Chapter 624: Chapter 87: Subduing the Enemy Without Fighting, Shifting from Defense to Offense

If we miss this season, then all hope is lost.

Actually, Gu Yi had considered using some political means to gradually reclaim the Tubo.

But after pondering deeply, he directly abandoned this idea.

Now, the Tubo were at their most powerful, while the Great Tang had just experienced internal turmoil, with even those disturbances not completely resolved.

How could everything be resolved solely through political means?

In any case, the Great Tang must unsheath its sword!

At the very least, they needed to pierce through the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the barrier the Tubo depended on!

Thinking this, Gu Yi manipulated Gu Xuan, raising his hand slowly, silencing the clamor within the tent.

His gaze passed over the crowd, landing precisely on Guo Ziyi. His voice was not loud, but carried immense weight: "General Guo, do you think before the autumn cold descends upon Long Mountain, our army... can switch from defense to offense, and strike out of the pass?"

"Strike out of the pass?!"

These four words were like a thunderclap that instantly shattered all sound within the tent.

The hall fell silent, and the drop of a pin could be heard.

All the generals, including Guo Ziyi, narrowed their eyes suddenly, and their breath caught!

Previously, although the generals had also called for transitioning from defense to offense, it was more about counterattacking from the pass, blunting the enemy’s momentum. But when these words came from Gu Xuan’s mouth, their weight was entirely different!

The Grand Tutor’s arrival, with banners blocking out the sun and elite troops fully deployed, was certainly not a common border defense operation?

The tent was filled with veteran warriors; they were no fools?

With such a grand mobilization by the Grand Tutor, if it were merely to hold Dazhen Pass, especially with Western Regions allies already containing the Tubo rear, why exert such force?

Gu Xuan’s question emerged as if a sword had been drawn, its cold glare brightening the space—

This "transition from defense to offense" was by no means merely repelling the enemy at the pass!

The Grand Tutor’s intention... was to muster the nation’s strength, to strike directly into the heart, to sweep away the Tubo royal court!

Target—the Tubo royal court!

At that instant, many generals’ breaths grew even more rapid.

Even though they understood that attacking the Tubo was as difficult as ascending to the heavens, the leadership of the Gu Clan gave them immense confidence.

Which hot-blooded general does not yearn to carve his name at Lang Juxu, to engrave on Yanzhi?

Before them was a divine ladder to the clouds!

Only the likes of Gao Xianzhi and Feng Changqing, among the generals accompanying the Gu Clan, remained calm, for they had long known Gu Xuan’s thoughts.

"Grand Tutor..."

Guo Ziyi took a deep breath, forcibly calming his tumultuous emotions, his voice heavy yet sincere: "With our current strength, we are confident in defending the pass and repelling the enemy."

His tone shifted, his brow laden with grave concern: "However, if we intend to counterattack and penetrate their territory... forgive my forthrightness, this predicament cannot be easily overturned by human power."

"Once the Tubo withdraw to the plateau—"

He paused, his voice sinking lower: "Our Tang Army, seeking to breach the Tubo royal court, its difficulty... may be greater than reaching the heavens!"

Ambition for achievements is in everyone, but as a commander, Guo Ziyi knew each misstep meant countless soldiers’ lives.

He had to voice these issues.

If it were Gu Jing, he might not have these worries.

But Gu Xuan was still young.

And just the victory at Tong Pass was not enough for him to feel completely assured.

"General overthinks it."

Gu Yi, unfazed, had Gu Xuan stand up slowly, his gaze sweeping over the variously expressive generals, a serene smile of confidence on his lips, "The highland maladies, the ’mountain summit peril’ you worry about..."

"Our Gu Clan has researched for generations and found methods to counter it!"

"Though we dare not guarantee complete safety, it can greatly alleviate the soldiers’ physical anomalies, protecting our Great Tang sons, treading over the rugged terrains!"

There’s nothing to hide.

As early as when Gu Jing once deterred the Tubo, the Gu Clan had started researching how to break through the plateau.

With the passing of these years, naturally, there were some gains.

Coupled with the knowledge in Gu Yi’s mind.

In this regard, Gu Yi was very confident.

The reason for revealing it so early was also to boost the army’s morale.

Having a unified goal among the soldiers, the impact on the battlefield was significant.

Sure enough, after hearing this...

Many of the present soldiers showed excitement on their faces, even the usually composed Guo Ziyi couldn’t hide his shock.

He stepped forward abruptly, eyes sharp as lightning, fixing on Gu Xuan: "Grand Tutor! Is this... true?!"

Guo Ziyi’s voice carried an almost imperceptible tremble.

He knew clearly what this meant.

Since the founding of the Great Tang, the threat from the Tubo had never ceased.

Previously, the Great Tang was so strong that the Tubo had no choice but to bow to it, maintaining a facade of alliance.

But still, who wouldn’t care about others coveting near their doorstep?

Not to mention other emperors.

How could an emperor like Li Shimin not have thought of eliminating Tubo in the past?

It’s just unfortunate that no one could break through the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, significantly affecting the Great Tang Army’s combat power.

Now... is it finally going to be resolved?

"Naturally." Gu Xuan met Guo Ziyi’s sharp scrutiny and nodded slightly.

At this moment, the entire Great Tang fell into complete silence.

Guo Ziyi stared unblinkingly at Gu Xuan, seemingly seeking confirmation. Under Gu Yi’s control, Gu Xuan showed no fear, calmly meeting Guo Ziyi’s gaze.

After a moment—

In those bright eyes, Guo Ziyi seemed to have finally found the answer he sought, and his chest began to heave uncontrollably. With great seriousness, he saluted Gu Xuan:

"With these words from the Grand Tutor—heavenly barriers can be crossed!"

"I, Guo Ziyi, swear here, to lead the three armies’ valiant warriors, break through Tubo’s mountains and rivers, strike at their royal court, and proclaim the might of our Great Tang atop the Snowy Plateau!"

The sound shook the roof and echoed around!

Behind him, as if compelled by an invisible order, all the generals suddenly stood up!

Their armor clanged, their steps steady, and they converged behind Guo Ziyi in unison, then in synchrony, they deeply saluted Gu Xuan on the main seat!

In an instant, the entire military tent was boiling with the fervor of battle, surging to the sky!

This boiling morale had already burst through the tent, sweeping across the whole Dazhen Pass!

Upon learning that the Patriarch of the Gu Clan, the current Grand Tutor, had arrived at the pass with the elite of the court, the garrison at Dazhen Pass was exceedingly invigorated.

—Especially when the black banner, symbolizing the majesty of the Gu Clan, adorned with ancient totems, unfurled at the highest point of the city wall!

The morale of all the garrison also transformed.

An invisible power infused every sentry soldier’s marrow with each flutter of the banner!

In an instant, the morale at Dazhen Pass soared to the skies, unstoppable!

This is the power that the Gu Clan brings!

...

Meanwhile, within the Tubo camp, the situation was the complete opposite.

Even though the decision was made.

When the familiar black banner fluttered glaringly in the wind, the morale of the entire Tubo military formation inevitably suffered another blow.

This was utterly uncontrollable.

Tsri Songtsen Gampo could only repeatedly emphasize the benefits of advancing and conduct large-scale rewards.

But besides the lowest-ranking soldiers, the nobility from various tribes were inevitably influenced as well.

Even after Tsri Songtsen Gampo had purged them previously.

When they saw the Gu Clan banner firsthand again, these individuals couldn’t help but feel shaken.

No, it wasn’t just them.

Even Tsri Songtsen Gampo felt the same way.

When he personally saw the garrison’s excitement over the Gu Clan’s banner, he immediately understood that all his aspirations were unrealistic.

The influence of the Gu Clan is too great.

The prestige accumulated over hundreds of years holds absolute sway, both internally and externally.

He couldn’t imagine what kind of person could defeat the Gu Clan.

But he was certain—

It definitely wasn’t him.

Although he was unwilling to admit it, with the change in mindset, he had no choice but to accept this reality, letting the rumors of "retreat" circulate in the army.

Under these circumstances, Tsri Songtsen Gampo chose to retreat after just a few days.

Without any warning, after settling everything, he chose to withdraw immediately.

This greatly surprised everyone.

After all, the advance of Tubo before seemed relentless until Dazhen Pass was breached; who could have predicted such a retreat?

Since Gu Xuan’s arrival.

Not only did the former aggression dissipate, but they were even scared away?

Gu Yi was quite surprised at this.

But compared to the excitement of the generals over this matter, he was extremely solemn.

To retreat at a time like this.

Shows that Tsri Songtsen Gampo still maintains composure, and his control over Tubo is likely unparalleled.

The next battle... will be incredibly difficult to fight!.....

.....

(Ps: Begging for monthly tickets at month’s end, this month the number of tickets is indeed a bit low, asking brothers for more support, Yu is extremely grateful.)