My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 577 Men, Cry, It's Not a Crime

"Erlang?"

Erzhu Zhao also drank too much yesterday due to his temper.

My steps are still a bit unsteady today, and my eyes are also drowsy.

"Wanren, there were some things yesterday that I couldn't mention in front of Zuxin."

Gao Yu also got straight to the point.

He didn't have much time to waste in Shandong. If he wanted to seize the last days of autumn to launch an attack, he had to quickly leave for Hanoi.

He didn't really want to put his soldiers through too much trouble. Why did he have to launch an attack when the weather was freezing cold, when he could do it in the crisp autumn air?

Moreover.

He had already done everything he needed to do this time.

There's only one thing left to do.

Erzhu Zhao was somewhat confused. "What is it?"

"This matter concerns Tianbao."

"Tianbao?"

Erzhu Zhao, who had previously looked disheveled, suddenly looked up upon hearing the familiar name, then waved his hand dismissively, saying, "I have no face to face Tianbao in this lifetime..."

He had always harbored resentment about being deceived by Gao Huan.

Gao Yu was well aware of this, which is why he had deliberately kept Erzhu Zhao away from Erzhu Rong's various military activities.

“Wanren, I have been conscripting soldiers from Shandong. I think you are well aware of the situation at the front. The entire Hanoi Prefecture is now under my control. Once I take Beizhong City… then my troops will march straight towards Luoyang.”

"While Tianbao could certainly retreat to Guanzhong, he wouldn't so easily relinquish Luoyang, so..."

“Tianbao and I are destined to fight outside Luoyang. There is no way to avoid it... I will not run away, nor will Tianbao. Aren’t you going to see Tianbao one last time?”

"Perhaps Tianbao has been waiting for you to explain to him in person."

Erzhu Zhao's lips trembled; he was deeply conflicted.

He truly felt guilty towards Erzhu Rong and dared not go to see him.

But Gao Yu said it that way, and he knew that Gao Yu had put it very tactfully...

Because the situation between Gao Yu and Erzhu Rong has reached this point, it is bound to be a life-or-death struggle, and there is no possibility of a win-win situation.

A former leader will not allow a second former leader to appear under his command.

Gao Yu can take over all of Erzhu Rong's power, but he must kill Erzhu Rong, the 'chief culprit'.

not to mention.

The banner that Gao Yu raised was to kill Erzhu Rong and avenge the late emperor.

How could they possibly spare Erzhu Rong's life?
"Wanren, I won't force you to fight..."

"I know……"

"I just want to tell you not to leave any regrets. If you want to see Tianbao, then come with me to Hebei this time."

Gao Yu had other considerations when he sent Erzhu Zhao.

In Gao Yu's eyes, Erzhu Zhao was the best candidate to lead the army. Once the Erzhu clan was destroyed, Erzhu Zhao would have no more attachments and would be all alone... Gao Yu felt most at ease having him in charge of the capital's imperial guards.

Once Luoyang is captured, Gao Yu will inevitably redistribute power, and he will need to mobilize more of his trusted 'own people' to Luoyang, the true capital, in advance.

Wang Sizheng was also an option.

Wang Sizheng had publicly drawn a "dead end," leaving him with no way back.

But compared to the other two, Erzhu Zhao is undoubtedly the better choice.

Erzhu Zhao looked up at him, unsure how to answer for a moment, and could only say, "May I go back and think about it?"

Give me an answer by tomorrow. Time waits for no one.

"Ah."

Watching Erzhu Zhao's departing figure, Gao Yu couldn't help but sigh. Such was the nature of power struggles; there was nothing he could do about it.

If Erzhu Zhao leaves, Gao Bin will have to go to Xuzhou to replace Erzhu Zhao in his original position and guard Xuzhou together with Yang Kan.

It's not that I don't trust Yang Kan.

Yang Kan is definitely one of the few people Gao Yu can trust most in this world, because he doesn't need to betray Gao Yu. Gao Yu has already sent a clear political signal to the outside world through various means.

The eldest son, Gao Ze, was groomed as the heir.

The Yang family and Gao Yu are bound together; their fates are intertwined.

Leaving Gao Bin for Yang Kan was merely to lighten his burden.

Besides.

After the arrangements are made.

Gao Yu returned to the Tian Ce Mansion and went straight to the inner courtyard. He would tell Yang Changchu and Gao Ze to wait until next year before returning to Ye City.

The couple and the father and son were about to be separated again, so they thought they should take this opportunity to spend more time with the mother and son.

Upon entering the inner courtyard, I sensed that something was amiss.

The maids fell silent, heads bowed. In the courtyard, Yang Changchu looked furious, while Gao Ze looked aggrieved and bowed his head.

“Your father is like a dragon, how can you be so playful as his son? Master Wen has taught you so many times, how come you can’t remember?”

"So many eyes are on you, why can't you be a little more assertive?"

"Don't cry! Don't be so weak! People will look down on you if they see this!"

Even the most virtuous and well-educated Yang Changchu couldn't help but feel anxious when it came to the education of her children.

Just like in modern society, fathers are generally more laid-back, while mothers tend to be more ambitious and push their children to excel.

Yang Changchu was no exception.

no way.

Gao Ze is Gao Yu's eldest son, and many people are eyeing this position, especially given Gao Yu's outstanding abilities. Yang Changchu is bound to place high hopes on Gao Ze.

It cannot be said that Yang Changchu was wrong.

After giving birth, a woman will transfer most of her love to her child.

It can only be said that they went too far.

How old is Gao Ze?
"Cough cough..."

Gao Yu coughed twice, then waved his hand, and the maids hurriedly left as if relieved.

They rarely saw Yang Changchu in a fit of rage, but the more they saw him, the more frightening it was. What if Yang Changchu took his anger out on them? Wouldn't they be in trouble?
Yang Changchu, his face contorted with anger, felt somewhat embarrassed upon seeing Gao Yu.

Gao Ze, however, seemed to have seen a savior and ran towards him with a pitiful expression, "Father..."

Despite feeling incredibly wronged, she still remembered Yang Changchu's words and dared not cry.

Gao Yu quickly squatted down, patted Gao Ze's little head to comfort him, and then looked at Yang Changchu, "Let my son and I be alone for a while."

Yang Changchu opened his mouth but didn't say anything. After sighing, he turned and left.

Looking down at the aggrieved Gao Ze, Gao Yu picked him up and carried him to the pavilion, gently patting his back.

"Aze, if you want to cry, just cry. Don't hold it in. It's okay. Your father won't blame you."

Gao Ze had been burying her face in his chest, her small hands gripping his clothes tightly, her body trembling uncontrollably.

Upon hearing Gao Yu's words, her small body went limp after a moment, and she burst into tears, feeling wronged.

"Waaaaah!!"

"Father... I wasn't playing, I wasn't playing..."

Gao Yu simply held him, patting his back seat repeatedly and soothing him softly.

"Father knows, it's alright, it's alright..."

(End of this chapter)