My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 103 Profiting from War
The sky was cloudless and a clear, deep blue, with the sunlight streaming directly down without any cloud cover.

Gao Yu, however, did not feel hot at all.

The howling wind whipped up gusts of sand, forcing him to squint and unable to speak. Every time he opened his mouth, sand would rush in, and he didn't want to eat a mouthful of sand every time he spoke.

With such strong winds, it looks like we might have a blizzard this winter.

They escorted Anagui across the Gen River and into the core area of ​​the Gen River Valley, where they guarded him for several more days.

The grassland tribes that were "fence-sitters" finally arrived.

Anagui performed another sacrificial ceremony to Heaven at the former site of the Rouran royal court, and asked the old shaman to cast a golden statue for him, which was completed in one go.

All the tribes declared their submission, and Anagui proved that he was the chosen one of Heaven, the ruler of the grasslands, handpicked by the Eternal Heaven for all the tribes!

Gao Yu was also present at the time, and he could clearly see that after the casting of the golden man was successful, the way those tribal chiefs and their followers looked at Anagui changed. They truly regarded him as the master of the grassland from the bottom of their hearts.

'敕连头兵豆伐' means 'to take charge', which can be translated as 'to rule over everything', and the Khan's name means 'King who rules over everything'.

Anagui thus truly became the chief commander of the grasslands, Doufa Khan.

After confirming that the Gaoche people were no longer able to fight, Yuan Fu went to Anagui to resign. He was not a military general, but a prince who had been pampered since childhood. He was sent by Yuan Yi this time, which was purely a case of being forced into a difficult position.

Having endured great hardship traveling with the army, winter was fast approaching.

He had to leave this bitterly cold, windswept place before the temperature dropped drastically or even before it snowed.

Back in Luoyang, with beautiful maids warming his bed and taking care of him personally, wouldn't that be wonderful?

When leaving the Rouran royal court.

Anagui secretly summoned Gao Yu to his tent, intending to recruit Gao Yu for his own use. His reason was quite straightforward.

“A man of Gao Lang’s stature, with extraordinary bravery and few rivals in the world, is only fit to be a lowly military commander in Huai Shuo. It would be better for him to stay in the royal court and serve me!”

That's a very realistic statement.

He was called the Commander of the Army, with 500 men under his command, but he was utterly insignificant, holding a low-ranking and insignificant position.

Gao Yu immediately smiled and retorted, "If I were to serve under the Great Khan, how would the Great Khan utilize me?"

This is a very pointed question.

Gao Yu could catch a fleeting struggle in Anagui's eyes, but Anagui was indeed a great ruler, and immediately declared, "If Gao Lang were under my command... he would be made a king!"

This pie in the sky is no ordinary pie.

He'll be made a king!
Gao Yu was extremely surprised. How could they be so willing to part with it?

Offering such high treatment right off the bat, aren't you afraid of rebelling?

Anagui had indeed thought about this issue very seriously, and Tutujia had pointed it out.

In the battle against the Gaoche people, Gao Yu displayed extraordinary bravery. The soldiers at the grassroots level spread the word, embellishing the story and establishing his immense prestige. If Anagui were to recruit him, and Gao Yu were to rebel, Anagui's hard-won Khanate would be in danger.

Those with strong abilities and high prestige are always the focus of those in power who are kept at a distance.

Especially with Sima Yi as a prime example.

Sima Xuanwang and his family single-handedly lowered the moral standards of ancient society, the trust between rulers and subjects, and the sanctity of imperial power by several levels.

Why was Li Chong, at such an advanced age, still sent by the imperial court to lead troops into battle?

His Majesty and the Empress Dowager will certainly not be heartless towards meritorious officials, and will give you an opportunity to make contributions.

what?
Your body couldn't take it, and you died on the march?

You can't blame anyone else; you can only blame yourself for being too weak. You're simply not fortunate enough to receive the immense favor the imperial court has bestowed upon you.

In later dynasties, emperors, to save face, would not directly order the execution of those they had killed, but would instead exile them to the frontier, thus preserving their dignity.

But Anagui astutely discovered that Gao Yu had a 'weakness' that she could exploit!

That means Gao Yu has no foothold on the grasslands!
I've never heard of anyone being able to rebel on their own. Anyone who can rebel is backed by a complex web of powerful forces.

It has no foundation and no other forces behind it.

Gao Yu was a loyal subject under Anagui!
Naturally, it can be easily controlled and manipulated.

"Lonely Minister" gloves are very useful; if they get dirty, you can change them without feeling guilty or having any consequences.

but……

Gao Yu refused.

"Thank you for your great grace, Great Khan, but my brother, sister and other family members are all in Huai Shuo. If I don't go back, how will they live?"

Gao Yu could certainly understand that he had no foothold on the grasslands.

Moreover, the Rouran had already been utterly destroyed.

In two consecutive battles, the Brahmins were defeated, while the Anatolians achieved a pyrrhic victory.

It would take at least ten years for the Rouran to recover. Moreover, grassland tribes have a natural disadvantage: herding is even more dependent on the weather than farming, with a very low minimum requirement.

It might develop for a year or two, and then suddenly encounter a severe natural disaster.

Even if you manage to get through it, all the savings you've accumulated in the previous two years will be completely wiped out.

This is precisely why, throughout the long course of history, the grasslands were always brutally defeated by the Central Plains; it was simply that backward productive forces could not defeat advanced productive forces.

Anagui could also see that Gao Yu had no intention of staying; the terms "brother" and "sister" were just excuses.

"The gates of the royal court are always open to Gao Lang. If Gao Lang ever comes to his senses, he may come directly to the royal court to find me."

Gao Yu could only bow and politely decline again.

The conversation ultimately came to nothing.

When Gao Yu finally left the Rouran royal court, he also received the reward that Anagui had given him.

The brothers Tumen and Shidianmi ultimately chose to lead their tribe to surrender to Gao Yu. Anagui did not make things difficult for them, and the two brothers led their tribe south with Gao Yu. Anagui designated an area for the Ashina tribe as pasture.

Besides.

Ten thousand cattle and sheep, and one thousand warhorses.

These are no ordinary warhorses; they are warhorses from the Western Regions captured from the Gaoche people!
Western Region warhorses have greater explosive power than ordinary grassland warhorses, making them more suitable for armored cavalry, a type of troop that needs to charge at high speed in a short period of time. Their disadvantage is that they have relatively poor endurance.

But it doesn’t matter.

Armored cavalry are strategic weapons, the kind that can make a decisive move; what need is there for endurance?

Even if the horse can withstand it, a person cannot.

Wearing triple layers of armor and wielding a lance, even someone as naturally strong as Gao Yu would find it difficult to keep up after a while, let alone ordinary soldiers who were not as strong as him.

In addition, some of the captured Gaoche people were also given to Gao Yu as slaves.

Gao Yu simply couldn't support so many people, so he took the slaves to the military market and sold them to merchants at a low price, exchanging them all for money and goods.

"Lang Jun."

Tumen arrived at Gao Yu's side on horseback, and Gao Yu asked him to address him like Liu Yi and the others did.

"Ok?"

"This is the pasture that the Khan designated for the Ashina tribe. I have come here specifically to ask for your permission, my lord."

"If that's the case, then you should set up camp here and graze your livestock."

"Yes! I will go and give the order right away. I will come to find you, my lord, once I have settled in."

Gao Yu shook his head. "There's no need for that. You should settle your men first. If I need anything, I will send someone to find you."

"Thank you for your mercy, my lord. Ashina Bu is willing to serve you for all eternity!"

Gao Yu smiled and told him to go down first.

Then Liu Yi was called over.

“Leave five thousand cattle and sheep to the Ashina tribe, and take the remaining five thousand cattle, sheep and warhorses back to Huai Shuo.”

"Here."

The army's southward advance was not rapid.

It's not that the people don't want to go back quickly, it's just that they can't hurry.

Anagui didn't just reward Gao Yu; Yang Jun and Huli Jin also received rewards, not to mention the people in the central army and the court. Anagui truly bleeds dry, practically squeezing the entire Rouran royal court clean.

But there is nothing we can do about it.

He can indeed default on his debt.

But the Gaoche people haven't given up yet. The Rouran are also very weak now. If the Gaoche borrow troops from other places to attack again, Anagui won't be able to stop them. They still have to send people to the Central Plains to ask for reinforcements.

and so……

Anagui could first suffer the surrendered grassland tribes and bear some infamy, after all, the momentum of a great victory and the prestige brought by the successful casting of the gold man could suppress his subordinates.

But they absolutely dared not offend the Great Wei.

"However, Anagui has emptied the Rouran's coffers. What if they can't survive in the event of a natural disaster? Besides, he still has to pay the dividends to the other tribes, right?"

That's just how nomadic peoples are.

If they can't survive, they'll inevitably head south to loot; that's a given.

When it comes to survival, who has so many worries?

"Tsk tsk, what if around this time next year I receive military orders to march north and fight the Rouran?"

Thinking of this, Gao Yu himself couldn't hold back anymore.

But that's normal.

There are no permanent friends, only permanent interests. If our interests align, we can be friends. If our interests diverge, we'll see.

………………

"When will Moheduo and the others return?"

Inside Gao Huan's mansion.

The banquet was held as usual, and Sima Ziru, Hou Jing, and others were all present.

“I heard from the merchants in the military market that Mohedu is now famous throughout the grasslands! All the tribes on the grasslands respectfully call him ‘Peerless Ghost God’.”

Hou Jing was very envious.

Back then, he personally taught Gao Yu how to ride a horse and even wanted to personally teach Gao Yu how to seduce women.

It's only been a few short years?
Gao Yu has transformed into the 'Earthquake King,' shaking wherever he goes.

First, he became famous throughout the six towns, then he became famous in Luoyang, and now he has become famous throughout the grasslands in another battle!
But what about him?
After much back and forth, it was still thanks to Lou Zhaojun's money that he was able to secure a position as a military officer in the outer regions.

"I have also heard of this. It is said that... Erlang led his few dozen armored cavalrymen to break through the formation of 100,000 Gaoche cavalrymen."

"Even if Xiang Yu were alive today, he wouldn't be any better than this, would he?"

Even now, when Sima Ziru is discussing this matter, he still finds it hard to believe.

It's really unbelievable.

"When Erlang returns, I will definitely meet him!"

Cai Jun then spoke up.

He was introduced to Gao Huan by Hou Jing, and he was considered a hero. He hadn't met Gao Yu yet.

Gao Huan held the banquet to expand his network, make friends with many influential people, and build good relationships with others.

Everyone has their own network of relationships, which you might need someday.

Gao Huan, sitting in the main seat, was also alarmed.

He had long known that Gao Yu was exceptionally skilled in martial arts and would surely be a fierce general on the battlefield.

But before, it was just an expectation in my mind.

He was still quite surprised to learn that Gao Yu had performed such a heaven-defying feat on the battlefield as the ancient overlord.

"If the world truly descends into chaos, with Erlang's bravery and reputation, perhaps... we can truly succeed?"

Despite his inner excitement, Gao Huan remained extremely composed on the surface.

He raised his glass.

"Come! Let's drink a toast to Erlang's fame!"

"good!"

After the banquet.

Gao Huan saw the guests off and returned to the inner courtyard.

Lou Zhaojun has been very sleepy lately, and people around her are speculating that she might be pregnant again. Gao Huan plans to have a medical professional come and diagnose her in a few days.

Upon hearing Gao Huan's footsteps, Lou Zhaojun, a light sleeper, immediately woke up.

"Husband, has Erlang returned?"

Gao Huan shook his head. "General Yang's personal guards have returned first, but the main army will probably take several more days to reach Huai Shuo."

"It's good that you returned safely. I heard that Erlang has made a name for himself on the grasslands this time?"

She hasn't been feeling well lately, so she rarely goes out and isn't very well-informed.

Gao Huan then told Lou Zhaojun the news he had heard.

Lou Zhaojun was also extremely alarmed, and then made a suggestion.

"Erlang is so famous now...shouldn't we prepare a marriage for him? Finding a daughter from a prominent family could also be a great help to Erlang."

"Erlang is meticulous and has his own plans. Let him go on his own."

………………

Several more days passed.

The army finally returned to Huai Shuo before mid-October.

The central army was arranged to set up camp outside the city.

Yuan Fu and the others were invited to the city by Yang Jun, who wanted to hold a banquet to send them off.

The successful escort of Anagui back to the royal court, the defeat of the Gaoche people, and the enhancement of the prestige of the Great Wei Kingdom are all great achievements. Naturally, we should try to please Yuan Fu, who is in charge of all matters this time.

Ultimately, how much credit will fall on Yang Jun depends on how Yuan Fu reports to the court.

Yang Jun also knew that winter was approaching and Yuan Fu was in a hurry to return to Luoyang, so he did not dawdle and sent his personal guards back to Huai Shuo in advance to prepare for the banquet.

"General Yang, please rest assured, I will report the truth to the court. You all deserve great credit for successfully escorting the Rouran King back to the royal court!"

Yuanfu had no ambition.

The fact that he had never met Gao Yu in private proves that he had no intention of winning him over.

Anyone with even a sliver of ambition would encounter a young hero like Gao Yu.

It doesn't mean they're trying to win them over, but they'll definitely treat them with the same enthusiasm as Cui Guang and his group, hoping to build a good relationship.

Gao Yu didn't find it strange at all.

There's nothing wrong with being a prince honestly and enjoying wealth and honor. After all, a prince living in the prosperous city of Luoyang can't understand the hardships of ordinary people, and naturally can't feel how big the storms the ship of the Great Wei is about to face!

After the banquet.

Gao Yu invited She Digan and Daxi Wu to stay at his residence for the night.

The next day, they went out of the city early in the morning to see him off.

"Even after a thousand miles of farewell, we must part ways. The journey ahead is long and arduous, and I do not know when we will meet again. Take care, both of you!"

Da Xi Wu and She Di Gan returned the greeting with clasped hands.

"Erlang, take care!"

Before leaving, Da Xi Wu smiled mysteriously and kept everyone in suspense.

"Perhaps we will meet soon. Erlang, just wait, the imperial court will surely reward you handsomely!"

P.S.: There's more tonight! After finishing this, we'll start a new chapter.

(End of this chapter)