Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 552 Is this too informal?
Huan Tai Fang!
Laiguogong Mansion.

Gao Huan lay under the grape trellis, leisurely basking in the sun.

Lou Zhaojun walked over from the side, looked at Gao Huan's appearance, and asked:
"Why are you so relaxed?"

Gao Huan, looking quite pleased with himself, countered with a question:
"Zhaojun, don't you think it's been much quieter in the neighborhood lately?"

Lou Zhaojun murmured after hearing Gao Huan's words:
"You're right, why is that?"

Gao Huan sat up, looked at his wife, and smiled:

“Yuwentai has gone to the north to settle matters, and Hou Jing has been staying at the Left Guard’s residence these days, so the area is naturally quiet.”

Upon hearing this, Lou Zhaojun smiled, put her hands on her hips, and asked:

"It's not like Hou Jing isn't coming back."

Gao Huan chuckled, waved his hand, and said:

“Zhaojun, what you say is wrong. Hou Jing is about to go south. When that happens, I will finally be free from all troubles.”

Lou Zhaojun, somewhat puzzled, asked in return:

“Yesterday I saw that a lot of furniture was brought into the Liang family’s mansion, so it doesn’t look like they are about to go on a long journey.”

The courtyard was quiet, and a gentle breeze blew through the grape trellis. Gao Huan wore a smile that Lou Zhaojun did not understand.

"Hou Jing probably still doesn't know this."

……

The city of Luoyang, built during the Northern Wei Dynasty, was enormous, even larger than Chang'an, the capital of the Tang Dynasty, where all nations paid tribute.

However, throughout the Northern Wei dynasty, none of the envisioned plans for Luoyang City came to fruition. At its peak, Luoyang City had only a little over two hundred wards and a population of seven hundred thousand, far less than Chang'an City of the Tang Dynasty, which had a population of one million but was smaller in scale.

After the Heyin Incident, Luoyang became a racecourse, the city was severely damaged, and many parts of the outer city were left undeveloped.

After Yuan Baoju took control of Luoyang, order was restored, and the city of Luoyang began to be rebuilt, with the outer city area correspondingly reduced in size.

However, some important scenic spots from the Northern Wei period have been restored.

For example, in tuning and musical scales.

During the height of the Northern Wei Dynasty, many Xianbei nobles resided in the northwest of the outer city wall. As a result, the Luoyang market and the surrounding neighborhoods where artisans lived flourished.

After the establishment of the Tang Dynasty, Li Shuang reformed the system and established the basic framework of three provinces and six ministries, nine temples, five directorates and one proclamation, and twelve military prefectures.

The changes in the system also led to changes in the architectural layout of the inner city. The old order needed to be broken, and the newly built government offices also needed space.

Therefore, demolition is necessary.

Originally, during the Tian Ce Prefecture period, the military officers, officials, soldiers, and their families who lived along Jin Yong City were promoted and ennobled after the establishment of the new dynasty. No longer satisfied with their original cramped living environment, they began to move to the outer city, buy larger houses, and embrace a larger living environment.

The northwest of the outer city wall had a comfortable living environment, which was the choice of the Xianbei nobles in the past, and naturally, it was also the choice of these people.

As a result, the handicraft workshops in Luoyang and its surrounding areas flourished once again.

The once desolate music hall is now filled with nightly revelry.

Inside the dance hall, Hou Jing was drinking with Wang Wei, while dancers entertained them with melodious music.

Hou Jing had drunk enough, and with the help of his attendants, he entered a small private room, where someone was waiting.

Unlike Hou Jing, who was relaxed, the newcomer was tense, and there was a small box next to him.

"You must be Lan Jing?"

Hou Jing seemed to be drunk and sat down in front of Lan Jing.

His father, Lan Qin, was a famous general of the Southern Liang Dynasty, as renowned as Chen Qingzhi. However, his son was not as famous as his father.

After Xiao Lun's defeat and death, Lan Qin also chose to surrender. Lan Qin and his son now serve under Xiao Cha. This trip to Luoyang is precisely to do something for Xiao Cha.

"It's down!"

"Why did Lord Yueyang send you here?"

"After King Xiao Yi of Chu gained power, instead of allowing the people to recuperate and be at peace, he took advantage of trade to secretly amass troops, train naval forces, and stockpile grain, harboring rebellious intentions." Hou Jing couldn't help but want to see the guest out. What were these things about Xiao Yi that required Xiao Cha to send someone to Luoyang to tell him all about them?
"The Duke of Yueyang was loyal to the court, which is admirable. However, everyone knows about the feud between the Duke of Yueyang and the King of Chu, and one side's account is not enough to convince people."

Lan Jing seemed to sense Hou Jing's impatience, picked up the small box from the side, and opened it.

Out of consideration for the chest of gold, Hou Jing temporarily held back.

"Why did the Duke of Yueyang send you here?"

"This concerns the troops of Jingxiang Prefecture!"

"Jingxiang Prefecture troops?"

Lan Jing nodded and said:

"King Xiao Yi of Chu attacked Xiangyang in the north, but was ultimately defeated and forced to retreat. However, he plundered villages along the way and relocated a large number of people. After this battle, the land south of Xiangyang was left undefended. Now that the court has just been established, Xiangzhou and other places still follow the old Liang system. The Duke of Yueyang is afraid that King Xiao Yi of Chu will eventually rebel. To prevent any unforeseen circumstances, he plans to establish Zhechong Prefectures in Xiangzhou, Beiyingzhou and other prefectures to train local troops. He hopes that the Duke of Liang will grant his request."

Hou Jing understood.

Xiao Cha wanted to increase his strength, but he didn't have enough bargaining chips, so he wanted to use Luoyang as a powerful symbol to intimidate Xiao Yi.

Many of the empty places Lan Jing mentioned are in Xiao Yi's hands.

Although the establishment of the Zhechong Prefecture would significantly reduce Xiao Cha's power, he gained more land and troops, while retaining his former subordinates. Overall, Xiao Cha still came out ahead.

Moreover, with such a comparison between Xiangyang and Jiangling, it becomes clear who is the loyal minister and whom the court should trust. This will also make it easier for Xiao Cha to seek revenge in the future.

……

After Lan Jing left, Hou Jing sobered up immediately. He pulled Wang Wei over, looked at the chest of gold, and asked:

"What do you think?"

"Xiangyang is an important town. Now that Xiao Cha is willing to take the initiative to change the military system and respond to the court, we should do it. However, the situation in Jingxiang is complicated. The King of Chu has just surrendered. If things are not handled properly, it may incite a rebellion. This matter is not easy to handle. If we are not careful, we will be put on the hot seat."

Hou Jing nodded, now fully confident.

"Don't panic, I have a plan."

……

"Nephew!"

Gao Cheng was about to return to his residence when Hou Jing approached from afar and intercepted him.

"Lord Liang!"

"I heard He Liuhun is ill. How is he?"

Gao Cheng was taken aback, a little puzzled. When did his grandfather fall ill?
"It's alright. Does Lord Liang want to see his father?"

"No, I came here specifically to wait for you."

"wait for me?"

"Nephew, I'm inviting you for a drink. Something good has happened!"

"Good thing?"

"I've prepared fine wine and dancers, waiting for you!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng's expression changed.

"This...isn't good!"

After the truck incident, Gao Cheng kept a much lower profile.

“What’s wrong with her? Let me tell you, that dancer is not only stunningly beautiful, but also comes from an extraordinary background. She is the granddaughter of the former Prime Minister Yuan Yong. If it weren’t for the incident in Heyin, which caused her family to fall into poverty, she would be wealthy enough to be a princess. Why would she be a dancer?”

With that, Hou Jing enthusiastically led Gao Cheng into his residence.

……

(End of this chapter)