History of Women in the Wei Dynasty

Chapter 368 Zhao Zhi Leaves Beijing
When Wei Yao brought Gao Zhao and the others to the new residence, Yuan Yu sent two trusted men to the Prince of Rencheng's mansion to tell Yuan Cheng about his encounter with Wei Yao on the street outside the Situ Mansion.

Yuan Cheng and Chief Secretary Zhang Puhui looked at each other: They had guessed wrong; the emperor had actually chosen Wei Yao and his maternal relative Lian Peng!
"The younger generation is truly formidable." After exclaiming this, Yuan Cheng returned the ornaments symbolizing "general, horse, and pawn" on the stone table to their starting positions. In high spirits, he said, "This game... needs to be started again."

Even knowing the truth, Zhang Puhui still found it hard to believe. He couldn't help but ask, "How could Vice Minister Wei, at such a young age, be able to advise and respond without making any mistakes, and even surpass Attendant Yuan Hui to gain His Majesty's trust?"

Yuan Cheng gave the answer: "Talent plus diligence."

Seeing that the King of Rencheng was hesitant to make his first move, the "pawn," Zhang Puhui asked, "What has Your Majesty thought of?"

"I'm thinking, Zhao Zhi's strict discipline and authority have made her more influential than the Yu family in the palace guards. This is not the situation the emperor wants to see. Now that Wei Yao is involved in highly confidential matters, will Yu Zhong still be able to take over the palace guards when he returns to court?"

Yuan Cheng slowly made a move, shook his head, and continued, "Let's not move for now, let's wait and see if Yuan Yu and the Wei family send me any messages."

Yuan Cheng's fears came true. Just two days later, he received news that Zhao Zhi was going to Jingzhou to annihilate the barbarians.

This means that Zhao Zhi, like Ru Hao, has been excluded from the forbidden area.

The game resumed, and all the previous schemes and the prestige the Imperial Guards had earned for Zhao Zhi were once again wiped out by the Emperor's decision.

Let’s get back to the present.

The Gao family residence.

The emperor's favor naturally included a complete residence, stewards, servants, and household items. The household items that the Gao family brought from Pingcheng all looked like rags and seemed out of place wherever they were placed.

Gao Ying burst into tears of grievance because she had returned late, and the most exquisite and precious jewelry among the rewards had been divided up by her sisters. Her pent-up complaints instantly doubled!
The young woman, unable to hide her feelings, gave Wei Yao a chance to comfort her.

Wei Yao said, "These past few days you have diligently studied etiquette, so that I can take you to a banquet hosted by noble ladies in the capital. It will be your first time there, and as long as you do not overstep the bounds, no matter which noble lady you are, she will give you jewelry and precious stones."

Gao Ying's sorrow turned to joy: "Really?"

Wei Yao assured her, "Really, if they don't give you a gift, it's because they're being unreasonable."

Gao Ying held Wei Yao's hand and shook it, feeling that this female official was really considerate.

Wei Yao returned a cheerful smile, but in her heart she was thinking about something else: if her estimate was correct, the emperor, who was habitually suspicious, would probably send her mother to suppress the barbarian bandits.

The court officials are like a swarm of stinging bees. Once Mother leaves the capital, some court officials will surely join forces with their cronies to take this opportunity to deal with her!

Prestige and favor are sought amidst peril.

Then let the soldiers come and the Gao family block them; let the water come and the Gao family cover it!

After comforting Gao Ying, Wei Yao invited the brothers Gao Zhao and Gao Xian to tour the entire mansion, with the two guards Li Shenggui and Song Fan following behind.

Now it's time to get down to business.

Wei Yao solemnly said, "The late emperor once issued an edict that the ranking of court officials, the granting of titles and ranks, and the selection of talents should all be based on the family lineage of the prefecture, and then recommended by the prefectural magistrate. Your Majesty has taken care of your maternal relatives and has granted two dukes this time without going through the family lineage assessment and the recommendation of the prefectural magistrate, which is actually an exception."

"Your Majesty has taken care of the two dukes, and the dukes should also be grateful. We cannot allow the court and the public to talk about Your Majesty. The old Duke of Bohai should be buried in Bohai County as soon as possible. The tomb should no longer be in Pingcheng."

Both Gao Zhao and Gao Xian looked confused. Li Shengui and Song Fan exchanged a quick glance, wondering if the Gao family was truly stupid or just pretending. Even though Vice Minister Wei had spoken so bluntly, they still couldn't understand?
Only by burying their ancestral graves in Bohai County can they abandon their origins as the Gao clan of the Dongyi people and claim that their ancestors were from Bohai County!

Wei Yao was always straightforward. After finishing her story, she asked, "What part of what the two dukes told me was unclear? I can explain it in more detail."

Gao Zhao: "No need, no need, I understand."

Wei Yao looked up to Gao Xian.

Gao Xian thought to himself, "They didn't forget to include me in this kind of thing."

"I also understood."

The guards Li Shengui and Song Fan exchanged a glance. Li Shengui admired the Vice Minister Wei for daring to speak and ask questions, while he looked down on the Gao brothers. So they understood after all. Who were they pretending to be confused for?

Of course, they each had their own ulterior motives; the two brothers were putting on an act for each other's benefit!
Therefore, Wei Yao did not give the Gao brothers a chance to play dumb. She changed her tone and said with a commanding tone: "In the next two days, please ask Duke Pingyuan and Duke Chengcheng to discuss who will lead some of the clansmen back to Pingcheng to relocate the old Duke Bohai's remains. Duke Pingyuan is older, and in principle, this matter should be handled by Duke Pingyuan himself. However, I can only offer suggestions on this family matter and have no right to make decisions for the two dukes. I hope you will discuss it as soon as possible so as not to put His Majesty in a difficult position."

She looked at Gao Zhao as she spoke her last few words.

Gao Zhao thought he understood! The female official was clearly implying that, in principle, he should personally return to Pingcheng to move his father's and brother's graves, but his younger brother Gao Xian could also go back. In that case, he could stay in the court and continue to serve as an official, instead of holding an official position in name only and traveling thousands of miles to be a filial son.

Gao Xian understood! The female official was clearly admonishing her brother that although he, as the younger brother, could do the hard work of moving the grave, it was unreasonable. The matter of wearing mourning clothes again should be done according to seniority, and the elder brother should do it!
After seeing Wei Yao off, the two brothers returned to their respective courtyards to see the emperor's rewards.

It's easy to go from frugality to extravagance!
The Gao brothers closed the door tightly and shouted "Get rich!" Then they slept all night surrounded by treasures, dreaming of high-ranking official positions and great wealth, postponing the matter of relocating the grave that Wei Yao had asked them to discuss until tomorrow.

After leaving the Gao residence, Wei Yao hurriedly returned to the palace. She first reported to the emperor that the Gao clan had been settled, and then went back to the Secretariat to handle official business.

After she left Dongji Hall, the emperor summoned Li Shengui and Song Fan to report back, which was basically the same as what Wei Yao had said.

For now, let's talk about Li Shengui and Song Fan. When they returned to the duty room, they were waiting for the other two guards who would be on duty with them, namely Xi Jiao and Zhao Shang.

When changing into military uniforms, Li Shengui couldn't help but praise: "Previously, many people in the court mocked Yuan Biejia for asking his son to marry Wei Shilang. In my opinion, those who mocked him are the ones who should be mocked."

Song Fan: "Yes, I've learned a lot about how to do things by following Vice Minister Wei for half a day."

Xi Jiao's heart pounded faster during their conversation. Even now, he couldn't remain calm, let alone see Wei Yao or hear about her.

Night fell over the palace walls. Xi Jiao and her companions went to the Dongji Hall for their duty. Only by personally experiencing serving His Majesty up close could they truly understand the terrifying power of an emperor. The monarch was like the endless night sky, capable of oppressing all things even in stillness.

Thinking of this, he exhaled a breath of cold air, feeling proud of Wei Yao: How brave she is! Like the stars, she dares to rival the night sky and compete with the bright moon for attention.

Two days later.

The military intelligence regarding the rebellion of the barbarian tribes in Jingzhou was urgently sent to Luoyang again. The war was urgent and could not be delayed any longer.

The following day, the imperial court appointed Zhao Zhi as the military commander in charge of the campaign against the barbarians, granting her the title of Imperial Envoy. That afternoon, Zhao Zhi led her troops out of the city and headed to Luyang County in Jingzhou. Among the troops she led were three hundred elite female warriors from the Mulan Camp.

The rebellious barbarian tribes were besieging Huyang County, which was more than 300 li away from Luoyang. The Wei army commander defending Huyang County was Li Hui, a guerrilla general. Various barbarian tribes were gathering more and more around Huyang, so Zhao Zhi ordered the cavalry to move at full speed without stopping.

The loess dust blotted out the sky, and a murderous aura obscured the sun!