My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 105 When Mars guards the heart, chaos will ensue!
I saw the commendation written on the official document.

Gao Yu subconsciously recalled Da Xi Wu's meaningful smile and words when Da Xi Wu and She Di Gan left.

No?

Do these two brothers have any influence in the imperial court?
Even the Duke of Chenliu last time couldn't get such a big reward for me, right?

To surprise Gao Yu like this is naturally a great reward!
The core content of the official document is very simple.

"A reward is given to Gao Yu, the commander of the Huai Shuo cavalry, with 200 catties of gold, 20 maids, 1,000 bows, 20,000 arrows, and 500 warhorses."

The reward was quite generous, and it consisted of military equipment that Gao Yu desperately needed.

As for maids, even if you don't need them, you can exchange them for money and goods at the military market. If they are sent from Luoyang and trained in the inner palace, they will be worth even more!
Some wealthy but not high-ranking families liked to buy maids trained in the imperial harem to enhance their social standing.

If only.

This wasn't enough to make Gao Yu lose his composure; the real reward was at the very end!

"Sheng Yu was promoted to General of Annihilation."

It sounds like a general with a minor title, but... he's still a general!

Does this mean I also have the ability to become the sun?
The soldiers cried out, "Isn't the general's kindness enough?!"

"General, what rank is this General of Annihilation?"

Gao Yu was completely clueless about the official ranks and titles of the imperial court. Rank and title were too distant for him, or rather, too distant for the military households of the Six Garrisons.

The rank of the commanders of the six towns was from the third rank to the third rank, which was basically the same as that of the governors of prefectures and counties.

The military towns within the territory of the Great Wei were not limited to the six towns in the north, but the six towns were located in important positions and were mentioned the most. Therefore, all six towns were considered superior towns, and the rank of the general of a superior town was the third rank.

This is already the highest rank among officials sent to remote areas.

For a higher-ranking official position, one would need to be an official in Luoyang to have a chance of being granted it.

Of course, only those from "high-ranking families" have a greater chance of being appointed.

For example, Cui Guang was the General of Chariots and Cavalry, with the same rank as the Three Dukes, and was also enfeoffed as the Marquis of Ping'en County. Of course, Cui Guang's original official position was Grand Minister of Works, and he was ranked among the Three Dukes.

The title of General of Chariots and Cavalry was established in Emperor Xiaowen's "Taihe Officials' Edict," which established the nine-rank, eighteen-level system of the Great Wei court. Among these regulations, it was stipulated that "General, the one with the highest rank" was an even higher rank.

The General of Chariots and Cavalry is a second-rank official position. Adding the character "大" (great) to it elevates it to the first rank.

Yang Jun said with a smile, "The position of General Tianyi is a rank of eighth grade official. Although the rank is not high, it is extremely valuable to the military households of the six towns... Now, Erlang can also be considered to have an official position."

He was absolutely right.

Gao Yu was indeed an official.

Normally, Gao Yu could protect his three clans, with no limit on the number of people. Those who were protected would not have to pay taxes, perform corvée labor, or serve in the military.

Normally, Gao Yu should be free.

but……

The official document also specifically emphasized that Gao Yu's household registration would not be changed, and that Gao Yu would remain in Huai Shuo to continue guarding the frontier for the Great Wei.

He was an official, but also a military household.

It looks awkward no matter how you look at it, right?
Shouldn't officials be free from territorial restrictions? Why are they still confined to the Six Garrisons? The imperial court is utterly inhumane.

Gao Yu returned to his residence and told Gao Huan about the matter.

When Gao Huan first learned that Gao Yu had been granted the rank of eighth-grade official, he was equally surprised, but then he heard that the official document specifically made this provision.

"It is indeed extremely strange."

Gao Huan frowned and pondered for a moment, as if he had thought of something.

"Did Daxi Wu tell you before he left that the imperial court would offer a generous reward?"

Gao Yu nodded.

“Da Xi Wu and She Di Gan were still in the Imperial Guard when they were in Luoyang, but now they have returned to the Central Army to command the soldiers. It seems that the Prince of Jiangyang wants to send his confidants to take control of the Central Army.”

"That means the King of Jiangyang intends to win you over and recruit you."

"Since you've already granted me an official position, why not just summon me to Luoyang? Why go through all this trouble?"

Gao Huan explained, "Second Brother, have you forgotten? Empress Dowager Hu personally ordered that no one in the Six Garrisons may change their household registration. Although Prince Jiangyang currently holds power and influence, he still relies on the Empress Dowager. How could he openly disobey her decree?"

Gao Yu then suddenly realized what was going on.

Now it's easy to understand why this official document is so awkward.

"An eighth-rank official position—this is a joyous occasion and deserves celebration!"

Gao Huan was genuinely happy.

The two brothers supported each other, and Gao Yu's success naturally benefited him in return.

"It's definitely worth celebrating."

Gao Huan immediately ordered preparations for a banquet and spread the word widely. Sima Ziru and others came to the banquet upon receiving the news, and Jia Xianzheng even traveled a long distance from Woye to attend.

Cai Jun was able to meet Gao Yu as he had hoped.

"Come! Let's drink a toast to Erlang's promotion to General Tianyi!"

Everyone raised their glasses in celebration!

After the news spread, even more people wanted to join Gao Yu's ranks and serve him.

Even a general with a minor title is far superior to a cavalry commander.

………………

Luoyang.

The central army did not return to Luoyang until early December.

Cui Jie was about to return to his residence when he was stopped by someone sent by Cui Guang to summon him.

"Father? Aren't you..."

"When the Prince of Jiangyang received the news that my condition had improved, he ordered me to return to Luoyang to continue 'serving' the court."

Cui Guang gave a wry smile.

He was a highly respected minister from a prominent Han Chinese family.

It may be difficult for him to enjoy his later years in peace.

"Let's not talk about that. Tell me about how you escorted the Rouran king back to the royal court."

Cui Jie immediately told Cui Guang the whole story.

Cui Guang stroked his beard, seemingly deep in thought. After listening to the whole story, he nodded.

"Gao's second son is so brave and valiant... and his actions are so meticulous, his mind so unpredictable. What will become of him in the future..."

"Find an opportunity to build good relationships with Gao Erlang; he might be of great use in the future."

Cui Jie was greatly surprised.

His own father actually... thinks so highly of Gao Yu??

………………

The third year of Zheng Guang (522 AD).

When Gao Yu defeated the Gaoche last year and led his army back to Huai Shuo, the howling wind made him think that there might be heavy snow.

really.

After winter set in, a heavy snow fell!
It was almost the beginning of spring.

Anagui then sent an envoy to report to the court.

They said the snow disaster had caused severe damage to the Rouran, with starving people everywhere, and they requested the court to provide millet as seeds.

That's an outrageous request.

Grassland peoples need seeds.

Jiangyang King Yuan Yi readily agreed, and the envoy who came to request the seeds also brought generous gifts that he secretly presented to Yuan Yi.

Yuan Yi is also the kind of person who will definitely help someone if they are paid.

A big wave of his hand.

They then gave 10,000 shi of millet as seeds to the Rouran people.

mid-July.

Although it was late at night, Gao Huan's mansion was brightly lit.

Screams could be heard from inside the house in the inner courtyard, and the maids were very busy.

Gao Yu, Duan Rong, and others stayed with Gao Huan in the courtyard.

Upon learning that Lou Zhaojun was about to give birth, Duan Rong brought his wife and son to visit her.

A scream was heard.

Suddenly, the sound of a baby crying filled the room, and Gao Huan rushed over with overwhelming joy!
however……

Duan Rong, who was skilled at observing stars, looked up at the starry sky and was horrified.

murmured.

"When Mars is in conjunction with the heart of the sky, it is an omen of a change of emperor and impending chaos in the world."

(End of this chapter)