My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 402 The Princess of the Southern Dynasty?

The Southern Dynasties, Jiankang.

After many years, Yu Xin finally returned to this 'homeland'.

The last time they experienced war was decades ago, when Xiao Yan led his troops to conquer Jiankang and seize the throne from Xiao Baojuan.

This city has been peaceful for a long time.

"Such extravagance! If the general were to bring a large army, who could possibly resist?"

Yu Xin's expression was quite complicated.

He had served under Gao Yu for several years and knew very well how brave Gao Yu's soldiers were.

The reason he made such a remark was that he had come riding a tall northern warhorse, but was stopped outside the city.

Many civilians stopped to watch as if they had never seen warhorses before, while the city guards ordered them to dismount and enter the city on the grounds that riding a large horse was indecent, and the horses were not allowed to enter the city.

It's unclear how long this city's decadent lifestyle will last.

It's no wonder that the Southern Dynasties never had the motivation to launch a northern expedition.

What's the point of fighting and killing if you can't enjoy life?

Xiao Yan was indeed a kind and honest person.

Many people were taken prisoner during that Northern Expedition, but Chen Qingzhi was the only one who escaped. Despite such a serious crime, Xiao Yan took Chen Qingzhi to Tongtai Temple and spent time there burning incense and chanting Buddhist prayers. After a period of time, Xiao Yan reinstated Chen Qingzhi to his original position.

The families of Lanchin and others were not harassed.

Even as early as last year, Gao Yu had arranged for someone to pick up Lan Qin's family.

Yu Xin's father, Yu Jianwu, was an official in the court, but he was not affected in any way and received no symbolic punishment whatsoever.

Too……

Rebellion, a crime punishable by death with the extermination of nine generations of one's family in any dynasty, was forgiven by Xiao Yan. So what was unforgivable about a mere defeat in battle?
They arrived at their own residence.

When the servant saw Yu Xin, he was stunned for a long time before rushing back to deliver the message.

Not a moment.

Yu Jianwu then rushed out in a hurry!
Yu Xin had sent a letter through Liu Taozhi long ago to let her know he was safe, but the father and son were never able to meet.

This was the first time the father and son had met since Yu Xin followed Chen Qingzhi on his northern expedition.

"Father!"

"Zishan!"

Both father and son wept with joy.

After some polite conversation and catching up, Yu Jianwu dismissed his attendants and inquired about Yu Xin's purpose in coming. "Zishan, you clearly stated in your letter that you were determined to serve the Northern Dynasty's General of the Heavenly Strategy. Why have you come to Jiankang this time?"

“Father, I have come here as an envoy of the Tian Ce Mansion. I ask that you help me to meet His Majesty.”

"Could it be..."

Yu Jianwu immediately understood, "You've come about the Northern Expedition?"

"Yes! I wish to arrange a marriage for my general. His Majesty has many princesses, and if there is a princess of suitable age who is still unmarried..."

As an official in the court, Yu Jianwu naturally received some rumors.

Chen Qingzhi left Jiankang once again and headed to the border with the Northern Dynasty, that is, the Jianghuai line, where his army was also gathering.

There was indeed an idea of ​​launching another 'Northern Expedition'.

"How can I help you with this?"

"Father, please introduce me to him."

Yu Jianwu stood up silently. He paced back and forth, pondering for a long time before gritting his teeth and saying, "It would be inappropriate for you to go directly to His Majesty to discuss this matter."

"What are your thoughts, Father?"

Although the father and son now serve two different masters, one in the north and the other in the south.

But he is still his own son.

and……

If Yu Xin, as an envoy, can successfully negotiate this marriage and resolve the crisis in Xuzhou, it will be a great achievement, and he will certainly be given further important responsibilities by Gao Yu in the future.

The Yu family also migrated south during the Cultural Revolution. If Yu Xin could establish his family in the north, it would be as if the descendants of the Yu family had returned to their homeland. Naturally, he would do his utmost to help.

"Regarding this matter... you'd better go and meet the new crown prince first."

"The new crown prince?"

Yu Xin was somewhat bewildered, not knowing what had happened. "Your Majesty deposed the Crown Prince? Wasn't the Crown Prince known for his virtue?"

Yu Jianwu sighed and briefly recounted what had happened.

The previous crown prince was Xiao Tong. After his mother's death, his trusted eunuch, Yu Sanfu, accepted bribes during the selection of the burial site and replaced the crown prince's chosen burial site with another one. A Taoist priest claimed that the site was unfavorable to the eldest son and suggested burying wax geese and other items to perform witchcraft to ward off the disaster.

This matter was reported to Xiao Yan by Xiao Tong's trusted eunuch.

Emperor Xiao Yan was furious!
In recent years, Xiao Yan has been devoted to Buddhism and naturally believed in these superstitious beliefs. The act of praying with wax geese was misinterpreted as Xiao Tong cursing him to die, because if the old emperor didn't die, how could he, the crown prince, ascend the throne?

main……

Xiao Yan was indeed incredibly long-lived.

Now nearly seventy years old, he is still so healthy and vigorous, chanting scriptures and reciting Buddhist mantras every day. He is a spirited old man and shows no signs of dying.

Although Emperor Wu of Han did not force Xiao Tong to his death like Emperor Wu of Han did during the "Witchcraft Persecution," Emperor Xiao Yan did not do so.

However, he was ordered to stay in his residence and reflect on his mistakes, and Xiao Tong eventually died in depression.

this kind of thing.

to be honest.

It refers to the conflict between the emperor and the crown prince.

The emperor and the crown prince were not simply father and son.

The emperor is the current emperor, and the crown prince is the future emperor; both are surrounded by a group of people.

The emperor will naturally be suspicious of the crown prince. After all, the person who holds power enjoys the supreme authority of the emperor and is naturally reluctant to relinquish it.

As the person closest to imperial power, the crown prince is constantly tempted by it, and those around him will do everything they can to push him forward, after all... it's a merit to follow the emperor.

can only say.

The emperor and the crown prince are naturally suspicious of each other.

"This……"

"Then who is the current crown prince?"

Yu Xin was momentarily stunned.

He never imagined that such a major political upheaval would occur in the Jiankang court in just a few years since he left.

No wonder...

His father's official rank had been demoted rather than promoted over the years.

As a close advisor and confidant of the former crown prince, it was already the best outcome that he was not implicated or affected. He still wanted to be promoted.
"He is the younger brother of the former crown prince."

"Xiao Gang?"

"Correct."

Xiao Tong and Xiao Gang were both born to Lady Ding.

With Xiao Tong dead, it seems logical for Xiao Gang to take his place.

But he soon realized something was wrong and immediately understood why Yu Jianwu wanted him to go directly to Xiao Gang.

Xiao Gang's birth mother, Consort Ding, was Xiao Yan's most favored concubine, and she gave birth to several sons for him.

Xiao Tong died, and Xiao Gang, by sheer luck, became the crown prince.

that……

What if Xiao Gang were 'dead'?
Xiao Gang must be under a lot of pressure right now. He needs to seek external help to consolidate his position as crown prince in order to fight against his 'good younger brothers'.

To avoid any accidents happening to myself.

"Father's insight is indeed profound!"

"The Crown Prince is currently in a terrible predicament. If you go and explain the situation, he will surely help you to make this marriage happen."

(End of this chapter)