Chapter 144: Surprise Attack on Qinzhou — I Am the Gu Clan's Gu Shizi! (Combined Chapter)

This raid was extraordinarily difficult.

Even though Gu Quan led the army in person, he still had to make every preparation.

—The troops he led were not only required to be elite; the most crucial thing was that their resolve had to be unshakable.

Completely different from the previous two times.

Whether it was Gu Xiao or Gu Chen.

The troops the two led were all personally trained by the Gu clan, and these men's obedience far surpassed that of others.

This time, however, was entirely otherwise.

He had to make every preparation, allowing not the slightest error.

Wu De, second year, April.

Li Shimin formally mobilized his troops and marched on Gaozhi.

His might was overwhelming, putting on the full posture of a single battle to pacify all of Longxi.

Especially with several Gu clan juniors, including Gu Yan, also among them.

It further, in an unseen way, lent aid to the Tang army's momentum!

Too long!

Far too long had passed!

The Gu clan's endless legends and many years of seclusion had made far too many people develop an irrepressible expectation toward the Gu clan.

Even though Li Shimin had only just raised his troops, and the two sides had not yet fought a major battle.

His momentum alone had already drawn the attention of the whole realm.

Everyone wanted to see just how capable the Gu clan juniors truly were.

The critical importance of this battle, whether for Li Yuan and Li Shimin or for the Gu clan, went without saying.

If they could win a great victory.

The prestige of the Gu clan and the Li clan would once again reach the very peak!

Li Shimin naturally understood this point perfectly well, and his entire expression was equally solemn.

In this battle, he was not merely drawing attention — far from it.

He meant to fight!

No matter what, he had to make Xue San believe that all of the Tang army's main force was here, and thereby relax his watch over the rear.

Gu Yi was also silently watching all of this; even he felt a trace of tension stirring in his heart.

In the original history.

Li Shimin's campaign in Longxi had not been easy.

Although according to the historical records, Li Shimin fell ill at the start of the campaign, which indeed affected his fighting ability.

But undeniably, the Xue Ju father and son were equally extraordinary.

Li Shimin only finally took all of Longxi after waiting for Xue Ju to fall ill and die on the battlefield.

Although the Li clan had now undergone changes.

What the final outcome would be, only time would tell.

At the same time, Xue Ju also immediately arrayed his forces at Gaozhi, preparing to meet Li Shimin in battle.

His strength was by no means lacking.

The land of Longxi was inherently easy to defend and hard to attack, and the troops under his command were in no way inferior to the Tang army.

Although Xue Ju held some wariness toward the Gu clan.

To make him surrender so cleanly was still impossible.

He had almost mobilized every elite force; of course, with Gu clan juniors now in the picture, Xue Ju likewise did not forget his own rear — wanting to prevent anyone from imitating Gu Xiao and Gu Chen in launching a surprise attack on his rear.

This battle was destined to shake heaven and earth.

June;

Li Shimin led fifty thousand troops to Gaozhi, arraying his forces with the Jing River at his back, the left flank anchored on hilly ground, and the right flank posted with heavy cavalry.

And he himself personally led the central army.

Together with Gu Yan and others, he formed the most elite core.

But on the surface.

He deliberately let the central army show a flaw, wanting to lure Xue Ju to lead his troops in attack.

In truth, in this era, the key to a major battle was whether one could hold the formation steady and coordinate the three armies.

A battle of hundreds of thousands.

So long as one side erred, the internal chaos alone would be enough to destroy everything.

Why was Han Xin called the Soldier Sage?

Precisely because of his extraordinary command talent — even when facing the tiger-like charge of a general like Xiang Yu, he could hold the three armies steady and prevent them from falling into disorder.

And so-called seizing the moment of opportunity was likewise for this very purpose: to strike at the enemy's formation.

In truth, Li Shimin's move was absolutely an extremely risky one.

If any accident occurred.

Once the central army collapsed, the formations of the left and right wings would surely be affected, and it was very likely to trigger a total rout of the three armies.

At that point, setting aside the army's casualties, Xue Ju might even have the chance to press the advantage and march straight into Guanzhong.

In anyone else's hands, they would absolutely not dare gamble so big.

But he was Li Shimin.

He believed in his own invincibility, and he likewise trusted Gu Quan — so long as all the elites could be drawn out, Gu Quan would surely succeed.

When the time comes—

The overall situation can be settled!

In fact, if Xue Ju had been even slightly less capable, he might never have noticed the flaw Li Shimin had revealed.

Because Li Shimin was destined not to make all of this too obvious.

But unfortunately, Xue Ju's ability was no less impressive either—how could he fail to see the flaw within?

Gaozhi.

On a high slope near the Tang army's main camp, Xue Ju gazed down at the Tang army below and could not help but shake his head slightly:

"It seems this second son of the Li family is, after all, still far too young."

He murmured softly, then smiled disdainfully: "The world all says that the second son of the Li clan was able to invite out Gu Shizi—surely a man blessed by the Mandate of Heaven."

"Now it seems... he is nothing more than that."

As his words fell, his expression suddenly grew serious: "As the saying goes, opportunity waits for no man."

"Issue my decree."

"All three armies, make ready—I will launch a surprise attack on the Tang army's main camp!"

He absolutely would not give up this chance!

This was a battlefield opportunity delivered right to his door. As long as he could win this battle, he could take the chance to march into Guanzhong and contend for the realm.

And the most crucial point was—

Being able to defeat a scion of the Gu clan would bring him an unimaginable boost to his reputation.

There is one saying that is very true, no matter what era it is applied to.

The greater the risk, the more there is to be gained!

And now, this was precisely the case!

The officers and soldiers immediately accepted the order one after another. Xue Ju also turned, mounted his horse, and swiftly headed toward the military camp.

That very night, Xue Ju personally led his troops in a direct assault on the Tang army's main camp.

The moonlight was like a wash of white.

It was as if even the heavens were watching this battle—pure white moonlight gradually illuminated the night, a cool breeze kept blowing in, refreshing the heart.

But in the dead of night—

The sudden sound of a charging raid utterly shattered this stillness.

"Enemy attack!!!"

"Enemy attack!!!"

"..."

Accompanied by shout after shout, the entire Tang army camp instantly sprang to life.

"So they've come after all—"

Inside the main tent, Li Shimin had not even removed his armor, as if he had been waiting all along for Xue Ju's attack. He immediately looked toward Gu Yan beside him: "Pass down the order—all three armies, make ready at once."

"Have the left and right armies advance swiftly, seize the enemy camp, and join us in a pincer attack on Xue Ju!"

Shouts of battle rose one after another.

Xue Ju had only just led his troops charging in when he already sensed something was wrong.

The Tang army seemed to have been prepared long ago.

"Not good! We've walked into a trap!"

Xue Ju's expression changed instantly, and instinctively he wanted to retreat his troops.

But in an instant, he suppressed that thought.

So what if the Tang army was prepared?

Was it not simply a decisive battle with the Tang army, fought earlier than planned?

In this battle he had staked everything he had. As the saying goes, "retreat breeds chaos, and chaos breeds defeat." If he were to directly order the army to withdraw under such circumstances—

And the Tang army pursued, the casualties would surely not be small.

This battle would immediately fall to a disadvantage.

But if he fought on, it was not certain who would win and who would lose!

Xue Ju was no coward. The fact that he had been able to stand out from among all those who rose against the Sui was proof enough of his talent and courage.

How could he possibly be afraid?

The great battle erupted in an instant.

The Tang army's central force was composed entirely of elite troops, and especially now that they were prepared, their confidence doubled.

Towering flames rose on all sides.

Forming a stark contrast with the pure white moonlight in the sky.

Shouts of battle and the clash of weapons, mingled with the hoofbeats of warhorses and the wails of soldiers, rang out across the entire world.

Li Shimin naturally would not cower behind the lines.

After issuing a series of orders, he charged straight out, leading Gu Yan and the others in a furious assault.

Gu Yan and the others still wanted to try to dissuade Li Shimin.

After all, Li Shimin was the commander-in-chief of the three armies. If anything were to happen to him at this moment, the Tang army's fate would surely be defeat.

But Li Shimin refused!

"I, Li Shimin, in this life am determined to follow the path of Marquis Zhaolie—how could I push all the danger onto my brothers?"

"If I shrink back today—"

"When I face even greater danger in the future, what then shall I do?"

A simple sentence, yet it completely revealed his attitude.

Even Gu Yan and the others could not help but admire Li Shimin — this was his greatest personal charisma.

Under such circumstances.

The entire battlefield had already completely become a meat grinder.

This was entirely the most direct confrontation; whichever side retreated would quickly fall into a disadvantage.

Xue Ju had not yet been directly defeated.

In order to expose a flaw, Li Shimin could not leave too many troops in the central army, which also allowed Xue Ju to quickly stabilize the situation and even gradually gain the upper hand,

But so what?

Time was not on their side.

Xue Ju's only chance was to seize this moment and completely finish off Li Shimin.

Otherwise, once the Tang army's flanking forces arrived, their formation would be completely torn apart and they would fall into the Tang army's encirclement.

Precisely because of this, Xue Ju was also fighting desperately.

Not only was his son extraordinarily martial,

he himself was also a man of great valor.

But to think that breaking through the Tang army's elite this easily would be underestimating Li Shimin, Gu Yan, and the others.

How could Li Shimin not have considered all this?

He was using himself as bait, wanting to firmly establish the advantage of this battle — how could he let anything slip beyond his control?

Li Shimin did not need to directly defeat Xue Ju at this opportunity.

He only needed to stall for time.

Waiting for the flanking armies to arrive would be enough!

Clash!

Clash!

Clash!

The ceaseless sounds of clashing weapons rang on, and at some unknown moment Gu Yan had already engaged Xue Rengao in combat.

This Xue Rengao was indeed extraordinary, worthy of being called a "warrior among ten thousand."

Even when Gu Yan faced him, he fell into a disadvantage, yet he still managed to hold Xue Rengao back, cutting off the sharpest blade in Xue Ju's army.

The great battle grew ever more fierce.

As time continued to pass, a thought of retreat inevitably arose in Xue Ju's heart.

At this point, how could he be so foolish as to think only of attacking fiercely?

Courage is courage, and the situation is the situation.

If the Tang army's flanking forces came charging in, they would absolutely bring him a fatal crisis.

And by dragging things out, there would still be a chance!

"Retreat!"

Without a shred of hesitation, once he had thought everything through, Xue Ju immediately made his decision and began to give the order.

And the offensive of the entire Western Qin army also gradually came to a halt at this moment.

The situation changed in an instant—

In this kind of direct, head-on slaughter, a retreating army was destined to affect the entire situation.

But this was also Xue Ju's choice out of helplessness.

He could not sacrifice the greater for the lesser; even if many were left behind, he had to retreat!

But how could Li Shimin give him this chance?

Seeing that Xue Ju had already begun to retreat, Li Shimin immediately made his decision and launched a frontal assault!

He would not place all his hopes on Gu Quan.

And this move could likewise help Gu Quan.

He did not believe that, under the prestige of the Gu clan, the Western Qin army — having just suffered a great defeat — would still possess much fighting spirit.

This kind of opportunity, he absolutely would not let slip!

The situation completely changed.

Although Xue Ju retreated with great caution, once the Tang army's flanking forces came charging in, the entire Western Qin army still inevitably fell into chaos with no way to avoid it.

Although in the end they did still manage to withdraw,

they still left behind nearly thirty thousand casualties.

Before the formal campaign had even fully begun, the Tang army had already seized the initiative and gained a certain advantage!

Most critically—

it was also not beyond Li Shimin's expectations.

After suffering a great defeat, the Western Qin army simply could not control the low morale.

The prestige of the "Gu clan" had always been like a great mountain, pressing down upon every one of them.

Let alone now that they had also suffered a great defeat.

Even Xue Ju could not rally the troops' morale; facing Li Shimin's attack, under such circumstances, someone still proposed mustering all the elite forces to meet the enemy.

This was not because they were stupid, but purely because the situation forced it.

The Gu clan had withdrawn from the world for too long.

And who would have thought that the Gu Yan fighting Xue Rengao to several rounds on the battlefield today was not even the most outstanding disciple of the Gu clan?

Although Xue Ju did not directly agree, under the persuasion and analysis of the many generals.

In the end, he had no choice but to order his troops assembled to meet Li Shimin in battle.

Meanwhile, Gu Quan had long since set out.

Unlike Li Shimin's main army, Gu Quan, leading the raiding force, had many issues to consider.

Not only did he have to prevent the leakage of intelligence, he also had to guard against Western Qin's spies and scouts.

For the sake of caution—

Even with only five thousand troops accompanying him, Gu Quan still dispersed them, charting their routes in advance, with the final rendezvous point set west of the Wei River.

Along the way, they naturally had to travel by night and hide by day.

Though there was no direct danger, an intense psychological pressure still hung over everyone's hearts.

But compared to the hardships that came later, it was still far, far less.

Gu Quan set himself a deadline of only seven days — the most suitable span of time, one that would not push the soldiers' mental fatigue to the brink of collapse.

Seven days, a forced march of three hundred li.

Enter the Guan River Gorge via the small paths of Longshan — this was currently the only route.

Having learned from the lessons of Gu Xiao and Gu Chen before, the only way to raid Longxi now was to take truly treacherous paths in order to thoroughly evade the enemy's scouts.

Cliff-falling rocks.

The difficulty of this route far exceeded that of Gu Xiao and Gu Chen in years past.

And this route stretched a full forty li.

The risks involved were plain to see.

But Gu Quan always walked at the very front, steadying the soldiers' morale through his own actions.

And beyond this mountain path lay dense forest.

Even someone like Gu Quan, who had studied fengshui maps since childhood, could easily lose his way in a forest spanning several dozen li.

But having chosen a raid, he had to face all of this.

Gu Quan could not change anything either.

Yet when he truly experienced it all firsthand, he still could not help but sigh at the hardship involved.

He could be said to have pushed his own talents to the absolute limit.

Only then did he lead the soldiers out of the forest at last and arrive at Qinzhou — but the casualties along the way numbered nearly a thousand.

Gu Quan did not choose to attack directly.

Instead, he had men go undercover to gather intelligence, while also letting the soldiers rest.

Until several days had passed.

News of the battle at the front at Gaozhi only gradually filtered back.

Gu Quan personally watched those soldiers depart from Qinzhou city, yet he did not rush to attack directly either, waiting quietly instead.

—The moment to strike had arrived!

Although Xue Ju had not deployed all his forces to the front, for Gu Quan the opportunity had already come.

So long as Qinzhou was occupied.

Then the fighting at the front would surely fall into chaos; Xue Ju could not allow Qinzhou to be lost and would certainly lead his army back in person to relieve it.

When that time came, all he had to do was hold Qinzhou and he could pincer Xue Ju together with Li Shimin from front and rear.

Reenacting that very battle Gu Xiao once fought against Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu!

History always bears a startling resemblance.

Whether it was Li Shimin or Gu Quan, the two had clearly never deliberately conspired on any of this, yet at such a moment, even separated by a thousand li, they still arrived at the same judgment in perfect tacit understanding.

Even Gu Yi was somewhat surprised by this, never having expected to witness this scene once again.

Though the positions were not entirely the same.

But at this moment, how was it any different from the scene of years past?

Perhaps the only difference was that Xue Ju had some defenses in place, yet the dictates of the situation forced Xue Ju to make one decision after another.

Everything had long been destined.

Just as the three armies had finished resting, Gu Quan, without the slightest hesitation, launched his attack on all of Qinzhou city.

Even though only a little over four thousand men remained!

But against a city with no defenses whatsoever and few garrison troops, it was more than enough!

Moreover, after these men had traversed countless hardships, the breath of fury pent up in their hearts would push their fighting power far beyond the norm.

The most crucial point was—

Don't forget that the commander of this force bore the surname Gu!

The legend of the Gu clan; the lure of fame and fortune;

How could the soldiers fail to fight to the death?

In just one day, all of Qinzhou city swiftly fell into Gu Quan's hands.

And Gu Quan did not let his soldiers pursue the fleeing remnants, but instead immediately ordered the city's defenses reinforced, preparing for the great battle to come.

He trusted Li Shimin to make the most correct judgment, that he would never let slip this chance in the war.

News kept spreading.

The fall of Qinzhou was, for all of Western Qin, an absolutely fatal blow.

Gaozhi.

"Qinzhou has fallen?"

The instant he heard this news, Xue Ju's entire expression changed completely; he nearly sprang up from his chair at once, demanding: "What happened?"

The expressions of everyone present changed entirely as well.

How could they not know the importance of Qin City?

The most critical thing was that on the main battlefield they had already fallen into a disadvantage, so how could they not turn pale upon receiving this news?

"Your Majesty, we do not know whose forces took advantage of our army's unpreparedness to raid Qin City."

A soldier with a face smeared with grime sobbed out the situation of that day, though he said he did not know who the attackers were.

Yet in everyone's heart, they could not help but think of the same place at the same time.

—A son of the Gu clan!

"Impossible! How could it be!" Xue Ju knit his brow tightly, still somewhat unwilling to believe all this: "Shouldn't all the Gu clan sons be on the battlefield? Then where did this force come from?"

"What about the spies I left at Longshan?"

"Are they all blind?"

"Could it be that the Gu clan sons really know how to fly?"

Question after question rang out through the entire hall.

Watching Xue Ju fly into a rage, those present could not help but lower their heads one after another.

But no matter how much they complained, what could be done?

Xue Ju understood very well that he had to resolve the problem before him no matter what. Almost instantly he looked toward his son: "Gao'er."

Before Xue Ju could finish speaking.

Xue Rengao dropped to his knees without the slightest hesitation, and said with ringing force: "Your son is willing to lead troops back to Qin City. No matter who the invading enemy may be, I will cut off his head to steady the army's morale."

Hearing this, Xue Ju's expression finally could not help but ease somewhat.

Regarding this son of his, he was still very much at ease.

Xue Ju would not lead the main army back to provide relief.

Although he was not a man who had read history books thoroughly, who did not know the various legends of Wu Hou Gu Xiao?

At this moment, if he led the main army back, would he not become the Wei Xiao of old?

As long as they could hold back Li Shimin.

Then Qin City, which had become an isolated city, would not be worth fearing.

As for whether the people inside were truly Gu clan sons, Xue Ju no longer cared.

Even if they truly were, what of it?

No matter who it was, he had to kill this man!

That very day the matter was settled directly, and the movements of the Western Qin army naturally could not escape the eyes of the Tang army.

But after learning that Xue Rengao had gone back.

Li Shimin and Gu Yan and others almost instantly concluded that Gu Quan had already succeeded!

At this moment, inside the Tang army's main camp.

Candlelight flickered, casting the shadows of those in the tent onto the oxhide curtain.

Li Shimin's gaze swept over the generals in the tent like an eagle's, his expression serious, and he said in a deep voice: "Once Ziyuan succeeds on his side, our army must seize the moment and swiftly break through Xue Ju's defenses! Success or failure hinges on this one strike!"

Hearing this, the generals in the tent nodded solemnly one after another.

However, they all knew clearly in their hearts that the Longxi defense line was as solid as a rock; to break through it in one stroke was easier said than done.

Even back in the day, when Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu campaigned against Longxi, it was only when the army of Wei Xiao was panic-stricken and its morale had collapsed that he was able to take the city successfully. Such a precedent was enough to show how difficult it was.

Seeing the worried looks on everyone's faces, Gu Yan stepped forward, his gaze firm, and said: "Generals, you need not worry. My elder brother has always planned carefully before acting; he will surely repeat the great feat of our ancestor!"

Li Shimin nodded slightly, his eyes full of trust and expectation: "Indeed! Ziyuan is resourceful and brave; I have full confidence in him!"

These brief, forceful words were like a powerful stimulant, dispelling the heavy atmosphere in the tent and greatly easing the generals' worries.

Watching Li Shimin and Gu Yan's resolute expressions, a surge of heroic spirit welled up in the generals' hearts.

They took a deep breath, cupped their fists in salute in unison, and shouted together: "Please give the order, Your Highness! We are willing to be the vanguard, and will not shy from death!"

—The great battle begins anew!

Li Shimin clearly intended to use the overall momentum to suppress Xue Ju.

While attacking on one side, he had people spread the news that Qin City had fallen.

This move was indeed a killing stroke.

The morale of the Western Qin army had already been somewhat shaken to begin with; under such circumstances, how could it not be affected?

But constrained by the terrain, the Tang army's offensive progress was likewise very slow.

At the same time, Xue Rengao had also fought his way back to Qin City.

Looking at the defenders on the city wall, his eyes were full of uncontrollable fury. The long spear in his hand suddenly pointed toward the wall, and he roared angrily: "Who are you, to dare seize my city?"

"I am Gu Ziyuan of the Gu clan!"

On the city wall, Gu Quan did not hesitate in the slightest, and gave a sharp shout in response.

Those few short words, like a great bell, instantly pressed down upon the hearts of the Western Qin army.

It really was a Gu clan son!

History had repeated itself once more!

Among the Gu clan sons, there was actually a third person who had accomplished the feat of a surprise attack on Longxi.

In an era of such omen-worshipping superstition, the pressure this could bring to bear on people was unimaginable!

Xue Rengao's expression could not help but shift slightly, but he quickly adjusted himself, and once more roared furiously: "Fine, a Gu clan son indeed! Dare you come out of the city and fight me?"

Gu Quan's expression did not change; he could not even be bothered to respond.

"Could it be that a dignified son of the Gu clan only dares to engage in petty theft and skulduggery, and does not dare to face me in open battle?"

Xue Rengao clearly wanted very much to anger Gu Quan; in his impression, the sons of great clans generally cared a great deal about such things.

But Gu Quan still paid it no heed whatsoever.

How could he be fooled?

All he needed to do was hold the city—why take unnecessary risks?

The Gu family's reputation must be cemented by final victory.

Bravado of a lone warrior is not heroism!

Gu Quan said not a word; he took the bow and arrows from a nearby soldier, drew the string, and shot straight at Xue Rengao.

A soft "whoosh."

The piercing sound exploded through the air.

Xue Rengao reacted with lightning speed, sidestepping instantly.

But the arrow enraged him completely.

He spoke no further words; immediately he swung his weapon and led his troops in an assault on the city.

——The great battle erupted at once.

Xue Rengao indeed possessed unmatched bravery, yet it was insufficient to defy the tide of fate.

Under the weight of the Gu family's reputation and the prophecy's influence, his troops' morale had already shattered; the army could not possibly fight at full strength.

How could they even break into the city?

And even if they did break in, what then?

Gu Quan was no mere figurehead!

He had long prepared thoroughly and would hold out at all costs.

Three days;

Five days;

Ten days;

Fifteen days;

Days passed one after another; around Qin City, the land had become a sea of corpses and blood.

Xue Rengao had requested reinforcements from Xue Ju twice more.

Yet even so, he had never fully captured Qin City.

He had breached the city gates twice.

But each time, Gu Quan led his troops to drive them back out.

As time dragged on, whether in Qin City or among the frontline troops, the morale of the entire Western Qin army finally collapsed under relentless pressure.

Deserters;

Surrendered soldiers;

Once such conditions began to appear, Xue Ju's fate was sealed.

In truth, whether Xue Ju or the late Kui Xiao, neither was incompetent.

But none of this could be changed by circumstance alone.

If Xue Rengao could have swiftly retaken Qin City, perhaps things might have improved—a great victory would have restored the army's morale.

But now, both fronts were failing.

Rumors about the Li family and the Gu family had spread everywhere; even Xue Ju could not stop them.

What could be done?

Yet Xue Ju still refused to give up; he gathered his entire army to seek a decisive battle with Li Shimin.

But even so, he could not defy heaven's decree!

August;

Li Shimin first defeated Xue Ju at Qianshui Plain; the Western Qin army lost nearly twenty thousand men, with countless supplies and horses destroyed.

Soon after, news arrived that Xue Rengao had died at Qin City.

Li Shimin seized the opportunity.

Coordinating with Gu Quan, they launched a pincer attack and utterly annihilated the Western Qin army.

And Xue Ju, the once mighty Emperor,

Finally fell on the battlefield.

——————

"In the second year of Wu De, Prince Qin, Shimin, campaigned against Xue Ju at Gaozhi.

At the time, General of Cloud Command, Gu Quan, received secret orders, leading five thousand elite cavalry, advancing stealthily, crossing the perilous Long Mountains, fording Tongguan River, passing Fangma Beach, marching day and night over three hundred li, arriving directly at Qin City.

Initially, Prince Qin, Shimin, clashed with Xue Ju at Gaozhi, lured the enemy deep, and suffered defeat, causing Xue Ju to deploy all his Longxi forces for battle.

Gu Quan moved with divine speed, launching a surprise night assault, breaching the gates, and seizing the city.

Xue Ju, upon hearing this, was utterly shocked and urgently ordered a retreat; his army's morale collapsed. Prince Qin seized the moment to pursue and utterly routed Xue Ju's forces at Qianshui Plain.

Gu Quan then held Qin City for three months, cutting off the enemy's retreat, ultimately forcing the Western Qin army into disarray and crushing them in a single battle.

Commentary: Gu Quan's military strategy resembled that of his ancestor, the Martial Marquis Xiao—skilled in unexpected tactics and victory. He coordinated perfectly with Prince Qin, Shimin; truly, his generalship was heaven-born. After this campaign, Longyou was pacified, and the Tang foundation grew even stronger."

——The Book of Tang: Biography of Gu Quan

(End of Chapter)