Control your ancestors and create an immortal family starting from the Eastern Han Dynasty

Chapter 209 The Gu family's name intimidates all sides, and the balance of offense and defense shifts (Seeking monthly votes)

Thanks to Gu Yi's deliberate propaganda, news of the battle at Tongguan spread instantly.

—A great earthquake struck Kyushu!
Luoyang.

Li Heng received the news immediately and breathed a sigh of relief. He quickly had someone spread the message.

He must stabilize morale; this is what Li Heng must do right now.

To say that Li Heng was a perfectly competent emperor wouldn't be entirely accurate.

The good thing is that he was at least better than Li Longji, who became senile in his later years.

He was fully aware of his current situation and constantly reminded himself of his own mistakes, fearing that he might make a mistake that could cause further turmoil.

Now, he can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

The news spread quickly throughout Luoyang, and countless people gathered on Zhuque Street, tears streaming down their faces.

Although many people were certain that everything would end the moment the Gu family stepped forward, they still couldn't help but feel a lingering sense of unease after the event actually occurred.

Although the chaos has not yet completely ended.

But for these people, who were already constantly worried about the rebels invading, hearing that Gu Xuan had dealt with the rebels was undoubtedly akin to escaping death.

After many years—

The people once again sang praises of the Gu family in a grand manner, and scholars used poems and songs to extol the virtues of the Gu family and marvel at their contributions to the country.

Ordinary people's thoughts are even purer.

They independently traveled to the Luo River to hold a sacrificial ceremony for the ancestors of the Gu family.

This kind of scene has indeed not been seen for many years.

Although the people's independent worship of the Luo River has never stopped over the years, its influence has been diminishing as the Gu family has changed its development direction.

But now, the Gu family has returned.

Ganlu Hall of Taiji Palace.

Since returning to Luoyang, Li Longji has been placed under house arrest by Li Heng.

Although he has already made his stance clear and even issued a self-criticism edict.

But it was clear that Li Heng still didn't trust him.

It is worth mentioning that Yang Guozhong has been taken down by Li Heng, and Yang Yuhuan has also been demoted from the palace.

This action is against etiquette.

But in order to stabilize the hearts of the people, Li Heng had no choice but to make this decision.

Even before leaving Luoyang, Gu Yi personally controlled Gu Xuan and made a special trip to see this beauty whose fame would be recorded in history.

He had no other thoughts. Over the years, he had seen many beauties named Gu who would go down in history, so Gu Yi had no other ideas.

He only wanted to see Yang Yuhuan in person, a figure whose reputation in history is divided.

Yang Yuhuan is indeed a highly controversial figure in the original historical trajectory.

Some condemned her as a wicked concubine who brought disaster to the country and its people, while others saw her as a victim of political infighting.

Yang Yuhuan's answer to Gu Xuan was equally simple and straightforward: not all families are like the Gu family, able to transcend worldly affairs and disregard gains and losses.

As a woman, she was caught up in it all, and often had no choice in the situation.

Gu Yi remained noncommittal in response to this answer.

He granted Yang Yuhuan's request, allowing her to go to Julu to experience the life of an ordinary person and to see the now world-famous "Yunshao Pavilion" with her own eyes.

There were some selfish motives involved.

Yang Yuhuan's artistic achievements were indeed extraordinary, which had a significant impact on Yunshao Pavilion.

However, it was precisely because of Yang Yuhuan's departure that Li Longji became even more taciturn.

At this moment, the Ganlu Hall was deathly silent.

Li Longji had lost all his former charm and was no longer as fond of pleasure as before, spending his days in the deep palace without making a sound.

Only now have things started to change.

As the eunuch reported on the battle at Tongguan, he couldn't help but tremble, and tears streamed down his face.

He finally realized he was wrong.

He failed the position of emperor, and he also failed to live up to the earnest teachings Gu Jing had given him in the past.

But what good will it do him to regret it?
Just like the words Gu Yi manipulated Gu Xuan to reprimand him that day.

From the moment he lost his original aspirations, there was no turning back for him.

Longshan, the Tibetan camp.

"what?!"

"An Lushan is dead? And it was the Gu family's doing again?!"

Trisong Detsen's eyes widened, and he abruptly stood up, staring intently at the scout kneeling before the tent, his voice filled with disbelief: "How is this possible?!"

"Didn't An Lushan have a full 200,000 troops under his command?!" he pressed, his tone urgent. "How could he have been defeated so easily?!"

He was fully aware of the predicament of the Tang Dynasty's central government, and this sudden change was truly difficult for him to understand.

Could it be that the Gu family truly possesses unfathomable abilities?

"Your Majesty," the scout lowered his head even further, his voice trembling with fear, "rumors are flying everywhere, and it's hard to tell what's true and what's false. But the most prevalent rumor is—"

"The current head of the Gu family is deeply influenced by his grandfather, Marquis Zhongxiang Gu Jing, and his military tactics are unpredictable and cunning."

"An Lushan is no match for the Gu family at all."

The scouts reported all the information they had gathered.

—And this is precisely the effect that Gu Yi hoped to achieve by having his men deliberately exaggerate.

The goal is not merely to gain empty fame.

The Gu family doesn't lack this reputation; what they're really targeting are these foreign tribes.

After all, since Gu Sheng, the Gu family has caused too many nightmares for foreign tribes over the past few hundred years, especially after Gu Chen's generation.

This is the factor that the Gu family can naturally utilize.

Sure enough, after hearing these words, the atmosphere in the entire tent instantly became more tense.

Many of the tribes' nobles even showed fear in their eyes, but more than that, they were incredulous.

The same applies to Trisong Detsen.

Although he couldn't fully express his thoughts, at that moment, he already had the urge to back down.

In contrast, Trisong Detsen was well aware that he could not back down.

The Tibetan war machine has been started.

If he were to return like this, he, as the Zanpu (king), would surely suffer a backlash and might very well end up in the same predicament as before, with Tibet falling into internal strife once again.

Moreover, Trisong De was extremely unwilling to accept the taciturnity.

A person capable of murdering their master naturally possesses an insatiable lust for power.

How could he possibly accept this?
Once you retreat, will you ever have such a golden opportunity again in your life?

Does this mean that the Tibetans will live in the shadow of the Gu family for generations to come?

His gaze swept over the faces of those inside the tent, faces filled with surprise, doubt, and worry. Trisong Detsen took a deep breath, his chest heaving violently, and then burst into a loud, somewhat abrupt laugh: "Hahahaha!"

"This is undoubtedly a trick that the Gu family is using again!"

The sudden burst of laughter ripped through the deathly silence like a thunderclap, and everyone's eyes instantly focused on him.

Trisong Detsen's deliberately feigned ease became even more pronounced. He looked around at everyone and said loudly, "Not to mention that it's an army of two hundred thousand!"

"Even if there are 200,000 head of livestock, how could the Gu family possibly manage to drive them away and slaughter them in such a short time and completely quell the rebellion?!"

"Gentlemen—" His voice suddenly rose, filled with an all-knowing confidence, "Don't forget, what is the Gu family's greatest strength?"

Without needing to be explicitly stated, the same thought immediately flashed through the minds of everyone in the tent: Psychological warfare!
This is the Gu family's sharpest weapon!
This is what the Gu family excels at when dealing with foreign tribes: using various means to undermine their alliances.

"We must not lose our composure!" Trisong Detsen's sharp gaze swept over everyone's expressions like a hawk's, and he declared resolutely, "No matter what, our objective remains unchanged—we must penetrate deep into Guanzhong!!!"

"By then"

"Grain, wealth, beauties, slaves—you can have them all as you please!!!"

—It's still blatant enticement!

But it is extremely effective.

Upon hearing this, everyone present instantly revealed a greedy look in their eyes.

This is the inherent nature deeply ingrained in the Tibetan people.

Even without external enemies, internal struggles and conflicts are always for the most basic interests.

Not to mention that what lies before them now is the lucrative Guanzhong Plain.

at the same time--

As the events at Tongguan and various rumors continued to spread, this same scene was also occurring in other places.

The land of Liaodong.

The kingdoms of Goguryeo and Baekje are now embroiled in internal strife.

The two forces were initially evenly matched, but as this news gradually spread, the situation completely reversed.

Those who did not want to be enemies with the Gu family and even attacked Fanyang immediately gained the upper hand.

On the contrary, the nobles who had allied with An Lushan began to worry.

Some wanted to surrender before the major events were completely settled, while others, like Trisong Detsen, were unwilling to give up.

But it is precisely because of this——

The internal strife in the entire Liaodong region was even more devastating.

Some of those people even recalled the troops who had helped the pirates invade their territory to return home and participate in the great war.

The Jiangnan region was also shaken.

The various factions that had previously harbored rebellious intentions began to hesitate at this moment.

Gu Yi's men and horses did not move.

However, with just the Battle of Tongguan, they gradually gained an invincible momentum, which stabilized the Tang Dynasty, which was already on the verge of collapse.

even--

The overall situation has shifted dramatically, with the balance of power shifting between offense and defense.

Although for the Tang Dynasty, the current turmoil on all sides is still very unsettling.

But that's the magic of human nature!
In the fifth month of the first year of the Zhide era.

With supplies being mobilized from all sides, Gu Yi also began his journey.

It is worth mentioning that the recruitment of the rebels had already been completed long ago. These people were all veterans, and under the management of experienced generals like Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing, it would not take long.

Furthermore, Li Heng even issued an imperial edict to cooperate with Gu Xuan.

The names of the Tang Emperor and the Grand Tutor of the Gu family, who were both serving as Grand Tutors, were proclaimed to the world.

—Those who pull back from the brink can be forgiven for their past transgressions.

This is something Gu Yi has to do.

Since the decision has been made to deal with the external enemies first, it is necessary to stabilize all parties involved before that.

Gu Yi's intentions this time are not merely to repel the Tibetans.

Now that the Western Regions are gradually integrating into the Central Plains, it is time for Gu Yi to return the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau land currently occupied by Tibet.

This is something Gu Yi has always remembered.

Without the Battle of Tongguan, this matter would have been even more difficult.

But now the roles of offense and defense have changed.

Gu Yi believed that many people would make wise choices, which, while not completely solving everything, would at least buy him some time.

That was enough for Gu Yi.

As for those pirates, Gu Yi didn't care about them at all; leaving them to the Ryukyu navy was enough.

It's not too late to trace the origins when everything is over.

At least for now, the Tang Dynasty cannot consider so many things.

It is worth mentioning that Gu Xuan is indeed very capable in internal affairs, especially with the help of Luo Shu Xie Lu Qi. He has already begun to think about the aftermath.

Unfortunately, among the current generation of Gu family members, only Gu Xuan is capable of standing on his own two feet.

Otherwise—

It would be best to entrust this matter of conquest to other disciples and let Gu Xuan directly manage internal affairs.

Gu Yi was quite helpless about this.

The head of the Gu family must personally go to the battlefield; only in this way can he give the soldiers confidence and also intimidate the enemy.

The army set out.

On this trip, Gu Yi was as ostentatious as ever, making no attempt to conceal his purpose and allowing news to spread far and wide.

Although these methods seem quite clumsy.

But what good is being clumsy?

Sometimes, it is precisely these seemingly obvious methods that have a transcendent effect.

The current situation in Longshan is extremely deadlocked.

Since the military action in the Western Regions, Tibet has faced much greater pressure.

Unfortunately, the time given to the Western Regions was too short. The Western Regions have not yet fully integrated into the Nine Provinces, and it is not enough to mobilize all their strength.

Otherwise, Tibet would have had absolutely no chance to expand outwards.

However, this is something that no one can push forward.

Such progress is already quite remarkable for the entire Kyushu region.

—The news kept spreading.

Under the reconnaissance of numerous scouts, Trisong Detsen and his men immediately received the news, which instantly tightened their already tense nerves once again.

The Gu family has indeed arrived.

Even now, these people still find it hard to believe.

Similarly, many people inevitably developed the idea of ​​giving up.

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau did indeed give them a lot of confidence, and they instinctively thought that as long as they retreated, the Gu family would be unable to do anything to them.

Even if it cannot expand outwards.

They can also compete through internal battles.

Although these people didn't have the guts to fight the Gu family, they weren't afraid of anyone else at all.

But, since things have already come to this point...

How could Trisong Detsen allow internal divisions?

He was indeed a very courageous man. In order to prevent news of the Gu family from affecting their internal affairs, Trisong Detsen immediately carried out a purge within the organization.

Faced with absolute self-interest, even members of a single tribe may make different choices.

Under these circumstances, he immediately united the various tribes of Tibet into one force, and he showed no intention of backing down.

Their attacks even became more frantic.
(P.S.: It's almost the end of the month, so I'm begging for monthly votes! Please support me, brothers, I'd be extremely grateful.)
(End of this chapter)