Reborn in the late Northern Wei Dynasty

Chapter 122

The first thing Gao Cheng did when he returned to Luoyang was to enter the palace to thank the emperor.

Gao Huan's recommendation of Gao Cheng as Minister of the Ministry of Officials has been sent to Luoyang in a hurry, and the humanoid seal Yuan Shanjian is stamped with the seal, and Gao Cheng is officially awarded the position of Minister of the Ministry of Officials.

Lou Zhao, the uncle who controlled the imperial army, knew that Gao Cheng was cautious by nature, so he arranged for his confidants to change guards on the road from the palace gate to the Mingguang Palace early on.

In the Mingguang Palace, Gao Cheng respectfully thanked Yuan Shanjian, and Yuan Shanjian invited Empress Gao to meet him again. The siblings reunited after a long absence, and each was happy.

After leaving Miyagi, Gao Cheng couldn't help spitting at the west.

Yu Wentai was talking nonsense with his eyes open, dirtying the reputation of the Gao family and his son, saying that they bullied the emperor.

The matter was done by Gao Longzhi, and it has nothing to do with the loyal ministers of the Great Wei, Gao's father and son.

Gao Cheng, the brother-in-law and brother-in-law, how could he bully Yuan Shanjian, the brother-in-law and brother-in-law.

Back at the Bohai Prince's Mansion, Gao Cheng held a large banquet to celebrate his appointment as Minister of the Ministry of Officials and completely control the Ministry of Ministers.

Those who received the banquet stickers were all relatives and friends of the Gao family.

Everyone came together, accompanied by singing and dancing during the banquet, talking and laughing.

Duan Shao's eyes wandered over the dancer's body, until he was glared by Gao Cheng for a few times before he realized it, and gave Gao Cheng a clear look.

"Ugh!"

Gao Cheng put down the wine cup suddenly, and sighed heavily.

Duan Shao asked curiously:
"Why is the son so sad?"

This question also attracted everyone's attention to Gao Cheng, and even the music and dance stopped.

"It's okay, it's okay, come on, let's play music and dance."

Gao Cheng forced a smile and said to everyone.

Hu Luguang said firmly:
"If your son is worried, please tell me bluntly. Most of you here are heroes of Xindu, so you can't tell me anything."

Gao Cheng glanced over Gao Aocao, Li Yuanzhong, Sima Ziru, Gao Longzhi, Gao Jishi, his own shogunate San Cui, Cui Jishu, Cui Xian, Cui Ang and others present here, and sighed:
"Cheng is proud of his young age, so why worry? It's just that when he thinks of his father and king in Jinyang, he feels sad."

Gao Jishi boldly asked:

"But King Gao is in poor health, that's why the Crown Prince cares about him?"

Gao Cheng shook his head and sighed:
"Father Wang is well, it's just that he has been worried recently, and he doesn't think about food and drink, so he is getting thinner day by day, but Cheng is throwing a big banquet in Luoyang, it's not the son of man."

Duan Shao said in surprise:
"Now that the world is in command, and Gao Wang is holding a powerful army, there is still something in the world that can make Gao Wang worry so much?"

Li Yuanzhong, who had been watching the four of them sing and sing together, said faithfully: Come, come, I know that there is no good banquet.

Just as Li Yuanzhong thought, at this point in the play, Gao Cheng finally spoke out in embarrassment:

"At the beginning, in order to resist the tyranny of the Erzhu family, my father acted righteously in Xindu, and thanks to the help of heroes from Hebei, we have today's foundation.

"Now that Yu Wentai is setting up another hypocrite in Kansai, he slanders his father a lot in his words, and his father is worried that someone will believe the thief's words, so he has trouble sleeping and eating."

Hu Luguang laughed and said:

"What's so difficult about this, Yu Wentai is a clown, the son of the world, Yingrui, he only needs to lead a teacher to go west, and kill them like pigs and dogs."

Gao Cheng waved his hand and said:

"Even if Yu Wentai is killed, who knows if another He Batai will jump out and fabricate rumors, and those who don't know the truth will add fuel to the flames, even if Cheng and his father are full of mouths, it will be difficult to justify.

"If someone deceives people in Hebei, there is no guarantee that the scholars and the people will not be deceived by him. I really think that Cheng and his father are like Er Zhu Zhao and Er Zhu Shilong, and they will follow him to raise the flag to rebel. At that time, what will Cheng and his father do? where?"

Li Yuanzhong's heart skipped a beat, he's here, he's really here, and he's here for the Hebei clan.

He immediately winked at Gao Aocao, but Gao Aocao completely ignored Li Yuanzhong's signal.

As brave as Gao Aocao, he dared to lead more than ten cavalry to charge 5000 people, but he was also afraid that the little Gao Wang would call his third uncle.

Today he just eats meat and drinks, naturally because Gao Jishi has told Gao Aocao the cause and effect.

Elder brother Gao Gan has already settled the matter, and he is not easy to object, not to mention that his trilogy has long been organized by the Gyeonggi Army, and it has little to do with Gao Aocao to search for the hidden household registrations of other members of the family, so he will do as much as he likes. Eating and drinking is just like watching a big show.

So, being right is more important than being right. Even Gao Aocao, a reckless man who has followed Gao Cheng for a long time, has some wisdom.

Seeing that Gao Aocao ignored him and understood his attitude, Li Yuanzhong had no choice but to smooth things over alone:
"Since the Hebei scholars have followed Gao Wang Jianyi, we have been favored by Gao Wang many times, so we can occupy a high position. How can we help outsiders? Please don't worry about this."

Hearing this, Gao Cheng nodded and said:
"What Uncle Li said is true."

Hearing Uncle Li's words, Li Yuanzhong's hair stood on end. Everyone is an old man of the Gao family. Everyone who doesn't know the virtues of Gao's father and son all call him uncle. This matter is definitely not a small matter.

Sure enough, Gao Cheng muttered:

"You uncles are naturally close to my father and son, but having been an official in Luoyang for a long time, it is difficult to restrain the people in my hometown, and it is difficult to guarantee that they will not be deceived by others. This is the reason why Cheng and Wang father are worried."

At this moment, Qi Bingzhong, Zhang Shi, who joined the army sitting in the recording room at the end, directly remonstrated:
"Since that's the case, why don't you let the sages from Hebei go back to their hometowns and restrain the clansmen. In this way, King Gao can sit back and relax."

As soon as these words came out, all the Hebei scholars present glared.

Well, Zhang Shiqi, you actually want to drive us out of the court.

Gao Cheng was furious:
"Relying on the hard work of all uncles, Cheng Cheng and Father Wang are able to achieve today! Zhang Shiqi! I have never treated you badly, why are you talking so greedily! Uncle Zheng! Beat him up for me and kick him out of the banquet!"

Cui Jishu exited the stage in response, punched and beat Zhang Shiqi, and Zhang Shiqi escaped from the banquet in embarrassment.

Zhang Shiqi, who disgusted Hebei scholars, was driven away, but Gao Cheng was still frowning, and asked everyone:
"Everyone, can you have words to teach Cheng, and share the worries for the father and king."

Li Yuanzhong, Cui Xian, Cui Ang, and Cui Jishu, who had just returned to his seat and was still out of breath, looked at each other, helpless.

Just when everyone couldn't think of a way, Gao Longzhi, the fake Bohai Gao family's disciple, stood up with light:

"My son, I have a plan to solve Gao Wang's worries, and make Hebei's sages always accompany Gao Wang and your son."

"Oh! Also ask Gao Shizhong to teach me."

Gao Cheng was overjoyed when he heard the words.

In the expectant eyes of everyone, Gao Longzhi talked eloquently:
"What Wang Gao worried about was that he would be misunderstood by the nobles in Hebei, which would lead to rebellion.

"Preventing people's mouths is better than Fangchuan. King Gao and his son are gentlemen and abide by the integrity of their ministers, but they can't control others' frame-ups, they can only focus on preventing rebellion.

"The prosperity of the noble family lies in the large number of young adults that they hide. You only need to ask the emperor to check the household registration and naturalize the hidden households. In this way, the high king will have no worries, and we, the high king and the prince, will be able to be kings and ministers for a long time."

Before Gao Cheng expressed his opinion, Cui Jishu had already applauded loudly:
"Gao Shizhong has true knowledge and insight, and the servant seconded it."

Gao Cheng was at a loss, he really didn't communicate with Cui Jishu in advance today.

Of course Cui Jishu had his own ideas. He followed Gao Cheng from the age of 532 in the second year of Zhongxing (17) and worked hard. Among his staff, only Chen Yuankang and Yang Min had the same seniority as him.

Now that Yang Minwai is in office, Chen Yuankang has been in Jinyang for a long time, although Cui Xian is in the long history, but that is held by King Gao. For the prince, only Cui Jishu is the most favored and trusted member of Luoyang scholars. .

The future is doomed to be a prime minister, how could he be estranged from his son just because of hiding Dingkou, and watching newcomers seize his future, it would be more uncomfortable than death.

Cui Jishu was the first to express his opinion. Cui Xian and Cui Ang were not stupid. There were indeed many hidden household registrations in the family, but it was nothing compared to his own future. Could it be possible that he really wanted to return to Hebei to become a local rich man, or did he really want to plot a rebellion?
Cui Xian and Cui Ang immediately agreed with Gao Longzhi's proposal.

Gao Aocao seemed to have had his fill at last, and expressed his support for Gao Longzhi according to the role he was assigned.

Li Yuanzhong, who is the suzerain of the Li family in Zhaojun, has encountered difficulties. As the suzerain, he can't only care about his own future, but sacrifice the interests of the clan.

Seeing that Li Yuanzhong didn't make a statement, Sima Ziru said sadly:

"I heard that when Li Shizhong was sent to Jinyang, he had some words with Gao Wang. Could it be that it was not a joke that day?"

Li Yuanzhong was in a cold sweat. He had joked with Gao Huan after drinking that if he was not given the position of servant, he would find someone to rebel.

Now at this sensitive moment, Simazi is bringing up the old story again, with extremely sinister intentions.

He and Sima Ziru lived separately in Shangshu Province and assisted Gao Cheng together. They had occasional disagreements in political affairs, and as time went on, the relationship between the two who had no friendship before could never get better.

Hearing this, Gao Cheng didn't take it seriously and said:

"Li Shizhong and his father have a deep friendship. Sima Shizhong should not be suspicious. My father once told me that if Li Shizhong hadn't killed Erzhu Yusheng and forced him to make up his mind to resist Erzhu, our father and son would not be where we are today."

This sentence seems to be on the side of Li Yuanzhong, but after careful consideration of the word 'forced', Li Yuanzhong feels like sitting on pins and needles under the eyes of the audience.

Unable to sit still, he simply stood up.

Under the gaze of everyone, Li Yuanzhong said loudly:
"Checking the household registration can not only make Gao Wang and Hebei scholars get along well, but also increase the number of taxpayers, which is of great benefit to the country and the family. The lower officials seconded the proposal."

Gao Cheng saw that the children of the Cui family in Boling, the Gao family in Bohai, and even the head of the Li family in Zhao County all expressed their support in person. After thinking about it, he said to everyone:

"Gao Shizhong's words are very much in line with Cheng's intentions. I would also like to ask you to join forces with Cheng to write to His Majesty, and search for hidden households from all over the country, so as to enrich the national treasury."

Everyone stood up and responded:
"But according to the order of the son."

Gao Huan solved his worries, and the singing and dancing resumed.

The dancer's graceful figure spun around in the arena, and everyone laughed and laughed, completely unable to see what they had just experienced.

Gao Cheng drank the fake wine mixed with water, the corners of his mouth raised unconsciously.

The hardest way to track down the hidden households of wealthy families is in Hebei, and there are only a few top families in Hebei: the Cui family of Boling, the Li family of Zhaojun, the Cui family of Qinghe, the Lu family of Fanyang, and the Gao family of Bohai who was promoted by virtue of the Gao family and his son.

Gao Cheng didn't know how much effect Gao Gan's lobbying in Hebei would have on other gentry clans, but with his prestige, the Bohai Gao clan and Feng clan would certainly respond.

As the head of the family, Li Yuanzhong has his support, so he doesn't have to worry about the Li family of Zhaojun.

As for the Boling Cui Clan, Cui Xian, Cui Ang, and Cui Jishu naturally couldn't preside over the affairs of the clan, but now the three Cui are all in high positions in the Gaocheng shogunate, and they are all the most outstanding descendants of the family, with a bright future ahead.

If San Cui is alienated by Gao Cheng for the sake of hiding, which is more important? Gao Cheng believes that the person in charge of the Boling Cui family can think clearly. If they can't even understand this kind of thing, the Boling Cui family will not Might have the status it has today.

Among the four surnames and five families in Hebei, Gao Cheng won the support of three families, only Qinghe Cui family and Fan Yang Lu family remained. Shi anger.

After the banquet was over, Gao Cheng sent everyone out and summoned Zhang Shiqi.

"Today's matter, I wronged Zhang to join the army."

Gao Cheng consoled.

Zhang Shiqi joked:
"You don't need to worry about your son. Yuan Xiugui is the lord of Guanxi, and he was beaten by Cui lord Bo. The servant suffered today is not a humiliation, but a gift from the emperor."

Zhang Shiqi could see clearly that he was an ordinary civil servant with no family background, and he was able to serve in the office of the Metropolitan Governor's Office and join the army, all because of Gao Cheng's favor.

Offending these Hebei scholars did not have much effect on him, Zhang Shiqi only cared about Gao Cheng's opinion.

He wasn't worried at all that Gao Cheng would take his own life to appease the anger of Hebei scholars, if he really wanted to do that, he wouldn't be the little King Gao he served.

Zhang Shiqi's status is not high, but because of the relationship between recording Gao Cheng's words and deeds, whenever there are important activities, he is always by his side. He naturally understands Gao Cheng's character: he will never treat those who are loyal to him.

No, just let Cui Jishu punch him a few times to turn the matter over, and then came to comfort him in person, Zhang Shiqi felt that he deserved it.

Taichang three years (534), June 22.

The Shangshu ordered Gao Cheng to ask the emperor to search for household registrations in various places on the grounds that the wealthy family hid Dingkou and robbed the tax households, which caused the imperial court to run out of money.

Shangshu left servant shot Li Yuanzhong, right servant shot Sima Ziru, Shizhong Gao Longzhi and other important officials of Ying Gao's family were all named.

The Luoyang government and the public were in an uproar.

On June 23, the emperor issued an imperial edict ordering Gao Cheng to preside over the household registration search, and at the same time, Gao Cheng was the emperor's envoy to inspect Hebei.

When the news came out, all parts of Kanto were shaken, and Hebei was the most severe among them.

Zhang Shiqi, who joined the army in the Gyeonggi Metropolitan Governor's Office, recorded the incident truthfully:

” The governor Cheng, who is also an official, is a banquet guest.

’ During the banquet, Cheng said that Wang Huan of Bohai was conceived in Yuwentai, Kansai, and wept in mourning.

” The servant Gao Longzhi said: “Be diligent in governing the country, so why not be afraid of slander.”

Cheng Nai asked: "What strategy can benefit the country?"

In the pain of Longzhi, the Chen Hao family concealed the harm of Dingkou, and admonished to search for household registration.

At that time, San Cui of Boling was Cheng's staff. Hearing of this policy, he did not follow personal feelings, but spoke uprightly, in order to respond to Longzhi.

Li Yuanzhong, the patriarch of Li in Zhaojun, is worried about state affairs, and his ambition is to stabilize the world. Hearing Long's words, please search and include the household registration from Li in Zhaojun.

Dadu Ducheng felt his loyalty and said to the left and right, saying: "Father once said that if you are not loyal to Yuan Yuan, you can't do anything!" '

When the later generations compiled the "Book of Qi", they quoted Zhang Shiqi's records and praised: Li Gong of Zhaojun and Sancui of Boling, who left their families for the country, are all loyal people.

Of course, there was a slight discrepancy between the contemporaries' discussions and the historical records, and they generally referred to this event as "a cup of wine to explain the households".

　The second one was brought, and today it is gone.

　　Adjust the status back, write smoothly, and update a little earlier.

　　Thanks to book friends Stealth Mint, Sister Congcong, and Deng Binyi for their rewards.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)