My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 303 Sowing discord
Inside Xianyang Palace in Luoyang.

As soon as Gao Yue and his party entered Luoyang, the news reached the palace. Upon learning that Gao Yue had come to request an audience, Yuan Ziyou immediately ordered someone to bring Gao Yue to him.

"Greetings to Your Majesty!"

"No need to be polite."

Gao Yue was also from a branch of the Gao family, and he was a handsome man. Under Gao Yu's instructions, he was extremely respectful to the emperor.

Yuan Ziyou, loving the house and its crows, was quite pleased.

The less real power an emperor has, the more easily he is moved by these seemingly insignificant details.

An emperor who loses power is prone to losing his authority, and those below him will lose their awe of him, which will make the emperor feel apprehensive.

Even though Gao Yu held a high position, he was still extremely respectful to Yuan Ziyou and always performed the proper etiquette, which satisfied Yuan Ziyou's vanity and sense of security.

The official document was handed over to Yuan Ziyou.

Yuan Ziyou opened it and examined it personally.

Personnel matters are politics, and Yuan Ziyou was also an extremely skilled strategist. He could clearly see the composition of Gao Yu's forces just by looking at the personnel arrangements.

"The Yang family did provide General Tian Ce with considerable assistance."

Yuan Ziyou chuckled lightly, "I've heard that the daughter of the Yang family is in love with the general. Is that true?"

"true."

"If that is the case... I shall promote her accordingly, and thus promote her to the title of Lady of Taishan County."

Elevate Yang Changchu's status.

It's the same operation as last year when the order was issued to bestow the title of Lady Xiurong upon Erzhu Yuechan.

The friendship between the Yang family and Gao Yu was an unexpected bonus for Yuan Ziyou. Gao Yu's connections with the local powerful families in Shandong would allow him to gain control of the region more quickly and make Gao Yu his strongest ally sooner!

He was not afraid that Gao Yu would become too powerful to control.

The reason is very simple.

Gao Yu's foundation is not solid.

Gao Yu's current power and foundation are all based on Gao Yu himself!

Despite the fact that it was a region encompassing three states, he lacked enough trusted confidants to help him control it.

Unlike those from aristocratic families with extensive influence and numerous relatives to help him control his territory, Gao Yu was different.

The larger the territory, the more you need to have enough of your own people, otherwise it will be quite dangerous.

But what about Gao Yu?

At most, he has an older brother, Gao Huan, and a younger cousin, Gao Yue. Even if he goes to the Bohai Gao clan to acknowledge his ancestors, he will not regard the Bohai Gao clan as true 'one of his own' for a while.

This is also why powerful families like the Cui and Yang families kept sending people to Gao Yu's ranks.

That's exactly what they were looking for.

Gao Yu is very capable. If nothing happens to him, then you can live a life of luxury under Gao Yu's command.

If something happens to Gao Yu...

The Gao Group, whose foundation is not solid, will soon fall apart, and those in high positions within it will be able to get a share of the spoils.

"I approve all of the general's personnel appointments."

Gao Yu had the power to appoint officials, but he also needed to report to the Luoyang court. All the officials he appointed had to be registered in the Ministry of Personnel.

Then they issued official seals, official robes, etc.

Although they were all officials under the Tian Ce Mansion, they all had official ranks, and each of them had a high rank.

Gao Yu, as the General of the Heavenly Strategy, established his own office. The Chief Secretary and the Military Advisor of the Heavenly Strategy Office were both legitimate fourth-rank officials.

After exchanging a few more words with Gao Yue, Yuan Ziyou let him leave and then had someone summon Xi Yi.

After the pacification of Ge Rong.

Xi Yi was then appointed General of the Cavalry and Grand Master of the Right, and further promoted to Duke of Shangluo.

He was truly at the pinnacle of his official career!
But mainly within the Imperial Guard system of the palace, Erzhu Rong was keeping an eye on Yuan Ziyou.

"Wu Cheng." Yuan Ziyou smiled slightly when he saw Xi Yi. "I just had a long talk with the younger brother of General Tian Ce. You can write it all down and then tell the Prime Minister who is far away in Jinyang."

"Your Majesty... How dare I?"

Xi Yi immediately knelt down, his face filled with fear.

Yuan Ziyou helped him up and looked at him slowly, saying, "The Prime Minister promised you high office and generous salary, isn't it just to have you do these things?"

Xi Yi lost his composure for a moment.

Previously, he and Yuan Ziyou had tacitly understood each other, but now Yuan Ziyou has suddenly brought it up. What exactly does that mean?
Yuan Ziyou patted his shoulder gently, comforting him, "Wu Cheng, why are you so panicked? I'm just feeling sorry for you."

"What do you mean by that, Your Majesty?"

“You and I are old friends, how could I not know your abilities? With your talents, it is a great pity that you are relegated to the Imperial Guard. Incompetent people like Erzhu Shilong and Erzhu Dulu can govern a province. Even if there is a difference in kinship, it is still disheartening for the Prime Minister to do this.”

Xi Yi's expression changed, but he then said solemnly, "The Prime Minister's kindness to me is as heavy as a mountain, Your Majesty..."

Yuan Ziyou interrupted him with a loud laugh, “I was just saying this because I saw that General Tian Ce has already established his own residence. General Tian Ce risked his life to earn his future, but you, Wu Cheng, are no less ruthless. Back then, when the situation in Luoyang was dangerous, you risked your life to deliver messages for the Prime Minister in Luoyang… Wu Cheng, don’t overthink it. I have no intention of sowing discord.”

After Xi Yi left.

Yuan Ziyou still had a faint smile on his face.

He's just stirring things up.

Xi Yi and Erzhu Rong were cousins, but cousins ​​were certainly not as close as blood relatives of the Erzhu clan.

Erzhu Rong has already treated Xi Yi very well.

but……

This doesn't mean Xi Yi has no grievances, and Yuan Ziyou didn't expect it to work immediately. He wanted it to accumulate gradually, constantly amplifying Xi Yi's 'dissatisfaction'.

Whether there are dates or not, you can still try your luck.

Anyway, we won't lose anything.

With a chuckle, Yuan Ziyou pulled out another letter. It was a secret letter from his maternal uncle, Li Yanshi, the governor of Qingzhou, which detailed what he had seen and learned about Gao Yu's series of actions in Shandong.

At least for now.

All of Gao Yu's actions were aimed at gaining control of Shandong.

This aligns with what Yuan Ziyou was thinking.

"Gao Lang, I have high hopes for you. I believe you are not a wolf in sheep's clothing like Erzhu Rong. If you help me quell the Erzhu clan, our story of ruler and minister could become a legend that will be passed down through the ages."

After meeting with Yuan Ziyou.

Gao Yue then traveled north to Xiurongchuan without stopping, as he still needed to see Erzhu Yuechan.

They said they wanted to take Erzhu Yuechan over.

Whether or not Erzhu Yuechan is willing to go is up to her to decide.

After all, the two have not yet officially married.

After receiving Erzhu Yuechan, Gao Yue will return to Luoyang and escort Zheng Dache and others to Shandong to meet Gao Yu.

As for Gao Yu's plans regarding the status of Erzhu Yuechan and Yang Changchu...

This is not something Gao Yue should be worried about.

…………

Inside Dongyang City.

After waiting for several days, Gao Yu finally met the person he had been longing to see.

"Brother Zhixing, you've kept me waiting for so long!!"

After assigning everyone their duties.

Gao Yu immediately sent someone to Gaoyang County to bring Jia Sixie over.

This is a rare technical talent!

(End of this chapter)