Chapter 446: Chapter 21: The Gu Clan’s Banner Stands Unfallen, the Turkic Cannot Pass Shuofang!

The news spread continuously.

The reputation of the Gu Clan evidently still held some sway.

Regarding the autocratic nature of Jie Li Khan, the smallest tribes quickly sent messages to Gu Yu.

Scouts stationed by Gu Yu in various directions also brought back intelligence.

—The situation changed instantly!

Having experienced so much, Gu Yi could now see the arrangement Gu Yu had planned.

He dared to let loose such harsh words with confidence.

It was to provoke Jie Li Khan, forcing him to follow the path laid out for him. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

When it was certain that Jie Li Khan would indeed invade.

This move was to gain geographical advantage for the Great Tang.

Furthermore, it was to overpower by momentum.

Not the momentum of the Great Tang.

But that of the Gu Clan!

Gu Yu’s target was not only Jie Li Khan but also the other tribes within the Turkic territories.

This is the inevitability of a powerful force.

If some support, there are bound to be others who oppose.

Although Jie Li Khan could suppress it all with his immense prestige right now.

But if Gu Yu managed to seize even a sliver of opportunity, the dissent could only grow stronger!

This is Gu Yu’s true objective!

At its core—it’s still about attacking the heart!

For anyone else attempting this, it would probably be impossible to complete so easily.

But the Gu Clan is different.

By daring to speak in his capacity as the Patriarch of the Gu Clan, Gu Yu aimed to rekindle the fear these foreigners had when facing Gu Chen in the past.

This is the most crucial part!

For Gu Yu.

The core of this battle was to win the first confrontation, hence all the preparations made in advance!

At the Shuofang Camp.

Though it was his first time on the battlefield, Gu Yu remained unflustered, managing everything within the camp.

Meanwhile, he continued to release information in the name of the "Patriarch of the Gu Clan."

The contents—

Were filled with the endless tales about the Gu Clan among the foreigners, and many judgments against Jie Li Khan.

"Invading the Gu Clan, the Golden Wolf shall fall."

"The lineage of the one who scorns the Grey Wolf that chases the Sun is doomed to divine punishment."

"....."

Various prophecies emerged one after another, spreading throughout the entire Turkic army through those smaller tribes.

Gu Yu’s ability to manipulate the human heart was clearly unlike that of ordinary people.

He understood well that the fear in human hearts is awakened and gradually formed through a succession of memories.

Even if Jie Li Khan could maintain control on the surface, so what?

Even Li Shimin couldn’t control people’s hearts.

Much less him?

The arrogant statements were traps Gu Yu set for Jie Li Khan, forcing him to continue advancing, making him lose his rationality out of anger.

Things went exactly as Gu Yu had anticipated.

In truth, the Turkic army was essentially an alliance of various tribes.

The difficulty of fully controlling such an alliance was unavoidable.

Compared to Kyushu;

The Turkic tribes had an even more astonishing obsession with prophetic superstitions.

Even before the great war began, all kinds of prophecies thoroughly spread throughout the Turkic army, becoming more and more outrageous.

Never mind the lowest-tier Turkic cavalry.

Even some tribal leaders were somewhat affected, and some again advised Jie Li Khan to retreat, only to be inevitably reprimanded by Jie Li Khan:

"If we avoid the Gu Clan like fearing wolves, who on the prairie will still fear my Golden Wolf Banner!"

This is where Gu Yu’s terror lay.

From the moment Jie Li Khan mobilized his troops, he had no choice but to proceed along the path Gu Yu designed for him.

As soon as he showed a hint of fear.

His prestige among the entire Turkic realm would be severely impacted.

Jie Li Khan was no fool.

By now, he vaguely sensed a trace of unease, the fear among the tribal warriors of the Gu Clan legends was something he hadn’t anticipated.

But how could he withdraw his troops?

If he returned empty-handed today, the offensive and defensive stance between the Great Tang and the Turkics would completely transform.

Should they face a resource shortage again, his position as Khan would be threatened!

He had no route for retreat!

To suppress the pervasive prophecies within the army, Jie Li Khan had to wield his hunting knife, aiming to crush all dissent with violence.

Additionally—he promised great rewards.

For whoever breaches Shuofang first;

The reward would be five thousand cattle and sheep, and a thousand slaves!

Under all these measures, although the influence of the prophecies still lingered in their hearts, at least openly, no one dared oppose Jie Li Khan anymore.

But what does it matter?

How could someone like Gu Yu not foresee this?

He wasn’t Gu Chen, how could he rely solely on prophecies to scorn his enemies from all sides?

This battle was destined to erupt.

....

In the ninth year of Wude, at the end of July;

After suppressing various rumors, the Turkic army finally reached Shuo Province.

Upon stepping onto this land once again.

The emotion unique to invaders quickly rose in the hearts of all the Turkic soldiers.

Invasion—

Could bring immense excitement.

Whether it was the grain supplies, or the slaves and women, the scenes of the past flashed once more through their minds as they set foot on this land again.

And as they recalled all this, even the impact of the Gu Clan prophecies seemed to fade slightly.

—Greed has always been an inerasable root of evil in humanity.

Jie Li Khan naturally noticed the change in morale, and rejoiced immensely.