"Whoever brings me the head of Liu Xiu shall be rewarded with ten thousand households."
Suddenly, the region of Hebei plunged into chaos once more.
Liu Xiu fled from Handan and headed north straight towards Zhending.
.....
"How tragic..."
"Isn't this perhaps the most tragic moment for Liu Xiu?"
Gu Yi chose not to aid Liu Xiu at this time.
Shecheng City was merely a small city, and if they accepted Liu Xiu there, all of them would likely meet their end.
The true significance of Shecheng City lay in its location!
It was meant to be a dagger pointed directly at Handan!
At this time, Gu Yi naturally remained silent, merely sending people continuously to gather news about Liu Xiu.
As expected, everything that followed developed just as recorded in history.
Liu Xiu fled continuously, only finding footing when he reached Xindu Commandery, where he gained the support of Governor Ren Guang and began to contend with Wang Lang and Liu Lin.
He swiftly captured territories, expanding his influence.
He then allied through marriage with King Zhending Liu Yang, gaining the support of an army of over a hundred thousand under his command, significantly increasing his strength!
In reality, many people today perceive Liu Xiu's founding of the country as not particularly difficult, believing that everything was too smooth for him.
The Battle of Kunyang brought him fame across the land in one stroke.
He soothed the land of Hebei, quelled chaos, and thereby gained the support of the Hebei aristocracy.
Although there were some hardships along the way,
compared to other founding emperors, it seemed the differences were vast.
Similarly, it was precisely because of Liu Xiu's cooperation with the aristocracy that many criticized him as one of the culprits of the aristocracy's expansion.
Actually, such matters don't warrant extensive debate.
Many tend to look at events of the past with a modern perspective, unaware that history is always a gradual progression.
What did the aristocracy of this period represent?
— Talent and heritage.
Given the current situation, the aristocracy was the most powerful force in the entire realm.
To unify the land under the present circumstances without accommodating the aristocracy was nearly impossible.
It's said this era yearned for the Han Dynasty.
But whose hearts were yearning?
In the late Western Han, the entire court's taxes burdened the populace so heavily they could hardly breathe.
Land tax, poll tax, and corvée labor.
Various systems had long since left the people without a way to survive.
Would anyone truly miss this Great Han?
Cooperation with the aristocracy!
Indeed, it could be called the turning point of Liu Xiu's destiny.
But regardless, one cannot ignore Liu Xiu's talents.
After expanding his strength, Liu Xiu promptly counterattacked Wang Chang and Liu Lin.
At this moment, his leadership over the grand strategy was fully showcased.
He was able to maximize the talents of the generals under his command, achieving frequent victories.
Until he defeated Ni Hong at Julu.
The situation changed dramatically, and Liu Xiu's forces headed straight for Handan City to attack!
...
"Brothers!"
"As the saying goes, 'Nurture soldiers for a thousand days, use them for a moment!'"
"Now the world is in chaos, and it's precisely the time for us to make our mark!"
"To bring peace, let's strive for a prosperous era for our families and descendants!!!"
Inside Shecheng City, the three armies were arrayed, standing tall and serene as mountains and valleys.
Wearing his full armor, Gu Xiao stood at the forefront, shouting loudly with his commanding voice.
During this period,
Gu Yi had been training the troops using somewhat modern methods.
Of course, it was greatly simplified.
In comparison to modern physiques, these people were indeed weaker, as their diet was entirely different.
Though he didn't know whether these methods would be effective,
at least on the surface, these thousands of soldiers now appeared much stronger!
"Kill!!!"
"Kill!!!"
"Kill!!!"
As soon as Gu Xiao's words fell, the thousands of soldiers immediately responded.
Their shouts echoed like thunder.
A subordinate officer rode over excitedly, looking at Gu Xiao and said, "General, are we going to attack Liu Xiu?"
"Hmph!"
"I've heard the court's army has repeatedly lost to Liu Xiu!"
"If we brothers defeat Liu Xiu at this time, the court will surely reward us!"
This deputy general was visibly excited, and evidently, the other officers shared the same thought.
Though many of them had previously followed Liu Xiu,
in such times, following Liu Xiu didn't necessarily mean they had emotions tied to him; people of their status might have never even seen Liu Xiu.
Not to mention, during this period, Gu Yi had strengthened their obedience training.
Now, these people could be said to follow Gu Xiao's lead!
"Attack Liu Xiu?"
Gu Yi was stunned, never expecting to hear such a question at the time of the army's departure.
He immediately became serious.
He right away replied, "Who told you to attack Liu Xiu!"
The voice abruptly stopped.
Everyone around was instantly taken aback.
"Today's battle, we are here to help the general eliminate that Wang Chang!"
"Restore the Han Dynasty...."
"How can my Great Han have an emperor with the surname Wang?"
After saying this, Gu Yi immediately manipulated Gu Xiao to raise the weapon in his hand.
At this moment.
Only then did these soldiers realize who they were going to fight against.
After a brief shock, they quickly reacted and started shouting again.
The cries of battle rose again!
Gu Yi did not hesitate, and immediately led the army straight out of the border.
He took all his troops out.
Initially, Gu Yi was a bit worried, because this battle required a surprise attack.
Taking advantage of Liu Xiu distracting Liu Lin's army, to launch a sneak attack.
If the news leaked out, it might backfire.
But now Gu Yi was no longer afraid.
Even his own subordinates thought they were going to fight Liu Xiu, let alone the people in the city.
Moreover, with the current prestige of Liu Xiu's army.
Who would be unwise enough to help Liu Lin at such a time?
This was a battle destined for victory.
For Gu Yi, it was just a matter of how much merit he could achieve!
The three armies advanced without any concealment, the army moved swiftly, heading straight for Handan.
At this time, in Handan City.
Inside the King Zhao's Mansion, now the Zhao Han Imperial Palace.
King Zhao Emperor Wang Chang was looking anxiously at Liu Lin, urgently asking:
"Chancellor, what should we do?"
"If Liu Xiu breaks through Handan."
"I'm afraid we will all die without a burial place!"
He was truly a bit panicked.
Actually, Wang Chang didn't expect that he would really have such an opportunity. He just bragged a bit about being the son of Emperor Cheng of Han, and he ended up becoming emperor.
However, this emperor was ascended quickly and would also go quickly, and it seemed like the fall of the nation was imminent.
Liu Lin's expression was also somewhat grim.
He didn't expect Liu Xiu to be so brave, not a single one of his men could stop Liu Xiu.
"Your Majesty, do not panic."
Liu Lin sighed deeply, "Our Handan City is as solid as a rock, with endless supplies of grain and fodder, it is not so easily conquered."
"I have long heard of the rift between Liu Xiu and the Gengshi Emperor, Liu Xuan."
"That Liu Xuan even killed Liu Xiu's elder brother."
"Now that Liu Xiu is rising again, I don't believe that Liu Xuan can live in peace."
"I have already gathered troops from four regions. As long as we can hold on, Liu Xiu will surely retreat sooner or later."
Liu Lin spoke with great confidence.
Upon hearing these words, Wang Chang's eyes immediately brightened, as if clinging to a lifeline, grabbing Liu Lin's arm:
"Good! Good! Great!"
"With the Chancellor here... I have no worries."
But... the development of events once again caught them off guard.
Indeed, Handan City was a strong fortress.
But it couldn't influence people's hearts.
Even before Liu Xiu's army reached Handan, the aristocrats and commoners within the city were eager to surrender.
The people within the city lived in a state of panic.
Gu Xiao arrived at Handan under such circumstances, and the city seemed to be having serious internal problems, as he entered the city directly with the Zhao Han court's banner.
When Liu Xiu arrived.
Handan's city gates were wide open.
Feng Yi saw a very familiar scene unfolding once again.
Gu Xiao led a group of bound people out of the city.
The difference was, last time it was him who was tied.
And this time.... it was Wang Chang, Liu Lin, and others.....
──────────
"Gu Xiao was both brave and wise. After the Battle of Kunyang when the world was not yet pacified, he hid in Hebei, waiting for the opportune moment.
When Guangwu Emperor planned to quell the rebels and restore the Han Dynasty, Gu Xiao devised a brilliant plan, setting a clever trap, and eventually captured the false Zhao Han Emperor, his achievements being extraordinary, highly praised within the army for his ability."
The Emperor praised his accomplishments, stating: "Gu Xiao took risks courageously, successfully capturing the main villain, his wisdom no less than that of the Marquis of Liu, and his bravery comparable to that of the Warrior Who Pacifies Waves."
———— From "Later Han Book, Biography of Gu Xiao"