My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 607 Calculating Defeat Before Victory

"Jinghe, didn't we send someone back to Yewang to recuperate? Why are you here?"

Gao Yu's slightly reproachful tone deeply moved Li Bi.

Ignoring his wounds, he quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "I'm sorry to trouble you, Prime Minister. This minor injury is nothing to me. Right now, the Prime Minister urgently needs people, how can I leave?"

“Jinghe’s words are true, but the situation is far from being that dangerous. If this causes you to develop a chronic illness, wouldn’t I regret it for the rest of my life?”

"Does the Prime Minister look down on me so much? I know my own body very well! Prime Minister, please do not mention this matter again!"

"You...sigh."

Gao Yu shook his head helplessly, "Fine, whatever you say."

He truly cherished talent.

Although he hadn't witnessed Li Bi's bravery last night, he knew that Li Bi had managed to tear a gap in the bridge with just twenty men, buying time for reinforcements to cross.

Later, he even fought Wei Xiaokuan head-on, forcing Wei Xiaokuan's elite troops to retreat.

Such bravery is no less than that of Gao Aocao and Lu Cao.

Such talent should naturally be cherished.

In battle, swords and spears have no eyes; one must be 'as ruthless as mud' when fighting.

But there's no fighting right now.

Gao Yu really didn't want to go through any more trouble if he could get some proper rest and recuperation.

When you're young, your body functions are strong and you don't feel the effects; many problems only surface when you get older.

"I have summoned you all here today to discuss how to proceed. What are your thoughts and plans? Please feel free to speak your minds."

No one rushed to speak.

However, Zhu Hunyuan kept giving Hou Mochen Yue, who was beside him, meaningful glances. After the incident in Beizhong City, and with Li Bi setting an example, they had already made progress.

He hoped that Hou Mochenyue could seize the opportunity to make a good impression on Gao Yu.

Surrender is commendable, but one must also demonstrate their abilities.

Hou Mochen Yue also had his own concerns. He had not received any prior notice and had only surrendered yesterday. He had only met Gao Yu late at night, so he had no time to think about these things.
If you rush to offer no substantial advice, it's better not to speak at all.

Seeing this, Wang Sizheng took the initiative to speak.

"Prime Minister, in my opinion, our army should consolidate its current position to prevent Erzhu Rong from sending a large army to retake the bridge. At the same time, we should be wary of the enemy setting fire ships from upstream to destroy the bridge and cut off the retreat route of our army on the south bank."

Gao Yu nodded, "Sizheng is indeed meticulous and insightful, which is exactly what I admire."

Wang Sizheng nodded and continued, "I just observed the surrounding terrain and had an idea, but I don't know if I should say it."

"As I said, feel free to speak your mind."

Wang Sizheng paused before continuing, "On the west side of the bridge, there is a protruding terrain that is large enough to build a military town that can accommodate several thousand people."

"The beauty of this place lies in the fact that its protruding part faces the sandbar in the middle of the Yellow River channel. We can build a city on the sandbar as well."

"In this way, the North Central City, the Sandbar Garrison, and the South Bank Garrison can support each other. With these three cities in place, the Prime Minister is already invincible around Luoyang!"

"If our army's southward campaign goes smoothly, these two cities can serve as reinforcements; if the campaign goes poorly, these two cities can protect our army's retreat route from being cut off."

Gao Yu couldn't help but glance sideways.

As expected of a defense expert, he spotted the problem at a glance.

No wonder in history...

Yuwentai ordered him to deal with Gao Huan. Wang Sizheng, based solely on the local conditions and terrain, immediately recommended that Yuwentai build a city at Yu Bi. As a result, Gao Huan never managed to invade Guanzhong again, and every time he raised an army, he could only return defeated at Yu Bi.

However, Zhu Hunyuan retorted, "Our army's morale is currently high. We should continue south to seize more territory and provide sufficient space for the subsequent army. General Wang's words might damage morale if they get out."

Wang Sizheng smiled and said, "General, you are also a man who knows about military affairs. As Sun Tzu's Art of War says, 'Plan for defeat before planning for victory, so that you can win every battle.' Although our army is currently in high spirits, the soldiers have come from afar and have been busy for a day and a night. They are now at their limit."

"On the contrary, the enemy soldiers are well-rested and waiting for the enemy to tire themselves out. If we rush in rashly, how can we have any chance of winning?" Zhu Hunyuan opened his mouth, his face somewhat ashamed, and could only cup his hands and say, "I have learned a lot. General Wang is indeed thoughtful and meticulous."

Gao Yu smiled slightly and said, "Sizheng, please continue."

After bowing slightly, Wang Sizheng continued to express his views, "General, there is another reason why our army should not advance south at the moment."

"The news that our army has captured Beizhong City and seized control of the river bridge has obviously reached Luoyang, but Erzhu Rong must have controlled the news immediately. The news has not yet spread in Luoyang and has not caused any riots."

"However, such news cannot be kept secret for long. Once the news spreads throughout Luoyang, Erzhu Rong will have a headache."

"So good!"

Gao Yu praised him repeatedly.

Without a doubt, Wang Sizheng's approach is correct.

Gao Yu currently holds a significant advantage, and the biggest taboo for him is to pursue a 'quick victory'. The side with the greater advantage can slowly erode the weaker one.

The region controlled by Gao Yu produces so much grain every year.

On the other hand, what about Erzhu Rong?

His capacity to endure had reached its limit. In order not to fall behind militarily, he had no choice but to forcibly and continuously expand the number of soldiers under his command, which was a heavy burden for him.

They forcibly requisitioned grain from Guanzhong and other areas.

Whether ordinary people or powerful families and clans in Guanzhong, they would feel dissatisfied and even complain.

They really pushed them to their limit.

Erzhu Rong is still fighting on the front lines.

It's likely that someone in the Guanzhong base camp had already raised their voice and called for a rebellion.

If, at this point, they are blinded by the victories along the way and rashly march south to fight, they will only give Erzhu Rong a chance to catch his breath.

"Then as Sizheng said, Changyou, you should immediately draft a letter and send someone to Yewang and Shanyang to tell them to prepare for all matters as soon as possible."

"Sizheng, I'll trouble you to keep a close eye on things. Make sure the barracks are repaired first, to prevent Erzhu Rong's army from launching a counterattack."

Gao Yu began assigning tasks to everyone.

After everyone left.

He left Duan Shao alone in the tent.

"Xiaoxian, you should learn more from General Wang's thinking. As a general, you hold a large army in your hands, and the lives of your soldiers are entirely in your hands. War is a matter of life and death, and you must not be careless about it."

Duan Shao nodded repeatedly, "Please rest assured, Prime Minister."

"You kid... you don't need to do this in private."

Gao Yu shook his head, both amused and exasperated.

Losing a battle is not a big deal, but losing a battle and losing the entire army is a fatal problem.

Why was it difficult for Li Guang to be granted a title?

Individual bravery is useless.

Every time he was sent out with a large army, he always ended up coming back empty-handed.

Emperor Wu of Han was giving him face.

If it were any other ruler, given Li Guang's military achievements, he would have already made himself look respectable.

Duan Shao was historically a steady and cautious person, the kind of person who is the ballast of a power.

He was also someone he focused on cultivating, and someone he would leave to Gao Ze as an important asset in the future.

(End of this chapter)