Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 359 Two good brothers!

Zhao Yanshen was not angry. He breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am fine. I don't know if there are any rioters in the city."

"already solved."

"Most of them are willing to surrender, but some are unwilling to surrender."

Gao Yanzong pointed to the corpses on both sides.

The corner of Zhao Yanshen's eye twitched.

He looked at Gao Yanzong deeply.

It is true that you cannot judge a book by its cover. Emperor Wenxiang's several sons and daughters were all outstanding men, each more handsome than the other, except this one, who stood out from the crowd, and was therefore valued by Emperor Wenxuan.

Because he was overly spoiled and did particularly absurd things, Zhao Yanshen and others once thought that he was probably the least capable of Emperor Wenxiang's offspring.

I didn't expect this person to have such ability.

Sure enough, there were no mediocre people among Emperor Wenxiang’s descendants.

Gao Yanzong pointed to the distance again and said, "Follow me."

Zhao Yanshen did not dare to ask more questions. He let everyone support him and followed Gao Yanzong on foot with his family members. Gao Yanzong had no idea of ​​respecting the elderly and loving the young. He never got off the horse and never gave the horse to Zhao Yanshen and others.

He rode ahead, shouting, "You are so incompetent!"

"After Duan Shao left, you became the most senior official in the city. How could you be forced into the mansion by them and not dare to come out?"

"If I had your position, I would lead them to attack Chang'an!"

Zhao Yanshen nodded with a smile, "Your Majesty is so brave, how dare I compare with you?"

This fat man was indeed easy to coax. After Zhao Yanshen praised him a few times, Gao Yanzong's attitude towards him was no longer so harsh.

He looked at the ruins along the road with a look of pity on his face.

"It's a pity for Jinyang."

"Such an important city has been destroyed by these idiots. I don't know how many people died."

"I don't think it's the fault of the Jinyang soldiers. It's all the fault of those incompetent second-generation generals."

"He inherited the title of his father and grandfather, and had some warriors following him. He thought that these were his own strengths. He had high expectations but poor skills, and he fought against his own people. Nearly 10,000 soldiers from Jinyang died alone."

Gao Yanzong looked distressed.

Zhao Yanshen said softly: "This is my fault."

"I had put all my attention on the Grand Marshal before, fearing that something serious might happen. When I found out that he had left Hebei, I wanted to start dealing with the situation in the city, but it was too late."

"Several generals united and ignored me."

The generals of Jinyang never cared about the title. Whoever had soldiers under his command was the boss. Otherwise, even the emperor would have to stand aside. What's more, Han people like Zhao Yanshen had no deterrent power to them at all.

The group walked through the street, and when they turned into the alley, they saw many soldiers clearing the streets.

They picked up the bodies on the ground, loaded them onto carts, and comforted the people who kept kneeling and begging for mercy.

Yao Xiong, with a thick beard, rode his horse slowly towards us.

He was different from Gao Yanzong. He dismounted from his horse, walked to Zhao Yanshen, and greeted him with courtesy.

"Lord Zhao, I am Yao Xiong, General of Shuozhou."

"It turns out to be General Yao Xiongyao! I have heard of your great name for a long time!!"

"Lord Zhao, we have already cleared out the rebels in and outside Jinyang. There are still many, including those who have surrendered, and I still need to settle them."

Yao Xiong paused and asked again, "Does Lord Zhao have anything to give me?"

Zhao Yanshen immediately raised his head and said solemnly, "I have had all the books in the country and the literary strategies of the world buried in the dry well in the palace and pressed down with a large stone. General, you can send someone to get them now."

Yao Xiong laughed and said, "Okay, Lord Zhao, please leave here first. I will send someone to take you to Yangqu."

"I will take care of the matter here."

Gao Yanzong was stunned. He looked at the radiant Zhao Yanshen and said, "You old thief, if I hadn't arrived in time, you would have been dead. Why didn't you tell me that you had something?"
Yao Xiong sent someone to get those things, and also sent someone to send Zhao Yanshen away.

Gao Yanzong was unhappy. He stood aside, looking at the ruined Jinyang and fell into silence.

"Things have come to this point, so don't think too much. Come with me to appease the people in the city."

Yao Xiong interrupted his thoughts and then began to summon his military officers to draft a notice to reassure the people.

Everyone started to get busy.

Jinyang was severely damaged and many people fled. Gao Yanzong was not very good at things like pacifying the people, so he led the cavalry to continue chasing those scattered defeated soldiers inside and outside the city.

The bandits composed of these defeated soldiers are often more vicious and have no bottom line than the ordinary dead thieves. Moreover, the number of troops in Jinyang is very large, and the number of defeated soldiers who escape is also very large. If they are not dealt with early, the whole Bingzhou may not be free from banditry for several years.

Banditry is something that will snowball. The sooner it is dealt with, before it forms a vicious cycle, the less harm it will cause.

Everyone was busy like this for a long time.

Military officers galloped through the city on horseback, repeatedly informing people that the rebellion was over, that the general had taken over Jinyang, and that order had returned to the city.

The number of defeated soldiers and bandits outside the city was also constantly decreasing, and Gao Yanzong basically achieved success every time he attacked.

After five or six days, a large group of troops appeared outside Jinyang again.

Zhao Yanshen, who had been escorted away, returned in this team.

The leader was Tian Zili, and many other officials followed him.

Jinyang was the most important city among the several cities in Qi State.

Besides, there are many important issues to be resolved here.

When Tian Zilie arrived at the city gate, Gao Yanzong came to greet them.

Gao Yanzong was still quite proud of himself. During the pacification of Jinyang, his greatest contribution was persuading more than 20,000 people to surrender, and defeating nearly 10,000 rebels.

Yao Xiong also showed him all the documents commending his achievements, and Gao Yanzong's mood immediately improved a lot.

Tian Zili looked at the fat general in front of him and said to his left and right: "General Yao submitted a memorial, mentioning General Gao's merits. He is the first person to pacify Jinyang!"

"If it weren't for this man, how could the tens of thousands of rebellious soldiers in Jinyang be pacified in such a short time?"

The officials also gave him face and began to praise Gao Yanzong's bravery.

Gao Yanzong smiled, and then ordered his men to hand over the heads of the rebel generals.

Tian Zili praised them a few more times before leading everyone into the city.

Gao Yanzong immediately spotted Gao Xiaoyu and Gao Xiaowan in the crowd.

He rode his horse towards them quickly, a smile on his face.

"Eldest brother, third brother."

"I am the first to contribute in this battle!"

Gao Xiaoyu looked at his brother with a complicated expression, forced a smile, and nodded at him.

But Gao Xiaowan frowned and said nothing.

Gao Yanzong was very keenly aware of what had happened, but he didn't ask any questions and followed his two brothers.

Tian Zili and others entered the city and met Yao Xiong in the government office.

They did not enter Jinyang Palace.

However, Yao Xiong's army had already taken control of Jinyang Palace.

Tian Zili and Yao Xiong looked at each other but did not exchange greetings. Yao Xiong just greeted the other people who came.

After everyone took their seats, they began to discuss some important matters.

For example, the arrangements for Jinyang Palace, the arrangements for the empress dowager and concubines of the royal family in the palace, etc.

During the Jinyang Rebellion, the Queen Mother became a puppet desired by many generals. The Jinyang Palace was successively controlled by three people. Initially, they were able to maintain stability in the palace, but later on, it was completely chaotic. Fighting and looting broke out in the Jinyang Palace, many things were stolen, and many palace maids and concubines were killed. Even the Queen Mother was dying at this moment.

Everyone first denounced the rebels for their cruelty, then denounced Duan Shao's conspiracy, and finally talked about how to treat these people well.

The talk was grand and vague, but no specific plan was put forward.

Most officials also understood that the specific plan still needed to be discussed privately by Yao and Tian to come up with a result.

Therefore, after a very brief discussion, everyone went back to rest.

Only Tian Zili and Yao Xiong were left in the office.

After everyone left, Yao Xiong's straight back suddenly bent down. He looked at Tian Zili who was standing beside him and said, "What nonsense are you talking to me about!"

"You keep talking about this and that, but you won't explain it clearly. What happened?"

Tian Zili also changed his majestic look and glared at Yao Xiong, "Qihu! You still asked nonsense questions just now when you knew something serious had happened?"

Tian Zili took out a document from his sleeve and handed it to Yao Xiong.

Yao Xiong took it casually and looked down at it for a few seconds.

"Is my brother going to ascend the throne?" "I don't know, but the proclamation has come down first, and I will no longer consider myself a minister of Qi."

"The concubines and the queen mother of Jinyang Palace cannot be dealt with for the time being. Let's wait until my brother comes back before making any decisions."

Tian Zili said worriedly, "Many people around me think that my brother is a little too impatient this time. Jinyang has just been conquered, and there are so many royal family members in the country. After the letter came down, the Prince of Pingyang refused to meet with me and locked himself in his house. Gao Xiaoyu and Gao Xiaowan also changed their previous attitudes. They obviously have a lot of opinions about the letter."

"Not to mention Gao Changgong, Gao Yanzong, Gao Yu, Gao Yan, Gao Jie, Gao Xi and other members of the royal family, there are so many people who inherited the titles of their ancestors and those who were rewarded by the State of Qi. Now that this edict has been issued, the titles and identities of these people will be revoked."

"I don't know how much trouble this will cause."

"I didn't dare to leave the two brothers behind, so I brought them here. You'd better send some people to keep an eye on them. If they really have any ulterior motives, you can arrest them."

Yao Xiong nodded, "I understand."

Tian Zili frowned, "As for the rest of them, we can still appease them with official positions. There is no need to be too anxious. However, these royal family members are a big problem at the moment."

"Gao Yu has always been a loyal minister, but since he came to the Xingtai, he has been busy doing things and has made outstanding achievements. When we sent troops to Yecheng and other places, he never stepped forward to stop us, and even took the initiative to write letters to persuade the other clan members to surrender."

"I don't think Gao Yan needs to worry. Even if Gao Yan is unwilling, I'm afraid he won't make any big moves."

"Gao Changgong has always attached great importance to the country, and most of his brothers are the same."

"I think the only ones who can pose a threat right now are Gao Changgong and his brothers."

Yao Xiong stroked his beard, "I don't think Lanling Prince will rebel."

"When he followed his brother to attack Chang'an, he killed the prince appointed by the court on the way back. He was considered a traitor by the court of Qi. He had already decided to help the country with his brother."

"As for his other brothers, I'm not very familiar with them, but as for Gao Yanzong, I don't think he would know how to do it either."

"Oh?"

"When Gao Yanzong was in Yangqu, he repeatedly urged me to recruit soldiers from Jinyang. He was particularly concerned about the soldiers and generals in Jinyang, and he also attached great importance to the country in his words. I think he is the most threatening among the brothers."

Yao Xiong shook his head, "No."

"This guy really cares about Jinyang and the Jinyang soldiers, but I don't think he is the kind of pedantic and unreasonable person."

"When he led the charge, he also knew to avoid places where there were many civilians and drove the enemy to remote corners before fighting again."

"When he entered the palace, he told me that none of these people in the palace should be kept, they were all parasites and evil thieves, and they should all be executed."

“I think, at least he won’t.”

At this moment, Gao Yanzong returned to the mansion with his two brothers.

As soon as he came in, Gao Yanzong hurriedly ordered someone to close the door.

"Brother, what happened?"

Gao Xiaoyu had a conflicted look on his face, while Gao Xiaowan took out a handwritten document from his sleeve and handed it to his brother.

“Look at this!!”

Gao Yanzong picked up the document and read it carefully.

Gao Xiaoyu looked around and said, "Go inside first, then look inside, then look inside!"

Three people walked into the house, and Gao Yanzong read the document from top to bottom.

Gao Xiaoyu sat in the upper seat, and his two younger brothers sat on his left and right respectively.

After reading these, Gao Yanzong handed them to Gao Xiaowan in front of him.

Gao Xiaowan cursed: "I knew from the beginning that I shouldn't have surrendered to Liu Taozi!"

"Look!"

"This is courting disaster!"

"I said it at the beginning!"

"You didn't listen! That's why you are in this situation!!"

Gao Xiaoyu hurriedly stopped him, "Keep your voice down! Keep your voice down!!"

"What are you afraid of?!"

"I'm not afraid of He Shikai or Gao Zhan, so why should I be afraid of Yao Xiong and Tian Zili?!"

Gao Xiaowan was furious, his voice getting louder and louder, "If you have the ability, kill us all!"

Gao Xiaoyu just felt a headache and wanted to reach out and cover his mouth.

Gao Yanzong's face was calm. He looked at his angry third brother and whispered, "Didn't we know this a long time ago?"

"what?"

Gao Xiaowan was stunned.

Gao Yanzong continued, "When we left Jinyang, didn't we already know that this would happen? The Northland has changed hands. Did Third Brother think that after the general took over Hebei, he could give up his position to the emperor and take some sheep with him to live in seclusion and herd?"

Gao Xiaowan pursed his lips, his face flushed, and he argued, "That's not the case!"

"We all know that the general wants to be promoted, but there are reasons for being promoted!"

"If the throne is passed to abdication, at least the country can be preserved, and we can keep our own titles. What does this mean now?"

"Deny Qi? Liu Taozi founded a new country. What is Qi then? Is it just a temporary separatist regime ruled by a group of people without the mandate of heaven?"

"if not?"

Gao Yanzong's eyes widened. "Brother, do you really think we have a destiny?"

"Gao Wei??"

"Gao Zhan?"

"My eldest uncle was born in the lower class, but he was able to build a kingdom. However, he failed in the end and failed to unify the north. He could only rule half of the country. My father was wise and brave, but he was killed by a cook at a young age. How brave was my second uncle when he first came to power!"

"He is more powerful than today's generals. Who among those around him would not bow their heads when he was beaten?"

"But after just a few years, his personality changed drastically, he acted crazy and killed people indiscriminately."

"Then my cousin was pulled down just after he came to power. After my sixth uncle came to power, the country had just started to improve, but he suddenly died of illness."

"The next ones are people like Gao Zhan and Gao Wei."

"Third brother, do you really think our family has destiny?"

Gao Xiaowan was furious. He stood up suddenly and raised his fist, "I will beat you, you unfilial man!"

Gao Yanzong was not afraid either. He immediately grabbed his third brother's fist and the two started fighting.

"enough!!"

Gao Xiaoyu shouted loudly.

The two stopped and looked at the boss.

Gao Xiaoyu asked in a low voice: "You keep talking about the country, but you only know your own people harming your own people. Is this all you are capable of?!"

"Everyone, sit down!"

The two of them slowly took their seats.

Gao Xiaoyu pondered for a long time before saying, "I have read the contents of the manifesto. In fact, the general did not think that the entire Qi State was illegal. The people he wanted to dismiss in the manifesto were Emperor Wenxuan, Gao Zhan, and Gao Wei."

"That is to say, my great-grandfather, my grandfather, and my sixth uncle are legitimate."

"If the three of them are legitimate, then their offspring are also legitimate."

Gao Xiaowan's anger eased a little, "Is that so?"

"Two bastards!"

"I keep telling you to read more, but you won't listen!"

"This is clearly an acknowledgement of the title of King of Qi left by my great grandfather, a denial of Emperor Wenxuan's title of emperor, and an acknowledgement that my grandfather and sixth uncle will inherit my great grandfather's title of king!"

Gao Xiaowan frowned, "I don't understand."

"You don't have to understand!"

Gao Xiaoyu said angrily: "If you deny us all, can you still follow Tian Zili into Yecheng? Without your identity, you are just a commoner! What qualifications do you have to come in with us?"

"That elder brother was worried before"

"I'm f*cking worried that our brothers are too strong and might be feared!"

"I didn't expect that others are still not afraid, but you are here trying to drag us into it!"

Gao Xiaowan understood a little bit. He looked at Gao Yanzong and saw the same look of sudden enlightenment on his brother's face. He felt much better immediately.

I'm not the only one who doesn't understand.

My brother is stupid too.

Gao Xiaoyu looked at the two talented men in front of him and rubbed his forehead again.

(End of this chapter)