Chapter 143: A Strategy of Surprise Attack: Li Shimin and Gu Quan (Begging for Monthly Tickets)

With the emergence of the Gu clan, history changed once again.

The Gu clan was like a rail.

Causing the entire wheel of history to roll once more onto a different path.

As this news gradually spread—

—the Nine Provinces trembled!

No one had expected Li Yuan to be the first to take this step at this moment.

Ignoring the lingering might of the Sui court;

Ignoring the stubborn support of the common people;

He borrowed the name of the Gu clan to declare to the entire realm his determination to build a prosperous age.

Li Yuan was unquestionably a qualified sovereign.

He established his eldest son Li Jiancheng as Crown Prince to stabilize the foundation of the state, enfeoffed Li Shimin as Qin Wang, and appointed him as President of the Imperial Secretariat and Right Yiwu General-in-Chief.

Completely fixing his own base.

Likewise, he understood perfectly what the people under him desired.

As for those beneath his banner—

He was in no way stingy with his rewards and promises, bestowing all manner of titles and bounties.

Of course, the Gu clan could not be left out of this.

He even wanted to appoint the eldest, Gu Quan, as Grand Tutor, using this once more to show the world his resolve.

But Gu Quan refused.

Not only he—every one of the Gu clan juniors who had come this time refused the matter.

The Grand Tutor of today was no longer the mere figurehead of original history, for the Grand Tutors of each generation had wielded far too great an influence.

Even Yang Jian back then had never directly touched that post to strip it of real power.

Though he too had never appointed a Grand Tutor.

But leaving the post intact already made his attitude clear.

Setting aside others, even the Gu clan juniors themselves felt enormous psychological pressure facing this position—who would dare accept it?

Compared to that, what they wanted even more were posts suited to themselves.

—For instance, the rank of general on the battlefield.

To this, Li Yuan naturally would not be stingy.

Li Yuan's thinking was crystal clear: he did not care what the future would bring, only the present.

As for everyone—

So long as they had the ability, Li Yuan would not be stingy with rewards—all for the sake of making them give their lives without reserve!.

The news kept spreading.

The impact this caused likewise exceeded everyone's expectations entirely.

Perhaps it was truly because the common folk of the realm had waited too long for the Gu clan, or perhaps they truly had no lingering attachment to the Sui court and longed for a genuine age of prosperity.

Even though Li Yuan had clearly not inherited the Sui court, he still gained the support of many.

Not to mention the already-stabilized Guanzhong region.

In every region, commoners appeared one after another, making their way toward Guanzhong—a phenomenon hard to imagine in the current age of chaos.

It was as if a breach had been torn open.

By the time all the various lords noticed this, those Sui-dynasty lords one by one had already lost all utility.

For who would not wish to be emperor?

In the seventh month of that same year;

Western Qin Overlord Xue Ju proclaimed himself emperor in Longxi.

In the ninth month;

Li Gui proclaimed himself emperor in Hexi, styling himself Emperor of Great Liang, changed the era name to Anle, set up government offices and appointed officials, modeling everything entirely on the conventions of the Sui Kaihuang era.

At the same time, Wang Shichong deposed Yang Tong and proclaimed himself emperor, establishing the state of Zheng, with the era name Kaiming.

Occupying Luoyang and facing off against Li Tang.

Dou Jiande, Yuwen Huaji, Xiao Xian, and so on, and so on.

The chaos across the entire realm reached its absolute peak at this moment.

This too was inevitable.

Just as with Yang Jian back then—once a small breach was opened in certain matters, it could no longer be stopped.

But as for all this, how could Li Yuan have failed to foresee it before taking this step?

Chang'an.

Li Shimin, clad in battle armor, stood with a host of generals gazing at the map on the table.

"Ever since His Majesty took Chang'an—"

"Xue Ju has repeatedly intruded on the border. His Majesty has decided to send me to chastise Xue Ju. Brothers, do you have any sound strategies?"

Although he had already been enfeoffed as Qin Wang, before these trusted generals Li Shimin remained just as in years past, without a trace of pretension.

Great Tang absolutely had to eliminate Xue Ju.

Otherwise, Great Tang would be trapped entirely within Guanzhong, and at the slightest movement Xue Ju would seize the chance to march on Chang'an.

Li Shimin of course understood this clearly, and precisely because of it his expression was utterly solemn.

The generals spoke up one after another.

But Li Shimin wore a grave expression, slowly turned his gaze toward Gu Quan and the others, and said earnestly: "What do you all think of a surprise attack?"

——That's right, it is a surprise attack.

Against the lands of Longxi.

In years past, Marquis Zhongwu Gu Xiao, and Marquis Zhaolie Gu Chen.

Both of them, one after another, employed the strategy of a surprise attack, and in the end thoroughly subdued Longxi.

This matter has now become a famous campaign known to everyone.

But to replicate all of this is by no means easy.

The risks involved are unimaginably high.

Li Shimin at present only has this notion, nothing more.

"It is feasible."

Gu Quan was a very solemn man. Faced with Li Shimin's question, he immediately nodded.

In an instant, everyone immediately looked over toward him.

Beside him, Gu Yan smiled at this moment, cupped his fists toward Li Shimin and said: "Your Highness, the various generals may not know this."

"In years past, when our ancestor Marquis Zhaolie was in Longxi, he once drew a map of Longxi's terrain."

"Although several hundred years have now passed, the lay of the land will not have changed greatly, so the strategy of a surprise attack can certainly be carried out."

Hearing these words, the eyes of everyone present almost instantly lit up.

Even Li Shimin was the same, and he immediately opened his mouth to ask: "Are these words true?"

"Indeed."

Gu Quan took over the conversation, looked at the terrain map on the table, and said: "The maps made by our ancestor contain far more detail than this one. All of our clan's juniors have looked at them since childhood."

As he spoke, his tone paused slightly, and looking at Li Shimin he said again: "Your Highness."

"The strategy of a surprise attack is indeed an excellent plan."

"In the present situation, Xue Ju's army is strong and powerful, and his son Xue Rengao is even more a fierce general."

"If our army were to engage them head-on, even if we could ultimately win, the casualties would likely be considerable."

"But if we are to carry out the strategy of a surprise attack, the risks we must bear are likewise not small."

A surprise attack requires true elites!

And only the most elite of soldiers can endure days upon days of crossing mountains and ridges, can endure the dual pressure of body and mind.

In truth, the men trained by the Gu clan are indeed suitable.

But Gu Quan cannot possibly stake all of the Gu clan's trump cards on this one matter!

Li Shimin listened with utmost seriousness, and the whole man fell into deep thought.

He naturally knew the risks and difficulties involved.

But to say that Li Shimin would simply run away — that was naturally impossible!

He merely沉思ed briefly for a moment.

Li Shimin had already made his decision in his heart.

"Good!"

"Since it is so, then we shall carry out the strategy of a surprise attack!"

The moment his words fell, there were immediately those who spoke up, willing to lead the troops forth.

They were all fierce generals!

They feared no danger!

But looking at the many generals requesting battle, Li Shimin directly shook his head: "In this battle, I must go in person!"

Go in person!

Li Shimin naturally would not give up this chance to walk the same path as Gu Chen.

Of course, he was also unwilling to hand all the risks over to the men under his command.

He, Li Shimin, was a man who charged at the very front in every great battle!

But the moment his words fell, Gu Quan directly shook his head and abruptly spoke out: "Your Highness must absolutely not do so."

"Mm?" Li Shimin was taken aback for a moment.

Gu Quan said with great seriousness: "Your Highness, the present age is no longer as it was in the past."

"The surprise attack on Longxi is something known to all men."

"If our Great Tang's elites cannot be at the front of the battle line, if Your Highness cannot be at the front of the battle line, then no matter who goes, success will be impossible!"

The hall instantly fell silent.

Li Shimin tightly furrowed his brow — he had clearly taken these words to heart.

What Gu Quan said was correct.

Li Shimin now was no longer a man of no name.

If he were not at the front of the battle line, Xue Ju would certainly be on guard, and at that time might well turn the tables against them.

This was a point they had to consider.

"What are Ziyuan's thoughts?" Li Shimin was silent for a moment, then slowly opened his mouth and asked.

And this time, Gu Quan did not hesitate in the slightest, and cupping his fists toward Li Shimin said: "If Your Highness trusts me, this general is willing to lead the troops out to battle."

As soon as he spoke.

Gu Yan and several other Gu clan juniors likewise did not hesitate at all, and one after another cupped their fists toward Li Shimin to request battle.

This kind of matter naturally had to be done by the Gu clan's juniors.

When it came to the study of terrain maps.

No one could compare to them.

Especially Gu Quan — he had already imagined several times in his childhood how a raid on Longxi should be carried out.

Li Shimin was not a man who failed to see the bigger picture.

Although he too very much wanted to go, looking at the people before him he still nodded slowly.

The matter was thus settled.

Then Gu Quan proceeded to discuss his battle plan with Li Shimin.

He wanted Li Shimin to station troops at Gaozhi to draw Xue Ju's attention, while he himself would lead five thousand elite soldiers west along the Wei River, executing a surprise attack on Qinzhou.

To tear open and sever Xue Ju's connections to all of Longxi.

Besides that—

Gu Quan had even considered Xue Ju's defensive arrangements.

If anything unexpected arose, he would adjust his tactics and switch to harassing the rear.

Waging a war of attrition against the Western Qin army within the mountain forests.

This move was exceedingly perilous, but seeing Gu Quan's resolute expression, Li Shimin finally agreed to it.

The generals filed out one after another.

Li Shimin gave Gu Quan, Gu Yan, and the others many instructions, urging them to be extremely careful of their safety, and only then did the few men depart.

Gu Quan's expression remained solemn the entire time.

He bowed formally and left.

Once they were outside, Gu Yan could not help but speak up: "Why must elder brother be so solemn? Qin Wang is not the sort of man who cares about such etiquette — why must elder brother act this way?"

Although they clearly knew how dangerous the task ahead was, the Gu clan juniors showed not the slightest fear.

"I am the eldest son of the Gu clan. With our father not in Chang'an, I cannot bring shame upon the Gu name."

As he spoke, Gu Quan suddenly stopped in his tracks and looked at his four brothers: "In this campaign, I will go alone. The rest of you will stay by Qin Wang's side."

Hearing this, the expressions of Gu Yan and the others changed drastically.

One by one they widened their eyes and nearly shook their heads on the spot. "Why is that, elder brother?"

"This journey is perilous. If it fails, the Gu clan will still have hope left no matter what. And if there are no Gu sons at his side, Xue Ju will certainly grow suspicious." Gu Quan seemed to have thought everything through long ago, leaving no room for argument.

"Elder brother!!!"

Though they understood Gu Quan's苦心, how could Gu Yan and the others be content with it?

But Gu Quan would not care what they thought.

He had been very solemn since childhood, and among these brothers his word had always been absolute.

He paid no heed to their expressions.

He turned and walked away.

Seeing this, the brothers' faces instantly fell, their spirits sinking at once.

But what more could they say?

Gu Quan was right.

With such a perilous undertaking, they could not tie all the brothers together.

The few men followed behind Gu Quan with complicated expressions.

Li Yuan had likewise left behind the Hou Fu belonging to the Gu clan within Chang'an city — the brothers all lived there now.

They had only just returned to the residence not long ago.

Gu Yan sought out Gu Quan again and said very seriously: "Eldest brother, let your younger brother go with you. Just leave third brother, fourth brother, and the others by Qin Wang's side."

Gu Quan paid him no heed, and drove Gu Yan away with silence.

Before long, another brother came.

"Eldest brother, let third brother go with you. This journey is perilous, and morale is the Top Priority. With me there, eldest brother will have less pressure. The burden of our Gu clan can be left to second brother, fourth brother, and the others."

Gu Quan once again drove him away with silence, but another brother arrived in turn.

"Eldest brother, fourth brother has been skilled at traversing mountains since childhood — let the burden of our Gu clan be left to second brother, third brother, and the others."

Perhaps it was the fire of youth — each wanted to display his grand ambitions.

Not a single Gu clan junior did not want this chance to retrace the footsteps of their forebears.

But unfortunately, Gu Quan would never agree to them.

On this journey, besides himself—

He would only bring Xue San and his own personal guards; the rest would be elite Tang soldiers.

Seeing that Gu Quan had already made his decision, Gu Yan, with no other choice, even went to find Li Shimin to ask him to put in a good word.

But how could Li Shimin possibly agree?

Just as Gu Yan walked out of Qin Wang's residence with a helpless look on his face, he did not expect to happen upon Princess Pingyang, who had come to look for Li Shimin.

"Greetings, Young Master."

Gu Yan had not noticed her at first. Only upon hearing this voice, brimming with heroic spirit, did he react — he hurriedly bowed to Princess Pingyang: "Greetings, Princess."

"Young Master."

Though still an unmarried woman, Princess Pingyang showed not a trace of shyness. She looked at Gu Yan seriously and asked: "I have heard that within the Gu clan, women may also hold important positions — I wonder if this is true?"

She spoke these words very earnestly.

Hearing this, though Gu Yan did not know what Princess Pingyang meant by asking this, he still nodded and answered: "It is true. My elder sisters are presently helping our uncle manage clan affairs."

Instantly, a look of envy flashed in Princess Pingyang's eyes, and she sighed softly.

Unlike the original history, Princess Pingyang had not yet married in this day and age.

However, she had already heard the news.

Li Yuan already had the intention of betrothing her to a Guanlong noble clan, in an attempt to win hearts.

Princess Pingyang was not willing to accept this.

This had to do with her temperament.

Especially now, after hearing the answer Gu Yan had given, she was even less willing to fall into such an end.

Although, for the sake of the Great Tang's foundation, as a princess she naturally had to do something.

But why must she be used to win people's hearts?

She absolutely refused to accept it!

Coming to find Li Shimin this time was precisely for this matter!

PS: (Double chapter, on my knees begging for monthly tickets. This month's updates will absolutely not be lacking, brothers please lend Yu a hand! Yu kneels in gratitude!!)

(End of this chapter)