Hearing his master speak in such a manner, Guo Xin felt as if the heavens and earth were shaking, and his mind was filled with the sound of gongs and drums, buzzing loudly all at once.
Among the four people present today, Bi Yan and Yang Zuo are both from families of generations of military service in Liaodong. They have been friends with Gongsun Yuan since they were young. Liu Pu is the son of Liu Yu, also a second-generation official in Liaodong, and he has been hanging out with Gongsun Yuan since he was young.
At the age of forty, Guo Xin, as the representative of the scholars in Liaodong, was invited out of retirement by Gongsun Yuan, who had usurped the power of his uncle Gongsun Gong, and was appointed to the position of Assistant to the General of Chariots and Cavalry.
Beneath his heart, Guo Xin also felt touched by Gongsun Yuan's former ambitious aspirations, to become a 'smaller version' of Guan Zhong or Xiao He in this remote part of Liaodong.
But now, with Gongsun Yuan's bluster and timidity, his intention to launch an eastern campaign to avoid the Wei troops, how can Guo Xin accept it? After the illusion of wise rulers and loyal ministers shattered, even the appearance of Gongsun Yuan in Guo Xin's eyes seemed more repulsive.
Guo Xin's lips trembled slightly, and he forgot to bow: "How can Master escape like this? Isn't that selling General Gongsun in Liaotun?"
Gongsun Yuan had never expected Guo Xin to express opposition. Feeling internally weak, he still put on a brave front: "What do you mean by running? Keeping oneself useful for the future is not running."
"With the current perilous situation, all of you are my heart and bones. Please continue to assist me as before."
"Rally the troops, mobilize the grain, and head east as soon as possible tomorrow!"
In the current era, although it has long passed the days of the turbulent end of the Han Dynasty when 'the ruler chose the minister, and the minister chose the ruler', Gongsun Yuan's obvious flight still caused his several trusted followers to question him.
When Bi Yan and Yang Zuo were still hesitating, Liu Pu stood up and knelt down beside Gongsun Yuan, lowering his voice to coax him:
"Minister understands the Master's intention. With the strength of the Wei army and Master's desire to take a breather in the east, this is a reasonable move. However, if we rush to launch an expedition tomorrow, not only will the soldiers be hesitant in their hearts, but we won't have time to inspect the grain and military supplies. The chances of winning in battle may not be high."
With the words from Liu Pu, Gongsun Yuan knew that the chances of winning in the east were slim even with his show of strength. The facade he was maintaining fell quickly.
Letting out a long sigh, Gongsun Yuan fell into his seat and sighed, "Our Gongsun clan has controlled Liaodong for fifty years. My father and grandfather were even more disrespectful to the Cao family than I was. Cao Cao and Cao Pi never sent troops to Liaodong."
"I merely declined the invitation from the Wei Emperor Cao Ruini, how could they really send troops to attack me?" Gongsun Yuan looked at everyone: "When I took over the position, you all helped me. Now, help me think of a way to escape this dangerous situation!"
Bi Yan pursed his lips and suggested: "The minister believes that the Master is right, it should not be hard to resist the attack of Wei troops. It is correct to take cover for a while. There are many difficult-to-capture mountain cities in Goshi, it's better to go northeast to Fuyu?"
"Fuyu has always been loyal to the Master. Even during the reign of the previous Master, a princess of the royal family was married to the king of Fuyu. The jade box for their royal succession is even stored in Xuanyu County!"
Yang Zuo looked at Bi Yan and said sternly: "Fuyu people cannot be trusted! When the Master was strong, they submitted and served. Now that they are in a position of serving others, they will definitely turn against the Master to harm him. Have you forgotten how Song Ang and Xuan Xi were killed?"
How did they die?
The Gongsun clan of Liaodong had once been subordinate to the Yuan family. After Yuan Shang and Yuan Xi fled to Liaodong, they were beheaded by Gongsun Kang and their heads were sent to Cao Cao in exchange for the purple sash and golden seal of a Left General and Marquis of Xiangping.
It was not the fault of the Gongsun family.
Seeing that the discussion among the people did not yield a result, Guo Xin, whose wisdom and politics were the best, closed his eyes and sighed lightly. Before the enemy troops reached Liaotun, the master had lost his will to fight. If he forced to change his opinion, Liaotun and Xiangping might still be difficult to defend.
The master and minister relationship has been established, and how can one abandon it in times of danger? The current plan is to find a way to assist the master in withdrawing all the troops eastward!
Guo Xin stood up and bowed: "If the master wishes to conquer Goguryeo, I have a plan."
There are always people in the world who lack great wisdom but are always quick-witted. Gongsun Yuan is such a person.
Hearing that Guo Xin had switched to using the term 'invade Goguryeo', Gongsun Yuan knew that Guo Xin had changed his mind. He stood up and took two steps at a time, rushing forward to grab Guo Xin's hand:
"I hope the Chief of Staff can teach me!"
Guo Xin said: "The Wei troops have come a long way, and they do not know the true situation in Liaodong. In addition, the vast Liao marsh, the turbulent Liao River, the high city walls of Liaotun, and a defensive belt of thirty li along the east bank of the Liao River make it impossible to abandon Liaotun for now!"
Gongsun Yuan's eyes lit up: "The Chief of Staff means to say that by using Liaotun as a barrier, we can delay our enemy forces for a few more days?"
"Very good!" Guo Xin said: "There are three things that should be done at present, and I hope the master will comply with my request."
Gongsun Yuan nodded incessantly: "As long as we can hold out until the Wei troops retreat, I can comply with not only three, but thirty things!"
Guo Xin said in a hoarse voice, "The first thing is to order the garrisons of the cities south of Liaotun to quickly send their troops to Liaotun, so that the city's forces can reach ten thousand. Also, send the total of ten thousand cavalry from Xiangping and the cavalry from Xuanyu County to the top of Liaotun City!"
Gongsun Yuan was about to show his dissatisfaction, but then remembered what he had said a few moments ago. He forcefully held back his temper and asked, "Cavalry cannot all be sent to Liaotun, this is my lifeline!"
"Wei troops are powerful, and one thousand infantry alone cannot defend the fortifications along the Liao River. Cavalry must be used to reinforce them in order to hold off attacks everywhere in a timely manner." Guo Xin said seriously: "If cavalry are not sent out, once the fortifications along the Liao River are breached, Wei troops can easily abandon Liaotun and head directly for Xiangping!"
Gongsun Yuan thought seriously for a long time before nodding, "I accept! If things go awry, the cavalry can withdraw in time. As for the ten thousand infantry, it's just a loss."
Guo Xin sighed in his heart, still maintaining composure: "There needs to be a valid reason for the army to march. Master, the second thing requires you to forge a letter accusing the King of Goguryeo of disrespecting the Master, in order to lead the army in conquest."
Gongsun Yuan turned to look at Liu Pu: "Boming, you do it!" Liu Pu immediately agreed.
Guo Xin continued: "The third thing is to immediately order the four commanderies to mobilize the people. Set a five-day deadline to gather manpower and material resources, and launch an attack on Goguryeo in three routes!"
"The master will command the main army, leading 20,000 foot soldiers along Daliang River to advance towards the city of Hanxinggong."
"Qijin will command 4,000 infantry from Xuanyu County as the northern route, following the Mumei River eastward, and meeting with the master below the city of Hanxinggong."
"Hou Ce will lead 4,000 soldiers from the Yelang Commandery and Dafang Commandery first to Xianping, follow the Mazhi River northeastward, and directly march towards the city of Wandu on the Wanda Mountain."
"Master," Guo Xin said seriously: "Leave the civilians to survive the winter and the necessary food for spring, and take away all the remaining food. Don't leave any for Wei troops. It will be easier to launch a counterattack in the winter after we capture Goguryeo!"
Gongsun Yuan nodded continuously like a chicken pecking at rice, bowing deeply to Guo Xin: "The Chief of Staff is truly talented! The foundation of Liaodong is saved thanks to your wisdom!"
After saying this, Gongsun Yuan stood up and looked at Bi Yan and Yang Zuo: "Both of you, who can command the cavalry to assist Liaotun?"
Guo Xin is good at coming up with ideas, but he doesn't do the dirty or hard work himself. Psychological barriers can be overcome somewhat easier. However, Bi Yan and Yang Zuo are not evil people, but simply generals who are good friends with Gongsun Yuan.
If they went to Liaotun, it was truly necessary to sell Gongsun Yan and lead the cavalry eastward to escape. Even though using fast horses can escape without any danger, they might be cursed for a hundred years by the people of Liaodong!"
Seeing the two men remain silent, Gongsun Yuan stamped his feet in frustration: "If neither of you goes, who else can I trust? Please help me out!"
Bi Yan bit his teeth and said first: "I am willing to alleviate the master's worries! If I die in Liaotun, my family depends on the master's care!"
Gongsun Yuan bowed to Bi Yan again.
