I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 61 - 24: The Northern Xiongnu’s Westward Flight, A Single Battle Decides the Western Regions

Chapter 61: Chapter 24: The Northern Xiongnu’s Westward Flight, A Single Battle Decides the Western Regions
Yanqi State.
....
The sounds of battle between the two armies arose everywhere.
Although Gu Cheng’s actions indeed served to confuse the enemy forces.
After several probes, however, King Zuo Luli was still unwilling to let this opportunity pass, leading a large force straight to Yanqi!
This battle was destined to be incredibly bloody.
Despite Gu Cheng having ordered the troops to fortify and prepare in advance.
There was nothing to be done about the significant disparity in forces; the Han Army was at a clear disadvantage in numbers.
The most critical issue was that the Cheshi also betrayed them!
This betrayal was incredibly deadly to the entire battle situation, completely blocking Gu Cheng’s retreat.
This caused the entire Han Army to fall into a surrounded situation, attacked from both front and back.
As Liu Zhuang’s illness claimed him, the entire Western Regions began developing in an uncontrollable direction.
But for the soldiers inside the city, there was only one choice.
And that was to fight to the death!
Surrender?
Who could bear such disgrace?
Who could bear to bring shame to their family and ancestors?
Under such circumstances, the commanders’ abilities to lead were fully revealed.
Gu Cheng truly was a natural commander.
He remained as composed as ever, handling various issues.
Sometimes feigning an attack, making the enemy think the Han Army was going all-out; sometimes launching small-scale raids;
Various tactics made the Northern Xiongnu and Cheshi forces very uncomfortable.
This was naturally reassuring for the morale of the army under the current circumstances.
The most crucial factor was—
The soldiers all believed in Gu Cheng.
They believed reinforcements from the court would arrive.
As long as the reinforcements arrived, they could break through the encirclement of the Cheshi and the rear, and by that point, the so-called siege would be completely reversed!
Gu Yi had been watching everything all along.
Compared to the original history he knew, too much had changed.
As to whether Gu Cheng could hold out until the reinforcements arrived.
He wasn’t entirely sure.
But Gu Yi would not dwell on things that couldn’t be changed; he focused on something else instead.
In the past, he always thought that as long as he could save enough achievement points to manipulate, he could solve any problem.
But now, Gu Yi suddenly awakened.
In the context of a history that had completely changed, he might not be able to solve all crises!
For the Gu Clan’s plan spanning millennia, the aid of artifacts was indispensable.
The family could not always proceed smoothly.
Without his manipulation, the family’s achievements in this generation had already exceeded Gu Yi’s expectations.
The main reason was the exceptional talents of Gu Kang and Gu Cheng.
Additionally, he had received the guidance of Liu Zhuang, a wise ruler.
Gu Yi had meticulously observed Gu Liang and the other third-generation descendants of the family.
Although Gu Kang also placed great emphasis on their education, even imitating some of Gu Yi’s past methods.
But regardless of how extraordinary Gu Kang’s talents are.
He couldn’t entirely provide the kind of cross-era education that Gu Yi once did, given the era’s limitations.
And the differences in attributes ensured that everyone’s understanding was different.
At least in Gu Yi’s observations.
Among the family’s third generation, no one was capable of bearing the great responsibility like Gu Kang and Gu Cheng.
Currently, it’s a battle between Gu Cheng and external enemies.
If one day the family itself faces the blade?
In a changed history, Gu Yi could not always anticipate events.
Liu Zhuang’s death a few years earlier than expected had said it all.
Many dangers lurked invisibly.
Whether it’s a foolish ruler or tumultuous times...
Could the Gu Clan truly remain uninvolved, given its current influence?
Gu Yi’s only known artifact was the Divine Level Celestial Phenomenon Card, and its utility beyond that level was unknown.
But he was sure that if all real-world preparations failed.
To resolve the family’s crisis, artifacts were the only means.
"It seems the importance of achievement points must be elevated again; not only must I save enough to control, but I must also ensure a reserve of artifacts."
"In case the family truly faces an unsolvable crisis!"
Gu Yi sighed silently, feeling a mountain of pressure.
....
Gu Kang’s political acumen was truly reassuring.
As soon as Liu Da made his decision, Gu Kang made a series of arrangements.
The Han Army, which had long been poised to act, finally moved!
From the three counties of Zhangye, Jiuquan, and Dunhuang, a fully prepared force of twenty thousand soldiers headed directly to the Western Regions.
This was part of a plan he had discussed with Liu Zhuang during his lifetime.
It was a mere vanguard, meant to rescue the Han Army currently in the Western Regions; a larger force would follow.
But in this era, delivering edicts or marching an army was never a quick affair.
Neither Gu Cheng nor Ban Chao could escape danger in the short term!
Within Yanqi.
The battle grew increasingly fierce.
Although the Cheshi and Northern Xiongnu had yet to breach the city, the entire Han Army’s position was becoming increasingly perilous.
Casualties were one thing.
The most critical issue was that they were running out of food!
In the vast Western Regions, provisions were already a significant problem for the Han Army.
And since their intention was to pacify the Western Regions rather than exploit it like the Northern Xiongnu, they would not excessively harm the people.
As the siege drew on, this problem naturally emerged.
And under such severe circumstances, Gu Cheng couldn’t possibly ration the soldiers’ food.