My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 367 The Trial of the Wuchuan Sect
Luoyang.

After Erzhu Dulu, Husi Chun and others entered Yuzhou, Chilie Yanqing sent people to escort them back to Luoyang.

As luck would have it, just as they arrived outside Luoyang, a heavy snow began to fall.

Anyone who didn't know better would think they had suffered some great injustice.

Hu Sichun sat in the carriage, lifted the curtain and looked out a few times, feeling extremely uneasy.

He is not a member of the Erzhu clan.

As the governor of Xixu Prefecture, he handed over the prefecture in such a muddled way. It's unknown how Erzhu Rong will deal with him.

“Fa Shou, since we’re here, let’s make the best of it. Although we’ve lost Xixu Prefecture, we’ve had our share of troubles while guarding it all these years, even without any merit. And… the Prime Minister can understand our difficulties in having our city taken by Mo Heduo.”

Erzhudulu didn't take it seriously at all.

So what if we abandon the city and flee?
Back then, Erzhu Shilong simply abandoned Hulao Pass and fled. Afterwards, Erzhu Rong not only did not blame him, but instead praised him extensively in front of everyone.

Having learned from this example, Erzhudulü was not worried at all.

A hint of mockery flashed in Husichun's eyes.

How stupid!

Times change, and circumstances can't always be the same.

Erzhu Rong cannot afford large-scale defeats at the moment; he must win continuously to establish his authority and stabilize his subordinates.

Although Husichun had been in Xixuzhou before, he still heard a lot of news while fleeing through Yuzhou.

Erzhu Rong has already recruited skilled warriors from Guanzhong to Luoyang.

The purpose of transferring people here is twofold: firstly, to facilitate Erzhu Tianguang's further expansion in Guanzhong and to establish Guanzhong as his second major base.

Secondly, it was also for the purpose of subsequent military operations against Hebei.

News of Gao Huan's support for a new emperor has already reached us.

This is similar to when Yuan Xu was still in power, Ge Rong was the biggest enemy of the court on the surface. Because Ge Rong ascended the throne and became emperor, it was no ordinary rebellion.

Erzhu Rong installed a new emperor, and Gao Huan also installed a new emperor. They were bound to fight to the death for the right to rule.

Why did Erzhu Rong send Dugu Xin, who had an old acquaintance with Gao Yu and came from the Wuchuan faction, to deliver the imperial edict in order to curry favor with Gao Yu?

Gao Yu has never acknowledged Yuan Xiu.

This is enough.

Even if we don't win Gao Yu over, as long as we keep Gao Yu neutral for the time being and give him a little time, he will be confident that he can send troops to Hebei to quell Gao Huan. Then, with the momentum of a great victory, we can force Gao Yu to submit.

It's not necessary to kill Gao Yu. After all, Shandong is full of Han Chinese aristocratic families with intricate relationships, and it would be difficult to control them even if we took over.

As long as Gao Yu is willing to publicly acknowledge him, Erzhu Rong can still change the dynasty later.

…………

Inside the residence of Heba Yue.

There were noticeably more people today; apart from Dugu Xin, who was out of town, there were several familiar faces.

"Have you heard? Erzhudul went to see the Prime Minister, and the Prime Minister was furious. He stripped Erzhudul of all his official positions and ordered him to be flogged."

Zhao Gui recounted the news he had heard.

"He's just a good-for-nothing. If he weren't a member of the Erzhu clan, how could he hold such a high position?"

A hint of disgust flashed in Yu Jin's eyes.

Yu Jin and Zhao Gui had both followed Erzhu Tianguang into Guanzhong to quell the rebellion and served under Heba Yue. Heba Yue was indeed quite capable, and a small circle centered around him was formed, with the Wuchuan faction at its core.

Yuwen Tai looked at everyone and spoke his mind, "I suppose... the Prime Minister wants to use this to show us his attitude."

Heba Yue nodded slightly.

Hebasheng, however, asked with puzzlement, "What do you mean by that?"

Yu Jin looked at him and asked, "When the Southern Liang army invaded Luoyang before, how did Erzhu Shilong's act of abandoning Hulao Pass differ from Erzhu Dulu's act now? How did the Prime Minister act at that time?"

Hebasheng pondered for a moment, "He gave it lavish praise?"

"Correct!"

Yu Jin nodded, "But this time the Prime Minister was furious and did not show any leniency to Erzhu Dulu because he was a member of the Erzhu clan. This is the attitude the Prime Minister is conveying to those of us who are not members of the Erzhu clan! It can also be seen as making an example of Erzhu members!"

“Previously, the Erzhu clan held absolute power, and the affairs of the world were controlled by the prime minister. The prime minister wanted to use the clan’s power to control the world, so he indulged the Erzhu clan’s members in every way, and even put them in high positions to suppress us.”

"The situation has changed..."

Having said that, Hebasheng nodded, even the most foolish person would understand.

Gao Huan's sudden rise to power and his journey all the way to Hebei caught Erzhu Rong off guard, while Gao Yu was also eyeing the situation from Shandong!

These two brothers are different from Ge Rong, Xing Gao, and others before them. Ge Rong had never received any help from aristocratic families.

But how many powerful families under Gao Yu's command have already placed their bets?
Erzhu Rong's previous approach is no longer effective. Incompetent members of the Erzhu clan will inevitably relinquish more positions. Erzhu Rong had been wary of them, but now he is forced by circumstances to give them important roles. "The Prime Minister's actions these days... can indeed be considered those of a great ruler."

Heba Yue gave a compliment.

“To recommend Yuan Gong, rather than the late emperor’s youngest son, is indeed something no ordinary person could do.”

The decision to install Yuan Ziyou's youngest son on the throne would inevitably invite controversy. Forcibly placing a newborn child on the throne would make everyone in the world know that Erzhu Rong was the real emperor.

Replace it with Yuan Gong.

Erzhu Rong could also use this action to prove that he had no 'selfish motives' and, incidentally, clear himself of the accusation of regicide.

“Now, taking Erzhudulu as an example, he is severely punished to make an example of him and appease us.”

Think for a second.

Heba Yue felt that in Erzhu Rong's position, this was the best he could do, and it was impossible for him to do better than Erzhu Rong.

Because Erzhu Rong has indeed gradually stabilized the situation.

With control over Guanzhong, Shanxi, Henan and other places, Erzhu Rong was still the one with the most powerful arm on the surface!
It doesn't matter that Sizhou was destroyed by Gao Huan, as long as Bingzhou wasn't lost.

"So what should we do next?"

As soon as Hebasheng spoke, everyone's eyes turned to Hebayue, who was in the main seat, as he was the backbone of the group.

Heba Yue squinted his eyes, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Let's observe for a while longer... to see how the Prime Minister deploys his troops, and also to see how the brothers He Liuhun and Mo Heduo will ultimately end up."

Two more days passed.

Dugu Xin's personal guards quickly sent the message back to Luoyang.

Upon receiving the news, Erzhu Rong immediately summoned everyone to the Tianzhu General's Mansion.

"Qimitou has sent word that Moheduo has refused to obey the imperial edict and has ignored the edicts issued by He Liuhun and the false emperor he has installed. What do you think of this?"

"Prime Minister, this is wonderful news!!"

Erzhu Shilong quickly spoke up, "He Liuhun's actions have clearly caused Moheduo to develop a rift with him!"

Everyone echoed the voice.

Erzhu Rong continued, "However, Moheduo is also unwilling to obey the imperial edict and come to Luoyang to pay homage to the new emperor. In my opinion, he is still hesitant. For me, this is a golden opportunity!"

"I intend to wage war against He Liuhun. Do any of you have any good strategies?"

After saying that, Erzhu Rong's gaze remained fixed on Heba Yue and the others.

His response was silence.

Upon seeing this, Erzhu Shilong quickly said, "Of course we should head north to Bingzhou, send troops to reclaim Sizhou, and take back the ancestral land of my Erzhu clan!!"

Erzhu Rong did not respond, but continued to look at Heba Yue and the others.

Seeing that they still didn't speak, he had no choice but to speak.

"Adou, you are all skilled in military affairs, why don't you offer your insights?"

Heba Yue pretended to be confused, and simply bowed and said, "The Prime Minister is wise and insightful. I believe you have already made your decision. We are just crude and uncouth warriors who only know how to lead troops to kill the enemy. We will do as the Prime Minister commands!"

Erzhu Rong had a slight smile on his face.

I felt somewhat displeased, but also somewhat helpless.

He knows very well...

Heba Yue's attitude reflects the attitude of everyone in his small circle.

By not offering any advice, he was clearly being tested.

This tests whether Erzhu Rong can make the right decisions that align with their own desires.

Whether they are worth serving is another question.

It can only be said that times have changed.

Who made it so that the Erzhu clan's own sons were all so incompetent?
Only two are capable.

Erzhu Tianguang wanted to guard Guanzhong. After losing Sizhou, Erzhu Rong had already conceived the idea of ​​turning Guanzhong into a second base camp.

Erzhu Zhao was bound by Gao Huan and sent to Shandong.

Others, such as Erzhu Shilong, were completely unreliable in military affairs. They were good at embezzling and accumulating wealth, but when it came to leading troops into battle, they were all incompetent!
He sighed inwardly.

People's hearts are in turmoil.

The team is no longer as easy to manage as before.

Faced with this situation.

Erzhu Rong could only rely on himself. His immediate priority was to win over the hearts of the heroes of Wuchuan and make them willing to serve him.

(End of this chapter)