Map of the Kingdom's Warfare.

Summary

The arrival of 50,000 Tang reinforcements shifted the battlefield dynamics at Nanxiang, leading to the defeat of Zhu Jie and Yuwen Chengdu by Li Shi Min's forces. Yuwen Chengdu, caught between two enemies, retreated to Xiangguo County to join Wang Shi Chong, who was battling Zhai Rang's elite troops. Despite being outnumbered, Zhai Rang's forces held their ground, resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. Inside Wang Shi Chong's chaotic tent, he expressed his fury over Zhu Jie's defeat and Zhang Xuan's betrayal. After contemplating Zhai Rang's truce proposal, Wang Shi Chong decided to accept it to focus on the Tang army. He sent a letter to Zhai Rang, vowing revenge. Zhai Rang, in turn, was furious at Wang Shi Chong's threats but recognized the need to negotiate peace. He worried about Li Shi Min's potential orders to attack from both sides and decided to withdraw his troops under the pretext of low supplies, sending a letter to Li Shi Min before retreating westward.

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