My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 322 Territory Expansion

Yang Yu nodded in agreement, "People only know that the Prime Minister is good at training troops, but they don't know that the General is also a master of training troops!"

Yang Yu also led troops in numerous campaigns across the country.

He is very clear.

Leading troops and training troops are two completely different concepts.

He led mostly elite soldiers from the central army in Luoyang, and such elite troops could be put to immediate use on the battlefield.

However, as the number of expeditions increased, a large number of elite troops died in battle, and the quality of the soldiers replenishing Yang Yu's ranks dropped rapidly.

Throughout history, true generals have always been adept at both leading and training troops.

Why is the Marquis of Huaiyin revered as the God of War?
They can train a group of greenhorns into brave warriors in a short time, so they believe the more soldiers they have, the better.

Yuan Ziyou sent them to take a look because he was unsure of the situation and wanted to send someone to see for himself how well Gao Yu was training his troops.

The training methods for cavalry and infantry are also completely different.

Although the infantry formation was eventually broken up by its own auxiliary troops, such a situation would never occur in a real battle between two armies.

If elite cavalry charges against elite infantry, who will ultimately win?

This is a completely false proposition.

Because such a situation would not occur on a real battlefield.

A cavalry commander, upon seeing an enemy formation charging without breaking apart, will immediately retreat; he will not foolishly launch a second charge.

There aren't many moments of intense competition on the battlefield.

Even if the enemy in front of us isn't truly elite, as long as they aren't the kind of refugee army that crumbles at the first charge, we're destined to be unable to inflict large-scale, effective casualties. It's better to utilize our mobility to continue searching for weaknesses in the enemy's formation.

Even in a game, no one would be foolish enough to charge head-on with cavalry, right?

The fact that Gao Yu's soldiers did not collapse at the beginning, even though there were chaotic scenes in the formation, was already a huge victory!
"Liu Yi, go and call the man who led the counter-charge against the cavalry over here."

"Here."

The army quickly assembled.

Everyone came to the front of the platform.

Wang Xuan, Li Wenshu, Guo Qiannie, and others were summoned to the front of the crowd.

Gao Yu looked closely.

Yo.

It's an acquaintance.

"I remember you."

Gao Yu pointed at Wang Xuan and laughed, "You came here from Luoyang following me, right? Your name is Wang Xuan."

Wang Xuan immediately bowed and paid his respects.

"No need for such formalities, get up. I never imagined that the naive boy in the Luoyang Martial Arts Arena back then would now be such a brave and courageous warrior! I have three words to describe your performance in this martial arts training."

"Good! Good! Good!"

"He remained calm in the face of danger, which is even commendable!"

Hearing Gao Yu's evaluation, Wang Xuan and the others subconsciously puffed out their chests with pride. Although they had never been formally incorporated into the Xuanjia Army, even after becoming Fubing (a type of military unit), they always considered themselves to be Xuanjia Army soldiers.

They are the old followers of Gao Yu!

A single compliment from Gao Yu was enough to make them act with impunity in the army, and even their superiors, such as captains and lieutenants, had to greet them with smiles.

It's somewhat similar to how in modern military, if you win a first-class merit in an individual competition, the regimental commander will personally light your cigarette. As for the squad leader? The squad leader is only fit to wash your socks.

"Rewards! There are rewards for many!"

"Each person will receive one warhorse, five head of cattle and five head of sheep, ten bushels of rice, and ten bolts of cloth!"

Thousands of gold to buy horse bones!
This was the first time practicing martial arts, so Gao Yu naturally wanted to give high-level rewards to those who performed well. These rewards were all allocated from the Tian Ce Mansion's treasury, which was Gao Yu's own private property.

Wang Xuan and the others immediately beamed with joy! Training, training!

Why do soldiers risk their lives to make a living?
To rise above others and enjoy wealth and luxury!
To unleash the soldiers' amazing fighting power, just be willing to reward them.

Seeing such a generous reward, some people were filled with regret, wondering why they had hesitated back then. But many more were filled with envy!
Horses, cattle, and sheep are all extremely valuable production tools, not to mention cloth and grain.

Rice.

This is a type of fine grain that only top-tier aristocratic families can enjoy.

In terms of practicality, since both are used to fill the stomach, it's more cost-effective to exchange them for millet.

But this represents recognition of one's identity.

They're a bunch of lowly soldiers, yet they get to enjoy the high-level treatment that only aristocratic families can receive.

For ordinary soldiers, it was considered good if they could eat their fill and not go hungry.

Only aristocratic families can pursue good food after they have enough to eat.

of course.

Rewards also come with penalties.

"Those who just threw themselves into disarray, I will have them remembered. If they behave in a similar manner during the next martial arts training, they will be stripped of their military service status. You are elite troops; such cowardly behavior will not be tolerated!!"

The point is to make these people feel a sense of urgency.

At present, the soldiers of the garrison are all 'small landowners', property owners, and have servants to cultivate the land for them.

How could they bear to give up such god-like treatment?
Gao Yu intended to use this method to constantly motivate them, hone and refine their martial arts skills, and unleash astonishing combat power.

The soldiers' eyes were burning with determination.

Gao Qian and Yang Yu were even more eager to watch.

If someone with such bravery could go to Luoyang to guard the imperial palace, how could Erzhu Rong be so arrogant?

Of course, it's just a thought.

Erzhu Rong would absolutely not allow such elite troops to appear around Luoyang.

………………

After the army dispersed, Gao Yu led everyone back to the city.

"The general must have considerable expenses in maintaining his troops, right?"

Yang Yu suddenly asked a question.

Gao Yu didn't rush to reply, and after a moment he nodded, "Raising an army is already very costly, and raising an elite army is even more costly."

He didn't mind shamelessly trying to get more food and money from Yuan Ziyou, who desperately needed a sense of security.

Yang Yu nodded and then said, "His Majesty is temporarily unable to provide financial and food assistance."

Luoyang's grain was mainly transported by canal.

however……

Yuzhou, Xuzhou, Hebei, and Guanzhong were all under Erzhu Rong's control. How could Erzhu Rong possibly allow Yuan Ziyou to freely allocate such sensitive war supplies as grain and money?
Yuan Ziyou could afford some money and goods, but he simply couldn't afford the expenses of maintaining a large army.

"However, before we left for Qingzhou, His Majesty gave us an imperial edict."

Gao Yu quickly turned around and bowed.

Yang Yu then spoke up, "By imperial decree, the General of the Heavenly Strategy is appointed Governor of Southern Qingzhou and Commander-in-Chief of the military affairs of the four prefectures of Xu, Yan, Qing, and Southern Qing."

Upon hearing this, Gao Yu was secretly delighted, but he remained outwardly calm, instead saying with a look of fear, "Managing the three prefectures is already a difficult task for me, this..."

"Why should the general refuse? His Majesty is well aware of the general's abilities. As the saying goes, the capable should do more."

Gao Yu then reluctantly nodded, "Well, I'll do it reluctantly then."

(End of this chapter)