The sergeant came to Anyang to report the situation to Yafu. By this time, Xiang Yu had also captured Handan and obtained some food. Yafu then ordered the whole army to set off, crossed the Huan River from Yinxu, and met Xiang Yu in Ye County. Yafu also told Chen Yu that he was willing to provide boats, rafts and food. Xiang Yu was naturally very happy after hearing this. At this time, the Chu army's morale was high and they were eager to fight. Xiang Yu said: "Although we have food now, it can only last for ten days at most. Once our army crosses the river, we must go to war with the Qin army, and we must not delay it."
Suddenly Chen Yu's envoy was reported to have arrived. Xiang Yu immediately summoned him. The messenger said that the Zhao army had gathered hundreds of ships and was waiting for the Chu army to cross the river. Xiang Yu heard that Chen Yu had prepared the ferry, so he gathered the crowd and said, "Soldiers, we came to rescue Zhao on the order of King Huai. Unfortunately, the dog thief Song Yi was afraid of the enemy and wasted more than forty days. We can fight now." Do you have the confidence to cross the Zhang River?" The soldiers said in unison: "If we reach Julu, we will have a decisive battle with Qin! If we reach Julu, we will have a decisive battle with Qin!" Xiang Yu asked the envoy where the troops of Yan, Qi and other countries were stationed. place. The envoy from Zhao lamented: "General, don't mention them. Our General Chen made an appointment with them to attack Wang Li, but the battle just started, and the troops of Yan and Qi disappeared without a trace." , As a result, the Zhao army was completely defeated. Now I can only rely on you. General Chen repeatedly asked you to cross the river as soon as possible, otherwise if Wang Li launches another attack, Zhao State may cease to exist!" After saying this, he knelt down and cried loudly. Xiang Yu comforted him and said, "Don't be sad. I, Xiang Yu, have sworn to rescue Zhao and will raise troops now." So he asked the envoy to go back first and told Chen Yu to row all the ferries to the south bank and wait. The messenger left immediately. Xiang Yu ordered the Chu army to advance rapidly north along the south bank of the Zhang River.
Zhang Han was already uneasy when he learned in Jiyuan that Xiang Yu had killed Song Yi and took his place, leading 200,000 Chu troops to rescue Zhao. Suddenly, a scout came to report that Xiang Yu had captured Handan City again and robbed all the grain stored there. After hearing the report, Zhang Han felt even more anxious and hurriedly summoned his troops for discussion. Dong Yi said: "Xiang Yu's grab for food shows that they have no food. How can an army without food fight? Now, although the princes from all walks of life have sent troops, they all have their own agendas and are really a gangster, so they dare not come to fight. Although the Chu army is powerful, they have come thousands of miles away, and with the lack of food and grass supplies, Xiang Yu will never start a war right away." Zhang Han muttered: "No, the Chu army is only thinking about speed because of the lack of food. The battle must be decided quickly. I judge that once the Chu army arrives in Hebei, they will definitely strike preemptively." Sima Xin said: "Our army's bravery is no worse than that of the Chu army. If they want a quick victory, we will hold on to the wall and clear the field without fighting. At this time, If it lasts for a long time, they will become in chaos without fighting. Then we will attack Xiang Yu in a big way!" Zhang Han then followed Sima Xin's suggestion and sent troops to patrol along the river to monitor the Chu army, and then sent Zhang Ping to lead 50,000 troops. The Qin army defended the corridor to prevent the Chu army from intercepting grain.
The Chu army marched north along the river and arrived at the northern end of Handan County. On the other side was Julu County. After crossing the river for about sixty or seventy miles, they would reach the foot of Julu City. At this time, Chen Yu had rowed all the ferries to the south bank. Zhang Han received the report and sent the Qin army to harass him. Zhao Jun fought desperately to protect the ship. Xiang Yu saw all the sailboats rowing across the river, so he ordered the Chu army to cross the river immediately. Fan Zeng said: "The enemy is outnumbered, and our army is short of food and grass. Once we cross the river, we must attack the Qin army. Otherwise, Zhang Han and Wang Li will attack from two directions, and we will lose sight of one." Xiang Yu said: "Your The analysis is very correct, and I will make sense after I cross the river." At this time, Yingbu had also come to the other side to respond, and sent a sergeant to report the situation. Xiang Yu ordered Yingbu to intercept the Qin army on the north bank to ensure the safety of the Chu army.
At dusk, Xiang Yu came to the Zhangshui River, which is now the place between Quzhou and Qiuxian. He looked at the river, but when he saw the vast water and sky were of the same color, he said: "The wind is blowing and the Zhangshui is cold. Once a warrior has gone, he will never return!" Someone said: "Why did the general say he will never return? Besides, what Jing Ke lived back then was not Zhangshui?" Xiang Yu laughed and said, "But what I see in front of me is Zhangshui, not Yishui. No return means that after we defeat the Qin army, we will attack Xianyang and never return from here. But today I also Only then did I realize how firm Jing Ke was in his determination to die. He entered the Qin Dynasty with his sword alone and went deep into the tiger's den. He was the real hero!" Fan Zeng said: "I heard that the Ming Lord can eliminate dangers and stop incidents. A good general can think carefully and be sure of his chances of victory.' Although Jing Ke was determined to die, it was a pity that he was not good at martial arts, which ruined his ambition and ended up with only a false name for the ages! If a great hero wants to achieve great achievements, he must first consider The prerequisite for success is to plan ahead and never do anything risky. As the saying goes, "precaution will lead to failure, failure to preempt will lead to failure." Therefore, great undertakings are often completed by great people, and among those great people They are great because they have done things in the world that ordinary people cannot do. Although my nephew admires Jing Ke, I don't know how determined you are?" Xiang Yu said impassionedly: "My determination must be greater than Lord Jing Ke, I don’t want to die with the Qin army, I must complete Lord Wu Xin’s unfinished business and overthrow the brutal Qin State!”
After hearing Xiang Yu's words, Fan Zeng was also excited and said: "If you have such a belief, there is hope to defeat Qin. But what I am thinking about is food. Although Chen Yu asked us to eat in Zhao State, if we cross the river to attack the Qin army, What should we do if we lose?" Xiang Yu said firmly: "Then return to Henan, regroup, and fight the Qin army again!" After hearing this, Fan Zeng shook his head and said, "If this is the case, the cause of anti-Qin will be in vain. Ah!" Xiang Yu was shocked and asked what he should do. Fan Zeng said: "Zhang Han and Wang Li's army claims to be one million. Although this is a bluff, it is estimated to be between 30,000 and 400,000. However, the number of our army is far smaller than theirs, and the coalition forces are timid, so our army will never be able to fight for a long time." Fight. If you are not careful, you will lose everything!" Xiang Yu glared at the other side and said firmly: "I swear to fight to the death with the Qin army. I will never lose at the hands of the Qin people. Otherwise, how can I avenge the Xiang family?" Fan Zeng said: "Since you are determined, are all the soldiers determined to fight to the death? This is the key! If our army loses the battle after crossing the river and is unable to retreat across the river in a hurry, not only will it be impossible to save Zhao, but also We ourselves are in danger of being annihilated. Have you ever thought about this outcome?" Xiang Yu pondered for a moment and said confidently: "I understand what Yafu means. Please rest assured that my nephew will never return here in defeat. I will have my own plans after crossing the river. That makes sense!" Fan Zeng looked at the determined Xiang Yu, and although he was relieved, he was still a little worried.
At this time, Xiang Yu ordered two heralds to mount their horses and convey the order in two directions along the river: "The captains of each team are organized to board the boat. The order must not be disordered. If there are any people trying to cross the river, behead them immediately!" The Chu army heard this Order and line up. After a while, all the Zhao army's ships had stopped, and the Chu army crossed the river one team after another, one boat after another, in order, without any disorder. For a time, only large and small ships were seen filling the wide river, and the Chu army rushed to cross the Zhang River.
Just as the Chu army was crossing the river, the army led by Zhang Han suddenly arrived and launched an attack on the Chu army. At this critical moment, Yingbu and General Pu had already made preparations to block the attack on the north bank. The two bravely rushed into the Qin army's position to stop the Qin army. Those Chu troops who had crossed the river immediately came ashore to join the battle. Zhang Han was afraid that Xiang Yu would come ashore to kill him, so he took command from a distance. In this way, the Zhao army could safely ferry back and forth and escort the Chu army across the river.
After dawn, when the sun rose, most of the Chu army had already crossed the river, and the remaining logistics troops were still ferrying back and forth. By this time Xiang Yu and Fan Zeng had also crossed the river. Zhang Han found out that Xiang Yu had landed, so he led the Qin army to retreat to Jiyuan's camp. By noon, all Chu troops had crossed the river. Xiang Yu stood on a high ground on the shore. He first arranged the Chu army into a large square formation, and then made a decision that shocked future generations: He ordered all the pots and cauldrons to be smashed and all the ferries to be destroyed. They were all scuttled, and all the tents and excess food were burned. Each person is only allowed to bring three days' worth of dry food. The order was conveyed to all the military camps. All the soldiers protested and refused to carry out the order. They also asked why they had to burn the cauldron and sink the boat. They also said that if the battle was lost, what would the Chu army use to cross the river to escape. However, only Fan Zeng kept nodding his head, fully agreeing with Xiang Yu's decision. Xiang Yu explained to everyone: "Our army is here to fight to the death, and we have no intention of retreating after defeat!" The sergeants started shouting. They all questioned whether burning the cauldron was feasible, and some even accused the superior angrily. The general's behavior was unconventional and he was asked to withdraw his order.
Xiang Yu then once again announced to all the soldiers: "Sirs, do you know? Once upon a time, Duke Mu of Qin had a famous general named Meng Mingshi, who was ordered to attack the state of Jin. But the state of Jin was very powerful at that time, and Qin's The sergeants all had fears, and Meng Mingshi knew it very well. After he led his army across the river, he ordered all the ferries to be burned. Duke Mu of Qin asked why the ferries were burned. Meng Mingshi replied: 'The army Fighting relies on courage. The Qin army has lost its morale due to repeated defeats against the Jin. As long as we win the battle, are we afraid that we will not be able to return to our hometown?' Later, he led the Qin army to defeat the Jin army. Now, our army Like Meng Mingshi's army, it also suffered a tragic defeat. The allied forces of the princes also talked about Qin's changes. I heard that the armies of Yan, Qi and other countries simply did not dare to fight the Qin army. The reason why I am desperate today is to follow the example of that year Meng Mingshi made all the soldiers establish the belief that they must win: that is, if they win the battle, the Chu army will not be afraid of not being able to return home! We can only move forward, not retreat! We can only win, not lose! If we lose the battle, we will all commit suicide , I will never survive!" When Xiang Yu said the last sentence, he deliberately made it very long and sounded sonorous and powerful. When all the soldiers heard this, their timid thoughts immediately disappeared without a trace. Xiang Yu then ordered the captains of each military camp to carry out his orders again. While the captains were still hesitating, Xiang Yu roared angrily: "Whoever dares to disobey the order will be beheaded immediately!" With this rough roar, the situation seemed to change. The captains quickly carried out the order.
More than ten miles away from the bank of the Zhang River, there was a sudden sound of banging pots, banging cauldrons, and scuttling boats. The soldiers of the Chu army destroyed all the food belongings, scuttled all the ferries, and scuttled some Cooking utensils, tents, equipment and other items were burned together. On the bank of the Zhang River, piles of fires suddenly broke out, and plumes of smoke shot straight into the sky. Each soldier only brought three days' worth of dry food. The Zhao troops who came to respond were deeply shocked when they saw the momentum of the Chu army. They couldn't help shouting: "General Xiang! General Xiang!..." The shouts were so high that they shook the sky. When all the noise stopped, Xiang Yu jumped onto the Wuzui amidst the cheers of the people, and came to the forward position. Then he pointed his sword to the northwest and ordered with great enthusiasm: "Soldiers, advance!" Fan Yafu looked at it The fearless Xiang Yu was also so excited that he wiped away tears while marching. There is a poem "Crossing the Zhang River" that sighs:
The white grass and cold sand return to the wild goose's head. Thousands of sails have passed and the boat has sunk.
The Yitian Sword cuts off the rapid turbulence and orders the clouds to collapse and the earth to grieve.
Morale should swallow up the sun and moon of Qin, and Sichuan Plain will eventually belong to Zhao Jiazhou.
The general's real name has passed away, and Song Yi's coffin will be buried forever.
Xiang Yu broke the cauldron and sank the boat, broke off his own way back, and showed his determination to fight to the death to all the soldiers. Everyone was greatly encouraged by this. At this time, everyone shared the same hatred of the enemy, and they all rushed towards the direction of the giant deer regardless of their own safety.
