My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 73 Famous Luo Jing!

Erzhu Rong led his imperial guards and escorted the soldiers of the central army away.

Zheng Dache seemed to have also heard the news that Prince Yuan Ti of Guangping was missing and was greatly alarmed. He also hurriedly left the villa, presumably to return to the Prince's mansion to confirm the truth of the news.

The once bustling courtyard now appears deserted.

"I wonder how this riot will ultimately end."

Gao Huan frowned and pondered for a moment, then looked at Liu Gui and pleaded, "I would also trouble Guizhen and Agan to go out and find out what's going on in Luoyang. We need to know what's happening so we can deal with it calmly, instead of being completely clueless like we are now."

Gao Yu has just killed a lot of people, so it is not advisable for him to go out now.

Liu Gui is more suitable than Liu Taozhi and others for gathering information. He was originally a merchant who traveled between the northern frontier and the Central Plains, had his own network of relationships, and was good at dealing with people.

Liu Taozhi and her group are better suited to killing people than to doing these delicate tasks.

"Why should we stand on ceremony? I will go and find out. Don't worry, Dalang. Tianbao said that Erlang is a meritorious official and the court will reward him accordingly."

"I hope so."

Gao Yu didn't have much hope.

The Prince of Guangping had promised a generous reward.

Before the thank-you gift could even be delivered, he was left with his fate unknown.

Could it be that it's being suppressed?
Zheng Dache doesn't look like someone who brings misfortune to her husbands.

Seeing that Liu Gui was about to leave, Gao Huan seemed to remember something and quickly said, "If martial law is declared in the city, come back quickly to prevent any unforeseen circumstances."

"Don't worry, I'll reflect on my actions."

………………

This riot, which was started by soldiers of the central army, looked quite large and even burned down the Ministry of Personnel and the residence of the General Who Conquers the West.

In reality, it was nothing more than a farce that lasted only half a day.

As soon as Prince Yuan Yi of Jiangyang led the Imperial Guards out, he easily quelled the situation.

Before the sun had even completely set, Yuan Yi had already sent someone to the palace to report to Empress Dowager Hu that Luoyang had returned to its former tranquility, with only some finishing touches remaining. He would personally come to pay his respects once everything was settled.

Upon learning that the riots had been quelled, Empress Dowager Hu, who had been on tenterhooks, finally breathed a sigh of relief and praised, "Prince Jiangyang truly deserves to be called the most outstanding prince. It is no wonder that I value him so highly. With him in command of the Imperial Guards, I can finally feel at ease."

He does not mean that.

Upon hearing this, Prince Yuan Yi of Qinghe looked extremely embarrassed.

He and Yuan Yi have always been at odds, and now Yuan Yi has gained tremendous political prestige from this farce, threatening his position.

But since things had come to this, he could only try to salvage the situation at the subsequent court assembly.

Day two.

Luoyang then returned to normal.

Ordinary people went about their business as usual, taverns remained open, and the women of the Central Plains dressed as usual, smiling and welcoming customers. If it weren't for the houses that had been burned to the ground, one would hardly know that a riot had occurred in the Central Plains the day before.

but……

The topics of conversation among the people in the tavern were different from usual.

"The Central Army caused such a commotion yesterday, I wonder how the court will handle it."

"They will certainly be severely punished. I heard that the Ministry of Personnel and the residence of the General Who Conquers the West were burned down, and the son of the General Who Conquers the West was beaten to death. Lord Zhang is seriously injured and on the verge of death. If they are not severely punished, how can the court save face?"

"I guess so!"

"It is said that the fate of the Prince of Guangping is unknown, or perhaps he is still a prince!"

"That's hard to say! If the punishment is severe, it will inevitably have far-reaching consequences, and wouldn't everyone in the central army feel insecure?"

"........."

Jia Sixie and Cui Xian were also in this tavern, where they heard many people talking.

Luoyang is right under the emperor's nose!
Even an ordinary citizen in Luoyang could offer insightful opinions on court affairs, analyzing them with remarkable certainty, as if they had powerful connections in the court and possessed a wealth of inside information.

After all, who in Luoyang doesn't have a relative who is an official?
In everyday interactions, one will inevitably learn a thing or two unintentionally.

Jia Sixie filled Cui Xian's bowl with wine and said with a smile, "Jilun, that person seems to be the same as the one you described yesterday."

Cui Xian shook his head. "The reason I think that way is only one aspect: the large number of people in the Central Army and the complex relationships involved. As for the other aspect..." He paused slightly, lowered his body, and spoke in a very low voice.

"...Empress Hu is not the same as Empress Dowager Wenming!"

Upon hearing this, Jia Sixie's face immediately paled, and he quickly said, "Be careful what you say."

Yesterday, when Cui Xian said that the court probably wouldn't severely punish Zhongjun's words, he didn't really believe it. But today, upon hearing this, he suddenly understood. If the Empress Dowager who was holding the regency was the one who dared to kill the emperor, she would probably really go on a killing spree and wouldn't stop until Luoyang was covered in blood. As for this Empress Hu, she probably wouldn't dare to take the risk.

The chatter of many drinkers drifted over from the side.

"I heard that yesterday a brave warrior from Huai Shuo single-handedly drove back hundreds of soldiers from the central army and protected the Princess of Guangping. Have you heard about it?"

"I have heard about it, but it must be an exaggeration! How can one person withstand hundreds of people?"

"No! I witnessed this with my own eyes!"

"Oh? Tell me!"

“I was on the pagoda at Jingyue Temple at the time, and I saw it all clearly! Those Huai Shuo lads shouted, ‘I am Huai Shuo Moheduo, anyone who dares to step forward will die!’ They scared the entire central army so much that not a single soldier dared to take a single step forward!”

“My neighbor is a soldier in the central army. He told me himself! That Huai Shuo lad shot and killed dozens of central army soldiers. He was incredibly brave!”

"Nonsense! The soldiers who caused trouble yesterday have all been arrested. How would your neighbor know about that?"

"You misheard me! I was talking about... I was talking about Imperial Guards... the ones who arrest the central army!"

Jia Sixie and Cui Xian exchanged a glance.

In this bustling marketplace, such outrageous rumors are most likely to spread like wildfire, eventually becoming common knowledge. After all, what Gao Yu did yesterday was far too legendary for these ordinary people. Especially since the entire Northern Wei Dynasty, from top to bottom, deeply revered Buddhism and had a strong belief in ghosts and gods, many people felt that Gao Yu's bravery must be the reincarnation of a Buddha's guardian deity.

"This Huai Shuo Mo He Du is now famous throughout Luoyang."

Cui Xian laughed and said, "Everyone is talking about how he single-handedly defeated the central army yesterday. That's what a true man should be like!"

Jia Sixie said, "Last night I heard from a fellow villager that this man's bravery and martial prowess have long been known throughout the six towns. He is said to be unparalleled in riding and archery, and the best in spear and lance. When he was on a northern expedition against the Rouran, the Duke of Chenliu also praised him highly."

"Hey, such a remarkable person, I must go and befriend him. Brother Zhixing, would you like to come with me?"

"good."

Jia Sixie first agreed, then smiled and teased, "Brother Cui comes from a distinguished family, so why would you take the initiative to visit this Huai Shuo Xianbei?"

What does a hero's social standing have to do with his family background?

………………

"He Liuhun and Mo Heduo have come to Luoyang, yet they haven't come to pay me a visit?"

The streets and alleys of Luoyang were abuzz with talk of Gao Yu's feat of single-handedly intimidating hundreds of soldiers the previous day, and Li Chong naturally heard about the Gao brothers' arrival in Luoyang.

He was quite dissatisfied with this.

Wei Langen, who was standing to the side, took out the business card that the doorman had thrown away earlier and handed it over.

Li Chong looked bewildered.

Wei Langen explained, "Gao Erlang came to visit a few days ago, but his servants said you weren't home, so we couldn't see you..."

He didn't spell it out clearly, but Li Chong immediately understood.

The gatekeeper of their own household was used to being arrogant and domineering, so how could the high-ranking officials possibly look down on the military households from the six garrisons in the north?

Li Chong looked slightly embarrassed. "The Gao brothers are indeed well-mannered. They have made great contributions this time, protecting the Princess of Guangping. During the court meeting, I should say a few good words for them."

………………

"Gao Huan? Gao Yu? From Huai Shuo?"

Cui Guang stroked his beard, his eyes narrowing as if recalling something. "Could it be that his ancestors were from the Gao clan of Bohai? I remember... could they be descendants of the Marquis of Dong'e?"

Cui Guang was nearing seventy years old and had long held a high position in the imperial court, experiencing many things along the way.

He couldn't help but think of Emperor Xianwen Tuoba Hong, who died suddenly in Yong'an Palace, and was the father of Emperor Xiaowen Tuoba Hong.

At the time, it was widely believed that Emperor Xianwen died suddenly due to illness, but there were also rumors that Empress Dowager Wenming was behind the coup. Palace secrets have changed over time, so who can say for sure?

When Emperor Xianwen, Tuoba Hong, was still the crown prince, Gao Huan's grandfather, Gao Mi, was appointed as a secretary to serve the crown prince in his studies because of his father, Gao Hu, the Marquis of Dong'e. He could be said to be Tuoba Hong's absolute confidant and close minister.

However, with the sudden death of Tuoba Hong, Gao Mi was also implicated and convicted, stripped of all official positions and titles, and exiled to Huai Shuo as a criminal.

"They seem to be descendants of an old friend..."

He looked at the servant beside him and said, "Go and find out about the Gao brothers."

………………

Yuan Yi was extremely pleased with himself!

All the hard work and trouble-making by the central army ended up with him reaping the rewards.

"The central army must be even more terrified now. Go and tell them that with the Prince of Jiangyang here, there is nothing to worry about!"

"Here!"

Upon receiving the order, the guard turned around to deliver the message.

Seeing that no one else was around, Erzhu Rong immediately suggested, "Your Majesty, this is enough to win over the hearts of the central army. In this way, both the Imperial Guards and the central army will be under Your Majesty's control! Why doesn't Your Majesty..."

"Be careful!"

Yuan Yi shook his head. "No rush. Why be in such a hurry? Tianbao, you are still young. You will have the opportunity to climb to a high position in the future."

Erzhu Rong quickly bowed, "This humble general will forever be loyal to Your Majesty and dare not have any disloyal thoughts! I am willing to serve the general by your side for the rest of my life!"

Yuan Yi smiled and waved his hand, "I know Tianbao is loyal, there's no need to worry."

Suddenly, as if remembering something, he asked, "By the way, I heard that yesterday at the Prince of Guangping's villa, there was a young man from Huai Shuo who was incredibly brave and single-handedly held off hundreds of soldiers. Is that true?"

"really."

Erzhu Rong did not conceal anything and reported the truth: "The boy is called Moheduo. If Your Majesty is interested, you can ask Shedigan and Daxi Wu for information. They had dealings with Moheduo when they were on a northern expedition against the Rouran, and they know Moheduo's bravery."

Yuan Yi nodded, "Since they are so brave, they should be put to my use... We will discuss this further at the court assembly."

………………

The Royal Palace of the Ruanruan.

"Huai Shuo Mo He Du..."

Upon hearing his subordinate's report, Anagui immediately recalled the scene of Gao Yu charging into the enemy ranks single-handedly as if entering an empty field. He had witnessed it with his own eyes. Every one of Chou Nu's guards was a warrior from the grasslands, and the Woye Elite Cavalry under Jiao Po Liu Han Baling was also worthy of being called brave and fierce, but under the spears and lances of that man, they were like clay chickens and earthenware dogs, utterly vulnerable.

"If I could acquire this man, wouldn't the Rouran Khan be my for the taking!"

It's frustrating that although Anagui was officially recognized as the King of Rouran by the Great Wei, he repeatedly requested that troops be sent to escort him back to the grasslands to compete for the title of Khan, but the court never agreed.

However, he was working hard, and the King of Jiangyang had already accepted his generous gift, so he figured his return to the grasslands was not far off.

Think about this.

Anagui made up his mind: this person must be recruited!

P.S.: More will follow later, please be patient...

(End of this chapter)