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

Chapter 263 The Surprise Attack Succeeds, the Gu Family's Splendor (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
The difficulty of this battle is destined to be unprecedented.

Gu Jin has indeed grown old.

Moreover, he is completely different from Gu Chen, Gu Ye and others in the past. Even with the blessing of the "Luoshu Harmonizing Weapon", his attributes barely reached eighty-something.

The effort required to carry out such a surprise attack is unimaginable.

Even Gu Yi became somewhat worried.

It's worth mentioning that Gu Yi has always maintained a balanced lottery system, and he currently has no shortage of "miracle cures" in his possession.

But again -

A person's energy is always limited.

Someone with Gu Jin's abilities is destined to expend greater effort to accomplish things that are difficult for ordinary people to achieve.

The "medicine cures all" talisman can solve his external physical problems.

But this expenditure of energy can never be fully recovered.

His overall condition deteriorated rapidly during this period.

It was a deterioration that was visible to the naked eye.

Even Gu Yi couldn't solve it.

But Gu Jin always maintained his condition when facing the soldiers. He seemed to understand his current physical condition and was holding his breath to prevent his condition from declining.

They braved thorns and brambles, fighting against the wild nature with their own flesh and blood.

In the summer, the Yanshan Mountains are sweltering deep in the dense forests, with mosquitoes and horseflies swarming and venomous snakes lurking in the grass.

Mudslides can occur at any time and could claim lives.
Even on sunny days, the scorching sun baked the rocks to a boiling point, and the threat of water shortage constantly tormented this lone army.

Supply was difficult, and the dry rations were quickly exhausted. The soldiers had to rely on hunting, gathering wild fruits, and even chewing grass roots to fill their stomachs.

The number of wounded and sick increased daily, and there was a shortage of medical care and medicine. The delirium of those with high fevers and the suppressed groans of the wounded often rang out at night. Every step forward was accompanied by sacrifice and perseverance.

Gu Jin's figure stood out even more in this exhausted army.

He was no longer the Imperial Tutor who sat firmly in Kaifeng, strategizing and planning, but an old soldier who shared weal and woe with ordinary soldiers.

His face was etched with deep lines by the mountain winds and scorching sun, his temples were already white, and his once wise and profound eyes were now bloodshot, yet still shone with an undeniable and firm light.

He refused any special treatment, eating coarse food and drinking mountain spring water with the soldiers.

He was always in front during every treacherous climb;

He personally participated in the decision-making for every dangerous expedition.

Extreme physical exhaustion surged against his will like a tidal wave, but he kept his spine straight, holding his breath tightly in his chest, supporting him so that he dared not relax in the slightest.

It wasn't intentional.

Gu Jin understood that only by remaining steadfast could he truly unite the morale of this team.

—After a journey that lasted nearly two months.

As dawn broke and he felt the sudden surge of excitement from the soldiers around him, Gu Jin remained completely unfazed.

He did not act impulsively.

Suppressing the turmoil in his heart, he ordered his men to bring out the last of the stored grain.

And so, together with the soldiers, they made their final resupply in the deep mountains.

At this moment, they had no way out.

—If it fails, die.

The soldiers were like this, and so was Gu Jin!

The eleventh year of the Tongyuan era, the third day of the seventh month.

The moonlight is gentle and peaceful.

As a series of suddenly loud shouts of battle rang out, flocks of birds that were launching a surprise attack in the forest leaped up in an instant, shattering the tranquility of the entire Yanshan Mountains!

"kill!!!"

"kill!!!"

"kill!!!"

The three roars were no longer suppressed growls, but the culmination of nearly two months of hardship, exhaustion, despair, and determination!
It was like a thunderclap in the silent night sky of Gubeikou!
Almost at the same time as the battle cries rang out, Cao Bin led his five hundred daredevils out like ghosts from the shadows of the steepest and least guarded cliff on the east side of the pass!
—This was also a preparation made by Gu Jin.

Although it was a surprise attack.

However, Gubeikou is also an extremely dangerous place, and he has to make various arrangements, which cannot be as simple and mindless as attacking a camp.

"Enemy attack—!" A Liao soldier on the city wall, who happened to be looking at the cliff, finally noticed the abnormality. Before he could even let out a terrified scream, a crossbow bolt pierced his throat!

But the alarm has already been sounded!
"Clang! Clang! Clang!" The urgent alarm bell rang out instantly, breaking the tranquility of the night! The Liao soldiers, who had been drowsy, hurriedly grabbed their weapons and rushed towards the city wall.

However, it was too late!
Almost at the same time, Gu Jin also led his troops out from the front.

His judgment was indeed correct.

Wang Yingchen's absolute self-confidence affected not only himself, but also the soldiers under his command.

Among them are the current garrison troops at Gubeikou!

They never imagined that the Song army would cross Juyong Pass and directly attack this place.

It is precisely because of this.

Even with Wang Yingchen's absolute military order that no one should slacken their efforts, the inherent laziness in human nature still affected many people.

Cao Bin was the first to leap onto the city wall, brandishing his sword and instantly cutting down two Liao soldiers who were charging at him!
The daredevils behind him also scaled the city wall and quickly secured a small foothold on the top, engaging in a fierce hand-to-hand battle with the swarming Liao army!
Their mission was not to kill the enemy, but to rush to the city gates at all costs, open them, and pave the way for the army!
Beneath the city walls, Gu Jin, his hair and beard bristling, pointed his spear directly at the city walls where flames suddenly erupted and battle cries resounded: "Soldiers! Once the city gates open, there is no turning back! For Yan Yun! For the Great Song! Charge with me!"

Instead of staying in the safe rear, he took the lead and stood at the forefront of the charging team!

His exhausted body seemed to be infused with some kind of divine power, and at this moment, he stood up straight, like a battle flag!

This is Gu Jin.

He was unlike any of the previous members of the Gu family.

Even knowing that he was involved in the greater good and shouldn't take such a risk, he would still make this choice.

This was his life's ambition!
They fight on the battlefield, not sit in the court.

He has done more than enough for the Song Dynasty.

At least for now, Gu Jin wants to pursue her ambitions!

"Boom--!"

"Boom--!"

"."

The sounds of doors slamming and slamming shut echoed repeatedly, accompanied by screams of agony, creating a most tragic funeral dirge under the dark night.

The Liao army was completely thrown into chaos.

Even though their reaction was extremely quick, they ultimately suffered from being completely unprepared.

This is a coordinated attack from both above and below.

When it comes to life and death, even the most mentally strong person would panic under such circumstances.

Not to mention that those who weren't sent to the front lines at this time weren't truly elite!
"The city gates are open! Charge!"

In just a short moment.

The pressure from above and below finally broke through the city gate of Gubeikou.

The army, which had been poised for battle, surged into the city like hungry wolves spotting their prey. "Stop them! Stop them!" Some Liao soldiers, unwilling to give up, organized their forces to try and block the city gates.

Arrows rained down from both sides of the city walls, and logs and stones crashed down with a deafening roar!
As the charging Song soldiers fell to the ground, wounded by arrows and crushed by rolling stones, those behind them continued to charge forward without hesitation, stepping over the corpses of their comrades!
The narrow city gate instantly turned into a meat grinder, with every step forward paved with sacrifices!
Everyone's eyes turned red, and at that moment, only one thought remained.

Charge in! Take this pass!
The same applies to Gu Jin.

This time, he didn't even consider stopping the soldiers' thoughts or sparing their lives.

He absolutely cannot do that.

The soldiers have already sacrificed enough for this mission.

In any case, they must be allowed to vent their frustrations and gain sufficient military merits.

The war broke out!

The smoke of war completely enveloped the entire Gubeikou area.

Gu Jin is also fighting the enemy!
His spear moved like a dragon, though it no longer possessed the swiftness and ferocity of his youth, but instead had gained the ruthlessness and precision of a seasoned veteran.

He did not act recklessly, but always remained at the core of the battle formation composed of his personal guards. Every time he thrust out his spear, it went straight for the gaps in the Liao soldiers' armor or their vital points on their faces, and every thrust drew blood without missing its mark.

Wherever they went, the morale of the Song army soared, and they unleashed astonishing fighting power.

Under these circumstances.

The entire Liao army's defenses collapsed rapidly, and many soldiers even fell down as soon as they stepped out of the camp.

There is no way to fight.

This is the tactic of surprise attack.

It was meant to be a surprise attack, and the things Gu Jin had gone through for this surprise attack only amplified that.

Who could have imagined that Gu Jin would choose to launch a surprise attack in such a stalemate?
One wrong step leads to another!

This even surpasses Zhao Kuangyin's past act of using himself as bait.

Even if Zhao Kuangyin did something, he never chose to go into danger alone.

But Gu Jin did it now!

It's not that Gu Jin's courage surpasses Zhao Kuangyin's, but simply that no one would even entertain such a thought.

And this, in fact, already determined the outcome of this battle.

When the midday sun completely dispelled the smoke of battle and illuminated the ravaged fortress.

Gubeikou has finally become completely quiet.

All that remained were the heavy footsteps of Song soldiers clearing the battlefield and the occasional painful groans of the wounded.

Gu Jin leaned on his spear, standing at the crossroads in the city center, breathing heavily.

Sweat and blood soaked through his battle robe, dripping down the edges of his armor plates.

He looked around at the devastation, the ruins, and the corpses piled up everywhere. The joy of victory was overshadowed by the enormous sacrifices, leaving only a heavy sense of exhaustion and sorrow.

"Grand Tutor! The remaining enemy forces in the city have been basically wiped out! Our army has completely taken control of Gubeikou!" Cao Bin dragged his exhausted body, covered in multiple wounds, to report. His voice was hoarse, but filled with barely suppressed excitement.

Gu Jin nodded, about to say something, but suddenly coughed and almost lost her balance.

Cao Bin and his bodyguards rushed forward to help him up.

"It's alright." Gu Jin waved his hand, suppressing the metallic taste in his throat, and gave the order with all his might. His voice was weak but extremely clear: "Order the three armies to rest immediately."

"Immediately prepare the three armies."

"Select capable soldiers from each battalion to join me in the counterattack on Juyong Pass tomorrow!"

Gu Jin's order was clear and resolute, and despite his body being on the verge of collapse, he did not hesitate for a moment.

—The surprise attack on Gubeikou was merely a preparation for disrupting the balance at Juyongguan.

He has only taken the first step so far.

We absolutely cannot let our guard down!

"Grand Tutor!" Cao Bin exclaimed in alarm upon hearing this. Looking at Gu Jin's swaying figure, he said urgently, "Our army has been exhausted after this bloody battle and long march, and it needs to rest!"

"At this point, we may not have the strength to launch a counterattack on Juyong Pass!"

"Should we hold Gubeikou and wait for the main force from Juyongguan to come and support us?"

Cao Bin's face was filled with horror.

Actually, he wanted to advise Gu Jin that she needed to get some rest.

Unfortunately, he couldn't say that, because he knew that Gu Jin would never agree, and this was the only excuse he could use to try to persuade Gu Jin.

"Opportunity knocks but once, time waits for no one." Upon hearing this, Gu Jin simply shook his head slightly, as if he had seen through Cao Bin's thoughts, and said solemnly, "Without conquering Juyong Pass, it will be difficult to recover Yan and Yun."

“This is the only chance.”

His voice was very hoarse, and his face was filled with unconcealed fatigue, but his eyes remained as firm as ever.

Seeing this, Cao Bin hesitated for a long time before finally nodding.

"Here!"

As the true elite of the Song Dynasty.

Despite all that has happened, the military still has no shortage of soldiers who are capable of fighting.

Gu Jin has never truly rested.

He was fully aware of his current situation. If he were to let his guard down now, even if he didn't die, he would at least be sick for many days.

This would definitely miss the opportunity.

He must seize the current opportunity and cross the natural barrier of Juyong Pass.

Time flies by.

The following evening, Gu Jin once again left Gubeikou and headed towards Juyongguan.

It is worth mentioning that--

Cao Bin and the other generals all wanted to go in Gu Jin's place.

However, Gu Jin refused them.

Only he could do this.

If it weren't for him, it would be difficult for his soldiers to muster the will to fight; that's for sure!

Moreover, Gubeikou is also of paramount importance.

The terrain of Juyong Pass is too treacherous.

Before Juyong Pass is completely breached, Gubeikou is of paramount importance and must not be lost. Gu Jin must consider the balance during this period and reserve a certain number of capable soldiers for Gubeikou.

—The situation has completely descended into chaos.

Even though Gubeikou has been breached, the tense atmosphere remains undiminished.

On the contrary, it is even more serious than during the surprise attack.

Gu Jin can now be said to have gone all in.

If we cannot break through Juyong Pass in this battle...

He would probably never be able to leave Kaifeng again in his lifetime, so how could Gu Jin not cherish this opportunity?
The army galloped forward.

Meanwhile, news of the unusual events at Gubeikou was rapidly traveling towards the main Liao army camp where Wang Yingchen was stationed.
(P.S.: Double monthly votes officially start tonight, which is also the end of the month. I'm begging for monthly votes, brothers, please support me! I'd be extremely grateful!!!)
(End of this chapter)