However, the influence of Gu Yi was still present.
He would only respond directly to Liu Xiu, just as he did now.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Gu Xiao's smile widened, and he promptly stood up.
Liu Xiu silently watched Gu Xiao, pondering something, until he finally spoke again: "Though you cannot serve as the commander, as the Grand Commandant, you still need to make recommendations."
"Now that Feng Yi is unwell and Deng Yu is quelling the remnants of the Red Eyebrow."
"Whom do you think is most suitable for the Shu campaign?"
Without hesitation, Gu Yi listed all the generals originally intended for the Shu campaign from memory.
Cen Peng, Wu Han, Lai Xi, Gai Yan....
Names flowed one by one from Gu Xiao's mouth.
Liu Xiu listened intently; although he already had candidates in mind, he was willing to hear Gu Xiao's analysis.
After Gu Xiao finished speaking, Liu Xiu nodded slightly.
"Indeed, those are the people I've also been considering."
Liu Xiu, being a decisive person, once he confirmed the candidates, announced the plan to campaign against Shu once the army was rested.
This Shu campaign will employ both northern and southern water and land strategies.
Commanding Wu Han to lead sixty thousand soldiers from Jingzhou and five thousand horses to join Cen Peng at Jingmen, they would proceed westward along the Yangtze River into the Shu Region;
Simultaneously dispatching Lai Xi and Gai Yan with various armies to march south from Longxi and attack Hechi into the Shu Region.
Liu Xiu's command abilities were displayed in meticulous planning.
For a moment, the Great Han's war machine was set in motion once again.
As the Grand Commandant of the current dynasty.
Before departing, numerous generals came to pay respects to Gu Xiao.
It was precisely because he didn't covet achievements that Gu Xiao maintained good relations with these generals.
Especially since Gu Xiao declined the role of commander for the Shu campaign, passing the merit to others, the current generals held him in high esteem and respect.
Seizing this opportunity, Gu Yi advised them on many matters.
"Junran, remember... Based on my understanding of Gongsun Shu, though he is a frog in the well when truly cornered, he will utilize every means, perhaps even assassinate our generals. Junran, you must not let your guard down."
"Ziyan, the world is weary, and now the trend towards unification is unstoppable. Should you break through the Shu Region, ensure the army is restrained and do not harm the populace of Shu."
"Uncle Jun, with your capabilities, if you had followed His Majesty earlier, you would have already made a name for yourself. Yet now it's not too late; this campaign against Shu is your best opportunity. Remember to guard against Gongsun Shu's desperate measures, and strike at the heart first!"
"....."
Gu Yi did not intend to change anyone's fate.
However, the Great Han had advanced far more rapidly than history in terms of unification progress.
Therefore, this final battle should be free of waves.
The world now ought to be unified!
With Gu Xiao's current status, his instructions were not taken lightly by anyone.
The generals acknowledged this and departed.
The great battle resumed once more.
In the eighth year of Jianwu, June;
—— The northern route Lai Xi's army defeated Wang Yuan and the Huan'an Army, capturing Xia Bian and Hechi, advancing into Shu.
Gongsun Shu sent assassins to kill Lai Xi but failed.
October;
—— Gongsun Shu sent assassins to kill Cen Peng but failed, Cen Peng defeating the Shu Army at Yufu Crossing, and besieging Wuyang.
Destroying over five thousand Shu reinforcements, moving west to break Guangdu, approaching Chengdu.
November;
—— Zang Gong captured Fan County and Pi County, joining forces with Cen Peng.
Simultaneously, Wu Han led troops from Yiling, the three armies encircling Chengdu.
Gongsun Shu severely injured, fell before the lines.
Yan Cen, seeing the situation hopeless, surrendered with the Chengdu garrison.
The world was finally unified!...