My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 50 The Opportunity to Go to Luoyang

On the way to the Duan Chang's residence, Gao Yu was still puzzled.

"Why is General Duan hosting a banquet for my brother and me? Could it be that the imperial court has come to reward us?"

"I don't know."

Gao Huan shook his head and instructed, "Remember to be careful with your words and actions at the banquet later. In short, don't say anything carelessly."

Gao Yu nodded in agreement; loose lips sink ships.

The two brothers soon arrived at the Duan Chang's residence. After announcing their names, a servant led them inside. The Duan Chang was already waiting for them in the main hall and personally came out to greet them upon seeing them.

"Haha, we've been waiting for you two brothers to arrive!"

"General, you're too kind."

After exchanging polite greetings, Section Chief Duan led the two to the hall.

Duan Chang sat in the main seat, Gao Huan was on the left, and Gao Yu sat next to Gao Huan.

Before long, the servants brought out fine wine and meat, and even several beautiful Hu women came up to dance and entertain the brothers. After the dance, they served the two brothers wine.

This was the first time Gao Yu had encountered such a situation.

but……

He was no longer the Xiao Chunan who was at a loss for words when teased by the young widow three years ago.

Faced with such a beautiful and gentle woman, one should simply make the best of it since one is already there!
These Hu women were clearly professionally trained; their movements, whether dancing or simply feeding each other wine, were perfectly executed and captivating.

A beautiful woman with a rosy complexion and affectionate eyes nestled beside him, then desperately squeezed Gao Yu's arm with a large thunderbolt. She then parted her red lips and said sweetly, "Please drink, my lord."

Gao Yu snatched the wine glass and drank it all in one gulp. He then naturally put his arm around the Hu woman, feeling the smoothness of her skin and the firmness of her breasts.

"Ha ha ha ha."

After a burst of laughter, the commander praised repeatedly, "Good! As expected of the brave warriors of my Huai Shuo army! If Erlang likes them, you may take these Hu women with you."

Gao Yu made up a random reason to refuse.

He hadn't done anything to deserve such a reward, and he still didn't know why the section chief had summoned him.

After chatting for a few more minutes, the section chief coughed lightly and waved his hand.

The woman and her servants then withdrew, leaving only the three of them in the hall.

Gao Yu understood that the section chief was clearly about to say something that couldn't be spread.

Duan Chang looked at the two men and said, "I suppose you two brothers have heard about the imperial court's reward to us after this great victory in the northern expedition?"

Gao Huan and Gao Yu nodded. It was already widely known, so it would be a lie to say they didn't know.

"Second Brother, you have made the greatest contribution, yet you have not received any reward. On the contrary, the people in the central army have not made any contribution, yet they have received a great deal of reward. Are you resentful?"

"It is my duty as a citizen of Great Wei to defend its borders. I dare not covet any rewards, and I believe the court will handle this matter properly and will not mistreat those who have rendered meritorious service!"

"Ha ha ha ha."

Duan Chang laughed several times. "Erlang, there's no need to worry about your reward. The Grand Commander spoke highly of you before Empress Hu, and the court is preparing to confer the title of King of Rouran upon Anagui. You are the number one hero in welcoming the King of Rouran back to the south, and your reward will be issued along with the King of Rouran's decree of investiture."

what?
King of Worms?
Wasn't Anagui the son of the Khan?

When did he become the King of Worms?

Didn't I capture him myself? The forced march back to the military camp was quite exhausting.

When will we welcome him back to the south?

However, Gao Yu was too lazy to investigate further. As long as there was a reward, that was good enough. He could only say that his elder brother's jade-faced golden Buddha was not given away for nothing.

Although Li Chong was greedy, at least he actually did his job after taking the money.

"Then I thank the general for his kindness in promoting me."

Gao Yu remained as meticulous as ever.

The section chief smiled and then spoke.

"I have deliberately dismissed everyone around me because I have a private matter I wish to entrust to you two brothers."

"In a few months, I will be leaving Huai Shuo to take up a post as governor in a prefecture in the Central Plains. This is an award given to me by the court. After hearing this, do you feel even more indignant for the soldiers and people of Huai Shuo? I have not made any contributions, yet I have still been promoted?"

Seeing that the two brothers did not respond, the section chief did not press them, but continued talking to himself.

"How could I not know that the imperial court treats the soldiers and civilians of the Six Garrisons extremely unfairly? You have grown up in Huai Shuo since you were young, so you should know better than I do... This unfair attitude has existed for a long time, and the exploitation has become even worse in recent years!"

"The imperial court has mistreated the Six Garrisons, failing to reward their merits while rewarding the incompetent officials in the Central Army. This will only breed resentment among the soldiers and civilians of the Six Garrisons, including Huai Shuo, towards the imperial court. Given time, this resentment will surely brew into a major disaster! At that time, do you really expect the incompetent officials in the Central Army to quell the anger of the valiant soldiers of the Six Garrisons? Does the Central Army... have that ability?"

"You two brothers are heroes of our time, with the talent to save the world and achieve great things in the future. If the situation changes at that time... I hope you two brothers will remember our past relationship and protect the descendants of my Duan family."

Gao Huan and Gao Yu exchanged a glance, and Gao Huan shook his head slightly, signaling Gao Yu not to speak.

Obviously.

Everything the section chief said was a setup for the final outcome!
"I invited you two brothers here today for some private matters, and I also want to ask you two if you have any requests. Within my authority, I will certainly grant them!"

Gao Yu tentatively asked, "Does the general think so highly of my brother and me?" "Why would you entrust your descendants to me if you didn't think highly of me?"

"If you two brothers still have any concerns, you are welcome to go back and discuss them."

Gao Huan didn't stand on ceremony. He immediately stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and led Gao Yu away from Section Chief Duan's side.

He was unsure of the section chief's attitude for the time being.

Return to the mansion.

Gao Huan also dismissed the servants in his household and discussed the matter privately with Gao Yu.

"Erlang, what do you think the general desires?"

Gao Yu shook his head. "But I don't think he would deceive us. My brother has no family fortune, what could he possibly have that would make the general lie to him?"

"It's true."

Gao Huan shared the same thought. After a moment's thought, he asked, "Erlang, what are your thoughts?"

"What General Duan said is not an exaggeration. The central army has declined to this extent, the court is incompetent, rewards and punishments are unfair, and the soldiers and civilians of the six garrisons are treated harshly. This is a sign of decline, which will surely brew a great disaster and then change the world!"

"Why don't we ask General Duan to promote us to higher positions in the army and recruit elite soldiers?"

"If the world changes, my brother and I can follow the example of Emperor Gaozu of Han, and, as commoners, take up arms to conquer the world! Or we can retreat and protect ourselves with elite troops!"

The uprising in the Six Garrisons was inevitable!

After living in Huai Shuo for three years, Gao Yu knew better than anyone just how treacherous the living environment was in this wretched place, and how harshly the imperial court exploited the Six Garrisons.

Since ancient times!

The people at the bottom of this land can no longer survive.

Naturally, there will be uprisings like Chen Sheng and Wu Guang, who shouted "Are kings and nobles born with a special destiny?", disrupting the general trend of the world!
Gao Huan nodded, agreeing with Gao Yu's deduction, but he still offered some words of advice.

"Although there are signs of decline in the world, we do not know when the situation will change. I have thought about it and I think I can ask the general for an official position."

"What official position?"

"Messenger! This official position is the only legitimate way for registered residents of the Six Garrisons to leave! Why not take this opportunity to go to Luoyang and see if we can curry favor with a powerful figure and get promoted? With the help of a powerful figure, we can do things as if divinely aided! We can also go to the place where the Emperor resides and see just how corrupt and treacherous the scoundrels in our Great Wei court really are!"

Since Emperor Xiaowen officially moved the capital to Luoyang.

As the status of the Six Towns declined, people began to flee the area en masse.

The imperial court then issued a strict order.

People registered in the six towns are forbidden from leaving the area. If anyone tries to escape, soldiers will be dispatched to arrest them.

Even going out to do business or study was forbidden, which was equivalent to completely blocking the upward mobility of the people of the six towns and imprisoning them in this bitter and cold land for generations.

The Heba family was already a well-known and respected family in the Six Garrisons, but they could only send the three Heba brothers to the Imperial Academy and Luoyang to make friends with high-ranking officials and expand their social circle. When the time came, the three Heba brothers still had to obediently return to Wuchuan to guard the border!
At least on the surface for now.

Unless they have the help of high-ranking officials or influential people to change their household registration, they will never be able to leave the Six Towns.

Gao Huan desired an official position.

The "messenger" was an official position that allowed someone to leave the Six Garrisons and travel to Luoyang openly and legitimately.

He was just a minor official who traveled a long distance to deliver official documents from Huai Shuo to Luoyang and then returned.

Gao Yu thought about it and realized that it did make sense.

He didn't know when the world would descend into chaos. If, as Gao Huan suggested, they could indeed attach themselves to a powerful figure in Luoyang, it would be a tremendous help to the two brothers in accumulating wealth before the chaos arrived.

"What you say is absolutely right, my brother!"

"Yes, we'll go see the general tomorrow!"

………………

The next day, the two brothers went to the section chief, and Gao Huan told him his request.

The section chief seemed to have guessed his thoughts and couldn't help but laugh, "You are indeed a hero. Your brother's meticulousness is beyond the reach of ordinary people."

After saying that, he looked at Gao Yu again, "Second Brother is all grown up now, but he's still unmarried, isn't he? I do have a daughter..."

Gao Yu shook his head repeatedly, "Thank you for your kindness, General. I am merely a squad leader; how could I possibly be worthy of your daughter?"

Are you kidding me?
Once the world descends into chaos and one gains power, what powerful families wouldn't line up to send women to curry favor with him?
In this prosperous era, you're talking to me about social status.

In chaotic times, I, who have some knowledge of martial arts and the art of killing, will have to test my fists against you.

Gao Yu's legal wife is not someone just anyone can become.

Fortunately, the section chief didn't insist and agreed instead.

"Since you two brothers have made up your minds, then... I will grant your request and let you two serve as the messengers this year. The eldest brother will be the chief messenger, and the second brother will be the deputy messenger. You can set off next month to deliver the official documents for the first half of the year to Luoyang."

"Thank you, General. I will never forget your kindness!"

PS: This was due to the strict regulations imposed on the border troops. The townspeople who wandered outside were all subject to capture by these roving soldiers. As a result, young men were unable to study under teachers, and elders were unable to pursue official careers; they were reduced to bandits. To speak of this brings tears to one's eyes. (From the *Book of Wei*, Biography of Yuan Fan)
(End of this chapter)