"Damn the thief! As expected, he is here!"

When he received the emergency report from the Han army's side division on the southern line on the Baimajin Crossing Hebei, Zhang Er, who was already determined to stand on the side of the Western Chu army, was not surprised, because when he knew that the Western Chu army in Henei was annihilated by the Han army, Zhang Er was already sure that as long as the main force of the Han army on the battlefield in Xingyang could make a little free, he would definitely send troops to Handan and stab himself in the back to avenge his revenge for his repeated betrayal of the Han army several times.

Later, when he learned that Xiang Yu personally led his army back to the hinterland of Western Chu to suppress the rebellion, his main force had already fought with the Han army's Zhou Shu in Hengshan County, Zhang Er was even more sure that the Han army would definitely divide its troops north in the near future, not only seeking revenge on himself, but also sharing the pressure for the Han army's partial divisions in the northern line, which is currently at a disadvantage. Therefore, after receiving the report of the emergency response to the southern line, Zhang Er not only did not have any strangeness or surprise, but also felt much more relaxed - anyway, he could not escape, so he would not be worried every day if he came early.

The same is true for Zhang Er's staff group headed by Wei Wuzhi, descendant of Xinlingjun. He also did not feel any surprises. Wei Wuzhi also spoke to Zhang Er: "En Xiang, the Han thieves divided their troops north to attack our southern line, and they would definitely hope to fight and decide quickly, and they would also deceive our army's main forces in Hengshan. It is very likely that they will advance lightly and try to kill our army off guard. Although En Xiang had made careful preparations before, for the sake of caution, it would be better to draw an army from Hengshan to Julu south to move, just in case."

"It's reasonable." Zhang Er agreed with Wei Wuzhi's proposal and said: "Although we urgently recruited a group of troops to deploy on the front line of Zhangshui, it is difficult for the Han thieves to break through, the new army recruited urgently lacks combat power and cannot place all hope on them. We must draw an army from the northern line as soon as possible to respond to the situation."

After saying that, Zhang Er, who had long carefully considered the response plan, immediately issued an order to let his beloved general Zhang Yan. Chen Ze immediately led his army south to Julu Houming to move. Wei Wuzhi was a little worried when he heard this and asked, "My dear, there are 70,000 Han thieves going north, but the army under the command of the two generals Zhang and Chen only has more than 30,000 people. Is there any lack of troops?"

"We cannot draw too many troops from the northern line at once." Zhang Er shook his head and said, "First, too many troops have been drawn to go south. The thieves on the northern line will definitely understand that their reinforcements have already gone north and are more determined to stick to their determination to aid. Second, without our main force on the northern line, the two Chu and Qi army may have selfish intentions and refuse to fight hard. Only by only drawing some of our troops to go south can the thieves on the northern line not understand our reality, and our allies will think that our southern line is not a big problem, so we can safely advance our troops to attack the thieves on the northern line with all our might."

After saying that, Zhang Er smiled and said, "Besides, we don't need to mobilize so many troops to move south. The 400,000 tyrants of the Qin Dynasty could not defeat Julu, and of course, only 70,000 Han thieves would not threaten the security of our capital. Also, although the rear of the King of Western Chu changed, with his strong troops and strong horses, it was just a small task to destroy the rebellion in the rear. They would definitely return to the battlefield of the Central Plains soon. When the main force of the Han thieves was in a tight position, they would definitely have to recall their northbound troops, so we would not have to worry about it."

Seeing that Zhang Er was so confident, Wei Wuzhi was not able to insist, so he could only change his words and ask how to respond to the enemy on the southern front. Zhang Er replied very easily: "The Han thieves went north in a large number of troops. Of course, it is difficult to defend Anyang and Ye County. Fortunately, those two counties are not very important, and even if they are lost, they will have little impact. So there is no need to pay attention to Anyang and Ye County. As soon as the Han thieves lightly take over Julu, we will re-deploy the defense of the southern front."

Zhang Er's decision allowed the people of Anyang and Ye County to escape a disaster. After the Han army's northern aid army arrived at the two counties, they did not waste even the counterweight trenchers to build them. They directly used simple siege weapons to easily seize the two Zhao counties and then approached the Zhangshui River. Zhang Er was not concerned about this. At the same time, after receiving his order, Zhang Yan and Chen Ze also led about 35,000 Zhao troops to Julu Hou's order. Zhang Er was very happy when he heard the news and immediately summoned the two generals Chen and Zhang, and personally gave them the opportunity.

"Thank you for your hard work, but the military situation is so hot that the two generals cannot rest yet. They must continue to go south immediately and prepare to face the enemy in Handan."

After saying his request straight to the point, Zhang Er reminded him again: "After the two generals arrive in Handan, they are only allowed to guard camps and cities, and they must not take risks and decisive battles. The Han thieves' army is famous for not being good at attacking tough problems. You only need to stand firm and not fighting, and it will definitely be difficult for them to do anything to you. Then you only need to persist for a while to make the Han thieves' army restless and eager to seek war. The original minister has his own way to lure the Han thieves to divide their troops north and fight Julu directly. Then you will act again when you take the opportunity to launch a counterattack, or try to cut off the Han thieves' food route. Our army will be as easy as a backhand!"

Zhang Yan and Chen Ze agreed together, and then Zhang Yan asked with some concern: "Yes, even if you go from Julu to Handan, it will take at least two days. If the thief breaks through our Zhangshui defense line first and arrives in Handan in advance, what if he will do the same?"

Zhang Er laughed loudly and said, "Two generals, you must trust General Fan Ao, who is guarding the Zhangshui defense line. The prime minister has already made an explanation to him. Let him guard the ferry with all his strength and block the Han thief army from crossing the river north. Even if he is not the opponent of the Han thief's partial army in the end, it will definitely not be a big problem to get you enough time. Unless the Han thief divides troops and attacks lightly, there will be absolutely no confidence to arrive in front of you. If the Han thief really does this, with the ability of the two generals, it will be easy to capture the Han thief's lightly attacking soldiers?"

Zhang Er did have this arrogant capital. Two days later, when Zhang Yan and Chen Ze led their troops to the city of Handan, they not only did not see any soldiers or soldiers of the Han army, but also received accurate news from the general of Zhao army Fan Ao from the Zhangshui Ferry, saying that the Han army's partial division was still collecting ships on the south bank of the Zhangshui River, and had not even had time to launch a ferry battle. Zhang Yan and Chen Ze were even more happy to hear the news and quickly led the army to the famous city of Handan, with deep ditches, high walls and clearing the fields, and patiently waited for the Han army to come north to chew on the hard bones of Handan.

The Han army's partial division's movements were indeed slow this time. After easily taking down the small town of Ye County on the banks of the Zhangshui River, the Han army's partial division prepared for six days on the south bank of the Zhangshui River, collected enough ferries, and then collected the captured and surrendered Ye County defenders. Then they launched a ferry battle very calmly. Because it was summer, the river water rose and did not take the risk of crossing the river from the fastest section of the river. They chose to cross the river in the slowest section of the river and attacked the ferry position that Zhao army had to defend with all its strength.

This was also the first tough battle that the Han army fought after going north. The Han army soldiers had just started to board the ship. The Zhao army's bows and arrows on the north bank of the Zhang River were like a storm, making it difficult for the Han army soldiers to look up. They could only use shields to protect themselves and row oars and attack the north bank pier. Then, after paying a considerable price, the Han army soldiers immediately charged forward, trying to drive the Han army soldiers back to the south bank of the Zhang River.

Fortunately, all the Han army soldiers who served as the pioneers were carefully selected elite soldiers, and their combat effectiveness was quite reliable. Even if they fought in a hurry, the front army of the Han army still defended the river bank positions and protected the landing roads of the rear army. No matter how the Zhao army soldiers attacked and attacked, they remained unmoved. They repelled the Zhao army's attacks many times, and successfully persisted until the second and third rounds of the Han army's ferry river army climbed the north bank of the Zhang River.

Seeing that the situation was not good, Fan Ao, who was ordered to guard the Zhangshui Ferry, could only let the army beat the war drums and personally led more than 10,000 Zhao troops to launch a general attack, trying to annihilate the Han army's crossing the river with its superior strength. The Han army soldiers gritted their teeth and held on their own. While forming a formation to protect the ferry with their flesh and blood, they continued to cover the rear army's crossing the river. They carried the Zhao army for nearly two hours. It took nearly 10,000 Han troops to cross the Zhangshui, forcing the Zhao army to give up the attack and retreat to the camp north of the ferry to defend the camp.

Then, the Han army did not rush to attack the Zhao army camp, but first built a floating bridge to protect the main force of the Han army's partial divisions across the Zhangshui camp. Then, they did not rush to launch a tough attack. They chose to divide their troops to cut down wood, intending to build enough offensive weapons first, and then attack the Zhao army camp.

However, this battle did not start, because Fan Ao's troops of Zhao army had already bought enough time for the reinforcements on the north line. In order to preserve their strength, the Han army prevented the Han army from defeating the Zhao army on the southern line. The next night after the Zhangshui defense line was broken by the Han army, Fan Ao, who had received Zhang Er's instructions in advance, took the camp on the north bank of the Zhangshui River and retreated to Handan overnight with his new army of less than 20,000 under his command. After the Han army scout discovered this situation, although Zheng Bu also sent troops to pursue, the Zhao army slipped too quickly. The Han army pursued the troops only caught up with and severely damaged the Zhao army's rear army, and did not hurt the main force of Fan Ao's army.

After most of the Fan Ao army successfully retreated to the battlefield in Handan, the Zhao army on the battlefield in Handan also reached about 50,000. Although they were still at a disadvantage in overall strength, they were more than enough to defend the city of Handan. After this situation was reported to Zhang Er, Zhang Er was of course very happy. In addition to ordering Zhang Yan and Chen Ze and other generals to let them defend Handan with all their strength, he couldn't wait to call Liu Jian, the general Zhao, one of the guards of Julu, and ordered him to come forward to surrender to the Han army's side division, pretending to give the Julu city to the Han army's side division, lure the Han army to divide their troops to fight Julu, and even bypass Handan and fight Julu directly.

In order to win the trust of the Han army, Zhang Er also generously asked Liu Jian to offer the Zhao army's Julu military information and city defense map to the Han army's partial division. After eating the salary rewarded by Zhang Er, Liu Jian did not dare to refuse, so he could only agree immediately. As a result, Wei Wuzhi next to him reminded: "Are you too anxious? The Han thief army has not arrived at the city of Handan yet, so there is no need to send someone to surrender so quickly, right?"

"No rush at all." Zhang Er sneer confidently said: "The thieves are cunning and will definitely not easily believe that our generals will surrender. Even if they develop greed, they must be tested repeatedly before they can swallow the bait. Therefore, the best way is to send someone to surrender as soon as possible, let the thieves see hope first, and then arrange illusions so that we have the hope that we can lure the thieves to divide their troops or bypass Handan and take the risk to fight Julu."

When the messenger sent by Zhao general Liu Jian went south to contact the Han army, the slow-moving Han army had just arrived at the city of Handan. When he heard that an enemy general took the initiative to send envoys to surrender, Zheng Bu, Li Zuoche and others immediately met the envoy sent by Zhao general Liu Jian as soon as possible. However, after reading Liu Jian's letter of surrender, Li Zuoche did not make a decision. Instead, he carefully asked the envoys of Julu to ask the envoys of Julu, and then asked the guards to take the envoys of Liu Jian for a while and discussed the matter carefully with Zheng Bu.

"Jun Guangwu, how about it? Is it true or not?" Zheng Bu couldn't wait to ask.

"There is insufficient information, and it is not possible to distinguish between true and false for the time being." Li Zuoche shook his head and said, "It is just a fraudulent surrender. Because the current situation of Julu is obviously a trap set by Zhang Er. If we divide our troops to seize Julu, or bypass Handan to fight Julu, we will only hit Zhang Er's traitor."

"Is Julu a trap set by Zhang Er's traitor?" Zheng Bu asked in surprise.

"No," Li Zuoche nodded and said, "Zhang Er's purpose is very clear. It is to guard Handan, block our food route, and at the same time lure us to divide our troops to fight Julu, and even lure us to bypass Handan to take Julu. If we fall into a trap, Zhang Er's treacherous minister will definitely defend the city with all his strength and return to the north. At that time, the enemy of Handan will also send troops north and attack us with their North Line reinforcements. In addition, the Julu defenders cooperate with each other inside and outside. Zhang Er's treacherous minister will not only have great confidence in defeating us, but also hope to annihilate our army."

"I think beautifully!" Zheng Bu said with a grin: "If we hadn't wanted to wait for him to draw the thief army on the northern front to go south to die, we would have taken Handan long ago, and would we give him so much time to make arrangements calmly?"

"But we'd better not underestimate the enemy." Li Zuoche replied with a smile: "There are too many ants to bite the elephant to death. Now we'd better use our tricks and take advantage of Zhang Erteng's chance to make a careful arrangement of the Julu trap, and defeat the troops he deliberately dispersed and arranged, and force him to draw the Northern Line troops as soon as possible to go south and die, sharing the pressure for our Northern Line troops."

Zheng Bu nodded, agreed with Li Zuoche's suggestion very much, and asked again: "What should I do if the messenger who came from Julu asked for surrender?"

"Just just give a false promise." Li Zuoche replied: "Whether it is true or false, I will first agree to Zhao Jian's request for surrender, and let him prepare for Julu, and then respond when we go north to Julu. If Zhao Jian really asks surrender, he can of course play a huge role when we take down Julu, and then he can make Zhang Erpian happy for a few days first, and then even more surprised and panicked."

When Zheng Bu heard the applause, he immediately heard the messenger sent by Liu Jian to surrender. He agreed to Zhao general Liu Jian's voluntary request for surrender. He also gave Liu Jian some rewards and sent him back to Julu to report the message. Then, while asking the Han soldiers to step up their camp, they organized people to cut down wood and strive to build various attack weapons, including counterweight trenchers, and sharpen their knives without delaying the preparation of the woodcutter to launch the Battle of Handan.

On Zhang Er's side, after Zheng Bu accepted the news of Liu Jian's request for surrender and was brought back to Julu, Zhang Er, who was confident, was of course very happy. In addition to asking the Julu defenders to step up their preparations to defend the city, he also went to the Linghengshan battlefield early to let his number one confidant Gan Gong (a key figure in history who decided to vote for Han or Chu) be prepared to lead the main force of the Zhao army back to Julu at any time. At the same time, in order to ensure that there are enough troops to defeat the enemy, Zhang Er also sent someone to give a generous gift to Tianmen, the general of Qi State, who led the Qi State, and asked him to lead the Qi State army and Gan Gong to join forces to go south without mentioning it.

In Handan, the Zhao army not only retreated all the troops back to the city to guard the city, but also prepared to defend the city early. In order to let the Han army launch an attack as soon as possible, Zhang Yan, Chen Ze and other generals sent small groups of troops several times to voluntarily run to the Han army camp to insult the battle, trying to make the Han army launch an attack directly if they were not prepared enough, and use the advantages of the city defense to give the Han army a warning.

Unfortunately, since the Han army's partial commander Zheng Bu followed Xiang Kang, he had learned nothing of moral civilization such as etiquette, righteousness, integrity and shame, but he learned very well. Therefore, the Zhao army's provocation and aggression did not achieve any effect. Then, after spending seven days to prepare enough siege weapons, on the morning of the eighth day, Zheng Bu personally led his army out of the camp and launched an attack on the former capital of Zhao's State Handan City.

Of course, the Zhao army also closely monitored the movements of the Han army. Before the main forces of the Han army had already been assembled, the city of Handan was already calling the police. The rotating guards went to the city to prepare for war. The reserve soldiers in the city returned urgently. Hou Ming, Zhang Yan, Chen Ze and Fan Ao also hurriedly climbed the south gate of Handan and looked down at the Han army.

Half past, more than 60,000 main forces of the Han army, carrying a large number of siege weapons, successfully advanced to outside the South Gate of Handan. After checking the situation of the Han army on the city wall, Zhang Yan, who was appointed as the commander of the Zhao army's southern line, sneered at his nostrils and said, "I wasted my time and thought the Han thieves could play something new. Now it seems that there is no difference from other thieves."

Chen Ze and Fan Ao nodded in agreement, both of whom believed that the siege of the Han army was not worth mentioning, and they also believed that the Zhao army could withstand even 400,000 Qin troops back then, and the 60,000 Han troops outside the city were of course a piece of cake. Finally, after the Han army soldiers lined up the counterweight trenchers outside Handan City, Zhang Yan and Chen Ze, who had never seen such a weapon, became alert. Judging from the huge throwing arms, they guessed that the weapons outside the city were probably trenchers, Zhang Ze also said to Zhang Yan: "Brother Zhang, the Han thief should use the trenchers to smash the stones. You are the head coach, it is better not to stay on the city wall to take risks. Go to the city to rest first, here is me."

Knowing that this was a good intention of his friend, Zhang Yan refused a few words and accepted Chen Ze's persuasion, left the front line and returned to the city command center to preside over the overall situation. Before leaving, Zhang Yan also said to Zhang Ze very kindly: "Brother Zhang, after the thief starts to throw stones, don't take the risk of staying on the city wall, go into the city tower to avoid it. I'm for your own good, don't be careless."

Chen Ze agreed, and Zhang Yan led Fan Ao and his personal soldiers down the city and boarded the horse back to the Zhao army command center located in the county magistrate's office. As a result, he didn't walk far away. Zhang Yan suddenly heard a burst of exclamation from the city. Then, before Zhang Yan could turn back to check the situation, a huge whistling sound had already soared into the sky...

"Boom!"

The strong wind blew, and the face was like a knife. It was still not time to see clearly what was going on. Zhang Yan, who was riding on the horse, fell directly to the ground. When he fell to the ground, Zhang Yan quickly looked closely at the screams of the personal soldiers next to him, he immediately screamed, "My mother!"

After screaming, Zhang Yan's crotch became hot, and a hot liquid suddenly soaked the slut on his waist...

Don’t blame Zhang Yan for being timid, the main reason is that the scene is too scary. A huge rock weighing at least 100 pounds suddenly appeared in front of Zhang Yan. Not only did Zhang Yan’s war horse’s head directly into meat sauce, but another big pit several feet deep was smashed on the ground! It was only a little short of it, and Zhang Yan almost smashed from head to toe into meat sauce!

Boom!

A louder dull sound suddenly came, and Zhang Yan, who was lying on the ground, saw with his own eyes that the south gate tower of Handan on his head was as if he had been hit directly by a giant ghost fist. The roof of the house was directly crushed and collapsed, turning into a piece of rubble ruin surrounded by walls!
Chapter completed!