My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 404 The Women of the Wang and Xie Families

After seeing Yu Xin off.

Xiao Gang immediately took out paper and pen, wrote a letter by hand, and asked his servant to deliver it to the Wang and Xie families under the cover of night.

Since the Jin Dynasty's "migrants and officials migrated south".

The Wang and Xie families thus became the two most prominent families in the Southern Dynasties.

Despite the numerous emperors of the Southern Dynasties, the influence of these two families within the Southern Dynasties remained unaffected.

Historical records state that when Hou Jing surrendered to the south, he wrote to Emperor Wu of Han (Xiao Yan), explicitly stating that he wanted to marry women from the Wang and Xie families. Emperor Wu of Han refused, saying that the women from the Wang and Xie families were of too high a status and that the matter was not open to discussion. In the end, a princess was arranged to marry Hou Jing.

It can be seen that...

Just how prominent were the Wang and Xie families?

However, the Wang and Xie families are not having an easy time right now.

Because of their excessive prominence, which even threatened the imperial power at one point, every emperor of the Southern Dynasties regarded them as a thorn in their side and tried every means to suppress them.

Xiao Yan was the most outstanding among them.

Xiao Yan ultimately reigned as emperor for decades, and his personal prestige and control over the court reached their zenith.

Furthermore, Xiao Yan devised many other methods.

For example, in the 'beta' version of the imperial examination, people from humble backgrounds were given important positions and a large number of them were employed in order to counter the powerful families.

Besides.

Besides the nobility who migrated south, the rise of local powerful families like the Shen and Qian clans in Wuxing and other places also continuously squeezed the living space of prominent families like the Wang and Xie clans.

The old emperor's suppression and the pressure from the new powerful families.

The Wang and Xie families also lacked a certain sense of security.

During this period, Xiao Gang set his sights on the Wang and Xie families, wanting to become their political allies.

After hearing Yu Xin's words, his first thought was also of the Wang and Xie families. If Gao Yu could be used as a link to bind them more closely, it would definitely be a good thing for Xiao Gang.

"I suppose... the Wang and Xie families won't refuse, will they?"

"Indeed, who should be chosen to marry Gao Yu?"

Xiao Gang immediately thought of his daughter, who was of marriageable age. If he were to send her to marry Gao Yu, it would be a good idea.

Wouldn't I become Gao Yu's father-in-law?
I heard that Gao Yu is not yet thirty, and is about the same age as me...

This is not an important matter.

Political marriages don't take into account age or seniority.

………………

Two more days passed.

Xiao Gang received replies from the Wang and Xie families, who were willing to speak on his behalf at the court assembly and also to form a marriage alliance with Gao Yu.

A woman from a prominent family.

They are born into a life of luxury, but this comes at a price.

Everything is done in the interest of the family.

There was no such thing as free marriage; the marriages of women from aristocratic families depended solely on the interests of their families.

For the Wang and Xie families...

Sending one or two eligible women from the clan to the north to 'invest' in Gao Yu would be a sure-fire way to make money.

If Gao Yu succeeds, the Wang and Xie families can become in-laws through the women in their clans, and may even be able to return to their ancestral homeland in the north.

If we lose.

Gao Yu is also a renowned "contemporary overlord" who is famous throughout the world. If such a talented person were in Nantou, he could become their ally.

After receiving an accurate answer.

Xiao Gang then decided to take the final step. He took a large sum of money and went to meet someone.

That was Zhu Yi, the most favored person beside Xiao Pusa.

Xiao Pusa and Zhu Yi were similar to Qianlong and Heshen.

of course……

Zhu Yi's personal abilities were not as strong as Heshen's. This guy was completely clueless about political affairs, but he was very good at understanding Xiao Pusa's thoughts. Moreover, he was very knowledgeable and well-versed in Go, classics, history, poetry, and so on.

Aside from not being good at doing anything productive, he can do everything else.

"Greetings, Your Highness." Zhu Yi said politely, but in reality he was quite dismissive.

As a favored minister of Emperor Xiao Yan, he had the confidence to disregard Xiao Gang, the new crown prince.

Moreover, as a favorite minister of the old emperor, he dared not get too close to the crown prince.

Isn't that just asking to die sooner?
Trying to please both sides?

"You're too kind, Your Excellency."

Xiao Gang felt extremely aggrieved, but he still had to put on a smiling face and said, "I have come here today to entrust you with an important matter."

After Xiao Gang explained his intentions...

Zhu Yi did not rush to reply. Instead, after Xiao Gang presented the precious money and jewelry, Zhu Yi smiled and said, "Please rest assured, Your Highness, I will convey this to His Majesty."

Only after reaching this point did Xiao Gang feel slightly relieved.

If he takes the initiative to bring it up, and the Wang and Xie families, along with Zhu Yi, a favorite of Xiao Yan, work together to push this matter forward, there shouldn't be too much resistance.

…………

"Zishan, how is this matter?"

"The Crown Prince has already sent a messenger to inform me to meet His Majesty before the court assembly tomorrow."

Yu Jianwu nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

That's one good thing about Xiao Pusa.

If it were any other emperor...

It's hard to say why Yu Xin, who was defeated and captured, eventually joined another's faction, would dare to come to see someone as an envoy.

The name of Bodhisattva is not given lightly.

After making preparations, Yu Xin followed Yu Jianwu back into the Jiankang Palace the following day.

Tai Chi Hall.

"Greetings to Your Majesty!"

Yu Xin immediately bowed and paid his respects.

"Get up."

Xiao Yan sized him up. He had met Yu Xin years ago and knew that Yu Xin was a famous young hero in Jiankang City.

Unexpectedly, after following Chen Qingzhi on the Northern Expedition, he eventually joined Gao Yu's tutelage.

"You've come as an envoy of the Tiance Prefecture, is there something you need?"

"Your Majesty, I have come here to ask for your help in securing a marriage for my general!"

Zhu Yi had already informed Xiao Yan.

The most important quality of a qualified favorite minister is to be completely open with the emperor, proactively telling him his 'shortcomings' so that the emperor can always find fault with him.

"General Tian Ce is renowned throughout China for his bravery. It would be a wonderful thing if such a talented person wanted to form a marriage alliance with our royal family."

Xiao Yan did not refuse.

Instead, he readily agreed, which was somewhat unexpected for Yu Xin. He had thought he would be given a hard time, rendering his prepared arguments useless.

Yu Xin then spoke again.

"Since Your Majesty is willing to form a marriage alliance with my general, I request Your Majesty to lend my general a hand by stationing troops in Jingzhou. There is no need to march north; simply restraining the forces in Yuzhou will suffice. Once my general has pacified Hebei, he will surely repay you handsomely!"

They amassed troops in Jingzhou.

It could not only attract troops from Yuzhou, but also shake Luoyang and make everyone in Sizhou feel insecure.

Xiao Yan doesn't need to actually send troops; he only needs to show an 'intention' to do so.

When the news reached Erzhu Rong's ears, he would surely send troops to guard the area.

Don’t be afraid of ten thousand, just be afraid of what happens.

just in case……

The Southern Dynasty's troops really marched north and ambushed him from behind.

Erzhu Rong would absolutely not tolerate anything happening in Luoyang.

If something happens in Luoyang, it will be a huge blow to his personal prestige, and his troops will become increasingly difficult to lead.

(End of this chapter)