What followed was sheer terror!
Luoyang was a strategic location that could directly threaten Jixian County.
Now, the elite Han Army was at the forefront.
If reinforcements attacked from the rear, then this Jixian County...
It was imperative to take back Luoyang!
This thought surged in Kui Xiao's mind instantly.
A surprise attack by the main army would definitely not involve too many troops; as long as he could swiftly reclaim Luoyang, all risks would be easily resolved!
If he could also capture Gu Xiao, the Grand Commandant of the Great Han.
That would definitely shake the current Han Army to its core!
Deciding quickly, Kui Xiao was not one to hesitate. He immediately dispatched troops to garrison Jixian County, while he personally led the elite straight to Luoyang.
.....
"Report!!!"
The Junyi military camp, an armored soldier rushed in hastily: "Report to the general."
"Scouts from Jixian County have sent news."
"Kui Xiao has personally led a large army to return to aid Luoyang. According to the scouts' investigation, it seems the Grand Commandant... has led the army to seize Luoyang!"
Although they had somewhat anticipated it in their hearts.
When Feng Yi, Wu Han, and the other generals heard this news, their first reaction still felt a bit like a fantasy.
Occupied Luoyang?
Of course, they knew what Luoyang represented.
But could even such a location be seized by a surprise attack?
The generals were left bewildered.
But how could they not respond to such a wartime opportunity?
Wu Han and others immediately wanted to launch a decisive battle.
However, at this moment, Feng Yi insisted on maintaining calm; the army had been engaged in constant battles lately and was very exhausted.
While the garrison in Jixian County was fighting daily as well, their condition in such terrain would certainly be better than that of the Han Army now.
To launch a decisive battle under such circumstances.
If they lost, it would be a disastrous defeat.
Feng Yi quickly calmed down and addressed the generals: "The troops are weary; we should rest and reorganize for a few days."
"General!"
Wu Han was visibly perplexed, "How can we forgo such a golden opportunity?"
"Our troops are indeed weary, but the enemy is attacking from both front and rear."
"Moreover, the Grand Commandant is currently in Luoyang."
"Since it's a surprise attack, he surely wouldn't have brought too many troops. If Kui Xiao breaks through Luoyang, the Grand Commandant..."
"The Grand Commandant will definitely hold it!"
Before Wu Han could finish, Feng Yi interrupted him, resolutely declaring.
"Hmm?"
Wu Han was taken aback!
"The Grand Commandant will definitely hold it!"
Feng Yi reiterated, seriously addressing the assembled officers and soldiers: "I have never seen the Grand Commandant make a mistake in battle; Jixian County is not so easily breached, even under these circumstances."
"The Grand Commandant surely understands this point, and since he has acted accordingly, he will definitely hold it!"
"I will write to His Majesty."
"If anything unexpected occurs, I am willing to be punished!!!"
Feng Yi firmly suppressed the others, and swiftly sent the message to Luoyang by fast horse.
No one anticipated that Liu Xiu would personally come to the front lines.
And contrary to the predictions of the generals, he did not reprimand Feng Yi but, as Feng Yi stated, confidently proclaimed in front of everyone:
"The Grand Commandant is the foremost warrior of our Great Han."
"How could he fail to defend a mere Luoyang?"
Liu Xiu's confidence in Gu Xiao exceeded everyone's expectations, concluding the matter decisively.
Of course, Liu Xiu would not continue to wait indefinitely.
Once the troops' morale was fully restored, he personally led the army to break through Jixian County and marched towards Luoyang.
By then, four months had passed since Gu Xiao had taken Luoyang.
And Gu Xiao did not disappoint anyone.
He held onto Luoyang; faced with enemies attacking from both front and rear, Kui Xiao's army was utterly defeated, and Kui Xiao, driven by rage, perished amidst the army. .....
...
——————
"In the Battle of Longyou, Kui Xiao fortified the crucial mountain passes, intending to impede the advance of the Han Army, leading to a prolonged standoff without a decisive outcome.
The Han Army, having come from afar, struggled with the transportation of supplies and grew increasingly worried, as the situation seemed unsustainable.
The Emperor wished to pacify Longyou to secure the realm, so he summoned his ministers for strategies.
At that time, the Grand Commandant Gu Xiao, known for his courage and strategy, and having a unique insight, advanced a proposal saying: "Your Majesty, I have observed the terrain of Longyou; if we lead the main army through Fan Xu and Huizhong, we can strike with surprise troops and directly take Luoyang. Once this place is captured, it would be like a sharp blade hanging over Jixian County, forcing Kui Xiao to retreat for reinforcement, thus presenting a strategic opportunity."
The Emperor agreed deeply with this plan and adopted it.
Gu Xiao was tasked to lead the army on a covert mission, indeed appearing as though descending from the heavens and successfully seizing Luoyang in one swift move.
Kui Xiao was greatly alarmed, fearing attacks from both front and rear, and hurriedly withdrew troops from various locations to reinforce Luoyang, granting the Han Army a strategic advantage. Yet, as the battles were long and arduous, the soldiers were weary, and though the generals had the determination to fight to the death, they hesitated to seize this opportunity."
Feng Yi proclaimed: "Grand Commandant Gu Xiao, renowned for his military acumen, now holding Luoyang, will surely stand firm."
The Emperor also declared: "The Grand Commandant is our Great Han's foremost master of warfare; surely he could not fail to hold a mere Luoyang?"
Thus, with merely two thousand men, Gu Xiao withstood Kui Xiao's forces of tens of thousands. Through fierce battles, with arrows and stones exchanged and the skies darkened by smoke, Gu Xiao directed the soldiers to defend the city. Over four months, despite numerous fierce engagements, Luoyang remained firmly under control, as unyielding as a rock, beyond Kui Xiao's ability to breach.
His fame thereby spread throughout Longyou, laying the foundation for subsequent Han military advances, and his accomplishments became storied tales among the troops."
——"Later Han Book. Biography of Gu Xiao"