I traveled back to the Qin Dynasty, and the First Emperor begged me to become his empress.

Chapter 537 Attacking Vietnam 2

Tu Sui reported: "My lord, the four tribes of Nan Yue, Xi Yue, Yang Yue, and Luo Yue are constantly engaged in small-scale conflicts due to border frictions and old grudges, but large-scale battles have temporarily ceased. It seems that they have also suffered greatly from the chaos of the past few years."

Ye Ziheng added: "According to news from Xianyang, Her Highness Princess Jiayang is well and praised the grain and sugar that the young master obtained in Baiyue. Her Highness reminded us that the food shortage in Chu is worsening and there may be some unrest, so she ordered us to make preparations as soon as possible."

Fusu nodded, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes: "What have the people of Chu done to suffer such famine... Although Wuyou has used sugarcane to weaken Chu, he has always advocated opening the borders, accepting refugees, and providing them with a livelihood. I only hope that the flames of war will not be easily ignited."

Ye Ziheng said, "Young master is kind-hearted."

Just then, a guard shouted as he ran, "Young master, urgent report!"

The guard quickly ran to within five paces of Fusu and said, "General Zheng Ji of Chu has led 50,000 troops and 200 warships, and has already sworn an oath to march south, with his army heading straight for Nanyue!"

Upon hearing this, Tu Sui angrily said, "The State of Chu is indeed desperate! My lord, I request permission to lead the army to aid Nanyue and deliver a crushing blow to the Chu traitors!"

“Fifty thousand Chu troops…” Fusu raised his hand to stop Tu Sui, pondered for a moment, and slowly said, “Zheng Ji is brave but too arrogant. This is his greatest weakness.”

Ye Ziheng waved his fan and said, "What you say is very true, young master. However, fifty thousand men is no small matter. Although Nan Yue has the advantage of terrain, it may not be able to withstand it if it fights alone."

General Tu Sui thumped his chest with great pride: "What's there to be afraid of! This humble general is willing to lead troops to our aid and make sure that Zheng Ji never returns!"

Fusu shook his head, his gaze deep: "No, we cannot send troops directly for the time being. Zheng Ji is currently riding high on his momentum; if our army intervenes too early, it will only make him wary. Besides..."

He stood up and walked to the map: "We must let Zheng Ji taste the sweetness first, so that he becomes more arrogant and complacent. At the same time, we must also make all the Baiyue tribes see the threat of the army clearly."

This strategy was bold and risky, but Ye Ziheng's eyes revealed approval: "Young master is brilliant. However, the Southern Yue side will probably suffer considerable losses."

"Therefore, we must assist them secretly." Fusu turned around, "Lu Chuan!"

"Your subordinate is here!" The Ouyue warrior who had been standing quietly to the side stepped forward in response.

"You will immediately lead three hundred elite troops, disguised as hunters from the Southern Yue, and infiltrate Southern Yue territory. Remember, your mission is to harass the Chu army's logistics and teach the Southern Yue people guerrilla tactics, but you must never reveal your identities."

"As ordered!"

Fusu then looked at Ye Ziheng: "Sir, I entrust the matter of contacting the various tribes to you. Remember, make them realize the impending crisis themselves, rather than forcing them to do so."

A vast web surrounding the fate of South Vietnam is being quietly unfurled.

At the beginning of the Chu army's southward advance, their momentum was unstoppable.

Fifty thousand troops, aboard two hundred warships, sailed majestically down the Gan River. Zheng Ji stood atop a warship, gazing at the increasingly dense forests on both banks, his face radiating confidence.

"General, we are about to enter the territory of Nanyue," the lieutenant reported.

Zheng Ji waved his hand dismissively: "Order the entire army to advance at full speed! Within ten days, I will water my horses at Zechuan!"

However, the Chu army's success came to an abrupt end after entering the territory of Nanyue.

The waterways of the Southern Yue were far more complex than they had imagined. Reefs, shoals, and sunken logs were everywhere, making it difficult for large warships to navigate. To make matters worse, elusive small groups of Southern Yue troops would occasionally shoot arrows from the jungles on both banks, causing few casualties but severely slowing down the Chu army's progress.

"General, this can't go on," the lieutenant said worriedly. "Our troops are unfamiliar with the waterways and have already lost three transport ships."

Zheng Ji sneered: "A mere trick! Send out all scout ships to explore the way ahead. The main force should slow down and proceed cautiously."

While this decision was prudent, it significantly slowed down the Chu army's advance. What was originally planned as a ten-day journey took half a month to barely reach the edge of the Zechuan Basin.

Meanwhile, Lu Chuan led 300 elite troops who had quietly infiltrated South Vietnam. They not only brought advanced weaponry from Ou Viet, but more importantly, they began training the South Vietnamese army and civilians in guerrilla warfare.

"Remember, do not engage the Chu army in direct combat." Lu Chuan explained to the gathered Nanyue soldiers in a secret camp in Nanyue, "Use the terrain you are familiar with, hit and run. Target their supply convoys and scouts."

The Southern Vietnamese leader, Tran Giang, looked at these "reinforcements" from Ou Yue with mixed feelings. He was grateful for the assistance from "Qin Su," but also uneasy about relying on outsiders.

“Chief Chen, there’s no need to worry.” Lu Chuan noticed his hesitation. “The Baiyue people are all one family, and mutual assistance is only right.”

Just then, a scout reported: "The vanguard of the Chu army is less than thirty li away!"

Chen Jian's expression hardened: "Order all departments to proceed according to plan!"

Zheng Ji finally saw the Zechuan Basin he had longed for. On this fertile land were some of the most important villages and granaries of Nanyue.

"We've finally arrived." Zheng Ji smiled. "Order the entire army to rest for a day. At dawn tomorrow, we will attack Giant Wood Village!"

However, what he didn't expect was that on the very night the Chu army was resting, the guerrilla warfare in the South Vietnam began.

Hundreds of small groups of South Vietnamese troops launched harassing attacks on the Chu army camp under cover of darkness. They did not aim to kill the enemy, but simply created chaos, set fire to the food supplies, and even poisoned the water source.

"Report! The grain rations at the western camp are on fire!"

"Report! The water-fetching troops have been ambushed!"

"Report! The patrol team has lost contact!"

One bad news after another arrived, and Zheng Ji's face grew increasingly grim.

"These barbarians!" He slammed his fist on the table. "Order them to increase vigilance! Attack as planned tomorrow!"

On the second day of the attack, the Chu army encountered fierce resistance.

Built against the mountain and beside the water, the Jumu Village had walls three zhang high, constructed entirely of massive logs as thick as a person's embrace, making it exceptionally sturdy. From the walls, the Southern Yue warriors rained down arrows, and logs and stones rained down relentlessly.

The Chu army launched three charges, all of which were repelled. Casualties continued to rise.

"General, such a direct attack would result in too many losses," the lieutenant advised. "It would be better to surround them without attacking, and cut off their supply lines."

Zheng Ji shook his head: "We have no time to waste. Order all archers to be mobilized and suppress the stockade walls. The siege team, prepare for a fire attack!"

This order demonstrated Zheng Ji's decisiveness. The Chu army's dense rain of arrows quickly suppressed the defenders on the stockade walls, while at the same time, a suicide squad carrying oil and firewood rushed to the stockade gate.

A raging fire broke out, and the gate of Jumu Village teetered precariously in the flames.

Chen Jian watched this scene from the stockade wall, his heart breaking. He knew that once the gates were breached, Giant Wood Stockade was finished.

"Chief, let's retreat!" his subordinates advised. "As long as we're alive, we can always rebuild."