My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 559 Grain doesn't just appear out of thin air.
Your concerns are not unfounded.

Erzhu Rong was well aware of why Su Chuo had specifically emphasized that Jinyang was "extraordinary".

The military is inherently a powerful institution, and powerful institutions are destined to be riddled with factions.

Just like the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue, which were essentially separate entities with their own budgets and personnel, they were destined to be rife with factions.

Power means having a lot of power that everyone is watching. How could one person or one faction possibly monopolize it?
It is precisely because of the excessive power that the emperor would not feel at ease letting anyone control such a powerful department alone. He would tacitly allow or even deliberately allow factions to proliferate within such departments, with each faction checking and balancing the others, so that the emperor could rest easy.

A leader is parachuted into such a department, and this parachuted leader is expected to control such a department.

Alternatively, they can spend time cultivating their own loyalists internally, thereby gaining complete control from the bottom up.

Either the leader is parachuted in, carrying immense prestige and seniority, and can immediately intimidate everyone.

When Yuan Ziyou was still alive.

Why did Erzhu Rong become increasingly wary of Gao Yu in his later years?

Because Gao Yu had too much prestige in the army.

His prestige has reached such a level that if Gao Yu were parachuted into any army, even the elite Qihu cavalry he had carefully cultivated, Gao Yu could easily take control of the army with his immense prestige.

This military operation in Jinyang involves not only the army, but also Jinyang itself!

Jinyang, as Erzhu Rong's stronghold, was also a place where factions were divided. Given these two factors, it would be most appropriate for Erzhu Rong himself to go there.

But Luoyang today clearly cannot do without Erzhu Rong.

Therefore, this candidate deserves careful consideration.

"In my opinion, the Prime Minister should draft an edict now and send it to Jinyang, appointing the young master as the commander-in-chief and General Heba as the deputy commander. He should also privately instruct the young master to consult General Heba on all matters. This would be the most appropriate course of action."

The young master Su Chuo mentioned was Erzhu Rong's second son, Erzhu Chaluo.

His eldest son, Erzhu Puti, had already died by Yuan Ziyou's sword, predating Yuan Ziyou himself.

Erzhuchaluo was Erzhurong's son, so his status was high enough. Hebasheng, on the other hand, had enough prestige in the army. Together, they were barely enough.

Erzhu Rong shook his head, "It is precisely because of Jinyang that Chaluo is too easily swayed, and I am far away in Luoyang... Let Tianguang go instead."

Among the Erzhu clan's sons, Erzhu Rong focused on cultivating Erzhu Tianguang and Erzhu Zhao. Although these two had their shortcomings, they were still capable.

As for people like Erzhu Shilong and Erzhu Zhongyuan, they only knew how to use their status as members of the Erzhu clan to amass wealth, commit adultery and plunder, and did nothing of any value.

"But what about Hedong?"

"Let the black otter go."

Erzhu Rong had already made up his mind: "Although attacking Sizhou in the north can relieve the pressure on Henan County, it is only a delaying tactic. Henan County is under great pressure and I am short of manpower. I need to keep Po Hu and A Dou Ni by my side."

"The Prime Minister is wise!"

Although Su Chuo said this, he couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

Heba Yun's act of betrayal ultimately had an impact.

Moreover, the brothers Hebasheng and Hebayue, together, are a low-profile version of the Gao brothers. One is a scholar and the other is a warrior. They are well-liked and highly respected. Keeping them by your side is indeed useful, and it is also a way of keeping an eye on them.

On the surface, it seems unlikely that the two brothers would betray Erzhu Rong.

But there's Hebayun as a connection.

Ultimately, there is still a possibility of defection.

Erzhu Rong could no longer tolerate this level of betrayal, so even though Heba Yue was the most suitable candidate, he would not let Heba Yue go to Jinyang.

"You don't need to flatter me."

Erzhu Rong smiled and said, "If you were truly wise, how could you have fallen into this dilemma?"

"Right now, I'm just doing my best. Fortunately, I have the help of someone as outstanding as Lingchuo, which is why I'm able to maintain the current situation." He knew very well that this was just to relieve some pressure.

Even if he manages to reclaim Sizhou, Mayi and Jingxing will remain in Gao Yu's hands, and Gao Yu can send troops to contest them at any time.

To reverse their disadvantage, they must ultimately defeat Gao Yu head-on and shatter the myth of Gao Yu's invincibility!
Don't be fooled by Gao Yu's current meteoric rise!

As long as there is one major failure.

The troubles he's facing now are the same ones Gao Yu will encounter, and perhaps even more so...

after all……

The composition of the various forces under Gao Yu's command was very complex, involving conflicts between the Han and non-Han peoples, as well as conflicts between the powerful families of Hebei and Shandong within the Han population.

Erzhu Rong didn't have this problem.

The Han people in Guanzhong had already begun to associate with the Hu people who invaded the Central Plains during the War of the Eight Princes in the Western Jin Dynasty, and their prejudice against the Hu people was not as great as that in the heart of the Central Plains.

………………

The 23rd day of the fourth month of the third year of the Tianping era.

The blazing sun overhead was beginning to show its power, not as scorching as in summer, but the continuous baking of the earth still made people feel hot and bothered.

Especially in the fields, everyone was extremely busy.

The winter wheat planted last year is now ready for harvest.

We need to take advantage of the good weather now and harvest and dry the crops quickly, otherwise, if the weather turns bad and heavy rain comes, things will be terrible.

Moreover, after harvesting the winter wheat, other crops must be planted as soon as possible.

time is tight.

Gao Yu knew nothing about farming before, but he would take time every year to pay attention to farming. Over time, he became like an experienced farmer.

The sickle in their hands was almost sparking as they swung it, cutting down swathes of wheat.

Fieldside.

He was accompanied by many officials, including Wen Zisheng, Gao Yu's eldest son Gao Run, and his eldest legitimate son Gao Ze, among others...

Of course, there were also Gao Cheng and Gao Yang.

Gao Cheng looked at the farmers with disdain and said, "Uncle is the same. He is the prime minister, a man of such high status. If he wants to win people's hearts, he can come to the fields and observe for himself. Why does he have to work in the fields like a country bumpkin?"

Gao Yang sneered, "Uncle isn't as lucky as you, brother, who has been living a life of luxury since childhood. Uncle and father have both experienced hardship and understand the importance of farming. Does the brother think that the food we eat every day can just appear out of thin air on the stove?"

"These are all the fruits of the hard work of the farmers you look down on."

Gao Cheng flew into a rage and grabbed Gao Yang by the collar. "You brat, what's the point of saying all this?"

Gao Yang sneered repeatedly, "I laugh at my brother for thinking he's so smart, but he doesn't understand at all why his uncle brought Arun and Aze to the fields at such a young age."

"What Uncle is wary of is Arun, Aze, and others, who, like the prince, have been pampered since childhood, are detached from worldly affairs, and have forgotten the most important things in this world!"

"you!!!"

Gao Cheng glared angrily, but he had no way to refute anything.

Just as the two brothers were having a disagreement.

But Gao Huan rushed over with a hurried expression and a serious face.

The two quickly separated, both understanding the situation.

Something big has happened.

(End of this chapter)