Chapter 20: Geshu Han's Decision

  From this point on, Geshu Han had already considered surrendering the city and defecting to the enemy after his defeat, but he hadn't yet firmly made up his mind.

  Seeing Yang Jie's complexion change, Ge Shuhan also immediately understood that Yang Jie had already understood the reason for his arrangement after retreating to Tongguan, and couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed. However, Yang Jie did not ask any questions, but quietly listened to Wang Silie's continued statement of opinions.

  "Marshal, I think we should concentrate our forces to defend the south gate direction. The trench is already filled with the bodies of soldiers, and the enemy can trample over the filled trench to attack the city directly! In other directions, the terrain outside the city is narrow, even if the rebels attack, they cannot deploy too many troops. With just a thousand soldiers on the city wall, we can defend it completely!"

  Wang Silie finished speaking and saw that Gesu Han didn't have any reaction, but instead looked at Yang Hui with his eyes, as if waiting for Yang Hui to express her opinion first, so he reluctantly retreated.

  However, Yang Jie did not immediately respond, but instead looked at the other generals in the account with his eyes, preparing to listen to the opinions of other generals.

  Gao Shi also stood up and stated his opinion: "General, Yang Bingmashi, I agree with General Wang's words. At present, the corpses in the moat are piled up, and it is impossible to clean them up in a short time. We should concentrate our advantageous forces to defend the south gate, lest the south gate be lost! Moreover, there is no need for the garrison at the west gate to set up defenses, just dispatch a few soldiers to guard the city gate. I think we should transfer all of General Pang's remaining 1,000 troops from the west gate to the south gate! And try to recruit young and strong civilians from nearby areas to join the army and increase the number of defenders in Tongguan!" Gao Shi's direct explanation made Geshu Han's embarrassed expression even more intense, it can be said that he directly exposed his little thoughts, and felt a bit guilty.

  But Yang Kai still ignored all of this, and with a calm expression listened to the various generals' accounts. He knew that he had already established his prestige among the generals. This prestige was still shallow and could easily "collapse", but as long as he grasped it properly, in the following days, this prestige would become higher and higher!

  Everyone's opinions are almost the same, and after no one else stood up to express a different opinion, Yang Hui looked at Gesu Han and stepped forward, facing the crowd of generals, saying loudly: "Since all the generals think that we should strengthen the defense of the south gate, this general also agrees with this proposal! The south gate direction should be where the rebels concentrate on attacking the city, and we should defend it with the largest force!"

  Yang Kai deliberately paused for a moment before announcing the order in a more serious tone: "The general's orders are as follows: Deploy General Pang's remaining troops to the south gate, and also dispatch all of my own remaining troops to the south gate. We must unite our efforts and defend Tongguan! Continue to send soldiers to clear the bodies of the dead soldiers from the moat outside the south gate, strive to clear more bodies, and restore the moat's ability to block the enemy! I will personally lead the army in defending the south gate!"

  When he said this, Yang Kai's gaze fell on Geshan Han who was standing in the same position as him, and didn't care whether the generals in front of him would listen to his orders or not.

  Yang's stern gaze made Geshu Han, who was slightly nervous, feel a slight sense of trepidation. He immediately understood the meaning behind Yang's eyes and said: "This commander acknowledges the orders of General Yang, and all generals will follow General Yang's orders to make arrangements! When the rebels attack the city, all generals must obey General Yang's command, otherwise they will be dealt with according to military law!"

  Geshu Han's last sentence was very heavy, and all the generals in the house were shocked.

  All the generals, willingly or unwillingly, bowed to Yang and responded in unison: "The subordinate generals will definitely follow the orders of General Yang, unite to resist the enemy, and definitely block the bandits outside Tongguan City!"

  "Good!" Seeing the crowd of generals, Yang Gui loudly shouted "good" and then commanded in a strong voice: "All generals go and make preparations immediately! I will report to the imperial court the heroic deeds of each general who fought to the death in defending Tongguan City against the rebel army's attack, so that people all over the world know that the soldiers guarding Tongguan are not afraid of death, but brave warriors who never surrender!"

  Yang Kai's unspoken intention was that before suffering a military defeat, he would not present it to the imperial court in the form of a memorial, and would not discuss it with various generals.

  Many people understood the implicit meaning of Yang Hui's words and felt relieved in their hearts. Those who didn't understand were also a little happy, as Yang Hui would take credit for them, which was good enough! Seeing that no one in the generals' ranks stood up to oppose or question him, Yang Hui felt relieved and grateful for Geshu Han's cooperation and support. He knew that without Geshu Han's support, this effect would not have been possible.

  He is also fortunate to have the identity of a soldier in later generations. Before crossing, he was a leader and had experienced many life-and-death situations, the harsh training of special forces, and the experience of living and dying gave him an air of awe, which would not make him panic and lose his composure in such situations, and he could show his momentum, not at all inferior to these generals who had experienced nine deaths and one life on the battlefield!

  If he were still the original Yang Jie, a young master of a noble family, he would not have had the courage to ask for help in this critical moment. Even if he came to Tongguan, he would not dare to do anything, and when facing the gaze of the majestic generals, he would definitely be confused and unable to maintain his composure, let alone suppress Geshu Han and other generals with his presence!

  Taking advantage of the momentary consternation among his generals, Yang Guozhong unsheathed the precious sword bestowed upon him by the Emperor and held it horizontally in front of his chest. He loudly shouted at Geshu Han and the other generals: "This is the precious sword given to me by His Majesty, who said that this sword can be used to behead any general who disobeys orders! I'm telling you all now, if you all unite to fight the enemy bravely, I will report your achievements to the imperial court and request rewards for you. Even if the imperial court wants to punish you for the defeat at Lingwu, I will risk my life to plead on your behalf. But if anyone disobeys orders or is greedy for life, afraid of death, fears the enemy, or betrays us, don't blame me for not sparing them with this sword! I hope there's only one person like that!"

  "With a 'clang' sound, he drew out his treasured sword, held it in front of him, furrowed his brow tightly and gazed coldly at the various generals in front of him."

  These people in the house had all experienced life and death on the battlefield, but when they came into contact with Yang Hui's eyes, they couldn't help but feel a chill. His eyes exuded an endless coldness, as well as an unspoken determination, and even a strong killing intent, making them almost dare not to look him straight in the eye!

  How could a young man under twenty have such an intimidating presence that sends chills down one's spine?

  No one could understand it, including Geshu Han who felt equally shocked!

  Yang Hui saw that his "performance" had achieved the desired effect, and he was very satisfied. He slowly retracted the intense killing intent, but still maintained a dignified expression. After putting away his sword, he repeated his previous threat once more, finally fixing his eyes on Ge Shuhan.

  Geshu Han straightened up, facing the precious sword in Yang Gui's hand, and respectfully saluted: "Please inform His Majesty that we, the guilty ministers, will unite to kill the enemy and swear to die to block the rebel army under Tongguan City!"

  Turning around to face his generals, he shouted in a low voice: "If there is anyone who fears the enemy and dares not fight, kill him without pardon!"

  "The city is intact, the people are intact; when the city is broken, the people will perish!" Yang Guozhong finished saying this stern sentence to Geshu Han, and the generals were stunned for a moment before shouting in anger.

  Ge Shuhan was also stunned for a moment, then immediately understood and followed with a loud shout: "The city is intact, the people are safe; if the city falls, the people will perish!"

  These past few days have been too stifling, but shouting out this slogan has made him feel a bit of relief from his pent-up emotions and a sense of heroic passion reborn.

  "The city is in, the people are in, the city is broken, the people are gone!" The generals followed with varying degrees of enthusiasm.

  But finally, with a neat and uniform voice, this tragic tone was shouted out, after shouting several times, some people even drew out the waist knife or treasure sword, waving the knife or sword and shouting loudly.

  Yang Kai naturally followed them, raising his treasured sword and roaring in anger!

  More than twenty big men in a room shouting such a tragic slogan, soon there is an atmosphere that makes people's blood boil.

  Yang Kai was very satisfied with this effect, and he even had a kind of illusion that it was like the scene when he would lead his team to execute tasks in the future, facing the military flag and swearing an oath, and as the commander, his heart was full of confidence in winning.

  He is also filled with a determination to win at all costs in his heart. With this incredible person here, Tongguan will definitely be able to hold on!

  "All generals, go and make preparations!" Taking advantage of this good atmosphere, Yang Hui once again loudly declared the order!

  "Yes!" The generals this time responded to Yang Hui's command with a very neat and uniform "Yes!"

  However, just as Yang Guozhong's order was given, Geshu Han nodded in agreement, and the other generals prepared to take their leave and go to make preparations for defense.

  "Wait a moment, generals!"

  Upon hearing Geshu Han's words, all the generals immediately stopped their footsteps and turned to look at Geshu Han and Yang Gui.

  Yang Hui was also slightly surprised, not knowing what Geshu Han wanted to instruct, but his face showed no expression, only looking at Geshu Han with a light and calm demeanor, waiting for the old general with a full face of vicissitudes to speak.

  "The corpses in the moat must be cleared away, otherwise the rebels will definitely break through the south gate, and with tens of thousands of soldiers, it's impossible to defend the south gate!" Geshu Han said, his face revealing a tragic expression, as he looked around at the surprised generals and Yang Hui, and continued: "Therefore, we must think of every possible way to clear away the corpses in the moat, even if they can't be completely cleared, most of them must be removed, so that the natural barrier of the moat can still block the enemy!"

  Just as everyone was somewhat bewildered, Geshu Han suddenly shouted loudly: "Pass on the commander's order, immediately pour oil in the forbidden ditch, lay out dry firewood, and burn the corpses inside with fire! The commander will personally lead the army to guard the south gate, and vow to survive or perish together with the south gate! The commander asks Yang Bingma Shi to sit and command at the east gate, the east gate will be the rebel army's first choice target for attacking the city, it must not be lost!"

  "What?! The generals were all shocked, but they immediately understood what Geshu Han meant."