My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 433 The Best Among the Eight Pillars of State

“Brother, you don’t need to worry about these things. Just focus on recuperating. I have my own plans.”

Gao Huan opened his mouth.

Then, coming to his senses, he smiled with satisfaction, "Erlang has indeed become a ruler of a region."

"There are still many important matters to attend to; I'll go and take care of one or two first."

Gao Yu felt much better after resolving his inner conflict. Some things between men can be avoided if they are discussed face-to-face.

But that doesn't mean he has to completely obey Gao Huan.

He already had plans and ideas for what to do next.

As I walked out of the building, the casualties were still being tallied, but based on what I saw, the situation was not optimistic.

If the soldiers of the garrison suffered such heavy casualties all at once.

Even with the Gao family's vast wealth and resources, they couldn't withstand the pressure. The cost of maintaining the garrison was extremely low, but the biggest fear was large-scale losses.

Dou Tai and the others were injured to varying degrees and needed medical care, but none of them were seriously injured; they were just minor superficial wounds and Gao Yu didn't need to worry about them too much.

However, Gao Huan suffered heavy losses among his personal guards, with Bilugu and others all perishing in this battle.

Watching these familiar faces leave one by one, Gao Yu couldn't help but feel a sense of sadness.

This was the case around Gao Huan, and it was also the case around him; the original Xuanjia Army had dwindled to almost nothing.

no way.

In war, people always die.

For a general, the most taboo thing is to be overly compassionate, to be hesitant and timid for fear of losing soldiers; that is truly harmful.

“We must give Bilugu and other loyal and righteous men a proper burial.”

Giving them a grand burial and treating their family well was the only thing Gao Yu could do for them.

Sun Teng and Jia Xianzheng rushed over.

"Erlang, are you done with your work?"

"Is there something you two need?"

Gao Yu looked at the two of them in surprise.

After exchanging a glance, Sun Teng said to Jia Xianzheng, "There are a few old acquaintances you need to meet."

"Old friend?"

Gao Yu was somewhat surprised. Could it be Hebasheng or Hebayue?

If you calculate the time, Hebayun was still conscripting troops in Yanzhou at the beginning of the year, when he had already been turned against his country by Liu Taozhi.

He had ample time to send a message to his two brothers who were far away under Erzhu Rong's command.

However, judging from the current situation, the two brothers do not seem to intend to follow in their elder brother's footsteps, but instead want to stay under Erzhu Rong's command.

Gao Yu hurriedly arrived at the main camp east of Julu City.

The captured soldiers were basically detained here.

He then realized who the old friend Sun Teng and the others were talking about was.

"You lot, Qi Mitou..."

Gao Yu was in a hurry to lead his troops to rescue Gao Huan and the others, and he let them go out of consideration for their past relationship.

So they submitted their applications voluntarily?

"Meet the General!"

Dugu Xin, Li Hu, and the others bowed very respectfully, not losing their manners despite having a past relationship with Gao Yu.

They are prisoners.

After bowing respectfully, Dugu Xin smiled and complimented, "As the saying goes, clouds follow the dragon, and wind follows the tiger."

"After discussion, we have decided to join your ranks and serve you. We wonder if you would be willing to accept our offer?"

She's really shrewd.

You really know how to pick the right time.

Dugu Xin's ability to lead troops in battle was mediocre, but that didn't stop him from being a shrewd and capable individual.

Erzhu Rong and Gao Huan fought to a standstill, resulting in both sides suffering heavy losses.

But this allowed Gao Yu to reap the benefits without lifting a finger.

News of this battle could not be kept secret, and if it got out, the morale of Erzhu Rong's troops would certainly be low.

Gao Yu needs to set up a few 'role models' to show those under Erzhu Rong who might waver.

While it may not completely destroy Erzhu Rong's power, it will definitely cause him a lot of trouble.

Once doubt arises, it will take root and sprout in the mind. A person's mindset is different at different stages of life.

Previously, Erzhu Rong had been on the fast track of life, with everything going smoothly and his power constantly growing.

He firmly believed that he was the chosen one.

It has the magnanimity to embrace and encompass the world.

However, the series of defeats has severely damaged his confidence and caused his personal prestige to plummet.

Can he still be the same as before?
“You are all outstanding individuals of our time. Previously, you served the traitors, like pearls covered in dust. Now that you are willing to abandon darkness and embrace the light, I will personally petition His Majesty to give you an important position.”

"Let all righteous men of the world know His Majesty's magnanimity in forgiving those who have abandoned darkness for light!"

Gao Yu's words were so eloquent and plausible that no one could find fault with them.

However, Dugu Xin and the others knew that there was a polite tone in those words.

Although he chose a good time to come and seek refuge with Gao Yu, it did not mean that he could easily gain Gao Yu's trust.

So he didn't really care about that.

Gao Yu glanced at them briefly and saw several unfamiliar faces.

Dugu Xin quickly took the initiative to introduce himself.

"This is out of respect."

This man was tall and strong, clearly a veteran of many battles, yet he also possessed the air of a scholar.

One look at him and you know he's a man of both literary and martial talents.

Gao Yu felt that the man looked familiar. "Could he be Yu, the military advisor who served under the Prince of Guangyang back then?"

Back then, Yu Jin served under Yuan Shen and devised strategies to persuade the Nie Liehe tribe in Hexi to surrender to the imperial court, resulting in a major defeat for Po Liu Han Baling.

Yu Jin looked slightly surprised, but still bowed with an honored expression, saying, "It is indeed I."

Yu Jin.

The eight pillars under Yuwentai included Yuwentai himself and Yuan Xin, a mascot of the imperial clan.

Yu Jin was one of the best among the Eight Pillars of State, skilled in both literature and martial arts. He was not an opportunist like Zhao Gui who was just there to make up the numbers; he was a genuinely capable person.

It wasn't like Li Bi or Houmo Chen Chong, who were purely fierce generals.

He is both literate and skilled in martial arts; he is a well-rounded individual.

More importantly……

Yu Jin's family influence.

Yu Jin was not a Han Chinese; his surname Yu was derived from the Han Chinese origin of the Xianbei Wan Niu Yu clan.

His father, Yu Ti, was the governor of Longxi.

Longxi, Guanzhong...

This is the area Gao Yu will focus on conquering later. If he can get help from this local expert, he can achieve twice the result with half the effort.

"Good good!"

"Sijing is a loyal minister of the Great Wei, and I will personally submit a memorial to His Majesty!"

Yu Jin seemed slightly flattered, and even Dugu Xin and the others found it quite strange.

Why is Gao Yu so 'enthusiastic' towards Jin?
The two had no prior connection.

Could it be that Yu Jin secretly contacted Gao Yu in private?

But it doesn't seem like it.

Yu Jin's fear did not seem to be feigned.

Seeing this, Yu Jin simply spoke up, "General, we have something important to tell you."

"Oh? What's the matter?"

After exchanging glances with Dugu Xin and the others, Yu Jin reminded them, "General, when the traitor Erzhu Rong led his army north, he also issued a military order, instructing the governor of Yanzhou, Chilie Yanqing, to lead his army eastward to invade Xuzhou."

"They want to take advantage of the undefended Xuzhou to invade Qingzhou and other places, and... the one guarding Pengcheng for the general is Erzhu Rong's cousin, Erzhu Zhao."

Upon hearing this, Gao Yu burst into laughter.

He thought it was something serious.

He had been prepared for this for a long time.

P.S.: Bad news! I was just about to get to work when I got caught on a business trip.

Damn, typing in an internet cafe feels really weird, but don't worry... even when I'm on a business trip, I'll try to update as much as possible.

(End of this chapter)