My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 271 If you don't come looking for me, then I will go looking for you.

September 8th.

News of Ge Rong's defeat spread throughout Hebei.

This brought a sigh of relief to the prominent families in Hebei, especially since the timing was quite opportune.

If Ge Rong is pacified in September, then they can send people to plant winter wheat with peace of mind, at least there will be some harvest.

In recent years, Hebei has been ravaged by rebel forces.

How much fertile land has been abandoned?
Finally, I can catch my breath and quickly replenish my resources. In the past few years, I've only been consuming resources without producing anything, and even the landlords have no surplus grain.

Seven thousand broke two hundred thousand!

These impressive achievements and the strength displayed by Erzhu Rong have indeed made the Han Chinese aristocratic families in Hebei, who had been observing from the sidelines, seem to have other ideas.

But then news came from Luoyang.

This completely shattered the worldview of the Han Chinese aristocratic families in Hebei.

So, there are experts here?

Three thousand to break three hundred thousand?

Is that human being?
This sudden news prompted countless aristocratic families to send people to Luoyang to inquire about the situation. If any member of their clan held an official position in Luoyang, they would send someone to deliver a message and ask about it.

anyway.

Luoyang is the power center of the North, and only in Luoyang can one understand the latest situation.

We are currently at a critical juncture where power is being reshuffled.

Getting to Luoyang is the most urgent task!
………………

"Ao Cao has made outstanding contributions this time! Finally, someone from the Gao clan of Bohai is going to hold a high position?"

Gao Gao's personal guard, Zhang Mao, personally led a group back to deliver the message.

After glancing at it, Gao Yi was overjoyed and couldn't stop smiling. "Following General Chariot and Cavalry, three thousand men defeated the Southern Liang army of three hundred thousand! This is a great achievement. Even if it's not the most important one, getting a share of the spoils is enough to benefit my Gao family."

The Gao family of Bohai had a respectable reputation in the area, but they couldn't compare to the top families like the Cui, Lu, Zheng, Wang, and Li families, let alone the Pei and Xue families of Hedong. At best, they could only sit at the same table as the Xing family of Hejian.

Ultimately, it's because the Bohai Gao clan hasn't produced anyone holding a high position in the imperial court for too long.

During the reign of Emperor Xuanwu (Yuan Ke), Gao Zhao, a relative of the emperor, held immense power in the court. He once came to the Bohai Gao clan to acknowledge their kinship, but it was just a formality. When the Bohai Gao clan asked them to move their ancestral graves back, Gao Zhao completely ignored them.

Gao Qian also sighed with emotion, "Ao Cao has been exceptionally brave since childhood. Making meritorious contributions on the battlefield is his destiny. This time, he has finally chosen the right person to follow."

"General of Chariots and Cavalry Gao Yu, this man also claims to be a member of my Bohai Gao clan, it is time to revise the family genealogy."

Gao Yi is no fool.

Three thousand men defeating an army of three hundred thousand is a remarkable feat that would elevate a person to the top in any era!

Not to mention this is outside Luoyang!
Under extremely unfavorable conditions, they forcibly defended Luoyang, preserved the dignity of the Great Wei, and upheld the dignity of the imperial family.

Does it matter whether Gao Yu came from the Bohai Gao clan?
It doesn't matter at all.

Just like Gao Zhao back then, he said that his ancestors left their ancestral home to escape war, and this reason was reasonable and there was no fault in it.

Their status has risen significantly. It's not that Gao Yu needs the Bohai Gao Clan to embellish his own image or elevate his own social standing; rather, it's that the Bohai Gao Clan needs Gao Yu's approval in order to elevate their own social standing.

"His fake General of Chariots and Cavalry has probably become real."

"More than that?"

Gao Qian shook his head. "His Majesty will surely rely on Gao Yu to check the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister relies on nothing more than his valiant Qihu cavalry. His Majesty has always been troubled by the lack of loyal troops under his command."

"So according to your meaning?"

"It wouldn't be a bad idea to promote the general to a higher rank, as it would greatly enhance his title."

In terms of official rank, the General of Chariots and Cavalry is a military officer position second only to the General of Flying Cavalry, and is a second-rank official. With the addition of the rank, the rank automatically increases by one level.

Gao Ji was taken aback upon hearing this.

Previously, Gao Yu was merely a third-rank Attendant Gentleman of the Palace, a noble and upright official position. Those who held this position were close ministers of the emperor and came from prominent families.

Previously

Even a gang rape wouldn't be for someone as despicable as Gao Yu.

But just like Yuan Ziyou was able to ascend the throne and become emperor.

In peaceful times, how could Yuan Ziyou, who is not a direct descendant of Emperor Xiaowen, possibly ascend to the throne?
Chaos is the ladder.

The power game has been reshuffled.

Some people will be kicked out of the center of power, while others will rise up in the process.

Gao Yu is clearly a beneficiary of the chaos!
From a lowly soldier in Huai Shuo on the frontier, he was about to rise to the top and become a first-rank general of chariots and cavalry!
"The situation in Luoyang is now settled. Ao Cao's personality makes him vulnerable in Luoyang. Qian Yong, you are an old friend of the Emperor and are well-versed in the ways of officialdom. You should go to Luoyang now."

"In this battle of Luoyang, the Emperor's performance has established his great prestige among the ministers and officials. Now that the Emperor is in need of capable people, you can also benefit from it. Take Zhongmi with you."

"This is a golden opportunity, and the Gao family of Bohai should seize it!"

Gao Qian smiled and took out a secret letter from his pocket. "His Majesty really did send someone to deliver a secret letter, ordering me to go to Luoyang immediately."

After a moment of surprise, Gao Ji burst into laughter, "Go, everything is settled now."

………………

September 12th.

Taishan County.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Yang Kan looked at the official document in his hand and exclaimed in approval, even standing up excitedly.

But then a look of annoyance and regret suddenly appeared on his face. "Damn it! How could I have missed it? Why did I have to come back so early? What a pity..."

Pei Zhirou looked at her husband, who was sometimes laughing like a child and sometimes looking regretful, which puzzled her.

She stepped forward slowly, wearing a light-colored long dress that exuded an air of nobility.

"What happened to make my husband like this...?"

"Gao Lang, with only three thousand men, decisively defeated the Southern Liang's northern expeditionary army of three hundred thousand! Unprecedented in history, truly unprecedented!!" Pei Zhirou was taken aback, and whispered a reminder, "Husband...didn't you previously intend to lead the army back south?"

"This time, that time."

Yang Kan looked slightly embarrassed, and then sighed, "I actually missed such a great battle... Alas, if I had been in Luoyang, I could have made a name for myself in history because of this battle."

Pei Zhirou took the official document and looked at it. It recorded Gao Yu's outstanding military achievements. Even she, a woman, could see the clues in it. She carefully put the document away and chuckled.

"Such a brave and outstanding person, no wonder my husband can't forget her, and no wonder... Chang Chu fell in love with her at first sight, that's right."

Pei Zhirou quickly reminded him, "Has my husband informed Chang Chu of the news?"

"not yet."

“My husband, don’t you know that ever since Chang Chu learned that the Southern Liang army had gone to besiege Luoyang, he has been waiting for news from Luoyang every day?”

"I was so excited that I forgot."

"Leave this matter to me."

Pei Zhirou chuckled, got up, took the official document, and returned to the inner courtyard.

Since Yang Kan warned him that long-term archery practice could easily cause calluses on his hands, Yang Changchu has stopped insisting on practicing archery every day.

After asking some questions, Pei Zhirou went to her boudoir.

"Sister-in-law."

Yang Changchu had clearly been losing his appetite lately, and looked rather haggard.

Pei Zhirou felt very sorry for him and also became curious about Gao Yu. Just what kind of handsome and outstanding person could make Yang Changchu so infatuated?

"Guess what good news I have for you?"

"Could it be news from Luoyang?"

Yang Changchu's eyes lit up, and he immediately perked up, getting up to ask, "Is it news from Luoyang?"

"You..."

Pei Zhirou didn't tease her, but handed her the official document. Yang Changchu took the document and looked at it.

Her small, rosy lips parted slightly, her face showing a look of astonishment.

For her, it was already a blessing to hear that Gao Yu was alright.

However, Gao Yu's military achievements far exceeded her expectations.

Her heart, which had been hanging in suspense, quietly settled down, and then she felt joy and excitement. She looked up at Pei Zhirou and said in a sweet voice, "Sister-in-law... could you please persuade my brother to send someone to Luoyang for me?"

Pei Zhirou looked on in astonishment, "You...you're going to find that Gao Lang?"

Yang Changchu nodded, "I won't wait any longer! If Gao Lang doesn't come looking for me, I'll go looking for him. Waiting in vain on Mount Tai is no use."

"This……"

Pei Zhirou was at a loss for words.

"Sister-in-law!"

But unable to resist Yang Changchu's persistent pleading, he could only shake his head helplessly, "I'll give it a try."

........................

September 25th.

Southern Liang, Jiankang, Taicheng, within the Taiji Canon.

Xiao Yan sat on the throne of the emperor with an expressionless face, like an old monk in meditation.

The expressions of the officials and ministers varied; some felt regret, while others were secretly pleased. All eyes were fixed on the person kneeling on the ground.

This person was dressed in simple monk's robes and looked like a monk, but had a face that everyone was very familiar with.

It was none other than Chen Qingzhi, the famous white-robed general in the Southern Liang Dynasty!

Previously, when the Southern Liang army marched swiftly to the outskirts of Luoyang, even the nursery rhymes from the north reached the Southern Liang.

Famous teachers and generals should not be too arrogant, as thousands of troops will avoid the white robes!
What a magnificent sight that was! For a time, it was a time of unparalleled glory!
But now?
Chen Qingzhi was no longer the dashing general he once was; he was covered in dust, looked exhausted, and resembled a lost dog.

"Your Majesty! This humble general has failed in your trust, and begs Your Majesty to punish me severely!"

Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes, taking in the expressions of everyone in the hall. A barely perceptible look of disappointment and regret flashed in his eyes.

He then slowly opened his mouth and said.

"The fault in this battle is not yours; it is my own lack of cultivation that led me to greed. This northern expedition has been filled with bloodshed, and I sought to increase my sins. I am guilty... guilty..."

Chen Qingzhi looked ashamed.

After exchanging a glance with Xie Ju, Wang Jian stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty! This Northern Expedition was nothing more than a result of the slander of treacherous officials. General Wuwei and other military men flattered Your Majesty, hoping to achieve unparalleled merit and gain fame for themselves, but instead they became stepping stones for others.”

"The nursery rhymes from Luoyang have even reached Jiankang."

"General of Chariots and Cavalry, Gao Erlang, personally bestowed with the seal and seal by the Emperor!"

"Ghost-faced cavalry, black-armored soldiers, the earth collapsed and mountains crumbled as they captured the three kings!"

"I beg Your Majesty to severely punish General Wuwei!"

The Northern Expedition was a decision made by Emperor Xiao Guanyin; how could it not damage his prestige?
Removing Chen Qingzhi, a general whom Xiao Yan had personally cultivated and who held great prestige in the army, would weaken Xiao Yan's prestige and control over the army!

Xiao Yan remained silent for a long time before speaking.

"General Wuwei is indeed guilty of this battle, and I am also guilty!"

Xiao Yan then continued.

"My mind is made up. From this day forward, I will dedicate myself to Tongtai Temple, burning incense and chanting Buddhist scriptures before the Buddha every day to wash away the sins of this Northern Expedition."

"General Wuwei accompanied me to Tongtai Temple to sacrifice himself."

"…………"

Upon hearing this, Xie Ju and the others were greatly alarmed.

(End of this chapter)