My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 313 Changes in All Parties
The fourth year of Jianyi (530 AD), the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month.

This was the third year after Gao Yu was promoted to General of the Heavenly Strategy, and the second year after Gao Yu officially set off for Shandong.

Heaven's mercy gave the people of the Central Plains, who had been suffering from the ravages of war, a precious chance to breathe.

With favorable weather every year, Luoyang has been blanketed in snow since the beginning of winter, turning the world into a silver-white wonderland.

"As the ancients said, a timely snowfall foretells a bumper harvest, and the people's harvest this year should be plentiful."

Yuan Ziyou was in Hualin Garden, leading everyone to enjoy the snow scenery.

Hualin Garden was a royal garden, whose predecessor could be traced back to Fanglin Garden in the Eastern Han Dynasty. It was expanded during the Jin Dynasty, and Jingyang Mountain, Tianyuan Pond, Jiuhua Terrace and other attractions were added. After Emperor Xiaowen moved the capital to Luoyang, it was further expanded, and the famous Jiang Shaoyou was put in charge of its construction.

Jiang Shaoyou adhered to the "building islands in ponds" style of the Cao Wei period and incorporated "natural landscape imagery".

Although Hualin Garden is only a corner of the palace, it makes people feel as if they are in a landscape.

Inside the pavilion behind me, steaming tea, with a faint fragrance, was brewed on the table.

"Heaven cherishes life, and Your Majesty is a rare and benevolent ruler. It is because of Your Majesty's benevolent rule that the people of our Great Wei are blessed by Heaven."

Gao Gongzhi already had a very upright face, so if someone else had said such a thing, it would have seemed like flattery.

However, the way it came from Gao Gongzhi's mouth made it believable.

Gao Gongzhi has been promoted from the former Vice Minister of Justice to Minister of Justice, and his rise in rank is like a rocket.

"Dao Mu's words make sense. If His Majesty's benevolent rule had not moved Heaven, how could Heaven have protected the people of our Great Wei?"

"The people of the Great Wei are all grateful for His Majesty's heaven-like virtue."

Gao Qian is currently serving as the Imperial Censor, while the other person is Li Yu, the son of Li Yanshi, the Prefect of Qingzhou.

Born into the Li clan of Longxi, Li Yu was Yuan Ziyou's cousin by seniority. Two years ago, he married Yuan Ziyou's elder sister, Princess Anyang, Yuan Jiyao. Based on this relationship, Li Yu was Yuan Ziyou's brother-in-law. He started as a high-ranking official, such as Tongzhi Sanqi Changshi, and often accompanied Yuan Ziyou.

Yuan Ziyou smiled slightly and sighed, "I really hope the world can always be this peaceful."

Li Yu immediately suggested, "Your Majesty, why not change the era name to Yong'an, to demonstrate Your Majesty's desire for lasting peace and stability throughout the land?"

Yuan Ziyou did not refuse.

Instead, he turned his back and looked eastward, asking, "Has there been any news from Qingzhou?"

Li Yu quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, my father's secret letter arrived last night. The wife of General Tian Ce, Lady Xiu Rong, gave birth half a month ago."

"Is it male or female?"

It was a baby girl.

A hint of joy flashed in Yuan Ziyou's eyes, and his hands behind his back clenched into fists, but he quickly relaxed them.

"Good news! The Lady of Taishan gave birth to a boy for General Tian Ce. So..."

Gao Qian spoke the words that Yuan Ziyou was thinking!
Yang Changchu gave birth to a boy for Gao Yu, while Erzhu Yuechan gave birth to a girl; both were secondary wives.

The baby boy born to Yang Changchu was Gao Yu's eldest son.

"Although she is a baby girl, I will still prepare a generous gift for her. Also, let her uncle return to Luoyang, and appoint General Tian Ce and another virtuous minister as the governor of Qingzhou."

Turning the topic to Gao Yu, Yuan Ziyou turned to look at everyone, "I have also heard that the local powerful families and clans in Qingzhou have many grievances against General Tian Ce?"

"General Tian Ce is merely conducting a land survey, reclaiming the unclaimed lands that aristocratic families and powerful clans seized during the war. These lands were never theirs to begin with; they had already taken a huge advantage by letting them occupy them for free. To illegally seize land violates the court's 'Land Occupation Law'..."

"Dao Mu, why bother with such a fuss?"

Yuan Ziyou waved his hand to interrupt him.

Land Occupation Law?
Even during Emperor Xiaowen's reign, it was impossible to fully implement this policy, let alone now that the court is weak and has almost no control over the local areas.

In order to win over the powerful families, Yuan Ziyou could only turn a blind eye to things in the suburbs of Luoyang, even in places a little further away. Which powerful family or clan would take the "Land Occupation Law" seriously?
Gao Gongzhi was taken aback, then frowned and said, "Your Majesty, there is one more thing. General Tian Ce has gone too far."

"What's the matter?"

"His Majesty only ordered him to oversee the affairs of the three prefectures of Xu, Yan, and Qing, but General Tian Ce has privately interfered in the affairs of the southern Qing prefecture."

"Nanqing Prefecture was also separated from Qing Prefecture, so there's no need to worry too much about this matter. I will issue another decree."

"Your Majesty, such indulgence is not a good thing. As the General of the Heavenly Strategy Army, you should set an example."

"I will issue an edict to reprimand them immediately. Today we are here to enjoy the snow and not to discuss politics, so as not to spoil the scenery."

Despite saying that, Yuan Ziyou was in a good mood.

The local powerful families and clans in Shandong all harbored resentment towards Gao Yu.

Doesn't this prove that Gao Yu's foundation is still unstable?

After eliminating Erzhu Rong, there is no need to worry that Gao Yu will become the second Erzhu Rong.

Back in the Mingguang Hall, Yuan Ziyou summoned Xi Yi.

He immediately put on a smile, appearing extremely friendly.

"Wu Cheng, it's cold, yet I still make you travel back and forth. You must be tired."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."

Xi Yi quickly bowed and expressed his gratitude.

"Wu Cheng, I originally intended to appoint you as the governor of Jianzhou, but the prime minister refused."

"Your Majesty, the Prime Minister has his own considerations. How dare I criticize the Prime Minister's policy?"

After consolidating his power in Shanxi, Erzhu Rong planned to extend his reach to Hebei. Once he had controlled and integrated Guanzhong, Shanxi, and Hebei, Erzhu Rong would be invincible.

Therefore, he sent Erzhu Shilong to Xiangzhou to serve as governor, leaving Jianzhou vacant, but still reserved for Erzhu family members.

Yuan Ziyou didn't dwell on the issue any further, but simply chuckled and sighed, "If everyone could be like Wu Cheng... how wonderful that would be." Xi Yi's expression froze slightly, but he didn't say anything.

Yuan Ziyou continued, "I have heard that in the two prefectures of Bing and Si, many people from the former Six Garrisons have gathered to cause trouble."

"Your Majesty, these traitors have caused chaos in the Six Garrisons and Hebei, and they have never obeyed the Emperor's orders, making them difficult to control..."

"But I have heard that he has gathered a crowd to rebel, is it because the Prime Minister has treated him too harshly?"

"This……"

Xi Yi dared not speak nonsense and shook his head repeatedly, "His Majesty is a benevolent ruler, and the Prime Minister obeys His Majesty's orders and also implements benevolent policies. How could he be harsh on the people? It seems that someone is interfering and trying to create a rift between His Majesty and the Prime Minister. Their intentions are despicable!"

"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you disregard the words of petty men. As the sage said, 'If a ruler is not discreet, he will lose his ministers.'"

"There must be some misunderstanding."

Yuan Ziyou continued, "Before winter last year, the Rouran once again raided southwards, causing heavy losses to Heng and Shuo prefectures. I have been thinking about this, and I wonder why the Rouran king, when the late emperor was on the throne, bowed down to our Great Wei and submitted to us. Why does he dare to harass the borders of Great Wei again and again now?"

"This is because the six valiant garrisons previously stationed there deterred the Rouran from easily invading southward."

"Write a letter to the Prime Minister, conveying my intentions. To prevent the Rouran from raiding the border again, I suggest that the Prime Minister relocate the soldiers and civilians of the original six garrisons in Bing and Si to Heng and Shuo prefectures. Then, I suggest that someone from the original six garrisons be appointed as governor of Heng and Shuo. My suggestion is that Gao Huan, the governor of Jin Prefecture, and Heba Yue, the governor of Jing Prefecture, are suitable for the positions."

Xi Yi remained outwardly calm.

But I already knew the answer in my heart.

Erzhu Rong must be out of his mind to agree to that.

This group of soldiers and civilians from the six towns, if organized and armed, would be a valiant army. Everyone knew that this group had been fighting all along and had all crawled out of piles of corpses.

Both the Heba brothers and Gao Huan were quite famous in the Six Garrisons.

Let them manage it?

Yuan Ziyou's little scheme was far too obvious.

"Your Majesty's words will be relayed to the Prime Minister immediately."

"Go."

Yuan Ziyou waved his hand, then called out to him again, "Wu Cheng, it's cold, remember to wear more clothes."

Xi Yi paused, but still turned around respectfully and bowed, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

………………

Xi Yi's secret messages to Erzhu Rong would usually arrive within three days.

Looking at the official documents delivered by Xi Yi.

Erzhu Rong couldn't help but laugh.

"Your Majesty is still not giving up."

He could see through this little scheme at a glance.

"but……"

Erzhu Rong stood up, put his hands behind his back, and looked into the distance. "Indeed, we can't push them too far."

After quelling the rebellion in Guanzhong, Erzhu Rong no longer guarded against the people of Wuchuan as he had before. For example, Heba Yue was promoted to governor. Although he was still under Erzhu Tianguang's watchful eye, things were much better than before.

"Heba Yue... has quite a bit of skill and ability."

In Erzhu Rong's eyes.

The three Heba brothers combined are essentially a smaller, weaker version of the Gao brothers (Gao Da and Gao Er).

Therefore, he separated the three brothers to different parts of the country, so that they would not be able to get together.

“Moheduo is currently in Shandong, so there’s no need to pay him any attention… He would actually offend powerful families and clans.”

Yuan Ziyou and Erzhu Rong were fully aware of Gao Yu's every move in Yanzhou, Qingzhou, and Xuzhou.

Skillful.

Both of them were pleased to see Gao Yu's relationship with the local powerful families and clans break down.

"Unfortunately... Yuechan gave birth to a girl."

Erzhu Rong pondered for a moment.

I agree halfway.

He currently controls Guanzhong and Shanxi, and Jinzhou is strategically located in the center of these two territories. This position truly needs to be controlled by his trusted confidants.

Erzhu Rong's vigilance towards Gao Huan decreased considerably.

Hu Sichun was originally in Jinzhou watching over Gao Huan, but he was transferred to Dongxuzhou last year.

In recent years, Gao Huan has indeed not done anything significant, keeping a very low profile and barely contacting Gao Yu.

"Someone is coming."

"In the name of the Prime Minister's Office, an order was issued to transfer Gao Huan, the Prefect of Jinzhou, to the Prefect of Hengzhou, and to transfer Chi Lie Yanqing, the Prefect of Hengzhou, to the Prefect of Jinzhou."

Chilie Yanqing was related to the Erzhu clan by marriage; he was Erzhu Shilong's brother-in-law and could be considered a confidant and capable man.

As for the soldiers and civilians from the six towns captured in Hebei?
There is only one choice.

Either die now, or die while being repeatedly tortured, if you're really tough enough.

They'd have to live out their days in Bing and Si prefectures!

There is absolutely no room for negotiation!
(End of this chapter)