My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 468 Why is the difference so big?
To prevent any unforeseen circumstances.

The next day, Gao Yu ordered Hou Jing to lead a vanguard army, including Chen Yu from Yingchuan, to rush south and take over Yuzhou.

Then, during the court assembly.

Yang Zhong was appointed as the commander-in-chief of the western army, and he was to lead the army to Sizhou after the snow and ice melted the following year.

It's already late October, and I reckon it's already snowing on the grasslands.

With snow and ice approaching, it is naturally not suitable for military operations. The soldiers, who have been fighting for a year, also need proper rest and recuperation. Next year, a group of experienced soldiers will be recruited from Shandong, and some of the newly recruited soldiers from Hebei can also be recruited, so that the old can mentor the new.

With everything arranged, Gao Yu then met with Dugu Xin and the others.

"Qimitou, Sijing, you should wholeheartedly assist Yiyu. I look forward to the good news from your western army!"

"Prime Minister, please rest assured, we will do our utmost to assist General Yang Zhong!"

Dugu Xin and the others quickly gave their assurances.

Gao Yu then privately instructed Yang Zhong, "Sijing is an outstanding person. You can consult him more often if you encounter any problems. When you arrive in the local area, you should use the strategy of appeasement to win over the local powerful families and clans. If the people's hearts are with us, we can enter Guanzhong without bloodshed."

"Don't worry, Prime Minister, I will certainly live up to your expectations."

He also made a special trip to see Wang Sizheng.

As a former confidant of Yuan Xiu, Gao Yu had won his trust by offering his loyalty through a "death warrant" and then leading his troops to fight against Hou Yuan.

Moreover, Wang Sizheng's position is quite special.

As a later defector, he had no connection or ties with any faction under Gao Yu, so Gao Yu temporarily placed him in the Imperial Guard.

“Sizheng, write to me often after I leave.”

"Please rest assured, Prime Minister."

On October 28th, with the north wind howling, Gao Yu led over ten thousand infantry and cavalrymen south to Yuzhou.

The army's march was not fast. On the third day of the eleventh month, they arrived at Dunqiu. When Erzhu Rong led his army north, Dunqiu was his bridgehead, where all the grain and supplies transported by the Yellow River were stored.

Gao Yu took a boat across the Yellow River at the ferry, but did not travel straight south to the territory of Jeju.

Instead, they went upstream along the Yellow River and landed in Dongjun, which is Baima.

It was here that Guan Yu killed Yan Liang, a general under Yuan Shao. This area was actually the site of the Battle of Guandu between Cao Cao and Yuan Shao.

Erzhu Rong ordered Chilie Yanqing to lead his troops to retreat, and then stationed his army along the Xingyang-Hulao Pass line.

In fact, it wasn't just Yuzhou that was ceded; half of Sizhou was also ceded. If Xingyang is used as the dividing line between east and west Sizhou, then the entire eastern Sizhou was also ceded.

therefore……

Gao Yu's decision to send Hou Jing south was not simply to occupy Yuzhou; he also took half of Sizhou along the way.

Hou Jing stayed in Daliang City, making it his capital.

This place was once the capital of the State of Wei, one of the Seven Warring States. It was surrounded by well-developed water conservancy facilities and was not far from Xingyang. The two states faced each other along this line.

………………

Inside the residence of General Tianzhu in Luoyang.

On the fifth day of the eleventh lunar month, the first snow of the year arrived as scheduled.

With the fall of Sizhou, Taiyuan became the front line against Gao Huan, and Erzhu Rong never went to the Bafu (domestic government office) established in Jinyang again, but stayed in Luoyang for a long time.

"Prime Minister, General Chi Lie has sent a letter. Mo Heduo has led his army to Daliang City and is currently meeting with the noble families from Yingchuan, Chenliu and other places in Daliang City."

Erzhu Rong raised his head, remained silent for a moment, and a barely perceptible hint of envy flashed in his eyes.

How could he not be envious?

In terms of background.

Although the Tarzhu clan was not particularly distinguished, they were certainly much more noble than Gao Yu, who came from a military household in Huai Shuo.

In contrast, the Erzhu clan had a closer relationship with the aristocratic families.

But what about now...?

People from aristocratic families generally favored Gao Yu, regarding him as a monstrous threat.

He sent people to govern Sizhou and Yuzhou for so long, but the powerful families never truly trusted him. As a result, he let Chilie Yanqing take the army away, and these people couldn't wait to head north to Yecheng to find Gao Yu. How could that not be heartbreaking?
"I know."

"Should we tell General Chilie to be on guard?"

"It's alright. It's freezing cold. Mo Heduo is a man of war. Why would he launch a major attack at this time? Besides, Xingyang and Hulao Pass are easy to defend and difficult to attack. He won't risk losing his troops to attack them easily. He swallowed up so much territory this year. He will definitely stop to digest and absorb it."

"If he really wants to fight... he will first take Jianzhou and Jinzhou to cut off my connection with Shanxi, and then find a way to cross the Yellow River to attack Luoyang."

Without losing Hulao Pass and Xingyang, it would be almost impossible to advance into Luoyang from the east.

The real hidden danger lies to the north.

It seems that Jianzhou and Jinzhou are in our hands, and we still have a buffer zone.

Actually...

Once the lands of Hebei are lost, Luoyang will be very difficult to defend.

"He's probably on his way to inspect and reassure people in places like Yuzhou. We don't need to worry about him."

"Go and send a message to Adou Ni to come see me."

"Here!"

Wang Xiang left in a hurry.

Erzhu Rong sighed and went to the map.

The successive betrayals by Heba Yun, Dugu Xin, and other people from Wuchuan caused Erzhu Rong to suffer a great loss!
Especially Heba Yun's betrayal.

This led to Hou Yuan's crushing defeat. The Ying, Yan, and You armies, which were supposed to contain Gao Yu, were pacified by Gao Yu in just three months. If Gao Yu had been tied down in Yingzhou, Erzhu Rong would have captured Gao Huan long ago.

This is also true.

Erzhu Rong's attitude towards the brothers Hebasheng and Hebayue became subtle.

He knew the two brothers were capable, but he didn't dare let them lead troops outside. Instead, he kept them under his watchful eye.

There was a sound of rapid footsteps.

Heba Yue approached Erzhu Rong, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Greetings, Prime Minister."

"Adou, get up quickly, there's no need to be so polite."

Erzhu Rong did a very good job of putting on a show.

Heba Yue looked at him, but sighed inwardly.

a year ago.

Erzhu Rong, who had just murdered the emperor, was full of vigor and ambition. After taking that step, he had the ambition to conquer the world.

result……

In just one year.

Erzhu Rong's spirit and energy were completely destroyed.

Whether a person is confident or not makes a huge difference in their demeanor and energy in the eyes of others.

He looked haggard and even had a lot of gray hair.

Gao Yu is indeed putting a lot of pressure on them.

“Adou Ni, Chilie Yanqing sent a messenger to say that Moheduo has led a large army to Daliang City to join Hougu.”

"I intend to send you with troops to assist Chilie Yanqing. What do you think?"

"This humble general will certainly live up to the Prime Minister's expectations!"

"Good! That's the confidence I want. How can anyone in this world truly be invincible? If Moheduo dares to lead his army to invade, you must teach him a lesson."

"Please rest assured, Prime Minister."

Heba Yue was puzzled as to why Erzhu Rong had suddenly given him a new position.

But being able to leave Luoyang is a good thing.

(End of this chapter)