For four days, the Qin Army’s offensive was relentless, coming in both large and small scales. Wang Li was a renowned general, and although the attack on the camp was done in rotation, his units were extremely well-organized, with ferocious assaults. The key was, due to the rotation, the Qin Army never showed a hint of fatigue and seemed to be always energetic. On the contrary, every time the Qin Army attacked, the Chu Army had to sound the alarm to rally their forces, regardless of day or night, making fatigue inevitable.

"Report, the Qin Army is attacking our West Village."

"Report, five thousand Qin troops are fiercely attacking the North Camp, both sides are locked in a bitter battle."

"Report, the Qin Army has increased their forces, a large number of troops are heading towards us."

"Old Ye, it’s been four days, the Qin Army has lost no less than forty to fifty thousand, while our casualties are close to twenty thousand. But Qin troops from the outskirts keep flooding in continuously. If this continues, we’ll eventually be worn out."

"Indeed, General Ye, although we’re not afraid to die, all perishing here... is definitely not the best strategy."

In the tent, many generals advised Ye Shikai to retreat, with three thousand elite troops holding out for four days. Each day was like walking on thin ice. Several times, the Qin Army had broken through the gates, but Ye Shikai and Shangguan Jian led the troops to repel them. Every step forward by the Qin Army was paid for with blood, but these close-quarters battles were even more unfavorable for the Chu Army, which was at a numerical disadvantage.

"Has the main army withdrawn?" Ye Shikai stared ahead and spoke coldly.

"The latest military report indicates that the forces have been withdrawing day and night through the mountain caves. General Huo has organized the evacuation well, progressing faster than expected. Up until now, they have nearly fully withdrawn," Shangguan Jian replied.

"How many brothers are left in our camp?"

"Too many wounded, and there’s a severe shortage of usable personnel, making it impossible to send the wounded to the rear. Since two days ago, even the lightly wounded brothers haven’t been withdrawn; they were fighting to the death with the Qin Army. Now, there are only over ten thousand troops left to mobilize." Shangguan Jian sighed deeply; many of them started together in East County and He Nei County, many were old comrades who followed them since they began recruiting. They left their hometowns and traveled thousands of miles to Chu Territory, and Ye Shikai had promised them that one day he would send them home, but now they are dying in a foreign land without anyone to collect their bodies.

"Gentlemen, listen to my command," Ye Shikai slowly stood up, and the generals followed suit.

"Notify the entire army secretly to pack their equipment, carry enough rations, and we retreat overnight. Remember, we must not be discovered by the Qin Army; if we deceive them for one night, we can retreat safely." Ye Shikai commanded.

"Yes."

"Yes."

..............................

Late at night.

"The vanguard camp of two thousand men is assembled."

"The rear guard camp of three thousand men is assembled."

"Iron Armor Army, ready for orders."

"Cavalry team assembled, ready to move."

"Good, let the vanguard camp lead the wounded to retreat first, followed by the cavalry camp. I will handle the rear with the Iron Armor Army and rear guard camp. The retreat must be quick but silent, we must not be discovered by the Qin Army." Ye Shikai ordered quietly.

Three thousand troops dwindled down to just over one thousand. No one could easily accept this result, and the Chu Army’s elite were in his hands. They couldn’t all die here; moreover, those old comrades who had followed him since the days in the Central Plains were now less than one in ten remaining. He couldn’t let the rest die here.

"No more deaths..."

The entire army began to retreat, leaving an empty camp to Wang Li. The Qin Army’s camp remained quiet, seeming unaware of Ye Shikai’s plan.

"Old Ye, the vanguard camp and cavalry team have begun to ascend the mountain, and we should leave too," Shangguan Jian said.

"Alright, you lead the retreat first, I’ll cover the rear." Ye Shikai replied calmly.

"How about we switch, Old Ye, you lead the team first, I’ll handle the rear." Shangguan Jian suggested.

"Enough, there’s no argument. I’m the commander, and I make the decisions. Hurry up and leave, speed is most important now. The faster we retreat, the safer we are."

"Yes."

The distance from the camp to the cave is quite long. When Ye Shikai rode downhill alone, it took him two hours. Now that the whole army is retreating and ascending, it would take at least four hours to completely withdraw. By that time, daylight would have broken, and Wang Li would surely have discovered the empty Chu Army camp and sent his forces to chase, so danger still loomed.

"Move quietly, don’t let the Qin Army discover us."

"All units, advance speedily."

After two hours.

"Report to the General, the Qin Army camp shows signs of troop assembly." A soldier from the rear guard camp rushed to report. Before leaving, Ye Shikai intentionally left a group to monitor the Qin Army’s movements, instructed to report any anomalies immediately.

"What?" Ye Shikai was startled upon hearing this, gripping his sword tightly. Only one hour had passed; could Wang Li have already discovered them?

"The Qin Army’s activity is considerable, General, you should lead the retreat first. I’ll take the Iron Armor Army to meet the enemy, ensuring we hold off the Qin Army for four hours." Man Cang volunteered, understanding the gravity of the retreat. If the Qin Army caught up, none of the over ten thousand troops would escape, possibly affecting the Chu Army’s larger forces.

"No, the Qin Army likely has already occupied our camp. Even taking several thousand Iron Armor Army back would be walking into their trap and would be futile." Ye Shikai immediately rejected the proposal.

"Then what do we do? We can’t just watch them catch up."

"Issue orders for the Iron Armor Army and rear guard camp to ambush in the forest on both sides of the mountain road. When the Qin Army arrives, strike from both sides."

"Yes."

.................................

Chu Army, camp.

"Report to the General, a lot of goods are left behind in the camp, and the food supplies were just burned. Many materials are still intact in the barracks." A Qin soldier reported respectfully to a general in black armor. If Ye Shikai were present, he’d recognize this person as Wang Li. After so many encounters with Ye Shikai in Nanyang, they had become enemies.

"General, the Chu Army must have departed not long ago. We’ve been fiercely attacking for four or five days, with heavy casualties on both sides. At this moment, the Chu Army must be out of troops and forced to retreat. I am willing to lead an elite cavalry to pursue them."

"General Guo, don’t be too hasty. If the Chu Army has retreated, they surely left behind countermeasures. If we pursue rashly now, we may fall into their ambush."