Completely different from other generals before.
Shan Xiongxin is extrely brave, showing no fear in the face of the Tang Army, often engaging in battles outside the city, and almost injuring Li Shimin.
If it weren’t for Yuchi Jingde’s tily arrival, Shan Xiongxin might have had the chance to kill Li Shimin directly!
This indeed halted the Tang Army’s progress.
But unfortunately, compared to the tide-like Tang Army, Shan Xiongxin’s troops were too few.
Under these continuous attacks, Wang Shichong could not possibly spare any troops from Luoyang to support Shan Xiongxin.
And Shan Xiongxin was not invincible.
Whether it was Gu Quan or Cheng Yaojin and Qin Qiong, they could all hold off Shan Xiongxin.
Under such circumstances.
No matter how mighty Shan Xiongxin was, he could not continue to hold his ground.
Under the relentless assault of the Tang Army, he could only abandon the city and flee back to Luoyang.
This affected Li Shimin to so extent.
Perhaps it was because of that invincible heart that, despite almost losing his life, failing to eliminate Shan Xiongxin certainly left Li Shimin feeling a bit unsettled.
The burden on his shoulders was too heavy.
Not being able to remove soone like Shan Xiongxin this ti would definitely greatly impact future offensives.
However, the usually stern and silent Gu Quan stood up at this ti and, in a rare initiative, said to Li Shimin, "Your Highness, I recall from reading the clan’s history in my younger days."
"I heard that our ancestor, Marquis Zhao Lie, was not as skilled in either civil or military affairs as his brothers in the clan."
"But our ancestor never lost heart."
Such a simple sentence instantly brought Li Shimin back to his senses.
No one is perfect;
Li Shimin had the support of so many soldiers not because of his martial force.
Looking at Gu Quan in front of him, Li Shimin suddenly smiled, "Ziyuan, the brothers have always said that you are too tight, making people fearful."
"In my view..."
"You are cold outside but warm inside."
Gu Quan had already beco sothing of a figure like Gu Xiao from years gone by.
The one with the highest position under Li Shimin.
Whether it was the prestige of the Gu Clan or his record of defending Qin City for three months alone, these were realities acknowledged by all the soldiers.
However, facing Gu Quan, this group felt pressured.
Speaking of which, Li Shimin gradually put away his smile, sighed lightly, and his gaze beca sharp again, "The day I can storm into Luoyang, I must avenge this battle!"
"Your Highness."
Hearing this, Gu Quan suddenly spoke again, "Your Highness, if one day our army faces a besieged situation, should the brothers devote themselves fully against the enemy?"
In an instant, Li Shimin’s brows furrowed.
He naturally understood the aning in Gu Quan’s words.
Simply put —
Everyone serves their master, so where is the talk of hatred?
On the contrary, the talent and loyalty of soone like Shan Xiongxin should be valued.
Li Shimin was silent for a long ti, finally relaxing his brow gradually, gently patting Gu Quan on the shoulder and saying, "Ziyuan is right, I was narrow-minded."
"In the future—"
"If I make another mistake, Ziyuan must remind with advice."
Gu Quan cupped his hands towards Li Shimin without saying more.
With Shan Xiongxin’s defeat,
The entire Xia Army around Luoyang was completely demoralized.
Li Shimin didn’t even need to attack again; many cities would surrender upon hearing the Tang Army’s approach.
That was an inevitable phenonon.
With their support cut off, who could possibly stop the advancing Tang Army?
That very month, the Tang Army captured Huilu Granary once again.
This place was absolutely a key location; for Dou Jiande’s reinforcents to reach Luoyang quickly, they must pass through here.
However, this place was not the best position to counter Dou Jiande.
The truly important place was Hulao Pass!
That was the essential part.
But by capturing this place, the Tang Army did impact the speed of Dou Jiande’s reinforcents.
Luoyang had now beco an isolated city, and given ti, Li Shimin could even take Luoyang without a fight, as long as he could hold out.
But how could he use this advantage to block Dou Jiande’s mighty army?
...
In the Tang Army camp.
"Your Highness, since I could hold Qin City for three months, now I can hold Hulao."
In front of the generals.
Gu Quan cupped his hands toward Li Shimin to request a battle, "I ask to lead my troops to Hulao to confront the enemy army!"
"I am willing to go too!"
"I am also willing to go!"
"....."
Accompanied by Gu Quan’s words, a chorus of voices imdiately rang out one after another.
Not just Gu Yan.
Even Cheng Yaojin and others also requested to fight.
Li Shimin sat at the head seat, seriously observing everyone present, his expression equally solemn.
How could he not know that entrusting it to Gu Quan was the best principle?
As for the reason——
Just as Gu Quan said, the Battle of Qin City was his best achievent.
But the problem was that Li Shimin was never one to fear danger or push all danger onto other brothers.
He took a deep breath, then waved his hand to quiet the generals, and he slowly stood up and spoke, "There’s no need for more words, the defense of Hulao Pass is best entrusted to Ziyuan."
Upon hearing this, the generals bowed their heads.
They truly had no argunt against this.
Gu Quan’s expression remained unchanged, just when he was about to take the order.
But at that mont——
Li Shimin’s voice rang out once more, "However, I, Li Shimin, cannot place all the safety of the Tang on Ziyuan."
"Pass my command."
His tone suddenly rose, "I will accompany Ziyuan personally to Hulao to confront Dou Jiande."
"Brothers——"
"Assist King of Qi in continuing to besiege Luoyang."
"Do not give Wang Shichong any opportunity!"
The entire tent turned silent in an instant.
Not to ntion the generals could hardly react.
Even Gu Quan and King of Qi, Li Yuanji, were stunned, never expecting Li Shimin to make such a decision.
The next mont, the generals hurriedly spoke to dissuade him.
Even the expression on Gu Quan’s face changed.
Defending Hulao Pass was definitely an extrely dangerous task.
Luoyang is not a small city; Wang Shichong still had 60,000 troops within the city, so they could not spare too many n, otherwise, Wang Shichong would definitely lead his army to break out.
At that ti, they could join forces with Dou Jiande to attack the Tang Army from both sides.
How could such a task allow Li Shimin, the commander-in-chief, to personally go?
Even Li Yuanji was advising him.
But it was clear that Li Shimin had already made up his mind, and no matter how the generals advised him, he imdiately waved his hand, "I have made up my mind, no need to persuade further."
He seldom referred to himself as "Gu" in front of his brothers.
But every ti he did, it indicated his determination.
Whoever might advise him could never change his mind again!
......
(Ps: A two-in-one Chapter, begging for monthly votes and recomndations. This might be the only chance for this book to climb the ranks, so I hope the brothers will support it by casting your monthly votes. Fish will definitely do its best to update, please help Fish out with this one!)
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