My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 447 Crazy Self-Destruction
"Is this what it feels like to have absolute power?"

"Is this what it's like to be a powerful minister?"

After Wang Sizheng left, Gao Yu stood in the hall and couldn't help but sigh.

All affairs of the world are in his hands; he alone can make decisions on everything.

Power can indeed be addictive, and one always wants to take the power in their hands to the next level. Right now, he still has to take care of the emperor's feelings on the surface and maintain his image as a "loyal minister of the Great Wei". What if he were to take the next level and really become the emperor, ruling the people on behalf of the emperor, the supreme ruler, whose word is law?
Gao Yu shook his head violently.

"No wonder... the prince said that greed blinds the mind. He was probably blinded by power and then couldn't stop himself."

It's no wonder that emperors throughout history have been extremely wary of powerful ministers.

Having tasted the power in one's hands, one understands all too well how alluring power can be to others.

Even trusted confidants of decades cannot be trusted in the face of power, especially imperial power.

"I hope this will make His Majesty behave himself and have a dignified end. If he continues to push me, I don't care about my reputation after death."

For now, they are only using displays of bravery and changing the era name to intimidate others.

He's still giving Yuan Xiu a chance; if he doesn't cherish it, then he can't blame himself.

After all, petty people fear power but not virtue, while virtuous people fear virtue but not power.

………………

the other side.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, if you continue to be so stubborn, disaster will surely follow."

Wang Sizheng could clearly sense the change in Gao Yu's attitude.

He knew very well why Gao Yu was acting this way.

Firstly, Yuan Xiu was indeed too outrageous, unable to see the situation clearly, and still tried to provoke Gao Yu repeatedly.

Secondly, it's likely that the people from the Tian Ce Mansion put 'pressure' on Gao Yu. As the lord of a region, Gao Yu also had to consider the thoughts of his subordinates.

He left Jin Fengtai and hurriedly rode his horse to Tongquetai.

Inside the Bronze Sparrow Terrace.

"Your Majesty, you haven't eaten all day. Please have something to eat."

Yuan Mingyue had various delicacies brought in and placed on the table.

Yuan Xiu, looking lost and bewildered, stared at her blankly for a moment, then looked down at the fine wine and meat on the wooden tray.

His expression suddenly changed drastically, and he roared like a madman, "Where's the cheese? Where's the flatbread? Is this all you're giving me to eat?!"

The maids were so frightened that they knelt on the ground, not daring to utter a sound, and answered tremblingly, "The Imperial Kitchen only prepared this much..."

The Taiguan was an official under the Guanglu Xun, in charge of the palace's food and drink.

White rice porridge, beef and mutton, and rare wines—this meal was extremely luxurious. Rice was very precious, and even ordinary wealthy families might not be able to afford it.

Everyone knew that Yuan Xiu was just looking for an excuse to vent his pent-up resentment.

"You may all step back."

Yuan Mingyue waved her hand, then looked at Yuan Xiu, "Your Majesty, why bother getting angry with them? You are the Son of Heaven, of noble status, a person of great wealth and nobility. Such food is a rare treat..."

"Enough! Shut up!!"

Yuan Xiu paced back and forth in the hall like a trapped beast, his face growing increasingly angry, flushed with an unnatural redness. He glared angrily at Yuan Mingyue and questioned, "Did you speak well of Gao Yu because you saw that I had lost face and power today, trying to curry favor with him?"

"Don't forget, I am the Emperor of Great Wei!!"

Yuan Mingyue looked gloomy, her face full of pain, and tears were already welling up in her eyes.

She learned that Yuan Xiu had lost face in front of everyone and had not eaten or drunk anything. Worried about him, she came to persuade him to eat, but Yuan Xiu humiliated her in this way.

Yuan Xiu, however, was already in a frenzy. He grabbed Yuan Mingyue's arm tightly, completely disregarding the pain and struggle on Yuan Mingyue's face.

"You slut! Did you see that pretty boy's good looks and want to sleep with him?"

"Forget about it! You belong to me! You belong to me!!"

"Get out! I don't want to see you right now!"

He shoved Yuan Mingyue away, and she stumbled a few steps before falling to the ground. Red finger marks were left on her fair arm. She glared at Yuan Xiu with grief and indignation, gritted her teeth, stood up, and turned to leave.

When she reached the entrance of the palace, she couldn't hold back her grievances and burst into tears.

Wang Sizheng happened to arrive and stumbled upon this scene. He didn't know what had happened, but he still bowed and said, "Greetings, Princess."

Yuan Mingyue ignored him.

Only after Yuan Mingyue left did Wang Sizheng enter the hall.

"Your subject, Wang Sizheng, pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

"minister??"

Yuan Xiu turned around and saw it was him, and couldn't help but sneer, "Whose minister are you?"

"Of course I am a subject of the Great Wei. Your Majesty is the Emperor of the Great Wei, and I am Your Majesty's subject!"

Wang Sizheng said loudly.

"Hahahaha!"

Yuan Xiu laughed maniacally, pointing at Wang Sizheng and lunging forward. "Well done! What a fine minister of Wei! Is this your way of being a minister? Helping treacherous officials to humiliate the emperor!!"

"Your Majesty! The traitor and villain was Erzhu Rong, who has just been driven away. There are no villains in Ye City at the moment. All those in Ye City are loyal ministers of the Great Wei!"

"Good good."

Yuan Xiu laughed angrily, "Speak, what brings you here at this hour?"

Wang Sizheng bowed and said, “Your Majesty, after discussing with the others, General Tian Ce believes that the people of Hebei have suffered greatly from the war in the past few years. Now that our army has defeated the rebel Erzhu Rong and recaptured Ye City, Your Majesty can take this opportunity to change the era name, grant a general amnesty, appease the people, and let them feel Your Majesty’s benevolent rule…”

Yuan Xiu looked at him coldly.

Clearly, they didn't believe Gao Yu would give them such a good opportunity.

But he still asked, "Oh? What era name will it be changed to?"

Wang Sizheng hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "After discussing with everyone, the general proposed... that His Majesty change the era name to 'Jian'an'."

"Jian'an..."

Yuan Xiu didn't react at first, but his face quickly turned extremely ugly. He gritted his teeth, as if suppressing a huge rage, and asked, "Say that again?"

"Jian'an".

"Okay, okay, okay."

Yuan Xiu was furious. "Gao Yu has stopped pretending altogether, hasn't he? Jian'an, is he trying to make me emulate Emperor Xian of Han? Does he want to be Cao Cao? Or Cao Pi?!"

"Your Majesty, it is merely a change of reign title; the general is a loyal subject of the Great Wei."

"enough!"

Yuan Xiu turned around angrily and went to the table, grabbing the Imperial Seal of the State from it. "I'm handing this seal over to you all. You can issue whatever edicts you want. Why bother asking me?"

"His Majesty!!"

Wang Sizheng immediately knelt down and earnestly advised, "Your Majesty, why get angry at this time? Can't you see the situation clearly?"

"Isn't living a peaceful and stable life better than anything else?"

"Your Majesty, I hope you will not make a mistake. If that day comes, it will be too late to regret it."

"Everyone knows that when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. Your Majesty... you are so intelligent, why don't you understand such a simple truth?"

After Yuan Xiu's expression changed several times, he said, "I understand. I will issue the decree according to the results of your discussion."

"His Majesty?"

Wang Sizheng looked up with delight. Could it be that Yuan Xiu had suddenly become enlightened?
But then I thought about it again, and it didn't matter.

As long as Yuan Xiu doesn't continue to court disaster, everything will be fine.

He immediately got up and went to find someone.

Watch him leave.

Yuan Xiu's eyes immediately turned cold.

"Damn it, none of these people can be trusted..."

"It seems... we need to find a way to get to Gao Huan and those around him. If we could find a way to control the army..."

PS: The plot you've been waiting for will be here soon.

(End of this chapter)