Chapter 618: Chapter 84: Li Longji’s Self-Reproach, Orchestrating the Entire Situation

The branches of the Gu Clan in the Western Regions also hold considerable influence nowadays.

With the arrival of the envoy sent by Gu Yi in the Western Regions.

The entire Western Region was mobilized in an instant, and Gu Yi cleverly compared "Tubo" to the Xiongnu of the past.

And the Xiongnu—

Left the people of the Western Regions with fear deep in their bones!

Relying on the huge influence of the Gu Clan in the Western Regions, with a call to arms, the entire Western Region quickly mobilized to fully confront Tubo’s invasion.

This was also Gu Yi’s strategy.

What does it mean to command the grand strategy?

It’s the act of Gu Yi now; knowing that his combat skills are insufficient, he arranged various deployments and left the detailed engagements to the commanders under his leadership!

Of course, even though Gu Yi considered all possibilities, under the changed historical conditions, he found it difficult to be omniscient.

For example, this time’s pirates.

Gu Yi had not anticipated this. He never thought someone would be mad enough to attack the current Great Tang.

But there was no opportunity for inaction either.

The breakthrough point lay in Ryukyu!

The naval forces in Ryukyu are absolutely the strongest sea troops in the world today, relying on the Great Tang’s solid foundation and Ryukyu’s living conditions.

It was bound to lead to this point.

Although the sea route is chaotic now, which makes contacting Ryukyu somewhat challenging.

Gu Yi, however, remains unfazed.

Never forget that within Ryukyu, the Gu Clan’s descendants are always present.

Although the talents of the Gu Clan’s descendants are gradually lacking, under such a clear situation, the Gu Clan’s descendants within Ryukyu will certainly take action!

Whether it be the troops from Goguryeo or Baekje.

Or other pirates.

These people wouldn’t stand a chance against the mighty forces of Ryukyu!

As for the chaos in Jiangnan, it can only be handled after the situation gradually stabilizes.

....

Tong Pass.

The sound of battle cries resounded all around.

Though he personally rushed here, Gu Yi did not interfere with any choices made by Feng Changqing and Gao Xianzhi, allowing them to lead their troops to resist An Lushan.

While he himself played a symbolic role, including learning from the experience.

Of course, even if it seemed like he did nothing.

But as long as they won this battle, the greatest credit would still go to the Gu Clan, as nominally, this battle was overseen by Gu Xuan.

An Lushan had been attacking Tong Pass for several days.

But the situation changed too rapidly. Whether it was Li Heng’s sudden ascension, his trust in the Gu Clan, or Li Longji’s eventual edict of self-blame.

The series of major events that occurred during these days struck him fatally.

Although he suppressed the news.

But there’s no wall in the world without chinks; these matters ultimately affected the army’s morale.

Especially—

Their rear is now unstable.

This naturally had a serious impact on morale.

At this moment, within the rebel camp.

An Lushan and Shi Siming looked grim, and the tent was dead silent.

They had no choice; their situation was extremely precarious.

In their initial plan.

The idea was to leverage Tubo’s offensive to divert the Tang Army’s attention, allowing them to charge directly into Luoyang, destroying the Great Tang’s Central Hub.

Once the situation stabilized.

They would have ample time to clean up the mess.

This idea, although risky, was actually feasible because An Lushan knew very well the combat capabilities of the soldiers who had long been stationed on the border.

At first, everything was going smoothly, and everything was within the plan.

He was even excited upon hearing that Li Longji was fleeing to the Shu Region, because it would only make their offensive more favorable.

But he never expected that Li Heng would ascend to the throne and heavily rely on the Gu Clan.

To him, this was a fatal blow.

Now, he couldn’t advance nor retreat!

But what good would it do to drag on?

Not to mention that they have little grain left; even if there was an ample supply, under such overwhelming circumstances, a mutiny among the soldiers was inevitable.

No matter how you look at it, it seemed like a dead end!

But how could they just give up?

Surrender their military power.

That would surely mean death.

They all clearly understood this.

"General!"

Amidst the suffocating silence, Shi Siming, his brow furrowed tightly, finally spoke in a hoarse voice: "No matter what, we must gamble everything in a fight!"

"Hebei has already changed."

"With the abilities of the Gu Clan, if they consolidate Hebei and form a pincer attack on our army, we will be unquestionably defeated!"

"Why not... let the soldiers have a full meal, then exert all our strength to fiercely attack Tong Pass!"

"Most of the defenders at Tong Pass are new recruits, and it is the last barrier to Luoyang! As long as we breach this pass, our army can drive straight in to take Luoyang!"

"By then—the predicament will resolve itself, and the situation can be stabilized!"

The expressions of the others remained unchanged.

Though no one had said this aloud before, those who could enter this tent for discussion were experienced generals who had long seen through everything.

"...This is the only option." An Lushan was silent for a long time before he finally nodded heavily.

Then, a suffocating silence engulfed the tent once more.

An Lushan seemed to think of something, his facial muscles twitching violently as he suddenly slapped the table and roared, "Gu Clan dogs! Utterly ungrateful!"

"I have sacrificed three sacrificial animals and held nine rites, sincerely worshipping the heavens and earth!"

"I even promised him half the country—such immense wealth, and yet he treats it like dirt!"

"If the Gu Clan had helped us, would we be in this position?!"

"With my fierce and powerful troops combined with the reputation of the Gu Clan, where in the world could not be taken?!"

Indeed, he had sent out envoys to Julu with his promise.

He thought that the lure of benefits, combined with a scheme to sow discord, would in any case tempt the descendants currently residing in the Julu family.

But he never expected it to have no effect.

Looking at An Lushan in front of them, the expressions of the people in the tent gradually became complicated.

If it were any other family, some of them might have seen eye to eye with An Lushan.

But this was the Gu Clan.

The Gu Clan, which in the past was able to reject what was easy to obtain, the world at their fingertips, would certainly not care about half the world offered by An Lushan now.

And so, the matter was decided.

An Lushan had extraordinary execution ability; once he decided on something, he never wavered.

This was perhaps the essence of every hero.

And after he let the soldiers eat well, he personally led them the next day in a fierce assault on Tong Pass.

—this time, he truly used all his might.

He didn’t even care about the rear, only dispatching scouts.

Beneath Tong Pass.

The sounds of slaughter shook the heavens, and dust filled the sky.

The rebels surged like a furious wave, repeatedly crashing into the towering walls.

Arrows flew like locusts, and logs and stones rained down like hail, each impact accompanied by heart-wrenching wails.

On and below the walls, corpses were strewn, blood soaking every inch of soil before the pass, with the air heavy with the scent of blood and gunpowder. Both attackers and defenders were fighting desperately on the edge of life and death.

The combat power of the Tong Pass defenders was indeed no match for the rebels.

But do not forget, Tong Pass was a formidable defensive position!

And now, the defenders were filled with conviction.

This conviction was fostered by the Gu Clan.

Because since the Gu Clan rose to fame, they hadn’t been defeated over hundreds of years!

Crucially, Gu Yi would not commit the mistake made by Li Longji in the original history—forcing the soldiers to fight outside the city.

This was also a key turning point in the original history of the An-Shi Rebellion.

Li Longji’s urging led to more than ten thousand soldiers being reduced to just a few thousand, allowing An Lushan to march directly back to Luoyang.

The current An Lushan would employ the same strategy.

But how could Gu Yi fall for it?

No matter what tactics An Lushan tried, Tong Pass stood firm, providing no opportunity for exploitation!

And under such circumstances.

As the forces from Hebei gained momentum, what awaited An Lushan and Shi Siming was only despair!...

....

(Ps: Asking for monthly votes at the end of the month. This month, the number of monthly votes is indeed pitifully few. Asking the brothers for support, the fish bows in gratitude!)