My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 467 The Cosmic General About to Head South
"Peach Blossom, you've followed me for twelve years now."

"Ah."

Liu Taozhi nodded, seemingly also reminiscing, her eyes filled with deep gratitude, "If it weren't for my husband giving me that opportunity back then, I might already be a withered skeleton on the grassland."

Back then, Gao Yu was lucky enough to draw the SSR card Mulan at Huai Shuo Market, and then went to the military market to buy slaves.

Originally, they only took a liking to Liu Yi and his group; they were all burly and strong, and it was clear that with a little training, they would become brave warriors.

Liu Taozhi looked so thin and frail that it would be a waste of food to give him away for free, but he successfully volunteered.

Although he left Gao Yu's side a long time ago and no longer served as a personal guard, his importance to Gao Yu was far greater than that of several loyal personal guards such as Liu Yi.

these years.

Liu Taozhi traveled all over the country to establish caravans, helping Gao Yu make money. She also helped Gao Yu do many shady things and build an intelligence network for him.

"Thank you for your hard work these years."

Gao Yu was deeply moved, as Liu Taozhi was about the same age as him.

Despite being under thirty and constantly on the go, the years have already left their mark on his face.

"Without you, my love, how could I exist? I am only alive because of you."

Liu Taozhi shook her head.

"They are all married, why don't you get married? If there is a woman you like, even if she comes from a noble family, just ask me. If anyone dares to stop you, I will personally lead a large army to help you propose marriage."

Gao Yu was actually exaggerating a bit.

Anyone who knows Liu Taozhi's position under Gao Yu would know that marrying Liu Taozhi would be a sure-fire way to make money.

"My lord has not yet pacified the world, how can I marry him? Besides..."

Liu Taozhi paused at this point, then continued, "What I do for my husband must be done without any regrets, and I must not even let anyone know of my existence."

Gao Yu raised an eyebrow; Liu Taozhi's answer had clearly exceeded his expectations.

Consider it from the perspective of the monarch.

It is indeed inhumane to want someone to help you build an intelligence network and a surveillance system, someone who has no family ties, someone who only has the sky, the clouds, and the sun above their head.

When you have someone to care about, you will naturally act in a way that considers the people you care about; that's human nature.

"actually……"

Gao Yu sighed, "You don't need to do this. Although I have never met your parents, I think they also hope that you can continue the family line."

Liu Taozhi smiled and shook her head, "I've seen it... Has my lord forgotten? That cold winter in Huai Shuo back then..."

Gao Yu was taken aback, slightly lost in thought, but his mind drifted back to the cold winter that Liu Taozhi had mentioned.

That was his first year after he transmigrated, when he encountered the 'White Disaster'. He did give a woman a flatbread and some copper coins on his way to deliver food to Gao Huan. At that time, the woman was holding a child in her arms.

Is it really possible for such a coincidence to happen in this world?
Gao Yu was momentarily stunned.

"My lord, have you remembered?"

Liu Taozhi chuckled, “Back then, my husband generously gave me cakes, which helped my mother and me get through that winter. After that, my mother taught me every day that I must repay his kindness whenever I had the chance. By the grace of heaven, I met my husband in the military market. I think... if my mother is watching over me from heaven, she would be extremely pleased with my decision.”

Gao Yu's inner emotions were quite complex.

"My life was given to me by you, my love. I should do my best to help you and solve your problems, even at the cost of my life."

"The world must be ruled by a benevolent person like you, so that the people can live in peace."

With a thousand words on the tip of his tongue, Gao Yu couldn't bring himself to say them. He simply patted his shoulder heavily and said, "I... won't let you down."

"I summoned you here so you can prepare and send a group of trusted confidants, under the guise of a merchant caravan, to Hedong, Guanzhong, and the Western Regions..."

Gao Yu pulled Liu Taozhi aside and gave her some instructions.

The espionage work was carried out effectively.

For Gao Yu, Guanzhong and other areas were shrouded in the fog of war, and he needed detailed intelligence to make subsequent arrangements.

"Give me a list of the intelligent and literate people you have adopted, and I will arrange for them to take up positions in various places."

"Don't worry, my lord. The first batch of students who entered the academy are now in high demand."

Gao Yu nodded.

The academy and the military academy correspond to the two factions of literature and martial arts, respectively.

After giving a few more instructions, Gao Yu finally let Liu Taozhi leave. "A chance encounter can lead to unexpected success..."

After Liu Taozhi left, Gao Yu summoned Hou Jing to his presence.

"Mo Heduo, why did you summon me here in such a hurry? Is there something you need?"

"clever."

Gao Yu chuckled lightly, "Naturally, I have an important task to entrust to you."

"Ok?"

Hou Jing looked at him suspiciously. "Isn't it to send me to conquer the Hedong region and prepare for entering Guanzhong in the future?"

"Change of plans."

"how?"

Hou Jing retorted, "Don't you trust me?"

"We've known each other since we were humble beginnings, and our bond is like that of brothers. How could I not trust you?"

Gao Yu shook his head. "People from Yingchuan have come. Tianbao has ceded Yuzhou. Yuzhou is in a very important position. To the south lies the Southern Dynasty, and to the west lies Tianbao... Only a capable person can be stationed in such a dangerous place."

"The main enemy of the current dynasty is Tianbao. Your going to Yuzhou to take charge will not affect your title of General Who Conquers the West."

"Hahahaha, everyone else thinks I, Hou Gu, only hold a high position because of my good relationship with you two brothers. Only you, Mo Heduo and He Liuhun, know my abilities!"

Hou Jing laughed triumphantly, "Since you've spoken, how could I refuse? I'll take charge of Yuzhou for you!"

"That's natural."

Gao Yu chuckled a few times.

You are the renowned 'Cosmic General', the gravedigger of Xiao Bodhisattva, how could you possibly lack ability?

"In a few days, you and the people from Yingchuan will head south first, and I will come after you."

"So, who do you intend to entrust with the task of conquering Hexi? Could it be Qi Mitou and his men?"

Gao Yu shook his head.

Dugu Xin and Yu Jin were defeated generals. Although they surrendered voluntarily, they could not be given important positions until they made contributions.

"It can't be that brute Gao Aocao, can it?"

Gao Yu also shook his head.

Gao Aocao is not suited to be a commander-in-chief; he is only suited to charge into battle as a cavalry general. With his bad temper, if he were to become the commander-in-chief of an army, he would probably offend all his subordinates before even engaging the enemy.

If he had been even slightly sane, he wouldn't have met such a terrible end in history.

"You don't need to worry about this; I have my own arrangements."

"So who do you plan to send as my deputy?"

"Murong Shaozong."

"Him? He's barely qualified."

Gao Yu couldn't help but chuckle; a touch of mischievousness led him to put the two of them together.

of course……

Murong Shaozong only assisted him in military matters.

He still needed to discuss the civil service staff with Yang Yin and others.

As for the choice of who would lead the army to conquer Hexi.

Gao Yu had indeed thought of that.

Yang Zhong was appointed commander-in-chief, Dou Tai was a local strongman in Xia Prefecture, and together with Dugu Xin and other people from Wuchuan who had come to join them, they formed the western army.

"That should prevent any mistakes."

"As for the grasslands... I need to find some time to go and see how large Ashina tribe has grown, and how my old friend Rouran has developed. I also need to see that."

When traveling north to inspect the Yan and You regions, it is indeed possible to take the opportunity to check on the situation on the grasslands.

Let's see if our neighbors to the north are behaving themselves.

(End of this chapter)