Chapter 450: Chapter 21: The Gu Clan’s Banner Stands Unfallen, the Turkic Cannot Pass Shuofang!

"..."

He spoke of the alliance that Li Shimin and Jie Li Khan had agreed upon years ago.

In truth, Gu Yu was merely offering Jie Li Khan a way out, a dignified path for him to retreat his troops, nothing more.

And Jie Li Khan had no choice.

Although on the surface, he still had to maintain his strong stance.

But when Gu Yu mentioned that he was willing to return the provisions lost in the previous battle.

The leaders under Jie Li Khan, who had long been inclined to retreat, naturally began to persuade him.

And Jie Li Khan, of course, took the opportunity to agree immediately.

Both sides departed.

Gu Yu watched the retreating figures of Jie Li Khan and his group, his expression as calm as water.

In contrast, Gu Yan and the others, their eyes cold with fury, fingers unconsciously clutching the hilt of their swords at their waists, clearly could not hide their indignation.

Gu Yu caught their expressions as he turned, and suddenly chuckled lightly: "Are you feeling discontent?"

He raised his hand and placed it on Gu Yan’s shoulder, his thumb tracing the patterns on the other’s armor, his gaze directed at the distant mountains, turned gray by the evening light: "Then remember this blood and spirit well."

"What is left unfinished today..."

He let go and lightly tapped the jade pendant at his waist with his fingers behind his back, a somber heaviness in his voice, "One day, it will fall upon your shoulders."

The wind swept gravel across the masks of everyone present.

But Gu Yu’s words seemed engraved into everyone’s bones, making their gazes more determined.

The next day——

The Turkic army finally retreated. .....

...

Chang’an.

The urgent battle report, sent with the speed of eight hundred li, arrived first thing.

Upon hearing of the Turkic advance south.

The entire court of the Great Tang was instantly ignited.

An unprecedented panic immediately gripped everyone’s hearts; clearly, they harbored a trace of fear towards the Turkic.

But soon after came news of the great victory at Sanggan River Canyon and Gu Quan’s death in battle.

Regardless of what the ministers felt, at least outwardly, each one of them was initially shocked, then ecstatic, and finally silent.

Who didn’t know about the relationship between Gu Quan and Li Shimin?

Although the Gu Clan had not helped Li Shimin, neither had they helped Li Jiancheng; how could this relationship simply end thus?

Immediately someone on the court proposed a posthumous title for Gu Quan.

Li Shimin did not refuse.

Beyond that, he directly restored the unique title of the "Champion Marquis" of the Great Tang to the Gu Clan.

Specifically mentioning its placement alongside the "Founding Duke."

This matter stirred discussions on the court, but the ministers did not overly resist.

Not only because of Li Shimin’s power.

But also because of the Gu Clan.

The "Champion Marquis" and the Gu Clan seemed bound together.

Yet Gu Quan would not agree to this, refusing the Champion Marquis title, and unwilling to let Li Shimin grant him a posthumous title.

At least in his heart.

He felt undeserving of a posthumous title.

But Li Shimin’s attitude was firm, his blazing gaze fixed tightly on Gu Quan: "Don’t forget, you are still alive!"

"Remember this—"

"As long as you still draw breath, then one day we will compete together!"

"I will never allow you to be buried in the annals of history."

"At least in my eyes—"

"Your contributions, do not fall short of those like the Marquis Zhongwu and Marquis Wencheng of years past!".....

——————

"In the autumn of the ninth year of Wude, in the seventh month, hearing of changes in the Tang court, Jie Li Khan of the Turkic secretly united the tribes and led a force of one hundred thousand to attack south, banners filling the fields, threatening to take Chang’an directly.

Grand Tutor Gu Yu, a descendant of the Gu Clan from Julu, well-versed in frontier affairs, discerned their intentions and commanded the Shuofang army to resist.

Yu first sent death squads disguised as merchant Hu, infiltrating the enemy camp, spreading prophecy saying: ’The snow of Yin Mountain is red, the head of the golden wolf falls.’

The Turkic forces, hearing this, were filled with doubt and fear.

At that time, Grand General Gu Quan, eldest son of Yu, ambushed five thousand elite soldiers at Sanggan River Canyon.

The Turkic vanguard advanced lightly, Quan awaited until half had crossed, then unleashed bolts and stones, cutting off the river and slaying them, taking over nine thousand heads, dyeing the river red with enemy blood, blocking the river with corpses.

As reinforcements arrived, Quan held the terrain, fighting to the death, from morning till evening, arrows exhausted, blades shattered, yet still engaged in close combat, ultimately falling in the canyon, aged thirty-six.

Taizong, upon hearing, remained silent for a long time, then decreed: ’Quan, with a lone army, halted the enemy at peril, his loyalty and bravery piercing gold and stone, what more can be said of ancient martyrs!’

Posthumously titled Martial Valor.

Conferred Champion Marquis on his brother Gu Yan.

The Turkic, deterred by the Gu Clan’s formidable reputation, withdrew north, daring not to look upon Shuofang again."

—— "Tang Book. Biography of Gu Quan"