"A mere Fu City can be taken in a matter of days."
"I humbly request the general to give me some time, and I will surely reclaim Fu City for you, without losing a single soldier!"
Upon hearing this, Liu Xiu was shocked, "Zhan Hong, is this true? In the military, one must not speak lightly!"
Based on recent performances, Liu Xiu knew of Gu Xiao's bravery.
But to say that one could capture an enemy city without losing a single soldier—
How is that possible?
"Rest assured, General." Gu Yi nodded without hesitation, his tone very calm.
"Good!"
Liu Xiu was overjoyed, immediately stood up, and walked in front of Gu Xiao, pulling his arm and said, "If Zhan Hong truly accomplishes this, you will be the first to be credited for this battle!"
In the following days, Gu Yi did not idle.
Nearly every day, he had Gu Xiao lead the army to scout the surroundings personally, while also dispatching all his men.
Gu Yi remembered clearly.
According to historical records, it was during an inspection of subordinate counties that Feng Yi was captured by the Han Army.
In the end, Liu Xiu released him.
Only then did he choose to offer the city and follow Liu Xiu.
Such credit,
How could Gu Yi not want it?
But history is like this, it only recorded Feng Yi's capture, without clearly stating where it happened.
Gu Yi could only cast a wide net.
Heaven helps those who work hard, and just a few days later, Gu Xiao's people actually brought back news.
They had captured Feng Yi!
...
Han Army's camp.
When Gu Xiao personally escorted Feng Yi back, Liu Xiu was stunned.
Although he had just received the news,
he still found it hard to believe.
To think they had directly captured the enemy's resisting general like this.
Feng Yi was also somewhat doubting his own life.
He couldn't understand why the Han Army would dispatch so many people; everything seemed premeditated, as if they knew he would leave the city.
He hadn't even gone far before being surrounded by Han Army scouts!
He even began to suspect that he had been betrayed.
Otherwise, how could the Han Army have done this?
Amidst his doubt, Liu Xiu, seated above, finally calmed down. He stared coldly at Feng Yi and said, "Feng Yi!"
"Your ancestors were also subjects of the Great Han."
"Why help the wicked and oppose the Han Army?"
Liu Xiu's gaze was icy, his words carrying a chilling intent to kill.
Upon hearing this, Feng Yi immediately felt somewhat ashamed.
In such times,
such words were extremely humiliating, especially since he had been captured alive.
Seeing this, Gu Yi had Gu Xiao speak up: "General, this man has great talents."
"Opposing our army, he must be coerced by rogues."
"Why not give this man a chance?"
Hearing this, Liu Xiu immediately frowned, looking at Gu Xiao, the murder in his gaze gradually subsided a bit.
He did acknowledge Feng Yi's abilities.
If he were incompetent,
he wouldn't have been able to withstand his army.
Feng Yi was startled, never expecting that Gu Xiao, who had personally captured him, would plead for him, his eyes suddenly became complex.
After pondering for a moment, he said:
"This general speaks correctly."
He looked at Liu Xiu, "My old mother is currently in the city. If you allow me to return and settle my mother, General,"
"I am willing to offer the five cities under my supervision as gratitude for your mercy."
His tone was exceptionally calm.
Upon hearing this, Liu Xiu immediately appeared thoughtful, clearly somewhat moved.
"General!"
At this moment, two urgent shouts suddenly came from outside the tent.
Immediately after,
Feng Xiao, Ding Jin, and Lv Yan, these three old soldiers under Liu Xiu, hurriedly entered.
They first looked at the tied-up Feng Yi,
then saluted Liu Xiu.
"We plead with the general to spare this man and employ him for our cause!"
Feng Xiao is Feng Yi's elder brother.
As for Ding Jin and Lv Yan, they were both fellow villagers of Feng Yi.
These men evidently knew of Feng Yi's talent and came jointly to endorse him.
Seeing this, Liu Xiu could no longer remain calm.
Surprise flashed in his eyes.
He stared intently at Feng Yi, then looked at the three people with Feng Xiao, and finally fixed his gaze on Gu Xiao.
Gu Yi also maneuvered Gu Xiao to nod directly at Liu Xiu.
Only then did Liu Xiu speak again, "Good!"
"I will believe you this once!"
He waved his hand directly, signifying for Feng Yi to be untied.
Gu Yi also maneuvered Gu Xiao to personally untie Feng Yi.
"Thank you, General!"
Feng Yi stared earnestly at Liu Xiu, solemnly saluting him, and then looked at Gu Xiao, "Thank you, brother, for pleading on my behalf!"
"If the opportunity arises in the future, I will surely repay you!"
"General Feng, just don't let the General down."
Gu Yi said with a slight teasing tone, "Otherwise, I, the one who pleaded, might get punished by the General."
Feng Yi nodded seriously.
Saluting Liu Xiu again, he then left following his three friends.
Within the hall, only Liu Xiu and Gu Xiao were left.
"Zhan Hong, do you really think Feng Yi will surrender the city?"
Liu Xiu couldn't help but ask Gu Xiao.
"Don't worry, General."
Gu Yi immediately nodded, "This person will definitely keep his promise, and will surely follow the General, becoming one of your greatest aids."
"I have Zhan Hong and Ziwei, that's enough."
Liu Xiu smiled and waved his hand, "If he truly surrenders the city to join us, you will be credited as the primary contributor, adding to the achievements from these days; Zhan Hong will at least be a Deputy General."
"That would be holding the same position as me."
"No need for that."
At this moment, Liu Xiu clearly hadn't thought about taking charge himself; his thoughts were all about helping his subordinates seek positions from the Han Dynasty court.
"General."
Gu Yi's expression suddenly became solemn, "I do not plan to return to the court with you."
"Hmm?"
Liu Xiu was taken aback, suddenly becoming anxious, "Zhan Hong, why say such words?"
"News has arrived from Wan City, my brother has already captured Wan City, and the resurgence of the Great Han is unstoppable, what is Zhan Hong intending to do?"
Indeed, he was somewhat anxious.
After all, over this period, his relationship with Gu Xiao had grown much closer; naturally, he was concerned hearing this.
But Gu Yi was very resolute, earnestly saying, "General..."
"Over this period, I've seen clearly; now the court is filled with idle people holding positions without doing anything."
"I can judge that without the General and the Grand Minister of Revenue, this group can accomplish nothing."
"I, Gu Xiao, follow you, General, all the way, not those idle people."
"If the General returns to court... I will go to Hebei first!"
He naturally wouldn't allow Gu Xiao to risk going back to Wan City with Liu Xiu...
According to historical records, Liu Xiu would experience numerous life-and-death situations afterward.
If they returned to Wan City.
Handing over the military power would mean placing his life in someone else's hands.
Liu Xiu might escape.
But it didn't mean he would necessarily escape too.
Rather than that, Gu Yi preferred to trust himself.
To hold the military power in his own hands, first striving in Hebei, waiting for Liu Xiu to escape there, and then join him.
That achievement certainly wouldn't be diminished in the slightest.
On the contrary, it would increase significantly.
After all, according to historical records, Liu Xiu's life wasn't easy when he initially went to Hebei.
Hearing this, Liu Xiu was somewhat moved.
He did not oppose Gu Yi's words.
What kind of people were in the court, he and his brother knew very well.
Even after they achieved so much.
Those people in the court were still wary of them.
However, he wouldn't let Gu Xiao leave just like that, instead, he held Gu Xiao's arm, "Zhan Hong, there's no need to rush."
"Now is precisely the time for us brothers to make our mark."
"As for those people in the court, you need not worry."
Clearly, Liu Xiu wanted to seize this opportunity and achieve full success.
Gu Yi, of course, wouldn't tell him what was about to happen, silently listening to Liu Xiu's strategic plans.
In the following days.
The entire Han Army waited for Feng Yi to surrender.
However, before that, the news of Liu Yan's death finally came through.
After confirming the causes and consequences.
Liu Xiu's remarkable nature immediately became evident; knowing he had no chance of winning at that moment, he suppressed all anger.
Immediately deciding to return to Wan City and plead guilty to Emperor Gengshi, Liu Xuan!...