My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 537 Striving to be a Guide for the Collaborators!
"Damn it, it's not time for my shift yet, Grandpa's freezing to death."

"Just hang in there a little longer, and we'll be able to go back and rest soon."

The howling north wind felt like a knife cutting into my face, especially at night when the sensation was even more pronounced.

On the city wall of Dongyang Gate in Luoyang, two soldiers on duty were talking in hushed tones, complaining and venting their dissatisfaction.

It's so cold.

Who wouldn't want to sleep in a warm house, cuddling with their woman?

Just as the two were anxiously waiting for the soldiers to come and relieve them, they suddenly heard the rapid sound of horses' hooves!

It was such a cold day, and so late at night. Loud noises were forbidden on the city walls, and the area outside the city was pitch black, with only the moonlight from the sky able to dispel some of the darkness.

The sudden noise jolted the two men into a state of heightened tension.

He quickly got up and looked warily towards the outside of the city.

There is a war going on in the area north of the Yellow River, in the Hanoi Commandery. Everyone in Luoyang knows this...

However, it is currently the dead of winter, and the important North Central City and the river bridge are still in our hands, so even if people are panicking, there is no reason for a large-scale exodus.

"Damn it, could it be that the enemy has attacked?"

"What are you thinking? Who would send cavalry to attack a city in the middle of the night? Besides... this commotion doesn't sound like the commotion of a thousand troops."

As the sound of horses' hooves grew closer, it attracted more attention. The city gate captain in charge of Dongyang Gate arrived immediately. The group of men, holding torches, finally managed to see the situation below the city wall by the light of the torches.

Only one light cavalryman shouted hurriedly towards the city wall.

"I am a captain under General Houmochen Yue of the Northern Army. I have important military intelligence to report. Let me into the city immediately!!"

Opening the city gates was impossible.

The gates of a super-large city like Luoyang have incredibly heavy bolts that require dozens of people to lift, and closing the gates completely also requires many people to push them together, which is quite strenuous.

It was late at night, visibility was poor, and we had no idea what was happening outside or who the people below the city were.

Without proof, how can one easily believe it?

Unless Erzhu Rong personally leads his men to stand below the city.

otherwise……

Even the most urgent military intelligence could only be delivered through one route into the city.

soon.

The defenders on the city wall quickly threw down a large bamboo basket tied with hemp rope. This was the only way to enter and leave the city under normal circumstances in ancient times.

Without saying much, the man dismounted and crawled into the bamboo basket. The guards on the city wall pulled him up with all their might.

"Quickly! Present this letter to the Prime Minister immediately; it concerns the war in Hanoi Commandery!"

Upon hearing this, the city gate captain dared not delay...

Everyone knows that the battle in Hanoi Commandery is extremely important. If Hanoi Commandery falls, it will be very difficult for Erzhu Rong to control the area north of the Yellow River. And if things get to that point...

There would be no natural defenses north of Luoyang, and the Yellow River would hardly be able to truly stop the enemy's cavalry from advancing south.

The captain remained calm and ordered his men to take the messenger to the city wall, ostensibly to rest, but in reality to keep him under guard.

Regardless of whether the person in front of us is real or not, we must keep a close watch on him and not let him leak any information about the war in Hanoi.

After descending the city wall, he rode his horse straight to the Tianzhu General's Mansion!
………………

The next day.

Inside the Tai Chi Hall.

After the court assembly ended, Yuan Gong allowed Yuan Yu, a member of the imperial clan who served as a minister in the court, to stay behind. Yuan Yu was the son of Yuan Yong, the Prince of Gaoyang. He loved to show off his wealth in Luoyang. First, he allied with Yuan Yi to defeat Yuan Yi, and then he joined forces with Empress Dowager Hu to eliminate Yuan Yi.

He died in the Hebei Incident.

Erzhu Rong did not exterminate all members of the Yuan clan; he spared many and promised high-ranking positions and generous salaries to many of their descendants.

In any case, the actual policy-making and implementation were all discussed within Erzhu Rong's Prime Minister's residence, where the officials were more powerful than those of the three provincial officials in the imperial court. Yuan Gong watched Erzhu Rong's departing figure, dismissed his attendants, and lowered his voice.

"I heard that Yewang City has fallen and Chilie Yanqing has died in battle? Doesn't that mean that Hanoi County is going to be lost?"

Yuan Yu looked around warily and nodded, saying, "I heard that's true... Last night, the Prime Minister summoned his subordinates late at night, so something must have happened in Hanoi County."

"Damn it, how could we lose so quickly??"

Yuan Gong looked worried.

He originally thought that Erzhu Rong and Gao Yu would be locked in a standoff for ten years or so, and he was getting old, so he might pass away one day.

Although he had no real power, he could still comfortably indulge in the fantasy of being an emperor.

Regardless of whether Erzhu Rong or Gao Yu wins in the end.

He could also safely and gracefully exit the game, avoiding becoming a 'ruler of a fallen kingdom,' and even in the afterlife, the ancestors of the Great Wei dynasty would not blame him.

Given the situation, he alone could hardly reverse it.

But now?
Follow this pace.

Why does it feel like Gao Yu's army will be heading straight for Luoyang next year, or even personally leading a large army to the city of Luoyang?

Can Erzhu Rong really hold out against Gao Yu until the day he dies of old age?

after all……

If Luoyang is truly lost, even though Guanzhong is in Erzhu Rong's hands, it will be questionable whether he can maintain control of the region.

In this world, there are always more fence-sitters than fair-weather friends.

Yuan Yu's complexion was also not very good.

He held a position in Yuan Gong's court. If Gao Yu were to capture Luoyang, he would surely settle scores with this group of "traitors." He might not necessarily kill them, but it would probably not be so easy for them to live a wealthy and privileged life again.

He had no energy left to appease the 'His Majesty' before him.

Instead, he began to secretly plot in his mind.

Should I plan my escape route in advance?

Why not... perform some "meritorious service" to atone for your crimes?
Let him be Gao Yu's guide.

In fact, it's not just Yuan Yu who has this idea...

Within Luoyang, undercurrents were swirling.

Civil and military officials serving in the court, especially the civil officials, began to shrewdly plan their own future.

The civil officials all read history books, and they were very clear about the process after a regime was overthrown.

Gao Yu defeated Erzhu Rong.

They would definitely kill Erzhu Rong, the ringleader, but they would treat Erzhu Rong's subordinates as a classic case of "pulling some up and kicking others down".

They won over and promoted a group of people to appease the public.

Why can't it be myself who gets recruited and given important positions?
Before Gao Yu actually attacks, he submits his pledge of allegiance. How can this not be considered as making a contribution to Eastern Wei in advance?

Who knows, if Gao Yu really does capture Luoyang in the future, they might get a share of the credit for that incredible achievement!

Although the news has not been officially announced.

but……

The city of Luoyang was already seething with undercurrents.

In just a few days, the table in front of Erzhu Rong was piled high with all sorts of 'letters' that had been searched and found.

Looking at the mountain of letters piled up in front of me.

Erzhu Rong was filled with mixed feelings. In the end, he could only sigh and set fire to the courtyard, burning all the letters to the ground.

(End of this chapter)