I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 414 - 13: Bloody Battle at Hulao Pass, Capturing Two Emperors in One Fight (Double-Length - )

Gu Quan, Cheng Yaojin, and others were the same, completely unable to control the situation.

Three whole days of assault.

All these generals, including Li Shimin, had never left the front line from beginning to end, with daily rest less than an hour, even resting right in front of the pass.

The physical and mental exhaustion was unimaginable.

But Li Shimin only rested briefly, then once more wielded his longsword and pushed himself up.

Seeing this, the officers and soldiers immediately wanted to rise again.

But Li Shimin waved a hand directly: "No need, brothers, rest well; there will definitely be a big battle coming up."

He said softly, and immediately went to inspect the three armies.

This was something he had to do.

Only in this way could the soldiers truly see that their King Qin was always standing with them, giving them confidence.

Perhaps too exhausted, none of the officers and soldiers got up upon hearing this.

Only Gu Quan slowly stood up.

Li Shimin glanced and said nothing more, as Gu Quan was ultimately different from other generals, whether in terms of his prestige in the Tang Army or his identity; at times like these, he could still play a role.

Perhaps due to excessive fatigue, the two supported each other as they walked around inside the pass.

The ground was blood-soaked.

The exhausted soldiers mixed with corpses made it difficult to tell them apart.

There were also wounded soldiers crying out in agony.

Many conscious soldiers instinctively wanted to get up upon seeing Li Shimin and Gu Quan, but the two stopped them.

Gu Quan did not overstep, never speaking out of turn.

He just let Li Shimin reassure these soldiers and give them confidence.

At the same time, arrangements for the next phase of city defense were being made.

But these tragic scenes made Li Shimin’s expression even more serious.

The rise and fall of the world brings suffering to all people.

He couldn’t help but think of this adage, an unchanging truth through the ages.

After going through a round of inspections.

Li Shimin then looked at Gu Quan and spoke solemnly: "We cannot keep defending like this; if this goes on, Hulao will surely fall."

This battle had cost him dearly.

Although, compared to the Xia Army attacking the city, this level of casualties could be called a great victory.

But after all, the forces are here, and the advantage lies with Dou Jiande.

This is an undeniable fact.

"Does Ziyuan have any good strategies?"

Without any superfluous words, Li Shimin directly asked Gu Quan’s thoughts.

In the situation of defending the city.

He had great trust in Gu Quan’s abilities.

"Switch from defense to offense, strike at their hearts." Gu Quan seemed to already have the answer ready, sitting down and seriously saying: "Only in this way... can we hold Hulao."

He recounted to Li Shimin how Gu Chen defended Luoyang with few soldiers in the past.

Li Shimin had heard of these before.

But compared to the Gu Clan’s historical records, indeed, it was much less detailed.

Li Shimin listened very earnestly, considering the gains and losses within it.

After Fang Fu finished speaking, Gu Quan immediately asked to fight: "Your Highness, I am willing to lead five hundred soldiers to go out and display our military might!"

Indeed, he intended to take advantage of the just-concluded battle to move out.

A three-day bloody battle.

If the Xia Army saw the Tang Army still had the strength to fight, surely their morale would be affected.

In fact, this tactic was not aimed at Dou Jiande and other high-level officers.

It was merely making use of human nature to employ strategy!

Gu Quan firmly believed in the influence of the Gu Clan’s name in the Hebei region, no matter the current state of the Xia Army; he could ascertain that the Xia Army’s pressure now would definitely not be less than that of the Tang Army!

"Good!"

Upon hearing this, Li Shimin nodded slightly and did not refuse.

But just as Gu Quan was about to stand, Li Shimin placed a hand directly on his shoulder: "I will go with Ziyuan."

Gu Quan paused, slightly taken aback.

Li Shimin smiled lightly: "If we are to demonstrate military might, as the commander of all three armies, how can I back down?"

A great man should die if he must.

At this point, Li Shimin no longer cared about anything else; he just wanted to seize the only possibility.

Gu Quan was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly without saying anything more.

"Let’s go, and first clean ourselves up."

"Let them see the might of our Great Tang army!"

As he spoke, Li Shimin pulled Gu Quan along.

Then they selected some soldiers who still had some energy, including Cheng Yaojin and others, to go together.

Fortunately, the Tang Army was not lacking in provisions now.

Seizing the Luoyang warehouse was definitely the key to this battle, providing the greatest assurance of the Tang Army’s unwavering morale.

Many people naturally tried to persuade them otherwise.

No matter for Li Shimin’s safety or for the upcoming battle, it would be the wisest decision for Li Shimin to rest well now.

But Li Shimin was very composed, speaking calmly in front of hundreds of soldiers: "The soldiers are all in bloody battle, how can I retreat?"

"As for safety."

He paused slightly, waving his bow and arrow: "I hold the bow, and if you follow with your spears, what threat could millions pose?"

From beginning to end, Li Shimin remained so composed and confident.

Perhaps this was Li Shimin’s extraordinary attribute.

This kind of commander gave his soldiers a very rare sense of security.

With a creaking sound—

The gate of Hulao Pass opened wide, and hundreds of riders, following Li Shimin and Gu Quan, rushed out, riding through the fields of corpses towards the Xia Army camp.

He kept no track along the route.

This news was swiftly reported back by the Xia Army’s scouts.

The entire Xia Army was astonished!

Who could have expected that after just ending several days of bloody battle, Li Shimin would actually lead the army at such a time?