Standalone Northern and Southern Dynasties

Chapter 452: Subtle Changes
Wei Jing and Dou Tai were seen holding Gao Aocao, who was dressed in mourning, and blocking him in the house. Gao Aocao's eyes were red and he shouted angrily:
"Let me go! I want to kill this bastard! To avenge my father!"

Gao Huan couldn't help but feel a headache.

Gao Aocao's father was Gao Yi, the governor of East Jizhou appointed by the Northern Wei Dynasty. He joined Xing Gao's army when Xing Gao was powerful. Later, Xing Gao was defeated by Erzhu Rong. Gao Yi took the lead in rebellion and returned to Erzhu Rong.

However, Erzhu Rong executed Gao Yi on the grounds that he was indecisive and disloyal.

When Gao Aocao heard the news, he wanted to assassinate Erzhu Rong to avenge himself.

Gao Huan was also in a difficult situation.

The hatred for killing one's father is irreconcilable.

It was impossible to make Gao Aocao give up his revenge, but Erzhu Rong was a strong figure that he had finally managed to cling to. If he were to be alienated and feared by Erzhu Rong because of his protection of Gao Aocao, that would be very unworthy.

Dou Tai really couldn't stand it anymore, so he picked up the blade of the knife and knocked Gao Aocao unconscious, and then the room became quiet.

Gao Aocao was also born with supernatural powers. If Dou Tai had not also been born with supernatural powers, he would have been impossible to control.

Sima Ziru, who was standing nearby, saw Gao Huan coming in and said quickly:
"General, this is not a big deal!"

Gao Huan also sighed. Gao Aocao was an important general of his. It was also because of the Gao family's endorsement that it was now rumored in the army that Gao Huan was a descendant of the Bohai Gao family.

Moreover, when Gao Aocao came to join Gao Huan, he brought his followers with him. The followers of Gao family of Bohai were the second most powerful force under Gao Huan after the old people of the Six Garrisons.

Dou Tai had always been at odds with Gao Aocao, so he said directly:

"If this fellow continues to make trouble like this, one day General Tianzhu will find out, and even He Liuhun will be implicated. It is better to hand him over to General Tianzhu for punishment!"

Sima Ziru immediately said:

"Absolutely not!"

Sima Ziru looked at Gao Huan and said:

"Gao Aocao has risked his life for you, and the elite soldiers under his command are also the backbone of our army. If we hand him over, won't the world despise you?"

Gao Huan had betrayed his master many times and was already looked down upon in the army. Gao Aocao was an important subordinate of Gao Huan and also a relative of the Gao family of Bohai. If Gao Aocao was handed over again, he would probably be despised.

Reputation is very important at critical moments.

And once a negative label is put on, it takes more effort to tear it off.

Gao Huan also understood what Sima Ziru meant, but he felt a headache looking at the unconscious Gao Aocao. The hatred for killing his father was irreconcilable, and he had no way to dissuade Gao Aocao from taking revenge on Erzhu Rong.

Sima Ziru said:

"General, why don't you introduce Gao Aocao to Minister Xi?"

Xi Shangshu is Xi Yi. Because of his contribution in escorting Yuan Ziyou out of Luoyang, Xi Yi was appointed as Shangshu Ling by Yuan Ziyou and was in charge of the Shangshu Tai.

Xi Yi has gradually moved from the ranks of military generals to the ranks of civil officials.

A smart man like Sima Ziru has already noticed that there has been a subtle change in the relationship between Xi Yi and Emperor Yuan Ziyou.

Gao Huan could naturally see that Xi Yi, through his identity as Shangshu Ling, completed the appointment of some officials, and these officials were obviously more loyal to the royal family.

It’s just that Xi Yi did it very covertly, and it would be impossible to discover it if you didn’t pay special attention.

As for why Xi Yi did this, Gao Huan could actually understand it.

In the team that Erzhu Rong left in Luoyang, Yuan Tianmu was the main person in charge and Xi Yi was Yuan Tianmu's deputy.

However, for a long time, Xi Yi was unable to integrate into the core circle of the Erzhu family. Erzhu Rong trusted him, but did not use him.

There was nothing that could be done about it. Xi Yi himself was not a military general. In the turbulent times, if we only considered the closeness of their relationship, he was naturally not as good as the "Erzhus" who fought side by side on the battlefield, and he was even not as good as vanguard generals like the Heba brothers and Gao Huan.

Gao Huan also saw all the little tricks that Yuan Ziyou secretly carried out behind his seemingly humble appearance.

By recommending Gao Aocao to Xi Yi, he could avoid the bad reputation of abandoning his subordinates and get rid of Gao Aocao, this hot potato.

On the other hand, Xi Yi was also quietly gathering forces in the army. Gao Aocao was also a rare and powerful general, and Xi Yi would also be grateful to Gao Huan. With the help of this important figure, Xi Yi, Gao Huan would also be able to get more support.

"Wake up Gao Aocao!"

Wei Jing brought a bucket of water and poured it on Gao Aocao's face. Gao Aocao finally regained consciousness.

"General, I want revenge!"

Gao Huan looked at Gao Aocao and waved his hand gently. Wei Jing and Dou Tai went out to guard the door. He and Sima Ziru said to Gao Aocao:
"How do you want revenge?"

Gao Aocao gnashed his teeth and said:

"Kill the thief and avenge my father!"

Gao Huan sneered and said:

"General Tianzhu always lives in a military camp wherever he goes, and he is surrounded by armored guards. How are you going to assassinate him?"

Gao Aocao was speechless for a moment. He really had not thought of assassinating Erzhu Rong in this way.

But Gao Aocao said:
"I can follow the method in the Assassin's Biography. At worst, I can destroy my appearance and sneak into the thief's house. There will always be a chance for revenge!"

Gao Huan shook his head and said:

"Even if I let you get close, can you defeat General Tianzhu alone?"

This time Gao Aocao was also silent.

Erzhu Rong was not a weak civil official, but a general who fought on horseback.

Erzhu Rong's martial arts were also amazing. Although Gao Aocao had supernatural powers, he might not be able to defeat Erzhu Rong alone.

Moreover, Erzhu Rong was protected by trusted soldiers when he traveled, so it would not be easy to assassinate him.

Gao Aocao's eyes turned red, he clenched his fists and said, "The hatred for killing my father is irreconcilable!"

Gao Huan whispered:

"Ao Cao, if you want revenge, I recommend a place for you."

"what?"

"A few days ago, I heard that Shangshu Ling Xi Gong was helping His Majesty recruit sword dancers. I can recommend you to go."

"Lord Xi? Your Majesty? I won't go!"

Gao Aocao immediately expressed his objection. Gao Huan gave a look and Sima Ziru, who was beside Gao Huan, stepped forward. Gao Huan pretended to have something to do and left the room.

When Gao Huan came out, Wei Jing and Dou Tai stepped forward and asked Gao Huan:

"how's it going?"

Gao Huan said:

"Zi Ru is talking to Gao Aocao right now. It would be best if Gao Aocao himself is willing to go."

Wei Jing also said:
"If Gao Aocao goes to serve Lord Xi, if he causes trouble in the future, it will have nothing to do with us."

No one knew what Sima Ziru had said to Gao Aocao. Half an hour later, Sima Ziru opened the door and saw Gao Aocao calm down. He sat on the ground, got up, saluted to Gao Huan and said:

"Please ask General Gao to introduce me to Lord Xi's army."

Gao Huan finally breathed a sigh of relief. He still pulled Gao Aocao and said:
"Ao Cao, you and I are also the host and the guest. If you are wronged under Lord Xi's command in the future, you can come to me."

Gao Aocao seemed to have grown up a lot all of a sudden. He said to Gao Huan:

"Ao Cao understands General Gao's difficulties. It is a great honor for General Gao to point out a way for me. No matter what happens in the future, it has nothing to do with General Gao."

Before, Gao Aocao called Gao Huan "General", and now he calls him "General Gao". How could a shrewd man like Gao Huan not hear the unfamiliarity in his tone?

He just felt bitter in his heart. Gao Aocao was a Han general whom he had recruited with great difficulty. He was also the son of an aristocratic family and a golden signboard.

The Han troops brought by Gao Aocao could also balance the dominant power of the Six Garrisons under Gao Huan.

Apart from anything else, Gao Aocao has followed Gao Huan and fought in battles for many years, so he must have some feelings for him.

Now, for his own safety, he had no choice but to push Gao Aocao out.

Gao Huan felt very aggrieved, but he still pretended to be magnanimous and asked people to bring gold cakes and silk to Gao Aocao.

Gao Aocao did not take a penny, but took away his trusted followers and left Gao Huan's camp.

Dou Tai had always been at odds with Gao Aocao. When he saw Gao Aocao leaving, he grinned and said:

"He should have left long ago! If this guy commits any more crimes in the future, it will have nothing to do with us."

Sima Ziru sighed and said:

"How could it not matter."

Dou Tai said in panic:

"What should we do? Should we find a chance to kill this guy? Don't let him implicate us!"

Gao Huan was feeling irritated. The generals of the six prefectures under his command were basically like Dou Tai. They believed that force was their only way to solve problems. Simply put, they were brainless.

Sima Ziru was unwilling to pay attention to Dou Tai, and instead said to Gao Huan:

"But for now Gao Aocao won't do anything stupid. We are safe these days."

Gao Huan nodded. Xi Yi's help to Yuan Ziyou did not necessarily mean that he would go against Erzhu Rong now. Xi Yi was just like most of the aristocratic families. He was used to sitting on the fence. That is, he would give Emperor Yuan Ziyou some convenience within his ability.

Gao Aocao has a goal for the future, so even if it is to avenge his father, he will endure for a while.

Before this period of time, Gao Huan was safe.

When he thought of this, Gao Huan felt a headache again.

But I can’t think so much now. I can only send Gao Aocao away first.

After dealing with Gao Aocao's matter, Gao Huan discussed the real business with the three of them.

"General Tianzhu is preparing to march this month to attack Ji County."

Everyone was surprised. They thought Erzhu Rong would rest in Anyang for a while, but they didn't expect him to be so anxious and prepare to attack Ji County now.

Gao Huan nodded and said:

"General Tianzhu said, 'Our army is exhausted, and Chen Qianzhi's army is even more exhausted. By the time our army has rested, the enemy will have recovered. Ji County is empty, and now is a good time to attack.'"

"General Tianzhu has made up his mind anyway. Let's return to our camps and be ready to march at any time."

After Dou Tai and Wei Jing left, Sima Ziru said:

"General Tianzhu is so anxious because of the one in the northwest, right?"

Gao Huan nodded and said:
"Yes, the general said that Su Ze will definitely go south next year, and the problem in Luoyang must be solved before this winter."

Sima Ziru also nodded worriedly. There was nothing he could do. The pressure from Su Ze was too great.

Once Su Ze has integrated Dingzhou and Youzhou, he will definitely lead his troops south, and it will then be difficult to solve the Luoyang problem.

It’s not that Erzhu Rong was anxious, but he had to fight.

The two sighed again, and the Su Ze they mentioned had already arrived at Zhongshan City, the capital of Dingzhou, and was busy integrating the resources of the two states.

(End of this chapter)