So, if the four hundred thousand Liang troops really wanted to retreat, they could.
However, the cost of retreating would be difficult to predict.
After all, Qingxuanzi, with hundreds of thousands of Chu troops, was following behind.
If you choose to defend a city or line up for battle with the Chu army, then perhaps you wouldn't be at a disadvantage.
But if you forsake these advantages and opt to flee in panic, the Chu army certainly won't miss the opportunity to kick someone when they're down.
Pursuing and annihilating the four hundred thousand Liang troops along the way would be nothing extraordinary.
Hadn't Yan Yunqing suffered a heavy loss previously when he tried to retreat in secret?
Thousands of men were lost on the retreat, offering countless merits to the Chu army for nothing.
Therefore, a direct retreat is unlikely.