Shecheng City.
....
Shouts of battle erupted all around as Gu Xiao commanded his thousands of soldiers to fiercely attack the city before them.
Indeed, Gu Xiao now had over two thousand soldiers under his command.
This was provided by Liu Xiu after they became allies, even providing him with substantial provisions.
Although they parted ways,
Liu Xiu never intended to reassign these troops.
Currently, the region of Hebei was in a state of chaos.
The Three Kings of Hebei each held their territories, each with their own ambitions and ideas.
Gu Yi didn’t intend to create too much commotion, as he didn’t have many troops.
Moreover, this situation involving the Three Kings of Hebei was closely tied to Liu Xiu’s safe escape from the Gengshi regime, so he naturally wouldn’t make too many changes.
What Gu Yi needed to do was to first establish a foothold in Hebei!
Secure a stable city!
The cries of battle erupted again and again, and this small city, which lacked defenses, naturally couldn’t resist the onslaught of Gu Xiao, the reckless warrior.
Yes... Indeed.
Gu Xiao was indeed a reckless warrior.
This was the assessment Gu Yi made during this period.
If this ancestor of his followed the right leader, he could probably become a general.
But as for becoming a commander who could lead an entire army...
That was beyond his capabilities.
However, a reckless warrior naturally had his own advantages. Gu Yi could compensate for Gu Xiao’s lack of strategic oversight and prepare the next steps for him.
For everything else, it was up to Gu Xiao to charge ahead recklessly!!!
The army roared continuously.
Gu Yi watched it all like a god, and as time passed, the gates of Shecheng City were finally breached.
Gu Xiao immediately led the army in, charging directly inside.
In fact, Gu Yi initially wanted to choose Yuan City instead of Shecheng City.
Historically speaking, once Liu Xiu arrived in Hebei, Liu Lin would support a man named Wang Lang to become emperor in Handan City.
Yuan City was an important city under the Handan Commandery.
Its geographical location was crucial.
Once Liu Xiu gained momentum in Hebei, success in subduing Wang Lang would naturally be Gu Xiao’s greatest opportunity.
However, unfortunately, Wang Mang and Wang Zhengjun were from Yuan City.
Due to their influence, Yuan City was no longer what it used to be, and such a small force couldn’t possibly capture it.
Thus, Gu Yi ultimately had to choose Shecheng City.
Shecheng wasn’t as important as Yuan City.
But it did have benefits; capturing Shecheng was much simpler compared to attacking Yuan City.
And most importantly, during such chaotic times, occupying a small city wouldn’t attract much attention.
Gu Yi had already thought it through.
During this time, he could quietly be a local warlord.
As long as he didn’t go too far, it wouldn’t draw much attention.
Indeed, once Gu Yi restricted his soldiers and didn’t target the powerful within the city, Shecheng quickly settled down.
After this news spread, it didn’t create much of a stir.
Liu Lin and Wang Chang in Handan City merely sent a letter.
Advising Gu Xiao to surrender to them....
This was a typical approach of that time. For them, Gu Xiao, without many troops, was at most a local strongman.
A letter would suffice to persuade him.
Because of this.
Gu Xiao settled down directly in Shecheng.
On one hand, continuously training his soldiers; on the other, recruiting more and scouting for information, closely watching the whole world’s developments.
Indeed, the Battle of Kunyang completely ended the Xin Dynasty’s fate.
Upon receiving the news, especially that a meteor fell during the Battle of Kunyang to assist Liu Xiu, Wang Mang was greatly shaken.
He held a grand ceremony to cry to the heavens.
Hoping to ask the heavens to help him pacify the rebel forces.
But everything had already been fated.
September—
The Green Forest Army marched into Chang’an, and under Wang Yi’s protection, Wang Mang fled to Jiantai, where he was beheaded by the rebel leader Du Wu.
His head was displayed in Wan City, and dozens of soldiers vied to kill Wang Mang, dismembering his body.
The Xin Dynasty was utterly annihilated.
October—
Grand General Liu Xin, of the Gengshi regime, killed Liu Wang in Runan, and all the counties surrendered.
Emperor Liu Xuan wished to move the capital to Luoyang, appointing various kings, and issued edicts across the lands.
To persuade the feudal lords to surrender!
For a time, the world was shaken!
No one would have expected Wang Mang to meet such an end.
Nor that the Gengshi regime aimed to unify the world.
But if one thought that mere edicts could make these people give up their power, then this wouldn’t truly be a chaotic era.
Rumors spread wildly.
Finally, amidst this tense situation,
More news arrived.
Emperor Liu Xuan appointed Liu Xiu as General of Breaking Prisoners, acting as Grand Commandant, to pacify Hebei.
Upon learning this.
Gu Yi realized that the opportunity had come!
However, he didn’t rush to meet Liu Xiu; he quietly observed everything in Shecheng, constantly sending people to gather information.
Liu Xiu marched north, and initially, it went exceptionally smoothly.
Across Hebei, he generously bestowed kindness and dispatched his followers to the counties to repeal unjust trials and abolish harsh policies from Wang Mang’s era, declaring a pardon in Hebei.
Upon arriving in Handan City, Liu Lin, son of King Zhao Miao, personally greeted Liu Xiu and discussed repelling the Red Eyebrow Army.
However, their discord began at this point.
December—
Liu Lin proclaimed Wang Chang as emperor in Handan City, establishing Zhao Han, and placed a bounty on Liu Xiu.