My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 435 He just wants to be a father-in-law

July 19th.

Yang Zhong and Gao Ji, accompanied by several guards and attendants, arrived in Julu City to meet Gao Yu and brought the latest news.

"General, as I was setting off, the scouts who went out to scout brought back the latest news: Erzhu Rong does not appear to be in Ye City..."

Yang Zhong relayed the information he had gathered to the reporter.

It is crucial to pay close attention to intelligence information. This is a point that Gao Yu emphasized most when lecturing at the Military Academy. We should try our best to gather information through various channels and remove as much of the 'fog of war' as possible.

On the battlefield, once you gain control of the information gap, you have absolute initiative.

The so-called planning and arrangements are nothing more than making various inferences based on the information already obtained, and putting yourself in the enemy's shoes to think about what measures they might take.

We have more information; others can only calculate five steps ahead, while we can calculate ten steps ahead.

Gao Yu nodded upon hearing this, "Tianbao is cautious and meticulous in his actions... With his insight, he must know that although Yecheng is still in his hands, the fall of Xiangzhou is only a matter of time. I suppose he will go from Fukou to Shangdang, and then head south to Luoyang."

"That seems to be the case. So what should we do now? Should we send a large army to besiege Ye City, completely drive Erzhu Rong's army out of Xiangzhou, and push the battle line forward to Jianzhou?"

"There are no natural barriers around Ye City, so taking it would be a piece of cake. There's no need to rush; I have other plans."

A few more days passed.

The date is July 24th.

The weather is gradually getting cooler, which is very comfortable.

After nearly two weeks of recuperation, most people, except for Gao Huan who was seriously injured, have recovered.

Gao Yu also felt that it was about time.

He immediately summoned everyone to a banquet at the governor's mansion in the city, as there were matters to discuss with them.

The factions are clearly distinct.

The newly surrendered individuals gathered together, with Yang Zhong and others who held high positions within the Tian Ce Mansion forming one faction, while those formerly under Gao Huan, led by Hou Jing and Huli Jin, also formed another.

They greet each other with smiles on the surface, but in reality, their networks of relationships are very clear.

The reason these people were able to connect was entirely because Gao Yu acted as a 'bridge' in the middle.

This is something that cannot be avoided.

As one's territory expands, the number of factions under one's command will also increase.

Even without distinctions between ethnic groups such as Han Chinese and Xianbei, there would still be fellow villagers, in-laws, and clansmen.

Yu Jin sat beside Dugu Xin. The banquet had not yet officially started, and they were all whispering and talking amongst themselves.

"Sijing, what do you think is the reason the general summoned us here today?"

"Didn't you say you had important matters to discuss? I suppose it's about the follow-up arrangements. It'll be a good opportunity to see if the general has a long-term vision."

At this time.

Gao Yu, who was in the main seat, coughed twice.

Upon hearing the commotion, everyone sat up straight and turned to look at Gao Yu.

"Come! Now that we've all gathered here, let's share a drink!"

Gao Yu raised his wine glass, and everyone followed suit, drinking the wine in their glasses in one gulp. Gao Yu then clapped his hands, and another group of beautiful dancers came to dance and entertain the crowd.

After three drinks.

Hou Jing suddenly stood up. "If it weren't for Mo Heduo leading his army to relieve the siege, we would probably all be on our way to the Yellow Springs. I'll take the liberty of starting this. Let's toast Mo Heduo!"

"Eh."

Gao Yu waved his hand, "This great victory was entirely due to your bravery in fighting the enemy. What credit do I have?"

"If we're really talking about merit, all of you here are heroes of the Great Wei! Let us drink another cup!"

After finishing the drink in the glass again.

Gao Yu then smiled and said, "I have called you all here today for two reasons: first, to celebrate our victory, and second, to discuss something with you all."

Everyone exchanged glances with their loved ones, their smiles fading, and looked at Gao Yu again.

"Although we have won a great victory in this battle, we have not yet damaged Erzhu Rong's foundation, so we cannot be too happy yet..."

Yu Jin perked up and looked intently at Gao Yu.

He wanted to know.

Did Gao Yu have the same idea as me?

Gao Yu scanned the crowd, taking in their expressions.

He has been thinking about the follow-up arrangements these days. He already had some ideas, mainly regarding personnel arrangements.

Personnel matters and politics cannot be taken lightly.

"It may seem that Ye City is still in Erzhu Rong's hands, but in reality, Erzhu Rong's men in Xiangzhou are merely clinging to life. Our army can easily seize the city..."

"However, the ownership of a few cities is not our ultimate goal. Our ultimate goal is to rid the country of traitors!"

"We need a capable and skilled general to lead a large army to Sizhou, then south to conquer Fenzhou and seize the land east of the river!"

Yu Jin suddenly looked up!

Yang Zhong, Huli Jin, and the others all looked up and glanced at him upon hearing this.

"I will submit a memorial to His Majesty, requesting that the one who leads the army into battle be promoted to General Who Conquers the West..."

"After much deliberation, I have decided that Wan Jing is the only candidate for the position of General Who Conquers the West."

That's right!

That was Hou Jing.

Hou Jing had the ability to lead an army on his own, since in the original history, it was Hou Jing who helped Gao Huan to control Henan.

Moreover, Hou Jing was also a middle-ground candidate. Hengzhou, Fenzhou and other places were mostly inhabited by non-Han people, so it was natural not to send a Han Chinese commander-in-chief. In fact, the army had to be mainly composed of the remaining Xianbei from the Six Garrisons and the captured Qihu elite cavalry.

In addition to appointing Hou Jing as the commander-in-chief of this army,

Gao Yu also dispatched Dugu Xin, Li Hu, Yu Jin and others to serve as his deputy generals.

Even if Yu Jin and others were capable, they were still surrendered generals. It was impossible for them to be given high positions and important responsibilities right away. They had to make merits first and show their loyalty.

This is why Hou Jing had to go.

Hou Jing was at odds with the Heba brothers, but he was also an old acquaintance of other people from Wuchuan, and was able to mediate their conflicts.

"General! You are brilliant!!"

Yu Jin was visibly agitated, her whole body trembling uncontrollably!
His reaction was somewhat exaggerated, but he felt that he had truly found a wise ruler who could end the chaos in the North and mend the China.

Gao Yu was not blinded by the situation in Hebei; on the contrary, he astutely grasped the key points of the subsequent attack in advance.

After this defeat, Erzhu Rong could no longer establish himself in Hebei. Even if he brought a large army again, there would be no place for him in Hebei.

The party dispersed.

Dugu Xin pulled Yu Jin to his home. He had seen Yu Jin's exaggerated reaction at the banquet and couldn't help but be curious.

"Sijing? Why are you so agitated? Even though Moheduo has already promoted us surrendered generals exceptionally, there's no need to be this agitated, is there?"

"General Qi Mitou...you have good judgment."

"how do I say this?"

Yu Jin paused for a moment, then explained, "With this defeat, the Prime Minister will have no foothold in Hebei!"

"and then?"

Yu Jin continued, "What territory does the Prime Minister still hold? Bingzhou, Guanzhong, Longxi, Henan, Luoyang... It seems he still possesses half of the Great Wei's territory."

"However... after losing Hebei, the fall of Henan, Luoyang, and Bingzhou is only a matter of time!"

Dugu Xin squinted, carefully pondering Yu Jin's words.

"Luoyang is located in the center of the world. It seems that Yuzhou, Guanzhong, and Bingzhou are all in the hands of the Prime Minister, and the Yellow River is a natural barrier that protects Luoyang. In reality, however... Luoyang's true gateways are Yan and You. If Yan and You are lost, Hebei has no natural defenses and is flat as a plain, which cannot serve as a barrier to protect Luoyang at all."

"Now that Xiangzhou has been lost, can the Prime Minister still bear the consequences of losing Jianzhou and Jinzhou?"

"If these places are lost, then Luoyang will only be able to rely on the natural barrier of the Yellow River. However... how can the Yellow River be defended? There are many crossings. If the river freezes in winter, the northern army can cross the river and march south at any time!"

Dugu Xin seemed to have grasped the meaning, and he suddenly realized, "So... according to you, the only territory the Prime Minister can definitively hold is Guanzhong and Longxi? No... Bingzhou..."

"No wonder Moheduo wanted to take over the land east of the river..."

Connect these pieces of information.

Even if Dugu Xin was stupid, he would have realized it.

Bingzhou is located in Shanxi, with its terrain of mountains and rivers, and a strong city like Jinyang. It is no exaggeration to say that it could be held for a year or two without any problem.

But Gao Yu doesn't need to be so stubborn as to force an attack on Jinyang.

Once Jianzhou, Jinzhou, and Fenzhou are captured, Bingzhou will become an exclave, completely cut off from the outside world.

Furthermore, if Erzhu Rong retreated to Guanzhong, it would indeed be very difficult to attack Guanzhong from the east to the west... Back then, the Qin state relied solely on the strength of one country to withstand the combined forces of the six states with natural defenses such as Tongguan and Hangu Pass.

However, if the attack is launched from north to south, occupying the east bank of the Yellow River would threaten the Guanzhong Plain.

Historically, Gao Huan had a significant advantage in the early stages and was just one step away from defeating Yuwen Tai, precisely because Hedong was initially in Gao Huan's hands.

However, after Gao Huan lost the Battle of Shayuan and lost Hedong.

He used his life's reputation to enhance the reputations of Wang Sizheng and Wei Xiaokuan, and also made Yu Bi a famous "Happy City of Gao Huan" in historical records.

Throughout his life, he was never able to take another step forward.

They will forever be blocked in front of the jade wall.

For Gao Yu right now.

Take Hedong.

This would complete the encirclement of Bingzhou and prepare for the future southward attack on Guanzhong!
"No wonder you were so excited."

"If things go smoothly... it seems that Erzhu Rong really has nowhere left to retreat."

They couldn't even hold Guanzhong.

Where else could Erzhu Rong go?
Longxi?

Or should he go and become a bandit on the Silk Road in the Western Regions?

"We should loyally serve such a great ruler!"

Dugu Xin was speechless upon hearing this.

Who would put this here?
Who are you calling a traitor?
He also abandoned his wife, children, and elderly parents to come and seek refuge with Gao Yu, didn't he?

"That's for sure. The fate of the Great Wei has run its course, and the one who will replace it... will surely be Moheduo."

Think of this.

Dugu Xin was making plans in his mind.

Gao Yu's eldest son is not even three years old, so it's not appropriate.

She herself has two daughters of marriageable age.

What excuse or opportunity should I find to send my daughter to Gao Yu's side?
Erzhu Zhaoneng could become Gao Yu's father-in-law.

Could Dugu Xin be a suitable candidate?

"We need to plan carefully and find a good opportunity..."

(End of this chapter)