My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 223 Take the initiative
In April, although the temperature in Sizhou rises slightly, the nights are still quite cool.

"This time we have reaped great rewards, thanks in large part to the advice of Young Master Yuwen."

Ge Rong was quite pleased and couldn't help but add a few more words of praise, "The people of the Six Garrisons have only heard of the name of Huai Shuo Gao Lang, but in my opinion, Yuwen Langjun is no less than him."

"Your Majesty is serious."

"How dare fireflies compete with the bright moon? I am far inferior to Gao Lang."

Yuwen Luosheng was extremely modest. He had fought alongside Gao Yu and knew better than anyone how valiant Gao Yu was.

In fact, Ge Rong was well aware that when he escorted Anagui back to the Rouran royal court, he had personally witnessed how Gao Yu led the Xuanjia Army in repeated charges and completely broke through the formation of the Gaoche army of hundreds of thousands.

Even if a god descended to earth, he would be no more than this. The chieftains of the various tribes on the grasslands were so terrified by this battle that they all knelt down to see Gao Yu.

"Gao Lang may have been exceptionally brave, but on the battlefield, it is not just about individual bravery. Although Xiang Yu was brave and won every battle, he could not escape the encirclement at Gaixia in the end."

"With Yuwen Langjun strategizing in his tent, he can win battles a thousand miles away."

"Come, let us drink a cup together! The greatest credit for this battle should be given to the Prince of Yuyang!"

Inside the tent, the kings under Ge Rong raised their wine cups, and Yuwen Luosheng also raised his cup and drank the wine in one gulp.

After downing a cup of wine, Gao Yi Wang Hekang, sitting to Ge Rong's right, couldn't help but lament, "Yu Yang Wang's plan is excellent, but it's a pity that Er Zhu Rong is so cautious. If our army could take advantage of the situation and attack Bingzhou, we could completely wipe out Er Zhu Rong's hometown."

After defeating Du Luozhou and incorporating his followers.

It seemed like a great victory, which could be said to have given Ge Rong even more territory than Zhu Rong. He could say that he was the "number one" in the North and no one would object.

However, this also sowed the seeds of future problems.

With a large population, more food is consumed, and the internal factions become more complex.

Ge Rong seemingly possessed the fertile lands of Hebei, the granary of the Great Wei.

But for the past two years, Ge Rong has been fighting all the time. The three prefectures of Ji, Ding and Ying have been embroiled in constant warfare. How could he have time to grow grain?

Food supplies are dwindling, while the number of people needing to eat is increasing.

Ge Rong originally planned to defeat Du Luozhou and establish his prestige with the momentum of the great victory, and see if he could send envoys to persuade the Han Chinese aristocratic families in Hebei to submit to him and demand grain from them.

But they completely ignored him.

Even though Erzhu Rong massacred all the officials in Luoyang in Heyin, committing such perverse and treasonous acts, the Han Chinese aristocratic families were unwilling to turn around and cooperate with him, Ge Rong.

Just because Erzhu Rong was a bad person doesn't mean that Han Chinese aristocratic families viewed Ge Rong as a good person.

To encourage his soldiers to fight bravely, Ge Rong also frequently engaged in looting and even massacres of entire cities.

Ge Rong was left with only one option: to leverage the strengths of the refugee army and continue looting!
But the land of Hebei has already been wasted for two years.

They couldn't crack a tough nut like the Shijia Wubao.

Ordinary people?
In Hebei, there are no ordinary people left; they have all been coerced into joining Ge Rong's forces.

Ge Rong originally planned to plunder the Shandong region, which hadn't been thoroughly raided.

However, a man named Xing Gao in Shandong has also started an uprising. If Ge Rong were to go there to plunder, a fierce battle would inevitably break out, which would not be worthwhile for him at the moment.

At this moment, Yuwen Luosheng stepped forward and suggested that he quickly lead his troops to bypass Xiangzhou and head straight for Sizhou to plunder.

Because of the information they possess.

After Prince Yuan Hao of Beihai led his people south to surrender, the defenses of the entire Sili Province were weakened, and any attempt to rob them here would be like wolves entering a flock of sheep.

The most important thing is!
They could steal Erzhu Rong's backside; they didn't cross the Yellow River, but instead advanced north of it.

But unfortunately...

Erzhu Rong had already anticipated this, and the Taihang Pass and Bai Pass, two key routes leading into Shanxi from the south, had long been guarded by Erzhu Rong's troops.

The Jianxing and Gaodu garrisons guarded by Sima Ziru and Heba Yue were Erzhu Rong's insurance policy to prevent anyone from entering Bingzhou while he was in Luoyang.

The entire Shanxi region is indeed impregnable.

Upon hearing this, Ge Rong sighed and slammed his fist on the table in frustration. "What a pity! If I could enter Shanxi, the world would be within my grasp!"

Controlling the land of Hebei, there are no natural defenses, and it is also overlooked by Shanxi from a high vantage point.

If one could control both Hebei and Shanxi simultaneously, then true hegemony could be achieved.

Just then, his personal guards entered the tent.

"Yuwen Silang has returned to camp."

Ge Rong seemed to be anticipating something, waving his hand repeatedly, "Quick! Bring him here!"

Yuwen Tai entered the tent and immediately bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I have failed you. Heba Yue is unwilling to surrender."

Ge Rong could not hide his disappointment.

Upon learning that Gaodu was guarded by Heba Yue, Ge Rong even considered sending someone from the Yuwen family as an intermediary, but things did not go as smoothly as he had hoped.

"It's alright, and I can't blame you."

Ge Rong waved his hand and said, "Si Lang must be tired from your journey. Go and rest first."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

After Yuwentai left, Ge Rong surveyed the crowd and asked, "I intend to lead my army north to attack Gaodu and Jianxing. What do you all think?"

He Kang and the others echoed, "Attack! Erzhu Rong has no soldiers, while our army is numerous and powerful. Why not give it a try!"

Yuwen Luosheng remained expressionless and did not rush to express his opinion.

"What is the Prince of Yuyang's intention?"

Yuwen Luosheng cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, this is inappropriate."

Immediately, someone sarcastically remarked, "Could it be that the Prince of Yuyang knows that Heba Yue, who is guarding Gaodu, is an old friend, and therefore softened his heart? Or is it... that the Prince of Yuyang is unwilling to offend Naerzhu Rong?"

Yuwen Luosheng completely ignored such petty remarks and said solemnly, "My loyalty to His Majesty is beyond question!"

Ge Rong quickly waved his hand, "I also know that the Prince of Yuyang is loyal and devoted. With a great battle imminent, if anyone says such things again, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

His complexion was also not good.

What time is it? Still fighting amongst themselves?
Don't they know that Empress Dowager Hu in the Yellow River story serves as a cautionary tale?
Yuwen Luosheng continued, "Time waits for no one. Judging by the time, Erzhu Rong must have already finished dealing with all the matters in Luoyang."

“Erzhu Rong has previously slaughtered officials and relatives. Now, if he wants to establish his authority with another great victory, he will definitely mobilize troops to attack us as soon as possible.”

"If we linger here too long, Erzhu Rong will order the troops of Bingzhou to attack from Baixing and Hukou and cut off our retreat. At that time, our army will probably be unable to resist. I'm sure Your Majesty has heard that Erzhu Rong's troops are all elites, while our army's combat strength is uneven. I'm afraid we will be unable to fight him."

"Why should the Prince of Yuyang boost the morale of others while diminishing his own prestige!"

He Kang retorted, "Our army is numerous and powerful; even a single spit from one of our soldiers could drown Erzhu Rong's troops."

Yuwen Luosheng was too lazy to argue with them. The refugee army could only bully unarmed civilians and fight when things were going well.

Ge Rong's repeated victories over the government forces relied on the elite troops of his core Six Garrisons.

However, most of these elite troops were left behind at the main camp to guard the area and did not come with them.

They expect the refugee army to fight against the elite cavalry.

They probably wouldn't have been able to break through and flee in a single charge.

"Your Majesty, our army came here mainly to seize grain. Now that we have seized enough grain, we should hurry back."

"Once the Rouran king Anagui replies to the Southern Dynasty emperor, we will agree to jointly attack Erzhu Rong. After defeating Erzhu Rong, we will seize Shanxi, and Your Majesty's hegemony will be achieved. At that time, the powerful families and clans in Hebei will also pledge their loyalty to Your Majesty!"

After careful consideration, Ge Rong realized that Yuwen Luosheng's words did indeed make sense.

In fact, after learning that Erzhu Rong had already sent troops to guard all the key roads and passes, his attempt to sneak up on them by surprise had already failed.

The most important thing is to seize enough food to take back with us.

"Two days later, we will withdraw our troops back to Xiangzhou. This time, I am determined to take Yecheng!"

………………

Outside Beizhong City.

After gathering his troops, Gao Yu immediately crossed the river bridge to the north of the Yellow River.

And during the gathering of the followers.

He had already instructed Peng Le, Liu Taozhi, Liu Yi, and others to each lead about ten riders across the Yellow River to scout out the enemy's movements in the northeast direction of Luoyang.

The terrain of the entire Sili Prefecture is much the same as that of Hebei, all flat plains. Looking down from Bingzhou and Sizhou, it is a commanding view.

It is well-suited for cavalry warfare.

Therefore, Gao Yu ordered each soldier to carry only fifteen days' worth of rations, intending to achieve a swift victory.

Just as Gao Yu was waiting for the scouts to bring back news.

Erzhu, the garrison commander of Beizhong City, sent a man over.

"General Gao, I am a personal guard under General Heba, and I have come to deliver a message."

"what happened?"

"The bandit leader Ge Rong has set up camp fifty miles outside Gaodu City, seemingly preparing to attack the city."

"Gao Du?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Yu went to the map and glanced at it. "I understand. Quickly enter Luoyang and convey this message to the Prime Minister."

"Here!"

After Heba Yun's personal guards left.

Gao Huan also came to the map and looked at the location of Gao Du. "Ge Rong knows how to find opportunities. If the Prime Minister is not careful, the connection between Bingzhou and Luoyang will really be cut off."

"Is Ge Rong planning to take advantage of the chaos while the Prime Minister is leading troops to Luoyang to invade Bingzhou?"

Upon learning that Gaodu was surrounded, everyone immediately realized what Ge Rong was planning.

The intention is too obvious.

"If that's the case, I can head north right now to relieve the siege of Gaodu."

"He Liuhun, send someone to Jianxing to tell Zunye to also bring his troops to join us in suppressing the bandits."

Gao Huan nodded, agreeing that this was the right approach, but he still looked at Gao Yu.

In military operations, he was far inferior to his own son.

Gao Yu remained silent, instead advising, "Wait a little longer, until Liu Taozhi and the others bring back more information before making a decision."

Until nightfall.

Liu Taozhi was the first to return to camp.

"General, the bandits have plundered all the way to Qinshui."

The Qinshui River is a tributary of the Yellow River. It flows from north to south in Shanxi Province and eventually joins the Yellow River.

Liu Yi, Peng Le, and others also responded one after another.

Peng Le even captured several prisoners.

After interrogating him, Gao Yu obtained more information.

"The rebels looted and plundered wherever they went. It seems that Ge Rong's intention this time was not entirely to lead his army into Bingzhou, but rather to plunder grain supplies."

Gao Yu speculated, "He had just absorbed Du Luozhou's followers and was short of food, which is why he ran all the way to Sizhou territory."

"Since there is no hope of entering Bingzhou, Ge Rong must now want to withdraw his troops with the grain and supplies to prevent his retreat from being cut off."

"If that's the case, he should be gathering his troops and preparing to retreat."

"go!"

"Follow me to launch a surprise attack on the bandits!"

P.S.: Happy Dragon Boat Festival everyone!

(End of this chapter)