My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 541 Life or death
In the wild king's city.

These days, Gao Yu has been disciplining his subordinates, pacifying the people, and even opening the city's granaries to provide relief to them.

To reassure the people in the city.

The people's demands were simple: the army did not take advantage of them to vent their anger, did not rape or plunder, and even provided them with food relief in the cold winter. In their eyes, the army was already like a bodhisattva.

There are no wealthy households in the city.

Any powerful or wealthy family with any means of influence had already fled with their families long before they learned that Gao Yu's army was coming.

Regardless of whether Yewang City can be defended or not, in the eyes of both the defending and attacking armies, they are "fat sheep" waiting to be slaughtered. If they don't run away, they will stay in the city and wait to be slaughtered.

Therefore, not much wealth could be looted from the city. After learning this, Gao Yu had Duan Shao and others pass down the order that Gao Yu would personally reward the soldiers who fought in this battle.

The main focus is on prevention.

The siege was too brutal, and the soldiers needed an outlet to release their pent-up tension.

In order to win the hearts of the people and prevent them from harassing the common people, and since Gao Yu could not extort enough money, he had no choice but to subsidize the people out of his own pocket.

Gao Yu indeed possessed sufficient prestige; he could even control his subordinates with a single word.

But this is unfair to the soldiers who have just experienced a fierce siege. Being a soldier is a dangerous and arduous job. Isn't this what they are risking their lives for?
Forcibly restraining his subordinates will only diminish his prestige among the soldiers, which is not a worthwhile trade.

One should not tarnish one's prestige in such trivial matters.

If it can be solved with money, then it's not a problem.

With the subsequent army advancing into Yewang City, Gao Yu has finally gained a firm foothold in the city and can build Yewang into a bridgehead for further advancement!

"Uncle, why doesn't the traitor Erzhu Rong send troops to take back Yewang while we are still establishing our foothold?"

Gao Yang followed beside Gao Yu, somewhat puzzled.

"I don't have time to free up my hands."

Gao Yu smiled and explained, then led Gao Yang and the others directly to his current residence.

The prefect's mansion was burned down by Chilie Yanqing, and most of the houses were damaged and uninhabitable. Gao Yu then found a wealthy family's residence in the city to stay in.

Gao Yu pushed open the door to the study and pointed to the mountain of letters piled up on his desk.

"These letters were all sent by people in Luoyang in various ways. Now, do you know why Erzhu Rong hasn't sent troops?"

Gao Yang and Huli Guang nodded, seemingly understanding but not quite.

At their age, no matter how intelligent they are, they still don't understand much about politics.

Gao Yu simply taught them a popular saying that would become a hit on the internet in later years.

"Remember this: military affairs are a continuation of politics. The people in Luoyang are restless, the court is unstable, and there is no unity between the people. If we rashly launch an attack under these circumstances, we may suffer a crushing defeat."

It doesn't mean that the civil officials in the court don't need to pay attention to their thoughts just because they don't have to fight on the battlefield.

In a sense.

All the logistical needs of the army, such as food, weapons, and supplies, had to be coordinated by the civil officials in the rear. It could be said that the 'lifeline' of the army was in their hands.

Anyone who secretly sabotages another because of a lack of unity of purpose.

Even the bravest soldiers could be wiped out in one wave.

After saying that, Gao Yu laughed gleefully, "Tianbao is probably in a real bind right now."

He could guess that Erzhu Rong must have intercepted many letters written to Gao Yu.

This is a hot potato.

He was quite curious about what Erzhu Rong would ultimately choose.

Gao Yu didn't say much.

Gao Yang and his friends are still young and have plenty of time to grow on their own. They are not in high positions yet, and they will naturally understand and comprehend many things when they reach a certain level in the future.

Gao Yu himself was no different.

At this moment, Chen Yuankang rushed over, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Prime Minister, His Majesty has sent the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat to deliver a letter inquiring when you will return to Ye City."

"Yes, it's time to go back."

Gao Yu looked towards the west.

He used to have no worries, and he didn't care even if he was always leading a large army on campaigns.

But ever since his wives and concubines, such as Yang Changchu and Erzhu Yuechan, gave birth to his children, he had wives and children, and with them came worries.

Right now, Gao Ze and Gao Run are still young. This is the time when we should spend the most time with them and cultivate our father-son relationship. If we miss this precious time, it is very likely that the father and son will become like strangers in the future.

Look at Gao Cheng, Gao Yang, and Gao Ying, the three siblings.

Why is she so dependent on Gao Yu? It has a lot to do with the experience of being 'abandoned' by Gao Huan when she was young.

It's not that they resented Gao Huan because of this; they were so young, how could they understand so much... they probably don't even remember anything.

But... Gao Huan was indeed absent from the best period of father-son relationship development in their lives.

It was Gao Yu who brought them along and filled that gap.

This also took root in their hearts, making them regard Gao Yu as their 'biological father'.

"You'll all come back with me."

Gao Yu looked at Duan Shao, Gao Yang, and Huli Guang. Having been tempered by war, they all possessed a maturity far beyond their years.

But they are still at an age where they need to grow, so they shouldn't develop health problems at such a young age.

Gao Yang and Huli Guang are both not calm enough.

Like all parents, Gao Yu had an idea.

Find them a good marriage; once they're married, they should be more settled and mature.

"it is good!"

Gao Yang was overjoyed. "I have been away fighting for a long time, and I miss my father, mother, and... my brother."

He couldn't wait to show off his military achievements to Gao Cheng!

December 30th.

After the situation in the jungle stabilized, Gao Yu embarked on his journey home.

After thinking it over again and again.

Order Dou Tai to be the main general and station him at Yewang, with Quan Jun as his deputy. As for Gao Ang?
He took Gao Gao away.

Dou Taike couldn't control Gao Ang, and Gao Ang had been fighting abroad for a long time. It was time for him to go back and rest properly.

Good steel should be used on the blade!

next time……

Gao Yu rode on a tall horse and looked back towards the south, in the direction of Luoyang.

A strong thought was faintly nagging at him.

The next time we will fight against Erzhu Rong's army.

The intensity will rise several levels, it could even be described as a decisive battle!

The great battle that will truly determine the ownership of the entire North!

The one who wins this battle will replace the Great Wei, the one chosen by Heaven!
"Tianbao, is that day far away?"

"At that time... we will finally put an end to our relationship."

however……

A higher intensity of war also means that many more people may lose their lives.

I wonder how many acquaintances will 'log off' after this battle.

But Gao Yu had no choice.

The struggle for power is inherently a zero-sum game.

Either you die or I die.

There is no middle ground.

Because there can only be one emperor.

Just like there can only be one sun in the sky.

Since the First Emperor unified the world, this land of China has been...

For any leader of a power, unifying the world is their ultimate goal.

Anyone who thinks of settling for a corner of the world will not only be despised by future generations, but even their own subordinates will feel that such a ruler without 'ambition' is not worth serving.

at the moment!

For him and Erzhu Rong, there was only one ultimate fate.

One of them died, and the other side completely swallowed him up!
There is no second option.

(End of this chapter)