socalfunplaces Page 280
Page 280
If it weren't for his loyalty and righteousness, Gu Dazu would have killed the Hong family emperor on the spot.
In the original novel, Gu Dazu eventually accepted Xu Fengnian's invitation to join Beiliang.
He served as the deputy commander of the infantry and led the Northern Liang infantry in a bloody battle against the Northern Barbarians.
It is evident that General Gu's passion and military spirit remain undiminished.
Li Chang'an had just assembled a thousand elite Mo Dao soldiers, while Gu Dazu had commanded infantry during the old Southern Tang dynasty.
Among the 100,000 infantrymen of the Southern Tang Dynasty, there were 7,000 Mo Dao soldiers.
If we can win over Gu Dazu, we won't have to worry about infantry commanders anymore.
At this moment, Gu Dazu's eyes were cloudy and dejected, no longer displaying the imposing presence of a great general.
Li Chang'an said wistfully, "The east wind blew again last night in my little tower, and I can't bear to look back at my homeland in the bright moonlight."
Upon hearing this poem, Gu Dazu immediately became alert.
It is extremely dangerous for a person from a vanquished country to yearn for their former homeland.
"Young Prince, watch your words!"
As he spoke, he immediately got up and chased the other guests away.
After the guests had all left, Gu Dazu also picked up a bowl of "The Soul of Burying Flowers" and drank it all in one gulp.
"Though the poems and essays are beautiful, they are of no benefit to the country!"
"I never imagined that Your Highness's martial arts skills had improved so much, and that your poetry was also so beautiful!"
"A former resident of the Southern Tang Dynasty offers a bowl of wine to Your Highness!"
Li Chang'an and Gu Dazu clinked their wine bowls together, but neither of them drank.
"I am not worthy of a toast from the General."
"This bowl is a tribute to the three thousand Tang soldiers who burned the 100,000-strong navy of Liyang on Lake Boyang!"
"And their commander, the nation's finest general, Du Jiankang!"
Upon hearing this, Gu Dazu's numb face showed shock.
These words don't sound like something a descendant of the Hong family emperors would say.
"Old Du is innocent!"
"He was driven to rescue Luzhou with fervent zeal, only to be poisoned to death."
"The most absurd and shameless emperor was none other than the Hong family emperor of the Southern Tang Dynasty."
Li Chang'an felt ashamed of this behavior, which was even more despicable than that of Wanyan Gou.
"Well done!"
"The shamelessness of the Hong family emperor has nothing to do with me, Li Chang'an. Let's drink!"
After saying that, the two tilted their heads back and drank the wine.
After that, Li Chang'an drank a second bowl.
"The second bowl is to honor the Gu family, a family of loyal martyrs, who lost their son in the Battle of Poyang Lake!"
"The Gu family fought a bloody battle, and the Hong family's emperor surrendered naked. We are sorry to them."
Gu Dazu's son and daughter-in-law all died in battle at Poyang Lake.
The once vast Gu family estate is now reduced to a lonely old man, Gu Dazu.
"Your Highness is right. The Hong family has wronged them. Let's do it!"
When Li Chang'an filled the third bowl, he mentioned Gu Dazu himself.
"The third bowl of wine is offered to General Gu Dazu of the Southern Tang Dynasty!"
The world is divided into nine kingdoms, with two Gu brothers in the north and south! Gu Jiantang is in the north, and Gu Dazu is in the south!
Gu Dazu was incredibly brave; Gu Dazu of the South was far superior to Gu Dazu of the North!
Nan Gu was born at the wrong time and never met a wise ruler, which is why his brilliance was obscured!
As Li Chang'an spoke, Gu Dazu simply shook his head and smiled bitterly. He didn't know how Li Chang'an knew his identity.
However, Gu Dazu was not at peace at this moment. Li Chang'an in front of him was too unexpected.
Every gesture he makes is effortless and graceful!
His words inspire people to trust him without them even realizing it.
Such a demeanor actually resembles that of a powerful ruler!
After the two drank their third bowl of wine, Li Chang'an said with great emotion, "General Gu, your time and your wise ruler have arrived!"
The well-traveled and knowledgeable Gu Dazu spent most of his life on the battlefield.
He had seen clearly what Li Chang'an had been doing these past few days.
The opportune time has already passed, so what is there to talk about now?
Both Liyang and Beiliang are behemoths, and their power is already unshakeable.
"Young Prince, you should keep a low profile and not throw your life away in vain."
"If the new emperor removes you from your position as a vassal king, I will take you to a secluded rural area to live out the rest of our lives in peace."
Although Gu Dazu had many complaints about the Hong family emperor, he was still a loyal subject of the old Southern Tang Dynasty at heart.
Li Chang'an knew that Gu Dazu could not be persuaded by words.
"Old Gu, compared to an ordinary death, I'd rather live a dazzling life!"
"Further words are pointless. Let's make a gentleman's agreement: for the next year, you will do your utmost to protect my safety."
Gu Dazu said calmly, "And what about a year from now?"
Li Chang'an said, "If I haven't convinced Elder Gu by the end of the year, you can take me into seclusion."
Gu Dazu smiled slightly, "I agree to this gentleman's agreement!"
Li Chang'an said, "Alright, it's a deal!"
A lot can happen in a year.
Two months later, in the military camp outside the city.
The soldiers have completed their rest and are ready to go to Qingcheng Mountain at any time.
Li Chang'an arrived at the military camp to inspect the soldiers' condition.
The two thousand people in front of me were clearly divided into two groups.
On one side were soldiers wielding Mo Dao swords, their blades gleaming coldly.
On the other side were soldiers in blue armor with ring-pommel swords, and a white feather was inlaid on the side of their helmets!
These people are all fourth-rank elites, a true army of warriors.
These two thousand men could defeat twenty thousand regular troops from Liyang!
Moreover, these two thousand soldiers were absolutely loyal to Li Chang'an.
Their eyes were cold and murderous, exuding a chilling aura and an imposing presence!
"I am willing to fight to the death for Your Highness!"
The soldiers' blood boiled, and they looked at Li Chang'an with loyalty and awe!
Although they were young, these soldiers of the White Feather Army and the Mo Dao Army were all elite veterans, disciplined and imposing.
With bows, crossbows, clubs, short blades, and other weapons all strapped to their waists, these soldiers were ready to go to war at any time.
Afterwards, Li Chang'an went to the backyard of the Prince's Mansion.
Gu Dazu was brewing wine there; he was nominally a master brewer invited by Li Chang'an.
"Elder Gu, how is the restoration of Fu Jiang's red armor progressing?"
The origin of Fu Jiang's red armor can be traced back to a meteorite that flew from outer space.
A former emperor obtained this flying stone and forged half of it into flying stone armor.
The other half was crafted into the Divine Sword Wooden Horse Ox, which was the weapon of the former Sword God Li Chungang.
The remaining stone marrow was refined into a dagger talisman, which ended up in the hands of Princess Taiping of Western Chu, Jiang Si.
The Flying Stone Armor later fell into the hands of Longhu Mountain and was inscribed with the "Lingbao Mountain Moving Scripture," becoming a powerful weapon to suppress evil spirits.
Later, the armor fell into the Tianji Pavilion of the Shangyin Academy and was inscribed with Buddhist scriptures and Sanskrit.
With the enhancement of secret techniques from both Buddhism and Taoism, the armor became even more sought after, and was eventually obtained by Ye Hongting of the Southern Frontier Dragon Palace.
Ye Hongting used the supernatural powers of the Southern Frontier to merge his armor and body into one, making him impervious to swords and spears, as well as water and fire.
It was thanks to Fu Jiang Hongjia that Ye Hongting became one of the four grandmasters of that time!
If Li Chang'an were to repair the Fu Jiang Red Armor himself, it would indeed require considerable effort.
However, to Li Chang'an's surprise, Gu Dazu actually had a solution.