Chapter 147: The Strategy of Surprise Attack, Li Shimin and Gu Quan (Seeking Monthly Votes)

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

The Gu clan is like a set of railway tracks.

It has steered the wheels of history onto a different path once more.

As this news gradually spread—

—the Nine Provinces were shaken!

No one could have anticipated that Li Yuan would be the first to take this step at such a time.

He disregarded the lingering prestige of the Sui court;

He disregarded the support of the stubborn gentry;

Relying solely on the name of the Gu clan, he declared to the entire world his determination to forge a prosperous age.

Li Yuan is undoubtedly a capable emperor.

He established his eldest son, Li Jiancheng, as Crown Prince to stabilize the foundation of the state, enfeoffed Li Shimin as Prince of Qin, and appointed him Minister and Grand General of the Right Imperial Guard.

He thoroughly secured his base of power.

Likewise, he was very clear about what the people under his command desired.

As for his subordinates—

He was not in the least stingy with his rewards and promises, bestowing various honors upon them.

Naturally, this could not exclude the Gu clan.

He even went so far as to want to appoint the eldest, Gu Quan, as Grand Tutor, thereby demonstrating his resolve to the world once again.

But Gu Quan refused.

It was not just him; all the Gu Shizi who had come along also refused this matter.

The Grand Tutor of today is no longer the mere figurehead of previous history, for the Grand Tutors of each generation have held immense influence.

Even Yang Jian did not dare to directly touch this position or weaken its real power back then.

Although he never appointed a Grand Tutor himself.

But leaving the position vacant already spoke to his attitude.

Not to mention others, even the Gu Shizi felt immense psychological pressure when faced with this position; who would dare to accept it?

Compared to that, they preferred to adapt to their own roles.

—For instance, as generals fighting on the battlefield.

Regarding this, Li Yuan was naturally not stingy.

Li Yuan’s thoughts were very clear; he did not care what the future would hold, only the present.

For everyone.

As long as they had ability, Li Yuan would not be stingy with rewards, all so that they would offer their utmost service!

The news continued to spread.

The impact caused by this matter also completely exceeded everyone’s expectations.

Perhaps it was truly because the common people of the world had been waiting for the Gu clan for too long, or perhaps because they truly had no lingering attachment to the Sui court and craved a genuine prosperous age.

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 various places, commoners began to arrive in Guanzhong one after another; such a phenomenon is hard to imagine in the current chaotic times.

This matter was as if a breach had been opened.

When all the warlords realized this, the warlords of the Sui Dynasty had completely lost their utility.

And who would not want to be emperor?

In the seventh month of the same year;

The Western Qin Overlord, Xue Ju, ascended the throne as emperor in the Longxi region.

In the ninth month;

Li Gui declared himself emperor in Hexi, calling himself the Emperor of Great Liang, changed the reign title to Anle, established government offices, and appointed officials, all following the precedents of the Kaihuang era of Sui.

At the same time, Wang Shichong deposed Yang Tong and declared himself emperor, with the state name Zheng and the reign title Kaiming.

He occupied Luoyang and stood in opposition to the Li Tang.

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

The chaotic situation of the entire world reached its peak at this moment.

This was also an inevitable phenomenon.

Just like Yang Jian back in the day, once some things have a breach opened, they can never be stopped.

But as for all this, how could Li Yuan not have anticipated it before taking this step?

Changancheng.

Li Shimin, in full battle armor, was looking at a topographical map on the table with his officers.

"Since Father captured Changancheng."

"Xue Ju has frequently violated our borders. Father has decided to order me to campaign against Xue Ju. Do you brothers have any sound strategies?"

Although he had now been enfeoffed as the Prince of Qin, when facing these trusted generals, Li Shimin remained as he was in the past, without the slightest air of superiority.

The Great Tang must eliminate Xue Ju.

If not, the Great Tang would be completely trapped in Guanzhong, and at the slightest movement, Xue Ju would seize the opportunity to send troops to Changancheng.

Li Shimin was certainly aware of this point, and it was precisely because of this that he was so incredibly serious.

The officers spoke up one after another.

But Li Shimin kept a serious expression, slowly looked at Gu Quan and the others, and said earnestly: "What do you all think of a surprise attack?"

—That’s right, a surprise attack.

Regarding the Longxi region.

In the past, Marquis of Loyalty and Martial Arts Gu Xiao and Marquis of Illustrious Virtue Gu Chen.

Both had successively used the strategy of a surprise attack, eventually completely subduing Longxi.

This event has now become a famous battle known to all.

But to replicate all of this is definitely not easy.

The risks involved are unimaginably high.

Li Shimin only had this thought for now.

"It is feasible."

Gu Quan is a very serious person; facing Li Shimin’s question, he nodded immediately.

Instantly, everyone looked toward him.

Gu Yan, who was to the side, smiled at this moment, bowed to Li Shimin, and said: "Your Highness, the generals may not know."

"When our ancestor, the Marquis of Illustrious Virtue, was in Longxi, he once drew a topographical map of Longxi."

"Although hundreds of years have passed, the terrain will not have changed much, so the strategy of a surprise attack is feasible."

Hearing this, the eyes of those present lit up almost instantly.

Even Li Shimin was the same, immediately asking: "Is this true?"

"Indeed."

Gu Quan took over the conversation and looked at the topographical map on the table: "The map made by our ancestor is much more detailed than this one; all of us descendants have seen it since childhood."

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

"The strategy of a surprise attack is indeed a brilliant plan."

"In the current situation, Xue Ju’s military force is strong, and his son, Xue Rengao, is a fierce general."

"If our army were to engage in a head-on confrontation, even if we could win in the end, I fear the casualties would be significant."

"But if we are to carry out a surprise attack... the risks to be borne are also not small."

A surprise attack requires true elites!

Only the most elite soldiers can withstand days of crossing mountains and ridges, and withstand the dual pressure on body and mind.

Actually, those trained by the Gu clan are indeed suitable.

But Gu Quan could not use all of the Gu clan’s trump cards on this!

Li Shimin listened with utmost seriousness, and he himself fell into deep thought.

He naturally knew the risks and difficulties involved.

But to say that Li Shimin would just run away like that, that was naturally impossible!

After only a brief moment of contemplation.

Li Shimin had already made his decision in his heart.

"Good!"

"Since that is the case, then we shall carry out the surprise attack!"

As soon as his voice fell, people immediately spoke up, willing to lead the troops.

They were all fierce generals!

They feared no danger!

But looking at the generals requesting to fight, Li Shimin shook his head directly: "For this battle, I will go personally!"

Go personally!

Li Shimin would naturally not give up this opportunity to follow the path of Gu Chen.

Of course, he was also unwilling to entrust all risks to his subordinates.

He, Li Shimin, was the one who charged at the very front in every major battle!

But just as his voice fell, Gu Quan shook his head directly and spoke abruptly: "Your Highness, you must absolutely not do this."

"Hmm?" Li Shimin was stunned for a moment.

Gu Quan said very seriously: "Your Highness, the world today is no longer what it once was."

"A surprise attack on Longxi is something everyone knows."

"If our Tang elite cannot be at the front, if Your Highness cannot be at the front, then no matter who goes, it will be impossible to succeed!"

The hall fell into silence at once.

Li Shimin frowned tightly, clearly having taken these words to heart.

What Gu Quan said was correct.

Li Shimin was no longer a nobody now.

If he were not at the front, Xue Ju would definitely be on guard, and at that time, it was very likely he would use their own strategy against them.

This was a point they had to consider.

"What are your thoughts, Ziyuan?" Li Shimin asked slowly after a moment of silence.

And this time, Gu Quan did not hesitate in the slightest; he bowed to Li Shimin and said: "If Your Highness trusts me, this humble general is willing to lead the troops into battle."

As soon as he spoke.

Gu Yan and several other Gu Shizi did not hesitate at all, and one after another, they bowed to Li Shimin to request to fight.

Such matters, naturally, had to be done by the Gu Shizi.

When it came to the study of topographical maps.

No one could surpass them.

Especially Gu Quan, who had already imagined how to conduct a surprise attack on Longxi several times in his heart since he was a child.

Li Shimin was not a person who did not understand the bigger picture.

Although he also wanted to go in his heart, looking at the people before him, he still nodded slowly.

The matter was thus decided.

And Gu Quan then spoke to Li Shimin about the tactics in his heart.

He wanted Li Shimin to station troops at Gaozhi to attract Xue Ju's attention, while he would lead five thousand elite troops to advance west along the Wei River, carrying out a surprise attack on Yizhou.

To completely tear apart and cut off Xue Ju's connection to the entire Longxi.

Besides this—

Gu Quan had even thought about Xue Ju's defensive measures.

If any accident were to occur, he would adjust his tactics and switch to harassing the rear.

To maneuver within the mountains and forests against the Western Qin Army.

This move could be described as extremely dangerous, but looking at Gu Quan's firm expression, Li Shimin finally agreed to it.

The generals left one after another.

Li Shimin gave many more instructions to Gu Quan, Gu Yan, and the others, urging them to be absolutely careful about their safety, before letting them leave.

Gu Quan's expression remained as serious as ever.

He performed a formal salute and left.

After walking outside, Gu Yan could not help but say: "Elder brother, why must you be so serious? His Highness the Prince of Qin is not the type of person to care so much about etiquette; why must you be like this?"

Although they clearly knew that what they were about to do was extremely dangerous, the group of Gu Shizi felt no fear.

"I am the eldest son of the Gu family; with Father not in Changancheng, I naturally cannot lose face for the Gu family."

As Gu Quan spoke, he suddenly stopped his steps and looked at his four brothers: "In this battle, I will go alone, and you all shall remain by the side of His Highness the Prince of Qin."

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

They widened their eyes and almost instantly shook their heads, "Elder brother, why is this?"

"This journey is dangerous; if the mission fails, the Gu family will still have hope regardless, and if there are no Gu Shizi by his side, Xue Ju will definitely grow suspicious." Gu Quan seemed to have already thought everything through, showing no mercy.

"Elder brother!!!"

Although they understood Gu Quan's good intentions, how could Gu Yan and the others be convinced?

But Gu Quan would not care how they felt.

He had been very serious since childhood, and among this group of brothers, his word had always been final.

He did not care about their expressions.

He turned and walked away.

Seeing this, the expressions of the brothers instantly collapsed, and their moods sank immediately.

But what more could they say?

Gu Quan was right.

Since this matter was so dangerous, they could not tie all the brothers together.

The group followed behind Gu Quan with complex expressions.

Li Yuan had also left the Champion Marquis Mansion belonging to the Gu family in Changancheng, and the brothers were all living there now.

Not long after returning to the mansion.

Gu Yan found Gu Quan again and said very seriously: "Big brother, let your younger brother accompany you; just leave the third and fourth brothers by the side of His Highness the Prince of Qin."

Gu Quan did not pay attention and drove Gu Yan away with silence.

Before long, another brother came.

"Big brother, let the third brother accompany you; this journey is dangerous and morale is of the utmost importance. With me there, big brother can have less pressure, and the burden of our Gu family can be left to the second and fourth brothers."

Gu Quan drove him away with silence again, but others followed one after another.

"Big brother, the fourth brother has been good at climbing mountains since childhood; the burden of our Gu family can be left to the second and third brothers."

Perhaps because they were young and vigorous, they all wanted to make a great achievement.

For this opportunity to retrace the path of their ancestors, there was no Gu Shizi who did not want it.

But unfortunately, Gu Quan would not agree to them.

For this trip, besides himself.

He would only take Xue San and his own guards; the rest would be Tang Army elites.

Seeing that Gu Quan had already made his decision, Gu Yan, in his helplessness, even went to find Li Shimin to ask him to put in a good word.

But how could Li Shimin agree?

Just as Gu Yan walked out of the Prince of Qin's mansion with a helpless look, he did not expect to happen upon Princess Pingyang, who had come to seek Li Shimin.

"Greetings, Young Master."

Gu Yan had not noticed at first, but upon hearing this heroic female voice, he reacted and hurriedly bowed to Princess Pingyang: "Greetings, Princess."

"Young Master..."

Although she was still an unmarried woman, Princess Pingyang showed no shyness and looked at Gu Yan seriously, asking: "I have heard that within the Gu family, women can also hold important positions; I wonder if this is true or false?"

She said this very seriously.

Hearing this, although Gu Yan did not know what Princess Pingyang meant by asking this, he still nodded and replied: "That is correct. My elder sisters are currently helping my uncle manage family affairs."

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

Unlike the original history, Princess Pingyang was not yet married.

However, she had already heard the news.

Li Yuan already had the intention to marry her off to the Guanlong noble clans in an attempt to win over their hearts.

Princess Pingyang was not reconciled to this.

This had to do with her personality.

Especially now, after hearing the answer Gu Yan gave, she was even less willing to fall into this ending.

Although she knew that for the foundation of the Tang, she as a princess naturally had to do something.

But why must she be used to win over hearts?

She would never be reconciled!

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

Ps: (Double update, begging for monthly tickets! The updates this month will absolutely not be few, I ask my brothers to help me out! I bow in thanks!!)

(End of chapter)