I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 197 - 9: Jia Xu’s Return to Gu, Surprise Attack on Longyou (Part 2)

Chapter 197: Chapter 9: Jia Xu’s Return to Gu, Surprise Attack on Longyou (Part 2)

The two sides met on a desolate land between Han Yang and Anding.

Night.

The moonlight washed over, stars dazzling.

Torches around swayed with the wind.

In the faint firelight, Gu Wei looked at the somewhat shadowy figure in front of him and couldn’t help but frown: "Are you Jia Xu, Jia Wenhe, in person?"

"Jia Xu pays respects to the young master."

Without any hesitation, Jia Xu immediately cupped his hands towards Gu Wei.

"No need for ceremony, Wenhe." Gu Wei reciprocated the salute, staring intently at Jia Xu and asked, "Is what you said in the past true, Wenhe?"

He stared closely at Jia Xu, trying to discern his thoughts from his expression.

"Of course." Jia Xu nodded without the slightest hesitation, "If the young master can agree to this matter, I can help you deal with Li Jue and Guo Si."

Hearing this, Gu Wei was taken aback.

He couldn’t discern anything.

Jia Xu’s tone remained as calm as ever.

He paused for a moment and could only ask directly: "Why is this?"

"With your talents, Wenhe, why would you come to my Gu Clan?"

Julu is the stronghold of the Gu Clan.

Now that the Gu Clan has completely embarked on two paths, returning to Julu implicitly represents not participating in any worldly affairs.

Though confident, Gu Wei could not risk the entire family.

Jia Xu sighed softly, a bit helplessly: "The saint said, ’All bustle in the world is for profit; all commotion, for gain.’"

"But I am different."

"To be honest with the young master, I have always sought a place of peace and stability in my path until today."

"After much thought, the only place that can offer me complete peace is Julu."

After speaking, Jia Xu bowed again towards Gu Wei: "I hope the young master can assist me in reaching the Gu Clan in Julu, after which I will no longer concern myself with worldly matters."

The wind howled past.

Gu Wei continued to stare intently at Jia Xu. After a long silence, he finally spoke: "How does Wenhe intend to act?"

"Rest assured, young master, as long as you agree with me."

"I can ensure that Li Jue and Guo Si will not trouble you and might even... fight each other."

In the firelight, Jia Xu’s already somewhat sinister face appeared even more unsettling.

Gu Wei couldn’t help but frown, feeling a nameless sense of unease.

"Aren’t you afraid, Wenhe, that this action will invite the scorn of the scholars?"

He hesitated for a moment but couldn’t help but ask.

But Jia Xu was indifferent, smiling calmly: "What can a mere scorn from scholars do?"

"My actions harm neither the divine order nor human harmony, only not disturbing Wenhe."

Throughout, his tone remained nonchalant.

Gu Wei’s hand inexplicably trembled as he looked at the imposing Jia Xu. After hesitating for a long while, he finally nodded.

"Very well!"

.....

—Even though an alliance had been reached with Jia Xu.

Gu Wei would not completely trust Jia Xu.

He couldn’t help it; the terms Jia Xu offered seemed too unreal to him.

Considering the current state of the world, who with such talent would have thoughts like Jia Xu’s? It’s precisely the antithesis of the present era.

Gu Wei specifically left some troops behind, personally guarding Han Yang.

Meanwhile, Huangfu Song focused his attack on Longyou.

Longyou, with Long Mountain at its back, was easy to defend and difficult to attack.

Faced with Huangfu Song’s assault.

Ma Teng, Han Sui, and others were unfazed, immediately preparing troops to defend using the terrain.

Of course, they received news of Gu Chen having seized Wudu Commandery.

But human nature is always like this.

Despite Kui Xiao’s fate from years past, they still didn’t believe anyone would cross Long Mountain for a surprise attack.

Because that task was incredibly difficult.

Not everyone can become Gu Xiao.

They simply posted Ma Chao to guard crucial routes, while they confronted Huangfu Song directly and sent word to Li Jue and Guo Si.

This understanding had been an unspoken agreement between both sides.

Whenever Huangfu Song attacked one side, the other would move troops to attack from front and back in concert.

But this time, an anomaly occurred.

Li Jue and Guo Si were preparing to mobilize troops.

But just before the mobilization, Jia Xu stopped them.

"Do the two generals truly intend to just defend Anding Commandery to the death?"

Faced with Jia Xu’s question, both Li Jue and Guo Si frowned.

Jia Xu now held an extraordinary status in their hearts.

They both could be said to listen to Jia Xu’s every word.

"Two generals, the current world is in chaos, battles in the Central Plains are unending, and after the war in the Central Plains ends, no matter who wins or loses."

"For us, it is all unfavorable news."

"Do you really believe that relying solely on one commandery, you can rest easy?"

Li Jue and Guo Si’s expressions became increasingly serious.

Jia Xu calmly watched them, paused, and then spoke again: "At this moment, the only solution is to seize the entire Liangzhou State."

"Only then can we have a sliver of a chance."

"This is also likely why Huangfu Song is arduously attacking Longyou."

"The two generals can take this opportunity to mobilize troops to alleviate the battle in Longyou, but how does this benefit us?"

"On the contrary, if Huangfu Song, Ma Teng, and Han Sui end up defeating each other."

"Then the two generals can send troops to capture Han Yang and Longyou, seizing the entire Liangzhou State."

"Have the two generals never considered these possibilities?"

This simple sentence thoroughly resonated with Li Jue and Guo Si.

Their expressions suddenly became vibrant.

"Sir, are you suggesting that we should now prepare our army and watch Huangfu Song and Ma Teng, and Han Sui fight?" Li Jue asked with excitement.

Guo Si also had a gleaming look in his eyes, intensely staring at Jia Xu.

"That’s correct!" Jia Xu nodded without hesitation.

Seeing this, the two exchanged a glance, ultimately making up their minds, and then both nodded.

"Alright! We will heed sir’s advice!"

.....

Wudu Commandery.

Gu Chen was leading his forces straight to Longyou.

He had already divided his forces into two routes.

One was the elite three thousand men, led personally by him, crossing mountains and ridges to launch a surprise attack on Longyou.

The other route was to attack Longyou to attract the attention of Ma Teng and Han Sui.

Gu Chen’s judgment on the overall battle situation was indeed exceptional, having already planned the specific route for this surprise attack.

—First, head north along the Western Han River Valley, avoiding the main passes of Southern Long.

Lying low by day, advancing by night, cross Qiu Chi Mountain into Qishan, bypass the main road of Qishan, circumvent Salt Official Town on the west side of Qishan, traverse Mao Water Valley, heading straight for the grain depot at Shanggu in Longyou.

This quest was destined to be exceedingly difficult.

For both the commander and the soldiers under him, it was an unprecedented test.

But Gu Chen was quite confident about this.

The Gu Clan had special books on ambush tactics.

The current situation perfectly matched the prerequisites for an ambush.

It was also late autumn, free from flash floods;

The morale of the soldiers was as solid as a mountain;

Gu Chen had studied the family-preserved topographical maps more than once.

All these prerequisites gave Gu Chen full confidence.

The army continued forward, and just as they were about to enter the forest, Gu Chen suddenly stopped, his gaze sharp, and solemnly scanned each soldier present. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

In the forest, the wind howled.

"Brothers!" Gu Chen’s voice was like a roaring bell, echoing through the forest with the wind, "In this battle, we shall reenact our Gu Clan ancestors’ feat of descending like divine soldiers!"

"Regardless of how perilous the road ahead is or whether we succeed or fail, our Gu Clan will never betray you, my brothers!"

His eyes revealed determination and resolution, "I, Gu Chen, vow here, even if I die, it will be before any of you!"

"If we succeed in this battle, we will immortalize our names in history, for posterity to remember our glory!"

Boosting morale is a prerequisite for any general aspiring to be a chief commander.

Gu Chen’s resolute words struck like heavy hammers in the hearts of every soldier.

Everyone stared intently at Gu Chen, their admiration reaching its peak, and they immediately raised their weapons.

"We wish to follow the general, to defeat the enemy gloriously, leaving our names in history for a thousand years!"

Their voices united, breaking the silence of the forest, soaring into the sky.

Gu Yi had been watching Gu Chen all along, his expression gradually becoming complicated.

Who could have thought that after so many years, a descendant of the Gu Clan would reenact that scene of the past?

A surprise attack on Longyou once again?

If this succeeds, the label "skilled in surprise attacks" might forever be associated with the Gu Clan.

Thinking of this, Gu Yi couldn’t help but smile, having no intention to interfere.

Gu Chen is destined to grow stronger through various trials.

If he were always interfered with.

It would only impact Gu Chen’s path to the peak.

What he must do is simply ensure Gu Chen’s life at critical moments, and that will be enough. .....

......

Ps: Begging for monthly votes.