Chapter 60

Chapter 694: Here to Retrieve Dongguan! (1)

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Luoyi knew very well how formidable Nuo Xi was. However, his opponent was Huang Baosong, who was on par with Nuo Xi.

Moreover, the disparity in troops was too great. No matter how impregnable Hanguan was, how could they possibly overcome such a massive difference in numbers?

"General, I understand what you are worried about. However, the advantage is clearly on our side. Now that we have cut off the supply lines of the Guandong army, time is on our side."

Guo Jia took a broad view and weighed the current situation. However, Luoyi did not seem to find it satisfactory.

"Oh, really! The supplies of the Guandong army haven't run out yet. I can't guarantee whether the supplies will run out first or if Hanguan will fall first."

"Then how about this? The Guandong army has slowed their offensive on Sashu Pass and redirected their troops to Qingzhou. Does that sound promising to you?"

Guo Jia's words made Luoyi's eyes widen.

"The Guandong army has abandoned Sashu Pass?"

However, Guo Jia shook his head.

"They haven't abandoned it. They have left some troops in front of Sashu Pass. It seems they cannot completely betray their alliance with the Guanxi army."

"At least Dong Shangguo can breathe a sigh of relief. Then, can't we send more troops to Hanguan?"

"The court is still unaware of the situation at Sashu Pass. The facts I have reported to you were painstakingly relayed by Mr. Jin."

"So we're the only ones who have the latest news."

Luoyi tilted his head and continued.

"Shouldn't we inform Dong Shangguo? Hanguan clearly needs reinforcements, so we should inform the court as soon as possible."

"We cannot do that. If we do, Mr. Jin's life might be in danger. We must not inform Dong Shangguo until the Guandong army naturally learns of it."

"But the situation at Hanguan is urgent, isn't it?"

Until the Guandong army's movements reached Dong Zhuo's ears, it was impossible to estimate how long it would take for them to march to Hanguan.

Therefore, Luoyi was worried about Nuo Xi and his troops.

In response, Guo Jia clasped his hands together and said to Luoyi.

"General, we have our troops in Henei. Don't let them rot there without a purpose."

"Hmm... Didn't I say before that the Guandong army might attack Shangshan? That's why Lord Cao hurried back, right?"

"The people Mr. Jin spoke of are the main force of the Guandong army, while those who are attacking Shangshan are the troops of the Hejian Wangfu. Since there are no troops to threaten Henei, we can leave Henei unguarded."

"Han Hou is already helping General Nuo, so now Henei is... ."

Luoyi trailed off. However, among the troops guarding Henei, there was only one general. Guo Jia mentioned his name.

"General Gao Shun is there."

"Gao Shun... Gao Shun... ."

"Surely you don't doubt General Gao Shun's abilities? General, although his bravery and martial arts are not as great as yours, he is the leader of the Eight Generals. He is second only to you."

Guo Jia said this and then cast a suspicious glance at Luoyi.

"Or do you not want to add to General Gao Shun's reputation?"

In response, Luoyi drew the last arrow from his quiver and aimed it at Guo Jia. The arrowhead alone was enough to pierce Guo Jia's forehead at any moment.

"Mr. Guo, your words are too harsh. Do you think I, Luoyi, am such a petty person?"

"It is a possibility."

"If you say such things again, I will not forgive you, Mr. Guo. I trust Gao Shun more than anyone. If anything happens to me, Gao Shun will take my place."

Since Luoyi had said this much, Guo Jia could not say anything more.

'General Luoyi is not a liar. His trust in General Gao Shun is so deep that even if I give him many opportunities, I will not suffer any harm.'

Guo Jia considered all possible scenarios. He already had the conviction that Luoyi would conquer the world, and he was also thinking about what would happen after Luoyi achieved his goal.

He had not called Gao Shun because he feared he might suffer harm in the future. However, now that he had confirmed Luoyi's intentions, there was no reason not to use a brave general like Gao Shun.

"I will have General Gao Shun assist General Nuo."

"Good. Let's settle the matter of Hanguan."

Luoyi's worry about Hanguan was erased by sending Gao Shun to Nuo Xi.

However, the troops under Gao Shun's command, specifically the troops from Hanzhen Camp, numbered only a thousand.

If he sent just a thousand and felt at ease, anyone who heard would scoff.

But Luoyi knew very well how capable Gao Shun and Hanzhen Camp were.

"Now it's time to ask about Dongguan."

Guo Jia's words made Luoyi nod with satisfaction.

"Yes. We must recapture Dongguan. Only then can the military strategies of Mr. Ji and Mr. Guo be completed, right?"

"Indeed. We must retake Dongguan."

"Hey! Dongguan is a formidable pass, almost as difficult as Hangu Pass. I know you have a plan, but can you really unlock the gate of Dongguan with just your forces?"

"We have a lot of supplies and provisions that we took from the enemy's supply lines. With those, the gates of Dongguan will open on their own."

* * *

"Ah! Ah! L... Luoyi! Luoyi has appeared!"

Sajian screamed and woke up from his sleep. When he came to his senses, Xue Miao was in front of him.

"Sajian! Sajian, calm down!"

Sajian was startled to see Xue Miao and tried to back away, using his feet and hands to push himself backward while sitting.

"I... I am not Sajian. I am not from Guanxi. No... I am from Guandong. So, General Luoyi, don't capture me."

Sajian rambled incoherently, as if he had lost his mind. Xue Miao grabbed his shoulders and shook him.

"Commander, it's me, Xue Miao. Calm down. You are safe now. We have already fled far from where Luoyi is. Have you forgotten?"

"Oh! Commander Xue. Really, Commander Xue. Commander Xue, listen to me."

Sajian suddenly regained his composure and grabbed Xue Miao's hand.

Then Xue Miao's gaze briefly turned sharp, but since it happened so suddenly, Sajian did not notice. After all, in his current state, how could he discern Xue Miao's expression?

"Speak, Sajian."

"Luoyi is coming to capture me. He will be here soon. Yes, he will come soon."

Hearing Sajian's words, Xue Miao was relieved.

"Commander, calm down. Luoyi is not coming. We are about to reach Dongguan, which is guarded by our lord's army."

"Oh! Yes, Dongguan... . If it's guarded by our lord's army, even Luoyi can't attack it. Commander Xue, let's hurry to Dongguan... . Dongguan... Dongguan... ."

Sajian kept repeating "Dongguan" like a madman. Xue Miao tried to lay him back down, but his muttering continued.

Zhang He approached and nodded his head, indicating that they should talk elsewhere. Xue Miao understood and followed Zhang He a few steps away.

"Commander Zhang, do you have something to say? If so, let's get it over with quickly."

Xue Miao frowned as he looked at Zhang He. Was he still harboring resentment over Cao Qinglong being taken prisoner by Luoyi and then brought back into his service?

That was not the case. Xue Miao frowned because of the strange stench emanating from Zhang He.

Zhang He was not a beggar or a vagrant, nor did he dislike bathing. Yet he subtly emitted a foul odor.

Zhang He did not take issue with Xue Miao's attitude because he knew he himself was in a similar state.

However, he had to speak his mind.

"How is Sajian?"

"Commander, Sajian has completely lost his mind."

"Proud people often break easily once their pride is shattered. Given what Sajian has endured, it's not surprising that he has lost his sanity."

Sajian had been captured at Yangshan and kept in captivity.

Until then, he had enjoyed all kinds of wealth and honor. But after being captured by Luoyi, he was imprisoned in a filthy jail.

As the supply officer of the Guanxi army, Sajian was tortured. It was natural to extract information from a captured important figure. Sajian could not withstand the torture for long and revealed everything he knew.

Thus, his life was spared. However, the prolonged period of extreme anxiety had weakened his mental state.

He began to exhibit severe drowsiness, one of the symptoms of depression.

Zhang He took out a small pouch from his pocket.

"Commander, how long do I have to carry this? The smell is unbearable."

Guo Jia pinched his nose at the foul odor emanating from the pouch Zhang He handed over. He then waved his other hand frantically.

"Put that away. I can't stand the stench."

"Even just a brief whiff is difficult, and I've been carrying this for over ten days."

Instead of treating him, Jia Hou chose to worsen his condition.

The method was to use a herb that induced sleep.

The herb was called "Hilcao," but it was more commonly known as "rat urine grass" because of the foul odor it emitted.

"Don't blame me too much. After all, wasn't this Mr. Jia's idea?"

Guo Jia tried to deflect Zhang He's resentful gaze. He felt wronged. It was Jia Hou's idea, yet he was the one bearing the responsibility.

'In the end, Mr. Jia set everything up, and I had to clean up the mess.'

Guo Jia could not help but admire Jia Hou's strategy and political skills. Zhang He, unaware of this, clung to Guo Jia.

"Isn't it your responsibility to finish the task, Mr. Guo? Since Mr. Jia entrusted the military affairs to you before leaving, who else should I talk to?"

"Then, now... ."

Just as he was about to say it was fine to discard it, Luoyi interrupted.

"Mr. Guo, can we retake Dongguan tonight... ? Ah, the smell!"

Luoyi closed his eyes tightly and pinched his nose. He then looked back and forth between Guo Jia and Zhang He.

Guo Jia shook his head to indicate it wasn't him. Zhang He, under Luoyi's intense gaze, looked extremely wronged.

"General, I am wronged. The stench is not because I haven't bathed, but because of this."

Zhang He took out the pouch containing the Hilcao and handed it to Luoyi. Luoyi, looking incredulous, grabbed Zhang He by the collar and shook him.

"Now you're carrying laundry around. Do you expect me to wash your underwear for you?"

"This is not laundry, but Hilcao. It's a herb that induces sleep when you drink the boiled water, a herb!"

Guo Jia, watching their argument, suddenly raised one corner of his mouth.

'Hilcao... Hilcao... . Using this, I can try out the strategies I've only thought about.'