Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 243 Old Man

The palace gate slowly opened.

No matter what they were thinking just now, at this moment, they calmed down and walked into the palace surrounded by soldiers.

Hu Changren did not come back. Hu Changhong got out of the car panting and hurriedly appeared beside Gao Rui.

Gao Rui glanced at him and asked, "Has your brother told you everything?"

A trace of fear flashed across Hu Changhong's eyes. "I've explained it."

Gao Rui nodded, then strode towards the palace.

At that time, the affiliation of the army in Yecheng was very strange. Before leaving, Gao Zhan asked the Queen Hu family to command the elite troops in the palace, and arranged for the Queen Mother's relatives such as Lou Rui to take over the city's defense.

This also shows that the emperor no longer trusts the royal family, and begins to rely on external relatives whose interests are generally consistent with his to help him control the rear.

But in name, the person who was ordered to stay in the rear was Gao Yin.

After entering the palace, Gao Rui began to look at the surrounding troops. Sure enough, the troops stationed in various places were still the troops brought by Gao Yin. These people were also soldiers from Yecheng and were sent back to Luoyang for the expedition. However, at this moment, they were taken advantage of by Gao Yin and became a reliable force in his hands.

At the entrance to the main hall, Gao Yin lowered his head and watched the ministers slowly approaching from the steps.

Gao Yanzong and Zu Ting stood on either side of him.

Gao Yu's face was full of worry.

This time he was forced to do something he was unwilling to do.

Unless it was absolutely necessary, he was not willing to fight to the death with these ministers in front of him.

Gao Yu looked at Zu Ting beside him again. He was smiling and looking at the people in the distance. He was ready to leave.

Gao Yu believed in Liu Taozi, but didn't really trust Zu Ting.

This person is selfish and will do whatever it takes to achieve his goals.

Whenever he started to offer him advice, he didn't dare to accept it easily. He had to think carefully about it to make sure that the other party had no other intentions.

Zu Ting said at this moment: "Your Majesty, just do as I tell you."

"Don't worry, it's settled."

Without waiting for King Pengcheng's answer, he turned around and left.

Gao Yu stared at the direction where he was going away, frowned and said nothing.

At the same time, all the ministers had arrived in front of the hall. After the eunuchs reported to them, they walked into the hall.

The important officials took their seats.

After waiting for a while, Gao Yun finally walked out slowly, and Gao Yanzong stood at the door in armor and holding a sharp weapon.

Several important ministers stood up and bowed to greet him. Gao Yu returned the greetings one by one and finally took a seat.

Gao Rui immediately asked, "Where is His Majesty?!"

Gao Yu said calmly: "Your Majesty will be here soon, don't worry."

"Before your majesty arrives, I would like to discuss several things with you to avoid wasting time."

Gao Rui did not press the issue any further.

Gao Yu continued, "Yang Zhong is still besieging Jinyang. Your Majesty led the elite troops to escape, making the situation in Jinyang extremely critical. We must rescue it, but there are no troops available in Yecheng."

"In addition, the Turkish cavalry are still roaming in Yan, An and other states. The governors and prefects who were previously stationed have either fled or died. There are not many left. They are unable to stop the Turkish cavalry and can only let them plunder the surrounding areas."

Gao Yu looked at the important officials around him again and said, "Everyone, these two things must be solved immediately. My advisers told me that we can ask General Anxi to send troops to Jinyang to cut off Yang Zhong's retreat and annihilate him on both sides of the Fen River. In addition, we should also ask him to send troops to the border states to appease the people and repel the rebels."

"What do you think?"

For a moment, the entire hall was silent. Several important officials did not speak at this moment, but just looked at each other.

Gao Rui had a stern face. At this moment, he finally connected everything.

Liu Taozi.

Gao Yin colluded with Liu Taozi and took advantage of Yang Zhong's attack on Jinyang to control the government.

Gao Rui sneered and raised his head. "King Pengcheng, I think we don't need to worry about this right now. Yang Zhong is besieging Jinyang, and Jinyang's morale is low. But it's not easy for Yang Zhong to defeat Jinyang. Besides, King Pingyuan and Hulugu will definitely send troops to rescue Jinyang when they learn of the situation. Maybe their soldiers have already arrived in Jinyang."

"As for the border, the officials who escaped will naturally be dealt with by the imperial court. As long as General Liu makes a move to block the border, those defeated soldiers will find ways to escape and dare not stay any longer."

"Your Majesty, why don't you send someone to urge His Majesty again? I have something very important to report to him."

Gao Yu laughed, his smile was a little bitter. As Zu Ting said, it was impossible to solve the affairs of the temple by legitimate means.

Gao Yu was no longer restrained. He said solemnly with a stern face, "Your Majesty asked me to take charge of the government. At present, all places are in danger. I dare not neglect it. I have sent people to issue a document to confer the title of General of Anxi Liu Taozi as General of the Guard, the Duke of Zhenxiang County, the Governor of Hengshuo, and the Grand Commander of Six Prefectures. His vanguard troops have already entered Sizhou, preparing to recapture Sandui City and other areas to help Dugu Zhi defend Yangqu and other places."

"Zhang Heizu and others under General Liu are now stationed in various places in Yanzhou to suppress the rebels."

Gao Rui's eyes widened, and he wanted to open his mouth to refute the traitor in front of him! !
This is not pretense at all. The powerful official won over foreign generals and used Liu Taozi as a means to threaten the officials in the temple.

Liu Taozi is not scary. Although he is good at fighting, he does not have enough influence in the court. Apart from the places he has been stationed in and visited, not many people obey him in other places. Gao Yun is not scary. Although he is influential, he has no army or friends under his command, and he does not have the ability to become a powerful official.

But if the two join forces, then things will become a little strange.

Gao Yu looked at Gao Rui and said, "Prince Zhao, I am not very good at lying. Now that things have come to this, I have nothing to hide."

"Da Qi is about to perish."

"Yang Zhong can lead 10,000 men to the outskirts of Jinyang. The great Emperor of Great Qi abandoned Jinyang and fled with his imperial guards."

"The local officials appointed by the imperial court could not even stop the defeat of dozens or hundreds of Turkic people!"

"Those famous provincial governors either led their troops to their deaths or watched people dying without helping them!"

"From the border to Jinyang, the entire north was destroyed, almost in ruins. Even in places that were not captured, farmland was burned to ashes and houses were destroyed."

"I don't know what you are thinking, but I want to save Da Qi."

He looked at the rest of the people again, "I have already killed He Shikai. There are no more traitors around your majesty now!"

He turned around and looked at the armored soldier, "Come here, please ask His Majesty to come over to discuss important matters!!"

Gao Yu said nothing more and just stayed where he was.

Gao Rui was particularly irritated at the moment. He hated Gao Yin's act of rebellion and Liu Taozi's collusion with powerful officials in the temple. But when he heard that He Shikai was killed, he felt inexplicably relieved and had an indescribable joy in his heart.

Should I turn against Gao Yu just for He Shikai?
Gao Rui was a little confused for a moment.

Not only Gao Rui, but also several other important ministers frowned and began to think at this moment.

Lou Rui was one of them. The Empress Dowager’s party was extremely powerful in the court.

Lou Rui was currently promoted to the position of Sikong by Gao Zhan. Logically, he should be on Gao Zhan's side, but Gao Zhan's recent behavior has shown that he has somewhat neglected the Empress Dowager's faction. He would rather believe the villain He Shikai than the Empress Dowager's relatives.

Duan Shao and Lou Rui's several proposals were directly rejected by him.

Lou Rui was even targeted by Gao Zhan as a target to be removed from office because he frequently spoke up for Liu Taozi.

But Lou Rui still couldn't quite agree with Gao Yin.

There is no other reason, except that Gao Yun is not Lou Zhaojun's son.

If Gao Yu and Liu Taozi wanted to depose Gao Zhan and let Gao Yu ascend the throne, then Lou Rui would have no choice but to grit his teeth and fight that guy.

I still remember that kid didn’t even know how to march and had to be taught by himself.

As Lou Rui thought about it, a smile slowly appeared on his face, but when he thought of his seriously ill aunt, the smile gradually disappeared.

If my aunt is gone, how can they protect themselves?

If they must depose and enthrone, that's fine, unless the throne is taken by the bloodline of Empress Dowager Lou, such as her youngest son Gao Ji, then Lou Rui can accept it.

Hu Changhong, who was sitting opposite him, kept wiping the sweat from his forehead.

He Shikai's death was truly a great thing for them.

But they also opposed Gao Yan's coming to power. They had to do their best to protect Gao Zhan. Their family's current power came from Queen Hu. If Gao Zhan was dismissed, they would all be driven out of the core of power.

Gao Yuanhai and others don't care. They just hope to continue their current status.

Just as everyone was lost in thought, Gao Zhan staggered into the hall.

It has been less than two months since Gao Zhan left Jinyang. But Gao Zhan has changed a lot at this moment. He has become thin and dry. At first glance, he looks a bit like Emperor Wenxuan Gao Yang before his death.

Two soldiers supported him. Gao Zhan's eyes were red and tears were shining. The unspeakable grief was really heartbreaking.

He returned to the hall used to discuss military and political affairs again. Looking at the familiar ministers, the seemingly weak Gao Zhan suddenly recovered his strength. He pushed away the soldiers who were supporting him, strode up to the upper seat and sat down.

All the ministers bowed and greeted him.

Gao Zhan watched this scene with tears streaming down his face.

Gao Rui wiped his tears, raised his head, and was about to speak when Gao Zhan said, "Lou Sikong, come here."

He ignored Gao Rui who was kneeling in the front, but stared at Lou Rui who was sitting in the back. Lou Rui stood up and walked quickly to Gao Zhan. Gao Zhan pulled his hand, and only when he held the other's hand did Gao Zhan seem to be relieved.

"Lou Sikong, I have been worried and frightened all along the way, all because there is no brave general guarding me. I order you to be the Grand Commander of the Capital and command all the troops inside and outside the city!!"

He still held Lou Rui's hand tightly and looked at the ministers in the distance, "Convey my decree immediately!!"

Gao Yin had a stern face and looked calm, not caring at all about what the emperor said.

His appearance made Gao Zhan more panicked. He pulled Lou Rui's hand harder and harder. Lou Rui said softly, "Your Majesty, don't be afraid. I am here for you. You will be fine."

Gao Zhan looked at Hu Changhong again, "Where is your brother?"

"Your Majesty! My brother is seriously ill and is resting outside the palace. If you want to see him, he can come in at any time."

Hearing this, Gao Zhan finally couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Gao Zhan stopped shaking and he was no longer panicking.

He looked at Gao Yu fiercely, "King Pengcheng, instigating the army, holding the emperor hostage, and falsely transmitting the imperial edict, what kind of crime is this?"

"Your Majesty, it is a capital crime."

"You also know it's a capital crime?!"

Gao Zhan stood up, his face becoming more ferocious, "I begged you to spare He Shikai's life, but what did you do? You actually killed him!"

"You instigated the soldiers to kill He Shikai!!"

"How can I forgive you?!"

"Lou Sikong!! Capture King Pengcheng immediately!"

Gao Zhan immediately issued an order that as long as he met the other ministers, he would not be afraid of Gao Yan. Gao Yanzong appeared beside Gao Yan at some point and protected him.

When the ministers were heading to the main hall, Zu Ting left the palace and quickly rode his horse to a mansion.

It was quiet inside and outside the mansion.

There were several soldiers guarding the door, not allowing anyone to approach easily.

Zu Ting got out of the car and handed in his business card. Soon, a soldier led him into the mansion.

Zu Ting looked around and marveled.

The mansion was very simple, with almost no furnishings to be seen. The soldier led him through a long corridor and finally stopped in front of a house. The soldier stepped forward to report and ask some questions before letting Zu Ting go in.

Zu Ting strode into the house.

The windows in the room were all closed and it looked a little dim. A burly man was sitting at the desk. He was tall and strong, with a ferocious look on his face. He stared at the visitor, which was chilling.

Zu Ting bowed deeply in haste.

"Your servant Zu Ting pays respect to the old man!!"

Liu Taozhi's lips trembled, and his expression became extremely complicated in an instant.

Zu Ting raised his head and said, "When I was with my lord, he often talked about you and your daily teachings. He missed you day and night, and every time he thought of you, he couldn't help crying."

Liu Taozhi's expression became even more complicated.

"What are you doing here?"

"Old man, I came to visit you on the orders of my lord."

"Hehehe"

Liu Taozhi sneered.

Zu Ting continued, "The old man may also know that His Majesty has always been somewhat prejudiced against the lord. He favors villains like He Shikai and wants to harm the lord."

"This time when Yang Zhong besieged Jinyang, King Pengcheng rescued Your Majesty and brought him back to Yecheng."

"King Pengcheng wants to depose His Majesty."

Liu Taozhi stood up suddenly and put his hand on the hilt of the sword. At this moment, Zu Ting felt cold all over and he actually felt the chilling murderous intent.

Liu Taozhi asked slowly, "Is the King of Pengcheng planning a rebellion?"

"It's not a rebellion, it's to save the world, Old Master, I know you are a loyal minister, but what your majesty is doing now is to destroy the Great Qi, and King Pengcheng is also doing this for the sake of the country."

"As for you, what's the use of being loyal?"

"Does your majesty still trust you? If so, why did you take out all the military power in your hands and distribute it to the people of the Hu family?"

"Can you still enter the palace?!"

Liu Taozhi sneered, "Whether I can get in or not has nothing to do with you, but if King Pengcheng wants to rebel, it has something to do with me."

He slowly walked to Zu Ting's side. Zu Ting was still kneeling with no fear in his eyes. He said loudly: "Old Grandfather, the current situation is very clear. My general's army is stationed at the border and can attack Jinyang at any time."

"Tian Zili and Gao Yan from Shuozhou have already led their troops to Sizhou!"

"Gao Changgong of Dingzhou leads his troops to guard the gates of Qingdu!"

"My general will personally lead the troops to attack Yang Zhong's rear and cut off his retreat!"

"Huo Luguang is my general's father-in-law!"

"The Queen Mother is seriously ill and cannot rule the country, but King Pengcheng has no intention of ascending the throne. He wants to support another direct relative of the royal family to inherit the throne. Is there still a lack of royal family members who can inherit the position?"

"Gao Ji, Gao Xiaoyu, Gao Bainian, even Gao Wei and Gao Yan, which one of them can't inherit the throne? Will Duan Shao, Lou Rui and others still oppose them taking the throne?"

"Your Majesty is now increasingly using the Hu family. He even wants the crown prince to marry a girl from the Hu family, either a girl from the Hu family or a girl from the Hulu family. Obviously the Lou family and the Duan family have no shortage of women, so why not use their people? What's the reason for this?"

"If the new emperor can marry their daughter, who is of their bloodline, will they oppose such a dethronement?"

"As for the Hu family, do you think they can stop my master, Huluguang, Duan Shao, King Pengcheng, King Pingyang and many other people?"

Zu Ting spoke very quickly and with a strong persuasive tone. For a moment, Liu Taozhi did not dare to act rashly.

Zu Ting then looked at him and said helplessly, "Old Grandpa, this is such a great opportunity. Who among the imperial guards, especially the Warriors Battalion, does not obey you? Aren't all your old brothers stationed in various parts of the palace?"

"If you are willing to come forward and lead them to ensure the safety of the palace, will they treat you unfairly when the new king ascends the throne?"

"After this incident, my master will be granted the title of Duke."

"If you don't do something, how can you be crowned king?"

"Be crowned king."

Liu Taozhi was finally a little surprised. He paced back and forth several times and waved his hand, "Go to the backyard and wait!"

Zu Ting didn't dare to disobey anymore and turned around and left.

Liu Taozhi hurried towards the secret passage.

Zu Ting stood in the courtyard, looking around with a faint smile on his face.

Gao Yu is a stupid and old-fashioned person who is not capable of accomplishing anything.

However, it is better this way, because if we change an ally who has too many ideas, it will cause trouble.

As long as he can follow his advice, Gao Zhan will not be a concern.

When the situation in Yecheng is settled, the lord will be able to legitimately serve as the governor of several border states and arrange officials in various places. It would be best if he could also bring Xian and Si under his command, and use Jinyang as the center to threaten Yecheng.

In this way, there were people, money, food, iron, and horses.

Great things can be accomplished!!!
(End of this chapter)