I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 200 - 10: Gu Chen Battles Ma Chao - One Battle Determines Liangzhou State
After the incident spread, the morale of the entire Ma Teng and Han Sui’s army was completely disrupted.
As a highly matured commander, Huangfu Song would certainly not give up such an opportunity.
He personally led the charge, eventually breaking through Ma Teng and Han Sui’s defenses in Longyou, completely advancing in.
The balance of the entire Longyou was completely shattered, and Ma Teng and Han Sui suddenly found themselves at a disadvantage, surrounded from front and back by Huangfu Song and Gu Chen.
— Trapped in Didao.
And Gu Chen finally met Huangfu Song.
"General."
Gu Chen still held respect for Huangfu Song, and as soon as they met, he immediately wanted to bow.
"Young Master, you mustn’t."
But Huangfu Song directly stopped Gu Chen, excitedly sizing him up, his eyes full of expectation: "As expected of the heir of the Gu Clan."
"Truly possessing the elegance of the late Marquis Zhongwu!"
Even though it was their first meeting.
Huangfu Song’s expectations for Gu Chen already surpassed those for Gu Wei.
He couldn’t help it, after all, he was also a military general.
He was well aware of how formidable Ma Chao was.
The fact that Gu Chen managed to burn the enemy’s granary right under Ma Chao’s nose already proved his capabilities.
Compared to a strategist like Gu Wei, a person like Gu Chen naturally appealed more to Huangfu Song.
"Thank you for your praise, General." Gu Chen showed a slight smile.
The two talked for a long time before discussing the warfare matters.
Huangfu Song wanted to directly attack Didao.
But this time, Gu Chen shook his head and said earnestly: "General, to tell you the truth."
"I once fought several hundred bouts with Ma Chao."
"This person possesses extraordinary martial arts; if he could act with us, it would be a great aid."
Hearing this, Huangfu Song couldn’t help but nod, acknowledging: "Indeed, Ma Chao’s martial prowess is extraordinary."
"But back then, Young Master Wen Yao tried to recruit him already." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
"Neither Ma Teng nor Han Sui had any intentions of surrendering."
He directly recounted what happened back then.
Upon hearing that even the name "Gu Clan" had no effect, Gu Chen immediately frowned.
But after a moment of silence, he still wanted to give it a try.
"General, do not rush."
"In the past, Ma Teng and Han Sui surely still held the advantages in Longyou; now that the general situation is set, perhaps we can try again."
Huangfu Song did not reject the idea.
Thus, Gu Chen led his troops straight to Didao.
He did not enter the city.
Instead, he had people shout the past deeds of Gu Xi in Liangzhou from the hilltops near Didao.
Under the relentless cries, the hearts of the people inside the city grew increasingly restless.
The fame of Gu Xi in Liangzhou was indeed too resounding.
If the situation was stable, this might not have had any effect.
But now, clearly in the desperate situation, everyone couldn’t help but heed these words.
And in such circumstances.
Ma Teng and Han Sui indeed surrendered!
And Ma Chao was among them!
Yet this was not all; when the news of Longyou’s battles reached Anding.
Li Jue and Guo Si suddenly began attacking each other inexplicably.
The result was that both were killed!
Thus, Jia Xu led Li Jue and Guo Si’s troops to surrender directly to Gu Wei.
With one battle, Liangzhou was settled!....
——————
In the winter of the fourth year of Han Xing, October, Gu Chen led two thousand elite cavalry from Wudu, following the old paths of the late Marquis Zhongwu, heading directly to Shanggu.
At the time, Ma Chao commanded three thousand elite troops from Xiliang, holding the city.
Chen crossed the treacherous mountains and launched a surprise night attack on Chao’s camp, the clash of spears and swords resounded like thunder, the neighing of warhorses echoed throughout Long Mountain.
In the midst of the intense battle, a fire broke out in the camp, black smoke covered the sky, and the explosive sounds of the burning granary were heard ten miles away.
Some said that stray arrows ignited the firewood, others said that fleeing soldiers knocked over a fire basin, but the fierce flames, aided by the wind, quickly engulfed the provisions.
Chao’s troops, upon hearing this, became increasingly disarrayed, all turning back to watch the flames and wailing in lamentation.
At that time, Huangfu Song was in a standoff with Ma Teng and Han Sui at Long Mound, upon hearing the news of the fire at Shanggu, immediately sent Bingzhou State cavalry to attack Teng and Sui’s central army, breaking into Longyou.
Teng and Sui were deeply trapped in a hopeless situation.
Chen said, "Ma Chao is a heaven-sent general and should be used."
Thus, standing on high ground, he brandished his whip and shouted, "In the past, Lord Gu Xi saved the lives of ten thousand people in Liangzhou, now you betray loyalty and burn the granary, how can Heaven tolerate this!"
Teng, hearing this, cast down his spear, weeping said, "Lord Xi’s grain saved my ancestors in the famine years, what face do I have to wield weapons now?"
Sui also sighed and said, "This is the demise of Xiliang ordained by Heaven."
So together with Teng, they removed their armor and surrendered.
Within Anding Commandery, Li Jue and Guo Si, hearing the changes in Longyou, urgently wanted to flee west.
Jia Xu secretly had someone forge a letter from Jue to Si, stating "intent to offer Si’s head to atone."
Enraged, Si attacked Jue’s camp at night with his death warriors.
The two villains fought with halberds on the courtyard steps, Jue severed Si’s throat, Si’s blade pierced through Jue’s abdomen, both perished.
The heads held up to show the masses, the city gates opened to receive the royal forces, thus Liangzhou was settled.
— "Records of Heroes at the End of the Han: Gu Chen Chapter"
