Chapter 111: Shift in Offense and Defense, Swords Point to the Three Barbarians (Requesting Monthly Votes)

In the second year of Qianji, the third month.

Gu Ye finally left Luoyang and headed for Youzhou.

This was the result of Gu Yi's careful deliberation.

Under the current circumstances where all four corners of Han were in motion, it was necessary to first deal with the two greatest threats.

The Han Empire was no longer what it once was.

Continuous natural disasters had caused Han to miss its perfect opportunity.

The successive deaths of great generals such as Muqiu Jian, Jiang Wei, and Deng Ai had already made this clear.

This war would not be easy for Han.

Although official rank meant little to Gu Ye.

Yet Liu Chan still elevated Gu Ye to the position of Grand General and handed him the Grand General's military tally before his departure.

Liu Chan was not Liu Shan.

Although he entrusted all of this to Gu Ye, he would not sit idly in Luoyang waiting for news.

Immediately after Gu Ye left Luoyang, Liu Chan proclaimed the crimes of the four barbarian tribes and declared them to the realm.

He ordered the scholars of the Imperial Academy to compose odes and spread them throughout the land.

The tide of public opinion began to shift.

The court's actions had undoubtedly ignited the Han people's fury.

Of course, some would try to dissuade Liu Chan.

One hallmark of feudal dynasties is that after passing their initial peak, each generation grows reluctant to wage war.

But Liu Chan demonstrated decisive resolve in response.

First courtesy, then force.

After verbal hints proved useless, he immediately dismissed all of them.

He swiftly purged the entire court.

He reshaped the entire court from top to bottom into his own foundation, making his position as Emperor increasingly secure.

Youzhou.

Gu Yi kept close watch on battle reports throughout his journey.

Though he had never personally commanded a war, years of observation had brought Gu Yi considerable improvement.

Wen Yang is too strong!

From the moment he stepped into Youzhou, the entire battlefield's situation changed completely.

The Wuhuan and Western Xianbei could not break through the Han army's defenses.

Lu Kang was not Wen Qin.

His defense was flawless, revealing not the slightest opening.

As for Wen Yang—

He was prone to falling for ruses, easily provoked to anger.

But the problem was, no one could stand against Wen Yang's charges.

He was too fierce.

Though he had only just arrived in Youzhou, he had already instilled fear in the Wuhuan and Western Xianbei.

This was precisely what Gu Yi had anticipated.

Wen Yang was already famed for his bravery, let alone after years of training under Gu Yi.

He simply lacked the right temperament.

Nor could Lu Kang control him.

Otherwise, Gu Yi would have had no need to worry about Youzhou's warfare—Wen Yang alone could have swept everything clean.

But for Gu Yi, the current situation was not bad at all.

At the very least—

The cards in his hand could still be called the finest in the world.

That was enough for him!

News spread continuously.

Gu Yi made no effort to conceal his trail; he intended to strike fear into the Wuhuan, Western Xianbei, and Goguryeo under the Gu clan's name.

Even though these three had formed the Si Alliance.

But Gu Yi did not believe they felt no fear of the Gu clan.

Shengle City.

As the current capital of the Western Xianbei, it was relatively prosperous among all barbarian lands.

Its architecture closely resembled Han-style construction.

Yet it imitated poorly, appearing overall unnatural.

The current leader of the Western Xianbei was Murong Gui.

As the man who reunified the Western Xianbei, he enjoyed immense prestige within the tribe.

This prestige extended beyond the Western Xianbei.

Indeed, this alliance was led by him, and he was even called the "Great Chanyu."

Of course, this was also closely tied to the Western Xianbei's current strength.

The Wuhuan's power had indeed declined.

Gu Chen had always held less affection for the Wuhuan than for the Western Xianbei, because the Wuhuan had once aided Yuan Shao, leading to their continuous weakening.

At this moment, inside the king's tent.

The Wuhuan chieftain Taran's face was dark, his eyes filled with killing intent.

"The Gu clan disciples have come again?"

"So what?"

"Could it be that he intends to recapture the heroic bearing of the Grey Wolf Sun-Chaser of those years?"

His words were filled with killing intent.

Although Gu Chen had long since died, even to this day he still had influence over these barbarian tribes?

Murong Gui's expression was also somewhat unsightly.

Gu Yi guessed correctly.

Regarding the Gu clan, these barbarians all harbored a certain fear, after all there were simply too many legends about the Gu clan.

These countless legends had gradually formed since the time of Gu Xi's northern expedition back then.

Their tribes were far more superstitious than the common folk of the Great Han.

The various rumors about the Gu clan had long since been woven into their culture.

How could they possibly not care?

"What can the Gu clan do?"

Sensing the gazes around him, although Murong Gui still felt some wariness in his heart, he had no choice but to speak: "Gu Chen is already dead. Could it be that his Gu clan will produce such a figure in every generation?"

His cold gaze swept over everyone present as he clenched his fist and said: "The winters in recent years have grown increasingly cold. If this continues, all our livestock will die in winter."

"If we cannot break into Han territory, all that awaits us is death."

"Even if the Gu clan sends someone again, what of it?"

"We have no retreat!"

Hearing these words, the people present could not help but nod.

They truly had no retreat.

They could only press forward against the odds; no matter what, they had to break into the lands of the Great Han.

"Does the Great Chanyu have a plan?" Taran looked at Murong Gui and asked leisurely.

Murong Gui nodded slightly, the coldness in his eyes growing thicker: "Based on my understanding of the Gu clan, this person is very likely to emulate his ancestors."

"First, sow discord among our alliance."

"Today—"

"This Chanyu wishes to have you all swear an oath with me, that no matter what, none of you may betray the grasslands."

"If not—you shall suffer divine punishment!"

His gaze grew increasingly aggressive as it swept over everyone present, as though anyone who refused would have him draw the hunting blade at his waist in an instant.

Naturally, no one would refuse.

Which among them did not harbor a grudge against the Gu clan?

And did they still have any retreat?

One by one, the people nodded; even the Wuhuan Chanyu Taran showed not the slightest dissatisfaction.

The fact that Murong Gui could unify the Western Xianbei and reach where he was today showed he was indeed a figure of note.

Although he did not know exactly what manner of Gu clan disciple he would face next, he still made a series of arrangements based on the methods of Gu Xi and Gu Chen in years past.

He resolved to launch a surprise attack on Youzhou!

Gu Ye had personally rushed to Youzhou; he did not believe the Great Han's generals would not come out to greet him.

So long as they went.

Then there would surely be a gap.

This time, he intended to seize the initiative and wash away the humiliation left by generation after generation of ancestors when facing Gu clan disciples!

It did not exceed Murong Gui's expectations.

Faced with Gu Ye's arrival, the soldiers of Youzhou would naturally come to welcome him.

Simply put.

The soldiers had waited too long for this day.

Even someone of Lu Kang's temperament was the same.

No matter who it was, so long as they were a citizen of the Great Han, they possessed a pride toward the barbarians that came from deep within their bones.

This was one of the inescapable traits of this generation.

No one was willing to keep defending forever.

From the various generals down to the rank-and-file soldiers of the Great Han, everyone had been holding a breath in their hearts all along.

They were waiting for the day they could turn defense into offense.

Now—

That day had finally arrived.

But Murong Gui had ultimately underestimated Gu Yi; Gu Yi was no longer the clueless college student who had just entered the game back then.

He had grown considerably.

Especially since he clearly knew the history, there was not the slightest slack in his heart.

The current situation in Youzhou was favorable to the Great Han.

Gu Yi would never allow the soldiers to risk themselves coming out to greet him.

He merely summoned a few key generals, such as Lu Kang and Wen Yang, which naturally would not affect the Great Han's overall defensive system.

Juyong Pass.

"Great General!!!"

Unlike the steady-natured Lu Kang, Wen Yang, the moment he saw Gu Ye, excitedly rushed forward: "You've finally come."

"A-Yang ah"

Gu Yi looked at the increasingly burly Wen Yang before him, shook his head helplessly and sighed: "Why is your temperament still so impetuous? How could I rest easy in the future, letting you hold a region?"

Wen Yang's character flaw was far too obvious.

He was only suited to being a general, not a commander holding a region.

Moreover, he was extremely difficult to rein in.

It was only because the Gu clan's prestige was so resounding; otherwise, even Gu Yi would have had to expend some effort.

"This general only needs to slay the enemy!"

Wen Yang was not discouraged in the slightest, shouting: "Leave the rest to the Great General!"

"Great General, give your orders!"

"This general is willing to be the vanguard!"

"This general must avenge my father!"

At the last words, a thick killing intent immediately surfaced on Wen Yang's face.

Seeing this, Gu Yi hurriedly controlled Gu Ye to pat his shoulder: "A-Yang, don't rush. Wait a moment."

"You Jie ah"

Gu Yi looked toward Lu Kang and continued: "How is the situation?"

"Reporting to the Great General."

Lu Kang earnestly cupped his hands and replied: "The Great General's foresight is godlike; the barbarians truly intended to use this opportunity to launch a surprise attack on our Youzhou."

"They have already been repelled by our army."

"A surprise attack?" Wen Yang immediately widened his eyes. "How did I not know of this?"

"General Wen is valiant; the barbarians naturally would not dare launch a surprise attack on the General's territory." Lu Kang shook his head.

But Wen Yang was not flattered; regret immediately flashed across his face: "Ah! The General should have informed me of this, sparing those fellows from running about every day."

Gu Yi controlled Gu Ye to wave his hand, signaling the men to lead him into the camp.

His expression was somewhat solemn.

Indeed ah, this generation's Western Xianbei Chanyu was truly no ordinary man.

Being able to resolve the predicament Gu Chen had left for them already said everything.

"Reporting to the Great General."

Once Fang Fu entered the camp, Lu Kang once again began telling Gu Ye of the matters recently gathered.

Gu Yi listened very attentively.

When he heard that Murong Gui had made an oath with everyone, his expression shifted slightly as well.

Although oaths of this sort might not be taken seriously in the modern era,

in this current age,

they carried a different meaning.

Especially since these tribal people this time had even sworn upon the gods they worshipped, which was enough to demonstrate their resolve.

They had already detected the Gu clan's usual tactics.

They had begun to be on guard!

Gu Yi had to admit he was indeed still somewhat green; this move had truly affected the plan he had set.

Including the actual situation in Youzhou now.

The strategy Gu Yi had formulated was, in fact, some optimizations based on the methods Gu Chen had once employed.

It primarily targeted the grasslands and the royal court that these tribes Depends On.

Coupled with grasping and controlling the hearts of men.

Thereby crushing their fighting spirit.

But now the situation had changed somewhat; whether it was the oaths they had sworn, or the current environment of the grasslands.

All made it clear this battle was destined not to be so simple.

Gu Yi did not make arbitrary decisions alone; although he still had plenty of ideas, he would not look down on the opinions of the other generals.

Especially a general like Lu Kang, who could leave his name in history, was someone Gu Yi could learn from.

This path was not merely the Gu clan's path alone.

He too needed to grow.

Standing before the terrain map, Gu Yi controlled Gu Ye to discuss the upcoming battle with the assembled officers.

Yi's Thought was to keep the occupation controlled at the lands of Bai Langshan and Baoqiu Water.

In fact, this battle—

the most crucial part was the first engagement.

As long as the first battle could be a great victory, the blow to these tribes' morale would be unimaginable.

Besides that—

Yi's Thought was to make good use of the Gu clan's reputation, maximizing the might of the Gu name.

He decided to let Wen Yang go and have a slaughter.

Maximizing the traits of Wen Yang, that human weapon.

At the start, the generals were still somewhat cautious; after all, Gu Ye was no obscure figure now.

Whether it was his background, or his position at court.

would make the generals handle it with caution.

But as Wen Yang kept speaking boldly and openly, the soldiers gradually set their minds at ease, and began to refine the overall strategy that Gu Yi had proposed.

Lu Kang was indeed a famed general of the age.

His judgment was incomparably precise, able to patch up Gu Yi's strategy as needed.

Finally—

The overall battle plan was fixed at four points.

Two of them were the very Bai Langshan and Baoqiu River that Gu Yi had originally envisioned.

As for the other two, they were Lulong Pass and Xuwu County in the northeast of You Province.

This was the deployment that best fit Gu Yi's strategy and the current situation.

Gu Yi's Thought was not merely to weaken the barbarians.

This time—

His goal was to directly eliminate the threat posed by the Wuhuan, the Western Xianbei, and even Goguryeo as a whole.

The existence of the Gu clan had changed far too many things; many great events that originally occurred in history had never come to pass.

Naturally, this could only bring benefit to the Nine Provinces.

But wherever there is benefit, there must be corresponding harm.

Take the Wuhuan, for example.

According to the original course of history, the Wuhuan should by now have already vanished—Cao Cao's campaign against the Wuhuan had utterly driven them into the abyss, to be absorbed by the Western Xianbei.

The same with Goguryeo.

In the original history, they were beaten by Guanqiu Jian into constant flight.

None of these things had happened now.

The time left to Gu Chen back then had simply been too short, nowhere near enough to let him finish all of it.

This was the gradual evolution after history began to change.

No one could stop it!

The matter was swiftly decided.

Gu Yi was not one to hesitate; he immediately dispatched Wen Yang to move troops and strike the enemy forces directly.

The men under Wen Yang's command had all undergone special training.

Add to that the fact that he himself was a valiant general.

The might they could unleash was truly beyond imagination.

And shortly after—

Gu Yi immediately had Gu Ye, acting in the capacity of a scion of the Gu clan, put out word to the outside.

Sealed letters bearing Gu Ye's words swiftly spread throughout the northern frontier.

"Do you chieftains still recall the days of Emperor Jingping of the Former Han? The Wuhuan kowtowed at the Grand Tutor's headquarters, the Western Xianbei hung their necks from the Duluo military banner! Now the Gu clan has received the Son of Heaven of the Yan Han's command—yet you do not bind your bones and beg forgiveness, but instead mimic the mantis trying to stop a chariot. Do you wish the banks of the White Wolf River to once again witness the shame of Modun biting his jade disc in surrender?"

When the news spread, the northern frontier was shaken!

The war between the Han and the barbarians on all sides.

From this day forth——

The roles of attacker and defender have reversed!

PS: On my knees begging for monthly tickets and recommendation tickets. Recommending a friend's book—if you like it, feel free to go take a look.

(End of this chapter)