In the meantime, all forces are being prepared in secret, ready at any moment to deliver a fatal blow to Xie Gong.
It must be said, Liu Xiu's judgment of the overall situation indeed far surpasses that of ordinary people.
It didn't take long.
The opportunity came!
.....
"Zi Zhang, the Qingtu Army is powerful, I have decided to personally lead the troops for this battle."
"I hope you will cooperate fully."
In Handan City, looking at the extremely defiant Xie Gong before him, Liu Xiu did not show any anger, instead, he appeared to be somewhat humble.
"The might of the Grand Commandant, surely the enemy can be defeated!"
Xie Gong furrowed his brows and asked, "May I know how the Grand Commandant would like this provincial governor to cooperate?"
"Youlai Army!"
Liu Xiu's expression remained unchanged as he immediately replied, "If I can defeat the enemy, the Youlai Army stationed in Shanyang will surely be fearful of being surrounded by our forces and will flee in panic."
"I ask that you, Zi Zhang, lead your troops to attack these fleeing soldiers."
"With your powerful forces, attacking these routed troops will surely lead them to surrender without resistance."
"Thus, Hebei can be stabilized!"
Liu Xiu's expression was extremely earnest.
Hearing this, Xie Gong immediately became serious, starting to analyze everything Liu Xiu had just said.
If this is truly the case... to completely pacify Hebei.
Then Liu Xiu would have no reason not to return to the court.
If he leaves... wouldn't the entire Hebei region be left under Xie Gong's control?
Thinking of this, Xie Gong's eyes suddenly brightened and a smile appeared on his face: "Good!"
"Rest assured, Grand Commandant!"
"I will definitely cooperate with the Grand Commandant to defeat the enemy!"
With that, Xie Gong stood up and departed.
And Liu Xiu once again summoned his generals.
In truth, Liu Xiu's strength now far exceeds that of the original history.
After all, with the unexpected assistance of Gu Xiao, there was not much damage when attacking the Zhao-Han forces.
And because of Gu Xiao's direct beheading.
The original Zhao-Han forces now all fall under Liu Xiu's command.
It can be said that Liu Xiu now already has the ability to act independently, and the only reason he maintains the current situation is out of consideration that Hebei is not yet fully stabilized, and there's still the thorn of Xie Gong!
At this time, Liu Xiu's leadership skills were fully displayed.
Even though the Qingtu Army's strength is much weaker compared to him.
He remained vigilant, arranging everything with precision.
Only after everything had been organized did the others leave, and Liu Xiu focused his gaze on Gu Xiao.
"Zhan Hong, I have an important task for you!"
Liu Xiu looked at Gu Xiao very seriously and said: "With your abilities, you are undoubtedly the most suited for this task."
Gu Yi instantly understood what Liu Xiu intended to do.
That is Ye City.
Is this asking me to carry out another beheading operation?
Gu Yi felt helpless inside, but still had Gu Xiao respond: "Please instruct, my lord!"
"Capture Ye City!"
Liu Xiu stared intensely at Gu Xiao and said: "Xie Gong is extremely greedy for achievements, and he will certainly follow my plan to personally dispatch his troops."
"I want you to act as soon as he moves!"
"Immediately capture all of Ye City."
"As long as Ye City is secure, our major objective can be achieved!"
When facing Gu Xiao, Liu Xiu was evidently much more direct.
He did not hide the cold gleam in his eyes at all, like a sharp sword finally revealing its edge.
"Understood!"
Gu Xiao didn't waste any words, saluted Liu Xiu, took the Commander's Seal from Liu Xiu, and walked straight out!
The Hebei region immediately erupted in excitement!
Liu Xiu personally led the army in a direct assault against the Qingtu Army in areas like Shequanju.
Everything proceeded as Liu Xiu had anticipated.
When he struck with all his might, the leaders of the Qingtu Army, such a peasant force, were far inferior to him.
They couldn't stop Liu Xiu's advance at all!
And the Youlai Army stationed around Shanyang was instantly thrown into panic upon hearing the news.
Having made all the preparations, Xie Gong personally led the army to chase after them, leaving Chen Kang to defend Ye City!
——The time has come!
....
Ye City.
As an important site in Hebei, Ye City's defenses were far stronger than those of Shecheng City in the past.
However, this time.
Gu Yi did not intend to launch a direct assault either.
What Liu Xiu had done in recent times was not in vain.
His standing among the people throughout Hebei, as well as among the soldiers under Xie Gong, was much higher than it had been historically.
In the original history.
Ye City was persuaded to surrender, let alone now.
Gu Yi just led his army to camp outside Ye City, demonstrating his martial force while sending envoys to persuade the city to surrender.
Chen Kang inside the city did not hesitate at all.
He immediately tied up Xie Gong's wife and opened the city gates to surrender.
As for Xie Gong, just as recorded in history, he was defeated by the Youlai Army, fled back to Ye City, and was killed by Chen Kang!
The events proceeded much smoother than in the original history.
But thinking carefully, it was actually inevitable.
After all, Liu Xiu's strength now far exceeds the records of original history.
Realizing this difference, Gu Yi immediately understood that this might be the best opportunity!
Gu Yi did not waste any words.
He immediately orchestrated Gu Xiao to meet Liu Xiu.
"The world has been in chaos for a long time, and the people are weary of war!"
"Now, in the Hebei region, various forces are entangled; wars persist, and the people are exhausted."
"If you, my lord, can seize this opportunity to showcase your strength... various forces might surrender upon hearing the news."
Gu Yi did not need to say much more.
With Liu Xiu's capability, he could absolutely understand this point.
In the original history, Liu Xiu advanced through successive victories, eliminating opposing forces and accepting the surrender of various rebel armies.
In a short time, Liu Xiu's forces grew rapidly.
Subsequently, he unified the entire world.
The Liu Xiu in history could do it, let alone the strengthened Liu Xiu of today!
Sure enough, Liu Xiu instantly grasped Gu Yi's meaning.
In the war against the Qing Du army, he demonstrated immense determination!
Those who do not surrender will die!
Those who surrender not only receive equal treatment but also have their lives spared!
Under such absolute pressure, the Qing Du army collapsed, and most of the leaders surrendered to Liu Xiu!
At the same time, Liu Xiu sent letters to the leaders of the Tong Ma, Gao Hu, and Reconnect peasant rebel armies, urging them to surrender.
Now, Liu Xiu's forces far outmatched theirs.
However, to ask them to relinquish their power wasn't easy either.
Liu Xiu wasted no words, his army set out.
He crushed Gao Hu and dealt a heavy blow to the coalition forces in Pu Yang.
This battle shocked Hebei.
The Tong Ma, Gao Hu, Reconnect, and other uprising armies successively came to surrender, with the Youlai Army soldiers binding their leaders to surrender to Liu Xiu.
The weaker uprising forces like Da Rong, Iron Leg, and Daqiang;
No longer had any will to resist!
They all surrendered to Liu Xiu!
The Hebei region was swiftly pacified.
Liu Xiu's rapid development shocked the world.
The Gengshi regime, which originally had the appearance of unifying the world, was greatly affected.
The world fell into another wave of unrest.
The Red Eyebrow Army, which once collaborated with the Gengshi regime, rebelled again.
The Red Eyebrow Army leader Fan Chong in Huayin region enthroned Liu Penzi as emperor, changing the era name to "Jiàn Shì".
— Shu Region;
Gongsun Shu declared himself emperor, naming the country Dacheng, and the era Longxing.
— Lijing City;
Fang Wang enthroned Ruzi Ying as emperor.
Facing such a great trend in the world, Liu Xiu also faced his biggest decision.
Hao City.
As Liu Xiu once again sent away the urging ministers.
He kept close generals like Deng Yu, Feng Yi, Gu Xiao, who had grown increasingly intimate recently.
"Gentlemen.... the ministers are urging me to ascend to the throne."
"But now the world is unsettled, ascending to the throne at such a time, isn't it somewhat frivolous?"
Facing these close ministers, Liu Xiu was very direct in expressing his concerns.
"My lord, please don't have such thoughts!"
The generals immediately spoke up, and Gu Yi also orchestrated Gu Xiao to step forward: "My lord, across the lands, anyone with capability is declaring themselves emperor."
"If you, my lord, do not become emperor."
"What would the talents of the world think?"
"Moreover, looking at the current world, who is more qualified than you, my lord, to declare themselves emperor?"
As Gu Yi spoke, these generals agreed one after another, each more passionate than the last.
Hearing these words, Liu Xiu's expression grew serious.
He instantly understood the significance of this.
And in his heart, he finally made a decision.
— June;
Liu Xiu proclaimed himself emperor in Hao City, changing the era name to "Jianwu", and the country name remained Han. .....