My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 365 Escape

Yanzhou, within Kaocheng.

This is the location where Gao Yu ordered the army to assemble.

If you go further south from Kaocheng, you will be in Xuzhou. From the map, Kaocheng's location looks like a knife hanging over Liangjun's head.

When Chen Qingzhi led his troops on a northern expedition, he had already captured Liang County, but he did not rush to advance westward. Instead, he first went north to capture Kao City because there was a risk of being cut off from supplies if Kao City was not taken.

Mulan and Peng Le have already led their troops to the scene and completed the assembly.

Just two days ago, Gao Yu had already sent someone to order Yang Zhong and Lan Qin to lead troops from Langya Army and march straight towards Pengcheng.

Yang Zhong's army was merely launching a feint attack to draw attention away from the enemy.

The main attacking force was from Kao City, where Gao Yu was located. Once Liang County was captured, Peng City would become an isolated city.

While waiting for Mulan and Peng Le, Gao Yu kept sending scouts and rangers to Liang County to gather information.

News kept coming back and was compiled.

"That fellow Erzhudulü is indeed a coward who fears death; he ran back from Pengcheng early on."

Gao Yu couldn't help but chuckle.

When Erzhu Rong forcibly divided Xuzhou into two parts, east and west, he wanted to send someone to the front line to keep an eye on Gao Yu.

result?

Upon receiving news that Gao Yu had begun a large-scale mobilization of troops in Qingzhou and Nanqingzhou, Erzhu Dulu, who was originally stationed in Pengcheng, immediately fled back to Liang County and hid in the rear.

"Most of the Erzhu clan members are incompetent fools. How could someone like Erzhu Dulu, a mere worm, hold such a high position if he weren't a member of the Erzhu clan? How dare such an incompetent fool oppose the general!"

Beside Gao Yu, a handsome young man with a dignified appearance smiled and said.

"What Dongsheng said is true!"

On the other side, Zheng Zhongli, the brother-in-law, echoed the sentiment.

This handsome young man is named Quan Jun. His ancestors were from the Quan family of Tianshui. Before the great chaos in Longxi and Guanzhong, the whole family moved east to avoid the disaster.

His elder brother, Quan Hui, was a renowned scholar, and Cui Xian instructed his son to treat him with the respect due to a teacher.

The Quan brothers were a true scholar and a warrior. Quan Jun was quite brave, but his family had a weak foundation. He was introduced to the family by Cui Xian.

Gao Yu then appointed him as his trusted commander-in-chief.

Zheng Zhongli, the brother-in-law, was also a trusted commander in Gao Yu's camp. This was not a formal official position, but it allowed him to gain merit by following Gao Yu.

There is nothing we can do about this.

As one's territory grows larger, one should appoint talented people to important positions, but also promote a group of relatives by marriage. It would be best if these relatives were capable, but if not, they could be sent out to check and balance the foreign officials stationed in other regions.

Checks and balances sound like they would alienate subordinates.

But it is also a way to protect one's subordinates.

Gao Yu looked at the map and pointed to Qiao County, which was located northeast of Liang County.

We can join forces with Kaocheng on the east and west sides to attack Liangjun from both sides.

main……

The powerful families in the city, having learned of Gao Yu's impending arrival, sent people to pledge their allegiance early on, ready to cooperate with Gao Yu's army once it arrived and open the city gates from within.

"Dongsheng, Zhongli!"

"I hereby appoint you two as vanguards, each leading a thousand men to march towards Qiao County. After capturing Qiao County, garrison there and await my orders."

"Yes, General! This humble general will certainly not fail your expectations!"

The two were overjoyed and hurried off to muster their troops. Gao Yu was still somewhat worried. "Liu San, you come along too. Keep an eye on them for me. Don't be greedy for merit and act rashly. Once inside the city, they must not harass the people. Violators will be punished according to military law!"

"Here!"

The next day.

Gao Yu also chose to lead his troops south. He first captured Ningling, so that he could use the Jushui River to transport grain by water and reduce his logistical pressure.

………………

In Liang County.

Erzhudulu paced back and forth anxiously, glancing outside every now and then.

Instead of his servants, Husi Chun, who looked travel-worn, arrived.

"Fa Shou? Why aren't you guarding Qiao County? What are you doing here?"

Erzhu Dulu was dumbfounded.

Husichun countered, "You're not even guarding Pengcheng, so what are you doing in Liangjun?" Erzhudulu was speechless. "I! I... I'm here to escort grain to Luoyang."

How could Husi Chun possibly believe him?

“The people in Qiao County have all rebelled. I only received advance notice, so I came to ask you for help.”

The two exchanged a glance.

Erzhu Dulu simply stopped pretending. "That scoundrel Moheduo has personally led his army here. How are we supposed to fight him? We should retreat quickly, preserve our strength, and wait for the Prime Minister to personally lead a large army to punish this ungrateful wretch in the future!"

"That's what I think. Knowing we're no match for them, we should preserve our strength. It would be unwise to fight them head-on!"

Husichun nodded repeatedly.

How could those two dare to be enemies with Gao Yu?

They would run away at the slightest sound or disturbance.

"Dulu, why don't we lead our troops to Yuzhou and seek refuge before Moheduo's army arrives?"

Why rush things?

Why are you lingering here?

"I……"

Erzhu Dulu gritted his teeth and said, "I have collected some gold and silver jewelry for the Prime Minister. When the Prime Minister is about to launch a major military campaign, he will be in need of money. As a member of the Erzhu clan, I will naturally help the Prime Minister share his burdens!"

In the two years that Erzhudulu has been in Xixuzhou, he has hardly done anything of note.

They plundered the people's wealth and accumulated a considerable amount of money and valuables, so naturally they wanted to take it all with them.

It took two days!

Erzhu Dulu ordered his men to escort the money and goods he had plundered westward. The area around Liang County had well-developed waterways, and as long as they could be successfully escorted to the river, they could quickly leave Xuzhou and head west to Yuzhou and then to Sizhou!

After all, he was a step too late.

Gao Yu's vanguard has already reached the outskirts of Liang County!
Liang County is just an empty shell; the main army has already been taken away by Erzhu Dulu.

Gao Yu stormed into Liang County without bloodshed.

Upon learning that Erzhudulu had looted the city before leaving, they discovered that his troops had plundered the city extensively.

Gao Yu immediately gave the order.

"Mulan, Peng Le, you two personally lead elite cavalry to pursue them and make sure you get the money and valuables back!"

"Here!"

Gao Yu is short of money!
The advantage of having seized Ningling earlier was precisely this: by attacking from both sides, they directly blocked Erzhudulu and Husichun halfway.

The two had no choice but to flee in panic.

All the money and goods plundered over the years were escorted back to Liang County.

After a moment's thought, Gao Yu ordered, "Zunyan, go to the homes of those who were robbed by Erzhu Dulu in the city, take stock of their money and valuables, return them to the family, allocate some of the money to reward the soldiers, and send the rest back to Qingzhou."

Liang County was merely temporarily plundered by Erzhu Dulu.

There wasn't much of it to begin with; returning it to the common people and wealthy households would win over some hearts and minds.

As for what was stolen from other places?

Gao Yu is not a saint, so let the people in other places continue to resent Erzhu Dulu.

He ordered Mulan to garrison Liang County, while Gao Yu ordered Peng Le to lead the remaining soldiers to attack Pengcheng from both sides.

As for him?
He returned the way he came with his guards.

"Judging by the time, the new emperor's edict should be arriving by now, right?"

"Is it one edict or two edicts?"

really!

Gao Yu hurried back to Qingzhou, covered in dust from the journey.

Almost front and rear feet.

He had just returned to Tian Ce Mansion.