surnamed Han even thought so and said to himself: "At least, Feng Zhong, a common man, is obedient to me, and what I say is indeed equivalent to what he says."

…………

The suggestions of the generals and the Han soldiers were adopted. That night, Feng Zhong resolutely sent 5,000 troops to cross the Jishui River overnight. He also launched a comprehensive crossing of the river early the next morning, leading all his more than 13,000 troops under his command over the Jishui River. He guarded the ferry and opened a road to the main force of the Chu army to the city of Fanyang. He immediately started to build camp defense fortifications and shouted the slogan of guarding the ferry to the death. As a result, after the news was sent to the Qin army's camp by the Qin army scouts, the Qin army generals ran to Zhang Han to ask for orders, requesting Zhang Han to send his own troops to attack and kill Feng Zhong's unstable foothold.

"Why are you anxious?" Zhang Han had a rare smile on his face that had been gloomy for many days, and said, "It's easy to drive Feng Zhongli to pass Jishui, but it's difficult to lure the main force of Chu thieves across Jishui. Don't pay attention to Feng Zhong, a man who likes to cross the river, just let him come over and die."

The generals of the Qin army were puzzled and asked the reason one after another. Zhang Han did not explain, but sent people to closely investigate the movements in Feng Zhong's rear and grasp the movements of the main force of the Chu army. As a result, after the generals dispersed, Sima Xin, who knew Zhang Han's plan, suggested: "General, should we seize the time to let our soldiers deep into the ditch and high bases, and build a solid camp, so that after the main force of the Chu thieves arrived, we can also feel at ease to confront them for a long time."

Zhang Han hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said, "You can't be anxious. Xiang Liang's rebel thief is old in military affairs. Xiang Kang's rebel thief beside him is extremely treacherous. If we expose our intention to confront them for a long time in Fanyang too early, we will be afraid that they will see our purpose. It is better to wait until their army arrives, and we will do our best to deep ditches and high bases and pretend to be forced to fight to the decisive battle. Only in this way can we deceive the old fox Xiang Liang."

After saying that, Zhang Han asked Sima Xin to arrange personnel and deliberately spread rumors around Fanyang, saying that the main force of the Qin army was just temporarily resting in Fanyang and would continue to retreat west soon, and at all costs, luring the main force of the Chu army to cross the Jishui River to Fanyang City to confront the self-arms. At the same time, he sent people to Puyang to urge grain and grass to transport grain to Fanyang City to hoard the main force of the Chu army in order to confront the long-term confrontation with the main force of the Chu army.

A day passed quickly. In the evening, the Qin army, who went to explore the main trends of the Chu army, sent a detailed message, saying that the main force of the Chu army was likely to arrive in Zhang County within tomorrow. Zhang Han was even more relieved when he heard the news. He quickly arranged the battalion defense and ignored it. After handling the military affairs of the day, he returned to the tent to rest. He also smiled and saw the wonderful scene of the main force of the Chu army being swallowed by the flood in his dream.

"Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding Ding!"

"Kill! Kill!"

Zhang Han's dream was interrupted by the sudden shouts of killing and the sound of gongs that sounded one after another. After opening his eyes, listening to the huge noise coming from outside the tent, Zhang Han couldn't help but pinch his thigh heavily and exclaimed: "How is that possible? That night attack? The old man Xiang Liang's thief army has grown wings and can fly to attack my camp so quickly?!"

After rushing out of the tent barefoot, Zhang Han quickly discovered that something was wrong. In the dark night, the Chu army rushing into the Qin army camp with torches was unstoppable and killed the Qin army camp that was caught off guard, but the number of torches was obviously not very large. At the same time, the Chu army rear army that followed the front army into the Qin army camp was not many, and it was definitely not like the main force of the Chu army attack. Then, Zhang Han suddenly woke up and screamed like a pig slaughter, "Feng Zhong! It's Feng Zhong's husband! This rural village man, he crossed the Ji River not to open the way for the old thief Xiang Liang, but to facilitate sneak attacks on our camp! This madman, whose troops are less than 10% of us, dares to sneak attack us. I'm fooled! I underestimate the enemy too much!"

It was too late to find out that he was deceived and was deceived too badly by Feng Zhong. The Qin army was not only caught off guard by Feng Zhongjun's sudden sneak attack, but was really unprepared! Even though the elite Longxi under Zhang Han took the initiative to defend the Qin army's central army camp for Zhang Han, and did not give Feng Zhongjun the opportunity to destroy the Qin army's command and burn the Qin army's food and grass, the Qin army's outer camp was still in chaos by Feng Zhongjun. Countless soldiers were killed, countless military tents and military supplies were burned, and countless Qin soldiers were panicked and escaped from the Qin army camp in the chaos. The outer camp almost completely collapsed.

Fortunately, Feng Zhong had a weak force and lacked combat effectiveness after all. Even if he succeeded in the raid, he did not dare to fight too much. He only rushed to the fifth hour and retreated decisively. Before the Qin army launched a counterattack, he quickly retreated to the camp on the west bank of the Jishui River, and then immediately turned to attack and defended the camp with all his might to prevent the Qin army from launching a counterattack. He left behind devastation in the Qin army camp, as well as countless burning military tents and battalion defense fortifications, as well as countless terrifying Qin soldiers. Many Qin soldiers were still dizzy until Feng Zhong's army retreated. I don't know when the main force of the Chu army had already descended to the Fanyang battlefield!
Chapter completed!