Couldn't help but burst into laughter.
Gu Yi silently watched all of this, feeling at a loss for words.
Giving it his all to have children, is that even possible?
This ancestor of his really is a... a pure brute.
Fortunately, it's Liu Xiu we're dealing with.
If it were another founding emperor, Gu Xiao's intention to seize power might lead to settling scores in the future.
Gu Yi felt helpless, and at the same time, he couldn't help but become vigilant again.
As Liu Xiu's power grew day by day,
he had to start paying attention.
He must not be as relaxed as before.
The political wisdom of these founding emperors is unimaginable.
Gu Yi naturally understood that Liu Xiu could not possibly allow a marriage alliance between Liu Jiang and the Gu Clan.
Liu Jiang was the offspring of Guo Shengtong.
He already had the backing of the noble families of Hebei.
Liu Xiu, as emperor, is one who could depose an empress to maintain political balance, and even if there was a chance for such a marriage alliance, it certainly wouldn't be with Guo Shengtong's offspring.
And Gu Yi was certain,
Liu Xiu would never allow his offspring to marry a woman from the Gu Clan.
Founding ministers have status but do not hold power.
This is Liu Xiu's bottom line.
He himself would not take the initiative to open this door; even if a marriage alliance were to happen, it would at most be marrying a princess into the family.
As for the purpose, it would naturally be to achieve political balance using the Gu Clan, a family about to take root in Hebei.
Or it might be intended to help the Gu family gain influence during this opportunity.
Gu Yi did not dwell too much on this point.
History had already changed somewhat; the birth of Gu Xiao had advanced the day when Liu Xiu would unify Hebei and the Guanzhong region by quite a bit.
The future situation is unpredictable.
There's no need to dwell on these matters.
As Liu Xiu picked up his wine cup again, everyone couldn't help but drink once more.
But the atmosphere was completely different from before.
Everyone seemed influenced by Liu Xiu's words.
But Liu Xiu was indifferent and continued to drink with everyone.
The entire wedding banquet concluded under this inexplicable mood.
After everyone left,
a somewhat drunken Gu Xiao was taken to the bridal chamber.
Soon after, Gu Yi felt a darkness before his eyes, and by the time night resumed,
the night had already passed.
In the following days, Gu Xiao was no longer as he was in the past; instead, he seldom went out.
To the outside world,
it really seemed as if he was indeed giving it his all, just as he had said.
But in reality, it was not so.
After all, being a modern man, how could Gu Yi not know the harms of indulgence?
Gu Xiao was originally a warrior general.
In this era, these warrior generals more or less had some internal injuries.
Gu Xiao was now the pillar of support for the Gu family, so Gu Yi needed to ensure his health, silently influencing his various habits.
But this calm didn't last long.
Things once again exceeded everyone's expectations.
When faced with Liu Xiu's letter of persuasion to surrender,
Kui Xiao and Gongsun Shu both refused.
In fact, Gongsun Shu's refusal was somewhat expected for Liu Xiu and others.
After all, Gongsun Shu had indeed declared himself emperor.
No one would easily give up power, let alone an emperor's position.
And Gongsun Shu, residing in the Shu Region, a place easy to defend and hard to attack, naturally wouldn't easily surrender.
But Kui Xiao's refusal was truly unexpected.
Kui Xiao had sent his son to Luoyang, and he should know that Liu Xiu was now unstoppable, and yet still refused to surrender.
For a time, smoke signals seemed to be rising once more.
When the news reached them, the generals immediately asked for battle.
Each seemed as fierce as a tiger eyeing its prey, all eager to be first to seize it.
With Gu Xiao's precedent,
that honor was something everyone desired.
But this time, Liu Xiu did not act impulsively and instead suppressed the generals.
In his eyes now, he saw the entire empire as his own.
Once the Guanzhong region was completely pacified, he had already dismissed many troops and did not want to rashly start another war.
He sent another letter to Kui Xiao,
explaining the current power disparity between both sides and analyzing the pros and cons, attempting to persuade Kui Xiao to surrender.
But unsurprisingly,
Kui Xiao refused again.
And this time, Kui Xiao did something very excessive.
That is to say, he actually submitted to Gongsun Shu.
Gongsun Shu appointed Kui Xiao as King Shuoning and provided reinforcements.
Kui Xiao personally led 30,000 infantry and cavalry to attack Anding Commandery, aiming to seize Guanzhong!
At this moment, Liu Xiu was infuriated!
Gongsun Shu had already occupied the Shu Region and Hanzhong. Now, combined with Kui Xiao, if they could take Guanzhong, it would be like the Qin's conquest of the six states, just as Liu Bang won the world!
Beacon fires reignited.
Although Gu Xiao had gradually retired, Liu Xiu's army still had countless generals.
Liu Xiu immediately made a decision.
He dispatched Feng Yi and Ji Zun to confront Kui Xiao.
The result was not surprising.
Feng Yi and Ji Zun successively defeated Kui Xiao and advanced to Longyou, intending to annihilate Kui Xiao in one battle.
But Longyou was not an easy place to conquer.
Long Mountain stood there, and the Han Army had to attack uphill, while Kui Xiao could descend effortlessly.
The outcome was obvious.
—The Han Army suffered a great defeat.
But the losses were not severe. Kui Xiao's army could only win by taking advantage of the terrain.
As soon as he pursued, Feng Yi and Ji Zun would counterattack.
For a time, the two sides were caught in a stalemate.
However, under these circumstances.
The Han Army's supply of provisions became increasingly difficult.
.....
Luoyang.
When Gu Xiao hurriedly stepped into the Imperial Palace, the atmosphere in the hall was particularly tense.
"Your Majesty, both Longyou and the Shu Region are easy to defend and hard to attack."
"If we force an assault."
"Our casualties might be incalculable. The world is weary now, and such mobilization might bring disaster!"
Someone in the hall was earnestly advising.
But Liu Xiu sat expressionless on the dragon throne.
When he saw Gu Xiao walk in, he immediately stood up, and his stern expression softened slightly.
"Zhan Hong!"
"Come quickly!"
Without waiting for Gu Xiao to salute, Liu Xiu directly got up, approached Gu Xiao, and pulled him to the map.
"Zhan Hong, look here, how is the terrain?"
Liu Xiu pointed sharply at Longyou.
Is this going to be a surprise attack...?
Although Gu Xiao had been gradually retiring recently.
Retiring doesn't mean retreating; he was still aware of the current world situation.
Gu Yi immediately understood Liu Xiu's intention and directed Gu Xiao to say, "It's a place that's easy to defend and hard to attack."
"But it does have weaknesses."
Gu Yi naturally did not choose to evade.
After all, Liu Xiu's meaning was already directly pointed out.
Escaping now would not be good.
And Gu Xiao himself had the heart to fight again. He was a born general; how could he stay cooped up at home?
Hearing this, Liu Xiu's eyes lit up instantly.
"Good!"
"A worthy first general under my command!"
"You think just like I do!"
Liu Xiu looked intently at Gu Xiao, solemnly saying, "Zhan Hong, what are your thoughts? Speak freely."
"Your Majesty."
Gu Yi immediately cupped his hands towards Liu Xiu, then stepped forward to point at the map, saying, "Currently, Kui Xiao is leading his elite troops, deadlocked with our Han army."
"The situation is akin to the Zhao and Han years ago."
"Inside, it must be hollow!"
Gu Yi pointed to a location on the map: "If we can secretly lead an army through Fan Xu and Huizhong, we can directly seize Lueyang."
"Threaten Jixian County."
"Under such circumstances, Kui Xiao will certainly panic and rush back to defend Lueyang."
"As long as we seize the opportunity, we can attack from both sides."
"The great task can be accomplished!"
Liu Xiu's eyes grew brighter, and his previously tense face broke into a smile once more.
"Good!"
"Zhan Hong!"
He spoke again very directly, staring intently at Gu Xiao, "Are you willing to lead the army?"
"Rest assured, Your Majesty!"
Gu Xiao replied without hesitation, "The seeds are already planted, what is there to fear?"
"I will surely succeed!!!"
Seeing Gu Xiao before him, Liu Xiu's smile became even more radiant, even holding Gu Xiao's hand directly.
"Good!"....