My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 354 Information Gap Asymmetry

After Gao Qian, Gao Ang, Wen Zisheng and others escaped from Luoyang with great difficulty, the group arrived at Mount Beiman.

Gao Qian turned around and gazed at the majestic and magnificent city of Luoyang.

The expressions on everyone's faces were very solemn; they were well aware of what was happening in Luoyang at that moment.

Gao Ang remained as carefree as ever, saying, "Your Majesty certainly has the bearing of an emperor."

"Ao Cao!"

Gao Qian glared at him fiercely, "Stop talking nonsense! Haven't you learned your lesson this time? If you hadn't been so reckless and impulsive..."

If there had been someone as brave and valiant as Gao Feng in the Mingguang Hall at that time, how could Yuan Ziyou have failed at the last moment and wasted all his previous efforts?

“Qian Yong, Er Zhu Rong, this traitor, came prepared, so why are you so harsh on Ao Cao?”

Wen Zisheng offered words of advice.

"His Majesty entrusted his edict and the imperial seal to us, hoping that we would raise an army to avenge him and punish the disloyal!"

"We must pull ourselves together, so as not to fail His Majesty's trust!"

"Moreover, although Erzhu Rong is a traitor, he should not be so cruel as to commit regicide, a crime deserving of divine punishment."

Wen Zisheng then suggested, "Why don't we head east to Qingzhou to find General Tian Ce... Right now, only General Tian Ce has the prestige to raise the banner of righteousness, call upon righteous men from all over the world, and raise an army to punish them!"

After a moment's thought, Gao Qian shook his head and said, "I'm afraid that's not appropriate..."

"We will pass through Hulao Pass on our way east, and even if we are going to Qingzhou, we will have to pass through Dongxuzhou. The governor of Dongxuzhou is Erzhu Dulu, and Erzhu Rong will definitely send someone to deliver the message as quickly as possible."

In ancient times, there were only a few roads that could be traveled, so it was very simple to block people by blocking a few major transportation routes.

The option of taking the mountain road is not available.

"Go to the ferry quickly and cross the Yellow River. Let's get across the Yellow River first."

Once they reached the north bank of the Yellow River, they had more routes to choose from. Most importantly, there were many prominent Han Chinese families in Hebei, and Gao Qian and Wen Zisheng were quite famous, especially Wen Zisheng.

That was the most famous of the "Three Talents of the North," and one could seek help from a Han Chinese aristocratic family, detour to Jizhou, and then head south to Qingzhou to meet Gao Yu.

They dared not cross the river bridge at all, as the other side of the bridge was Beizhong City, a military stronghold heavily guarded by Erzhu Rong.

They could only cross the Yellow River by boat at the ferry crossing.

After successfully arriving at the north bank of the Yellow River.

Gao Qian also had further plans, "Let's go! We'll head to Dingzhou first!"

"Dingzhou?"

Wen Zisheng was shocked. "Dingzhou has been managed by Erzhu Shilong for the past few years."

"Have you forgotten? Erzhu Shilong is in Luoyang. Sima Ziru is an old friend of Gao Huan, the governor of Hengzhou. Gao Huan is also a righteous man willing to serve His Majesty. He stated in his letter that... Sima Ziru and Hou Jing are both trustworthy people!"

Upon hearing Gao Qian say this,
Wen Zisheng couldn't find any fault with it either.

In their eyes, Gao Huan was indeed trustworthy. After all, Gao Huan had helped Gao Qian when he went to the Hexi region to contact the various tribes of the Tiele. Gao Huan had also personally expressed his loyalty to Yuan Ziyou. According to the original plan, Gao Huan was to lead Hedouling Bufan and others to cause trouble in Hengzhou and Shuozhou and invade the Erzhu clan's stronghold, Xiurongchuan.

Thus.

Even though Erzhu Rong died in the Luoyang palace, the Erzhu clan could not immediately besiege Luoyang.

"Is it possible that Gao Huan and the others are already acting according to plan at this moment?"

"In that case, it's not a problem. If we can divert Erzhu Rong's attention to Hengzhou, it will indirectly help General Tian Ce. General Tian Ce can then take advantage of the situation to send troops."

"We are not good at military affairs, so let's send out the message first and take His Majesty's edict and the imperial seal with us."

The group traveled day and night, fearing pursuers from behind, and dared not linger. They soon arrived in Xiangzhou and outside Yecheng. Gao Qian entrusted the imperial edict and the imperial seal to Wen Zisheng, and entered the city alone with two attendants.

When Sima Ziru heard that an old friend from Luoyang was requesting an audience, he dared not be careless.

He hurriedly came out and met Gao Qian.

"Brother Ganyong?"

"Brother Ziru."

After exchanging pleasantries, Gao Qian cautiously looked around. Sima Ziru immediately understood, waving his hand to dismiss the others, leaving only the two of them. "Brother Ziru! Something terrible has happened in Luoyang!!"

"What's the matter?"

"That traitor Erzhu Rong led his troops into the city, intending to forcibly force His Majesty and his officials to relocate the capital! This is an act of disloyalty!"

"what?"

Sima Ziru's eyes widened in disbelief.

Just as the two were discussing, a servant suddenly came to report, "Master! Master!"

"What's the matter?"

“The governor’s trusted confidant came to deliver a message.”

Sima Ziru remained calm and said, "Brother Qianyong, you should hide for now."

Gao Qian hid in the shadows, while Sima Ziru went out and met with Erzhu Shilong's confidant, who simply delivered a letter.

Sima Ziru opened the letter and read it, and was completely dumbfounded and shocked!
Because in the letter.

Erzhu Shilong had already stated that the emperor was dead. Erzhu Shilong sent the message to him, instructing him to mobilize troops and guard the crossroads to see if he could stop Gao Qian and his men, because Erzhu Rong suspected that Yuan Ziyou had left behind an edict and the imperial seal, which had been taken out of Luoyang.

"You may leave now, I'll go and prepare."

After sending the person away.

Sima Ziru did not rush back to see Gao Qian, but instead pieced together the information she had obtained. Erzhu Rong's guess was probably correct.

Gao Qian and Wen Zisheng were Yuan Ziyou's trusted confidants and close advisors, and they had been accompanying Yuan Ziyou in the palace for many years. How could they possibly run out of Luoyang at this sensitive time if it wasn't something extremely important?
"That is to say..."

"Is Gao Qian carrying His Majesty's edict and imperial seal?"

"Judging by the time, He Liuhun should be on his way to Dingzhou..."

He immediately summoned a trusted aide, whispered a few words in his ear, and then turned and returned to the inner courtyard.

To dispel Gao Qian's doubts, Sima Ziru said, "It was Erzhu Shilong who sent people here, ordering me to dispatch soldiers to capture you at various strategic points."

Gao Qian was greatly alarmed, "What should we do?"

Sima Ziru advised, "It is not convenient for you to show yourselves in public right now. He Liuhun has already sent someone to deliver a message saying that he is in Dingzhou. I can send someone to escort you to Dingzhou first, and then He Liuhun will send someone to take you to Shandong to meet General Tian Ce!"

"This is the most appropriate approach!"

"how about you?"

"I need to stay in Ye City and wait for He Liuhun's army to arrive so that I can coordinate with them from within."

"He is truly a man of loyalty and righteousness."

Gao Qian bowed deeply and then thanked him, saying, "Then I will trouble you, Ziru."

"It's all for His Majesty."

Sima Ziru immediately ordered his servants to prepare a carriage, and Gao Qian hid inside it as they arrived outside the city.

He also successfully met Gao Ang, Wen Zisheng, and others.

This further confirms his conjecture!

"You can rest assured and head north. I will have my servants carry my seal, and no one will dare to stop you."

I watched the group leave.

Sima Ziru looked north and murmured, "He Liuhun, I have given you a great gift."

This is a wonderful gift.

Only someone as audacious as Gao Huan could afford to enjoy it.

Sima Ziru knew very well that he did not have the ability to be the leader of a force, so he would make more contributions and strive to be in a high position in a force. This way, he would not have to risk losing his head and would still get benefits. It would just mean that he would have to be subordinate to others.

What's wrong with being subservient to others?

(End of this chapter)