I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 406 - 11: Surprise Attack on Qinzhou—It Is I, Gu Ziyuan of the Gu Clan!

Gaozhi.

"Qin City is lost?"

Upon hearing this news, Xue Ju’s expression completely changed. Almost immediately, he stood up from his chair and demanded, "What happened?"

The expressions of everyone present also completely changed.

How could they not know the importance of Qin City?

The most crucial part was that they were already at a disadvantage on the front lines. How could they not be shocked by this news?

"Your Majesty, we do not know which troops, taking advantage of our army’s unpreparedness, attacked Qin City..."

A soldier with a face full of dirt cried out about the situation that day, even though he said he didn’t know who the attackers were.

Yet, in the hearts of everyone, there was an involuntary thought of one thing.

——The Gu Clan’s disciples!

"Impossible! How is it possible!" Xue Ju furrowed his brows tightly, still unwilling to believe it all: "Aren’t the Gu Clan’s disciples all on the battlefield? Where did this group of troops come from?"

"What about the spies I left at Long Mountain?"

"Are they all blind?"

"Could it be that the Gu Clan’s disciples have really learned to fly?"

One question after another echoed throughout the hall.

Seeing Xue Ju’s fury, everyone present couldn’t help but lower their heads.

But no matter how much they complained, what could they do?

Xue Ju knew very well that he had to solve the problem in front of him. Almost immediately, he looked at his son: "Gao’Er..."

Before Xue Ju could finish speaking.

Xue Rengao knelt down without any hesitation, saying strongly, "I am willing to lead the troops back to Qin City, no matter who the invading enemy is, I shall sever their heads to stabilize our army’s morale."

Upon hearing this, Xue Ju’s expression finally softened a little.

He had great confidence in this son of his.

Xue Ju would not lead the main army back.

Although he wasn’t one who studied history extensively, who didn’t know the legends of Marquis Zhongwu, Gu Xiao?

At this moment, if he were to return with a large army, wouldn’t he become like Kui Xiao before?

As long as they can hold off Li Shimin.

Then Qin City, now an isolated fortress, is no longer of significance.

As for whether the people inside are the Gu Clan’s disciples, Xue Ju no longer cared.

Even if they truly were, what of it?

Whoever they were, he had to kill them!

That very day, the decision was made, and the movements of the Western Qin Army did not escape the eyes of the Tang Army.

But upon learning that Xue Rengao had returned.

Li Shimin and Gu Yan almost immediately determined that Gu Quan had succeeded!

At this moment, inside the Tang Army’s camp.

The flickering candlelight cast the shadows of everyone in the tent onto the leather walls.

Li Shimin’s gaze swept over the generals in the tent like a hawk, his expression serious, and he said in a deep voice, "Once Ziyuan succeeds on that side, our army must seize the opportunity and quickly break through Xue Ju’s lines! Success or failure hinges on this!"

Upon hearing this, the generals in the tent all nodded solemnly.

However, they all knew that the Longxi defense line was as solid as a rock, and to break through in one go was easier said than done.

Even in the past, when Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu campaigned against Longxi, it was only when Kui Xiao’s army was in panic and morale was in disarray that he succeeded in breaching the city. Such a battle case illustrates the difficulty well.

Seeing the worried expressions on everyone’s faces, Gu Yan stepped forward, his gaze firm, and said, "Generals, do not worry. My brother has always acted with careful planning; he will surely recreate the glorious deeds of our ancestors!"

Li Shimin nodded slightly, his eyes full of trust and expectation: "Indeed! Ziyuan is wise and resourceful, and I have complete confidence in him!"

These brief and powerful words acted like a strong stimulant, dissipating the heavy atmosphere in the tent and easing the concerns in the hearts of the generals.

Seeing the determined expressions of Li Shimin and Gu Yan, a surge of pride rose in the hearts of the generals.

They took a deep breath, raised their fists in salute, and shouted in unison, "Please give the order, Highness! We are willing to be the vanguard, and even ten thousand deaths will not deter us!"

——The great battle reignites!

Li Shimin clearly intended to use the situation to suppress Xue Ju.

Attacking on one side, while spreading the message that Qin City had fallen.

This was indeed a lethal move.

The morale of the Western Qin Army was already somewhat chaotic, and under such circumstances, how could they not be affected?

But due to the terrain, the advance of the Tang Army was also very slow.

Meanwhile, Xue Rengao had returned to Qin City.

Looking at the defenders on the city wall, his eyes were filled with uncontrollable anger, and he pointed fiercely at the city wall with his long spear and shouted, "Who are you to dare to seize my city?"

"I am the Gu Clan’s Gu Ziyuan!"

Atop the city wall, Gu Quan responded without hesitation, his voice echoing like a great bell.

In such a superstitious era of omens, the pressure brought by this was unimaginable!

Xue Rengao’s expression changed slightly, but he quickly composed himself, angrily shouting again, "A fine Gu Clan disciple, dare you come out and fight me?"

Gu Quan’s expression remained unchanged; he didn’t even bother to respond.

"Could it be that the proud scion of the Gu Clan only dares to commit petty thefts, but doesn’t dare to confront me in open battle?"

Xue Rengao was clearly trying to provoke Gu Quan, as he believed that most offspring of noble families were very concerned about such matters.

But Gu Quan remained completely indifferent.

How could he fall for that?

Right now, all he needed to do was defend the city; why take unnecessary risks?

The reputation of the Gu Clan required ultimate victory to be truly established.

Reckless bravery does not make a hero!

Without uttering a useless word, Gu Quan directly took a bow and arrow from a nearby soldier, nocked the arrow, and shot it at Xue Rengao.

With a "whoosh,"

A sound breaking through the air exploded instantly.

Xue Rengao reacted extremely quickly, hurriedly sidestepping to dodge.

But the arrow utterly infuriated him.

Without a word, he brandished his weapon and led his soldiers to start storming the city.

— The great battle erupted instantly.

Although Xue Rengao was exceedingly brave, he couldn’t go against the tide of fate.

Under the aura of the Gu Clan’s name and prophecy, his army’s morale was in disarray, which greatly hindered their fighting capacity.

So how could they break into the city?

And even if they could break into the city, what then?

Gu Quan was not merely an ornament!

He had already made comprehensive preparations and would stand firm no matter what.

Three days;

Five days;

Ten days;

Fifteen days;

...

Day after day continued to pass, turning the area surrounding Qin City into a sea of corpses and blood.

Xue Rengao had already requested reinforcements from Xue Ju twice.

Yet even so, he had not been able to completely capture Qin City.

There were two occasions when he broke through the city gates.

But each time, Gu Quan led the army to drive them out.

As time passed, whether it was within Qin City or at the frontlines, the morale of the entire Western Qin army finally collapsed under sustained high pressure.

Deserters;

Defectors;

As such situations began to emerge, they sealed Xue Ju’s fate.

In fact, neither Xue Ju nor the former Kui Xiao were incompetent.

But the circumstances could not be altered by mere strength or tactics.

If Xue Rengao could swiftly recapture Qin City, perhaps he could have; a great victory would undoubtedly reinvigorate the troops’ morale.

But now both fronts of the battles were failing.

Rumors concerning the "Li" and "Gu" clans were widely known, and even Xue Ju could not stop them.

What else could be done?

Yet Xue Ju remained unwilling to give up, marshaling all his forces for a decisive battle with Li Shimin.

But it was like trying to change a predetermined destiny!

August;

Li Shimin first defeated Xue Ju at Shallow Water Plateau, where the Western Qin army lost nearly twenty thousand troops, with countless losses in provisions and horses.

Subsequently, news of Xue Rengao’s death at Qin City also reached.

Li Shimin seized the opportunity.

In concert with Gu Quan, they launched a pincer attack, utterly crushing the Western Qin army in one battle.

And Xue Ju, who had once been an arrogant emperor,

also eventually fell on the battlefield at the end....

——————

"Wude Year Two, King Qin Shimin campaigned against Xue Ju at Gaozhi.

During this time, Cloud General Gu Quan received secret orders, leading five thousand elite cavalry, advancing stealthily, crossing the perilous passes of Long Mountain, fording the Tongguan River, passing Fangma Beach, traveling over three hundred miles day and night, directly reaching Qin City.

Initially, King Qin Shimin and Xue Ju had a great battle at Gaozhi, luring the enemy deep, utterly defeating Ju, causing Ju to mobilize all his forces of Longxi to fight.

Quan moved troops swiftly, took them by surprise, and attacked at night, capturing the gates and securing the city.

Ju was greatly alarmed when he heard of this, hastily ordering a return for reinforcement, throwing his army into chaos. King Qin took advantage of the chaos, pursuing and defeating the largest contingent at Shallow Water Plateau.

Quan subsequently held firm in Qin City for three months, severing the enemy’s retreat, which ultimately led the Western Qin army into a position with no solutions, collapsing in a single battle.

It is analyzed: Quan’s use of troops echoes that of his ancestor, Marquis Zhongwu Xiao, known for achieving victory through unexpected strategies, in perfect harmony with King Qin Shimin, can be said to be a natural gift for military strategy. After this battle, Longyou was pacified, further solidifying Tang’s foundation."

——"Tang Book. Gu Quan Biography"