Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 236: Stupid Emperor and Corrupt Officials
Yecheng, the Queen Mother's bedroom.

There were quite a few warriors outside the palace, stationed at each door to prevent outsiders from harassing the empress dowager.

Gao Zhan was standing outside the main gate at this moment, with two officers on his left and right, telling him in a low voice what had just happened.

Before Gao Zhan had the chance to carry out his plan, he learned that Gao Yin and Lou Rui had gone to pay a visit to the empress dowager. Then, the empress dowager sent someone to summon him. It was said that her attitude was very firm and she was very angry.

Gao Zhan could have guessed that Gao Yin was trying to trick Lou Rui into doing something shady.

Without Lou Rui, Gao Yin might not be able to be by the Queen Mother's side. However, they are all brothers, so Gao Zhan does not blame Gao Yin.

This time, He Shikai was caught doing something wrong, and Gao Yin was angry and went to complain to the Queen Mother. This is understandable.

Gao Zhan believed that he was relatively tolerant towards his brother.

He cleared his throat, prepared himself to be scolded, and walked quickly into the hall.

Empress Dowager Lou sat on the upper throne, her face livid. Beside her stood a group of female officials, all with their heads bowed.

Gao Zhan waved his hand, and the female officials left in a hurry. Gao Zhan smiled and walked to his mother's side, "Mother, are you feeling better?"

"Better? I'm almost dying!"

Empress Dowager Lou said coldly.

Hearing this, Gao Zhan looked helpless, "Mother, why are you scaring me like this?"

"Whatever you want to say to me, just give me your orders. I will never disobey you."

Lou Zhaojun looked at him suddenly, "Let me ask you, what happened to Li Zu'e?"

Gao Zhan was stunned and his expression suddenly turned unhappy.

This time it was because of He Shikai's incident. If Gao Yu wanted to file a complaint, he could just file a complaint about this matter. Why did he have to drag Empress Wenxuan into it? Didn't he care about Emperor Wenxuan's reputation at all?
He shook his head. "Mother, why did you listen to those people's nonsense? Queen Wenxuan lost her son. I felt sorry for her, so I often visited her. I never thought that some villains would misunderstand me and spread rumors against me. I think this might be the work of Wei Xiaokuan."

"Where did mother hear these rumors?"

Lou Zhaojun looked at him coldly and asked, "Do you think I'm old and ignorant?"

Gao Zhan shook his head. "Anyway, I didn't do anything wrong. If mother doesn't believe me, just call her over to ask."

Lou Zhaojun snorted twice and asked, "Then let me ask you, what about Liu Taozi's matter?"

"Liu Taozi? Very good, he repelled Yang Zhong several times and prevented the enemy from advancing a single step. His contribution is enormous. I was just about to reward him! Mother, what happened to you?"

Looking at that pair of clear eyes, Lou Zhaojun was stunned for a moment, but then shook her head, "Zhan, the truth of things cannot be determined by your words. If it is true, it is true, and if it is false, it is false."

"Gao Yu is a gentle child who can tolerate many things. When Emperor Wenxuan killed his mother, he was able to tolerate it and had no intention of rebelling."

"But now, you've forced him to come to me and cry, even to the point of doing something dangerous!"

"Zhan, you can't do this!"

Lou Zhaojun's face was very bitter. She said, "Gao Guiyan's matter has come to this. I can't say anything more."

"But you have to pay attention to these important officials in the court."

"Gao Rui is courteous to the wise and humble, has the people in his heart, is good at both civil and military affairs, and can be called an all-rounder! There is no need to say much about Gao Yu, who is top-notch in both reputation and talent. And Gao Yan, the children of the old family, they are all family members who can definitely be reused!"

"How could you push them to this point?"

Gao Zhan's expression became even uglier. He nodded, "Mother, I know I was wrong."

"Alas, your confidant, He Shikai, should be taken out as soon as possible and killed to appease the clan members."

"Only one out of ten of the founding nobles are still alive, but they are still powerful. You were pushed to the top by the royal family. You must use your family members well to keep your position secure. How can you anger them because of a villain?"

"And Liu Taozi, I have told you many times that he will not rebel. I don't understand why you want to kill such a powerful general? Such a powerful general, whether it is your three brothers or your father, they will only love and use him, and will never think of killing him!"

"You have such a person under your command, and you still want to get rid of him?"

"Zhan, my health is getting worse. I'm afraid I'll have to go meet your brothers soon."

Lou Zhaojun's eyes were filled with tears. "I don't know how long I can protect you. You can't go on like this."

"The emperor cannot command the world just by sitting in this position. He needs the support of others. Now all the royal family, civil officials, and nobles have been alienated by you. Do you want to rely on a male favorite to secure the throne of the emperor?"

"When you were not yet on the throne, you were such a talented person, with friends all over the place. No matter who it was, you could become a friend. You were never stingy with others and had great ambitions. Didn't you despise your brother, saying that he was too weak and indecisive?"

"Why did you become like this after you ascended the throne?"

"My son, you have these famous ministers in the court, and you have Duan Shao, Lou Rui, Hulugu, Liu Taozi and other brave generals outside. The power of the nobles is not as strong as before, and the same is true for the big families. As long as you use these people well, why worry about not being able to accomplish your great cause?"

"Why are you obsessed with having fun, drinking and sex?"

"How old are you?"

Listening to Lou Zhaojun's words, Gao Zhan's face turned red. He lowered his head, and two tear marks appeared on his face without him knowing.

"Mother, I know I was wrong."

He wiped his tears and looked at Lou Zhaojun with tears in his eyes, "I will go and apologize to my brother and beg for his forgiveness."

Lou Zhaojun looked at him, but did not dare to speak for a moment.

Lou Zhaojun had been deceived too many times and she no longer dared to trust others easily.

At this moment, her son's eyes were so sincere and determined, but Lou Zhaojun didn't know whether she could believe him.

Lou Zhaojun sighed, "I don't know whether what you said is true or not, and I don't know whether you will change or not."

"But, Zhan, I think you have offended all the officials and they all have some complaints against you. This is not a good thing. If these people unite, you will go down the same way you came up!"

"Don't be confused! Don't be confused!!"

At this moment, Lou Zhaojun looked very much like Gao Yin, who had just knelt in front of her and begged bitterly. Gao Yin also had a sincere look on his face. He sat beside Lou Zhaojun and begged her again and again, hoping that she could come forward and just watch over the emperor for half a year so that he could solve all the internal and external troubles.

But Lou Zhaojun did not listen to him. She felt that this guy had big plans.

At this moment, Gao Zhan didn't listen to her either.

It's not that he didn't listen at all, he heard what he wanted to hear.

Dissatisfied, up, down.

When Gao Zhan walked out from the Queen Mother's place, he looked a bit violent. His eyes were full of ferocity. He waved his hand not far away and said, "Go and ask Liu Taozhi to kill Gao Guiyan. Bring Gao Guiyan to the road and let others watch. Cut off his head. Don't spare any of his family members, from top to bottom!!"

The soldiers received the order and left quickly.

When he returned to his bedroom, an old man was already waiting for him.

The little old man was Hui Luo. He was standing at the door, wearing thick clothes, with someone supporting him.

"King of Shunyang"

Gao Zhan laughed when he saw this person. Yi Di Hui Luo had made a lot of military achievements. He had earned his title of king through hard work. Among the many veterans, he was considered the best. Moreover, he had a grudge against Liu Taozi, so he was simply the best helper.

"I just had something to do. Did I keep you waiting for a long time?"

Hui Luo struggled to salute and trembled as he met Gao Zhan.

Gao Zhan frowned slightly, "What's wrong with you?"

"Your Majesty, a few days ago, I suddenly fell ill. I lost my appetite and couldn't sleep at night. I couldn't get up from my sickbed. I have fought in the wars for many years and I am full of injuries. The imperial doctors can't cure them. I can only use drugs to maintain my health."

Gao Zhan ignored him and walked straight into the hall. Hui Luo was stunned for a moment, then, with the support of his son, followed Gao Zhan and walked into the hall together.

Gao Zhan sat in the upper seat, looking coldly at Hui Luo who was standing beside him.

At this moment, Lou Zhaojun's words repeatedly rang in his ears, 'All the officials are dissatisfied with you and are unwilling to work for you.'

Gao Zhan sneered and asked, "I heard you were out hunting outside the city a few days ago. How come you are seriously ill again?"

"Could it be that after hearing my edict, you became seriously ill?"

Hui Luo was stunned. He quickly explained, "Your Majesty, it's really not true. I am old and the imperial physician has come to see me several times."

"Can you eat?"

“Can” “Can you walk?!”

"can"

"Then you go!"

"Your son will go with you!"

Hui Luo pursed her lips and saluted Gao Zhan tremblingly, "Yes."

Gao Zhan didn't even have the heart to talk to Hui Luo, so he just told him some things to pay attention to and let him leave.

After walking out of the palace, Hui Luo's face was full of despair. He looked at his son and suddenly said, "Liu Taozi once offended me and had a great hatred with me. I will definitely die on the road when I go out this time. After I die, you must not go against Liu Taozi."

Inside the hall, another soldier brought new news to Gao Zhan.

"Your Majesty, the Fifth Military Minister Cui Ang has been captured and is currently being interrogated."

Gao Zhan's eyes widened, and he was on the verge of exploding. "Who ordered the arrest?!"

"It's Grand Master."

"asshole!!"

"Go call Gao Yu over to me!!"

When Gao Yu came as ordered, Gao Zhan was sitting on the upper seat, his clothes were disheveled, there were traces of blood on the ground, and the hall was filled with a foul and bloody smell.

Gao Yu couldn't help but frown, but he still bowed to meet Gao Zhan.

"The Grand Master is really very courageous. He arrested a Shangshu and put him in jail without saying a word. If you don't know, you would think that the Grand Master is the Lord of Da Qi!!"

Gao Zhan stared at Gao Yu in front of him and said angrily, "Just relying on Lu Qubing's few accusations, you can arrest the Shangshu privately? Where are the laws of Da Qi? Is this how you rule the world?"

"Your Majesty, I arrested people according to the law and never went beyond it."

Gao Yu said calmly.

Gao Zhan was stunned for a moment and laughed a few times, "Which law?"

"Your Majesty has put me in charge of Gao Guiyan's treason case. I discovered that Li Gongtong, the deputy minister, was involved in Gao Guiyan's treason case."

"His mother, Cui Zhifan, was Cui Ang's cousin. In order to protect his cousin, Cui Ang changed her age from 53 to 63, thus escaping punishment."

"I arrested him for this matter. I wonder why Your Majesty is so angry?"

Gao Zhan was stunned for a moment. He looked at Gao Yun in disbelief, his eyes full of disbelief.

You clearly arrested them because of Liu Taozi's case, why did you bring up the idea of ​​modifying their ages and temporarily framing them? ?

Gao Yu calmly took out the document from his sleeve and handed it to Gao Zhan. Gao Zhan opened it hastily, and when he saw it, he suddenly felt dizzy.

The evidence is solid, there are witnesses, and it really is not fabricated.

Gao Zhan pursed his lips. It was obvious that if they really wanted to compete, his brother would not be easy to deal with. He had no choice but to say, "I will let someone else take care of Gao Guiyan's affairs. You don't have to do it."

Gao Yu nodded, then asked, "Who does your majesty want to entrust this to?"

Gao Zhan opened his mouth and wanted to say a name, but the names of the ministers passed by his lips one by one and no one could take over.

It’s not that there are no wise men, but that there are no wise men who are loyal to him.

All of a sudden, Gao Zhan woke up.

He seemed to have lost all his energy and looked helplessly at Gao Yu who was standing beside him. "Brother, Liu Taozi instigated mother to arrest me. I will never forget this incident."

At this moment, Gao Zhan seemed to have returned to his former self.

He sighed, "Brother, did I do something wrong?"

Gao Yu shook his head. "How could the emperor do anything wrong? Your Majesty is at a loss. Even if there is any fault, it is only He Shikai's."

Gao Zhan looked at the warriors standing by and shouted, "Come here, arrest He Shikai immediately, tear off his official robe, and seize his official seal!"

The warrior was stunned. He looked at Gao Zhan blankly, not daring to believe what he heard.

Gao Zhan asked angrily: "Why? Didn't you hear it?"

The warriors hurried out. Gao Yu's eyes lit up. He looked at Gao Zhan, also relieved. "Your Majesty, please execute He Shikai!"

Gao Zhan said: "Brother, don't worry, I won't forgive him."

"However, there are powerful enemies outside. I have been thinking about how to deal with Liu Taozi, which has made the Zhou people so rampant. What can you teach me, brother?"

Gao Yu said, "Your Majesty, you can call him 'Your Majesty'. If it is inconvenient, you can call him 'Brother'. How can the Emperor call me 'Brother'?"

"Mr. Gao, how should I meet the enemy?"

Gao Yu did not hide his thoughts and immediately gave his analysis, "Your Majesty, the Zhou army is divided into two groups. Yang Zhong marched very fast, while Da Xiwu marched very slowly. Logically speaking, Da Xiwu is also a fierce general in the army and should not be so slow. I think he may have done this on purpose. Yuwen Hu and Yang Zhong have always been at odds, and most of the generals sent to him are Yang Zhong's confidants. He must be thinking of using us to weaken Yang Zhong!"

"There is really no need to have King Pingyuan take charge of Pingyang. It is enough to have Lou Rui lead 3,000 elite troops to guard the mountain pass."

"If Da Xiwu really wants to attack in the future, Lou Rui will definitely be able to stop him."

"Prince Pingyuan still has to stay in Jinyang, and Hulugu can go forward and take over the defense of Sixian and other states. He can decide the time to send troops. If he thinks the time is right, let him send troops to help Liu Taozi defeat the bandits."

"The Turks here are led by the Zhou people. The Turks themselves have no intention of attacking by force, they just want to get some benefits from following the Zhou people."

"Your Majesty, you can dispatch an elite cavalry to escort the supplies to Hengzhou, and let General Anxi lead this elite cavalry to fight against the Zhou people who are leading the Turks. As long as the Zhou people leading the Turks can be defeated, the Turks will surely retreat. You don't even need too many people. The Turks will definitely wait and see the situation and will not act rashly."

"Although those generals promoted by Gao Guiyan in the past were promoted by rebels, they are truly talented and capable. Gao Guiyan arranged them one by one after he discovered that the defense line was weak. Your Majesty can replace them and have them guard various checkpoints."

"Dingzhou has sufficient food. We can let Gao Changgong lead his troops from Dingzhou to Hengzhou for support. We can also prevent the enemy from crossing Hengzhou and joining forces with Yang Zhong!"

Gao Zhan listened very seriously and nodded, "Okay."

He stood up, looking radiant and heroic. "With a powerful enemy at hand, how can I issue orders in Yecheng? I must go to Jinyang, repel the pseudo-Zhou army, and gain military merit!!"

"Brother, after I leave, I will trouble you to stay in Yecheng and take care of the world's affairs for the time being!"

"only!!"

Gao Yu was so happy at this moment that he couldn't express it in words.

Everything seemed to be getting better again. He knew that his younger brother was not stupid, but his favor for He Shikai reached an outrageous level. He was always indulging in wine, women and pleasure, and did not care about the country or the world.

It is a blessing for the Great Qi and the world that you can now turn back from your mistakes.

The huge army set out towards Jinyang.

Gao Zhan was wearing armor and sitting in the car, while He Shikai was wiping his tears and sitting in front of him in plain clothes.

"Why are you crying? It's already very difficult to save your life."

"The traitors in the court are about to make a big fuss. Gao Yu is going to lead them to oppose me!"

"Leaving Yecheng this time can be considered an escape!"

He Shikai was still sobbing quietly. Gao Zhan pondered for a long time before saying coldly, "Gao Yu must die. He cannot live. The same goes for Gao Yan. If Gao Yu dies, he will definitely rebel. They must be killed together."

"Gao Rui, Gao Xiaoyu, they don't need to be so urgent, but we need to find evidence of their crimes as a backup."

"If Gao Xiaoyu dies, his brothers will not be content, especially Gao Changgong and Gao Yanzong. They have always been close to Liu Taozi, so they need to be prepared."

"Lou Rui, Huluguang. Huluguang's daughter is engaged to Liu Taozi, and his eldest daughter is engaged to Gao Bainian. Huluguang must be on guard. Lou Rui, he must be dismissed and driven south."

"do not Cry!!"

"be prepared!"

"After returning to Jinyang, make preparations immediately. Don't follow my brother's example. Don't hesitate. Be decisive!!"

"Let's start with Gao Yu!!"

(End of this chapter)