My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 606 Don’t care about your deeds

Historically, after the construction of the three cities of Heyang, it became the most important military town around Luoyang. The Tang Dynasty even established a military governor here to control this man-made "Sanmenxia".

Its importance is self-evident.

Later, it wasn't until the Yellow River changed its course that Beizhong City and Zhongtan City were destroyed by the river.

Over the centuries, the world has changed dramatically; human effort can never truly surpass the wonders of nature.

"Prime Minister..."

Seeing that Gao Yu was lost in thought, Chen Yuankang called out softly, "The soldiers are rushing to build camps according to your orders."

Distracted from his thoughts, Gao Yu turned around.

The night had mostly dissipated, and his vision began to widen. He looked towards the south bank of the river bridge and could see the busy figures of the soldiers.

There certainly aren't enough trees around the bridge for them to cut down.

In fact...

The surrounding trees had long been cut down, and even the timber needed by Erzhu Rong's army to build camps and make daily fires was transported from other places.

Originally, Gao Yu was thinking of making use of the waste and directly seizing Erzhu Rong's army camp, thus taking over the nest of another.

But before he could even cross the river, Peng Le had already sent back a message.

When Wei Xiaokuan fled in haste, he did not forget to set the camp ablaze, leaving nothing for Gao Yu.

He truly deserves to be called a master of defense. The existence of Yu Bi City caused Gao Huan to suffer a bitter defeat. His strategic vision is indeed unique.

On the contrary, Helianda, Wang Jie and others did not think so carefully when they fled, but the military camps they stationed were too small to meet the number of troops Gao Yu needed.

Currently, Gao Yu can only have people transport goods from the north bank to the south bank.

Not knowing when Erzhu Rong's counterattack would come, they quickly placed barricades, deer antlers, and other items, and put bamboo sticks, caltrops, and other items in the dug trenches.

The goal is simply to prevent Erzhu Rong's cavalry from directly attacking the camp.

Only in this way could they barely control the situation on the south bank of the river bridge.

"Go, send men to Beizhongcheng, Yewang and other places to continue to mobilize troops. Pay special attention to whether anyone upstream sets fire ships downstream. Be sure to guard against the enemy destroying the river bridge."

"Yes!"

He left Chen Yuankang to handle the matter, while Gao Yu went forward to the south bank of the Yellow River.

It can be considered a return to familiar territory.

Five years have passed since he set off from Luoyang for Shandong in February of the second year of Jianyi (528 AD).

A lot has happened in these five years.

The Great Wei Dynasty quickly split into the Eastern and Western Wei Dynasties, and several emperors were appointed.

The political situation was turbulent, which led to widespread chaos!
Five whole years!

I have come to the area around Luoyang once again!
If one were to travel from the river bridge to Luoyang at a fast pace, it would take just over an hour. If we were to calculate based on an RPG dungeon like those in World of Warcraft, I would have already defeated all the previous bosses in the dungeon.

Only the second-to-last boss and the final boss remain!

Based on the information I have, the boss is in Mangshan. Erzhu Rong has amassed a large army of at least 100,000 around Mangshan, north of Luoyang, and is still continuously conscripting soldiers from Guanzhong and other places.

Erzhu Rong was ready to fight himself.

So, you'll most likely have to face both the final boss and the boss that blocks you in one go.

The difficulty can be imagined.

Seeing the soldiers busy at work, Gao Yu personally went forward to help them move things and dig ditches with shovels.

Anyone with real experience planting trees knows how much effort it takes to dig a hole in the ground. If you're unlucky and encounter compacted ground, a few shovelfuls will probably only leave a white dot.

This is a very strenuous job.

"Prime Minister..."

The auxiliary soldiers, who were busy with their work, didn't notice at first, but belatedly realized that Gao Yu was also working.

For a moment, everyone was stunned. Liu Yi and the others had only rushed over after hearing the soldiers' exclamations, carrying steaming hot rice porridge and fresh flatbread.

The aroma is so enticing that it makes you instinctively swallow.

"Prime Minister, please have your meal first..."

"My comrades and I have marched through the night and have no time to rest before we have to rush to repair the camp. Everyone is working, so how can I be the only one eating and watching over things? Take it away!"

"Prime Minister...your health is of utmost importance."

"This is a military order! Take it!"

Gao Yu looked at the soldiers and auxiliary troops around him and said with a light laugh, "My men! The enemy may launch a counterattack at any time. The most urgent task right now is to repair the defensive fortifications as soon as possible, so as to prevent the enemy from launching a surprise attack!"

"I have already ordered the slaughter of cattle and sheep, which will be delivered soon. I will then dine with you all! For now, I will also work alongside you! Thank you all for your hard work!!"

A gentleman does not care about his deeds.

The soldiers didn't care whether Gao Yu was 'putting on a show' or not.

Anyone can talk, but Gao Yu spared no effort in digging trenches with a shovel, something everyone witnessed.

"Prime Minister!!"

“Prime Minister, you are of such high status, why should you condescend to such an honor? Building camps is simply our duty.”

"Get up and get to work! Otherwise, how can we face the Prime Minister!"

"........."

Indeed, everyone hadn't rested all night, and after marching, they had to continue doing heavy physical labor without even a chance to catch their breath before dawn.

It's normal to feel uncomfortable or resentful.

Gao Yu's actions simply demonstrated that he viewed them as 'people' rather than disposable resources. In their eyes, this behavior was already a concrete manifestation of 'treating soldiers like children'.

How can we let them remain completely unmoved?
After all... there are too many people in this world who are too lazy to even put on a symbolic show, clearly not treating their subordinates as human beings.

For a time, the atmosphere was bustling with activity, and everyone was working hard.

Gao Yu kept his promise and kept busy until a rich aroma wafted over.

After doing heavy physical labor, they need to be replenished with some oil and water. Everyone can eat meat to their heart's content, even Gao Yu can't do that... But preparing meat soup and eating meat sporadically can still satisfy them.

"fragrant!"

Gao Yu took a sip of meat soup and ate a bite of flatbread. After doing heavy physical labor, everything tasted delicious.

After a quick and easy meal, we were full.

Gao Yu quickly got up to inspect the area, repeatedly urging, "Make sure the soldiers are well-fed and watered!"

It wasn't until noon.

Gao Yu breathed a sigh of relief when he didn't see a counterattack from Erzhu Rong's army.

At least we survived the most dangerous period.

Only now can we truly say that we have gained a foothold at the South Bank Bridge.

His command tent had been set up, and he went inside.

"Go, gather everyone, and tell them I have important matters to discuss with them!"

"promise!"

Liu Yi left in a hurry.

Before long, the men who had come with him and his troops had all gathered inside the tent.

There were even Ke Zhu Hunyuan and his son Hou Mo Chenyue.

Yes, and there's also Li Bi, whose wound has been bandaged.

(End of this chapter)