My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 449 Eating the General's Food!
The autumn sky was clear and cloudless.

September has arrived.

Gao Huan arrived in Ye City just on the last day of August, and his injuries had recovered considerably.

However, after arriving in Ye City, he kept a low profile and only went to Jin Fengtai to meet Gao Yu once. No one knew what the two brothers talked about. After that, Gao Huan closed his doors to guests and refused to see anyone, including his confidant Sima Ziru and others.

Gao Huan was a prominent figure. His special status meant that his every move was being watched, with people trying to glean some signals from his actions.

at the moment……

Gao Huan's behavior seems to be sending a signal to everyone.

He wants to withdraw from this 'power struggle' and doesn't intend to get involved anymore.

"Your Majesty, Gao Huan, the governor of Hengzhou, says he is unwell and unable to come to see you."

Yuan Xiu repeatedly sent people to invite Gao Huan to the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, but he always received the same answer.

Snapped!
Yuan Xiu slammed his hand on the table, his face contorted with rage!

"Damn it, that damned He Liuhun is a coward! I had high hopes for him, but I never expected that after losing to Erzhu Rong, he would be like a stray dog ​​with its spine broken."

Gao Huan was unwilling to come see him.

Then there's nothing you can do if you want to sow discord.

"It seems we need to look for solutions from other people..."

Yuan Xiu rubbed his temples in distress. "Tomorrow I will be inspecting the troops. I must put on a good show and not lose face in front of Gao Yu."

………………

Outside Yecheng.

On the high platform, a magnificent canopy of flowers gathered.

Yuan Xiu, surrounded by the Yuan clan princes, ministers, civil and military officials, imperial guards, attendants, and palace maids, ascended the high platform.

Below the high platform, soldiers were lined up in formation. News of the emperor's personal inspection of the army and military drills had already spread throughout the army, and many soldiers looked up at the location of the high platform.

They longed to catch a glimpse of the emperor's face.

Does the emperor have three heads and six arms?

Is it his tall stature or his handsome appearance?
Otherwise, why would he be the emperor?
But upon seeing this, the soldiers were greatly disappointed.

Wang Xuan, who was near the front of the line, couldn't help but curl his lip. "I thought the Emperor was no different from ordinary people. How could he be so ordinary? What makes him different from ordinary people?"

"He's not even as good as a general!"

"In my heart, the emperor should be like a general—majestic and handsome..."

"Be careful what you say! Be careful what you say!!"

Suddenly, upon hearing the sound of drums, the soldiers who had been whispering and talking amongst themselves seemed to react instinctively, raising their heads and straightening their chests, their eyes becoming firm and sharp.

Even someone unfamiliar with military affairs could tell from the soldiers' imposing presence that this was a valiant force.

Of course...

Yuan Xiu's attention was not on the soldiers, but on a high platform directly opposite him.

On the high platform, the great banner soared into the sky!

A man stood beneath the banner, his red cloak billowing in the wind, his gleaming armor reflecting the sunlight with a golden sheen, making him quite conspicuous.

With one hand resting on the hilt of his sword at his waist, he looked imposing and awe-inspiring.

Behind him stood twelve drums, each with a burly man waving his drumsticks rhythmically.

The soldiers below, hearing the drumbeats, began to form square formations.

Gao Yu raised his hand.

Peng Le, who was standing in front of him, then ordered the messengers waiting below the platform to deliver the order.

soon.

The formation then underwent a new change.

The cavalrymen charged forward first, and upon hearing the horn, they drew their bows and fired in unison. A dense swarm of arrows, like locusts swarming, rained down on the straw targets that had been set up in the distance. Many of the straw figures fell to the ground instantly.

After a round of volleys, the cavalry quickened their pace, circled around to the rear of the straw doll formation, and launched another round of mounted archery.

This cavalry charge was just an appetizer.

behind him.

Hundreds of cavalrymen wielding lances followed closely behind, taking advantage of the chaos created by their comrades. They quickly rode up to the straw doll formation, and with a light flick of their lances, sent the straw dolls flying into the air.

Everyone's attention was drawn to the cavalry, until a deafening battle cry rang out.

"Kill! Kill! Kill!!"

They only realized it belatedly.

It turns out that the infantry phalanx had also charged in!
The shield bearers led the way with their heavy shields, while those behind them fired a volley of crossbow bolts before drawing their own weapons.

Some carried spears, others carried knives, and they worked together, with the shield bearers clearing the way, they quickly rushed into the straw doll formation and hacked and slashed, cutting the fixed straw dolls to pieces!
Yuan Xiu stood on the high platform, his hands clenched into fists!

Although it was just a military drill, the soldiers' energetic 'performance' gave him the illusion that he was actually there, as if he were the commander-in-chief, leading this valiant army to fight for the country!
"How valiant! How valiant!"

Yuan Xiu's eyes gleamed as he stared intently at the soldiers below the platform. "Such bravery! No wonder Erzhu Rong suffered such a crushing defeat. If they could be put to my use..."

"I will certainly reward him handsomely to win his heart!!"

These are the elite soldiers that Gao Yu cultivated in Shandong over several years.

Yuan Xiu had already begun to envision himself controlling such an army and restoring the emperor's majesty. Filled with boundless pride, he waved his hand and commanded, "Guards! Issue my decree to bestow upon them silk, money, and provisions!"

The attendant who had been beside him hurriedly ran away.

But it didn't take long.

A sudden blast of bugle calls jolted Yuan Xiu awake from his sweet dream. He looked up abruptly and realized...

The red-robed general who was originally standing on the opposite high platform.

He had already arrived at the foot of the stage and was riding on a fine horse, a horse that looked so familiar.

Wasn't it that wild horse that made him lose face?

"Damn it!"

Yuan Xiu could sense that many eyes were fixed on him from behind, as if seeing this horse reminded them of the embarrassing moment he had suffered that day.

Wherever the red-robed general rode his horse, the soldiers would erupt in cheers!
Like a sonic boom, wave after wave crashed towards the high platform where Yuan Xiu was located!

soon.

The red-robed general, surrounded by his personal guards, rode his horse to the foot of the high platform!
at the same time!

Behind the red-robed general, a burly, imposing general suddenly spoke up and shouted loudly.

"Whose food are you eating?!"

"The general's rations!"

"Whom will you serve?!"

"We swear to follow the general to the death!"

The soldiers, their faces flushed and their emotions running high, shouted at the top of their lungs!

On the high platform.

The expressions on the faces of the imperial family members, high-ranking officials, and civil and military ministers were quite a sight to behold.

Yuan Xiu's expression froze, and he stood there awkwardly.

It's as if I can see Gao Yu's mocking smile on his face.

It was as if they were mocking him silently!
It further declared to him who truly controlled this army!
PS: It's the last two days of the month, brothers, could you guys give me some monthly tickets if you have any?

We're just 600 votes away from reaching 2000.

QAQ If I can get 2000 monthly votes this month, I will definitely update like crazy next month and regain my manly prowess!

(End of this chapter)