My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 149 The Changes in Luoyang
November 20th.

Luoyang.

Inside the Shiqian Hall.

Night had already fallen, but Yuan Xu sent someone to summon Yuan Ziyou and Gao Qian into the palace.

"His Majesty summoned us to the palace late at night. We don't know what has happened."

Gao Qian also looked puzzled, but did not speak. Instead, he looked at the young emperor Yuan Xu.

After dismissing his attendants, Yuan Xu strode up to Yuan Ziyou, took his hand, and burst into laughter.

"This is wonderful news!"

This left Yuan Ziyou and Gao Qian even more confused. What could possibly make them so happy?
"I have just returned from Jiafu Palace and have already discussed it with the Empress Dowager."

Yuan Xu suddenly lowered his voice and said, "After General Erzhu Rong leaves Luoyang, he ordered the arrest of the Prince of Jiangyang and the stripping of his official position."

The General of the Imperial Guard was an official under the General of the Army, and in terms of rank, he was the same as the Director of the Imperial Guard and the General of the Tiger Guard.

But their power is even greater.

The Imperial Guard General was responsible for guarding the palace and serving in the inner court. He was a close advisor to the emperor and met with the emperor more often than the high-ranking officials in the court.

Erzhu Rong was regarded as an important confidant and deputy of Yuan Yi, the Prince of Jiangyang.

This is because Yuan Yi placed him in such an extremely important position to help Yuan Yi control the palace.

Yuan Ziyou frowned and asked, "Erzhu Rong is a Qihu. As the son of Yan Chen, he is fulfilling his duty to protect the palace. Why would he leave Luoyang?"

Yan Chen was a tribal chief who had not been previously 'dispersed from the tribes'. In addition to having to come to Luoyang to report on his duties every year, he also had to send his sons to Luoyang.

Nominally they were there to protect the emperor, but in reality they were sent as hostages.

Yuan Xu laughed and said, "This is where the King of Jiangyang is foolish. Today, the King of Jiangyang met with me in Xianyang Palace and submitted a memorial stating that the rebel army is still powerful. In order to prevent any disturbances in Sizhou and Fenzhou, he submitted a memorial requesting that Erzhu Rong be appointed as the governor of Sizhou, to lead the Erzhu clan to maintain the security of Sizhou and prevent petty rioters from causing trouble."

Although it was a few months ago.

Yuan Shen inflicted a major defeat on Poluhan Baling at Zhefu Ridge, beheading 5,000 men and severely weakening Poluhan Baling.

However, the imperial army that was sent to quell the rebellion subsequently suffered a series of defeats near Wuyuan.

This allowed Po Liuhan Baling to breathe a sigh of relief.

Po Liuhan Baling led the elite and valiant troops of the Six Garrisons, who were extremely skilled in cavalry archery and charging into battle. The army that was suppressing the rebellion always suffered setbacks in open field battles.

The reason why Zhefuling was able to win a great victory was that Yuan Shen sent Yu Jin to offer him great benefits, which made Nie Liehe, who had originally decided to join Po Liu Han Baling, regret his decision and decide to join the court again.

The people of the grasslands are inherently fickle.

When Po Liu Han Baling learned of this news, he feared that Nie Liehe and his troops would attack from the rear to join forces with the army suppressing the rebellion and launch a pincer attack.

He then took advantage of the cavalry's high mobility and planned to first deal with the Nielie River before confronting the imperial army.

However, in doing so, Po Liuhanbaling actually fell into Yu Jin's trap.

Regardless of whether Nie Liehe was persuaded by Yu Jin, Yu Jin would spread the word that he had convinced Nie Liehe.

He was taking advantage of Po Liu Han Baling's distrust of Nie Liehe. Once suspicion arises, it will only take root in one's heart. Yuan Shen then led a large army to ambush on Zhe Fu Ridge, which led to a brilliant field battle.

However, such conditions did not exist in the subsequent battles.

Therefore, after suffering several defeats, the army that was suppressing the rebellion retreated back into the city, held its ground, and resolutely refused to go out.

The situation remains deadlocked.

Meanwhile, in Longxi, Prince Qi, Xiao Baoyin, was also facing difficulties, remaining locked in a stalemate with the Longxi rebels.

The longer the stalemate continues, the more unstable public sentiment will become, and this instability will only be exploited by those with ulterior motives.

The reason Yuan Yi gave was plausible on the surface.

If Sizhou and Fenzhou descend into chaos, and Bingzhou follows suit, then Luoyang will be threatened from above by the rebels. "How could I not know that the Prince of Jiangyang intends for Erzhu Rong to go to various prefectures and coordinate with them, just like Yuan Faseng and Yuan Hongye?"

"After discussing with the Empress Dowager, I decided that at the next court assembly, as long as the Prince of Jiangyang submits a memorial, I will agree."

"Once Erzhu Rong leaves, the Empress Dowager and I can order the capture of the Prince of Jiangyang and strip him of his official position!"

Yuan Xu and Empress Dowager Hu still cherished their old friendship.

Even so, the only idea was to strip Yuan Yi of his official position, retain his title, and let him be a carefree prince.

It's only slightly inferior to Xiao Pusa in the south.

Why is Xiao Pusa a Bodhisattva?

Besides being extremely devout Buddhists, wasn't it also because he was very tolerant of his relatives?

Even if a member of the clan rebels, he will not be punished, and may even retain his official position. How can such a good person not be called a bodhisattva?

Yuan Ziyou frowned and reminded him, "Your Majesty... the Imperial Guards in the palace are still in the hands of the Prince of Jiangyang. How could the Prince of Jiangyang not know that Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager are plotting together?"

"The Prince of Jiangyang has already sent his trusted confidants, such as Yuan Hongye and Yuan Faseng, to other places. Why would he further weaken his power in Luoyang?"

"This is probably... Jiangyang King's 'retreat as a means of advancement'."

"The Central Army and the Imperial Guards have been under the control of Prince Jiangyang for many years. If Erzhu Rong secretly returned to Luoyang after leaving the city, how would Your Majesty have known?"

Yuan Xu, who had been looking smug, was suddenly jolted awake and broke out in a cold sweat!
Most of the imperial guards in the palace were personally promoted by Erzhu Rong. When that time came, even if Erzhu Rong was not the General of the Imperial Bedchamber, he would most likely still be able to command the imperial guards.

"What...what should I do?"

Yuan Xu panicked!
"Your Majesty need not worry, the Prince of Jiangyang would not dare to do anything to Your Majesty."

Emperor Xuanwu, Yuan Ke, only left behind one son, Yuan Xu. Even if Yuan Yi wanted to depose and install an emperor, he could not find a suitable candidate. Moreover, the matter of deposing and installing an emperor was extremely controversial and would attract public attention. He would not and dare not do it unless absolutely necessary.

"But the Prince of Jiangyang must already know about Your Majesty's secret plot with the Empress Dowager... There is no way out now. Your Majesty must gather loyal and righteous men and strike first, leaving the Prince of Jiangyang no chance!"

"Teach me, Ziyou!"

………………

Inside Yuan Yi's residence.

"Hahaha, Your Majesty and Empress Dowager, do you really think that without the Tiger General, I cannot control the palace?"

Yuan Yi did indeed know that the young emperor and Empress Dowager Hu were plotting.

He remained completely calm and instead looked at Erzhu Rong.

"Tianbao, at the next court assembly, I will submit a memorial requesting that you be appointed as the governor of Sizhou."

"Thank you for your promotion, Your Majesty!"

"Eh."

Yuan Yi smiled and said, "After you leave the city, at nightfall, you will secretly sneak into Luoyang. Remember, before leaving Luoyang, replace all the people on duty in the palace with trustworthy people. Do you understand?"

Erzhu Rong nodded repeatedly, "Your Majesty's plan is brilliant!"

Yuan Yi first laughed loudly, then a fierce look flashed across his face, "I have treated the Empress Dowager well, yet she dares to act like this, conspiring with His Majesty to kill me!"

"Then you can't blame me for not being sentimental!!"

Yuan Xu's position as emperor was indeed not to be changed.

But Empress Dowager Hu!
As long as we take down Empress Dowager Hu, the young emperor will completely lose anyone he can rely on or use to gain power in the palace.

At that time, no one will be able to restrain him!

(End of this chapter)