My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 56 Under the Emperor's Feet, in the Prime Minister's District!
"Father! Disaster has struck!!"

Zhang Zhongyu rushed into the room in a hurry.

"What...what's wrong? Why are you in such a panic? What...what kind of behavior is this!"

The stroke not only left Zhang Yi paralyzed on one side, requiring him to stay in bed for a long time, but also caused him to have a severe stutter. However, he was a tough man and refused to be helped by his maids, managing to turn over and sit up on his own.

"The secret report has been leaked, and now everyone in the court and the public knows! No... everyone in the entire city of Luoyang knows! What should we do?"

"Why...why are you panicking? There's no need to worry. Is there...is there any other news?"

"There are also reports that the Prince of Guangping seems to agree with the matter of submitting the memorial."

Zhang Yi didn't speak immediately, but instead pondered.

The whole thing is strange. Why was the secret report leaked? After all, it wasn't discussed in public at court. And why was it revealed that Prince Guangping agreed to it?

Yuan Ti had only inherited the title for two years and had no real power in the court.

There shouldn't be anyone plotting against him.

"No need to worry, just continue as usual. By the way... go to the Prince of Guangping's residence to pay your respects to him, and then bring him to my residence to see me. There's no need to be secretive, just invite him openly and honestly. Why should I be afraid of a bunch of warriors?"

Seeing Zhang Yi so calm and composed, Zhang Zhongyu's previous panic subsided, and he turned to ask questions.

"Father, do you mean... that the Prince of Guangping could be of help to us?"

"Go and pay them a visit."

Zhang Zhongyu immediately went to the residence of the Prince of Guangping to pay his respects. He soon met Yuan Ti and, after explaining his purpose, was received by Yuan Ti.

After exchanging a few words, Yuan Ti spoke up.

“Military men are all ignorant and incompetent. They do not read the books of sages, so how can they know how to govern a country? I deeply agree with what you and your son have said, and I will definitely persuade His Majesty and the Empress Dowager.”

With the help of his relatives, Zhang Zhongyu was overjoyed and immediately bowed, saying, "My father is unable to move around easily and is unable to visit in person. I would be grateful if Your Majesty could accompany me."

Yuan Ti then swaggered along with Zhang Zhongyu to visit his home.

Completely unconcerned... Countless eyes were fixed on him on the streets of Luoyang, and news of Yuan Ti's meeting with the Zhang family at their residence spread like wildfire throughout Luoyang!
…………

"Damn it! Those sons of the Zhang family, we soldiers of the Central Army have never offended them, yet they treat us like this!"

"His Majesty and the Empress Dowager did not agree, so they must be against it. Otherwise, why would they have kept the memorial in the palace without issuing it?"

"What foolish words! If the Empress Dowager had no intention, why would she have leaked the contents of her secret memorial? It's clearly a test of our attitude! If we all acquiesce this time, just watch... a decree will be issued soon, and then you'll be stuck in the central army for the rest of your lives!"

During the northern expedition against the Rouran, Kou Wenzheng, who served as a deputy commander in the central army, was discussing this matter with a group of soldiers in the central army.

He was very emotional and kept trying to rally the soldiers!

He's in a hurry!
This northern expedition against the Rouran did not bring him many benefits; mainly, he did not receive a promotion.

He finally managed to outlast those who were putting pressure on him by taking advantage of this opportunity to conquer the Rouran in the north.

What's the result now?
Tell him the car door has been welded shut?

"Which of our ancestors hasn't rendered outstanding service to the Great Wei! The court not only refuses to treat us well, but now they're showing such favoritism! How unfair!"

Just then, a soldier rushed in, bringing news that Yuan Ti had gone to visit the Zhang family.

Kou Wen became even more agitated upon learning this!

"Look! The Empress Dowager is clearly testing us because she sees that we soldiers in the central army dare not complain. Today it's the Prince of Guangping, tomorrow it will be the Prince of Qinghe! In a few days... the court will definitely issue a clear order! Gentlemen... then we can expect to spend our lives as soldiers in the central army, and then die on the battlefield on some occasion!"

"At that time, how will we be different from the lowly commoners of the Six Garrisons? We will have made meritorious contributions but will not receive adequate rewards. The lowly commoners of the Six Garrisons cannot leave the Six Garrisons. It is one thing if we do not receive rewards, but we have lived in Luoyang for generations. In the future, we will watch our own clansmen rise to high positions while we can only serve as corrupt officials, inferior to others. Are you willing to accept this?!"

Kou Wen kept emphasizing the unfairness, as if he were brainwashing this group.

People are not worried about scarcity, but about inequality! Why should someone from the middle ranks be promoted to a high position?

Why should they lose their easy path to promotion right now?
If you can easily get promoted, why risk your life on the central army?
"Those sons of bitches from the Zhang family, let's go! Let's find them and demand an explanation!!"

"But...without His Majesty's decree, we..."

"The matter has already been brought up, so why bother with the Zhang family? What we need to do now is show the court the attitude of us, the soldiers of the Central Army!!"

"How about this..."

........................

Gao Yu and his group finally arrived in Sizhou!
There were significantly more people than before, and the further south you went... it was like a completely different world.

Previously, when we were around Jinyang, we could see a lot of grassland costumes and herdsmen, but after entering the territory of Sizhou...

Gao Yu and his group's attire on the grassland looked out of place, and they were always looked at with strange eyes by others. After all, to the locals, Gao Yu and his group were dressed in strange clothes.

This made Gao Yu extremely uncomfortable.

Everyone was too busy traveling to understand the situation here. It would be most important to contact Erzhu Rong through Liu Gui's connections after arriving in Luoyang and gradually sort out the connections!

"These Buddhist temples are indeed as numerous as hairs on a cow."

No wonder the soldiers and civilians of the six towns were dissatisfied.

The Six Garrisons guarded the border for the country in the harsh northern lands, yet the imperial court would still find opportunities to deduct their salaries and rations, and would not reward them for their meritorious service.

The high-ranking officials and nobles in the imperial court lived extremely extravagant lives.

Looking at the pagodas and temples of all sizes, and hearing that Empress Dowager Hu had even sent craftsmen to Longxi and other places to carve Buddha statues, Gao Yu sighed, "Spectacular sights are ruining the country!"
They arrived at the inn again, where the group went in to rest briefly, change horses, and then continued their journey.

According to Liu Gui.

At the current speed, we will arrive in Luoyang in three or four days.

We're finally almost at our destination!!
Two more days passed.

Finally, this life of being exposed to the wind and sun and riding horses is coming to an end.

The crowd couldn't help but quicken their pace.

At this moment...

Suddenly, sounds of fighting and screams came from afar!

Liu Yi immediately dismounted and lay down on the ground, then reported to the authorities.

"My lord! Judging from the commotion, there are about forty or fifty riders."

Gao Yu and Gao Huan immediately exchanged a glance.

No.

The capital city, right under the emperor's nose!
So arrogant?

To openly commit robbery on the post road?

No wonder the soldiers of the Central Army who went to Huai Shuo all looked like bandits.

So the bandits around Luoyang are just this arrogant, and the soldiers in the central army are just imitating them?
"Mount up, Liu Taozhi, Liu Yi... you few come with me to investigate! Everyone, nock your bows!"

"Here!"

(End of this chapter)