Chapter 346 Setting Off for Guanzhong

Although still somewhat unconvinced, this female executive from a foreign company, a modern-day career-driven elite, accepted Gao Yuan's explanation.

Facts proved that Gao Yuan's ideas were quite farsighted, as later practical experience showed that Chu Yue indeed lacked the potential to handle things independently; the little girl clearly faltered when decisiveness was required.

After several attempts, Chu Yue also realized that she simply couldn't cultivate the overbearing aura her brother-in-law and sister possessed, so she gave up on the idea of becoming a modern-day Qin Liangyu.

With a capable chief of staff by his side, Gao Yuan found everything much easier to handle; most of the time, he only needed to be the final decision-maker.

By the end of June, all orders for the allocation of supplies had been issued. Most of the supplies and troops had already set off. Gao Xianzhi and Li Siye had long since arrived in Hanzhong to take command, and it was time for Gao Yuan to depart as well.

The day before his departure, Gao Yuan prepared to head out of the city to check on the Shenji Camp's preparations. Just as he reached the city gate, he saw a pretty figure on horseback.

Coming closer, he saw that it was actually Chu Yue, dressed in a full set of armor.

With a bright red plume on her helmet, a brand-new set of mingguang armor edged in red oxhide, a fiery red warhorse beneath her, and a red cloak to top it off, the girl's skin appeared even fairer.

The little girl was beaming with pride, her small, proud head tilted slightly upward.

"Brother-in-law, how do I look? Don't I look heroic and valiant, like a legendary heroine?"

Gao Yuan nodded and couldn't help but praise her.

"Not bad, you really do look a bit like a female general."

Chu Yue's delicate nose wrinkled, and she grumbled indignantly.

"What do you mean 'look like'? I clearly am one."

Gao Yuan couldn't help but smile, choosing not to argue with the little girl.

"Whether you've got real skill or it's just for show, we'll know after a test. Come on, let's see if you can keep up with me."

After saying that, Gao Yuan slapped his horse's rump and galloped away. Not to be outdone, Chu Yue shouted "Giddy up!" and urged her fiery red Rouge Horse to chase after him. Behind them, the Personal Guards didn't dare to be careless and quickly followed.

After galloping for a while, Gao Yuan noticed that Chu Yue hadn't fallen behind, so he deliberately slowed down to let the little girl ride alongside him.

Turning his head to see the woman's serious expression, a melody that he used to hear every summer suddenly popped into Gao Yuan's mind.

"You are the wind, I am the sand, wandering the world together in love..."

Yeah, the imagery was very strong.

The military camp was only a dozen or so li from Panyu. They arrived shortly on horseback. Seeing the girl beside Gao Yuan, the crowd wasn't surprised at all.

After all, Chu Yue had been assisting Gao Yuan and Mu Sheng with many military affairs lately, so the officers had all seen her and naturally recognized the capabilities of this future lady.

People in the military are very straightforward; if you have ability, everyone respects you. If you don't, no matter if you're a royal relative or have a powerful background, you can just go stay somewhere else.

Once inside the camp, Chu Yue lost her arrogant and defiant attitude she had in front of Gao Yuan. Like a dutiful young wife, she followed closely behind him as they inspected the preparations of the entire camp.

Seeing that everything was well-prepared, Gao Yuan felt relieved. He gave Zhao Meng a few words of encouragement and returned to the city. As for Chu Yue, she received Gao Yuan's promise to let her accompany the army.

The little girl was overjoyed. She followed Gao Yuan back to the palace, chatting all the way, and bragged about it to her sisters during dinner.

Yang Xin was both happy and worried about her sister's upcoming departure with the army. In the end, the women discussed it and decided to let Mu Qing accompany them with two hundred Yulin Guards, repeatedly instructing Chu Yue not to follow Gao Yuan into the heat of battle.

Chu Yue was already satisfied with being able to go with the army. She patted her increasingly impressive chest and promised,

"Sisters, don't worry. I value my life very much. I'll definitely stay safely in the rear and won't follow brother-in-law into danger."

That's what she said, but how she would actually behave was another matter. While chewing her food, the little girl's lively eyes darted around as she thought,

"When the time comes, the mountains will be high and the emperor far away; my sisters won't be able to control me even if they want to. At worst, I'll just act cute and spoiled, and brother-in-law will surely soften up."

Humans are creatures that easily take an inch and want a mile. Ever since the little girl asked Chu Weiguo about the deeds of Fu Hao and Qin Liangyu, her heart had begun to stir with restlessness.

With Zhao Xiyao, Yang Xin, and Mu Qing as role models, Chu Yue became even more determined in her ambition to earn military merit and be enfeoffed as a marquess.

She felt that only then would she be worthy of her peerlessly handsome, world-class hero of a brother-in-law.

Early the next morning, before dawn, Gao Yuan got up and ate a large bowl of steaming hot overalls rooster soup bean noodles.

With the help of Zhao Xiyao and the maidservants, he put on his mingguang armor.

At the palace gates, Mu Qing, Chu Yue, and two hundred Female Soldiers were already standing ready with their horses.

Seeing Zhao Xiyao and Gao Yuan walk out, everyone immediately cupped their hands in salute.

"Greetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Prince of Tang."

In the inner palace on normal days, they could call each other sisters and be affectionate.

But in public, Mu Qing and Chu Yue were very clear about the rules, addressing Zhao Xiyao and Gao Yuan as Your Majesty and Prince of Tang.

Holding Zhao Xiyao's small hand, he whispered a few sweet words and gave the woman a kiss on her pretty face. Only then did Gao Yuan mount his horse and salute Zhao Xiyao.

"Take care, Your Majesty!"

Then he turned his horse around, nudged its flanks, and headed toward the city gate. The women quickly mounted their horses and followed.

Zhao Xiyao stood at the palace gates watching until they were completely out of sight, then returned to the palace dejectedly.

From atop the palace walls, Zheng Wan, Wu Xu, and the others also watched Gao Yuan leave before returning to their own courtyards.

As Gao Yuan led the Xiaoguo Army out of Panyu, the curtain truly rose on the decisive battle for the Guanzhong.

Gao Yuan's movements this time were not small, so Gao Wu's spies received intelligence very early on.

As soon as the news arrived in late June, Gao Wu ordered the Dragon Soaring Army to stop its rest and reorganization, preparing for Gao Long to lead them into Chang'an.

On the other side, with their arch-rival Northern Yan watching like a hawk, Gao Hu also had to remain stationed in the Jizhou area.

At the same time, Gao Yi and Gao Ding led their troops to station along the line from Huang State to Xu Prefecture to guard against a sudden attack by Gao Yuan in Jiangnan.

One must know that neither Wen Pin nor Liu Rengui were easy to deal with.

In eight or nine out of ten major battles Gao Yuan had fought over the years, Liu Rengui had been present.

As for Wen Pin, although his battle record wasn't prominent, it was precisely because of his presence that Western Kang didn't dare to act rashly against the Diannan Circuit.

Gao Yuan being able to freely campaign in the north and south had a lot to do with Wen Pin deterring Western Kang.

Facing these two men, Gao Wu naturally didn't dare to be careless.

In fact, Gao Yuan had indeed secretly issued orders to Wen Pin and Liu Rengui:

Decide according to the situation, act as you see fit, and do not miss any tactical opportunities.

The content of the order was simple and clear: it was for the two of them to make their own decisions.

If they felt they could strike, they could do so at any time without needing separate instructions.

After communicating by letter, Liu Rengui and Wen Pin began sending out many people to collect ferries and bridge-building materials, putting on a posture as if they were about to cross the Yangtze River and head north.

This was why Gao Wu had no choice but to keep Gao Yi and Gao Ding in Jiangnan.

This piece of fat meat had just been stuffed into his mouth, and he had only just tasted it, not even having had time to chew it twice yet.

If he wasn't careful and Gao Yuan snatched it out of his mouth, Gao Wu probably wouldn't be able to sleep at night.

Therefore, although he was certain that Gao Yuan was using feints to distract his attention and divide his forces, he could only accept it, because he knew Gao Yuan had the strength to turn those feints into a real offensive at any time, and he couldn't afford to gamble.