My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 173 Unstoppable
October 15th.

The army led by Du Luozhou was less than a hundred li away from Guangning County, the capital of Yanzhou.

The governor of Yanzhou was named Cui Bing, a member of the Cui clan of Boling. Upon learning that Du Luozhou's army was approaching, Cui Bing quickly summoned his subordinates to discuss countermeasures.

"Now, the rebel army is powerful and has come to besiege us. How should we deal with this?"

His chief clerk said, "After the bandit leader Du Luozhou captured Shanggu County, he allowed his troops to plunder and was extremely cruel. Moreover, this bandit has sent people to spread the word that if we defend the city, Shanggu County will serve as a warning. If we open the city and surrender, he will strictly enforce military discipline and not commit any offenses."

"The news has already spread throughout the city, and the people are in turmoil."

Cui Bing, however, retorted with righteous indignation, "We have received the Emperor's favor for generations. How could we abandon the city and surrender as soon as the enemy army arrives?"

The Chief Secretary, however, was equally righteous and awe-inspiring. “You have a heart to serve your country, but do you not think about the people in the city? The rebel army is powerful, numerous, and extremely cruel. Our city has few soldiers. Even if everyone is willing to sacrifice themselves for the country, how long can we hold out? It is already close to winter. Even if the court sends reinforcements, it will be after the snow melts in the spring of next year.”

"Let alone whether we can hold out until the imperial reinforcements arrive, even if the imperial reinforcements do arrive, will they really be able to quell the rebels as we wish? If the imperial army were really that powerful, this group of rebels would not have been able to roam into our Yanzhou territory."

"When the city falls, the rebels will wreak havoc again in their revenge. I urge you to reconsider."

The chief clerk explained the situation clearly to Cui Bing.

After the fall of Shanggu County, the rebels looted for three whole days. This news could not be kept secret, and Du Luozhou did not try to hide it. He even took the initiative to send someone to pass on the news.

The goal is to intimidate those who want to hold onto the city.

Cui Bing said that he had received imperial favor and there was no problem.

The chief clerk, the chief secretary, the military commander... even the soldiers of the prefectures and counties in the city can be said to have received imperial favor for generations.

what's the point?
How many people are there?

Are they as powerful as the rebels?
He's a Gu King who survived being raised as a Gu in the hellish region of Heng, Shuo, and Saibei for two whole years.

Conservative estimates suggest that it will take at least half a year for the imperial army to arrive to quell the rebellion.

The news had to reach Luoyang first, where there would be various discussions in the imperial court. By this time, it would already be snowing and winter was approaching. Even if the court could prepare provisions and weapons in winter, the army would not be able to assemble and set off until the following spring, after the snow had melted.

During this period, the imperial army was able to reach Yanzhou smoothly only if the three prefectures of Ji, Ding, and Ying did not descend into chaos.

If the three prefectures of Ji, Ding, and Ying, which are blocking Yanzhou's way, fall into chaos, the imperial court, as the Wei's grain supply and core territory, will certainly not have time to deal with Yanzhou.

However, judging from the current situation, it is highly likely that the surrendered people from the six garrisons who were settled there will rebel after learning the news in Ji, Ding, and Ying prefectures, because the imperial court has not provided them with food, and winter is approaching. Without enough food, people will starve to death.

Are the surrendered people of the Six Garrisons willing to starve to death to remain law-abiding citizens, or do they fight for food to survive and then turn into rebels again?
If people truly had the heart to be law-abiding citizens even if it meant starving to death, the Six Garrisons wouldn't have descended into chaos in the first place.

Cui Bing was still hesitant. He looked at the Sima, who was in charge of military and political affairs. The latter saw the meaning in his eyes and quickly said, "The Chief Secretary's words are my words. I hope you will have compassion for the people in the city and abandon the city to flee south."

The chief clerk continued to persuade him, "Even if you abandon the city and flee south, the court will only dismiss you from your post and won't do anything to you. As a member of the Cui clan of Boling, and having been in power for many years, the court will reinstate you in a few days."

That's already quite straightforward.

The two prefectures of Heng and Shuo have already set an example for them; those who abandon their cities and flee for their lives will only be punished by the court with the most severe punishment of being dismissed from their official posts.

As a member of the Cui clan of Boling, why should I be afraid of not getting an official position?

Cui Bing sighed, "I don't want to sacrifice the lives of the people and soldiers in the city for my reputation for loyalty to the emperor and the country, but I'm afraid the rebels will go back on their word..."

“A person cannot stand without integrity. The rebels need to continuously absorb the people they pass through to strengthen themselves. Moreover, the bandit leader Du Luozhou has already spread the word that if he breaks his promise, the other cities will definitely hold out to the end. How difficult it will be for him to attack the cities in the future?”

"Why did this scoundrel choose to rebel in Yanzhou instead of the wealthy Ji, Ding, and Ying prefectures? Is it because Yanzhou and other such places are remote? How could someone with such a meticulous mind be so short-sighted?"

Cui Bing was completely convinced.

He sighed, then gritted his teeth unwillingly and said, "Before we leave, we must burn all the weapons and provisions in the treasury, so that the rebels have nothing to use."

"Absolutely not!"

The chief clerk quickly dissuaded him, "Winter is approaching. If we don't have enough military rations, have you forgotten what happened to Zhang Fang in the previous dynasty?"

He burned everything to the ground, which made him feel good, and also disgusted the rebels.

Then Cui Bing and his men can pack up and leave, but who will face the rebels' wrath? And on whom will the rebels vent their anger?
Cui Bing was also helpless, "If I had enough soldiers, why would I have acted this way..."

When Emperor Xiaowen implemented the Taihe Reforms, he drastically reduced the local armed forces, concentrating all the elite Xianbei troops originally stationed in various prefectures and counties into the central army to guard Luoyang.

The result was that when faced with rebels, the states and counties had almost no ability to resist.

"Given the circumstances, what can we do?"

Cui Bing could only nod in agreement.

From the common people to the chief clerks and military commanders, no one in the city had any intention of resisting.

They are still trying to persuade me gently, but if I insist on going my own way, my head might become their pledge of allegiance to the rebels.

"Then go and prepare."

October 28th.

Temperatures have dropped significantly. Although it hasn't snowed yet, the strong winds that have blown for several days are a sign that this winter might not be easy. However, a cycling trip brought some exciting news!

"Reporting, Your Majesty! Cui Bing, the governor of Yanzhou, has abandoned the city and fled south!"

Du Luozhou was overjoyed upon hearing this and quickly asked, "Is this true?"

"Indeed, the city gates were wide open, and there was no one guarding the city walls!"

This unexpected good news left Du Luozhou somewhat stunned, and it took him a long time to burst into joyful laughter.

"Truly, Your Majesty is a great king! It seems that the governor of Yanzhou sensed Your Majesty's imperial aura and dared not oppose you, so he abandoned the city and fled south early on. Your Majesty was able to occupy the city without losing a single soldier! A great undertaking is in sight!"

Gao Huan, being very shrewd, immediately offered a barrage of compliments.

Du Luozhou couldn't help but feel a little smug.

At this moment, one of Du Luozhou's earliest confidants who had raised the flag in rebellion suggested, "Since there are no soldiers guarding the city, Your Majesty should order the soldiers to plunder again! This will greatly boost the morale of our army. With the three armies fighting with all their might, it will be no problem to occupy all the cities in Yanzhou before the snow falls."

"No, Your Majesty!"

"Our army is a righteous force. If we allow our troops to plunder, the news will only strengthen the resolve of the remaining cities in Yanzhou to defend themselves. Since Your Majesty has already made your promise, how can you go back on your word? What are your intentions! How dare you make such a proposal that damages Your Majesty's reputation? Do you intend to harm Your Majesty?!"

King Gao glared at him angrily, his fists clenched, as if he wanted to devour him alive.

"you……"

Du Luozhou quickly spoke up, "Alright, alright, what you all say is for my sake. Gao Lang's words are indeed reasonable. Since I have already spread the news widely and made my promise beforehand, how could I do such a short-sighted thing that breaks my word? Those who flee the city will certainly not be able to take all their valuables with them in their haste. After entering the city, send a message to the people in the city."

"Hand over all provisions and valuables. Anyone who dares to disobey will be killed without mercy!"

"You shall also give strict orders to your men not to plunder the people. If anyone dares to disobey military orders, do not blame me for not showing any mercy."

Du Luozhou, who had been smiling, instantly wiped the smile off his face when he gave the order, and coldly scanned the people around him.

"Here!"

The army marched into the city, and Du Luozhou clearly attached great importance to this prestige project, enforcing it very strictly.

After beheading several disobedient soldiers and displaying their heads in public, no one in the army dared to harass the civilians anymore.

The city's treasury and granaries were well-stocked, which Du Luozhou readily accepted. He then selected the city's strong and capable men for his personal guard, while those deemed unsuitable for immediate combat were incorporated into the 'Refugee Army'.

With enough food in hand, the elderly, women, and children who had been saving it for a rainy day breathed a sigh of relief.

They're not mentally disturbed; if they had a normal meal, who would want to eat people?

three days later.

Du Luozhou summoned everyone to the former governor's mansion for a banquet to celebrate. He brought out the beautiful concubines from the mansion to dance and entertain the guests, and to drink and make merry with them.

At this inopportune moment, Gao Huan spoke up, suggesting, "Your Majesty!"

After Du Luozhou leisurely had the beautiful concubine beside him feed him wine, he reluctantly withdrew his hand from the concubine's chest and asked, "Does the High Lord have something to say?"

Gao Huan looked worried. "Your Majesty! Do you wish to remain in a corner of the world, or do you wish to rule the entire realm and establish an everlasting dynasty?"

Du Luozhou couldn't help but ask, "What do you mean by that?"

"If Your Majesty only wishes to remain in this corner of the world, then the banquet may proceed as normal."

"Oh?"

Du Luozhou then countered with, "What if I wanted to establish an everlasting dynasty?"

"Then I advise Your Majesty to immediately halt the banquet, order everyone back to camp, restore military discipline, and proceed to capture the next city!"

Gao Huan advised, "Our army has captured two cities without losing a single soldier, and our morale is high. Moreover, Your Majesty's reputation for benevolence and righteousness is widespread. If Your Majesty wishes to establish an everlasting dynasty, you should press on and capture as many cities as possible before winter. After winter arrives, you can appease the people and make the people of Yanzhou serve Your Majesty!"

"How can we be complacent and indulge in pleasure just because we have captured a city?"

"When the Great Wei court receives the news next year and sends a large army to quell the rebellion, how should we respond?"

"Your Majesty! At present, the entire Yan Province has lost the will to resist. As the saying goes, 'If Heaven gives you an opportunity and you do not seize it, you will suffer the consequences.' Your Majesty must not miss this excellent opportunity to strengthen your own power!"

"If we can take over the entire Yanzhou region, appease the people, and train the soldiers, then even if the imperial army comes next year, Your Majesty will not need to worry. If the imperial army does not come, Your Majesty can take advantage of the situation to seize the four prefectures of You, Ying, Ping, and An."

Du Luozhou toyed with the wine glass in his hand.

Gao Huan's words enlightened him, and he suddenly stood up and smashed the wine glass in his hand to the ground.

"What you say, Gao Lang, is very true. I was almost led astray by wine and women! Issue my order! From this day forward, without my order, the entire army is forbidden from drinking and making merry!"

"You all go back and prepare for war. As Gao Lang said, seize the city quickly!"

(End of this chapter)