My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 417 Taking the Initiative!

Gao Yu thus happily received a 'gift package'.

Without even paying any price, all they needed to do was bring their army, and the powerful clans within Dingzhou were overjoyed to welcome the royal army.

Duan Shao had witnessed firsthand how difficult it was to extract grain and able-bodied men from these powerful families and clans.

Gao Huan also received supplies of grain and able-bodied men from these powerful families and clans.

however……

Gao Huan used a large amount of property he had previously seized in Xiurongchuan as an exchange. It was more of a purchase than a requisition, an exchange of equal value.

Although in such a chaotic world, grain is more precious than gold, these powerful families and clans gave Gao Huan a little face by selling him grain. The able-bodied men were forcibly conscripted from nearby villages and counties; they were farmers who had not received any training and were only meant to be cannon fodder.

Dingzhou was Gao Huan's territory, yet... the powerful families and clans right under Gao Huan's nose treated Gao Yu, who was far away in Shandong, with such courtesy. This in itself was a political statement.

They recognize the second year of high school.

tall?

As Gao Er's older brother, he has a debt of gratitude for raising him. I'm only giving Gao Da face out of consideration for that.

"It seems that only my uncle can take charge and intimidate all parties now... My uncle's scheming will ultimately fail."

"That's true. A base gained through words is ultimately not as solid as a base built with your own hands."

Only those close to them can truly feel it.

The different attitudes that aristocratic families and powerful clans had towards Gao Huan and Gao Yu.

Gao Yu is probably the true embodiment of 'popular support'.

At least in the hearts of the powerful families and noble clans of Hebei, only Gao Er could succeed the Great Wei, provided that Gao Er could defeat Erzhu Rong and completely pacify the northern border.

………………

After staying in Boling for two days.

Gao Yu led his army on another march, but instead of heading west from Anping, they headed directly south...

Moreover, there will be no more water transport available along this route, which will greatly increase the logistical cost of transporting grain.

This is why Gao Yu had someone contact the Cui family beforehand, asking local aristocratic families and prominent clans to provide him with grain and fodder. He needed to requisition a certain amount of grain and fodder from Dingzhou, otherwise the logistical supply line for Gao Yu's army would be too long.

We traveled all the way to Licheng.

This area is precisely where the three provinces of Dingzhou, Yinzhou, and Jizhou meet.

Gao Yu called Gao Bin to his side.

"My uncle sent a letter saying that he has led a large army to Xindu."

Xindu was the seat of Jizhou. Historically, Gao Huan launched an uprising in Xindu, raising the banner of righteousness and calling on righteous men from all over the world to fight against the Erzhu clan.

After pacifying Ying, You, and Yan prefectures, it meant that the entire northeastern region no longer needed to be defended.

The troops from Ji Province can also be transferred here to assist in the siege of Erzhu Rong.

Although Xiangzhou was occupied by Erzhu Rong.

However, once Gao Yuteng makes his move, he can launch an attack from multiple directions.

Ultimately, Hou Yuan's defeat was too sudden. Yingzhou had many fortified cities, and he commanded hundreds of thousands of troops. If he was determined to remain in the city like a coward, Gao Yu really didn't have a good solution and would be stuck in Yingzhou, unable to leave.

"Yuanbin, take my letter and hurry to Xindu to see your uncle. I have already outlined the next steps in the letter. After you have seen your uncle, continue south to find Yang Zhong and tell him that he can advance westward with peace of mind to outflank the enemy's rear!"

"Here!"

Gao Yu knew that Yang Zhong was a calm and steady person and would not be greedy for credit or act rashly.

A commander must have a thorough understanding of the personalities and styles of his soldiers. After all, in ancient times when communication was very difficult and real-time messages could not be transmitted, understanding a person's style of doing things was very important so that reasonable deductions could be made.

Gao Yu concluded that Yang Zhong must be leading the army slowly, so he personally sent out scouts to investigate while waiting for someone to deliver the military order.

He then called Liu Yi over.

"Take a group of men and go see my brother. Tell him I'll be there soon." "Yes, sir!"

"Pass on my order: the entire army must advance at full speed!"

………………

The tenth day of July.

After nightfall, Erzhu Rong remained alone in his tent, standing before the map.

Although he led his army to confront Gao Huan, his eyes were always fixed on the direction of Yingzhou.

He felt a strong sense of unease.

"Could it be... that something really happened in Yingzhou? Surely hundreds of thousands of troops couldn't have been so easily defeated?"

"But... it's true that we haven't received any letters from Yingzhou for many days."

Hou Yuan had hundreds of thousands of troops under his command. Even though Erzhu Rong knew very well how brave Gao Yu was, he could hardly believe that Hou Yuan would be defeated in such a short time.

After all, it can be defended from the city.

Even when a city is besieged and defended, it is impossible for messages to be completely blocked.

Not to mention the information he had received earlier that Gao Yu's forces heading north were not as numerous as Hou Yuan's.

Erzhu Rong's heart sank.

He had a feeling that something was wrong, and although the guess might be too alarming, it wasn't entirely impossible.

After all, it's Gao Yu.

He could lead 3,500 men to crush the 300,000-strong Northern Expeditionary Allied Army of Southern Liang.

If Hou Yuan were to lead his troops out to fight Gao Yu in the field and be captured alive, the Yingzhou army might collapse.
This is in conjunction with other recent news.

In the direction of Ji Province, Governor Gao Yi is leading a large army westward.

Meanwhile, in Jeju...

Yang Zhong, who had been primarily focused on defense, suddenly led his army westward.

This is a very clear signal of an attack.

When these messages were pieced together and connected, everything told him that something must have happened in the Yingzhou direction.

If Yingzhou had not been pacified.

Gao Yu would never dare to openly send others west to cooperate with Gao Huan in attacking him.

Of course, it is also possible that Gao Yu was using this method to mislead himself. Gao Yu himself was still confronting Hou Yuan in Yingzhou, and he just hoped to relieve the pressure on Gao Huan by doing this, so that Erzhu Rong would be hesitant to act rashly.

"no……"

Military aspect.

Erzhu Rong was always quick-witted and decisive; he would never hesitate or be indecisive.

Having trained his troops using the methods of hunting, he knew all too well how to deal with an attack by a pack of wolves.

The most important thing is to focus on one point and break through the enemy's encirclement first!
“He Liuhun has been trying his best to avoid battle for the past few months, and he must have reached his limit.”

"We need to take the initiative."

"It would be best if nothing happened in Yingzhou. After defeating He Liuhun, I can personally lead a large army north to assist Hou Yuan."

"If something happens in Yingzhou, I must defeat He Liuhun before Mohedu's army arrives!"

Erzhu Rong didn't want to waste any more time with Gao Huan.

He needs to take the initiative!

(End of this chapter)