My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 273 Is it not afraid that Gao Lang harbors rebellious intentions?

Luoyang, Yongning Temple.

Wearing a black cloak, Yuan Ziyou blended perfectly into the night and hurried into Yongning Temple.

He lifted his hood, revealing a handsome face that outsiders described as 'elegant and refined,' and looked up at the towering Yongning Pagoda not far away.

Yongning Pagoda was first built in the first year of the Xiping era, which is exactly the year Gao Yu traveled through time.

Completed in the second year of the Shengui era.

Skillful.

That same year, Gao Yu was credited with welcoming the Rouran king back to the south, and together with Gao Huan, they served as messengers in Luoyang.

The Yongning Pagoda was built by Empress Dowager Hu, inspired by the Que Li Pagoda, the first pagoda in the Western Regions built by King Kanishka of the Kushan Empire. The pagoda is 49 zhang tall. Empress Dowager Hu once personally climbed to the top of the pagoda and left the comment, "I regard the palace as if it were in the palm of my hand, and the capital as if it were my own home." It was also the last "blessing" that Empress Dowager Hu left for the people of the Great Wei.

"Dao Mu, has anyone come to see Young Master Yuwen these past two days?"

A man beside Yuan Ziyou bowed and said, "Your Majesty, General Gao Yu of Chariots and Cavalry came to visit, but I did not allow him to pass."

This man had a square face with an upright and honest appearance, and a sense of righteousness between his brows. His name was Gao Gongzhi, and his courtesy name was Daomu.

Back then, Li Shizhe, the eldest son of Chenliu Gong, was corrupt and lawless. Gao Gongzhi dealt with him according to the law, without giving him any face. After Li Shizhe's younger brother, Li Shengui, gained the favor of Empress Dowager Hu, he took revenge for his brother. Empress Dowager Hu ordered the execution of Gao Gongzhi's brother, Gao Qian. Gao Gongzhi escaped by hiding in Yuan Ziyou's house.

After Yuan Ziyou ascended the throne, he appointed Gao Gongzhi as the Vice Minister of Justice. Previously, when he personally handled wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice for the people outside Luoyang, Gao Gongzhi was also there to assist him.

"Dao Mu, the General of Chariots and Cavalry and you both come from the Gao clan of Bohai, and you share the same ancestry. He and Yuwen Langjun are old friends. He came to visit you, so why did you stop him?"

"Public and private matters should be distinguished. The General of Chariots and Cavalry has rendered meritorious service in protecting the country and is a great hero. This does not mean that he can abandon public duty for private reasons! On the contrary, he should set an example!"

Gao Gongzhi retorted with righteous indignation, "Your Majesty trusts me and has entrusted me with strict supervision. How could I dare to fail Your Majesty's trust?"

Yuan Ziyou smiled and shook his head, "You... are still so rigid."

While seemingly reprimanding, his tone was full of admiration. The Minister of Justice should uphold the law impartially, which was why he valued Gao Gongzhi so highly.

The three kings captured by Gao Yu were ordered by Yuan Ziyou to be kept under separate guard.

Yuan Hao was imprisoned in the Court of Justice, Xing Gao was imprisoned in Jianzhong Temple, and Yuwen Luosheng was imprisoned in Yongning Temple, but in reality, Yuan Ziyou was only truly interested in Yuwen Luosheng.

I've visited several times already.

Upon learning that Erzhu Rong was already on his way to Luoyang, Yuan Ziyou had no choice but to leave the palace again late at night and go to Yongning Temple.

Enter Yongning Pagoda.

Yuan Ziyou climbed to the tenth floor, where Yuwen Luosheng was imprisoned.

Although he was a prisoner, Yuwen Luosheng was not treated like one. His food, clothing, and daily necessities were no different from those of an ordinary person, except that he had no servants or maids to serve him.

I heard the sound of people climbing the stairs.

Yuwen Luosheng got up early and stood by the stairs to wait for him.

"Greetings to Your Majesty."

Whether in ancient or modern times, it is a society that values ​​appearance. Seeing the equally handsome Yuwen Luosheng, Yuan Ziyou was in a good mood and couldn't help but tease him, "How could you know it was me? Aren't you afraid of mistaking me for someone else?"

Yuwen Luosheng chuckled and said, "Those who usually bring me food walk hurriedly and seem a bit anxious. Only Your Majesty, as the Son of Heaven, has a noble air about him, and your footsteps are different from ordinary people."

Yuan Ziyou was taken aback, then couldn't help but chuckle. No wonder Ge Rong valued Yuwen Luosheng so highly.

He's handsome, capable, and has a pleasant voice.

With a light laugh, Yuwen Luosheng sat down at the table, and Yuan Ziyou looked at him for a moment before speaking, "What have you thought about what I told you before, my lord?"

Yuwen Luosheng remained silent for a long time before finally asking a question.

"I am a criminal who plots rebellion, does Your Majesty really dare to employ me?"

"Why don't you dare?"

Yuan Ziyou shook his head and said, "Young master, your ancestors were good people who guarded the borders of the Great Wei for generations. You only submitted to the bandits because you were forced by the situation. What crime have you committed?"

"Things are probably not as simple as Your Majesty thinks."

Yuwen Luosheng shook his head with a wry smile.

He knew very well why Yuan Ziyou wanted to win him over and even give him important responsibilities.

At that time, after Gao Yu led the Xuanjia Army to break through the enemy's formation, the defeated soldiers scattered and fled!
Only the White-Robed Army and Guerrilla Battalion under Chen Qingzhi and Lan Qin were brave enough not to flee or even fight back. There was also a group of soldiers who were not affected, namely the 20,000 soldiers under Yuwen Luosheng.

Of the 50,000 surrendered soldiers under Erzhu Shilong's custody, half of them obeyed Yuwen Luosheng's orders, including the White Robe Army and the Guerrilla Battalion.

After all, when Yuwen Luosheng led his people to join him, he had a good relationship with Chen Qingzhi, Lan Qin and others, and had a certain prestige and popularity.

Yuan Ziyou was well aware that the fundamental reason why he could not do anything to Erzhu Rong at the moment was that Erzhu Rong did not control an army that truly obeyed him and served him.

He can't count on any of the Wei army currently on the surface.

Either it was a member of the Erzhu clan who personally took command, or the person in charge of the army had a close relationship with Erzhu Rong, or it was an opportunist who held military power and only wanted to gain benefits.

Even Gao Yu's Xuanjia Army was no match. Too many Qihu people were in the Xuanjia Army.

Yuan Ziyou naturally took a liking to this group of surrendered soldiers and naturally thought of winning over Yuwen Luosheng.

"Erzhu Rong will not let me go."

"As long as my lord is willing to pledge his loyalty and become my right-hand man and help me, I will protect him and ensure his safety."

Yuan Ziyou looked at him intently, "If I want to restore the Great Wei dynasty, I should make good use of heroes like you, my lord."

He looks like a ruler, but unfortunately he was born at the wrong time.

Yuwen Luosheng sighed inwardly. He looked up at Yuan Ziyou and said, "Your Majesty wants to win me over and unite with Gao Lang to check Erzhu Rong. Aren't you afraid that the situation will become unbalanced?"

"Once Erzhu Rong is overthrown, someone will eventually take his place. Judging from the current situation, Gao Lang might be pushed into that position. If Gao Lang replaces Erzhu Rong in the future, how will Your Majesty deal with it?"

“Gao Lang is not as cruel and unpopular as Erzhu Rong. Gao Lang is a gentleman with excellent relations with all sides. Moreover, after the Battle of Luoyang, Gao Lang has become famous throughout China. If he were in a high position, he would have rebellious intentions…”

Yuan Ziyou looked surprised, seemingly not expecting Yuwen Luosheng to speak so directly.

"Then let's wait until Gao Lang is in a high position and has rebellious intentions before we talk about it. My current concern is Erzhu Rong and the Erzhu clan. Moreover, you know that Gao Lang is a gentleman. Why are you so sure that he will become a usurper like Erzhu Rong, instead of creating a legendary tale of a ruler and his minister that will be passed down through the ages?"

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Luosheng smiled again.

Yuan Ziyou seems a bit too young?

If Gao Yu has no ambition, then what about the people who follow him?
People in the arena involuntarily.

Gao Yu, having attained a high position and power, may not necessarily harbor any desire to usurp the throne. However, his subordinates, who among them wouldn't want to advance further? These people would constantly push Gao Yu into doing things under duress.

Yuan Ziyou then casually added, "Therefore... I will give you an important position at this moment."

Yuwen Luosheng was stunned for a moment, then suddenly came to his senses, staring wide-eyed at Yuan Ziyou. After a long while, he finally spoke with complete conviction, “Your Majesty… is indeed wise and intelligent. It is a blessing for Great Wei to have such a great ruler as Your Majesty.”

Yuan Ziyou chuckled softly and remained silent.

In the past few months, he had already thoroughly investigated the composition of Erzhu Rong's forces!

He certainly couldn't win over the Erzhu clan's sons and their trusted confidants in Dai.

However, the Six Garrisons under Erzhu Rong's command were the main targets of Yuan Ziyou's efforts.

They enthroned Yuan Ziyou and, defying public opinion, massacred his relatives and officials in Heyin.

The results of it?
The sons of the Erzhu clan and their trusted confidants in Dai were all promoted to high positions, while very few people in the Six Garrisons were given important positions. These people were bound to harbor resentment.

Yuan Ziyou understood perfectly.

The vast majority of Erzhu Rong's sons were incompetent. The truly capable ones under Erzhu Rong's command were actually the Six Garrisons, who were the least 'favored'. Who with ability would willingly be overshadowed by a bunch of incompetents?
Based on this.

Yuan Ziyou then keenly noticed Gao Yu.

Gao Huan, the leader of the Huai Shuo faction, was his elder brother. The people of the Wu Chuan faction might not obey him blindly, but they would give Gao Yu some face and admire his bravery.

Gao Yu has the potential to challenge Erzhu Rong, which is why Yuan Ziyou has been trying to win him over, promote him, and sow discord between him and Erzhu Rong, all in an effort to force Gao Yu to become Erzhu Rong's adversary!

As for what Yuwen Luosheng said...

What if Gao Yu rises to a high position in the future and no one can keep him in check?
Yuwen Luosheng was a tool he planted to keep in check Gao Yu in the future.

after all.

From the perspective of closeness or distance in relationships.

Gao Yu would naturally befriend the people of Huai Shuo, for they are true fellow countrymen.

"If Your Majesty would be willing to employ me, I, your humble servant, would gladly give my life!"

Yuwen Luosheng immediately bowed.

Yuan Ziyou was overjoyed and helped him up, patting his shoulder heavily. "With the help of Yuwen Langjun, how can I not quell this villain Erzhu Rong!"

Win the battle to defend Luoyang!
Although Gao Yu was the greatest contributor, Yuan Ziyou's performance was also remarkable. In fact, the courage he displayed in the face of the overwhelming army helped him establish true imperial authority and even win over many hearts!
Moreover, Gao Yu is nominally under his command.

The actual credit should also be attributed to him, the emperor.

This gave Yuan Ziyou a strong sense of confidence.

This was also one of the reasons why Erzhu Rong was so restless that he rushed back to Luoyang.

After receiving Yuwen Luosheng's reply.

Yuan Ziyou left Yongning Pagoda in a hurry.

"With the addition of General of Chariots and Cavalry and Yuwen Langjun, the people of the Six Garrisons under Erzhu Rong's command will surely become disloyal to him. Once the balance of power is established, I will be able to reclaim the imperial power for myself!"

"Prime Minister, Prime Minister, blame it on the fact that there are too many incompetent people in your Erzhu clan."

(End of this chapter)