novelraw Chapter 407 - 12: The Battle of Luoyang Begins, Advice to Li Shimin
Chapter 407 - 12: The Battle of Luoyang Begins, Advice to Li Shimin
The news spread like a tide in all directions.
——Kyushu is shaken!
As the first battle the Gu Clan emerged in, this battle was already under much scrutiny.
Now——
Gu Quan and Li Shimin could be said to have delivered a perfect answer sheet.
A surprise attack on Longxi;
Inadvertently achieving battle results akin to those of the former Marquis Zhongwu Gu Xiao and Han Guangwu Emperor Liu Xiu.
The impact of this even surpassed the victory itself.
The superstitions of prophecies have always been an indelible mark of the feudal era, making it hard not to associate this battle of Li Shimin and Gu Quan with Liu Xiu of old.
"The Celestial Mandate is with Li."
These four prophetic words almost instantly rose in the hearts of people across the land.
The benefit this brought to the Li Tang was unimaginable.
Even though many had never personally experienced it, the prosperity scenes passed down through generations were yearned by all.
The common people have suffered for too long.
Since the tyrannical Emperor Yan Han, few among the world’s populace have experienced true prosperity.
The silence of the Gu Clan further deepened this despair.
During Yang Jian’s time——
Although it was Kaihuang’s Governance, in the current era, it was impossible for one generation to completely implement and achieve those strategies.
Since Yang Guang’s ascension, he invisibly destroyed it all.
What awaited the people was an even more despairing reality.
The fall of the Sui Dynasty accompanied by rumors of its downfall for excluding the Gu Clan.
Now with the Gu Clan’s reappearance, even working with Li Shimin to achieve results akin to those of Gu Xiao and Emperor Guangwu, how could the common people not have expectations?
Yet, everything has benefits and drawbacks.
Welcoming the Gu Clan means the world will focus more on the Li Clan, and the regional warlords will further target them.
This is a storm that the Li Clan must face.
When the news of this battle thoroughly spreads, the warlords will tacitly aim at Li Tang. With just one battle, Li Tang gradually replaces Yang Guang, becoming their target.
——Without destroying Li Tang, peace of mind is hard to achieve!
.....
All sides are in turmoil.
In the winter of the second year of Wude.
Watching as everyone chants the names "Li and Gu," an alliance with the name "Destroy Tang first, then vie for supremacy" finally took shape.
In fact, the thought had long existed among the warlords.
With the arrival of Dou Jiande’s envoys across regions, the alliance naturally formed.
Wang Shichong, the Cheng Emperor of Luoyang;
Yuwen Huaji, the Xu Emperor of Jiangdu;
Dou Jiande, the Xia Emperor of Hebei;
Liang Shidu of Shuofang;
The most powerful heroes across the land, with opportunities to vie for supremacy, made the same decision.
——Destroy Tang first!
They agreed to jointly attack Tang in the spring of the next year!
It’s worth noting, Li Mi, who once opened granaries like Li Shimin, succumbed to his ambition after his status changed.
He was defeated by Wang Shichong and has now surrendered to the Great Tang.
This includes many capabilities from the Wagang Army.
History has indeed changed too much with the appearance of the Gu Clan, but some fates were long destined.
Li Yuan was very excited about Li Mi’s surrender.
But upon hearing about the "Tang Destruction Alliance," he was immediately engulfed in despair.
——Yes, despair!
The current Great Tang is indeed strong.
It’s even one of the top contenders among the warlords under heaven.
But facing so many united warlords, Li Yuan’s initial feeling was still despair.
The thrill from a great victory instantly vanished.
With the unified issuance of manifestos against Tang, falsely claiming Li Yuan as a tyrant under the pretext of being Yang Guang’s kin, they decided to attack.
The reason was indeed flimsy.
But who cares?
They just wanted to seize the grand momentum to overturn the rising fame of Li Tang!
——The situation changed suddenly!
Li Yuan initially held some hope.
After all, in such times of upheaval, one might be able to disperse or rally allies with the right leverage.
But such thoughts are already futile in the present situation.
In this era of vying heroes, who does not wish to sit upon the throne?
The momentum of the current Great Tang is overwhelming.
They haven’t even unified the world, yet their prestige rivals the Sui court of old.
No warlord can stand by and watch this!
The only path left for Li Tang is to fight.
But how do they confront their enemies?
...
Taiji Hall.
The heavy atmosphere weighed on everyone’s hearts. The joy of recent victories and territorial gains had long dissipated.
——The peril of national ruin!
Yes, in many people’s hearts this is the peril of national ruin!
Simultaneously facing warlords from all sides.
This is a situation that even the Sui court of old could not withstand, let alone the current Great Tang?
Though the Tang Army is strong, how could they surpass the Sui Army of old?
But at this moment, what else can be done?
Except to keep fighting!
Looking at the solemn expressions of his ministers, Li Yuan’s expression was equally grim.
Upon hearing about the Longxi battle, he had felt the anticipation of unifying the world, but that feeling vanished in an instant, replaced by the peril of national ruin.
At this moment, Li Shimin slowly stepped forward, his expression equally grave.