My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 374 Old Friends on the Grassland
Although Heba Yun was in Yanzhou, his information channels were not completely closed.

Not long ago, Heba Yue even sent someone to deliver a letter, in which he explained things very clearly to him.

On the surface, the Gao brothers have a grudge and may not be willing to unite. As the most powerful of the two, following Erzhu Rong is the best choice.

Erzhu Rong would also heavily rely on them to counter and suppress all dissenting voices.

As things stand, following Erzhu Rong is definitely more promising than following the Gao brothers.

"Who else could it be? It's none other than the current Prime Minister!"

Heba Yun pretended to be confused, "I am an old friend of Moheduo, and Moheduo also saved our lives. Some of what I have to say may be unpleasant to hear, but I still have to give you some advice."

"Although Moheduo is renowned throughout the land for his bravery and has occupied Shandong, his foundation is still shallow. He is certainly no match for the Prime Minister. It would be better for him to submit a memorial to the emperor as soon as possible. The Prime Minister is a man who cherishes old friendships, and Moheduo can still hold a high position!"

Liu Taozhi simply smiled and shook her head, saying, "Have you finished speaking, sir?"

"My general also has a message for me to convey to you, my lord. I wonder if you would be willing to listen?"

Heba Yun did not refuse, and raised his hand to indicate, "Speak freely."

"Everyone knows that the Prime Minister is a traitor who murdered the emperor."

"It was General Wuwei who did it! The late emperor died at the hands of General Wuwei."

"My lord, do you really believe such words that are meant to deceive a child?"

Heba Yun, of course, did not believe it, but still asked in return, "Does the truth matter? The Prime Minister is 'selfless' and did not allow his own grandson to ascend the throne. Instead, he established a new emperor from the imperial clan. Everyone in the world knows that the Prime Minister is still a loyal minister of the Great Wei."

Liu Taozhi seemed to be asking rhetorically, "Great Wei... loyal ministers."

The strange tone of voice made Heba Yun frown slightly.

"Lang Jun."

After Liu Taozhi stopped laughing, she advised again, "Young master, don't you know that adding flowers to brocade is far less valuable than providing charcoal in the snow? Besides, do you really think the Prime Minister is guaranteed to win?"

"Why can't we win? The Prime Minister's army is strong and well-equipped. The Qihu elite cavalry is an elite force comparable to the Xuanjia Army under Mohedu! There are also many brave warriors following him. Although Mohedu is brave, he is only one person. Human strength will eventually run out."

Heba Yun retorted with reason and evidence.

After listening patiently, Liu Taozhi finally spoke up to refute.

"Isn't my husband's army also strong and well-equipped?"

"Not to mention the elite troops that my lord has trained in Shandong over the past two years, even the six garrisons under my eldest son's command are filled with an irreconcilable hatred for the Prime Minister. My lord, you should know better than anyone just how brave the soldiers and civilians of the six garrisons who have survived to this day truly are."

"Both sides are destined to clash in Hebei, engaging in a real battle. So... the decision you make now, my lord, will be the key to victory or defeat! If you are willing to help my lord at this crucial moment, how could my lord not reward you when victory is achieved?"

"General and my husband are close friends. You should know what kind of person my husband is."

Without giving Heba Yun a chance to refute, Liu Taozhi continued.

"If you insist on serving the Prime Minister, have you considered that if the Prime Minister loses, how can the Heba family continue to exist?"

"If you can serve my young master and win, it will bring glory to our family. Even during the aftermath, you can plead for him and protect Heba Erlang and Sanlang."

"Even if we lose, Erlang and Sanlang can plead for you before the Prime Minister. Hedging our bets is the only way for our family to survive in this chaotic world!"

Hear this.

Heba Yun hesitated.

My heart was filled with turmoil, and I was even secretly tempted.

When Heba Duba died, his last words were that he and his brothers must continue the Heba family line.

Heba Yun also read history books.

It's clear that whoever seems the strongest isn't necessarily the one who will have the last laugh.

Those who seek to seize the world.

Favorable timing, geographical location, and human factors are all indispensable, and one must even have luck far exceeding that of ordinary people.

Having worked for Gao Yu in business for so many years, Liu Taozhi was an expert at reading people and situations; hesitation was the beginning of success.

He quickly continued to persuade, "General, please think about it again. How many troops are available in the three prefectures of Yan, You, and Ying? Besides you, what other brave men does Hou Yuan have under his command? If you insist on serving the Prime Minister, my young master only needs to send a small force to help my eldest son block the Prime Minister in Hebei, and then send a large army to pacify the lands of Yan and You."

"Are you sure that Yan and You can withstand my lord's military might?"

"If you are willing to serve my lord, and at a crucial moment turn against Yu Houyuan, helping my lord to quickly pacify the Yan and You regions, and then lead the army south, what chance will the Prime Minister have of victory?"

Hebayun was making plans in his mind.

Aside from himself and Hou Yuan, Erzhu Rong didn't leave many brave warriors here. Liu Lingzhu of Youzhou was a complete charlatan; could he really expect such a person to lead troops into battle?
Thinking of this, Heba Yun's eyes showed even more struggle. After a long while, he slowly said, "Since you know that there are not many troops in Yan and You, and you also know that the Prime Minister was wary of us Wuchuan people, I don't have many troops. Even if I wanted to help Mo Hedu, the troops are all in Hou Yuan's hands."

“There’s no need for you to worry about that, my lord.”

Heba Yun was taken aback. "You can conjure soldiers out of thin air, can't you?"

Liu Taozhi chuckled lightly, "Since my husband sent me here to persuade the general, I naturally have a way to help the general conjure up troops."

Heba Yun frowned slightly, wondering what Liu Taozhi was up to.

"I will visit you again tomorrow!"

Liu Taozhi turned and left.

Heba Yun was left completely bewildered, pondering the matter in his mind.

Gao Yu had never been to Yan or You, so how could he conjure up troops out of thin air?
grassland?

Wasn't Anagui's son-in-law Gao Huan?
the next day.

The mystery is revealed.

Heba Yun actually guessed half of it correctly; Gao Yu did indeed borrow troops from the grasslands, just like Gao Huan.

However, they did not borrow troops from the Rouran.

Instead, he sought out an old friend like Heba Yun.

Liu Taozhi brought a strong and muscular man to meet Hebayun.

Heba Yun looked at the person in front of him with a face full of suspicion.

Judging from their appearance and attire, you can tell they come from a grassland tribe.

"Which tribe of the grasslands do you belong to?"

“I am from the Ashina tribe. General, you may call me Tumen.”

"Ashina..."

Heba Yun frowned. He seemed to have some recollection of it, and after thinking about it further, he realized what it meant.

When Gao Yu led his troops to relieve the siege of Wuchuan, he brought with him a group of Ashina soldiers.

Ashina Bu was previously a 'forging slave' of the Rouran, possessing extremely valuable forging skills. He followed Gao Yu to help Anagui return to the Rouran royal court.

They acquired a fertile land to serve as pasture, and were exempt from paying tribute to Anagui.

Just like Erzhu clan.

Occupying fertile pastures and not requiring tribute, the Ashina tribe rose to prominence very quickly in the past ten years or so.

Liu Taozhi actually went to the grasslands first and contacted the Ashina tribe.

After the matter is accomplished, Gao Yu will help the Ashina tribe become the overlord of the grasslands so that Ashina Tumen will send troops to help him quickly pacify the Yan and You regions.

To put it bluntly, it meant making the Ashina tribe serve as mercenaries for the Central Plains, just like the other tribes of the grasslands in the past.

Heba Yun then realized why Liu Taozhi had been so certain before, saying that she would give him immense wealth and an opportunity.

For now.

Gao Yu has successfully borrowed troops from the grasslands.

Even if he himself was unwilling to help Gao Yu, Gao Yu could still send the Ashina tribe south to the Yan and You regions to contain their forces, and coordinate with the grassland troops to launch a pincer attack and quickly pacify the Yan and You regions.

He was not Gao Yu's only hope.

Gao Yu had clearly made many preparations in order to quickly pacify the Yan and You regions.

"Moheduo is indeed meticulous and his strategies are appropriate."

Heba Yun shook his head, "If Ashina Brigade could help us..."

He gritted his teeth and made up his mind, "I am willing to lend General Tian Ce a hand!"

"it is good!"

Liu Taozhi was overjoyed, "I thank the general on behalf of my husband! My husband will certainly not forget the general's merits."

(End of this chapter)