Chapter 7: Military Achievements
Gao Huan's younger brother, Gao Chen (courtesy name Yongbao), is also fourteen this year. He is also remarkably handsome and exceptionally elegant, with even more of a scholarly demeanor than Gao Huan. Being a shop assistant, he is always a bit more refined than those who tend cattle, yet also somewhat more dissolute. It is worth noting that later on, there was an affair between his uncle and aunt, but that is a story for another time
Gao Huan was initially reluctant to bring Gao Chen along, but upon reflection, he realized that he had originally crossed over alone. Now, in order to survive in a chaotic world, it was inconvenient to be without a few trustworthy companions by his side. Thus, he decided to agree to it.
One night of joyous gathering needs no detailed words, the next day, high spirits lead to the military camp on duty, just in time to encounter Yang Yu of the Dingjun Division at the camp gate
Gao Huan was just about to say a few words to his brother regarding the embroidered pillow when Gao Shu waved his hand and said, "You brothers are being so distant with each other. Little Bao, in a couple of years when you turn sixteen, I will have your brother find you a civil position in the army. That fellow's livelihood is not worth pursuing. Our family needs to restore its honor, and relying solely on your brother is not enough. Your father has high hopes for you." After saying this, he turned to look at Gao Huan.
The team looked at Gao Huan in disbelief and said: "General, our orders are to set an ambush to surround the enemy and wait for the right moment to act. Isn't going out now just stirring up the grass and alerting the snake, thus exposing our whereabouts?"
Gao Huan initially thought that the enemy's scattered soldiers had fled in the wrong direction and collided with each other. Upon hearing one of the soldiers on the opposite side say that one person in the middle was the leader of the thieves, he felt a chill in his heart: today, it is either you die or I perish! He then shouted furiously: "Kill!" and recklessly charged towards the soldiers blocking his path.
Ah? What? Gao Huan looked at these people with a face full of horror, as the dim light of the torch cast them in a fierce and menacing manner.
"It is well said. Since you have mentioned it, I shall certainly take heed. That said, although your recent success in repelling the rebels was largely due to luck, it has also provoked the rebel leader Po Liu Han Ba Ling. I have just received intelligence that he has dispatched his foremost general Wei Ke Gu to lead an army of 100,000 to attack Huai Shuo. It seems that the opportunity for General Gao to achieve merit has once again arrived." After saying this, Yang Yu stroked his beard, looking quite pleased as he gazed at Gao Huan.
At that moment, a cannon fired, and the section leader shouted, "Brothers, charge!" Two hundred men from the left wing, under his command, surged towards the enemy.
While we were chatting, my sister Gao Lan came in from outside carrying a plate of food. This sister indeed inherited the fine genes of the Gao family, and she is quite good-looking. However, due to family circumstances, she appears pale and thin, and her clothing is very simple, with a patched cloth skirt that does not showcase her beauty.
He Ba Yue and Duan Chang, accompanied by soldiers, were searching for Gao Huan. Upon seeing this scene, everyone was taken aback!
That is only natural, and I hope that the general will provide more guidance in the future. Having said that, Gao Hua bowed slightly, appearing very humble
Brother Huan, what are you talking about? We are siblings by blood, and taking care of the family is my responsibility, so there is no need to trouble you. Moreover, Brother Huan, you are now restoring the family business and revitalizing our name, which brings great joy to my heart. In the future, you can focus on your endeavors outside, and I will assist our mother with the household affairs, ensuring that you have no worries. " With that, she set down the dish and wiped her hands on her apron: "You all eat first; there is another dish in the pot, and I will go stir-fry it and bring it in."
"Oh, it is General Gao, my apologies, my apologies." Duan Chang did not care about Yang Yu's reaction and enthusiastically approached to greet Gao Huan. At this moment, Gao Huan was feeling angry and was about to turn around and go inside when Duan Chang grabbed him and said: "I can see that the young general is upset; may I ask what troubles you? Please share it with your elder brother."
As the saying goes, the youngest in the family is the most favored. Although Gao Huan was an only child in his previous life, it truly seems to confirm that old saying now.
I can't believe it, I survived this time and I have to come back for a second round. At that moment, Gao Huan was filled with rage, and just as he was about to explode, he saw Duan Chang entering from outside.
Gao Huan clasped his hands and said, "This humble general pays his respects to General Yang." He spoke politely, but in his heart, he loathed this person to the core. Trying to play tricks with me? You will die at my hands. I may have crossed over, but I am not a fool; I have not wasted over twenty years of my life. If you want to play, I will accompany you to the end.
Not long after the enemy troops passed, a deafening shout erupted from the front, indicating that the battle had begun. Gao Huan, now too frightened to even move his legs, curled up into a ball, trembling uncontrollably. This was truly terrifying
His mind was blank, with only the sound of his heavy breathing. Exhausted, Gao Huan was on the verge of collapsing to the ground. It was at this moment that he regained his senses, looking down at the three corpses on the ground, each more tragically dead than the last. The commander had been struck in the forehead by Gao Huan's blade and died on the spot; one soldier had an arm severed and had fainted; another soldier had been disemboweled by Gao Huan, with intestines and entrails scattered everywhere. Covered in blood, Gao Huan stood half-collapsed on the main road, resembling a terrifying demon from hell.
Sister, please come and sit down to eat together; there is enough food, and there is no need to trouble you any further. Gao Huan urged as he stood up.
Upon hearing this, Gao Huan shivered, stood up, and leaned forward to take a look. In the distance, a large group of people was indeed approaching, and the noise was so loud that it seemed they were not at all concerned about being discovered.
From 8 PM until midnight, not a single ghostly shadow appeared. Gao Huan was feeling drowsy (the day's exhausting hustle and the constant fear had made one easily fatigued). Suddenly, a soldier beside him shook Gao Huan and said: "General Gao, look! A large group of people holding torches is coming towards us from a distance"
Indeed, I am a bit nervous and have completely forgotten about this matter. For Gao Huan, it is extremely difficult to go into battle for the first time at the age of twenty. Just the thought of having to kill someone with real weapons makes Gao Huan's legs cramp up, as if they were bound by iron chains, rendering him unable to move, and he feels he might collapse at any moment. In his previous life, Gao Huan (Cheng Lu) couldn't even kill a chicken because it was unnecessary; at the market, either someone else would kill it for you, or you would buy it pre-prepared. But now, he is being asked to kill people! To kill living, breathing individuals! Gao Huan has a deep-seated aversion to such things in his subconscious.
At this moment, Gao Huan was still crouched in the grass, trembling as if he were sifting through flour. The distant sounds of shouting and screams were driving him to the brink of collapse. Ladies and gentlemen, you all know that a person in a state of extreme fear can become violently mad (this is what is referred to as going berserk). At this moment, Gao Huan's eyes were bloodshot as he slowly stood up, grasping the family heirloom knife beside him, and silently walked onto the main road like a ghost. Ladies and gentlemen, you all know that a person in a state of extreme fear can become violently mad (this is what is referred to as going berserk). At this moment, Gao Huan's eyes were bloodshot as he slowly stood up, grasping the family heirloom knife beside him, and silently walked onto the main road like a ghost.
At this moment, Gao Chen proudly said to Gao Huan: "Brother Huan, I am very proud to learn of your actions today. Even the boss has been treating me with more respect and closeness these past few days, and this is all thanks to you, brother."
Gao Huan could not recall how he returned to Huaishuo Town. However, after regaining consciousness, he saw the braised pork on the table and could not stop vomiting. For several nights thereafter, he was unable to sleep; every time he closed his eyes, he was haunted by the terrifying sight of dead bodies. It seems that the first time one kills is indeed like this. Nevertheless, Gao Huan's (Cheng Lu's) brutal slaughtering made Duan Chang view him in a new light.
With a flick of his hand, Gao Shu angrily exclaimed, "Why are you crying on such a fine day?"
Originally, the more than 8,000 enemies were focused on besieging the Fuyang garrison, unable to lift their heads due to the rain of arrows from the city. Unexpectedly, a few hundred people suddenly emerged from the left side, engaging in a chaotic slaughter that disrupted the formation behind them. Then, as the main gate opened, a valiant general led dozens of cavalrymen out, trampling and hacking away. The front lines were thrown into disarray.
Yang Yu, upon seeing this, turned around expressionlessly and entered the military camp
At that moment, three individuals suddenly emerged from the bushes; two appeared to be personal guards, while the other was the leader of the bandit army, the Xiongnu man Shi Hou. The four of them exchanged glances, and one of the guards said, "Elder brother, you take the general away first, I will hold them off!" With that, he drew his sword and charged towards Gao Huan.
The front troops were in disarray, and the left flank was also in chaos. At this moment, a group of soldiers emerged from behind, and upon seeing this, the bandits were surrounded, causing them to scatter in panic to save their lives. The imperial troops then advanced and proceeded to execute them one by one.
Gao Huan sat there like a wooden chicken, staring at the braised pig's trotters on the table, feeling nauseous
In summary, Gao Huan achieved a significant feat by personally killing the enemy's commander. The imperial edict was soon issued, promoting him to the position of General of Huai Shuo Town, under the command of Yang Jun. I cannot clearly define the rank, but he should be on par with He Ba Yue, which is quite remarkable. Consider that He Ba Yue accumulated military achievements to become a general through his own abilities and the prestige of his father, He Ba Du, while Gao Huan rose to fame in a single battle, shining like a new star.
"Alright, alright, let us not speak of this matter today, but rather raise a glass to toast my son’s triumph." Gao Shu impatiently scolded Gao Hanshi. It was said that initially, Gao Shu had incurred gambling debts and was pursued by creditors, who insisted on taking Gao Lan as collateral. However, Gao Shu was utterly unconcerned. Fortunately, the creditor was wary of the Gao family's status as a fallen gentry and did not dare to act recklessly. They merely sold Gao Lan to an official kiln and did not commit any acts of humiliation; otherwise, given Gao Huan's current status, the situation would have been quite different. Fortunately, the creditor was wary of the Gao family's status as a fallen gentry and did not dare to act recklessly. They merely sold Gao Lan to an official kiln and did not commit any acts of humiliation; otherwise, given Gao Huan's current status, the situation would have been quite different.
Sigh, it is a long story..." Gao Huan sighed, not wishing to say more
Father said that brothers should not be so distant from each other. In the future, if you, Baoge, truly wish to serve in the military, I will certainly recommend you, as I will definitely help my own family. Gao Huan also knows how to navigate the situation, as the final say in the family still rests with his father
On this night, the Gao family gathered together. The elder Gao Shu raised his cup and said: "Originally, my Gao family was also a prominent and esteemed clan in the Central Plains. I did not expect that in a single day, we would lose our title and our family would fall into such decline. Today, my son He Liu Hun (the courtesy name of Gao Huan) has achieved great merit, and the court has issued an edict to bestow rewards. It seems that the revival of our family's status is in sight." The old man spoke with such confidence, yet one could only wish he would spend less time playing dice and visiting brothels.
Gao Huan crouched down and nervously asked the team leader beside him: "What should we do, how should we respond? Are we going to rush out and fight now?"
"Quickly give the order to attack!" "Quickly give the order!" "Yes, the front is already on fire!" Several captains were furious, wondering how this coward could possibly lead troops into battle, isn't it just a disaster
"Oh, General Gao, my apologies, I have heard that you displayed extraordinary bravery in the night raid against the enemy chief this time, to the extent that even the governor's office in Pingcheng has issued a commendation. It seems that you truly owe me gratitude for recommending you to guard Fuyang in the first place," Yang Yu said with a hint of sarcasm.
Since that girl Lan returned last time, she has been telling me how good you are as a younger brother, and that it was worth it for her to have brought you along back then, even thinking about redeeming her from the official kiln. Gao Han said this while picking up a handkerchief to wipe her tears
"Sir, please give the order to attack, General Duan and the others have already charged in!" Several teams were anxiously awaiting Gao Huan's command
Gao Han's face was also filled with smiles: "Xiao Liuzai truly deserves the love and care from his mother. I never expected him to achieve so much today. I have said it long ago..." After saying this, he unexpectedly wiped away his tears
"Convey the order, do not reveal our whereabouts, let them all go ahead first." The commander was truly frustrated with Gao Huan, who was as useless as a mud that cannot be supported; in a critical moment, he took it upon himself to issue orders beyond his authority.
Oh, then let's set off. Hearing Gao Huan's order, several teams shouted in unison: "Follow me! Kill those bastards!" Two hundred people leaped out of the grass with a thunderous roar and charged onto the main road, encircling the enemy's rear... which is the backside