Anti-Gao Alliance

Toungoo and Western Kang, despite one being on the Indochina Peninsula and the other on the plateau.

In fact, the two countries are neighboring states that share a border. Western Kang had even considered descending from the plateau via Kandi, which lies at their border.

Thus, Toungoo and Western Kang had previously broken out into border wars; they could be considered old enemies.

However, this time they cast aside their past grudges and sat down together to negotiate.

The representatives for the peace talks from both countries could be considered old acquaintances of Gao Yuan.

One was the eldest prince of Toungoo, Bayinnaung, whom Gao Yuan had personally defeated. The other was Tuoba Tao, who had been defeated by Wen Pin.

The heroic-looking young general behind Tuoba Tao was none other than Tuoba Rui, who harbored a blood feud against Wen Pin for the death of his father.

"His Highness the Eldest Prince has a deep blood feud with that Gao Yuan, and we are the same."

Tuoba Tao pointed to Tuoba Rui behind him.

"This is my nephew, Tuoba Rui. His father died two months ago at the blade of Wen Pin, a great general under Gao Yuan."

"I see. It seems your country's hatred for Gao Yuan is no less than mine."

Bayinnaung tapped on the table and finally made the decision.

"Then I will take a step back. The territory of Zhongnan Circuit will belong to me, and Diannan Circuit will belong to you, Western Kang. As for Luang Namtha, we shall each take half. How about that?"

Indeed, the point of contention between the two sides was the fortress of Luang Namtha, which could grant control over the initiative of the campaign.

"I think it would be better if neither side stations troops in Luang Namtha. We can each build a fortress to its north and south; that way, both sides can station their troops within their respective fortresses. What does Your Highness think?"

"Good, let's do it that way!"

With the general direction set, the next step was to discuss the details.

If Gao Yuan were here, he would surely sneer at them.

"Are you not taking me too lightly? The war hasn't even started, yet you are already thinking about dividing my territory?"

After negotiating for more than half a month, the two sides finally reached a final agreement.

Western Kang would send eighty thousand troops, and Toungoo would send one hundred thousand. Both countries would launch an attack on Zhongnan Circuit and Diannan Circuit simultaneously.

Gao Yuan was unaware of this at the moment; he was currently receiving Hong Wantong, who had just arrived.

He had heard of this "Great General" under the Former Crown Prince, and seeing him in person, an A-rank all-around general, he was passable.

Gao Yuan analyzed that all-around generals were the most awkward category in the system classification.

Such generals were said to be capable of fighting and leading troops, but that was based on having sufficient strength.

Otherwise, it was very easy to end up with a general who could neither fight nor lead troops well.

A-rank was the passing line for this type of general; otherwise, Gao Yuan really wouldn't have bothered to receive Hong Wantong.

After reading the system panel and taking a sip of tea, Gao Yuan finally raised his head to look at Hong Wantong.

"So, General Hong, you wish to serve under my command?"

"Exactly. I hope Commandery Duke Gao will take me in."

Gao Yuan decided it was better to state the ugly truth upfront.

"In my Diannan Circuit, whether it is the Xuanjia Army or the Beiwei Army, the military discipline is very strict. I wonder if General Hong and your brothers can accept that?"

"Since I chose to come here, how could I not have understood that?"

Hong Wantong sighed and expressed his thoughts.

"This humble general rebelled with the deposed Crown Prince and indulged my troops in plundering the countryside; it can be said that my sins are heavy. If there is truly a chance to contribute to resisting foreign races under the Commandery Duke, even dying on the battlefield would be considered atonement."

Gao Yuan stared into Hong Wantong's eyes for a moment. Feeling that it did not seem fake, he nodded with satisfaction.

"Good. Since that is the case, I will accept you. You have brought over four thousand seven hundred people this time. I will transfer personnel from other places to make it up to five thousand, and organize them into the 15th and 16th Divisions of the Xuanjia Army. As for you, General Hong, you will temporarily serve as the Division Commander of the 15th Division. Both divisions will temporarily be stationed near Guchang County."

Gao Yuan was not at ease with these newly arrived soldier-ruffians. Naturally, he had to "mix in sand" to monitor them.

This wasn't the first time he had done the "mixing in sand" tactic. After sending Hong Wantong away, he summoned Wen Pin.

"Zhongye, you must personally oversee the reorganization of these soldier-ruffians. Draw personnel from the Beiwei Army to serve as officers."

"Rest assured, my Lord. This humble general is very familiar with this."

"That's good. By the way, how is the situation with the Fourth Division?"

"I have failed your trust, my Lord. Currently, the Fourth Division still only has one thousand two hundred men, but their training has not lagged."

Gao Yuan knew Wen Pin had tried his best. He didn't blame him and waved his hand to comfort him.

"The Beiwei Army is the main force of our army; better to have fewer, high-quality troops than many poor ones. If we recruit unsuitable people, it will only drag down our combat effectiveness."

"This humble general understands."

"Good, I trust you to handle things. By the way, it's almost New Year, the Second Division should be coming back, right?"

"Yes, the Third Division is already geared up and ready to head to Zhongnan Circuit for a relief rotation."

"Perfect. They can take the arrows newly produced by the workshop with them on the way."

Little did Gao Yuan know that this routine rotation would become the key to turning the tide of the war.

In the twelfth month of the third year of the era name, the Third Division of the Beiwei Army was ordered to head to Zhongnan Circuit for a relief rotation.

Moving at the same time were two divisions of the Xuanjia Army, along with over a thousand pack horses and one hundred thousand arrows.

Meanwhile, the Anti-Gao Alliance was also rushing to prepare military supplies and provisions. They wanted to take advantage of the slack period during the New Year to launch an attack on Gao Yuan.

In Luoyang, Song Ren was currently kneeling on the smooth floor of the Linde Hall, enduring the rage of The Emperor.

"You fool, you fool! You actually let Gao Yuan steal the credit for such a good opportunity."

"Your subject... your subject wanted to give Your Majesty a surprise, and that is why..."

The Emperor was absolutely furious.

"A surprise? You want to be the death of me! You actually sent the Former Crown Prince to Luoyang for me? What do you expect me to do? Kill him? How would that make the people of the world view me?"

Song Ren finally understood. He had made a grave mistake.

No matter what mistakes the Former Crown Prince had made, he was still the biological brother of The Emperor.

If The Emperor killed him on the charge of treason, he would be saddled with the charge of fratricide.

As a subordinate and a confidant, what he should have done was let the Former Crown Prince die in the chaos of battle, or even die of illness on the road.

"Your subject knows his mistake. Your subject knows his mistake. Your subject was truly blinded by victory, which is why..."

The Emperor vented his anger, then sat on the dragon throne, looking at his confidant panting, and waved his hand.

"Forget it, forget it. You meant well. Go down. The imperial edict of rewards will be issued soon."

"As you command, your subject withdraws."

The Emperor sat blankly on the dragon throne for a long time before asking.

"Liu Jin, tell me, how should I deal with this elder brother of mine?"

Liu Jin gave a start, his brain spinning rapidly. After a while, he said.

"This is The Emperor's family affair. This servant should not speak, but since Your Majesty has asked, this servant will dare to..."

"Enough, enough. Since I asked you, naturally I don't care about those things. Speak."

"This servant thinks that the Former Crown Prince should be made to write a confession to be announced to the world, and then let him guard the mausoleum of the late emperor to atone for his sins."

The Emperor felt that reinstating Liu Jin was truly the most correct decision. This eunuch was definitely the person who understood him best.

On the 25th day of the twelfth month of the third year of the era name, the last day of official business for the year.

The imperial edict that everyone had been looking forward to was finally issued by the Secretariat.

The Former Crown Prince had raised troops and rebelled, committing a grave sin, but The Emperor, considering their blood ties, spared his life and ordered him to write a confession and guard the late emperor's mausoleum for life.

The Jiedushi of Jiannan Circuit, Song Ren, having assisted the military governor of diannan circuit, Gao Yuan, in resisting Western Kang, and also having suppressed the rebellion of the Former Crown Prince, was enfeoffed as Count of Mianyang, granted one thousand mu of fertile land, and ten jin of gold.

Looking at this edict of rewards, Song Ren really didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

He had received a title, at least he was a Count, which was better than a Baron.

But what he had originally envisioned was a Duke; at the very least, a Marquis would have been acceptable.

The most painful thing was that he was still responsible for sending food to Gao Yuan. This feeling was like swallowing a fly; it was utterly miserable.