Chapter 793 - 45: Though the Name of the Gu Clan Is Weighty, It Cannot Outweigh Kyushu United

Along this route, the banners covered the sky, the sound of galloping hooves echoed through heaven and earth, showcasing an air of determination to annihilate the heart of the Liao Kingdom in one fell swoop.

Meanwhile, the Western flank was led by Commander-in-Chief Weiming Luling of the Xiangqing Army, setting out from the former site of the Yan Army Command in Black Water Town controlled by Western Xia, skirting east across the desert, with its destination set on the Zhenzhoou State where the northwest expedition command of Liao was located.

This route, although slightly lacking in military strength, carries a more strategic sense of containment.

The northwest expedition command of Liao governs numerous tribes such as Wugu and Dilie, representing a crucial force for controlling the Northern Desert and protecting the Central Capital.

The attack of the Western Xia’s Western Army is meant to firmly restrain the troops of Liao’s northwest, preventing them from advancing south to aid the Central Capital, and simultaneously probing the solidity of Liao’s rule in the Northern Desert. If they can seize some pastures and tribes in the process, it would be an unexpected delight.

The two routes, one main and one auxiliary, one direct and one indirect.

This is a very comprehensive strategy.

Just based on this alone, it is enough to demonstrate that the talent of Western Xia today is quite remarkable as well.

Even this attack on the Liao Kingdom can be called a clever strategy.

Because they need to shift internal contradictions.

Plus, they need expansion.

An attack on the Liao Kingdom, no matter how it is viewed, is good news for Western Xia.

——The war suddenly erupts!

War reports fly like snowflakes towards the Liao’s Shangjing and Central Capital; beacon fires instantly engulf the entire southwestern and northwestern borders of the Liao Kingdom.

Although the rulers and ministers of Liao have been prepared, they did not expect Western Xia’s assault to be so swift and to choose such a cunning route of attack, thoroughly utilizing its controlled Western Capital path as a springboard.

In an instant, the southwestern defense line of the Central Capital path in Liao is in urgent distress, and the northwest route is flooded with requests for aid.

The attention of the entire world is focused on the smoke and dust raised by the Western Xia’s iron cavalry, waiting for Liao’s response, and even more so waiting for....the Great Song, lurking in the south with ambiguous attitudes, to finally make its move.

....

Kaifeng, Residence of the Grand Tutor.

Gu Hong, with a complicated expression, looked at Gu Rui. After a long silence, he couldn’t help but say, "Brother, are we truly going to attack Western Xia?"

His tone was very heavy.

As a member of the Gu Clan, Gu Hong is not the same as Gu Rui; he is more inclined towards family interests.

Gu Rui, as the Patriarch of the Gu Clan, has already signed an alliance with Western Xia.

This matter has been publicized by Western Xia for all to know.

If they break the alliance so ostentatiously..... what kind of blow will this deal to the entire Gu Clan’s reputation?

Upon hearing this, Gu Rui spoke lightly, his voice not loud, yet carrying a weight that cut through the dust of ages: "Although the name of the Gu Clan is significant, it cannot outweigh the unity of Kyushu."

"The glory of my Gu Clan, a thousand years."

"For what purpose?"

He turned around to face Gu Hong, "It is because our forebears of the Gu Clan never placed the private interests of one family above the tens of thousands of people of Kyushu!"

"It is because every time the world was in turmoil, at the time of the collapse of China, there were always sons of the Gu Clan willing to sacrifice their heads and shed their blood to rebuild the mountains and rivers, to establish destiny for the people!"

Gu Rui’s gaze suddenly sharpened, "Do you remember the clan history records?"

"Those times of chaos, the generations of forebears."

"Every time during a period of unrest."

"For what cause?"

He didn’t need Gu Hong to answer, his voice becoming ever more passionate, ringing with the sound of metal and stone: "In the hearts of those generations of forebears, it held not only the ancestral tablets of our Gu Clan but also the thought of being the common master of Kyushu and the vast rivers and mountains!"

"The foundation of the name of my Gu Clan has never been in that piece of parchment of alliance, or temporary false prestige, but in allegiance to Kyushu and acting in harmony with the great path!"

"Today, seemingly abandoning the alliance with Western Xia harms the reputation of the Gu Clan momentarily, "Gu Rui’s voice was firm and undeniable, "yet this act is to sever future major woes, to truly secure peace for the world, to inherit the will of our ancestors!"

"This is where righteousness lies, even if a million slander, I, Gu Rui, will bear it all!"

"My Gu Clan, should also do this!"

He gazed at Gu Hong, his eyes bright and piercing: "Only by keeping the heart on Kyushu, can the name of the Gu Clan endure as ever as the sun and moon, shining through millennia."

"If one just curls up inside the family gate, calculating gains and losses of the moment, even if there’s a false reputation, it is no more than a rootless duckweed, which will ultimately be crushed by the currents of history."

"Brother Hong, do not forget."

"In our Gu Clan’s ancestral hall, what is worshipped are not those who seek peace at all costs, but... the heroic souls who follow one after another for this land!"

In the dim night light.

Watching the white hair gradually growing on Gu Rui’s head, Gu Hong was stunned for a long while and finally nodded slightly. ....

.....

(Ps: Kneeling request for monthly tickets, please give more support, brothers, Yu is deeply grateful.)