sovbooks Chapter 29 A skilled strategist does not use his weakness to attack his strength, but rather uses hi
Chapter 29 A skilled strategist does not use his weakness to attack his strength, but rather uses hi
Just as Gao Cheng had calmed Yuan Zhonghua down inside the carriage, Liu Taozhi's voice came from outside: "Your Highness, the Gao Jizhou camp has arrived."
"Um!"
Gao Cheng gave a casual reply, and seeing that Yuan Zhonghua was still not in high spirits, he thought for a moment, then took her small hand and lifted the curtain to peek out of the carriage.
As soon as they landed, they saw a long stretch of camps with armored soldiers lined up on an open field beside the official road. In the center, a large banner fluttered in the wind, bearing a huge character "高" (Gao).
"What a grand display."
Seeing this, even Gao Cheng was astonished.
Yuan Zhonghua couldn't help but grip Gao Cheng's hand tightly, not daring to relax for even a moment, as if only in this way could he muster a bit of courage.
As for Liu Taozhi, she had already been dismissed from her post.
He was standing beside the car, his face cold and stern, his hand on the hilt of his knife, his eyes scanning the surroundings warily.
Seeing his expression as if facing a formidable enemy, Gao Cheng couldn't help but laugh and say, "Liu Taozhi, the way you look doesn't seem like you're going to an appointment, but rather like you've come to kill someone."
Liu Taozhi remained expressionless, only saying, "I only know how to protect my master, but I know nothing else."
Gao Cheng had only spoken casually, but he did not expect Liu Taozhi to respond in this way, so he raised his eyebrows slightly.
At this moment, however, I began to understand why Liu Taozhi was so highly regarded by seven emperors across three generations of the Gao family.
Such a person was not only favored by Gao Yang and Gao Wei, but even he himself couldn't help but feel that this person was reliable.
Therefore, he said no more, only laughing and saying, "Enough, enough, you protect your master, I will meet with my guest."
After saying this, he summoned Wang Hong and instructed him to stay here and protect the carriage. Only then did he lead Yuan Zhonghua forward.
Seeing this, Liu Taozhi quickly followed.
The three followed the guide to the camp gate. Before the guide could announce their arrival, the gate suddenly opened wide, and a squad of armored soldiers came out in formation, standing on both sides.
Immediately afterwards, a person strode towards you.
The newcomer was eight feet tall, with a broad back and a powerful build. His face was as red as a jujube, his eyes were as bright as stars, and his short beard was like a halberd. He exuded a fierce and ruthless aura.
It was Gao Aocao, who was known as "the reborn Xiang Ji".
Gao Cheng's smile deepened as he saw Gao Zheng greet him, and he quickly quickened his pace to meet him.
Upon seeing him approach, Gao Ang quickly stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and bowed deeply, saying, "This humble general, Gao Ang, greets Your Highness and Princess!"
Gao Cheng quickly reached out to help him up, and said with a smile, "Lord Ao Cao is my elder, and today is not the proper occasion, why do you perform such a grand ceremony? Please rise quickly."
Although Yuan Zhonghua was afraid, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "General, you may dispense with the formalities."
Upon hearing their words, Gao Ang stood up and thanked them.
After thanking him, he stared intently at Gao Cheng, looked him up and down, and grinned, saying, "At the victory celebration banquet half a month ago, there were so many people that I didn't have time to get a good look at you, Your Highness. Now that I see you again, I realize that you are a completely different person compared to when you went to Hebei to persuade the surrender."
When Gao Cheng heard him mention the old story of Hebei's surrender, he was momentarily stunned.
I don't quite understand why he would bring up an old story out of the blue.
But then, a crack suddenly appeared in his mind, and he seemed to have some idea of Gao Feng's purpose in blocking the road today.
He immediately laughed and said, "In the past, Chengfang was just a little boy with his hair in tufts, but now he has his hair tied up. It is indeed quite different."
After speaking, he paused for a moment, then said in a serious tone, "As for Lord Ao Cao, he is as dashing as ever, no less so than in his prime."
Seeing that he was so serious, Gao Ang seemed to have fully understood the probing meaning in his words, and suddenly burst into laughter, his voice echoing across the surrounding area.
Seeing him laughing heartily, Gao Cheng became even more certain of his guess and couldn't help but laugh along.
Yuan Zhonghua stood to one side and saw the two of them suddenly burst into laughter, his small face full of bewilderment.
I don't quite understand why these two suddenly started laughing. They were just catching up, what's so funny about that?
However, she was intelligent after all, and even though she was confused, she didn't ask any questions.
She quietly moved closer to Liu Taozhi, who had no expression on her face.
At that moment, the old man and the young man both stopped laughing.
Gao Ang suppressed his smile and nodded at Gao Cheng with a look of satisfaction.
He then stepped aside and gestured, saying, "Your Highness and Princess have come a long way and must be tired from your journey. Please come into the camp and rest for a while. I have prepared some wine and food to help you wash away the dust of your journey."
Gao Cheng nodded without refusing, gave Liu Taozhi a look that said to protect the princess, and then followed Gao Ang into the camp.
As he walked, he looked around the camp.
Seeing that the soldiers in the camp were numerous yet well-organized, with their armor gleaming and their morale high, he couldn't help but sincerely praise them: "Lord Ao's ability to manage troops is truly not an empty reputation; his name is indeed well-deserved."
Unexpectedly, Gao Ang sighed deeply upon hearing this praise: "Your Highness is too kind. In truth, this humble general's small force is insignificant compared to the Xianbei cavalry under Your Majesty's command."
Gao Cheng could hear the bitterness and indignation in his words.
He remained outwardly calm, only smiling and saying, "Lord Ao Cao, you are too modest. Although the Xianbei cavalry is strong, they may not be as valiant as the Hebei youths under your command."
"Moreover, every foot has its strengths and every inch has its weaknesses. As the Biography of Marquis of Huaiyin says: A skilled strategist does not use his weaknesses to attack his strengths, but rather uses his strengths to attack his weaknesses. Therefore, if you can only make the most of your strengths and avoid your weaknesses, you will be invincible."
Upon hearing Gao Cheng's words, a glint of shrewdness flashed in Gao Ang's eyes, but he did not reply. Instead, he smiled and led Gao Cheng into the central command tent.
At this moment, a banquet had already been set out in the tent. Although it was not lavish, it still contained wine and meat.
Gao Ang invited Gao Cheng to take the seat of honor, and then invited Yuan Zhonghua to sit in the next seat. Gao Ang himself stood to the side and personally poured Gao Cheng's wine cup.
A moment later, he poured himself another cup, and as he raised it to Gao Cheng, he said, "At the victory celebration banquet, Your Highness personally served me the cup. I have almost forgotten this kindness. Today, I urge Your Highness to drink this cup to the brim."
Gao Cheng didn't stand on ceremony, picked up his wine cup, and drank it with Gao Ang.
After swallowing the wine, he smiled and, as was customary, exclaimed, "Excellent wine!"
Gao Ang laughed and said, "This is a local product from Hebei, and it is of very poor quality. I hope the young master will not find it offensive."
"Lord Ao Cao is mistaken."
Gao Cheng put down his wine cup, wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and shook his head with a smile, saying, "Since ancient times, drinking has been about the people, not the wine. If people are compatible, even the most rustic wine will taste mellow; if people are incompatible, even the finest liquor will taste like urine. Do you agree, Ao Cao Gong?"
Upon hearing these generous and bold words, Gao Feng burst into an even more outrageous and unrestrained laugh than before.
"Indeed, indeed!"
He laughed and nodded repeatedly, then poured Gao Cheng another cup and raised it again, saying, "Since you say so, Your Highness, we should drink a large cup of wine. Your Highness, please drink."
"Please, Lord Ao Cao."
Gao Cheng raised his cup in return and drank it all in one gulp.
Upon seeing this, Gao Ang also drank the cup to the brim, then exhaled a long breath and laughed loudly, "How delightful! To drink with the Crown Prince is truly one of the greatest pleasures in life."
Gao Cheng smiled and bowed, but did not say anything more in agreement.
When Gao Aocao poured another cup, he suddenly stopped the ladle.
Gao Ang was taken aback and asked in surprise, "What is the young master doing?"
Gao Cheng stared at Gao Ang for a moment, then asked with a smile, "Lord Ao Cao, you have stationed your troops here to await me; surely you do not merely wish to drink a cup of wine with me?"
Gao Ang was taken aback again, and was about to speak when Gao Cheng laughed and said, "How about we finish our business first, and then get drunk together?"