My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 490 The Struggle Between Noble Families

Chapter 490 The Struggle Between Noble Families
Between being human and not being human, Gao Yu chose to take the human-like route.

The two sisters, Li Zuyi and Li Zue, were as tender as flower buds about to bloom, and Gao Yu ultimately couldn't bring himself to do it, still retaining some of his rationality.

However, it also taught them a lot. The two sisters were very clear that their future fates were bound to Gao Yu.

The prosperity of the family and whether an individual can live a peaceful life depend entirely on Gao Yu's decision.

Although they were young, they were very clear-headed. They did whatever Gao Yu said without much resistance.

Throughout the northern border region, since the War of the Eight Princes in the Western Jin Dynasty, the Hu people have launched a large-scale invasion of the Central Plains and established various regimes. This has been going on for over a century. In this long process, they have influenced each other and inevitably adopted some of each other's habits.

The Tang Dynasty provides a clearer picture.

The laws and social atmosphere of the Tang Dynasty were actually inherited from the Northern and Southern Dynasties, and were carried on in a continuous line.

The overall social atmosphere in the Tang Dynasty was relatively open, especially between men and women. Women were not the stereotypical young ladies of noble families who never left their homes and were confined to their courtyards from a young age, as modern people often imagine.

It's not that women have a high status; they are still dependent on men. It's just that the overall social atmosphere isn't as dogmatic.

Women simply have more freedom.

Wake up from sleep.

Gao Yu felt refreshed, but his arms were a little sore.

Look down.

The two sisters turned to their sides, one on each side, and lay on their sides with one leg draped over their bodies, as if they were using themselves as pillows.
Gao Yu's movement of getting up naturally woke up the two women.

Still half asleep, Li Zu'e seemed unaware of her current situation. She rubbed her sleepy eyes, wanting to continue sleeping, but Li Zuyi slapped her.

Snapped.

The crisp sound made Li Zu'e sit up reflexively.

"Zu'e, are you still sleeping? It's time to help the Prime Minister change his clothes."

The older sister seems to be more mature and composed?
Gao Yu had already stood up first, turned around to look at the two women, and suddenly leaned close to Li Zu'e, "You are Zu'e, I haven't mistaken you, have I?"

Li Zu'e nodded obediently.

Gao Yu reached out and touched her slightly 'red and swollen' lips with his fingers, and felt a moment of remorse.

Two blushes appeared on Li Zu'e's tender face. The embarrassing scene resurfaced in her mind. She lowered her head slightly, but her eyes glanced upwards, giving people a very contrasting sense of charm.

No wonder Li Xizong wanted to give his daughter to him.

Even if such a beautiful woman were to marry someone of average power, she could still bring misfortune upon herself.

"There's no need for you two to serve me. Continue to rest and recharge. The journey ahead is long, and I won't linger in Fanyang for too long. I need to get back to Yecheng as soon as possible."

"Thank you for your compassion, Prime Minister."

Li Zuyi had a sweet tongue. Seeing that his younger sister was so clueless, he secretly touched her arm, and Li Zue finally spoke up blankly, "Thank you, Prime Minister."

Gao Yu clapped his hands, and soon footsteps sounded outside the door. Several maids came in, helped him wash up and change his clothes, and then he left first.

Li Zuyi then lay back down on the bed. The two sisters looked at each other, both drawn to her slightly swollen lips.

Then, with a soft "pfft".

"The Prime Minister is such a good man, unlike ordinary military men."

"What military man could possess such a handsome and intelligent appearance as the Prime Minister?"

"Father, Mother, don't worry. A good man like the Prime Minister will certainly not mistreat us. But... why doesn't the Prime Minister touch us?"

Yes.

Why not touch it?

Gao Yu probably still wants to act like a human being for the time being.

"You shameless older sister."

"Hmph, last night I saw you making all sorts of noises, you're the one who's shameless!"

"Sister!"

………………

Inside Ye City.

"This year, all prefectures, counties, and districts have spent a lot of manpower organizing spring planting and reclaiming a large amount of wasteland..."

Gao Huan listened to work reports from his subordinates inside the Ministry of Personnel.

Hebei.

These past few years have been incredibly tumultuous.

After all, it has always been the main battlefield for high-intensity warfare.

With Xianyu Xiuli, Ge Rong, Du Luozhou, and others constantly causing trouble, the refugee army would dig three feet into the ground to steal food when they were short of food. They would not consider the long term when things were unstable, and they would focus on immediate interests and hold out for as long as possible.

After Ge Rong was quelled, things finally calmed down for a while.

Gao Huan and Erzhu Rong started fighting again here.

Large areas of farmland in Hebei Province are abandoned, and many water conservancy facilities have been destroyed. Reclaiming arable land and repairing water conservancy facilities both require manpower and time.

Good thing...

Hebei is indeed a land of abundant resources.

In places like this, as long as one can live peacefully and recuperate for two or three years, the land can quickly recover to its former state.

"Have more people from each prefecture and county keep an eye on things. The Minister of Works has ordered the blacksmiths to forge a new batch of iron farm tools; distribute them as needed," Gao Huan instructed.

Only he and Yang Yin remained in the Ministry of Personnel.

Yang Yin was the Minister of Revenue, the person in charge of the purse strings.

"Zunyan, is there anything else?"

"Reporting to the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat."

"Hey, there are no outsiders here, why be so formal?"

"I am fortunate to have been promoted by the Prime Minister and have risen to a high position at such a young age. I should set an example and not let personal matters interfere with public duty."

Gao Huan didn't know what to say, so he asked, "What is it?"

Yang Yin bowed slightly and said, "The Left and Right Ministers, a few days ago at the court assembly, proposed that since the Emperor is currently residing in Ye City, Ye City should be expanded and the old palace repaired..."

"This matter need not be addressed; a decision will be made after the Prime Minister returns."

Gao Huan sighed softly, "The traitors have not been eliminated, yet they have started again."

"It has always been this way; there's no way to avoid it."

Yang Yin shook his head.

The city of Ye was expanded and the old palace was repaired.

In reality, the powerful families of Hebei wanted Gao Yu to establish his capital in Ye City, making Ye City the center of power and thus restoring Ye City and Hebei to the status of political centers.

This will inevitably provoke dissatisfaction from the powerful families of Shandong.

The foundations of Shandong families are all in Shandong. Even if they are prominent and hold high positions now, it is impossible for them to move their families to Hebei.

A strong dragon will not overwhelm a local snake.

The influence of the Hebei aristocratic families in the local area, the prestige they have cultivated over a century, cannot be erased by one or two high-ranking central officials.

Who doesn't know that the closer one is to the center of power, the greater the political privileges they enjoy?

Even the turtles in the Yongding River are much more valuable than officials from other places.

As Shandong is Gao Yu's birthplace and the base of the Tian Ce Mansion, the Hebei aristocratic families can only compete with them for political influence through such a strategy.

In political opportunism, falling behind even one step means falling behind forever.

It's like sending women to Gao Yu's side.

How can someone who comes later compare to someone who came before?

In essence, the Hebei aristocratic families have begun to vie for the right to speak with the Shandong aristocratic families.

The Left and Right Ministers were Sima Ziru and Feng Longzhi, respectively.

Let's not talk about Sima Ziru. He was initially in Huai Shuo, but later he followed Erzhu Shilong to serve as the governor of Xiangzhou. He was very close to the powerful families in Hebei, especially the powerful families and clans around Ye City.

Feng Longzhi was also from Hebei. Since the two of them held high positions, they were naturally chosen to be the ones in charge.

Cui Xian and Cui Jishu did not get involved.

They followed Gao Yu to Shandong a long time ago, but whether it was the Cui family of Boling or the Cui family of Qinghe, their clans were all in Hebei. Ultimately, they represented the interests of the aristocratic families of Hebei.

"No one can make this decision; only the Prime Minister can make the final decision."

Gao Huan said frankly, "Let the Prime Minister decide for himself."

Yang Yin shook his head. "The Prime Minister must have his reasons. The northern grasslands have been pacified and the border is secure. We can regroup next year and then advance westward. We cannot give the traitor Erzhu Rong too much breathing room."

Gao Huan nodded, looked at Yang Yin, and smiled, "Judging by the time, the Prime Minister will soon return to Ye City. The wedding preparations for Ahui and the princess are complete, and next up will be your wedding with Aying."

Speaking of Gao Ying.

Yang Yin's expression became slightly unnatural.

How could Gao Huan not know his daughter's character?
He couldn't help but laugh and said, "That's just how Aying is. She was spoiled by her uncle when she was little. Zunyan, please forgive her."

Yang Yin sighed, "With such a virtuous wife, what more could a husband ask for..."

"A virtuous...wife?"

Gao Huan looked strange, barely managing to suppress a laugh.

But it’s understandable.

The two were not yet married, but Gao Ying had already secretly visited Yang Yin's home and met him many times.

Gao Huan had heard about it to some extent.

"I will trouble Zunyan to take good care of me from now on."

"This is what I should do."

The more Gao Huan thought about it, the more he felt that the marriage arranged by Gao Yu was actually quite good.

Gao Ying is indeed a bit feisty.

If someone has a bad temper, they might not be able to tolerate it.

Only Yang Yin was magnanimous enough to tolerate it.