"Your Majesty, the barbarian territory lies ahead."

Xiong Qi looked up and saw a small town faintly visible in the distance. This remote town might be his last hope.

Three days had passed since their breakout from the valley. Qin cavalry had relentlessly pursued them, and of the original three thousand, less than eight hundred remained. However, Xiong Qi was relieved to find that most of the royal family and key officials had survived.

"Your Majesty, should we send someone into the city to scout ahead?" Zhen Xiong asked. "After all, we haven't been in contact for so long..."

Before the words were finished, a scout on horseback galloped forward: "Your Majesty! Something terrible has happened! Qin army flags are flying atop the walls of Fanyi City!"

"What?!" Xiong Qi's expression changed drastically. "The barbarian tribes have surrendered too?"

"Not only Fanyi," the scout continued, "several nearby cities have also submitted to Qin. Moreover..."

"And what?"

"Moreover, traces of Qin cavalry have been discovered outside the city, suggesting they have been lying in ambush here for some time!"

Xiong Qi felt a sudden dizziness. Fanyi was his carefully chosen escape route; it was easy to defend and difficult to attack, and had ample supplies. But who could have imagined that even his last escape route would be cut off by the Qin army!

"Your Majesty!" The commander of the personal guards rushed over, "We've spotted Qin troops behind us too! Judging by their banners, they're Meng Wu's men!"

"Pursuers are in front, and ambushes are behind..." Zhen Xiong's face was ashen. "This time, we're truly at our wits' end..."

"No!" Xiong Qi suddenly shouted, stopping the panic. "I still have a way!"

He strode to the map: "Although Fanyi City has fallen, there's a large lake thirty miles to the west. If we can get there, we can borrow a boat from the fishermen and sail downstream..."

"But Your Majesty," an old general said worriedly, "the terrain there is complex, and we have to pass through a forest. What if the Qin army has set up an ambush in the woods..."

"Is there any other choice now?" Xiong Qi smiled bitterly. "This is the only way out! Men, prepare to turn west!"

Just as the Chu army changed direction, a Qin scout discovered their movements.

"Reporting to the General!" the scout reported to Wang Ben. "The Chu army has suddenly turned west; it seems they intend to head towards the river mouth!"

"Just as I thought!" Wang Ben sneered. "The King of Chu has certainly made a good plan. However..."

He turned to his deputy general: "Order Wang Li to lead his cavalry along a shortcut and seize the river mouth first. Remember, this time you must surround and kill the King of Chu!"

"promise!"

At this moment, Xiong Qi was leading his remaining troops westward at breakneck speed. Suddenly, a scout galloped in with news: "Your Majesty! Urgent report from Yingdu!"

"Yingdu?" Xiong Qi took the letter, his hands trembling.

A moment later, he slumped onto his horse, the letter slipping limply to the ground. Zhen Xiong quickly picked it up and gasped in shock.

It turned out that Yingdu had already fallen. The general led his troops in a desperate battle, but ultimately they could not withstand the Qin army's gunpowder offensive. Before dying, he climbed the city wall and set it ablaze, choosing to perish with the city.

"Your Majesty..." Zhen Xiong didn't know how to comfort him.

"No need to say anything more." Xiong Qi's eyes were filled with tears. "They were all outstanding! I... I'm so sorry for them!"

Just then, they heard the sound of horses' hooves coming from ahead.

"Your Majesty, be careful!" The guards immediately surrounded him. "There seems to be an ambush ahead!"

Before he finished speaking, a large contingent of Qin cavalry suddenly charged out of the woods. The leading general was none other than Wang Li!

"King of Chu!" Wang Li shouted, spear in hand, "You have nowhere to escape! Those who know what's good for you will surrender now!"

"Fight your way back!" Xiong Qi roared. "Clear a path through them!"

The Chu soldiers fought back fiercely. These were elite troops who had escaped death, and although exhausted, they remained incredibly brave. For a time, they forced the Qin cavalry to retreat steadily.

"No!" Zhen Xiong suddenly shouted, "This is a diversionary tactic! They're trying to lead us to..."

Before he could finish speaking, horns sounded from the woods ahead. Immediately afterward, countless Qin infantrymen charged out from both sides, instantly forming an encirclement.

"It's over..." Zhen Xiong said in despair, "This time it's really over..."

The situation was indeed critical. The Qin army had long ago laid an ambush here, waiting for the Chu army to walk right into their trap. Now, with the cavalry closing in from the rear and the infantry encircling them from both flanks, the Chu army was attacked from both sides and had no chance to break out.

"Your Majesty!" The commander of the personal guards drew his longsword. "Let us fight our way out for Your Majesty!"

"No need..." Xiong Qi waved his hand, a resolute glint in his eyes. "Send the order down to have the soldiers lay down their weapons. I don't want to see any more unnecessary casualties."

"Your Majesty!" Everyone exclaimed in shock, "This..."

"Enough!" Xiong Qi said sternly, "My mind is made up. Issue the order!"

Thus, the King of Chu raised his flag and surrendered. The Qin army immediately moved forward and surrounded Xiong Qi and his royal family and important officials.

"This humble general, Wang Li, has been ordered to take command of the surrendered troops." Wang Li dismounted. "Please, King of Chu, accompany me to see my lord."

Xiong Qi nodded silently. Then, he suddenly remembered something: "I wonder how the people of Yingdu are doing?"

"Rest assured, King of Chu," Wang Li said. "My king is benevolent and has already ordered the people to be appeased. As long as they behave themselves, Qin law will be lenient."

Hearing this, Xiong Qi breathed a sigh of relief. At least, the people still had a way to survive.

A Qin cavalry escorted the King of Chu to Fanyi, while Wang Li led several hundred men to Yingdu.

........

At this time, Ying Zheng was hosting a banquet in Yingdu to celebrate the fact that the overall situation had been settled.

"Your humble servant Wang Ben greets Your Majesty!" Wang Ben exclaimed excitedly. "The King of Chu has been captured, and all the Chu soldiers have surrendered!"

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