Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 296: The Wise King and the Mighty General

Yecheng.

Many carriages passed by on the roads in the city.

The carriage was piled with all kinds of luxurious wood, and behind the carriage were many laborers. Some of these people pushed the carriage, and some carried the loads on their bodies. They carried all kinds of wood and stones and walked on the streets with difficulty.

Along the way there were soldiers holding long whips.

They screamed at the civilians.

“Hurry up! Hurry up!!”

The barefoot laborer, skinny and ragged, was carrying a piece of wood that was several times bigger than himself and moving forward step by step.

They stopped at the street corner and came towards another group of people of the same size, advancing slowly.

There are many ruins in the city, both in the west and the east.

Many people were building luxurious mansions and gardens for their own enjoyment, and Hu Changren successfully created a new wave in the city.

Even the emperor was no exception. The young emperor ordered the construction of a brand new garden for himself and mobilized more than 30,000 laborers. The many insects inside and outside Yecheng no longer disguised themselves and abused the people's power. Some went out directly to arrest people, while others mobilized their tenants and private slaves. Everyone was trying hard to compete with each other.

Empress Dowager Hu was a Buddhist and this triggered another wave of movement.

Monks from all over the world heard the news and came to visit. Several new temples appeared in Yecheng, and the foundations of several pagodas appeared in Qingdu.

In order to show goodwill and win favor, many officials dug rocks and built Buddhist caves in the local area.

It was the beginning of spring, and there were luxury houses everywhere in Ye City, and there were devout men and women everywhere, and the situation was very good.

The Longdong Palace is now undergoing its sixth expansion.

The soldiers were standing outside, and a large number of civilians were busy here. The sky was gloomy, and the sun was covered by dark clouds. The numb slaves were repeating the same things. From time to time, someone fell down and could never get up again. There was a carriage on the side, and the fallen people were lifted onto the carriage. When there were enough people, the carriage would move out until they disappeared.

Zou Xiaoyu was standing outside the door at this moment, directing the officials.

"Be careful!"

"These woods are more precious than your lives! And those jades, if you dare to smash one, you will have to pay with your heads!!"

He shouted, and a carriage brought red corals, and the laborers carefully took them off the carriage.

Just when Zou Xiaoyu was busy flattering, a carriage suddenly appeared in the distance and rushed towards here. The officials and civilians along the way were so frightened that they all avoided it and dared not stop it.

The carriage was about to hit Zou Xiaoyu in front. Zou Xiaoyu was so scared that he ran away and hid behind the soldiers. The carriage stopped roughly at the door.

Then, a man jumped out of the carriage.

When Zou Xiaoyu saw this person, he looked bitter and turned around to run away.

"Zou Xiaoyu!! Get over here!"

Gao Yan pointed at Zou Xiaoyu in the distance. This recognized good-tempered and wise king was now trembling all over and had a ferocious look on his face.

Zou Xiaoyu did not dare to come forward, but just asked from a distance: "Master Taizai, I still have important things to do."

Gao Yan was so angry that he pointed at Zou Xiaoyu and cursed: "Zou Xiaoyu, you are also an important official of the Three Palaces and have received the emperor's grace in the past. Why are you so mean?!"

"How dare you bully me?!"

Zou Xiaoyu hurriedly shook his head, "Mr. Taizai, I am not lying to you. I am just following your orders! If I have offended you, please forgive me!"

A month ago, Zou Xiaoyu found Gao Yan privately and told him seriously: Pingyang prefect suspected that Hu Changren was rude to the emperor, and was preparing to contact people around him and summon troops to go to Yecheng. Pingyang prefect Feng Lingshao was from Gao Yan's wife's family, and he hoped that Gao Yan could go in person to appease these people.

Gao Yan ignored the cold wind and ran to Pingyang to persuade the county magistrate.

When I got there, I found out that the other party didn't have such an idea at all, and Zou Xiaoyu was talking complete nonsense.

It was not until Gao Yan returned that he learned that during the time he was away, Hu Changren had completed the rewarding of meritorious soldiers and started several major projects, and even the emperor was no exception.

No matter how kind-hearted Gao Yan was, he would be furious when encountering such a thing.

He had just returned and rushed here directly to question Zou Xiaoyu.

Gao Yan looked at the luxurious mansion on the side and was about to walk in. Zou Xiaoyu had no choice but to run out and stand in front of him.

"Your Majesty, the King of Longdong is ill and cannot see guests."

Gao Yan said coldly: "If he doesn't meet me, I will have someone set fire to the gate of the mansion!"

"Go tell him!"

Only then did Zou Xiaoyu walk in.

After a while, Zou Xiaoyu came out again and reluctantly invited Gao Yan to go in. Gao Yan ignored this liar anymore.

The mansion was extremely luxurious, and even Gao Yan thought it was excessive.

He was taken to the study, and Hu Changren, wearing a thick coat, came out to greet him with a smile. He wanted to hold Gao Yan's hand affectionately, but Gao Yan immediately pulled his hand back.

Hu Changren smiled helplessly, and the two of them walked into the house and sat facing each other.

"King of Longdong, why don't you reward the meritorious soldiers? The soldiers fought in the front and defeated the powerful enemy, but they were not rewarded. Instead, these people in the city were rewarded. What's the reason for this?"

Hu Changren knew that he would ask about this, so he replied proudly: "How could there be no reward? I have rewarded Lou Rui and Liu Taozi for their military merits."

"What about Duan Shao, Huluguang, Gao Yanzong, Dugu Yongye and others?"

"Duan Shao was meritorious in command, Hulugu even shot and killed the Duke of Yong of the Pseudo-Zhou, Gao Yanzong made many gains, Dugu Yongye defended Jinyong alone and repelled more than 20 attacks by the Zhou people. Don't they get any rewards?"

Hu Changren frowned, "Duan Shao arrived later. Hulugu Guang did not shoot Wang Xiong. I heard that Wang Xiong died of illness in the camp. Gao Yanzong did not kill the general and seize the flag. As for Dugu Yongye, it was his duty to defend the city, but he failed to capture them alive. Instead, it was these people in the city. They all made great contributions!"

"Has Prince Pingyang ever read a book?"

"When Emperor Gaozu of Han rewarded his ministers, the one who received the most rewards was Xiao He!"

"Although Xiao He did not fight in the battles, wasn't he in charge of food distribution and logistics? What's wrong with my reward?"

Gao Yan punched the table in front of him, his face gloomy, "King of Longdong should be more polite and don't use these people to humiliate Xiao He!"

"If soldiers make military achievements but do not receive rewards, it will lead to bad consequences!"

"King Longdong must do this!"

"Also, there are these civil engineering matters in the city!"

"It's the beginning of spring! Even the Rouran people won't impose corvée labor in the spring! Is the King of Longdong crazy?! Does he want to bring about a great famine?"

Gao Yan changed his gentle personality and started scolding Hu Changren.

His words became more and more extreme, and he almost no longer maintained the politeness he had in the past.

"If the King of Longdong insists on doing so, I will definitely ask His Majesty to dispatch generals from all over the country to the capital."

Gao Yan left a word and turned away.

Hu Changren sat there, his face becoming increasingly uglier.

Now is the time when he is most proud. He just took command of the overall situation and repelled Yuwen Hu's 200,000 troops. How can he still be threatened by a prince in name only? ?

After Gao Yan left, San Gou quickly appeared beside Hu Changren.

The three of them naturally used the same old rhetoric, persuading Hu Changren to calm down and not to get angry over an old thief who was not worth it.

But this time, their persuasion had no effect.

Hu Changren looked at them coldly and suddenly said, "I want to kill Gao Yan. Who among you can do this for me?"

The three dogs were horrified.

Lu Renhui said hurriedly: "My lord, this cannot happen. Prince Pingyang has a very good reputation and the royal family members all respect and love him. If we attack him, it will surely cause chaos!"

Hu Changren said angrily, "I can't kill him with an imperial decree, but can't I just let him die of illness?"

"But is there any way to make him die of illness?"

The three of them looked at each other, their eyes full of fear.

The new prime minister began to lose control. Gao Yan had a good relationship with the royal family and acted like an elder brother. What would happen if he was killed? ?
Regardless of what others say, shouldn’t Gao Yin and Liu Taozi consider it?
None of the three were willing to take the blame, and they were evasive in their words and refused to respond.

Hu Changren drove them all out.

At critical moments, you still have to find a way yourself!

Sitting in the house, Hu Changren began to think about countermeasures.

The cost of killing Gao Yan openly is too high, so we can only kill him secretly or poison him. The most reliable way is to say that he died of illness, and others will not be able to find any excuse.

But how to poison him?

Hu Changren narrowed his eyes, and suddenly, an idea came to him, and the corners of his mouth rose slightly.

"There is a way!"

He quickly sent someone to call his younger brother in.

At the same time, San Gou stood outside with worried looks in his eyes.

"He doesn't really want to kill Gao Yan, does he?"

"It's hard to say. If Gao Yan is really killed, what should we do?"

Zou Xiaoyu frowned and looked at the two people in front of him, feeling very conflicted.

"Go find out more and see what to do. Prince Pingyang must be alive. If he dies, the three of us will never be able to escape."

Under Gao Yan's strong intervention, many projects in Yecheng were temporarily stopped, and even the emperor's projects were interrupted, which made the young emperor very dissatisfied. Fifteen of the eighteen people who were originally rewarded had their rewards revoked.

Yecheng became quiet again.

Royal palace, inside the main hall.

The warriors stood around, guarding vigilantly.

The little emperor and Hu Changren were squatting among the warriors, and two roosters were fighting.

There is no doubt that Hu Changren lost this battle.

The little emperor won the victory, which made him particularly happy.

Gao Wei hugged his beloved chicken and wanted to kiss it a few times.

He looked at Hu Changren with a smile, "Uncle, your Iron Guard is not a real Iron Guard. It was pecked to pieces by King Chongtian!"

Hu Changren wiped the sweat off his face and said, "Yes, yes."

"Your Majesty, I am here to ask for a reward."

"Please give me a reward?"

Gao Wei frowned, but since he had played with him for a long time, he slowly relaxed his brows, "Okay, what kind of reward do you want?"

"I want tribute wine, Your Majesty. This year, the weather has been good everywhere. This is because the wise ministers in the temple are wise. Your Majesty is wise. Please reward the ministers with tribute wine so that they can celebrate together."

Gao Wei laughed, "What a big deal! I will give the order later!"

Hu Changren's anxious heart finally relaxed.

Gao Wei had a wide range of interests. After cockfighting, he would go and play other things. He could not sit still at all. Hu Changren just stayed where he was, stroking his beard with a smile.

Hu Changmu walked up to him at this moment, "Brother."

"Do as I say."

Hu Changmu frowned. His brother had summoned him to his house a few days ago and asked him to poison the wine that was to be rewarded to Gao Yan.

Hu Changmu was unwilling, and tried to persuade him several times, but Hu Changren would not listen and insisted on killing Gao Yan. If Hu Changmu was unwilling, then someone else would have to do it.

Hu Changmu had no choice but to obey his elder brother.

Looking at his brother who had to bow his head, Hu Changren stroked his beard and walked away laughing.

Hu Changren sat in his own house, looking at the tribute wine bestowed by the emperor and laughing particularly loudly.

He didn't drink either, but just looked outside the door, waiting for the servant to come and report.

He insisted on hearing the news of Gao Yan's death before he was willing to drink to celebrate.

He waited happily, and after a long time, a servant really rushed into the house.

Hu Changren stood up suddenly.

"What's wrong? What happened in the city?"

The servant was panting, his face full of panic.

"Lord, it's not good."

"No problem, just speak slowly, speak slowly"

"Prince Ande Gao Yanzong led his troops to Yecheng and just broke in through the east gate. The soldiers were unable to stop him."

"what?!"

The expectation and smile on Hu Changren's face disappeared in an instant. He asked in astonishment, "What is he doing here?"

"I don't know. He is heading to Dazaifu now."

Hearing this, Hu Changren's mind buzzed, and he shouted hurriedly: "Hurry up and prepare the carriage! Prepare the carriage!"

The servants hurried out and began to prepare. Hu Changren also sent several of his younger brothers to lead troops to impose martial law in the city.

He himself sat in a carriage and led the private soldiers in the mansion and rushed to Gao Yan's mansion in a hurry.

Sitting in the car, Hu Changren became more and more scared the more he thought about it.

When he arrived at Gao Yanzong's mansion, Gao Yanzong's soldiers were already guarding the door.

Hu Changren didn't dare to get off the carriage, but just watched from a distance.

The door of the mansion was suddenly opened, and Gao Yanzong rushed out on his horse and rushed towards him. Hu Changren was shocked and hurriedly asked the coachman to take him away. But before the coachman could react, Gao Yanzong had already rushed in front of him, jumped off the horse, and directly grabbed Hu Changren out of the carriage.

Hu Changren looked at Gao Yanzong, who had a ferocious look on his face, and said palely, "An, King Ande."

"Why would you run when you see me? The Grand Master is in the mansion, why don't you come in with me to greet him?"

"another day."

Hu Changren was still looking for an opportunity, but Gao Yanzong didn't give him one. He dragged him into the mansion in a swagger. None of the many private soldiers around dared to step forward to stop him. Gao Yanzong's aura alone was scary enough, not to mention that he brought the Jinyang soldiers with him this time, so no one dared to mess with him.

Hu Changren's face was full of horror as he was dragged into the mansion by Gao Yanzong.

There were also soldiers in the palace, but they were all unfamiliar.

They looked at Hu Changren with extremely ferocious expressions.

Gao Yanzong said with a smile: "Lord Longdong, these soldiers have fought on the front lines but have not received any rewards. They are a little angry. Please don't blame them."

Hu Changren smiled awkwardly, but in his heart he just regretted why he came here in person.

Gao Yanzong pulled Hu Changren into the inner room.

At this moment, Gao Yan sat in the house with a stern face, not saying a word.

Hu Changren walked in and started searching the house at first sight. He looked around and suddenly saw an exquisite wine jug on the table not far away. His heart trembled.

Gao Yanzong asked Hu Changren to sit aside, and he sat in front of Gao Yan.

"Uncle, I brought the people with me too."

"He came at the right time."

"I'm still going to say what I said earlier. The King of Pingcheng has ordered me to lead the army to guard the training ground outside Yecheng. I have only one mission, which is to protect you. Even if I die, I must protect my uncle. If anyone attacks you, I will kill their entire family. If I can't kill them, the King of Pingcheng will come and kill them himself."

"These are his exact words!"

Hu Changren was trembling all over at this moment, sitting there, unable to speak.

Gao Yan stared at Hu Changren coldly and said to Gao Yanzong: "No one in the city dares to attack me. The King of Longdong protects me very well. He has arranged many people outside the palace to watch me to prevent me from being murdered by villains."

Gao Yanzong looked at Hu Changren with a grim smile, "I see."

"King Longdong, thank you for your concern."

He patted Hu Changren's shoulder fiercely. Hu Changren shuddered and quickly smiled, "Of course, of course."

Gao Yan then looked at Gao Yanzong and said, "You came at the right time. Your Majesty gave me some good wine today. It's just right for the three of us to enjoy it together."

"No! No!"

"No drinking today!"

Hu Changren interrupted them hastily, "No, you can't drink alcohol from now on!!"

Gao Yan looked at him suspiciously, "Why?"

"No alcohol."

Hu Changren said solemnly, "In fact, I have been thinking about this for a long time. Nowadays, grain output is getting less and less, and various places are still brewing wine crazily. Some people are willing to waste several buckets of grain just to brew a pot of good wine!"

"If this continues, how will the people get food?"

"Besides, there are many people who love wine in and outside Ye City, and the way of drinking and sex is rampant. Officials and soldiers have taken the lead in drinking and ignoring state affairs, causing the court to be corrupted and all matters to be delayed."

"Therefore, I discussed with my staff for a long time and decided to ban alcohol."

Watching Hu Changren talking about state affairs so solemnly, Gao Yan took a deep look at the exquisite wine jug.

"Well, since the King of Longdong thinks so, then I won't eat it."

Hu Changren breathed a sigh of relief.

Gao Yanzong said, "If we ban alcohol in the future, it won't affect our drinking today. Besides, how can we not drink after returning victoriously? No problem, no problem, let's have a meal today. I have to toast the King of Longdong with a few glasses of wine!"

Hu Changren shivered again, "I'm not feeling well, I really can't drink."

After many rounds of this, Hu Changren, exhausted both physically and mentally, was finally sent out of the mansion by Gao Yanzong.

Watching Hu Changren's embarrassing escape, Gao Yanzong looked at Gao Yan beside him with a stern face.

"Uncle, why don't you let me just kill him?"

"The government can no longer withstand changes or internal strife."

"Thank you for coming all the way here, and for causing Prince Pingcheng to worry so much."

"Uncle, it's alright, just do your job. If this man dares to show his teeth again, I will kill him without a trace."

(End of this chapter)