Young Master Gao? Call me Little Grand Secretary!

"I've been to school, you can't fool me!" Gao Zhao looked at him seriously and said, "The so-called classics are the eternal and enduring principles, the unalterable and profound teachings! The rules you speak of are nothing but dross!"

Confucius said: "A man of noble character and benevolence will not seek to live at the expense of benevolence, but will sacrifice his life to achieve benevolence. This can be called the classic!" Mencius said: "He who gives up his life for righteousness can be called the classic!" How can those petty and despicable rules be called the classic?

"You expect me to feign compliance with them, to go along with their corrupt ways, to swallow my pride and obey blindly—how can that be acceptable! The way is to follow the Way, not the ruler; to follow righteousness, not the father. How can my noble soul bow and scrape before those sordid rules? My lord, I cannot comply!"

Gao Zhao was always one to hold his ground when he was in the right. His words were impassioned and forceful, leaving Gao Qiu furious, his face turning ashen, his hands and feet trembling, pointing at him for a long time, unable to utter a single sentence: "You...you...you..."

"Sir, you won't get angry over such a small matter! We're debating the meaning of scriptures, as the saying goes..."

"roll……"

"Okay, sure!"

Gao Zhao chuckled and turned to leave.

Whatever!

If you're so capable, then don't help me!

As for those so-called unspoken rules of officialdom, screw them!

Under the iron fist of the young master, all are but ants!

Anyone who dares to make a fuss will be dealt with! The Song Dynasty is almost over, and I'm still indulging your bad habits!

Back in the room, Feng Sanniang hurriedly went to fetch the food, but Gao Zhao, impatient, grabbed her shoulder and instantly refined her!

The next morning, Gao Zhao did not go to the Gemensi (a military post) for roll call, but went directly to the Imperial Guard camp.

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He didn't cause any trouble, just followed behind Zhou Ang, calling him "Brother Zhou" repeatedly, showing great intimacy, and occasionally asking him questions about martial arts.

Zhou Ang hadn't seen him for a long time. Although he was a little surprised that he hadn't gone to the Hemen Division to work today but had come to the military camp, he was very happy to see that he was so polite. So he didn't hold back and, while patrolling the training ground, explained some martial arts essentials and techniques to him.

The two chatted happily, and before they knew it, it was already past 9 a.m. A Privy Council official arrived in haste, carrying official documents.

Zhou Ang frowned slightly upon seeing this, secretly wondering if some urgent military intelligence had arrived again.

Although the Privy Council is in charge of the Song Dynasty's military and political affairs, the daily management of the Imperial Guards in the capital is not under their jurisdiction, but rather under the Palace Guard. Their presence today must mean something major has happened.

Gao Zhao saw it too, but he didn't pay any attention to it. He continued to ask Xu Ning for advice on the essentials of spear techniques while holding his hook-and-sickle spear.

Xu Ning was different from ordinary imperial guard instructors. He was a teacher in the Golden Spear Class, belonging to the direct line of various classes, and was dedicated to protecting the emperor. His status was much higher than that of ordinary imperial guards.

However, since it was under the jurisdiction of the Palace Guard, they treated Gao Zhao very politely.

Xu Ning was an honest man with a gentle and kind personality, and he was easy to get along with. When he met Gao Zhao, he began to learn from him and taught him everything he knew. Even a few words of advice would make Gao Zhao feel enlightened.

This also made Gao Zhao secretly resent Lin Chong. That guy's martial arts skills were no worse than Xu Ning's, but he never taught him any real skills. He had even saved Lin Chong's life. What an ungrateful wretch!

In the midst of the drills, Gao Qiu's personal guards rushed over and summoned Qiu Yue and Zhou Ang to the camp for a meeting.

Zhou Ang's heart skipped a beat, realizing that something serious had happened. He immediately got up and headed there. On the way, he met Qiu Yue, and the two walked together. Just as they were about to talk and find out the reason, they saw Gao Zhao following behind them, walking leisurely towards the central army tent.

He was suspicious, wondering why Gao Zhao had come along, but he didn't want to ask too many questions, so he just let it be.

The three entered the tent, where the atmosphere was heavy. Gao Qiu, dressed in a purple robe, sat in the main seat, with officials from the Privy Council beside him.

Qiu Yue and Zhou Ang clasped their hands in a salute, while Gao Zhao casually stood aside and then bowed in a salute as well.

Before Gao Qiu could speak, a Privy Council official chimed in with a laugh, "Grand Commandant Gao, is this one of your fierce generals? He truly lives up to his reputation; quite imposing indeed!"

Gao Qiu smiled slightly and said, "You flatter me, Vice Commissioner. These two men are indeed brave and courageous in battle, and have made many meritorious contributions!"

"Since the Grand Commandant says so, I naturally trust him!" The Vice Minister of the Privy Council glanced at Gao Zhao, nodded with a half-smile, then suddenly straightened his expression and ordered, "Where is Gao Zhao?!"

"This humble servant is here!" Gao Zhao responded and stepped forward, bowing with his hands clasped.

The Vice Minister of the Privy Council proclaimed loudly: "There is a bandit in the capital called the Worry-Free Cave, who has committed numerous atrocities and harmed the people. The Emperor has issued an edict allocating one thousand elite soldiers from the Palace Guard to your command to wipe out the bandits and restore peace to the capital. There must be no mistake!"

Gao Zhao responded loudly, "This humble official will humbly obey Your Majesty's command and Your Majesty's decree, and will certainly not fail Your Majesty's expectations or the trust placed in you by the Prime Minister!"

Qiu Yue and Zhou Ang stared at each other in disbelief.

No, you've brought us here, so how are we supposed to be ordered to lead troops by Gao Zhao? What are we then? You can't expect us to be his subordinates, can you?

"Qiu Yue, Zhou Ang, listen to my command!" Gao Qiu then shouted, "You two immediately select elite and courageous soldiers from the army, each leading five hundred men, under the command of Gao Zhao, and at his disposal!"

"what?"

The two were taken aback and looked troubled. They were both veteran generals of the Imperial Guard with extensive experience, but now they had to take orders from a young master who had never been on the battlefield. Wasn't this a mess?

However, the two quickly realized that this was clearly a way to give Gao Zhao credit. As long as he gained merit, Gao Qiu would definitely not treat them unfairly!

Thinking of this, the two quickly bowed and accepted the order: "Your subordinates obey!"

Seeing that everything was arranged properly, the Vice Minister of the Privy Council nodded to Gao Qiu and took his leave. Gao Qiu quickly got up to see him off.

After the two left, Gao Zhao walked up behind them and kicked Zhou Ang in the buttocks, causing Zhou Ang to stumble and almost fall.

Zhou Ang was furious and turned to lash out, but Gao Zhao scolded him, "You scoundrel, what was that expression you just made? Were you dissatisfied with me?"

"You bastard..." Zhou Ang was furious. This dog called him Brother Zhou this morning, but now that he has gained military power, he has turned his back on him. What a despicable person!

"Hey! This scoundrel dares to bare his teeth at me!" Gao Zhao patted Qiu Yue on the shoulder beside him, pointed at Zhou Ang and cursed, "Old Qiu, what is the punishment for disrespecting your superior!"

Qiu Yue knew he was joking. Gao Zhao had been thoroughly disciplined by Zhou Ang in the military camp, and this was an excuse for revenge. So he smiled and advised, "That was quite a crime, but now is a time when we need capable people. Please, Lord Gao, be lenient and allow him to make amends!"

"Hmm! That makes sense!" Gao Zhao nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Zhou Ang and scolded, "You should learn from Old Qiu. You're acting like a brute all day long, what kind of behavior is that!"

Zhou Ang was furious and gritted his teeth. He could only signal to him with his eyes to wait.

Just then, Gao Qiu walked in. Upon seeing the three of them like this, he immediately reprimanded Gao Zhao, saying, "Your command of this army relies entirely on the two generals. You must treat them with courtesy and never act arrogantly or disrespectfully. Do you understand?"

Gao Zhao glanced sideways at him, and said dismissively, "What? You can manage the Three Military Commands, but since when can you even manage the generals leading troops in the field?"

Gao Qiu glared angrily, and Qiu Yue and Zhou Ang thought to themselves that things were going badly. They hadn't even set out yet, and their commander was already so arrogant and domineering. How could they possibly win this battle?