My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 54 Matters of the Imperial Court
Gao Yu was quite disappointed.

Xiurongchuan is not far from Huaishuo. A wealthy and powerful clan like the Erzhu clan, as long as the head of the family isn't too dim-witted, will surely become a powerful force in times of chaos!
If the world really descends into chaos, it wouldn't be a bad thing to come from Huai Shuo and seek refuge there as soon as possible.

First, cling to the strongest patron, and then proceed slowly, observing the changing situation.

Unfortunately, I didn't get to meet the hero Liu Gui had mentioned.

"Although I cannot meet you, I still thank you for your kindness."

Liu Gui completely disregarded his own caravan and insisted on accompanying the two men south to make connections with influential figures, although he ultimately failed.

But this sentiment must be accepted.

"I will never forget your kindness, brother!"

Gao Yu also clasped his hands in thanks. Although Liu Gui only brought the two brothers with him, without Liu Gui providing this channel, the two brothers probably wouldn't have been able to even enter the gate of Erzhu's fortified village. Connections are very important!
Liu Gui waved his hand, "We're all old acquaintances, why bother?"

"If that's the case... then let's part ways here. When my brother and I return, perhaps we'll have the opportunity to meet Erzhu Rong."

"I'm afraid it's not going to happen. Two years ago, Tianbao inherited his father's title of Duke of Liang. He was later appointed as a palace guard and a guerrilla general. He was required to serve as a guard in the palace for many years. A few days ago, the court allowed him to return to his hometown to visit his father. Now that he's gone, I'm afraid he won't be able to return to Xiurongchuan for several years."

to be honest.

The imperial court could not possibly be completely at ease with the Erzhu clan.

"Yan Chen" (a title for officials in charge of guards) had to send their sons to the palace to serve as guards, essentially as hostages. These hostages were held by the court and had little freedom.

"How about this."

Liu Gui suggested, "I will go south with my family's caravan and accompany you and your brother to Luoyang, where we may find an opportunity to meet Tianbao."

"Then... thank you."

After waiting for Liu Gui for a few days, the group set off again, traveling south from Sizhou to Bingzhou. They then arrived at Jinyang, the capital of Bingzhou. Gao Yu and the others did not enter the city, but instead looked out from the mountains outside the city.

From afar, its imposing scale made it appear as an impregnable fortress, after all, it was the capital of the Zhao state during the Warring States period.

Gao Yu was even more curious about...

From afar, the city is filled with countless tall buildings, the shapes of which are Buddhist pagodas.

He only knew the saying, "Four hundred and eighty temples in the Southern Dynasties, how many pavilions are shrouded in mist and rain," but judging from the journey so far... after entering Sizhou, the number of Buddhist temples he encountered along the way began to increase, and after approaching Jinyang, the number of Buddhist temples became countless!

He remembered... Didn't the history books record that Tuoba Tao launched a large-scale 'anti-Buddhist' campaign?

How come there are still so many Buddhist pagodas within the territory of the Northern Wei Dynasty?
The temple is bustling with worshippers, and countless people come to burn incense and pray to Buddha!

He couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

"How come there are so many pagodas and temples?"

“Jinyang is not much... Once you enter Sizhou and arrive in Luoyang, you will understand what it means to have countless monks and temples.”

Liu Gui said with a smile, "After all, Emperor Xuanwu was a great admirer of Buddhism during his lifetime. It is said that the reason why the current Empress Dowager Hu was able to stand out in the harem and eventually become prominent was because she was extremely devoted to Buddhism. And after His Majesty ascended the throne, the Empress Dowager wanted to fulfill her vow, which further increased her devotion to Buddhism."

Emperor Xuanwu died in 515, the year before Gao Yu's time travel.

The current emperor in the court is Yuan Xu, who is only ten years old and cannot rule in his own right. Therefore, the court is currently ruled by the Empress Dowager, and the power is in the hands of Empress Dowager Hu.

She greatly admired Buddhism.

What the superiors like, the subordinates will like even more!

Gao Yu suddenly remembered that Gao Huan had given Li Chong a jade-faced golden Buddha and even made up a story about it.

Could it be that this jade-faced golden Buddha was eventually given to Empress Dowager Hu?
Just as everyone was about to set off, Liu Gui spoke up to remind them, "If you want to continue south... I'm afraid you two won't be able to take the horses with you."

"Why?" Gao Huan and Gao Yu had never left Huai Shuo and were unaware of the ins and outs.

Liu Gui offered a brief explanation.

After passing Jinyang, the climate will change, and the horses from the north will suffer from acclimatization problems, becoming listless, losing weight, and appearing weak, thus affecting their market price.

therefore……

To ensure a stable price for horses entering the Luoyang horse market, horses from beyond the Great Wall are typically kept in Jinyang for a period of time before heading south.
"This... I really don't know."

But Gao Huan quickly made a decision, "If that's the case... then I'll trouble you, Guizhen, to help me sell all of these hundred fine horses and convert them into money."

"Why sell them? I'll just buy them all at market price!"

Liu Gui ordered some of the caravan members to stay in Jinyang to look after the horses, while the rest continued south!
The route changes here; instead of heading south, it goes west first, entering Fenzhou, and then follows the post road south to Sizhou, the area where Luoyang is located!

The changes are indeed significant!
It was even hotter. Outside Jinyang City, you could still see herders, but after passing Jinyang, you could no longer see them.

On the contrary, there were more and more Buddhist temples along the way, no wonder Liu Gui described them as "as numerous as hairs on a cow".

I wonder if Tuoba Tao would be furious if he knew this in the afterlife?
He went to great lengths to suppress Buddhism, but the result... now there are countless Buddhist temples within the territory of Northern Wei!
After entering Sizhou, the group slowed down their journey and were no longer as impatient as before, since it was only a few days' journey to Luoyang.

………………

Inside the Taiji Hall of the Imperial City in Luoyang.

The young Emperor Yuan Xu sat upright before his desk, with Empress Dowager Hu sitting beside him, listening to the court proceedings.

It is time for the court assembly.

"The bestowal of titles and rewards upon the six garrisons has been delayed for several months. I wonder what the Grand Tutor's opinion is?"

The ministers all looked toward the person at the head of the hall.

He is Yuan Yi, the Prince of Qinghe, who holds the titles of Grand Tutor and Grand Commandant and is in charge of many affairs of the Secretariat. To put it bluntly, he is a top-level imperial clan official who currently wields immense power in the court.

"Haven't we already rewarded the generals and those who helped welcome the Rouran king back to the south? You can discuss the rewards for the soldiers and civilians of the six garrisons, just make sure you know what's appropriate."

Everyone looked at Empress Dowager Hu.

The elegant Empress Dowager Hu's beautiful eyes lingered on Yuan Yi, her gaze captivating. The officials below pretended not to see the flirtatious exchange between the Empress Dowager and Prince Qinghe. Fortunately, Empress Dowager Hu did not go too far, and after withdrawing her gaze, she looked at the assembled officials in the hall.

“What the Prince of Qinghe said is very true, and this is also what I meant.”

Yuan Yi looked at the assembled officials and asked loudly, "Is there any other important state of affairs that needs to be reported?"

No one responded, and the court session ended.

Empress Dowager Hu was very interested in court affairs, so after the officials left, she took the young emperor back to Xianyang Palace.

Xianyang Hall was the palace where the emperor handled state affairs.

She had originally intended to review all the memorials presented at the court assembly that day, but then... a palace maid reported to her.

“Zhang Zhongyu, son of General Zhang Yi, said he had important matters to report and asked me to forward this memorial to the Empress Dowager.”

Empress Dowager Hu took the memorial from the palace maid. The memorial was sealed with beeswax and was intact. It was a secret memorial. Empress Dowager Hu immediately dismissed those around her with a blank expression before opening it and glancing at the contents of the memorial.

He was immediately terrified!

"Go, go and invite the Prince of Qinghe here! Tell him he has important matters to discuss!"

Group number: 1042810192. Welcome to join the group to discuss the plot.
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(End of this chapter)