My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 400 Proper arrangements
The next day.

Gao Yu only received a relatively simple set of statistics.

The casualties were mainly concentrated on the left flank army led by Wang Sizheng, as it had drawn all of Hou Yuan's army's firepower.

On the right flank, Hebayun had already been turned to the enemy long ago.

The fighting between the front lines of both sides was not too brutal.

Of the 8,000 soldiers on the left flank, nearly 2,000 were killed in battle. Including the wounded, the casualties exceeded half.

This can be said to be the most devastating casualty incident since Gao Yu established the Fubing (府兵) system.

However, the casualty ratio was quite alarming.

In total, they killed more than 10,000 enemy soldiers, which means that each soldier could take away an average of five enemy soldiers.

In a true sense, one Han Chinese was worth five Hu tribes.

This was only because Wang Sizheng's side was under attack from all sides; if they hadn't been under attack, the casualty ratio would have been even more exaggerated.

Despite suffering over half its casualties, morale had not collapsed, which was what pleased Gao Yu the most.

This proves that the exceptionally high level of treatment and ample opportunities for advancement can unleash the fighting power of the soldiers to its fullest potential!

of course……

There were also many rewards to be distributed.

The 8,000 soldiers of the left flank army, even by the most basic standards, would be guaranteed a minimum of five promotions for their 'battle merits'.

Considering that the actual situation they face is even worse and more severe.

Rewards should be increased accordingly.

The speed of promotion was indeed very fast, but it was all earned by risking one's life. The vast majority of soldiers eventually died on the battlefield, and only a very small number survived to the end.

As for the prisoners...

After careful selection, the best of the best were chosen, and 30,000 people were retained. Half of them were to be sent to Qingzhou to work as laborers.

The remaining half was the manpower that Gao Yu left for Heba Yun and others to control the three states.

"General."

Liu Taozhi entered Gao Yu's tent and reminded him, "Ashina Tumen has privately confiscated a large number of weapons and armor... Do you want them?"

Gao Yu shook his head. "Don't worry about him for now. Go and call him to my tent."

Gao Yu did indeed do a favor for Ashina back then, but the brothers Tumen and Shidianmi followed Gao Yu to support Wuchuan and assassinate Wei Kegu, so they had already repaid the favor long ago.

This time, I persuaded them to send troops south to help me, even though they were just mercenaries.

Of course, we have to give them incentives, benefits, and deliver the war dividends.

Not a moment.

Ashina Tumen was brought before Gao Yu, and he pretended to be confused. "General, did you summon me here because you have something to tell me?"

"Thanks to your assistance and the help of your troops, I was able to achieve a great victory in this battle. How should I reward you?"

Gao Yu stared straight at him, a half-smile on her face.

This prevented Ashina Tumen from pretending to be stupid any longer.

There were plenty of people trying to win him over, but why was Gao Yu the only one who succeeded?
Because he revered Gao Yu as a god, in his view Gao Yu was the chosen one blessed by the Eternal Heaven, otherwise how could there be such an invincible and brave person in the world?
Ashina Tumen bowed down in fear and trepidation, saying, "General, you are the benefactor of the Ashina tribe..."

"All right."

Gao Yu interrupted him directly, "There's no need for these polite words. I won't pursue your crime of privately confiscating weapons and armor, but you must leave your warhorse behind and leave three thousand brave soldiers to continue with me westward."

"As long as the general speaks, I will have Shidianmi send more of his people over to serve the general."

"No need."

Gao Yu shook his head.

By the time Shi Dianmi brought people over, the daylilies were already cold.

He knew, of course, that Ashina was the next steppe overlord, the Turks, who would later make the Heavenly Khan Erfeng suffer a setback.

However, at present, the Ashina tribe is merely a relatively powerful tribe on the northern grasslands. Although the Rouran are the 'weakest' grassland overlords in ancient Chinese history, they are currently extremely powerful. Appropriately strengthening the Ashina tribe will help them restrain the Rouran in the future.

"After I leave, you will assist General Hebayun and others in pacifying the three prefectures of Ying, Yan, and You."

"Here!"

"Get up. The Ashina tribe has also made great contributions in this battle. I will personally report to the court."

"It is an honor for the Ashina tribe to serve the general. The entire Ashina tribe will follow you to the death at your command!"

Gao Yu then had Liu Yi call Mulan to him.

After much deliberation, he concluded that Mulan was the most suitable candidate.

"After I leave with my troops, I entrust the affairs of Ying, You and Yan prefectures to you. Except for the prisoners to be sent to Qingzhou, all other prisoners will be incorporated into your command. You will select from the soldiers who have made meritorious contributions in this battle and place them in your ranks to help you quickly take control of this army."

"So fast?"

"The specific situation of the battle in Xiangzhou is still unknown, but it is not optimistic. I need to take my troops there before the news spreads...maybe we can catch Tianbao off guard."

Mulan nodded.

This is indeed Gao Yu's style.

Gao Yu's strategy of "speed is of the essence" is essentially about exploiting an information gap.

Since the message hadn't been sent out, Erzhu Rong wouldn't have been on high alert.

On the surface, Hou Yuan's hundreds of thousands of troops should at least last for half a year, or even a year, to finish, right?

How could anyone have imagined that an army of hundreds of thousands would be defeated so decisively and so thoroughly?

It was quelled by Gao Yu in just three months.

In fact.

The army is already preparing for its march.

Heba Yun easily captured Zhao Dujun City and Xiaoling City behind it.

The grain and fodder that Hou Yuan had previously requisitioned have now become an asset to Gao Yu.

The reserve troops for this battle, as well as the soldiers of the garrison who had not experienced fierce fighting, all followed Gao Yu westward.

Meanwhile, Wang Sizheng led the left flank army of the government troops.

Not only the wounded were sent back, but the survivors were also arranged to return to Qingzhou for rest and recuperation. At the same time, the ashes and armor of the fallen were all sent back to their families.

"Pass on my military order, instructing Yang Zhong to lead his troops westward. I will personally send someone to deliver the message to him later."

The three prefectures of Ying, Yan, and You were pacified.

With Gao Yu no longer having any worries about his rear, it meant that more troops could be allocated from Shandong to advance westward.

Yang Zhong was stationed in Jizhou, where his troops had been resting and recuperating for a long time. If they were to advance westward at this time, they could harass Erzhu Rong's rear to the greatest extent possible, especially Erzhu Rong's supply lines, which would be under great threat.

This can reduce Gao Yu's stress to the greatest extent possible.

As for the confiscated weapons and armor, Gao Yu also delegated the authority to Mulan to handle them.

Watching the army advance westward.

Heba Yun couldn't help but sigh, "Mo Heduo is really something... He either doesn't make a move at all, or when he does, it's with the force of thunder, giving his opponent no time to react at all."

"This is the military strategy that the general has always adhered to."

Mulan shook her head and sighed, "I wonder how many more young men will be unable to return home on this westward journey."

"Who knows."

Heba remained silent.

He also looked westward, having already sent his trusted confidants to deliver a message.

Hopefully, Heba Yue and Heba Sheng can make plans as soon as possible.

(End of this chapter)