My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 179: Can he even compare to Lao Ai?
During the court assembly, no one objected to any of the edicts issued by Yuan Xu.

Empress Dowager Hu remained silent throughout the entire process; by not directly objecting, she was implicitly approving.

Empress Dowager Hu remained silent, and naturally, her cronies and the rest of her faction dared not speak either.

Seeing that no one objected to his decree at the court meeting, Yuan Xu couldn't help but feel smug and wanted to hum a little.

came back!
They're all back!

The imperial power that rightfully belongs to us has returned!

That's the feeling of having absolute power that I wanted. Previously, I used Prince Gaoyang, Yuan Yong, to counterbalance Prince Jiangyang, Yuan Yi, making the two of them fight like dogs in the court.

Yuan Xu once experienced what it was like to be an 'emperor'.

at the moment.

They have regained more power than they did last time.

Although Erzhu Rong is despicable for taking the opportunity to demand an official position, he is currently very powerful. Having him as a father-in-law would indeed be able to deter these corrupt officials in the court. Ziyou is right.

It's nothing more than the title of Empress.

What I can give today, I can take away tomorrow.

Yuan Xu was delighted, and a faint smile appeared on his face. He glanced at Empress Dowager Hu out of the corner of his eye.

Empress Dowager Hu sat upright beside him, extremely dignified, but her face was expressionless, making it impossible to guess what she was thinking.

Yuan Xu couldn't help but think of striking while the iron was hot.

"I almost overlooked something else. General Xi Yi of Zhizhai has been transferred to the Zhiqin Palace and promoted to Youji General."

The nobles looked up at Yuan Xu in astonishment. Was the young emperor about to formally extend his influence into the Imperial Guard?

In Luoyang's officialdom, factions were very obvious, and the networks behind them were almost transparent, woven together by blood ties and marriage.

Xi Yi and Erzhu Rong are cousins, everyone knows that.

Prince Yuan Hui of Chengyang could not hold back and stepped forward, bowing and saying, "Your Majesty, this matter is probably inappropriate."

"Oh?"

Yuan Xu sneered, "What's wrong with it? Or is it that... I need to consult with the Prince of Chengyang and get his approval before issuing an edict?"

Yuan Hui hurriedly knelt down in fear, "How dare I overstep my bounds, I... I..."

"All right."

Empress Dowager Hu, who had remained silent until now, spoke up to help Prince Chengyang out of the predicament, "His Majesty has issued so many personnel appointments in one go. Prince Chengyang is only acting this way because he is afraid that His Majesty will listen to the slander of petty people. However, His Majesty has been exceptionally intelligent since childhood. Even if there are villains who slander him, His Majesty will surely be able to discern the truth. Prince Chengyang, there is no need to worry. You may leave."

Empress Dowager Hu wanted to act as a peacemaker and help Yuan Hui.

But the young emperor turned to look at her and asked with a smile, "I'm afraid I can't agree with what Mother Empress said."

"What do you mean by listening to petty people and slandering me? Ever since I was born from my mother's womb, I have never left the palace. The people around me are nothing more than the imperial guards, my close attendants, the court officials, the princes, and my mother... Does my mother mean that there are petty people or villains among these people?"

So tough?
The Taiji Hall became extremely quiet. The ministers and officials realized that the young emperor was going to confront Empress Dowager Hu head-on today, and they didn't dare to breathe loudly for fear of being caught in the crossfire.

When Yuan Xu questioned her like this, Empress Dowager Hu lost face and her expression faltered slightly.

Yuan Xu, not giving her a chance to speak, smiled and said, "The Empress Dowager and I are blood relatives, and the princes and I are also blood relatives of the same origin. I also believe that all the officials in the court are loyal to the country and wholeheartedly think of the Great Wei."

"But the Empress Dowager would not speak carelessly. It is likely that the Imperial Guards and close attendants are a mixed bag, and it is inevitable that some villains and petty people have infiltrated them."

It seems Yuan Xu is truly determined to take action against the Imperial Guards.

The positions of Palace General and Commander-in-Chief were both held by Empress Dowager Hu's staunch confidants. Could it be that the young emperor... intends to take away both of these positions today?
Empress Dowager Hu suppressed her anger and coldly retorted, "What does Your Majesty intend to do? Please speak plainly."

Yuan Xu smiled faintly, "Mother, there is no need to panic. I was just saying it casually when you mentioned that there were villains and scoundrels in the palace. But since you mentioned it, why not take this opportunity to have someone investigate and see if there are really any villains among the Imperial Guards and the close attendants?"

"In my opinion, it would be better to let General Xi Yi, the guerrilla commander, take charge of this matter. What does Your Majesty think?"

Empress Dowager Hu said coldly, "The entire Great Wei belongs to His Majesty. His Majesty is the Son of Heaven, and his words are law. Why ask me?"

After the court assembly ended.

Empress Dowager Hu returned to Jiafu Palace with a cold face the whole time. As soon as she entered, she saw Zheng Yan and Xu He already there, and they were both kneeling on the ground. When they saw Empress Dowager Hu, they forced out tears and crawled to her feet with tears streaming down their faces.

"Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager, please save us!"

"If the Empress Dowager does not save us, we fear our deaths are imminent."

Obviously.

Zheng Yan and Xu He already knew about what happened at the court meeting and that Empress Dowager Hu had not opposed the young emperor's plan to strictly investigate the Imperial Guards.

The investigation of the Imperial Guards is not a problem, but the person conducting the investigation is Erzhu Rong's cousin, who was personally appointed by the young emperor, which is a big problem.

Xu He, in particular, looked terrified. He had offended Erzhu Rong, so how could Xi Yi let him off the hook?

Empress Dowager Hu was also furious and rebuked, "What's with this panic? I'm not dead yet! Neither of you have done anything wrong, so what are you afraid of! If His Majesty wants to investigate, let him investigate!"

Zheng Yan and Xu He exchanged a glance, their fear undiminished.

When it comes to serving as the Empress Dowager's male concubine, who can compare to Lao Ai, who had some 'special skills'?

He was a legitimate marquis, and he even almost launched a coup to kill Qin Shi Huang.

What was the final outcome?
Tortured by five horses!

Which son can tolerate someone who cheats on his father constantly showing up in front of him?
When the young emperor assumes full power, even Empress Dowager Hu may not be able to protect them.

A fierce glint flashed in their terrified eyes.

the other side.

The smug Yuan Xu immediately summoned Yuan Ziyou to Xianyang Palace and couldn't help but proudly recount what had happened at the court meeting.

"How was it, Ziyou? Today I truly had a moment of triumph!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ziyou was greatly alarmed, "Your Majesty...you're confused!"

Yuan Xu frowned, and asked rather displeasedly, "I have been acting entirely according to your plans, how could I be confused?"

Yuan Ziyou wanted to explain, but when he looked up and saw the young emperor's cold eyes, he swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue and forced a smile, saying, "What I mean is... I was confused. Your Majesty is wise. I only thought of Erzhu Rong's matter, but I never thought that I could take the opportunity to extend my reach into the Imperial Guard."

"No... This is a wise move by Your Majesty. You seized the opportunity presented by the Empress Dowager's slip of the tongue. Your Majesty is indeed intelligent."

Yuan Xu then smiled and said, "I have not made no progress over the years. I have now barely grasped the art of political maneuvering. Ziyou deserves the credit, and when I hold great power, I will reward him handsomely."

Yuan Ziyou smiled ingratiatingly and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

He sighed inwardly.

The young emperor is too impatient.

The court was still under the control of Empress Dowager Hu. Currently, due to the events in Ji, Ding, and Ying prefectures, Empress Dowager Hu's political prestige had been damaged, giving the young emperor an opportunity to swagger about. However, this was all an illusion. The young emperor could swagger about, and even take the opportunity to openly win over Erzhu Rong, an outsider, by making Erzhu Ying'e empress.

The Taiji Hall is full of cunning old foxes; who wouldn't see through such obvious attempts to win them over and form alliances?

It's still considered normal up to this point.

However, it would be too much to then appoint Xi Yi as a palace guard and a guerrilla general, and even to have him investigate the palace guards and attendants.

They only know how to be aggressive, but they don't know how to retreat in order to advance.

The original strategy of slowly eroding Empress Dowager Hu's power, like boiling a frog in lukewarm water, would not have provoked a strong reaction from her.

However, Yuan Xu's current impatience and excessive pressure could easily drive someone to desperation and resort to extreme measures.

"Ziyou, what do you think I should tell Xi Yi to replace? How about you help me select a group of trustworthy men from good families?"

Looking at Yuan Xu, who was still immersed in the joy of his 'victory', Yuan Ziyou sighed and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty... the most urgent task is to stabilize Erzhu Rong. Your Majesty should personally write a letter and send Xi Yi to Bingzhou to deliver it, so that he can see Your Majesty's great kindness."

"As for the replacement of the imperial guards and attendants, we should wait a while and proceed slowly. Your Majesty should also give me some time to carefully select trustworthy men from good families."

"That's right, then so be it."

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

After capturing Sizhou and taking Wei Qingbin prisoner.

Erzhu Rong first led his army south, but did not officially enter Bingzhou territory, instead stationing his army at the border.

He himself brought Erzhu Zhao and others to Bingzhou to meet his sworn brother Yuan Tianmu.

March 2nd.

Carrying Yuan Xu's secret letter and the official appointment document, Xi Yi rode swiftly to Bingzhou.

"Tianbao!"

"Wucheng!"

The two embraced warmly upon meeting. Erzhu Rong had prepared a banquet well in advance. All of these people knew Xi Yi, except for Gao Yu, who had never met him before.

Erzhu Rong then took the initiative to introduce himself.

"This is my cousin, Xi Yi, whose courtesy name is Wucheng."

"Who is this……"

Before Erzhu Rong could finish speaking, Xi Yi stepped forward and said, "Is this the famous Gao Lang who once shook Luoyang and single-handedly repelled hundreds of central troops?"

"Just as rumored, he is handsome and dignified. No wonder the women of Luoyang still think of Brother Shimin even though several years have passed since the incident at the Central Army."

"........."

Gao Yu, both amused and exasperated, corrected him, "My courtesy name is not Shimin."

Xi Yi was taken aback and quickly smiled apologetically, "It was my rudeness."

Gao Yu wasn't really going to hold it against him; he was already used to it.

Cui Guang's reputation was so great that even though he himself had never admitted it, almost everyone who met him for the first time would subconsciously assume that his courtesy name was "Shimin".

After all, in the eyes of outsiders.

Cui Guang!
What an honor it is that he is willing to bestow a courtesy name upon someone! So many people yearn for it but cannot obtain it.

If one were to serve as an official in Luoyang and have this experience, their career, if not meteoric, would certainly be smooth sailing.

Yuan Tianmu summoned beautiful concubines to pour wine for everyone and dance to entertain them.

Xi Yi then relayed the recent events in Luoyang and handed over Yuan Xu's handwritten letter to Erzhu Rong.

Erzhu Zhao was very excited.

"Hahaha, Ying'e has now become the Empress, so wouldn't my Erzhu clan become imperial relatives again, just like our ancestors? Tianbao is also His Majesty's father-in-law."

Erzhu Rong was also very happy.

His previous actions were partly a test of the court's attitude; what he did was actually quite excessive and 'out of line'.

When Wei Qingbin called him a traitor, he wasn't wrong.

He was doing the work of a rebel, and Erzhu Rong was initially hesitant.

result?

Instead of punishing him, the court granted all his requests and even gave him unexpected joy.

It was nothing more than the young emperor rebuking him in his own handwritten letter.

What's the big deal about hurling a few insults?
As long as the tangible benefits are in hand, that's enough.

His actions effectively expanded the Erzhu clan's territory from the original 300-li fiefdom of Xiurongchuan to include the two prefectures of Si and Bing, making them like a sharp blade hanging over the head of the Luoyang court.

Erzhu Zhongyuan chimed in, “Now that Tianbao has become the governor of Bingzhou, wouldn’t that mean… the iron mines within Bingzhou can be used by our Erzhu clan? We can forge more weapons and armor, and we can immediately expand our army, prepare for war, and march east to quell the rebellion at any time!”

"Do not."

Erzhu Rong shook his head. "Wu Cheng, tomorrow you should take this letter in my own handwriting back to Luoyang to meet His Majesty. We will return to Xiu Rong Chuan first. We hope Tian Mu will take good care of the affairs in Bingzhou."

Erzhu Zhao asked in utter bewilderment, "Tianbao, you are already the governor of Bingzhou, why do you still want to return to Xiurongchuan?"

Erzhu Rong saw that the Erzhu clan members were all looking at him with blank expressions.

The joy in my heart was inevitably somewhat diminished.

He looked at Gao Yu and said with a smile, "I wonder if Gao Lang knows my feelings?"

Gao Yu shook his head repeatedly, "I am foolish and hope that Tianbao can enlighten me. I really don't know what the deeper meaning is in Tianbao's actions."

Erzhu Rong didn't play the riddle-maker. "This time, my actions have been extremely outrageous. I'm afraid there are already many people in the Luoyang court who are watching me. I need to lower my stance to put Luoyang at ease."

"If I continue with this aggressive stance, it will only breed suspicion and distrust."

"The appointments of the governors of Sizhou and Bingzhou have been made, and the most crucial matter has been accomplished. There is no need to rush. Haste makes waste."

"Next, we can simply wait and see how things develop at Xiurongchuan."

Erzhu Zhao and the others nodded as if they understood.

Gao Yu nodded in agreement, looking as if he had learned something.

"Come, come, let us drink this cup together!"

"We will return to Xiurongchuan tomorrow."

(End of this chapter)