I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 425 - 15: The Irresistible Tide, Unification of the Realm (Double-Length, Please Vote)

At this time, Diao Yin City.

Liang Shidu was utterly in despair.

He never expected Yuwen Huaji to be so useless; in a mere twenty-three days, he hadn’t even engaged with the Tang Army in battle, and yet he had lost everything.

It was precisely because of this that he was completely hopeless in the face of the advancing Tang Army.

If it were possible—

The truth is, Liang Shidu now very much wanted to directly surrender to the Great Tang.

But unfortunately, he had already sought help from the Turks, and for this, he had paid various prices, which also meant that if Kyushu truly fell into Tang Territory, the Turks might face a crisis.

He didn’t even mention Li Yuan, only explaining Li Shimin’s ambitions.

—Ten Directions Expedition Envoy.

This "title," even after so many years, still resonated powerfully among the Barbarians of the four directions.

Back then, Gu Chen had severely battered all the Barbarians on four sides!

Although for the Turks, Gu Chen didn’t have any special title there.

But the reason behind it.

Was because they were extremely weak at the time, not even worthy of Gu Chen’s attention, so how could there be any title for him.

But within the Turks, the legends about Gu Chen were considerable.

Because they were attached to the Xiongnu and Rouran at that time, who were defeated by Gu Chen.

Naturally, they were also greatly affected.

Along with Li Shimin’s increasingly resounding reputation and the help of the Gu Clan, the Turkic Khan had to take it seriously.

Now he’s thinking about surrendering, but how is that possible?

By then, he wouldn’t even speak of wealth and glory.

The Turks would directly devour him.

At this point, he had no choice but to face the Tang Army head-on, with no other options!

Li Shimin had truly changed a bit.

He seemed to no longer focus all his attention on unifying the world; his thought for the upcoming battle was to directly pressure Liang Shidu into surrendering.

This was not arrogance.

But confidence given by the circumstances.

Actually, this plan was quite smooth at the beginning.

In the face of the unstoppable Tang Army, wherever they went, it was hard for anyone to dare to obstruct them, and cities were offering to surrender one after another.

Although there were some die-hard loyalists.

Unwilling to bear the name of betrayal, they wanted to put up a desperate resistance.

But the overwhelming public opinion following the Tang Army was too terrifying, and there were even strange stories of the people killing officials and then surrendering to the Great Tang.

However, as the Tang Army got closer to Diao Yin City.

This situation gradually changed.

Because the Turks came and took control of the families of these soldiers.

If they didn’t resist, their families would be executed.

This was actually a characteristic of the feudal era.

Using soldiers’ families to indirectly control the entire army, forcing the soldiers to resist the Tang Army.

This did work to a certain extent, affecting the Tang Army’s speed.

Of course, this act was destined to be futile.

As long as Li Shimin was willing, he could lead the army to attack directly, and with only Liang Shidu’s forces, it was impossible to stop the Tang Army.

Unexpectedly, however—

Li Shimin stopped his advance and, after breaking through a few cities, ordered the Tang Army to camp on the spot, halting their offensive.

....

The Tang Army’s camp.

"Your Highness, why would you want to see that Turkic Khan?"

"He’s clearly opposing our Great Tang, despite prior agreements with His Majesty, yet over the years they frequently break their promises, they are just a pack of insatiable hungry wolves!"

"Exactly! Are they assuming our Great Tang has no one? How dare they?"

"....."

Voices of anger continued to resound.

The officers and soldiers were very agitated about Li Shimin’s intention to arrange a meeting with the Turkic Khan.

Not just for the merits, but also out of confusion.

They didn’t believe the Turks could stop the Tang Army.

Observing the excited crowd of officers, Li Shimin’s expression was very calm, and he shook his head, saying, "All of them are the sons of Kyushu; if not necessary, why should we kill each other?"

Indeed, although he hadn’t unified the world yet.

Li Shimin already considered these people as subjects of the Great Tang.

This was not the benevolence of women.

But a touch of mercy from Li Shimin, after seeing too much of the people’s blood and tears, for the people of the world.

The current Kyushu truly needed a time of recuperation.

Every battle avoided could reduce the bloodshed and tears of the people.

This was the fundamental reason Li Shimin wanted to see the Turkic Khan.

Hearing this, the officers were speechless, but the fighting spirit in their eyes was still undiminished.

However, just then.

Gu Quan suddenly stepped forward, saluted Li Shimin, and said loudly, "Your Highness is wise; if the people of the world knew, they would surely be grateful for Your Highness’s benevolence."

In an instant, the officers from all over Bianjing bowed their heads.

With the support of both Li Shimin and Gu Quan, there could be no further change in the strategy.

What more could they say?

Li Shimin didn’t concern himself with the complex expressions of the soldiers but looked at Gu Quan: "Ziyuan, would you be willing to go with me?"

The influence of the Gu family’s disciples among the Foreign Race is unmatched by others.

"I am willing." Gu Quan had no hesitation, immediately saluting and saying.

This matter spread quickly.

Jie Li Khan did not hesitate much before agreeing to it directly.

To him, he actually didn’t believe Li Shimin could replicate Gu Chen’s past accomplishments.

This was also a normal phenomenon.

Looking through the history of China, how many could achieve what Gu Chen did?

He also wanted to meet this young man, who now held immense prestige across Kyushu, and see what he was really like.