My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 557 Counterattack! Regaining the Initiative!

"Brother."

"Adou Ni".

Hebasheng looked at his third brother, and couldn't help but step forward and excitedly grab his shoulder, then laughed and punched his chest with his little fist, "It's been a long time, it seems you've been doing well in Xingyang."

Heba Yue shook his head, then looked at Heba Sheng, "It's the prince who has worked hard, fighting all year round."

He raised his hand and then lowered it again.

In the previous battle against the Wild King, both Hebasheng and Gao Ang suffered serious injuries.

"Isn't it natural for warriors to wage war?"

Hebasheng didn't seem to care. "Although Gao Aocao and I belong to different camps, it is still a great pleasure in life to be able to fight against such a brave warrior on the battlefield! Even if I die, I want to die at the hands of such a world-renowned warrior!"

"It's better than dying feeling stifled."

"Brother! Why do you always have the word 'death' on your lips?"

Heba Yue shook his head and said, "Don't say such unlucky things."

Hebasheng smiled nonchalantly; years of fighting on the battlefield had long since made him disregard life and death.

After exchanging pleasantries for a while, Hebasheng finally spoke, "You said that the Prime Minister hastily summoned you and me to Luoyang, could it be because of Kezhu Hunyuan's defection? And therefore suspect that you and I also have such intentions?"

Heba Yue shook his head in denial.

After Erzhu Rong suffered consecutive defeats to Gao Yu, his confidence was shaken and his temperament changed drastically, but he was not stupid enough to do that.

Hebasheng and Hebayue were among the least likely to defect.

If the two of them wanted to defect, they could have surrendered to Gao Yu when they were in Hebei. Why would they have taken the initiative to go to Erzhu Rong after gathering the remnants of their troops?

"What brings you in such a hurry to see us?"

"Brother, why are you in such a hurry? You will know everything after you see the Prime Minister."

It was no secret that Zhu Hunyuan had defected and then lured Yao Xiong, who was defending Huai County, out of the city. He ambushed Yao Xiong on the way, killing him and leaving him in disarray. Yao Xiong fled back to Beizhong City with only a dozen or so personal guards. This was something that most of Erzhu Rong's men had heard about.

While it's not fair to say everyone is on edge, they are certainly all watching to see what Erzhu Rong will do next after encountering this situation.

Hebasheng and Hebayue arrived at Erzhurong's residence.

Besides them, there were also Wei Xiaokuan, Helianda, and others who had fought together in Guanzhong and were old acquaintances.

The composition of talent under Erzhu Rong's command has also changed to some extent.

Originally, the core was composed of Erzhu clan members and trusted confidants from Dai County, with additional talent recruited from the Six Garrisons.

However, with his break with Gao Yu, coupled with the suppression of the rebellion in Guanzhong and the incorporation of Guanzhong into his sphere of influence, he employed a large number of powerful clans from Guanzhong.

Even trusted confidants like Chi Lieyanqing died in battle.

People from the powerful clans of Guanzhong gradually replaced the confidants of Dai, and Erzhu Rong's base of support became Erzhu's sons and people from the powerful clans of Guanzhong.

The descendants of the Erzhu clan are indeed all worthless; few of them are capable.

Previously, Erzhu Rong had focused on cultivating two or three people, but now Erzhu Zhao has gone to Gao Yu's command, and Erzhu Tianguang is barely usable, but he has a lot of minor problems.

As for incompetent people like Erzhu Shilong, they cause trouble wherever they go, ruining his reputation.

even so!

Erzhu Rong had to grit his teeth and continue to heavily rely on members of the Erzhu clan.

no way.

He dared not easily trust others. No matter how despicable the Erzhu clan members were, they were still his relatives, closely bound to him. Their fates were intertwined; they would not betray him.

The issue of ability is not the biggest problem.

The biggest question is whether someone is loyal.

"Po Hu and A Dou Ni, you've arrived. Please have a seat."

Erzhu Rong stood up and greeted the two brothers with a smile. "You're too kind, Prime Minister."

After the two took their seats, Erzhu Rong returned to the main seat. He clapped his hands, and a servant brought over wine and water.

Erzhu Rong raised his wine cup and said, "I would like to offer you all a toast for your hard work in returning to Luoyang."

Everyone quickly raised their glasses and drank the wine in one gulp.

After Erzhu Rong put down his wine cup, he said, "I have called you all here today because I have important matters to discuss."

Everyone fell silent, waiting for Erzhu Rong to continue.

"Although I am not like the famous generals of ancient times, who possessed extraordinary talents, I still consider myself a knowledgeable person in military affairs. Why then did I suffer such a complete defeat when facing Mohedu?"

“I have heard that Moheduo is open to advice from others and always humbly seeks guidance from others. Today… you are all my confidants, and I also wish to seek your guidance. I hope you will teach me.”

This question is not easy to answer.

The group exchanged glances, but no one spoke.

Neither Su Chuo nor Wang Xiang spoke.

That's a difficult question to answer.

Isn't it simple to analyze the reasons for failure?
However, they were unsure whether Erzhu Rong was genuinely seeking advice or had other intentions.
In short, one should not easily become the first to stick one's neck out.

The atmosphere became somewhat somber. Erzhu Rong could not hide his disappointment and a touch of sadness in his eyes. Could it be that... he didn't even have a confidant with whom he could confide his innermost thoughts and speak the truth?
How did it develop into this way?

Hebasheng looked around and, seeing that no one was speaking, he poured himself a full glass of wine, drank it all in one gulp, and then stood up on his own initiative!

"Since the Prime Minister says so, then I shall give my opinion."

"Alright! Po Hu, feel free to speak your mind!"

Hebasheng glanced at everyone, then looked at Erzhurong and slowly said, "Prime Minister, I have always had a question in my mind, and I would like to ask the Prime Minister to answer it for me!"

What are your concerns?

"Prime Minister... are you afraid of Moheduo?"

Upon hearing this, Heba Yue's eyes widened in astonishment, and everyone else looked at Heba Sheng in surprise as well.

How dare you say it.

Isn't this tantamount to actively stimulating Erzhu Rong's sensitive nerves?
Erzhu Rong's smile faltered slightly, and after a long silence, he asked, "Why do you say that about defeating the Hu?"

"Please answer me, Prime Minister, are you afraid of Moheduo?"

Erzhu Rong's face darkened, and after several changes of expression, he sighed, "I have fought countless battles, and Moheduo is indeed brave and fierce, no less so than the ancient overlords, but I have no fear of him!"

"it is good!"

Hebasheng nodded, then pressed on, "Then why, after the battle of Hebei, Prime Minister, have you been on the defensive all this time? Why didn't you allow us to lead troops out to attack?"

"Just two years ago, Prime Minister, you took the initiative to lead the troops into battle. Although we were ultimately defeated by Moheduo and suffered heavy losses, it was far from crippling us. Why couldn't you have taken the initiative to attack? Why did you have to wait for Moheduo to attack us?"

"A passive defense and being constantly attacked will only demoralize our troops and embolden Mohedu!"

"That is exactly what I wanted to say to the Prime Minister!"

"Stop being passively attacked! Take the initiative and reclaim the initiative that belongs to us!"

"If we continue to defend like this, we will lose a piece of land today and a city tomorrow. In a while, all the land north of the Yellow River will fall into the hands of Mohedu. By then, it will be too late to launch a counterattack!"

"Why doesn't the Prime Minister take advantage of the current high morale and fighting spirit to launch a preemptive strike?"

Erzhu Rong stood there, stunned.

He was actually constantly asking himself questions.

why?

If he wasn't afraid of Gao Yu, why did he always adopt a defensive stance when faced with Gao Yu's aggressive behavior?

When someone bares their teeth at you, isn't the best way to retaliate by taking the initiative and scaring them away?
(End of this chapter)