Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 391 All are ministers of the state
Jizhou!
Xindu!

After Erzhu Rong's death, the powerful clans of Hebei rose up and occupied various prefectures and counties, resisting the Erzhu clan.

This situation has persisted to this day; even though the Erzhu clan has been destroyed, the heads of most prefectures and counties in Hebei still come from aristocratic families.

The powerful clans of Hebei filled every position in the prefectures and counties with their own people, just as the Bohai Gao clan did after hearing that Gao Ang was stationed in Qugao City.

To Gao Qian's surprise, Gao Ang not only refused, but also sent his troops across the Yellow River to occupy the lands of Xiangzhou and Jizhou.

Gao Ang expelled the local officials, replaced them with his own men, and issued a decree ordering that all taxes and grain collected from these lands should be sent to Qugao City.

After Li Shuang entered Luoyang, the aristocratic families of Hebei were wary of him and secretly formed a defensive alliance.

Gao Qian never expected that the breach would originate from his own position.

The key point is that if it were someone else, Gao Qian could easily make excuses, but with Gao Ang, he couldn't bring himself to say that it had nothing to do with him.

All the world saw was that Gao Qian sent his second brother Gao Shen and fourth brother Gao Jishi to Qugao City, and Gao Ang soon after, he led his troops north.

Everyone would suspect that Gao Qian was colluding with Li Shuang to seize more benefits.

At least, that's what the Cui family of Qinghe thought.

“Zhongmi replied that he was not even allowed to enter the door when he went to Qinghe.”

The words of Feng Longzhi, the governor of Ji Province, caused Gao Qian's expression to change drastically.

Among aristocratic families, the most important thing is to give each other face.

This statement indicates that the Cui family of Qinghe were very dissatisfied with Gao Gao's trip to the north and blamed Gao Qian for it.

After the Gao brothers started their rebellion, they occupied Xindu, but Gao Qian did not become the governor himself. Instead, he put Feng Longzhi in the spotlight.

The Feng family of Bohai was renowned for its legal scholarship, and was a family of legal scholars. Feng Longzhi had a better reputation among the people of Jizhou than the Gao brothers.

"What exactly is Ao Cao trying to do?!"

Gao Qian gritted his teeth.

Gao Ang stirred up trouble in Hebei, which had been peaceful. The key point is that the Gao family of Bohai did not gain any substantial benefit. The beneficiaries were Gao Ang and his military officials.

Although Gao Ang was Gao Qian's third brother, the military officials under his command had no relation to the Bohai Gao clan.

Feng Longzhi was relatively calm. He and Gao Qian were partners, but he was the manager on the surface, while Gao Qian was the real boss behind the scenes.

This matter can be considered very big, or it can be considered very small.

As Gao Ang said, they all belong to the Bohai Gao family, so why can't he get a share?
"Qian Yong, the question now is not what Gao Ang should do, but what you should do!"

"I?"

Gao Qian looked at his partner and gradually calmed down.

Feng Longzhi analyzed:

"Yuan Yue was defeated, and the Liang army did not continue to march north to fight for important towns in the Central Plains such as Xuanhu and Pengcheng. Henan is now settled. The King of Qin dispatched Generals Gao Ang and Yuan Xin, each leading troops to take control of Qu'ao City and Pengcheng, with the intention of controlling the prefectures of Yan, Ji, Qing, and Xu. Now that Ao Cao has marched north, the dispute will stop at money, grain, and land, and we should not involve anything else."

Gao Qian understood the veiled meaning of Feng Longzhi's words.

The "others" referred to here are Li Shuang from Luoyang. If he were to leave the scene, it would be a huge problem for them.

After listening to Feng Longzhi's analysis, Gao Qian quickly came up with a plan.

Gao Qian can give Gao Ang the land and grain he occupied on their side, but the situation with the Cui family of Qinghe is quite troublesome, and Gao Ang has to give it back.

"I'm just worried that the tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease!"

Just then, a message came from outside that Gao Jishi had arrived, bringing many gifts.

Gao Jishi walked in excitedly with gifts, but Gao Qian's face turned green when he saw him.

Did they steal things from the Cui family of Qinghe and then give them to me?

Isn't this just blatantly trying to shift the blame onto themselves?

"Eldest brother, I have come to deliver a gift on the orders of my third brother!"

"I don't want these things. Take them back to where they came from!"

Gao Jishi nodded, then silently prepared to leave.

Gao Qian and Feng Longzhi panicked upon seeing this.

Feng Longzhi quickly stopped Gao Jishi and asked what Gao Gao meant.
"Third brothers, don't you understand? He said that no one dares to refuse the gifts he sends. If you don't accept them, he will personally lead troops to Xindu to deliver them again."

Gao Qian was furious when he heard this.

"He even took this letter for himself!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Jishi hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Gao Qian was taken aback, then realized what was happening and his guard was broken.

"This kid actually has that in mind!"

Gao Ji comforted him gently:

“As a general, my third brother should be stationed in a city like Ye, Xindu, or Pengcheng. It’s really unfair that he’s in Quqio City now.”

Xindu was the capital of Jizhou. Not only was the city fortified, but it was also surrounded by a large population, fertile land, and well-developed water conservancy.

After the Six Garrisons uprising, Xindu was besieged by their army and fell into ruin. However, the city's foundation remained, and its economy quickly recovered after the rebellion was quelled.

Gao Qian felt no comfort from Gao Jishi's words; instead, he was quite annoyed.

"I think you need to be taught a lesson!"

Gao Qian and Gao Jishi were brothers, but they were nearly twenty years apart in age, so it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say they were from two different generations.

The eldest brother is like a father, and when Gao Qian became angry, Gao Jishi was genuinely somewhat afraid.

Gao Jishi immediately hid behind Feng Longzhi and said:
“If my eldest brother wants to punish me, I’ll just have to accept it. But my third brother said he won’t return the land.”

"..."

After Gao Jishi finished speaking, he immediately ran away.

Feng Longzhi looked at Gao Qian, but saw that he was silent. Just as he was about to step forward to offer some words of comfort, he heard Gao Qian murmur:
"I was wrong, I was so wrong. I shouldn't have taken a fancy to that young lady from the Cui family of Boling. If I hadn't taken a fancy to that young lady, Ao Cao wouldn't have kidnapped her; if Ao Cao hadn't kidnapped her, he wouldn't have had to flee to another place to avoid trouble; if he hadn't fled to another place, how would he have met Da Yeshuang; if he hadn't met Da Yeshuang..."

At this point, Gao Qian himself felt wronged.

Gao Qian missed his former third brother dearly.

Gao Feng, who was once exceptionally brave and skilled in martial arts, held his elder brother in high esteem.

Everything changed after I met Li Shuang.

Today, Gao Feng is not only fierce and shrewd, but also incredibly brave.

Upon hearing this, Feng Longzhi didn't know how to offer any advice, and could only say:

"Since things have come to this, let's have dinner first!"

……

Yecheng.

Gao Huan has been feeling very uneasy lately.

"He Liuhun, how are you?"

Inside the house, Lou Zhaojun, who was preparing clothes for Gao Cheng, looked on curiously and casually asked a question.

Gao Huan sighed and said:

“Ang Gao led his troops to Hebei and occupied three counties.”

Lou Zhaojun listened but didn't take it to heart.

"Let them take it. It's not your territory anyway, why are you so concerned?"

Gao Huan gave a bitter smile upon hearing this.

"I'm afraid it has to do with me!"

Lou Zhaojun was somewhat puzzled, but then she saw Duan Shao rush over, stand outside the house, and cup his hands in greeting:
"My lord, Wei Jing sent me to report that Hou Jing has arrived and is demanding to see you."

Gao Huan's expression changed, and he said:
"That bastard finally came!"

For a moment, Gao Huan was quite helpless and said:
"Just say I'm sick and can't see guests!"

"promise!"

After Duan Shao left, Lou Zhaojun looked at Gao Huan and smiled.

"So that's why you haven't been going to other courtyards lately and have been staying here with me all this time. You've been hiding from Hou Jing!"

Gao Huan told the truth, saying:

"Isn't it because I thought Hou Jing would have some reservations while I'm with you?!"

That's what Gao Huan thought, but he miscalculated.

Hou Jing had no scruples.

"Don't stop me, why are you stopping me? We're not outsiders!" Hou Jing's voice came from afar.

Wei Jing tried to stop him, but Hou Jing had already quietly arrived outside.

"You said you were sick, but you're perfectly fine here."

As he spoke, Hou Jing looked at Lou Zhaojun and greeted her.

"sister in law!"

Lou Zhaojun nodded slightly in response and continued tidying her clothes.

Gao Huan looked at Hou Jing and scolded him:

"Don't you have any manners? This is the inner courtyard. You can't just come in like that!"

Hou Jing, however, was shameless and said:

"I just wanted to see He Liuhun and his sister-in-law after not seeing them for so long. If you're upset, I'll go out and present a formal visiting card to show my respects. How about that?"

Gao Huan snorted and turned his head away.

Inside the room, the atmosphere was awkward.

Hou Jing, however, showed no sign of embarrassment and paced back and forth in the room.

Gao Huan dismissed Wei Jing and simply waited it out with Hou Jing.

"Sister-in-law, are these clothes for Gao Cheng?"

Lou Zhaojun smiled as soon as Gao Cheng was mentioned.

"How is it? Does it look appropriate?"

Hou Jing nodded and said:

"It's appropriate, but the fabric is rather poor."

Upon hearing this, Lou Zhaojun frowned, somewhat agreeing with the sentiment.

“Cheng’er is getting on in years and should be apprenticed to a great scholar. I was a bit too hasty and didn’t buy any good materials before I started making it.”

"I have a piece of fine Shu brocade, I'll bring it to you right away, sister-in-law."

Upon hearing this, Lou Zhaojun's smile widened. If Hou Jing had given her fabric to make clothes, Lou Zhaojun wouldn't have reacted so readily. But making clothes for Gao Cheng was a different story.

"Isn't this too much trouble?"

"How can you say that my nephew's matter is troublesome?"

Seeing this scene, Gao Huan felt increasingly helpless and interrupted Hou Jing.

"What are you here for?"

Hou Jing's smile faded, and he said:
"He Liuhun, do you know that Gao Ang has secretly led his troops across the Yellow River to the north and occupied three prefectures? This is truly—"

Seeing the expression on Hou Jing's face, Gao Huan interrupted:

"Makes you envious?"

Hou Jing's thoughts had been exposed, so he coughed to cover up his embarrassment.

"He Liuhun is joking. I have always been law-abiding and upheld the law. How could I envy such a horrifying thing?"

Gao Huan didn't know how to complain for a moment.

"Upholding the law and maintaining discipline"—which of these words has anything to do with Hou Jing?

"Then what do you want?"

“The people of Hebei are also subjects of the Great Wei. Gao’ao’s disregard for the law is unacceptable. We must report this to the court and impeach him severely.”

"Then go ahead and ginseng!"

Hou Jing was indignant at Gao Huan's appearance.

"He Liuhun, as a member of the Bohai Gao clan, how can you stand idly by when faced with such a scoundrel! You should set an example for everyone and put righteousness before family!"

"..."

Gao Huan waved his hand, gesturing for Hou Jing to come closer, and whispered in his ear:
"Wan Jing, how many times has this happened? Why do you always have to drag me into these kinds of messy things?"

"Didn't we make it in time?"

Gao Huan countered with a question:
"Is it always such a coincidence?"

"What a coincidence!"

As the two were whispering, Lou Zhaojun spoke.

"Wan Jing is right, He Liuhun should be treated this way."

Upon hearing this, Hou Jing immediately said:
"Since my sister-in-law has said so, it's settled then!"

Without giving Gao Huan time to react, Hou Jing got up and left.

Gao Huan looked at Lou Zhaojun and complained:

"Zhaojun, why did you agree to his request, just for a piece of Shu brocade?"

Lou Zhaojun shook her head and asked:

"If you don't agree, what will you do if Gao Ang occupies your territory tomorrow?"

"..."

Lou Zhaojun sorted through the valuable clothes, thought for a moment, and said:

“Cheng’er can’t wear it anymore, and Yang’er is still too young. Never mind, Yang’er can wear it when he grows up.”
-
Jinyong City.

"King Qin, Gao Huan is going too far! How could he do such a thing?"

After receiving the memorial from Yecheng, Yuan Baoju immediately sought out Li Shuang.

Recently, Yuan Baoju has felt pressure from the imperial court, all for the sake of a high-ranking official.

To raise troops without authorization and drive away officials of the court is, in a sense, no different from treason.

Of course, if the Northern Wei court were still the same court, it would have already sent troops to conquer it.

Li Shuang took the memorial, read it through, and said:
"What He Liuhun said makes a lot of sense!"

"..."

Yuan Baoju didn't understand for a moment, looked at Li Shuang, and asked:
"But Gao Ang doesn't belong to the King of Qin—"

"Your Majesty, such a lawless act should be investigated and punished."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Baoju asked:

"So, how does the King of Qin intend to investigate?"

“Land illegally occupied by Gao Gao must be returned.”

As he spoke, Li Shuang sighed:

"With his merits, he should have been more than qualified to be a county duke, but now he can only be a county duke."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Baoju pressed for an answer:
"What about those three prefectures?"

"Your Majesty, this is exactly what I wanted to say. The territories under the jurisdiction of the various prefectures in Hebei are too large, making it difficult for the court to manage them. What do you think about re-establishing a prefecture using the land of these three counties, and then having the court select a capable person to serve as the prefectural governor?"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Baoju finally understood.

"What the King of Qin says is quite right, and that's what I think too. However, I fear that some old fogies in the court will not agree and will try their best to obstruct this!"

Li Shuang looked at Yuan Baoju and said:
"The entire Great Wei Dynasty, with its capital, six circuits, and over a hundred prefectures, rests on Your Majesty's shoulders. For the sake of all the people, Your Majesty should also fight for it!"

Yuan Baoju's expression changed, and he became somewhat hesitant, saying:

"This Great Wei, with its capital, six circuits, and over a hundred prefectures, is on my shoulders, but I fear I cannot bear it and may jeopardize the Prince of Qin's great cause."

"Your Majesty should not underestimate yourself."

Yuan Baoju, holding Li Shuang's hand, asked:
"King Qin, please give me some advice, what should I do?"

Li Shuang said leisurely:

"These are all ministers of state, highly respected and virtuous. They are about to be worshipped at the ancestral temples and the heavens. Your Majesty should be careful, lest people say that these ministers of state are disrespectful."

……

Yuan Baoju, still somewhat shocked upon returning to the palace, happened to encounter Empress Yifu.

"Why did Your Majesty act this way upon meeting the King of Qin?"

Yuan Baoju murmured:

"Ohno Sou's ability to reach this level is beyond the reach of ordinary people!"

……

(End of this chapter)