My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 552 What is Power?
The reason Gao Yu was in such a hurry to deal with all these matters at once was...

It was indeed a proactive approach to defuse potential problems.

Don't be fooled by his current ability to steal a moment of leisure in Ye City; he'll definitely be heading back to the front lines soon.

This year's strategy is to completely take over Jianzhou, Gaodu and Jianxing, completely block Bingzhou's southward exit, and completely control the entire north bank of the Yellow River in Luoyang.

If given the opportunity, we could try to capture Beizhong City and then slowly begin to plot the river bridge in preparation for crossing the Yellow River.

Alternatively, as in history, the three cities of Heyang could be built on the sandbars in the Yellow River next to the bridge. As long as the army could cross the Yellow River at any time, Luoyang would be within easy reach.

Luoyang, the "center of the world," seems to have strategic passes in all directions, but in reality... these strategic passes are all far from Luoyang. Once a large army besieges the city...

Luoyang would then face a situation where it has no natural defenses.

March 13th.

The Golden Phoenix Terrace was bustling with activity.

The banquet for the eldest son of Prime Minister Gao Yu of the Great Wei to become a disciple naturally invited many guests. All the prominent figures in Ye City had to come and show their faces to witness this moment and also bring a small gift.

If one were to be absent from such an important occasion, wouldn't that mean one has become a marginal figure in the center of power?
If we were to go out and greet each other in the future, wouldn't it be embarrassing to bring up this matter?

Large gatherings like this are a natural opportunity to network and build relationships.

Until the 'auspicious hour', today's protagonist, Wen Zisheng, dressed in fine clothes, truly had the demeanor of a refined gentleman, displaying the elegance of a scholar in every gesture.

Gao Yu personally led Yang Changchu and another protagonist of today, Gao Ze, to go out and greet Wen Zisheng's arrival.

The scale of the apprenticeship banquet was no less than that of a wedding between a man and a woman.

Gao Ze also changed into a 'Confucian robe' today, but he was still a child, so short that he looked like a figurine.

Gao Loujin also came today. She looked at Gao Ze with a smile in her eyes and said to Gao Huan beside her, "Big brother, can you tell? Aze looks exactly like Erlang when he was a child."

Gao Huan nodded, "Indeed, he is Erlang's bloodline after all. Right now, I just hope that Aze will be as talented as Erlang in the future, both in literature and martial arts, quick-witted and intelligent. That would be a blessing for everyone."

Gao Yu has already given Gao Ze extremely high-level treatment, practically writing the words "heir" on his forehead.

If Gao Ze were like the one from the Western Jin Dynasty who was 'as virtuous as ever,' then it would be hard to accept.

Given the vast foundation laid by Gao Yu, the heir must at least be a ruler who maintains the status quo.

"What are you talking about?"

Gao Loujin reached out and patted Gao Huan, "I've watched Aze grow up since he was a child. What an intelligent child he is. Look... with so many guests present, he is not shy at all at such a young age. On the contrary, he is poised and generous. This courage proves that he is extraordinary."

The child's courage was truly nurtured by Gao Yu.

He's not as delicate as a woman when it comes to taking care of children.

When it's time to lift him up high, I lift him up high, and I also play wildly with him. Boys, after all, build up their courage gradually through this kind of daily accumulation.

Gao Zeru is like a little adult.

She approached Wen Zisheng respectfully, put down her luggage, and then addressed him in a childish voice, "Greetings, Master."

The onlookers cheered loudly.

Some praised him sincerely, while others wanted to show off in front of Gao Yu.

after all……

Everyone present was shrewd; they certainly understood basic interpersonal skills.

For people with children, simply praise their offspring for being successful. This tactic works every time and completely exploits the 'soft spot' of parents.

"Such extraordinary courage at such a young age!"

"Not at all stage fright."

"This child has a limitless future!"

"Like father, like son; the offspring of such an outstanding person as the general are no ordinary children."

Yang Changchu, being a woman after all, couldn't stop smiling.

Gao Yu smiled as well.

He should just take these compliments with a grain of salt. He knows all too well how 'fair' God is when it comes to genetic inheritance. No matter how good the parents' genes are, it's impossible for all of them to be inherited by their offspring.

How far Gao Ze can grow in the future depends on his own talent. Hiring famous teachers for him in advance only allows him to receive education earlier than others, which relatively raises his minimum potential.

Gao Yu followed Yang Changchu to the side of the master and disciple. Gao Yu affectionately took Wen Zisheng's hand and said, "Pengju, my son is unruly. I will entrust him to you from now on."

Wen Zisheng was slightly agitated. "Please rest assured, Prime Minister, I will certainly live up to your expectations and impart all my knowledge to you to nurture the young master into a capable person!"

Gao Yu wasn't worried that Wen Zisheng would raise Gao Ze to be a 'bookworm'.

Gao Ze was already ahead of 99.99% of people in the world at the first major turning point in his life, 'amniotic fluid'. In the future, he will have the opportunity to learn the art of 'managing people'.

Moreover, Wen Zisheng is not a 'bookworm'.

After finishing Gao Ze's business, Heaven was very kind and sent down a spring rain. Spring rain is as precious as oil, and this rain also made a good start to the year.

I've finished what I was doing.

Gao Yu then inspected the spring plowing situation in various parts of Hebei, while also waiting for the latest intelligence to be sent back from the front lines.

Nearly half a year has passed since I took down the jungle king.

Let's calculate the time.

Erzhu Rong should have already reorganized the somewhat 'chaotic' internal affairs, and perhaps he'll take action next?
………………

Inside the residence of General Tianzhu in Luoyang.

Erzhu Rong held a secret letter in his hand. After glancing at its contents, he couldn't help but sneer, "Everyone says that Moheduo is a loyal minister of the Great Wei, but isn't he already paving the way for his eldest son?"

With informants on both sides in each other's capitals, such information could not be kept secret at all.

Erzhu Rong was able to learn about what was happening in Ye City immediately.

Upon hearing this, Su Chuo frowned. "This move by the traitor Gao is to stabilize the internal situation and prevent unrest..."

The leader of a powerful force.

The worst fear is that the ruler will not leave any offspring, or that when the ruler dies, the offspring will be too young to control the situation.

Gao Yu has already had many children and wives.

The only concern might be that something might happen to Gao Yu himself, but Gao Yu is so young, and he is not like Liu Yu who became wealthy very late in life and wasted a lot of time with the aristocratic families after he became wealthy.

Gao Yu's age is his greatest advantage. Now in his prime, he is less and less likely to personally fight on the battlefield, and it is only a matter of time before a smooth transfer of power occurs.

So……

The only potential source of trouble is the selection of an heir.

Erzhu Rong nodded in agreement, "It seems... Moheduo will have other plans this year, so we need to be on guard."

Thinking of this, Erzhu Rong felt a headache coming on.

He was now somewhat envious of the 'power' Gao Yu held.
Although both were prime ministers of the Great Wei Dynasty, the 'power' they wielded was vastly different.

What is power?

The power to command authority is to say something and have subordinates obey whether they like it or not.

To put it another way, it's about making your subordinates believe that following you will always lead to victory, that you will always be the victor—that is power.

Power manifests itself from top to bottom, but its essence is bottom to top.

Can an emperor who can't even get his decrees out of the palace be considered to have power?
Erzhu Rong once convinced his men that as long as they followed General Tianzhu, they would always be victorious.

But after a series of failures.

Many people no longer believed him, and some even began to outwardly comply with but inwardly defy Erzhu Rong's orders, especially those who held military power.

They are no longer so willing to obey orders.

Instead, they frequently urged for supplies or requested more reinforcements.

A letter also came from Yuwentai in Guanzhong.

The financial and material support provided by the aristocratic families this year is much less than that of last year.

Ultimately, it's because these people have started to turn the tables on Erzhu Rong, knowing that Erzhu Rong has consistently suffered military setbacks and doesn't have the guts to take action against them.

(End of this chapter)