My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 333 King Gao: I Can Have Ambition Too!

A sudden celestial phenomenon.

This caused an undercurrent of tension throughout the northern border, and dozens of messengers set off from Jinyang in various directions.

This was Erzhu Rong's order; he wanted everyone to submit petitions to the Luoyang court, requesting the emperor to bestow upon him the Nine Bestowments!

Meanwhile, Wang Xiang, carrying Erzhu Rong's imperial edict, arrived in Luoyang first and found Zhu Rui.

"Yuanlong, this is the Prime Minister's order. You can bring it up at the court meeting later."

Zhu Rui opened the letter, glanced at it, and nodded without changing his expression, saying, "I understand."

"Then I'll trouble you. The Prime Minister said he will not forget your contributions."

"Thank you, Prime Minister."

After burning the letter, Zhu Rui tidied himself up briefly and hurriedly went out to the palace. On his way to the Taiji Hall, everyone around him was whispering and discussing among themselves.

Upon seeing Xi Yi, he quickly walked forward.

"Wu Cheng, what are your thoughts on the celestial phenomena of the past few days?"

Xi Yi simply smiled and remained silent, so Zhu Rui stopped pressing the matter and instead whispered, "The Prime Minister sent a letter instructing me to speak on his behalf at the court assembly today, requesting His Majesty to bestow upon him the title of Prime Minister, granting him the privilege of wearing a sword and shoes in the palace, being allowed to pay homage without naming his name, and not having to bow upon entering the court."

Xi Yi didn't seem surprised.

Erzhu Rong had told them long ago that he would go south to Luoyang in September, and the frequent mobilization of the Imperial Guards meant that he was definitely going to start testing the Emperor.

"What are you still hesitating for? Do you really want to just stand by and watch the world descend into chaos and the people suffer?"

“Yuanlong, the trend is such that the will of Heaven cannot be defied.”

Zhu Rui looked disappointed and stopped trying to persuade him. He simply said, "Wu Cheng, I don't mean to provoke you with words, but you should think about this. If the Prime Minister really takes his place and ascends to the throne, how should people like you and me, who have done dishonorable things for the Prime Minister, conduct ourselves?"

After he left, Xi Yi's expression changed several times.

He didn't care about the chaos and misery of the people. Even if there were famines every year, he wouldn't starve to death. He could still enjoy a life of luxury and extravagance every night.

What does it matter to him if a few common people starve to death?
Can……

Zhu Rui is right.

The two of them did some disreputable things in the palace, especially him!

Zhu Rui was a Gentleman Attendant at the Palace Gate, whose role was at most to help Erzhu Rong monitor the officials and to speak on Erzhu Rong's behalf at court assemblies, thus hindering Yuan Ziyou.

But what about him?
As a general of the Imperial Guard within the palace, to put it bluntly, Yuan Ziyou had to report to Erzhu Rong everything he did each day, which concubine he favored, and even what he said to her.

Zhu Rui was merely pointing out his current awkward situation.

If Erzhu Rong were to advance further, his situation might become somewhat dangerous.

Inside the Tai Chi Hall.

Yuan Ziyou sat on the throne, looking at everyone in the hall.

"His Majesty!"

Zhu Rui took a step forward.

"What does the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat have to report?"

"His Majesty!"

Zhu Ruilang declared, "In recent years, the weather has been favorable, the country is prosperous and the people are at peace, and our Great Wei is thriving."

Yuan Ziyou listened expressionlessly, but his eyes remained fixed on Zhu Rui, quietly watching his performance.

"The reason why the Great Wei is in its current state is because the Prime Minister quelled the bandits in Hebei and Guanzhong."

"Therefore, I request Your Majesty to grant the Prime Minister the privilege of wearing a sword and shoes in the palace, being allowed to pay homage without naming his name, and not having to hasten his departure when entering the court!"

Yang Chun, Mu Shao, Yuan Hui, and the others looked on in astonishment and turned to look at Zhu Rui. Even Yuan Ziyou was greatly surprised.

Is it...

Was I tricked by Zhu Rui before?
He was merely pretending to offer advice to himself, but in reality, he was testing him on behalf of Erzhu Rong.
Damn!

A flash of anger crossed Yuan Ziyou's eyes.

It's no wonder he was so suspicious. Zhu Rui had only recently offered him advice, and Erzhu Rong was already eagerly demanding various benefits. It was hard not to connect the two.

Zhu Rui, however, did not give anyone a chance to speak.

He spoke again, "General Tian Ce also quelled the bandits in Shandong, which is a great achievement!"

"I also request Your Majesty to grant the title of General of Heavenly Strategy, allowing him to enter the palace with a sword and shoes, to be praised without being named, and to enter the court without having to bow!"

It's the same thing again.

Pulling Gao Yu down with him, Yuan Ziyou clenched his fists, his gaze coldly sweeping over everyone in the hall.

As soon as Zhu Rui finished speaking, those promoted by Erzhu Rong stood up and echoed his words.

He simply couldn't bring himself to refuse.

Now, they can wear swords and shoes in the palace, praise others without using their names, and enter the court without having to bow.

So……

What's next?
He received the Nine Bestowments, and then he had to abdicate?
Yuan Ziyou squinted, but the words Li Yu had said to him earlier echoed in his mind.

Suppressing his anger, Yuan Ziyou remained silent for a long time before bursting into laughter, "What the Imperial Attendant says is absolutely right. General Tianzhu and General Tiance are the pillars of the nation. These two, one in the east and one in the west, have made outstanding military achievements, which has brought good weather and peace to the Great Wei!"

"Those who have rendered meritorious service shall be rewarded. I hereby proclaim my decree to the world."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

After the court assembly ended and he returned to Xianyang Hall, Yuan Ziyou was unable to calm down for a long time.

Zhu Rui, however, came looking for him.

"Is there anything else, Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat?"

Yuan Ziyou looked at him coldly.

Zhu Rui sighed inwardly. He knew that Yuan Ziyou had already doubted him. He advised, "Your Majesty, I know that Your Majesty is angry, but... Your Majesty must endure this humiliation for now."

"Although I have not led troops into battle, I have read military books. Famous generals throughout history, including prime ministers and generals of the Heavenly Strategy Army, would first show weakness to the enemy and make them arrogant when faced with a powerful enemy, and then wait for the right opportunity to deliver a fatal blow!"

After saying this, Zhu Rui stood up, cupped his hands in a salute, and said, "I hope Your Majesty will give this matter much consideration."

Yuan Ziyou carefully considered the meaning behind Zhu Rui's words.

Show weakness to the enemy?

Using arrogance to intimidate the enemy? What is this implying?
Is it...

Has his conspiracy with Li Yu and others been discovered?
No, there were only the three of them present at the time. Li Yu and Gao Qian would never betray them.

Or……

Is Zhu Rui reminding himself?
Damn!

Was Zhu Rui actually sent by Erzhu Rong to test him?
At this point.

Yuan Ziyou really finds it hard to trust others easily.

It's not just about the throne, it's about his life and fortune, how can we be careless?
........................

The third day of the eighth lunar month.

After a long and arduous journey, Gao Qian finally arrived at Pingcheng, the capital of Hengzhou, which was once the birthplace of the Great Wei Dynasty!

Despite the fact that the capital has been moved for a long time, Pingcheng still looks like a majestic and imposing city from afar.

He soon met Gao Huan and explained his purpose to him.

"Does the eldest son know which of the tribes in Hexi is the most powerful?"

After a moment's thought, Gao Huan said, "The Hedoulingbu tribe is the most powerful of all the tribes in Hexi."

After the Six Garrisons Rebellion, the various tribes of the Western Tiele had already undergone a major reshuffle. Those who were previously unknown quickly grew stronger to fill the power vacancies.

Gao Qian nodded.

"Does His Majesty intend to seek assistance from the Tiele tribes?"

"Exactly."

Gao Qian nodded. "Your Majesty's current situation is very bad. The Prime Minister is very powerful, so we must seek help from outside."

He had no intention of hiding it, ever since Gao Yu and Gao Huan went to Bohai to acknowledge their ancestors.

The Gao brothers are already tied to Bohai Gao.

Gao Zhongmi is now serving under Gao Yu, and many young men from the Bohai Gao clan have also gone to Qingzhou to serve Gao Yu.

He had no reason to hide anything from Gao Huan.

"If this matter is exposed, it will likely give others grounds for criticism..."

What should we do?

Gao Qian sighed.

Yuan Ziyou was at a disadvantage.

The disadvantaged party will bear risks no matter what decisions they make!

It's just that Zhu Rui's suggestion to Yuan Ziyou to seek help from the Western Tiele tribe was indeed feasible, and Yuan Ziyou was willing to take the risk.

Gao Huan nodded and said, "Someone, summon A-Liu-Dun."

Huli Jin was brought before Gao Qian. "This person is now Huli Jin, courtesy name Aludun. His ancestors were from the Huli tribe of the twelve tribes of the Tiele."

Gao Qian quickly bowed. He had done his research before coming. "Could he be a descendant of Meng Du Gong, who was famous for his bravery? I have heard of him before. There was a folk song in the north that goes, 'To find a good husband, one should look to Bei Hou Li.'"

Hulujin looked surprised.

Obviously, Gao Qian was quite surprised to learn that he knew so much about his ancestors.

Huli Jin's great-grandfather, Huli Beihouli, was known for his bravery and martial prowess beyond the Great Wall. Emperor Daowu of the Northern Wei Dynasty, Tuoba Gui, greatly admired him. Huli Beihouli led his people to join him, and Tuoba Gui bestowed upon him the title of Duke of Mengdu.

“It was our clan’s ancestor.”

"Truly worthy of being a descendant of brave warriors!"

After a round of mutual flattery...

Gao Huan then said, "Qian Yong has come on behalf of the Emperor and wishes to meet with the various tribes of the Hexi region. You, A Liudun, will take Qian Yong there."

"Here!"

Although the Huli tribe had submitted to the Great Wei, they were ultimately Tiele people.

They had connections with all the Tiele tribes.

After sending Gao Qian away.

Gao Huan came to the map, looked at the location of Hexi, then at the Shanxi region where Erzhu Rong was, and then looked at Hengzhou and the Rouran royal court, his eyes flashing with determination.

He hurried to the inner courtyard.

After dismissing the maids, he sought out Lou Zhaojun alone.

"Husband? Aren't you receiving..."

"Zhaojun, I have something to discuss with you."

Seeing Gao Huan's serious expression, Lou Zhaojun put down her needlework.

"Husband...what is it you need?"

Gao Huan gritted his teeth, went to his side, and whispered a few words in his ear.

"These past few days, I have pondered this matter repeatedly, and I believe that the celestial phenomena of that day were indeed a decree from Heaven!"

"Now that things have come to this, I'm willing to give it my all!"

Lou Zhaojun nodded, "On the day I was born, there were celestial phenomena, and my brother-in-law told my father that I would surely be extremely noble in the future!"

“The extraordinary signs that have appeared today are a sign from Heaven. My husband will surely be of immeasurable nobility in the future. Just go ahead and do it.”

"I, Ahui, will always support you from behind."

Gao Huan was deeply moved and pulled her into his arms.

"But... I'm sorry to trouble you."

"If my husband will one day rule the world, what does it matter if I suffer a moment of humiliation?"

"Zhaojun..."

If you get a wife like this, what more can a husband ask for?
On a whim, Gao Huan also indulged in debauchery during the day.

The next day.

Gao Huan set off from Pingcheng with dozens of his personal guards, determined to take a gamble!
(End of this chapter)