My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 239 Does Bohai High have any talented people?
Erzhu Rong quickly found a candidate.

"Issue my imperial decree, granting Yuan Tianmu, the Prince of Shangdang, the authority of a general, the Grand Chancellor of the Eastern Route, the Commander-in-Chief of all military affairs of the Eastern Expedition, and the General of the Central Army, Fei Mu, and the Governor of Jinzhou, Gao Huan..."

Ever since Yuan Tianmu was tricked by Erzhu Rong, there has been absolutely no possibility of him forming an alliance with Yuan Ziyou.

He is also very honest and now obeys Erzhu Rong's every command.

however.

According to information gathered by Erzhu Rong, Fei Mu and his associates had close ties with Yuan Ziyou.

Erzhu Rong naturally wanted to take this opportunity to weaken their strength.

The chief clerk in the Prime Minister's residence quickly wrote out the edict, and Erzhu Rong immediately summoned his personal guard, Wang Xiang, and ordered him to deliver my edict to Luoyang within three days.

"Yes, Your Majesty! I will certainly live up to your expectations!"

Upon receiving the imperial edict, Wang Xiang immediately turned and left.

Erzhu Rong then sent several dozen elite troops eastward to Dingzhou and Xiangzhou to continue investigating Ge Rong's movements.

After everything was arranged.

He stood up and loudly ordered, "You are here to gather the soldiers. Three days later... the entire army will follow me on a hunting expedition!"

He wanted to use hunting as a way to get his soldiers used to brutal fighting in advance, so that they would always be in a state of combat readiness and ready to go east with him to attack the enemy at any time!
………………

May 21st.

Wang Xiang and his men arrived in Luoyang in just two and a half days, traveling day and night.

He immediately met with Erzhu Shilong and conveyed Erzhu Rong's edict to him.

"Did Tianbao give any other instructions?"

Wang Xiang relayed the message truthfully: "The Prime Minister said that if His Majesty has any other requests, as long as they are not excessive, there is no need to object."

Erzhu Shilong nodded; he had also figured it out.

With this imperial edict, Erzhu Rong ordered Yuan Tianmu, Fei Mu, and others to withdraw most of the remaining troops from Luoyang.

Yuan Ziyou couldn't object, but according to past practice, he would definitely use this as an exchange to gain something for himself. After all, the emperor's name was still in Yuan Ziyou's hands, and Erzhu Rong's various edicts still had to be symbolically stamped by the emperor himself with the imperial seal before the orders were conveyed.

This was Yuan Ziyou's greatest reliance and his bargaining chip in his struggle against Erzhu Rong.

"I understand. You must be tired from your journey. Go and rest first."

He ordered Wang Xiang to be taken away, and Erzhu Shilong read the edict over and over again before putting it away.

The next day.

Inside the Tai Chi Hall.

When the high-ranking officials and ministers paid homage to the emperor, Yuan Ziyou occupied the most honored position.

"Your Majesty! I have something to report!"

"I wonder what important matter the Attendant-in-Ordinary has to do?"

Erzhu took out the edict sent by Erzhu Rong and handed it to a close attendant in the palace. "Your Majesty, this is an edict that the Prime Minister entrusted to me to deliver. Please take a look."

Yuan Ziyou's face was ashen. He took the imperial edict from his attendant and glanced at it. He subconsciously clenched his fist, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes, but he forcibly suppressed his anger and said, "I'm afraid this matter is inappropriate."

"Your Majesty! The Prime Minister's decree is the result of careful consideration, entirely for the sake of the Great Wei Dynasty and its people, and is entirely without selfish motives. I beg Your Majesty to grant it. If military matters are delayed, the consequences will be unbearable."

"presumptuous!"

"Your Excellency, is this how you serve as a subject? How dare you speak to His Majesty like this!"

Yang Kan stepped forward and sternly rebuked him.

Erzhu Shilong sneered, "I only know how to speak frankly to His Majesty, unlike some sycophants who only know how to say nice things. How are you any different from the treacherous officials in the court before?"

"The Prime Minister has decreed that if any more treacherous officials who flatter the emperor appear in the court, I will personally take them to the Yellow River to keep company with the treacherous officials who have already been eliminated!"

"you!"

Yang Kan stared at him with wide eyes and an angry expression, but couldn't say a word for a long time.

"General Right has not experienced the events at Heyin. Should I explain a little about it to you?"

"Enough!" Yuan Ziyou slammed his hand on the table. His eyes were practically spitting fire, but he forced back the anger in his heart and said through gritted teeth, "The Prime Minister is loyal to the country and his strategies are very much to my liking. So let's make the arrangements as the Prime Minister has decreed."

Erzhu Shilong, with an arrogant expression, loudly proclaimed, "Your Majesty is wise! With such a wise emperor as Your Majesty, Great Wei will surely be able to quell the bandits!"

Yuan Ziyou stared coldly at him, wishing he could kill him as soon as possible, but he had no other choice at the moment and could only say, "But if we follow the Prime Minister's order, Luoyang will definitely be undefended. If bandits attack, how will we deal with it?"

"The troops from Jinzhou and Jianzhou are ready to support Luoyang at any time!"

"This matter is probably inappropriate."

His eyes darted around, and he reacted quickly. He hurriedly said, "I have heard that Gao Yi, the governor of Ji Province, has led righteous troops to resist Ge Rong's invasions many times. He has many brave soldiers under his command. In my name, I hereby issue an edict ordering Gao Yi, the governor of Ji Province, to have his son lead troops to Luoyang to provide protection."

Erzhu Shilong was taken aback. As expected, Yuan Ziyou always tried to bargain whenever he had the chance.

He frowned, deep in thought.

The Gao family of Bohai had a certain prestige in Bohai, but it was incomparable to top-tier noble families like the Cui family of Qinghe.

To be honest, they were probably only a mid-level powerful clan.

Ji Province has been ravaged by Ge Rong for so long, how many soldiers can they possibly have left to fight?
A thousand or two thousand won't affect the overall situation in Luoyang at all.

Remembering Erzhu Rong's instructions to Wang Xiang, Erzhu Shilong did not refuse. Instead, he cupped his hands in greeting and said, "Since it is His Majesty's decree, how could I not obey it?"

Yuan Ziyou was secretly delighted and immediately made the following decision!
Gao Yu, on the contrary, was somewhat surprised.

Gao Yi, Governor of Ji Province?
It originated from the Gao clan of Bohai.

It is said that he and Gao Huan claimed that their ancestors were from the Bohai Gao clan, but they never had the opportunity to go to Bohai to "recognize their ancestors".

This presents an opportunity.

It's worthwhile to befriend them; there might be exceptional talents among the Gao family of Bohai that could be recruited as allies.

I just don’t know…

Among the Gao clan of Bohai, were there more scholars or more fierce generals?

"We need to find an opportunity to have Liu Taozhi investigate and gather information."

It only took five days.

The eastern expeditionary army had already assembled outside Luoyang, at the foot of Mount Beiman.

Yuan Ziyou personally went out of the city to see him off.

Yuan Ziyou knew he didn't have enough power, so he would almost never miss an opportunity to win people's hearts.

The emperor's personal farewell was a great honor for the soldiers of lower and middle ranks, as most of them might never see the emperor in their lifetime.

Many locals also came to watch the spectacle from the foot of Mount Beiman.

They had no idea how chaotic the fighting was outside; without comparison, there is no harm done.

Compared to Hebei and Shandong, Luoyang's exploitation was harsh, but at least people didn't have to suffer the ravages of war.

In comparison, the people living in the suburbs of Luoyang are indeed living a life of luxury.

however……

They were unaware that the Great Wei court had few and far between opportunities to take the initiative in quelling the rebellion.

"When you all return victorious, I will personally lead all the officials out of the city to welcome you!"

"I pray to Heaven that you all have a safe journey and return victorious. I will reward you handsomely when you do!"

Fei Mu also shouted loudly in perfect unison!

"Your humble servant will never fail Your Majesty's expectations!"

"We are certain to win this mission to Shandong to quell the bandits!"

Led by Fei Mu, many soldiers also shouted in unison.

"We must win! We must win!"

"Victory is assured in this battle!!"

(End of this chapter)