Chapter 396 Right and wrong merits and demerits
The battle in the northwest was fought decisively and ended quickly, but both sides suffered heavy losses.
Cavalry is not as good as infantry in combat, especially when both sides are using small-scale military formations to confront each other.
They attacked each other within a radius of several miles, and the casualties were so high that Tian Ze felt a little annoyed when he saw it afterwards.
"This battle was such a loss." Tian Ze couldn't help but sigh.
"But this battle has to be fought," Guo Jia reminded.
Until the last step, who knows what the result will be?
It is simply impossible to defeat Gongsun Zan, who is arrogant by nature, without bloodshed. Even if Gongsun Zan agrees, his civil and military officials will have some ideas.
This is a hurdle that must be overcome. If it is not overcome, this knot will always remain in the hearts of these people.
"Although the losses in this battle were not small, fortunately they are still within our acceptable range. Moreover, in this way, the master-servant relationship is established, and there will be no hidden dangers in the future."
Tadashi nodded.
"What's the situation in the Central Plains? Has the fighting started?"
Guo Jia nodded: "The princes of the Central Plains knew that the opportunity could not be missed, and they took action after we arrived in Xiliang."
"If we lead the cavalry over now, will it be too late?" Tian Ze frowned.
Guo Jia shook his head slightly: "I'm afraid we can only send a small number of cavalry to support them."
"Although Xiliang has been conquered, the local Qiang and Hu still need to be pacified and suppressed, and the soldiers under Gongsun Zan also need to be reorganized. The harassment of Yizhou has also not stopped. In addition, there is the Western Regions."
Tian Ze nodded and said, "Then let Zilong lead 20,000 elite cavalry to provide support."
As the commander-in-chief, Zhang Liao naturally cannot leave this place.
Ma Teng, who was born in Xiliang and married a Qiang woman, was more suitable to be in charge of Xiliang.
After awakening, Taishi Ci can also crush the Qiang and Hu cavalry in terms of speed, and is most suitable to replace the White Horse Volunteers to temporarily suppress Xiliang.
These three people cannot move, only Zhao Yun can move.
Guo Jia nodded.
Gongsun Zan's era has passed. From now on, there will only be one voice in Xiliang, and many traces will have to be erased. Sending Zhao Yun for support is the only option.
"How does your majesty intend to deal with Gongsun Bogui?"
Tian Ze, who had not yet met Gongsun Zan, had a slightly complicated expression.
He knew Gongsun Zan's character well, and they were close friends. Therefore, he did not accept Gongsun Zan's troops immediately, but gave him enough time to accept and slowly calm down his emotions.
At the same time, it also gave Fa Zheng and Han Sui some time to do ideological work on Gongsun Zan.
After all, Gongsun Zan is a sword that is no less powerful than Lu Bu, and Tian Ze has already arranged a position for him.
"It will take us at least two to three years to pacify Xiliang. Once we have sorted out and pacified Gongsun Zan's forces, we will have them stationed in the Western Regions."
"Let's take a break for a while and solve the problems in the Western Region. There will be a day for him to show his talents in the future."
Hearing this, Guo Jia smiled slightly.
Although the losses in this battle were heavy, Guo Jia was more happy than surprised.
The stronger Gongsun Zan is, the better it is for them.
A man of great kindness cannot command an army. When he is in this position, he can no longer care about the loss of a single soldier, but must consider the issue from the overall perspective.
In his eyes, 30,000 deaths and 50,000 deaths are just a number and can only be a number.
If 20,000 more people died now, more than 200,000 people would be saved in the future. Although life is priceless, it actually has a "price" in the eyes of those in power.
Although it sounds a bit cold-blooded and unfair, this is the naked reality, because for the vast majority of people, this is the best outcome.
Perhaps many years later many people will question the significance of this war, but who can tell?
"We need to comfort the fallen soldiers and provide them with counselling, without leaving any grudges in their hearts." Tian Ze sighed.
No matter how much he restrained himself, he still caused endless killings along the way.
He couldn't count how many people had died directly or indirectly because of him, but he knew that there were more people who lived because of him.
In Gongsun Zan's camp, Fa Zheng and Han Sui were even more nervous than when they were fighting, because they were facing a crucial problem: how to appease Gongsun Zan.
Although Gongsun Zan could afford to lose, they were well aware of the temper of this stubborn donkey.
This defeat was not unfair. They had tried their best and did not make any mistakes, but it still could not change the outcome.
This is enough to illustrate the gap between the two sides.
If there is one slight regret, it is that if Gongsun Zan had been more careful, perhaps the Baima Yicong would not have lost.
After learning about the existence of Qu Yi and Gao Shun from Guo Jia, the two no longer had any hope of survival.
They can't win.
It's just how miserable the defeat was.
Such an ending, in their opinion, was already very good.
Han Sui and Fa Zheng, who had been somewhat at odds with each other, now united their front and began to work together in solidarity.
It took three full days for Gongsun Zan to completely let go of his worries.
After many attempts and making sure that Gongsun Zan no longer held a grudge, the two of them finally put their minds at ease and went to visit Tian Ze together.
When Gongsun Zan, Fa Zheng and Han Sui arrived at Tianze's tent, the atmosphere suddenly became solemn.
Tian Ze stood up to greet him, and his eyes met Gongsun Zan's. The past friendship and the current situation intertwined in the collision of their eyes.
Gongsun Zan looked straight at Tian Ze, without a trace of surrender in his eyes. Although his former pride was severely damaged, the stubbornness in his bones remained intact.
"Brother Bogui, how are you?" Tian Ze was the first to break the silence, with a hint of emotion in his voice.
In fact, he had wanted to have a deep talk with Gongsun Zan before the war.
But he was not good at speaking, and he was unsure of what Gongsun Zan was thinking now. He was worried that the other party would say no after a few words, so he chose to just look at him from a distance.
Even if they are brothers, there are some things that cannot be said. This is a tacit understanding between the two, and also a little room left for each other.
Gongsun Zan looked at Tian Ze, who was as calm as ever, and his mind couldn't help but emerge the scene when the two of them first met and he was so angry that he fought with him and ended up in a draw.
After taking a long breath, Gongsun Zan smiled slightly at himself, then said with a look of relief and calmness: "Chengshou, this time, you win again."
Looking at Gongsun Zan in this state, Tian Ze couldn't help but want to comfort him, but he stopped when the words came to his lips.
"Brother Bogui, you will have to work for me from now on."
Hearing Tian Ze's slightly teasing words, Gongsun Zan was slightly stunned, and then laughed out loud.
The slightly awkward atmosphere suddenly disappeared.
"You have a big fist, so I'll work for you. But we have to discuss the wages. If I'm not satisfied, I'll quit."
Tian Ze smiled slightly: "Don't worry, you know who I am. I've always been kind."
(End of this chapter)
