I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 62 - 24: Northern Xiongnu Retreats West, One Battle Decides the Western Regions_2

Chapter 62: Chapter 24: Northern Xiongnu Retreats West, One Battle Decides the Western Regions_2
After all, how can one have the strength to fight if they can’t fill their stomach?
In such a situation, Gu Cheng could be said to have exhausted all possible means.
In the end, it even came to a "boiling armor and crossbows, eating their tendons and leather" situation.
Yet even so, the morale of the entire Han Army remained unshaken.
No matter the circumstances, Gu Cheng always led by example, sharing joy and hardship with his soldiers.
In addition to the few hundred central troops who had followed Gu Cheng for many years.
They were like a stabilizing force, maintaining the basic morale of the entire Han Army.
Everyone held a fierce determination in their hearts, just waiting for reinforcements to arrive so they could vent their anger with all their might!
During this time, the Northern Xiongnu were naturally thinking of various strategies.
After failing to persuade them to surrender, they went further by cutting off the Han Army’s water supply, attempting to create chaos within the Han Army.
But they underestimated Gu Cheng.
Having followed Gu Kang for many years, Gu Cheng, though not as skilled as Gu Kang in hydraulic matters, still surpassed most of his contemporaries.
He quickly identified several locations.
Ordered people to start digging downwards.
When clear springs gushed out from underground, thunderous shouts echoed within the city, as if representing their resolve!
The Han Army will not retreat an inch!
In such a state, the Northern Xiongnu grew increasingly anxious.
News of the Han Army’s mobilization had already reached them!
How could they not panic?
Faced with the iron hooves of the Great Han, let alone the mere Cheshi, even the Northern Xiongnu dared not confront them head-on.
But for them to directly withdraw.
How could that be possible?
For Cheshi, from the moment they chose to betray, they had no way back.
But for the Northern Xiongnu, if they retreated, it would be akin to handing over the entire Western Regions to the Han Army.
This was a juicy piece of meat!
For the current Northern Xiongnu, the key to replicating the glory of their ancestors lay in the Western Regions!
As long as they could capture the fortress, they could defend it to the death like Gu Cheng, exhausting the Han Army that arrived.
Even if they couldn’t capture it.
It was the Cheshi who would directly face the Han Army, giving them a chance to retreat during this time, extend the Han Army’s supply lines, and exhaust them.
For a moment, their attacks grew increasingly frenzied.
Gu Cheng keenly noticed this.
He knew reinforcements were coming!
When they heard this news from Gu Cheng, the entire army was shaken!
Gu Cheng quickly made strategic arrangements.
Ensuring that they would not be overrun, preparing at any moment to cooperate with reinforcements to break the Northern Xiongnu’s encirclement directly.
In this tug of war.
Finally, reinforcements from the Great Han arrived!
When they discovered the Cheshi army was in complete disarray, Gu Cheng wasted no time and led his troops to charge out!
The situation changed instantly!
The one leading the reinforcements this time was Geng Bing.
Evidently, he had completely absorbed the lessons from their previous northern expedition failure, making extremely meticulous preparations in advance.
He divided the entire reinforcement into three columns.
The central army charged head-on, with the left and right columns blocking the Northern Xiongnu reinforcements.
He had great confidence in Gu Cheng’s abilities.
His goal was to completely annihilate all Cheshi resistance here.
From the moment the Cheshi army fell into complete chaos.
The pincer movement was fully formed.
There’s no need to mention the Han Army inside the fortress.
Although they were thoroughly exhausted physically and mentally, it was now the time for them to vent their inner grievances!
When are humans most ferocious?
-- When they go mad!
Currently, these Han soldiers were just like that.
Even Gu Cheng’s eyes had turned red.
The pressure he’d endured over the past few days was far greater than anyone else’s!
Fearing any accidents would lead to the death of those who followed and believed in him.
Now was the time for him to release that pressure!
The sounds of galloping hooves and wails filled the air.
Facing the Han Army at the height of their morale, the entire Cheshi army was like paper, swiftly torn apart, causing chaos that affected all three armies.
The outcome was decided!
....
When Geng Bing saw the blood-soaked Gu Cheng, he was completely taken aback.
The drastic change in Gu Cheng was so great that he seemed almost unfamiliar.
His whole body looked much thinner, and his demeanor had completely changed, with exhaustion evident in his eyes.
But the murderous aura about him was particularly astonishing.
"Greetings, General!"
Geng Bing instinctively lowered his head and cupped his hands in salute, "By imperial decree, you are granted command over all the troops!"
Hearing this, Gu Cheng simply nodded, a gleam flashing in his eyes: "Good!"
"Immediately convey my orders."
"All troops prepare, and follow me to pursue the Northern Xiongnu promptly!"
Gu Cheng seemed to have planned everything long ago, his expression extremely stern.
Upon hearing this, Geng Bing was momentarily stunned.
Directly pursue?
Now?
He swallowed and quickly spoke: "General, our army is exhausted, why not take this opportunity to rest well and plan for the future?"
Although he also wanted to achieve merit.
He truly felt that Gu Cheng was being overly hasty.
This time had already been a forced march.
Along with this recent battle, the Han Army was already exhausted, and pursuing now would only benefit the enemy, wouldn’t it?
But Gu Cheng was resolute, shaking his head and saying, "Opportunities must not be missed; time waits for no man."
"The Northern Xiongnu think they can annihilate us while our forces are weak."
"Hence, they mobilized against both me and Zhong Sheng."
"Now that Cheshi is out of control and can no longer supply them."
"The Northern Xiongnu’s supply line is their greatest flaw."
"We must not let them rest."
"We must take this opportunity to swiftly expel the Northern Xiongnu from the Western Regions with the force of a thunderbolt!"
Saying this, he looked at the soldiers behind him, "Cheshi has submitted to the Great Han several times only to rebel again."