Strange Tales from the Northern Qi Dynasty

Chapter 143 Qian Ming Change
On the rugged official road, the Dingzhou army was advancing slowly.

It started to drizzle at some point, forming a thin rain curtain in the air. The cold wind carried the rain and hit the bodies of many soldiers.

The knights rushed back and forth on both sides of the army.

The soldiers lowered their heads, looking dejected. Even the drizzle was a huge blow to their morale, not to mention that they had no morale to begin with. The soldiers were soaked through, their faces were red, and they kept shivering in the cold wind.

A soldier took a few steps forward and suddenly fell down, unable to get up again.

The officers shouted.

Gao Yanzong rode his horse to the center of the army, with Liu Taozi beside him.

The knights kept running back and forth, reporting the situation.

There were so many people coming and going that Gao Yanzong and Liu Taozi had no chance to chat.

"General! The road ahead is severely damaged and we can't ride our horses!"

"General, three people were spotted on the right, claiming to be woodcutters!"

"General, the Changle troops are advancing too slowly and are about to collide with the Changshan troops."

These were the knights who conveyed information from various places. One came and one left. Gao Yanzong thought it was quite interesting at first, but after this went on for a day, Gao Yanzong felt like he was going crazy.

Is this the Ten Thousand People's Expedition?
Gao Yanzong quickly handed all these to Liu Taozi and rode his horse farther away just to avoid hearing the word "General".

At first, Liu Taozi's handling of the situation was extremely awkward, but gradually, he became proficient in his response. Whether it was clearing the way in front, rallying the rear, maintaining team distance, maintaining forward speed, providing logistical support, etc., he could give orders in a timely manner.

The Boling soldiers under Liu Taozi became supervisors and scouts, with Liu Taozi as the center and spreading to the entire army, providing Liu Taozi with timely information on the situation and trends in various places.

The total number of people from the five counties and the king's personal entourage exceeded ten thousand. With ten thousand people on the road, the marching speed was much slower than Gao Yanzong had expected.

They walked for two days but didn't even see the shadow of the Li River.

It is no exaggeration to say that the marching speed is as slow as a snail.

But Gao Yanzong did not dare to speed up. At this level, if he dared to force a march, his ten thousand men would be reduced to a thousand before he reached his destination.

Gao Yanzong raised his head and looked at the gloomy sky. The drizzle washed his face. He was wet all over. The armor made him particularly uncomfortable. He wiped his sore eyes and rode his horse closer to Liu Taozi.

"Brother, it's raining, let's stop and rest."

"We cannot rest here. We must march to Changshiqu, where we can rest and resupply. At the current speed, we will arrive in an hour."

Liu Taozi looked up at the sky again, "The rain won't last long."

Gao Yanzong was stunned for a moment, and had to lower his head and continue moving forward.

The warhorse shook its head and shook off the water droplets on its body, showing its dissatisfaction with the bad weather.

The army arrived at Changshiqu and began to rest there. Each unit dispersed and followed the old method of setting up camp separately and setting up guard against each other.

Gao Yanzong and others sat in a dilapidated temple, chewing on the dry food in their hands and looking outside helplessly.

The rain had indeed stopped, but the ground was still wet and difficult to walk on.

The sky was still gloomy, and I felt upset just looking at it.

After a while, Gao Yanzong couldn't sit still anymore and went to his tent to sleep.

Yao Xiong, Kou Liu, Chu Jiande, Tian Zilie and four others stayed with Liu Taozi. The five of them looked outside, eating their dry food with relish, without saying a word.

Tian Zili suddenly cleared his throat.

"Brother."

"Ah."

"I was really stupid at first. I thought leading an army was so easy. Now I know how difficult it is."

"With these 10,000 men, we marched for two days and hundreds of them were killed or injured. The army was demoralized and had no fighting power. It turns out that leading troops is so difficult."

Tian Zili exhaled tiredly, "I will never dare to raise an army lightly again."

Yao Xiong chuckled, "It's just that you are useless. For me, isn't it easy?"

"Oh, you are just leading the cavalry to patrol back and forth, which is naturally easy. How about we switch places? I will ride the horse back and forth, and you will escort the food and supplies, count and distribute them. How do you think?"

"Do you think my job is easy? There are more than 10,000 soldiers, and I have to supervise them. From time to time, some escape, some fall behind, some faint, and all kinds of people are there!"

Yao Xiong glanced at Kou Liu, "There are also people who steal things!"

Kou Liu's face darkened, "Why are you looking at me?!"

Several people were talking and laughing, it was quite lively, and they didn't seem tired at all from the journey.

Liu Taozi still had a straight face and said, "Learn more and gain experience."

Several people hurriedly nodded their heads and said yes.

Yao Xiong secretly asked, "Brother, is your Hu Fen General real? Or is he appointed during the war and will be taken away after the battle?"

"do not know."

Chu Jiande stroked his beard and said, "If it's not an imperial appointment, then it will be taken away. However, this is a good thing. First, I can get familiar with commanding troops, second, I can get some state government supplies, and third, I can get credit for clearing the emperor's side."

Liu Taozi reminded: "I will not tolerate both, corruption and abuse of power."

"Hey, I just said it casually."

Yao Xiong was very curious, "I understand the first two, what does the third one mean?"

Chu Jiande grinned, his appearance was quite scary, he said: "This time it was the King of Changshan who took action against Prime Minister Yang. Although we were just watching from a distance, we also participated in this major event with the King of Changshan. When the King of Changshan comes to power, he will definitely reward people according to their merits, and no one can be left behind. It seems that our Lord Liu will be promoted again! And it's a formal one!"

Yao Xiong was overjoyed, "Promotion is good, promotion is good, if my brother gets promoted, I can get promoted too!"

Everyone is full of expectations for the future and is working enthusiastically. There is no longer any fatigue or complaints. Their eyes are bright and full of fighting spirit.

Liu Taozi, at this moment, was just gazing at the direction of Yecheng from afar, with a solemn expression and saying nothing.

Yecheng.

Zheng Zimo grabbed Yang Yin's hand, his face full of anxiety.

"Prime Minister Yang, who doesn't know what the King of Changshan and the King of Changguang are thinking? They accepted the imperial edict so easily, there must be something fishy going on. It's better not to attend this banquet!"

Yang Yin frowned and looked at the many officials around him.

Everyone looked at Yang Yin, waiting for him to make the right decision.

Yang Yin pushed Zheng Zimo away and said sternly, "We are loyal to our country. I have no personal grudge against the King of Changshan. Everything is just for the sake of Da Qi. The King of Changshan is about to take up his post and host a banquet for all officials before leaving. How can I not attend? Why are you so worried?"

Zheng Zimo sighed, “Prime Minister Yang, you think you have no personal grudge against him, but I’m afraid he doesn’t think so.”

Yang Yin's expression eased a little. "Don't worry. This banquet is not held in the Changshan Palace, but in the Shangshu Province. It's not just for a few of us. All officials are invited."

"Even if someone wanted to harm me, could they do it in the Shangshu Province, in front of all the civil and military officials?"

After hearing this, Zheng Zimo did not continue to persuade him. He bowed and stepped aside. Yang Yin, with his bulging belly, led the important ministers, got into the car and drove towards the Shangshu Province office.

It was not too far from Yang Yin’s mansion.

A moment later, everyone arrived. Yang Yin got out of the car and Gao Zhan hurried up to greet him.

"Hahaha, Prime Minister Yang, why are you so late? All the officials are here, but Prime Minister Yang is here only now. You need to drink a few more glasses of wine!!"

Seeing Gao Zhan's generous look, Yang Yin also chuckled, "Since the two princes are about to take up their posts, I dare not fail to prepare gifts, so I am late. Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will definitely have a few more cups later!!"

Gao Zhan happily took Yang Yin's hand, and they walked into the government office together.

All the ministers were indeed present. When they saw Yang Yin coming, they all stood up to greet him. Gao Zhan ignored them, just grabbed Yang Yin's hand and continued walking towards the inner room.

Yang Yin whispered to Gao Zhan beside him: "Your Majesty, everything we have done in the past was for the country. I hope Your Majesty will do the best."

"Let's not talk about the past!"

"Please take a seat!"

Gao Zhan let Yang Yin sit in the position headed by civil officials.

Yang Yin and many ministers sat down one after another. The officials were still drinking. Yang Yin picked up the wine glass and nodded politely at them.

Zheng Zimo frowned. He looked at the nobles in the inner room and the smiling Lou Rui, and felt more and more uneasy. Soon someone came and took him to another room. He was about to speak when the King of Changshan came in. Everyone stood up to greet him, including Yang Yin. The banquet officially began, and Zheng Zimo had to get up and leave.

Gao Yan sat in the upper seat, drinking quietly, while Gao Zhan, holding a wine jug, began to toast everyone one by one.

But the order of his toasts started from the right, which was opposite Yang Yin.

Yang Yin didn't think there was anything wrong and just drank his wine.

Gao Zhan poured wine for everyone at the table, then clinked glasses with others and toasted them twice. He raised his head, swallowed the wine in one gulp, and then wiped the corners of his mouth.

He walked like this and drank two cups with each person, but he didn't look drunk at all. He was extremely sober. He drank faster and faster and finished it in one gulp. The Xianbei nobles couldn't help but applaud him when they saw how generous he was.

When Gao Zhan walked in front of Yang Yin, he had already opened his collar, revealing his red skin. His face was also red, and his eyes looked a little strange.

His hands were empty, and the wine jug was thrown somewhere unknown.

Gao Zhan shouted, "Bring some wine!"

No one came forward.

"Bring the wine!!"

"Why not catch it?!"

Gao Zhan shouted again, and at this moment, he saw dozens of people rushing out from the inner room. They pounced on him fiercely, and the two in front pressed Yang Yin to the ground and tied him up quickly.

The rest of the people in power, including Zhu Huntianhe, Song Qindao and other Yang Yin's cronies, were subdued in an instant. These strong men pinned them to the ground. Faced with this sudden scene, many nobles in the inner room turned a blind eye and continued to eat and drink, watching them happily.

Yang Yin was stunned. He raised his head and looked at Gao Zhan in front of him, asking in disbelief: "The kings are plotting a rebellion? Do you want to kill the loyal ministers?!"

He roared: "We respect the emperor and reduce the princes, and we are dedicated to the country. What crime have we committed?!"

Gao Yan frowned and said, "Let them go."

Gao Zhan stepped forward and said, "Brother, don't listen to this person's nonsense. What is serving the country? What is serving the emperor? In the final analysis, he just wants to suppress the nobles and let himself be the only one in power by saying that he serves the country and the people! Liu Taozi has eradicated traitors and paid enough grain in the local area. He has made many contributions, but didn't these people still order him to be executed?"

"If they are devoted to the country, why would they execute meritorious people when they hurt one of their own?!"

Gao Yan immediately closed his eyes. Gao Zhan pointed at Yang Yin and the others and shouted angrily: "Beat them! Beat them to death!"

The servants swung up sticks, and they rained down on everyone. They could only scream in pain.

In the other rooms, similar situations occurred. A servant came forward and pressed Zheng Zimo to the ground. Zheng Zimo looked up and shouted, "You don't listen to the wise man's words! This is the result."

He closed his eyes in despair, and the people in the other rooms were all Han officials.

They looked at this scene in horror and asked, "What happened?!"

They were also in disbelief at this moment, their eyes widened.

A servant pounced towards Yan Zixian. Yan Zixian lowered his head and punched the servant, knocking him to the ground. Yan Zixian hurriedly ran outside. Several servants rushed up, but he snatched their sticks from them. After a few more punches, the servants fell to the ground.

Yan Zixian was extremely frightened at this moment, and he struggled to escape. The servants along the way were unable to catch him and could only watch him rush out of the Shangshu Province.

Yan Zixian knocked over the servant in front of him again and rushed out of the Shangshu Province, but just as he steadied his feet, he saw the person in front of him.

The man standing in front of him was tall and strong, with a strange smile on his face, looking him up and down.

Behind him were many elite soldiers.

Yan Zixian froze when she saw him.

"Huolvguang"

Gao Yan led everyone out of here. Huluguang stepped forward and saluted, then threw the unconscious Yan Zixian in front of him, "Your Majesty, this man has been captured."

"Take him to the palace!"

Gao Yan led the army and marched towards the palace in a mighty manner. Along the way, there was chaos and everyone fled. As for the ministers, they continued to be detained in the Secretariat and were not allowed to enter or leave.

They rushed all the way to Yunlong Gate and ordered it to be opened.

The governor Chi Lisao hurriedly led his troops to block the way, "Don't enter!!"

Gao Guiyan frowned and scolded: "I am the commander of the imperial guards, how dare you stop me?!"

"No one is allowed to enter without His Majesty's order!!"

Gao Yan looked at Hulugu who was standing aside. He shot an arrow at high speed and Chilishao fell to the ground immediately.

Gao Guiyan's face looked a little ugly. After they passed the Yunlong Gate, they were stopped by Cheng Xiuning again. Gao Guiyan gave orders again, and the soldiers dropped their weapons one after another. Cheng Xiuning was also captured on the spot.

They rushed into the inner palace. Prince Changguang and Prince Pingqin were stationed at Zhuhua Gate, while Gao Yan sent Lou Rui to invite the Empress Dowager to come.

Soon, the Empress Dowager led the emperor to the Zhaoyang Palace.

Gao Yin looked at the people in front of him in astonishment, his face full of fear.

Gao Yan immediately kowtowed, "Grand Empress Dowager! Your Majesty and I are blood relatives, but Yang Yin wants to usurp power and dominate himself. If he is not removed early, he will be a great threat. Zhan and I are responsible for state affairs. Heba Ren, Hulu Jin and others are willing to sacrifice their careers for the emperor. They have captured Yang Yin and sent him to the palace. No torture was used. Please punish him!"

After saying this, he kowtowed heavily again, as if he wanted to bleed.

Gao Yin turned pale with fright, and said nothing. The many palace soldiers around him all looked in Gao Yin's direction, but Gao Yin did not speak. His lips trembled slightly. The soldiers looked disappointed and slowly lowered their heads.

Empress Dowager Lou sighed and asked, "Where is Yang Lang?"

Heba Ren stepped forward and opened his hands. "One of his eyes is right here!"

Empress Dowager Lou said with some sorrow: "What can Yang Lang do? Isn't it better to keep him?"

She suddenly looked at Gao Yin angrily, "These people you indulged wanted to kill my two sons, then kill me, and finally kill you. Why did you indulge them like this?!"

Gao Yin lowered his head and dared not speak.

Empress Dowager Lou pointed at Li Zu'e who was not far away and said, "How can I be manipulated by a Han Chinese like you?!"

Li Zu'e was so frightened that she knelt down and begged for mercy.

Seeing Gao Yan still kowtowing, Empress Dowager Lou looked at Gao Yin and asked, "Why don't you comfort your uncle?"

Gao Yin trembled and said, "I can give the throne to my uncle, why, why, why would I argue with my uncle because of these Han, Han, Han people? Please forgive me, spare my life, I will leave the palace by myself, and my uncle will deal with these Han, Han, Han people!"

Gao Zhan immediately looked at Hulugu and motioned him to follow him out.

Gao Yin stepped forward and helped Gao Yan up, trembling as he confessed his guilt to him. Gao Yan quickly stepped back and said, "How can I let the emperor pay respect to my minister?"

He stepped forward and took Gao Yin's hand, "Your Majesty, everything I have done is for you. When my brother passed away, I promised Your Majesty that I would protect Your Majesty. As long as I am here, I will never let a traitor like Yang Yin harm the world. Please issue an imperial decree now and appoint me as the Prime Minister, the Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese and Foreign Military Affairs, and the Recorder of the Secretariat. This is to stabilize the world as soon as possible and prevent the evil people of the Yang Party from causing chaos everywhere! Your Majesty, please issue an imperial decree!!"

Gao Yin trembled, glanced at the fierce-looking Empress Dowager Lou, and said timidly: "Okay, okay, I will make my uncle the prime minister, the commander-in-chief of all military affairs inside and outside the country, and the recorder of the Shangshu affairs."

Yang Yin knelt on the ground, one of his eye sockets was empty.

Blood flowed from his face to the ground.

The two soldiers held him like this, and several court officials around him had already been beaten unconscious.

Gao Zhan walked up to him with a grim smile, and He Shikai stood behind him.

"Do you know what His Majesty said? He said that he would never argue with us for the sake of you Han people. Are you guys worthy of being so arbitrary?"

Yang Yin slowly raised his head and looked at Gao Zhan in front of him with one eye.

"If you kill me, all the Han people in the world will be alienated, and there will no longer be any Han officials who are willing to assist the government."

"Oh? Yang Dadu wants to beg for mercy now?? Hahaha, isn't it a little late?"

"I'm not begging for mercy. You can't kill me."

"Pfft."

Gao Zhan thrust the sword into Yang Yin's abdomen. Yang Yin looked at him in pain. Gao Zhan whispered, "Then I want to see what the consequences of executing you will be. Han soldier? Han minister? Does the Great Qi need you? What use are you to?"

Blood was flowing from the corner of Yang Yin's mouth. He looked up at Gao Zhan and said, "You will know from now on. Da Qi will perish in your hands sooner or later."

Gao Zhan was furious and drew his sword violently.

Yang Yin fell backwards, his empty eyes staring at the bloody sky.

Do not look down.

(End of this chapter)