My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 95 The army sets off north! (Second update, please subscribe!)

Anagui kept his word and soon informed Yang Jun.

After learning the news, Yang Jun specially invited Gao Yu over to inquire.

He naturally had no idea about the discussion between the two brothers, and thought that Gao Huan was really ill and unable to go beyond the Great Wall with the army. He even asked a few questions out of concern, and Gao Yu could only give a perfunctory reply.

"Since Dalang is unable to go on the expedition, let Hulijin, the second chieftain of the Tiele tribe, lead his people to join us on the northern expedition."

Hulü Jin's ancestors were Gaoche (Chile) tribe members who surrendered to the Northern Wei. Hulü was a prominent surname among the Gaoche people, and he led the Gaoche people to fight against the Gaoche people.

This makes sense.

After all, we're familiar with each other.

Gao Yu naturally had no objections.

In late July, when the weather is at its hottest, you can still feel a bit of coolness in the northern regions.

On the post road outside Huai Shuo City.

Another large army arrived, weary from their journey.

Standing on high ground, Da Xiwu looked at Huai Shuo City from afar, feeling quite emotional.

"Now that I've come to Huai Shuo, I can finally have a proper get-together with Gao Lang."

Beside him was She Digan, who remained as taciturn as ever. Although he did not speak, his eyes lit up as he gazed at Huai Shuo City, the image of the valiant young man he had met in Luoyang City appearing in his mind.

The two men had already been transferred to the Imperial Guard to guard the palace and oversee the city gates. However, Yuan Yi knew of their bravery and was willing to give them important positions, so he made them his confidants and promoted them to the central army.

This time, when Anagui was sent back to the Rouran royal court, he was ordered to select three thousand elite troops from the central army to accompany the imperial envoys northward.

Although the central army was in disarray in terms of military equipment, its numbers were still considerable. Not all the soldiers in the central army were idle; there were still quite a few who wanted to make a name for themselves. With careful selection, it was not difficult to assemble three thousand elite troops.

The envoy on this occasion was Prince Yuan Fu of Linhuai.

Before the expedition, the imperial court issued an edict appointing him as the Northern Route Commander, granting him the authority to oversee all matters related to the expedition. Originally, Anagui was also supposed to come with this group, but time was of the essence, and Anagui was anxious to recruit the tribes of the grasslands, so he naturally came first.

The imperial court knew that Gaoche had just defeated Rouran and was riding high, but it still had to send Anagui back.

Firstly, Anagui's 'Jade Throne Golden Buddha' and 'Stipunk' were not given for nothing, making Jiangyang King Yuan Yi extremely happy.

Secondly, as the former overlords of the grasslands, even though they had ruled the Central Plains for a long time, the Xianbei people knew all too well what a newly rising overlord of the grasslands would do. The Rouran people were easy to bully, but that did not mean that the one who had risen in their place was easy to bully as well.

For the Northern Wei, the Rouran were still more appealing.

After all, over a long period of time, the Rouran had already proven that they were indeed incapable.

Moreover, the newly crowned overlord of the grasslands, whether he likes it or not, will inevitably head south to raid once he has consolidated the power of the various tribes on the grasslands.

Rather than letting the Gaoche people rob us, we might as well strike first while they are still establishing themselves.

The Central Plains have always loved peace.

Rouran's obedient northern neighbor had his house seized by the bully Gao Che. Naturally, Da Wei stood up for his neighbor, beat the evil neighbor up, and helped him reclaim his property!
To demonstrate the might of the Great Wei Dynasty.

This is called punishing the unjust.

Gao Yu had come out of the city early with Yang Jun to greet them. Recalling the last time the court officials came to Huai Shuo, he didn't even have the right to come out of the city to greet them.

Now, however, he can stand beside the town general and accompany him.

Anagui was also here.

In recent days, many tribes have come to join him. In any case, according to Anagui, he now has more than 40,000 archers ready for battle, which is much more than Gao Yu had expected. This has increased the chances of victory in the campaign against the Gaoche. However, it is unknown whether this number is true or not.

Yuan Fu ordered his soldiers to set up camp outside the city, while he himself led his officers and generals on horseback.

"Greetings, Prince Linhuai!"

Yuanfu didn't have such a big air about him; his overall demeanor made him seem more like a scholar who preferred reading to martial arts.

Gao Yu was puzzled.

How could such a weak and scholarly prince lead an army?

The imperial court would be better off letting Li Chong lead the troops again.

Although Chen Liugong was rather greedy, his professional competence was truly outstanding, and most importantly, he genuinely delivered on his promises when he was paid!
"A welcoming banquet has been prepared. Prince of Linhuai, Khan, please follow me..."

Meanwhile, Daxi Wu and Shedi Gan took the opportunity to come to Gao Yu's side.

"Gao Liang!"

"I have met Gao Lang."

Da Xiwu was excited and his tone became even more excited.

She Digan, on the other hand, was much more composed, bowing respectfully with his hands clasped in a calm and unhurried manner.

Gao Yu immediately returned the greeting, and couldn't help but ask with some curiosity, "Weren't you two already members of the Imperial Guard? What brings you here this time?"

Da Xiwu explained with a smile, "Last year, the two of us were transferred back to the central army by the Prince of Jiangyang."

Oh?
"I see."

Gao Yu quickly realized what was going on, without needing Da Xi Wu to explain further.

Last year happened to be the day Yuan Yi launched his coup. He had already taken control of the Imperial Guard, so naturally he had to send his trusted confidants to completely control the central army in order to feel at ease.

Daxi Wu and Shedi Gan were both brave and skilled, and were from the central army, making them the most suitable to be sent there.

The details are too complicated to disclose.

Seeing Gao Yu's quick reaction, Da Xi Wu was secretly shocked; Gao Lang was indeed exceptionally intelligent.

Besides Gao Yu, Huli Jin was also present at the banquet, as he had received Yang Jun's military order to gather the bravest warriors from his troops to accompany him north.

Yuanfu brought several subordinate officials with him.

The position of Xingtai can actually be regarded as a temporary mobile 'Ministry of State Affairs'. The person called Xingtai has all military and political power in the local area, and the officials under his command are set up in the same manner as the Ministry of State Affairs.

Similarly, there are Left and Right Vice Ministers, and Assistant Ministers of the Imperial Secretariat...

The organizational structure is extremely well-developed.

And after the banquet.

Gao Yu originally intended to bring She Digan and Daxi Wu to his residence and give them a proper welcome.

But he was stopped by a refined middle-aged scholar.

Shedi Gan and Daxi Wu quickly bowed and said, "Greetings, Left Minister."

Gao Yu also bowed in greeting.

Gao Yu vaguely remembered this refined middle-aged scholar; Yuan Fu had introduced him before, calling him Cui Yanxuan, but he didn't know whether he came from the Cui clan of Qinghe or the Cui clan of Boling.

Cui Jie looked at Gao Yu and introduced himself in more detail, "I come from the Cui clan of Qinghe."

Qinghe Cui family?

Gao Yu couldn't help but ask in return, "I wonder what the relationship is between the Left Minister of Works and General of Chariots and Cavalry, Grand Minister of Works Cui?"

"That is my father." Gao Yu quickly followed up, "How has Master Cui been lately?"

Cui Jie sighed and shook his head, saying, "My father... My father caught a cold last year and stayed home to recuperate for several months. Although he recovered, he is still old and his spirits are declining. His appetite has also decreased. When I came, he was in better spirits and asked me to ask Erlang about his recent situation and whether there was any talk of marriage."

Upon hearing this, Gao Yu blushed. He never expected that someone as insignificant as him would receive the Grand Minister's concern, especially since he hadn't shown any interest in him in the past two years.

Then he said in fear.

“How dare I! How dare I! What virtue or ability do I possess to deserve the Grand Minister’s concern! Lord Cui is a pillar of our Great Wei and a pillar of the Han dynasty. The past kings of Great Wei will surely protect him and ensure his safety. If I have the opportunity, I will definitely go to Luoyang to pay my respects in person.”

Cui Jie smiled slightly, "My father has already returned to Qinghe."

Gao Yu's expression turned somewhat awkward.

Cui Jie could tell that Gao Yu and the other two were going to go out together, so he didn't continue talking to Gao Yu.

He immediately cupped his hands in farewell to the three men.

Gao Yu led Shedi Gan and Daxi Wu to his mansion, ordered his servants to prepare fine wine and meat, and summoned the beautiful concubines of the mansion to dance and entertain them.

After a few drinks.

Gao Yu asked, "Why hasn't Tianbao come?"

"Tianbao is ill and has returned to Xiurong to recuperate. He is unable to join the army on the expedition."

Is there a physical ailment?

His own brother also used this excuse, but he didn't know whether Erzhu Rong was truly ill or pretending.

…………

Anagui dismissed his attendants and sat alone in his tent.

Tutujia and Yijufa had just finished counting for him, and at most, it was only 40,000 strings.

Although the Northern Wei provided a lot of food and military supplies, they provided very few people.

With only three thousand central troops, Yang Jun's reply to Huai Shuo was that Gao Yu had five hundred soldiers and Huli Jin had two thousand five hundred followers, totaling a maximum of six thousand. However, these six thousand soldiers were all brave warriors. He personally inspected them and found them to be elite, with considerable combat strength, which was good news.

But the latest news brought by the tribes that surrendered two days ago.

The Gaoche have already claimed to have amassed an army of 150,000 in the Rouran royal court, which is more than three times the size of their side.

The numbers are simply too disparate.

After much deliberation, Anagui finally gritted his teeth, stood up abruptly, and his eyes were filled with determination!

"We can't delay any longer. The tribes that are willing to serve me loyally have already arrived. In the past few days, no one has come to join me. The rest are either those who have already submitted to the Gaoche or those who are opportunistic and not worth hoping for."

"If this continues, it will be very disadvantageous for me!"

"Somebody come!"

He shouted, and Tu Tujia and the others who were waiting outside the door hurriedly entered the tent. "Go and ask the Prince of Linhuai for me. Time waits for no one. The army will set off in five days. Is that alright?"

He soon received a reply from the Prince of Linhuai.

can.

Got a positive answer.

This was a natural thing. When he left Luoyang, he had already made an agreement with the Prince of Jiangyang. Although the Prince of Linhuai was the Northern Route Governor and oversaw all military and political affairs, he was actually in charge of the actual battles. After all, the main force of this expedition was the grassland tribes he had gathered, and the Northern Wei was only an auxiliary force.

He then summoned his two brothers, Yijufa and Tutujia, and privately gave them instructions.

"You two should send your personal guards to spread the word that the Great Wei has sent tens of thousands of elite troops to assist me, and that I have already gathered an army of one hundred thousand, determined to march north and fight the Yi Fu!"

Anagui was also unsure whether Gaoche actually had 150,000 cars.

The tribesmen who came to surrender did not witness it with their own eyes; they only heard about it from other places.

Anyone can spread rumors.
The word spread quickly; today it was 100,000, tomorrow it would be 200,000, and in just a few days it would become a million-strong army marching north.

Even if it's not about getting some tribes to come and join them as soon as they hear the news, at least it's about keeping them calm and preventing them from being terrified by the Gaoche and thus submitting to them.

He then sent people to instruct senior and respected shaman priests to make preparations. Before setting out on the expedition, he also had to offer sacrifices to the heavens and cast a golden statue!

The garrison commander's residence.

Yang Jun summoned Gao Yu Huli Jin.

"The King of Linhuai and the King of Rouran have issued military orders that the army will set off northward in five days."

"You two should muster your troops in the next two days, leave the city, set up camp next to the central army camp, and await further orders!"

"Here!"

Upon returning to camp, Gao Yu immediately summoned his soldiers to prepare for the expedition.

Fortunately, he had told his soldiers about this beforehand. Even if he hadn't, the expedition was no secret in Huai Shuo. Everyone was prepared and received the order to go on the expedition without panic. Everything was as usual.

After explaining all this.

Gao Yu was summoned to Gao Huan's residence, where Gao Huan personally poured him a bowl of wine.

He gripped Gao Yu's arm tightly with both hands, earnestly admonishing him, "Erlang, I know you are exceptionally brave and have a high opinion of yourself, but this journey north is extremely dangerous. No matter what, you must remember to protect yourself properly. If something is not going to happen, do not force it!"

"Don't worry, brother, I've reflected on my actions!"

Gao Yu nodded heavily, picked up the bowl, and drank it all in one gulp!

Lou Zhaojun then had her maid bring her a red cloak, which she had personally sewed for Gao Yu's upcoming expedition.

I also gave them repeated instructions.

"Erlang, don't forget, you'll be the one to teach Ahui how to ride a horse and shoot arrows in the future."

"Don't worry, sister-in-law, I will definitely return safely!"

………………

Three days later.

The central army and the Huai Shuo army then moved their camps to the side of the Rouran tribe.

Grassland tribes all believe in shamanism. Before going to war, they would have the old shaman perform a sacrifice to Tengri, who is known as the Eternal Heaven by the Mongols in later generations.

Then they cast a golden statue to divine good or bad fortune.

The great affairs of the country lie in sacrifice and military affairs.

This is true in the Central Plains, and it is also true in the grasslands.

Gao Yu and the others did not come to watch.

but……

They got the message.

Anagui's successful casting of the golden statue greatly boosted the morale of his tribes!
The shouts of the Rouran people were deafening!
fifth day.

The entire army, break camp and set up camp!
(End of this chapter)