All Heavens: Starting with Little Li Flying Dagger

Chapter 139 Officially Promoted to General

After being ambushed several times, the Wei army suffered thousands of casualties. This time, they finally learned their lesson and stopped going into the mountains to encircle and annihilate the enemy, so as not to increase their casualties.

They changed their strategy and set up an ambush on the border between Wei and Zhao, just waiting for Gu Yu and his group to fall into it.

However, after the Wei army had finished its deployment, they received messages from several scouts saying that Gu Yu and his group had already detoured into Wei territory.

Clearly, they intended to enter Zhao from the border of Wei.

Left with no other choice, the leading general quickly broke camp and sent people to Wei to negotiate, hoping to pass through Wei and encircle Gu Yu's group.

But they fell into a trap within a trap.

Gu Yu secretly arranged for Xiang Shaolong to lead over a hundred men to feign passing through Wei territory, deliberately leaving some clues along the way to create the illusion that hundreds of people were crossing the border.

Once the Wei army broke camp, that very night, Gu Yu and his party crossed mountains and valleys and entered Zhao territory.

At this time, Zhao Qian, Madam Ya and others had already arrived in Zi County, and the group finally reunited.

However, Gu Yu did not travel with Madam Ya.

Instead, he deliberately revealed the "Secret Records of Duke Lu" and then headed to Handan alone with it.

Gu Yu knew very well that Zhao Mu would never allow him to return to Handan with the "Secret Records of Duke Lu" and would definitely send someone to ambush him on the way.

If we go back with the main group, a big brawl might break out.

He was much more relaxed on his own.

Sure enough, as soon as Gu Yu left, someone followed him on horseback.

Unfortunately, after chasing for a while, they only saw Gu Yu's horse tied up by the roadside, but he had disappeared without a trace.

The Marquis of Julu's residence.

"What? We've lost them?"

Zhao Mu flew into a rage and almost killed the subordinate who came to report.

The subordinate said tremblingly, "Lord, according to the information we received, that kid is very cunning. He abandoned his horse not long after leaving the city and should have gone into the mountains."

Zhao Mu said menacingly, "No matter where he hides, he must be found by me. He must not be allowed to return to Handan alive."

"promise!"

"Also, keep a close eye on the Wu family; they are definitely helping us in secret."

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye. Zhao Mu sent out several groups of people, but all of them returned empty-handed.

Under the escort of the army, Lady Ya and her entourage arrived safely in Handan City.

Zhao Mu personally led his men out to greet them. After all, Princess Zhao Qian was also in the procession, so even if it was just for show, he still had to come out to greet her.

But to Zhao Mu's utter surprise, Gu Yu was also in the group.

"Lord Julu, how have you been?"

Upon meeting, Gu Yu greeted him with a smile.

Zhao Mu put on a fake smile and said, "I heard that Gu Bingwei has successfully stolen back the 'Secret Records of Duke Lu'?"

"Thanks to the Marquis's blessing—" Gu Yu patted the box on his horse's back, "I have finally lived up to the King's trust."

"Such an important item should be given to me first, and I will then present it to Your Majesty."

To his surprise, Gu Yu did not accept this explanation and replied, "My lord, I am on a mission to the State of Wei at the behest of the King. Naturally, I must personally go to the palace to report back to the King. There is no need for you to deliver it to me."

"you----"

Zhao Mu's face turned red with anger.

But, in full view of everyone, he couldn't just forcibly snatch it, could he?

Next, Gu Yu personally led a team to escort Zhao Qian back to the palace, and in a side hall, he personally handed the "Secret Records of Duke Lu" to King Zhao.

"Good, good, good, excellent! Minister Gu, you have rendered a great service to the State of Zhao this time, and I will reward you handsomely."

King Zhao unfolded it and was thrilled, praising it repeatedly.

Gu Yu was about to express his gratitude when Zhao Mu coldly said, "Your Majesty, although Gu Bingwei retrieved the 'Secret Records of Duke Lu,' he failed to complete the mission of escorting the bride and killed many Wei soldiers, causing conflict between the two countries. I believe his faults outweigh his merits."

"this----"

Upon hearing what Zhao Mu said, King Zhao couldn't help but look at Gu Yu again.

"Your Majesty, I was forced to kill the Wei soldiers. Wei acted unjustly first, even plotting to murder the princess—"

""

Zhao Mu angrily retorted, "That's utter nonsense! What evidence do you have that the princess was murdered by the Wei Kingdom? Perhaps you're the one pulling the strings behind the scenes."

Gu Yu glanced coldly at Zhao Mu and said, "I wonder why Your Excellency would have such a bizarre idea. What reason would I have to harm the princess?"

Zhao Mu snorted coldly: "It's very simple. You are a spy who wants to incite conflict between Zhao and Wei and cause war between the two countries."

"Heh, Your Excellency has quite the tongue. Today, in front of His Majesty, let's have a word. Your Excellency, without any evidence, based solely on personal conjecture, accuses me of intending to poison the princess. If that's the case, His Majesty might as well ask the princess, and also Lady Ya, Lady Ni—"

King Zhao waved his hand: "Alright, you two are both my beloved generals, there's no need to argue about this. In fact, I know that the Wei people have wolfish ambitions and have long been eyeing my Great Zhao."

"Especially Lord Xinling, who hypocritically claimed that the three families were uniting to attack Qin, but in the end, wasn't he just looking for an excuse to annex our great Zhao and Han?"

Gu Yu smiled and said, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Despite Zhao Mu's strong opposition, King Zhao still kept his promise and officially appointed Gu Yu as the commander of the Eastern Gate Guard, thus formally entering the ranks of generals.

For Gu Yu, this position of commander also brought great convenience to his subsequent actions.

That evening, as soon as Gu Yu returned to the Wu family, Wu Shilu and his son eagerly summoned him to their study for a private discussion.

As soon as he sat down, Wu Yingyuan said excitedly, "That's great, Ayu! I never expected that the King would appoint you as the commander of the East Gate Guard. Now it will be much more convenient for us to enter and leave the city."

"7

Wu Shilu also said with a joyful expression, "That's right, this will make our plan even more advantageous."

Gu Yu smiled and asked, "How's the weapon forging going?"

Upon hearing this, Wu Yingyuan couldn't help but pat Gu Yu on the shoulder and praise, "It's simply beyond our expectations. Those weapons, in terms of both hardness and toughness, are comparable to those forged by a master craftsman, and we have now mastered the method of mass production. In this way, we will have an even stronger foothold when we arrive in Qin."

"That's excellent!"

Gu Yu nodded in satisfaction.

Wu Yingyuan added, "Furthermore, the plans for each ranch are progressing smoothly. Now, our most important task is to rescue Zhu Ji and her child."

"Okay!" Gu Yu nodded. "I'll go scout it out again later, draw a map, observe the guard situation, and then we can discuss it further."

Wu Shilu couldn't help but say, "Now, the guards at the hostage residence are much tighter than before, so you must be careful."

"Okay, I'll be careful."

Gu Yu responded.

Commander of the Eastern Gate Guards (Lieutenant General)

After Xiang Shaolong first entered the Zhao court, he distinguished himself in the defense of Handan and the sword duel in the palace. King Zhao appointed him Commander of the Eastern Gate Guards, granting him the rank of Lieutenant General, and he commanded the guards of the Eastern Gate of Handan. This was his first formal military position in Zhao. The original text describes: "After King Xiaocheng returned to the palace, Xiang Shaolong and Teng, accompanied by another deputy general, Zhao Mingxiong, returned to the Eastern Gate Guards command post. When Xiang Shaolong sat high on the general's seat at the north end of the command post's main hall, with over a hundred lieutenants, officers, captains, and other officers kneeling and bowing on either side, Xiang Shaolong felt as if he were in a dream, unable to believe what he was seeing."

Commander of the Cavalry (General rank)