Chapter 702 - 11: Historical Upheaval, Recruiting Liu Jiye to Capture Taiyuan (Part 3)

Even if it means facing death—

there are still those who choose to follow.

For a military general, this is already enough.

Liu Jiwen had long decided to embrace death.

To face death, that is all.

For many, it’s something not worth mentioning.

Zhao Kuangyin didn’t really care much about these people, and even wished to eliminate them as soon as possible.

After all, these people were generals of the Northern Han.

Although there were talks about the "brotherly alliance," his ambition was always the entire realm.

However, just before he decided to besiege the city, Gu Jin stopped him.

"Your Majesty, perhaps this person’s life can be spared."

Inside the main tent.

After the soldiers left, Gu Jin finally shared his thoughts: "I have been inquiring about this person from the surrendered soldiers these past days."

"This person is a great general!"

"If he can be brought over!"

"He would certainly be a vanguard against the Liao for our Great Song in the future."

"..."

Gu Jin explained in detail to Zhao Kuangyin about Liu Jiye’s deeds in recent times, including his daily behaviors.

Liu Jiye had often expressed his disdain for Liao’s actions towards Northern Han among many leaders.

This was certainly a plus point.

Zhao Kuangyin’s expression quickly changed.

In truth, from ancient times to the present, those who can truly ascend to the throne, especially as the founding emperor, always have one common trait.

That is, they have the wisdom to recognize talent.

Zhao Kuangyin was no exception.

Upon hearing everything Gu Jin said, he immediately recognized Liu Jiye’s abilities.

However, he still showed a hesitant look and asked as soon as Gu Jin finished, "This Liu Jiye is apparently resolved to die."

"How can someone like this be persuaded to join us?"

"Given his talents....."

"If he cannot be persuaded....."

He didn’t finish his sentence.

But Gu Jin immediately understood his meaning, smiled, nodded, and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, this matter can be entrusted to me!"

...

Inside Taiyuan inner city.

When Liu Jiye heard Gu Jin had come alone to see him, he was stunned!

Even his close lieutenants around him were equally taken aback.

If it were anyone else.

They would certainly shout to kill the intruder immediately.

But this was the Patriarch of the Gu Clan, they instinctively found it hard to act.

If they really killed the Patriarch of the Gu Clan.

Leaving aside everything else.

Once dead, they would have no face to see their ancestors.

This was the thought of many.

Liu Jiye was also greatly surprised, full of astonishment, not knowing how to respond.

It wasn’t about hesitating whether to kill Gu Jin.

Rather, about how to meet him.

Should he go to greet him, or wait where he was.

He was silent for a moment, then waved his hand, "Bring him in."

Saying this, Liu Jiye took a deep breath, forcibly calming his expression.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly changed.

All the generals felt ill-at-ease.

Moments later.

Gu Jin, with a calm demeanor, followed the armored soldiers inside, even with a faint smile on his face.

"Greetings, General."

He ignored everyone around him and smilingly cupped his hands toward Liu Jiye in salute.

Even a clay figure would have some anger.

Let alone these men who had fought on the battlefield.

Ignoring others, Liu Jiye instantly frowned, staring closely at the Gu Jin before him, and after a moment of silence with murderous intent, he said, "Do you really think I dare not kill you?"

"Why do you come alone to insult me?"

As he spoke, he suddenly stood up and drew the sword beside him.

Upon seeing this.

The other generals, despite their reluctance to attack the Gu Clan, instinctively followed Liu Jiye’s lead.

In an instant, the atmosphere in the hall became tense, as cold and harsh as iron.

Yet Gu Jin remained composed, though his expression became somewhat solemn, he looked around, sighed softly, "Indeed, all are heroes."

Then he met Liu Jiye’s sharp gaze again and asked, "Why does the general say such words?"

"Even if you kill me, can you and the brothers in this tent walk out of Taiyuan alive?"

His tone seemed relaxed, but his words were clear and earnest.

"I’ve come here personally to demonstrate the sincerity of the Great Song."

"The situation in the world has changed— the Liao Kingdom is implementing reforms, and their national strength is growing stronger by the day."

"Although our Great Song has considerable power, I can assert that in the short term, the outcome of the world is difficult to determine."

"Kyushu has been in turmoil for a long time, and the people have suffered tremendously."

"Since the general has such talents, why insist on this path?"

Gu Jin’s expression grew increasingly serious.

And with those words, the murderous atmosphere in the hall instantly dissipated.

Had anyone else spoken such words, they were destined not to have this effect.

But this was the Gu Clan!

In the world, who can best represent the rise and fall of Kyushu?

Only the Gu Clan can do so.

Liu Jiye’s hand holding the sword trembled instantly, and the generals beside him all turned their eyes toward him at that moment, each with a very complex expression.

They were not afraid of death; they had already proven their courage and loyalty.

But who would want to die in vain?

Family... the world... the Gu Clan...

All these factors made them consider whether to stop.

Liu Jiye, of course, noticed this, and his eyes became even more complex.

After hesitating for a long time, he finally put down his sword, sighed deeply, and bowed earnestly to Gu Jin: "Please take care of my brothers!"

"I am eternally grateful!"

Blind loyalty or foolishness.

For Liu Jiye.

At least while he still had a lord, he would never surrender.

Now that he could leave a way out for his brothers following him, he had no regrets.

This should have been a deeply touching moment.

Hearing Liu Jiye’s words, the generals beside him instantly recovered, and some even knelt directly.

But before they could act.

Gu Jin directly looked at them: "What? You want to watch your general go to his death willingly?"

"Tie him up!"

"Let’s go together!"

Gu Jin knew very well how to utilize the reputation of the Gu Clan.

Whether it was personally coming this time.

Or the words he spoke.

Moreover, he knew well how to deal with this group of people—

That is, directly.

As he spoke, he rushed forward, directly trying to snatch the sword from Liu Jiye’s hand.

And seeing this scene.

The group finally realized.

After exchanging glances with one another, they followed Gu Jin to rush toward Liu Jiye.

Liu Jiye was stunned!

He never expected Gu Jin to do such a thing.

Nor did he expect his loyal followers to side with Gu Jin against him.

"What are you doing!"

"Let go of me!"

"You’re ruining me!"

He roared repeatedly, but ultimately could not resist the power of the crowd, and in an instant, his arms were held, unable to move.

On the side, Gu Jin looked at all this with a smile.

Seeing Liu Jiye still struggling, he reached out to grasp one of his wrists and said solemnly: "General, there’s no need for this."

"A true man in the world—"

"Should preserve his useful life to repay the world."

"If there comes a day when the world is united, General can then hold me accountable, and it will not be too late."

Looking at the calm and composed smile of Gu Jin, and the brothers around who were visibly relieved, no longer stern and tense as before.

At this moment,

Liu Jiye suddenly felt that the huge stone pressing on his heart for so long seemed to have loosened a bit.

And his struggling movements unconsciously began to slow down.

——————

"In the fourth year of Kai Bao, the Emperor attacked the Northern Han and besieged Taiyuan.

It rained heavily for many days, with many soldiers falling ill and the morale of the army swaying.

Jin advised, ’The Han Dynasty’s internal conflict has already sprouted, it can be waited out for them to collapse on their own.’

The Emperor accepted this, thus he solidified the fortifications and did not advance.

Jin sent agents to bring Liu Jiwen of the Northern Han’s royal family to Longzhou State, discussing the advantages and disadvantages, promising a brotherly alliance.

Jiwen then leveraged the influence of Confucian scholars, declared himself Emperor in Han territory, raising the banner of ’Opposing Liao to protect the people’, throwing the Han realm into chaos.

Liao sent elite cavalry to assist the Han Monarch in quelling the rebellion, but Jin again spread word of Liao’s army’s atrocities among the troops, causing the Taiyuan guards, hearing of their family’s country being plundered, to lose will to fight.

In October, Jin raised the Gu Clan’s banners outside the city, causing further panic within the city.

Though Commander Liu Jiye was brave and capable, he could not stop his troops from collapsing.

With the onset of internal strife, soldiers turned on one another, some even wanted to open the gates and welcome the army.

The Song Army took advantage of the situation and launched a fierce assault, breaking the outer city of Taiyuan.

Jin personally led armored soldiers in the first attack, all fought desperately, while Han soldiers surrendered upon seeing the Gu banners.

After days of street fighting, they finally captured the key stronghold of Taiyuan, leaving the gates of the Northern Han wide open."

——"The History of the Song Dynasty. Biography of Gu Jin"