Chapter 819: Miserable Retreat

Upon hearing this, the soldiers of the Jiuxiao Army responded one after another and quickly pursued the fleeing Jiangdong Chu Army, but they did not kill them excessively. They just forced them into a desperate situation and forced them to surrender.

For a while, the battlefield was filled with shouts of killing, but there were more sounds of surrender from Jiangdong soldiers. Many groups of Jiangdong Chu troops chose to lay down their weapons and end this meaningless war.

The complete defeat of the Jiangdong Chu army was like a nightmare, which made every Jiangdong young man feel unbelievable.

Xiang Yu's defeat and escape completely destroyed the courage in their hearts that supported them to fight to the end.

After a day and night of fierce battle, the battlefield that was regarded as a shame by countless Jiangdong Chu troops is now in ruins and desolation.

The setting sun was like blood, sprinkling on the devastated land, adding a touch of tragic color to this tragic defeat.

The 100,000 Jiangdong Chu troops that Xiang Yu led north to Wenzhou were either killed, surrendered, or got lost in the chaotic battlefield. All in all, the loss was nearly 40,000 people.

Nearly half of the 100,000 elite troops of the Jiangdong Chu Army were lost. This was the most tragic defeat Xiang Yu had ever suffered since he started his army!
When Xiang Yu dragged his exhausted body back to the camp, the entire camp was immersed in a depressing and dull atmosphere.

The laughter and ambitions of the past have now turned into silent sighs and heavy footsteps.

Inside the tent, the flickering candlelight illuminated many sad faces.

All the generals under his command, who were usually high-spirited, brave and fearless, were now dejected, as if they had aged ten years overnight.

Xiang Yu walked into the tent, glanced at everyone, and an indescribable sadness surged in his heart.

This defeat not only resulted in the loss of soldiers, but more importantly, the loss of military morale.

The myth of Overlord Xiang Yu and his Jiangdong soldiers being invincible was finally ruthlessly shattered!
The former sharpness and invincible confidence seemed to have disappeared along with this defeat.

In the tent, Gonggong, the most burly man, lowered his head, clenched his hands into fists, his knuckles turned white from the force, and his heart was filled with guilt and self-blame.

As Xiang Yu's right-hand man, he failed to share the pressure for Xiang Yu, but instead put Xiang Yu into such a predicament.

The five tiger generals including Long Qie and Ji Bu also lowered their heads, their eyes filled with sadness and loss.

They had been so brave and heroic, but now in the face of defeat, everything seemed pale and powerless.

Xiang Yu was silent for a moment, but this silence was heavier than any words.

He slowly walked to the main seat and sat down, glancing at the people below with a complicated expression.

At this moment, his heart was like surging waves, turbulent, but he didn't know where to start.

He took a deep breath and tried to make his voice sound calmer, even though his hoarse voice betrayed his fatigue and pain.

The tent was so quiet that even the sound of a pin drop could be heard. Everyone held their breath, waiting for Xiang Yu's instructions.

"Brothers, we have been defeated. This is the worst defeat I, Xiang Yu, have ever suffered since I started my army."

"I know you are all filled with guilt and self-blame, but this defeat is not your fault, it's my fault, Xiang Yu."

"It was me, Xiang Yu, who underestimated the enemy and was too confident, that led to today's outcome."

Finally, Xiang Yu spoke, his voice hoarse and low.

Being ruthlessly defeated in his most confident military force finally made this arrogant overlord wake up a little.

Finally, this king, who was confident that he could dominate the world with his martial arts, realized the price of being reckless.

"However, the defeat has already happened and we cannot change it. The most important thing now is how we deal with the next situation."

At this point, Xiang Yu paused, as if suppressing his inner regret, and then continued. However, although Xiang Yu's words were firm, the generals could hear the bitterness in them.

This defeat was absolutely fatal to the Chu army in Jiangdong. The army had lost its morale, and it would be difficult to restore its former glory.

"My lord, we are still willing to follow you, regardless of life or death, victory or defeat."

"As long as the king is alive, there is still hope for the Chu army in Jiangdong."

Gonggong raised his head and looked at Xiang Yu, with a hint of determination in his eyes.

No matter how badly Xiang Yu was defeated, as long as he had not completely fallen, his ultimate Qi cultivation in the world could not be faked.

As long as Xiang Yu has not fallen, the Chu army in Jiangdong will not fall!

"Yes, my king, we are not afraid of death, we are only afraid of not being able to die on the battlefield for you."

"Give us the order. Whatever you want us to do, we will obey you to the death."

Long Qie also followed suit.

Ji Bu and the other three generals also expressed their opinions. They were the first batch of confidants who followed Xiang Yu to start his career, so naturally they were willing to follow Xiang Yu to the death.

Just one failure is not enough to shake their faith.

No army can remain undefeated forever, and they had long been prepared for this day.

Xiang Yu looked at his generals and felt a warm feeling in his heart, but Xiang Yu had now realized it.

The Jiangdong Chu Army at this moment is no longer the Jiangdong Chu Army of the past. They need time and space to reorganize and restore morale.

"Okay, in that case, let's prepare to break camp and retreat south to Quezhou."

"Regroup there and fight Wenzhou again in the future to avenge our previous defeat!"

Xiang Yu nodded, his voice more resolute.
After saying that, Xiang Yu turned and walked to the desk, picked up a pen, and quickly wrote a few orders on the paper.

Every minute and every second is crucial at this moment. The retreat must be arranged as soon as possible to prevent the Jiuxiao Army from chasing and bringing disaster to the Jiangdong Chu Army again.

The order was quickly passed down and the entire camp became busy.

Although the soldiers were filled with reluctance and sadness, they also understood that this was not the time to act willfully, so they could only silently pack up their baggage and prepare to retreat.

Afterwards, the Chu army in Jiangdong began to move out of camp in silence.

The once invincible Jiangdong Chu army now retreated to the south in disgrace, like a stray dog.

On the way of retreat, Xiang Yu remained silent, looking at the distant horizon, his heart full of emotion.

This defeat was a huge blow to him. He lost many elite soldiers and also lost the morale of the Jiangdong Chu army that had always made it invincible.

But at this moment, he could only retreat back to the south in despair with the remaining soldiers.

Along the way, the soldiers were silent, only the sound of horse hooves and wheels echoed in the silent wilderness.

Gonggong, Longqie and others will always stay with Xiang Yu and protect him silently.

At this moment, Xiang Yu needed them the most. They could only use their own way to protect this lord who once led them to fight wars all over the country and never been defeated.

(End of this chapter)