My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 572 The Hidden Assistance

Gao Yu specifically sent someone out to investigate.

The scene of Zu Ting and Song Youdao parading through the city was very lively. After all, the Xuanjia Army soldiers personally led the way, and there were gongs and drums. How many others had ever enjoyed such an honor?
Thousands of dollars to buy horse bones.

Gao Yu wanted to give Yu Zuting and Song Youdao extremely high treatment and set them up as role models.

This is to inspire those who read.

Such treatment.

It was incredibly attractive not only to poor families who came from military backgrounds, but also to scions of aristocratic families.

Who can live without vanity?

"At least it's a good start."

Gao Yu nodded in satisfaction. Everything is difficult at the beginning, as long as the first imperial examination is successfully held.

After that, all that's needed is for the officials of the Ministry of Rites to set out the details, rules, and regulations in accordance with the rites. He can completely be a hands-off manager and only needs to show his face during the palace examination.

"Liu Yi, prepare the car, I'm going to see Ahui."

"Here!"

Gao Cheng was also a nephew whom Gao Yu valued highly. He didn't want to see Gao Cheng become depressed and despondent, so he had to go and see for himself.

........................

Three days later.

Inside Luoyang City.

On Erzhu Rong's desk were the answers to the questions from the top three scholars in the imperial examination. The answers were not difficult to obtain.

Because when the results were announced, their answer sheets would also be made public for all students to see, so that students could understand why these three people were the top three scorers, thus demonstrating that there was absolutely no suspicion of favoritism or cheating in the imperial examination.

Such an important matter was immediately reported by the informant within Ye City, who also delivered the contents of the answer sheet to Erzhu Rong.

Erzhu Rong's expression was very complicated, and he felt a mix of emotions.

“Moheduo…has grand ambitions.”

“Lingchuo, take a look at this answer sheet. The Zu family of Fanyang has produced a great talent. The son of He Liuhun actually has such talent…”

Su Chuo took the secret letter and read its contents, and his face was filled with shock.

They all understood the value of having talented people.

This single answer sheet is enough to reveal the truth.

"The imperial examination... If this news spreads throughout the northern border, I wonder how many more people will yearn for Ye City."

"Moreover... the strategic objectives set by Moheduo completely disregard me. Instead, they have already begun to work on how to deal with the various tribes of the grasslands after unifying the northern border."

Even without Erzhu Rong's emphasis, Su Chuo could see it.

contempt?

How could someone like Gao Yu possibly underestimate an opponent like Erzhu Rong?

Gao Yu's most pressing concern right now is something he hasn't shown at all in his questioning.

It can only be explained.

Gao Yu had already made up his mind on how to deal with Erzhu Rong, so he didn't need to pool his wisdom or ask others for advice.

“Moheduo was already powerful, and now he’s recruiting talent under the guise of the imperial examination. The third-ranked scholar is said to have been trained at the Shandong Military Academy… I’ve long heard that Moheduo has set up an academy within the military academy, and now he’s finally reaping the rewards.”

The more Erzhu Rong talked, the less confident he became.

Talent is the foundation of everything.

Both political and military affairs require the right personnel to carry them out.

Gao Yu was already powerful, and now he has recruited many talents. With this shift in power, does he really still have a chance of winning?

Su Chuo frowned but did not speak.

He is also very depressed.

It was only with great difficulty that Erzhu Rong regained his confidence and even prepared to fight Gao Yu to the death.

However, every time news came from Yecheng, it greatly undermined Erzhu Rong's confidence.

He quickly cupped his hands and said, "Prime Minister, why are you so worried?"

"Oh?" "In my opinion, it is precisely because the bandit Gao is acting in this way that our army's chances of victory are greatly increased!"

"How do you say this?"

Su Chuo said with a serious expression, "Although I am not talented, I have read military books. The Art of War says: War is a matter of vital importance to the state, a matter of life and death, and therefore must be carefully considered."

"It is also said: He who makes calculations in the temple before the battle is fought will win, for he has made many calculations."

"Those who fail to win before the battle is fought have few calculations to their advantage."

"Many calculations lead to victory, few calculations lead to defeat, and what about those who do not calculate at all! This is how one can judge victory or defeat."

"Judging from all of Gao's military plans, it is clear that he has a major operation in mind. At this critical moment, he is still preoccupied with the imperial examinations. How can he have any extra energy to plan for the imperial court?"

Erzhu Rong was stunned.

That sounds like it makes a lot of sense.

However, we shouldn't delve too deeply into it.

How could Su Chuo know that Gao Yu had no plans?
The inside agents in Ye City could not monitor Gao Yu's every move in real time.

He waved his hand and said, “Listening to Ling Zhuo’s words has enlightened me. Moheduo is spending his energy preparing for the future. A person’s energy is ultimately limited. Focusing on the future will inevitably lead to neglecting the present, and even… A series of victories has indeed made Moheduo arrogant and contemptuous of me. This is precisely what is beneficial to our army!”

Su Chuo was very pleased; it was enough that Erzhu Rong was able to think along the lines of what he said.

However, he still reminded him, "Prime Minister, we still need to make plans as soon as possible. The letter mentioned that the bandit Gao will take his eldest son to Shandong for inspection. This move is definitely to appease the rear. After the rear is appeased, he will launch another attack at the end of the year."

"Yes."

Erzhu Rong nodded. "Preparations must be made. I have already sent an official document to conscript more than 50,000 soldiers from Guanzhong."

There weren't enough soldiers left in Guanzhong for Erzhu Rong to conscript.

Therefore, he used the word "soldier".

“I also ordered Black Otter to transfer troops from Hedong. Yang Zhong’s army has already returned to reinforce Sizhou, so Hedong does not need so many troops for the time being.”

Gao Yu has already identified his main attack direction.

Erzhu Rong could only draw troops from all directions to strengthen the defense of Luoyang.

A sufficient number of soldiers would be enough to appease the people of Luoyang.

This can also be seen as preparation for the final battle with Gao Yu.

The people in the city needed to be appeased, and Erzhu Rong himself also needed to be appeased.

"Lingchuo, I will need to trouble you to keep an eye on the production of more weapons."

"I will certainly not disappoint the Prime Minister!"

........................

The eighth day of the seventh lunar month.

Gao Yu's carriage has already reached the vicinity of Qinghe County.

Based on emotion and reason.

He needed to visit the Cui family in Qinghe.

During Gao Yu's rise to power, the Cui family of Qinghe did indeed provide considerable, albeit unseen, assistance.

The act of Cui Guang of Luoyang gifting Gao Yu a calligraphy piece connected him with the Cui family of Qinghe.

It is important to know that the Cui family of Qinghe held immense power during the reigns of Emperor Xuanwu and Empress Dowager Hu. In their early years, they assisted Emperor Xiaowen in moving the capital to Luoyang. After Emperor Xuanwu Yuan Ke ascended the throne, Cui Guang was appointed as the teacher of Emperor Xiaoming Yuan Xu until Yuan Xu took the throne.

He rose to the rank of Minister of Works, the highest of the Three Dukes, and was also granted the title of General of Chariots and Cavalry.

Gaining Cui Guang's favor was essentially a stepping stone for Gao Yu.

Subsequently, he was able to quickly gain the recognition of the aristocratic families, which was indeed due to the stepping stone given to him by Cui Guang, allowing him to succeed so smoothly.

"If it weren't for Master Cui's help back then, how could I have succeeded so smoothly? It's a pity that Master Cui has passed away, and I can no longer repay his kindness."

Yang Changchu comforted her, saying, "If my husband were to help the descendants of the Cui family of Qinghe, allowing the Cui family to continue, I believe that if Lord Cui knew this in the afterlife, he would surely be very pleased."

Yang Changchu himself came from a prestigious family, so he had a good grasp of the thoughts of people from such families.

Aristocratic families are like dynasties.

The goal is for the nation to have a long and prosperous reign, lasting for ten thousand generations.

The survival of the family is paramount!
(End of this chapter)