Control your ancestors and create an immortal family starting from the Eastern Han Dynasty

Chapter 34: Changes in the Palace, Marching North to Defeat the Enemy

——Adding insult to injury!
This sudden bad news instantly disrupted Gu Xi's disaster relief efforts.

The people's hearts, which had just calmed down a little, became restless again after hearing the news.

The government and the public were shocked!

The word "great defeat" was even somewhat unfamiliar to the Han people.

Even the ministers had forgotten how long it had been since they heard this news.

Ever since Gu Sheng swept across the Western Regions.

The Han Dynasty's national prestige has reached the sky.

All the surrounding countries surrendered.

Are we defeated now?
In the past, the entire Han Dynasty would definitely be excited and let the mere barbarians see what it means to be under the true power of heaven.

But that's different now.

The continuous natural disasters coupled with this sudden defeat were bound to affect the hearts of the ministers.

Various emotions such as anger and panic surged into my heart.

In the court, the ministers each held their own opinions and the disputes continued.

Some people were filled with righteous indignation and firmly advocated sending troops.

After all, the Han Dynasty's majesty cannot be offended;

Some people also feel that there are constant natural disasters today.

If we go to war again at this time, any defeat may shake the foundation of the country.

But whether it is Deng Sui or Gu Xi, there is only one choice.

--beat!

This is a reality that the Han people cannot escape, and it is also a challenge that they must face.

And in Gu Xi's opinion, this matter is not entirely a bad thing.

As long as we can win a great victory, it will be enough to quickly stabilize people's hearts!
This is a risk, but also an opportunity!
Chongde Hall.

It was a solemn and dignified occasion with all officials gathered together.

Gu Xi stood on the steps with his head held high. His eyes were as sharp as a sword as he scanned the ministers fiercely. His voice was sonorous and powerful, resounding to the ground.

"beat!"

"We must fight no matter what!"

"The people of our Han Dynasty are now in turmoil."

"This barbarian provocation is a heaven-sent opportunity for the Han people to stabilize the people's hearts!"

"Just one big win!"

"I am a great man, and the people's hearts can be settled!"

As he gets older.

Gu Xi exuded an awe-inspiring majesty.

His eyes were like knives. Every time he looked at a minister, the minister would lower his head involuntarily.

Liu Hu stared at Gu Xi closely, the admiration in his eyes becoming more and more intense.

He had been loved by Liu Zhao since he was young, so naturally he had come into contact with Gu Xi more than once.

I have always admired Gu Xi's talent and wisdom.

Now that he had witnessed with his own eyes how Gu Xi dominated all the officials in the court, a strong yearning welled up in his heart.

That’s great. When can I be like this?

Liu Hu couldn't help but think about it and was about to agree.

At this moment, Deng Sui's solemn and majestic voice slowly sounded from beside him:

"Grandmaster, you are right. How can the great majesty of the Han Dynasty be insulted?"

"Ever since Emperor Guangwu took in the Southern Xiongnu."

"The Han people have always been kind and gracious to the Southern Xiongnu."

"But now that our Great Han has been struck by disaster, Zhudi Chanyu has disregarded our Great Han's kindness and rebelled against us."

"This is absolutely unforgivable!"

"No matter what, we must fight!"

Deng Sui's tone was firm and unquestionable.

She slowly stood up and glanced at the ministers, her eyes seemed to be able to see through everyone's thoughts.

Seeing everyone was silent, he finally looked at Gu Xi and asked:
"Who does the Grand Tutor want to send as commander?"

Gu Xi did not hesitate, as if he had already made up his mind, and said directly: "I intend to lead the army in person!"

This matter is too important and he really doesn't feel comfortable handing it over to someone else.

What he wants in this battle is a big victory!
It was just like the great victory that Gu Sheng won in the past when he swept across the Western Regions.

Although he is not as good as Gu Sheng in terms of command.

But as a hexagonal warrior, Gu Xi can use military power for political purposes, not just for fighting.

His goal is to completely stabilize the hearts of people all over the world.

When these words were spoken, all the ministers were shocked.

The Grand Tutor goes to the battle personally?

Deng Sui also frowned, and did not expect that Gu Xi would have such a plan.

But before anyone could speak.

Liu Hu's panicked voice suddenly rang out.

"Grandmaster is going to go to the battle personally?"

"Absolutely not!"

"The Grand Tutor is a senior official of the Han Dynasty and a pillar of the government. How can we allow him to take such a risk?"

His tone was extremely panicked, and he even stood up while speaking, his face full of fear.

This sudden change instantly attracted everyone's attention.

Looking at the fear on Liu Hu's face and the way he avoided Deng Sui, Gu Xi immediately guessed something.

But he did not make it known. He simply bowed to Liu Hu and said, "Your Majesty, there is no need to worry."

"I have made all the necessary preparations for this matter."

"No matter what, it will bring a great victory to our Han people!"

Liu Hu looked at Gu Xi in a daze, his eyes full of reluctance and worry, and he still didn't want Gu Xi to take the risk.

But he felt Deng Sui's uneasy gaze staring at him.

He didn't know how to start for a moment, and after struggling for a long time, he could only nod helplessly.

Deng Sui kept looking at Liu Hu quietly, her eyes as calm as water, without the slightest ripple.

Seeing that Liu Hu didn't say anything else, she shook her head slightly, as if she was a little disappointed with Liu Hu's performance.

Then he looked at Gu Xi again and said, "Master, have you made up your mind?"

Gu Xi nodded slightly.

"it is good!"

Deng Sui waved her hand without hesitation and said loudly, "Since the Grand Tutor has made up his mind, I will not say any more."

"Leave the disaster relief to me. There will be no accidents."

"Taifu, rest assured."

She knew Gu Xi's character too well.

Since Gu Xi was able to make such a decision, he must have thought of everything already. Why should we say more?

This is also the biggest reason why Gu Xi can go on the expedition with confidence.

After a few years, he had a sufficient understanding of Deng Sui's abilities.

If you really are a king.

Deng Sui would definitely be a capable king, that's for sure.

Gu Xi didn't say anything extra, but just bowed to Liu Hu and Deng Sui.

night.

North Palace.

When Liu Hu heard the news that Gu Xi was coming, he actually ran out to greet him in person.

As soon as I saw Gu Xi.

He couldn't wait to grab Gu Xi's hand, his face full of worry, staring at Gu Xi with burning eyes, and asked:
"Are you really going to leave me, Grand Master?"

Gu Xi did not answer his question directly, but looked at him and asked with concern:
"Why is Your Majesty so afraid of the Queen Mother?"

Hearing this, Liu Hu's expression changed slightly, and a hint of panic flashed in his eyes.

He first looked around carefully, and after confirming that there was no one around, he sighed deeply and said:

"I really don't know, my mother might be dissatisfied with me, she might depose me."

In fact, Gu Xi has not paid much attention to the affairs in the palace in the past few years.

At first he was concerned.

But later, after gradually confirming that Deng Sui was not a person like Empress Dowager Dou, he let the matter go.

He is not Gu Kang after all.

Natural disasters continued to occur in various places and the situation was serious, forcing him to devote all his attention to dealing with it.

Moreover, Liu Hu was no longer young and had long passed the age where he was prone to premature death.

How could he have kept paying attention to Liu Hu?
Gu Xi couldn't help but frowned and asked with concern, "Why does Your Majesty say so?"

Liu Hu sighed deeply, his face full of helplessness and grievance, and said, "Taifu, you don't know that I have been walking on thin ice these past few years."

"I'm afraid of angering my mother."

Maybe it’s the influence of childhood.

When facing Gu Xi, Liu Hu always felt an inexplicable sense of security.

He obviously understood that Gu Xi was definitely the one who could protect him, so he simply spoke out all the thoughts that had been suppressed in his heart for a long time.

Deng Sui had extremely high expectations of him, and he would be lectured if he did not meet her standards.

Gu Xi listened attentively. After Liu Hu finished expressing the emotions he had been holding back for who knows how long, he looked at him and said earnestly, "Your Majesty, there is no need to entertain such thoughts."

"Natural disasters are constantly occurring across the Han Dynasty, and everyone in the world hopes that Your Majesty can revive the Han Dynasty."

"The Queen Mother naturally has higher expectations of Your Majesty."

"As for the worries in your Majesty's heart."

Gu Xi paused for a moment, then bowed to Liu Hu and said, "As long as Your Majesty lives up to the virtues of your predecessors, I will be willing to protect the entire empire for Your Majesty."

This is a very direct and firm commitment.

Liu Hu stared at Gu Xi with red eyes. He was silent for a long time and then nodded slightly.

"Don't worry, Master. I understand."

Gu Xi chatted with Liu Hu for a long time before getting up and leaving.

The night was dark.

Gu Xi's figure quickly disappeared into the darkness.

Before he approached the palace gate, he stopped and asked someone to call Zheng Zhong.

Zheng Zhong is indeed not young anymore, but he still holds the position of Grand Chamberlain in the palace and still has considerable influence.

Perhaps because of his secret dealings with the Dou family in the past, Zheng Zhong has always had great respect for Gu Xi.

He was obviously confused by this sudden late-night summons.

He knew Gu Xi's character too well. If it wasn't for something important, he would never call him over suddenly.

After paying his respects, he asked the question in his mind.

Gu Xi was also very direct and stated his purpose directly:
"Replace all the palace maids and eunuchs serving Your Majesty. Send all those currently serving out of the palace and execute them secretly."

"Investigate again to see if anyone else, besides the palace maids and eunuchs, has come to see His Majesty in the palace recently."

The flickering torches made Gu Xi's already serious face look a little eerie.

Upon hearing this, Zheng Zhong's expression changed.

He is not an ordinary eunuch who only knows how to abuse power and cause chaos.

The fact that he has been able to maintain his position from the time of Liu Zhao to today is enough to illustrate his ability.

Almost instantly, Zheng Zhong realized that something was wrong.

As the Grand Chamberlain in the palace.

In charge of palace affairs.

Zheng Zhong naturally has his own people in this palace.

Liu Hu was just a powerless emperor, and not many people came to see him on weekdays.
After a while, Zheng Zhong found out the answer that Gu Xi wanted, and his expression changed drastically.

"Your Majesty's wet nurse, Wang Sheng, has visited Your Majesty several times in recent days."

Hearing this, Gu Xi's eyes slightly stern, after pondering for a moment, he finally spoke: "After all, she is your majesty's wet nurse."

"To save His Majesty from grief, let her fall into the water."

His expression was extremely calm.

Zheng Zhong's expression changed again. After hesitating for a moment, he still asked the question in his mind.

"Taifu, could you please tell me what crime they have committed?"

"To alienate the relationship between the Queen Mother and Your Majesty." Gu Xi said frankly without hiding anything.

Although Liu Hu did not tell him this,
But how could Gu Xi not see it?

Liu Hu is just a child now.

No matter how much he feared Deng Sui, if no one alienated him, he would not always suspect that he was deposed.

This was easy for Gu Xi to see.

Hearing this, Zheng Zhong couldn't help but take a breath.

How could anyone dare to do such a thing?

He was very aware of the seriousness of the matter, and nodded quickly: "Don't worry, Master, I will definitely do a good job on this matter."

"it is good!"

"Don't let His Majesty know the truth."

Gu Xi said no more, waved his hand and walked straight out of the palace.

Gu Yi had been watching all this silently, and was a little surprised.

Is Wang Sheng going to die like this?

This person was a prominent figure in the original history!

Gu Yi also didn't know how much impact this incident would have on the future.

But it is obvious that history will change greatly with Wang Sheng's death.

Gu Xi had no intention of mobilizing the central army in Luoyang this time. He only mobilized troops from the northern border counties, the Du Liao Camp, and vassal states.

In fact, this is also a very reasonable arrangement.

Although it seems that the enemy coalition forces are coming with great force this time.

But in fact, considering their national strength, it is obviously a pipe dream to completely defeat the entire Han Dynasty.

The current effect can only be achieved because the Han Dynasty has been plagued by natural disasters and people's hearts are unstable.

However, Gu Xi did not take it lightly.

He is indeed different from pure military generals like Gu Xiao and Gu Sheng.

After ordering his men to collect enough intelligence, Gu Xi demonstrated his art of manipulating people's hearts.

For politicians like them.

Any emotion in a person's heart can be used as a weapon.

Although the Southern Xiongnu, Wuhuan and Xianbei were an allied force, there were still internal disagreements among them.

It is impossible to achieve complete fairness in the distribution of interests.

This gave Gu Xi an opportunity.

He first concentrated his elite troops and penetrated directly into the weakest point of the enemy coalition forces. In one battle, he completely blocked the enemy in Gaoqu Valley.

Immediately during the confrontation.

He then sent someone to deliver a letter to Wuhe, the king of the Wuhuan.

He said: "After the rebellion is quelled, not only will the Wuhuan be spared from punishment, but rewards will also be given."

You know, facing the counterattack of the Han army, the Southern Xiongnu, Xianbei and Wuhuan had already gathered their troops together.

It is absolutely impossible to hide such a letter!

Once the seeds of doubt are planted, they are difficult to remove.

Although the Southern Xiongnu Zhudi Chanyu and the Xianbei leader Qiulun did not directly break off relations with Wuhe.

However, the already discordant atmosphere within the coalition became even more intense after this day.

But Gu Xi’s methods are not over yet.

Not only did he continue to spread rumors, but in the next few battles, when facing the Southern Xiongnu army and the Xianbei army, he would concentrate all his strength to fight.

But when facing the Wuhuan army, he ordered the army to pretend to surrender.

He even sent Wu He letters one after another, with increasingly cordial words, and in the end he even took the initiative to erase a few words.

Under these repeated attacks, and seeing the battle situation becoming increasingly unfavorable, morale gradually declined.

This so-called coalition.

Finally, the backlash came!

Gu Xi had been waiting for this day. When the coalition forces dispersed, he immediately ordered a fierce attack.

This is destined to be a brutal battle.

Perhaps it is really because the Han Dynasty is too strong now, and all the soldiers have their own pride.

Faced with the barbarians who dared to rebel and attack.

These soldiers were all holding their breath.

The battle is already decided!

Gu Xi’s main target was naturally the Chanyu of Southern Xiongnu.

After realizing that the situation was irreversible, he led his troops back to Huze.

But how could Gu Xi let him go?
He personally led the army in pursuit.

Gu Xi's martial arts attributes are not low.

Moreover, under such circumstances, the morale of the Han army reached its peak.

Facing this tiger-like Han army.

Wanshi Shizhudi Chanyu finally felt fear.

He did not dare to resist anymore. He took off his hat and went barefoot to face Gu Xi to apologize and expressed his willingness to be a hostage to the Han Dynasty.

The Wuhuan led their king Wuhe to surrender.

The Xianbei army suffered heavy losses and was forced to retreat back to the border, intending to send 120 tribes to the Han Dynasty as hostages.

One battle, and the border will be settled!
------

"In the third year of Yongchu, the year was Wushen.

In that year, the sun was as red as blood, the Yellow River and the Luo River overflowed, locust plagues covered the fields in Yan and Yu, and the people were forced to flee.

The Southern Xiongnu leader Wan Shizhudi Chanyu looked back at the desert, secretly allied with the Wuhuan and Xianbei tribes, and led 7,000 elite cavalry to attack Yunzhong and Wuyuan.

Wherever the cavalry passed, they burned houses and looted women and children. The beacons on the border were lit day and night, and red flags were hung in all the lonely cities on the frontier.

At that time, Grand Tutor Gu Xi was in charge of all affairs, holding his sword on the steps, and decided to lead the army in person.

Seeing that although the Wuhuan were powerful, they had different intentions, the Han Dynasty secretly sent spies to forge a letter of alliance, so that the Xianbei and Xiongnu would suspect that the Wuhuan had secretly accepted Han silk, causing the people to disperse.

On Bingyin day of March in the fourth year, a great victory was achieved over the enemy army.

Wan's corpse, barefoot and bare-chested, walked to the military gate on his knees, presented a golden knife and a sacrificial crown, and sent the prince and twelve wise kings on the left and right to be held hostage in Luoyang.

The leader of the Wuhuan tribe untied his braids and asked to submit. The Xianbei king Murong led 120 chiefs to pay tribute, offering a thousand fine horses and nine carts of white wolf furs.

The northern border is now peaceful."

——"Book of the Later Han Dynasty. Biography of Gu Xi"

(End of this chapter)