My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 188 The affairs of the world are not enough to be settled.
Gao Cheng is different from Gao Yang and Gao Ying; those two were still young when they got lost from Lou Zhaojun.

I don't have a very deep memory of her.

Gao Cheng had been pampered by Lou Zhaojun since childhood. Lou Zhaojun's tears awakened his memories, and he also burst into tears.

The men were chatting enthusiastically, while the women were crying incessantly—a completely different scene.

Erzhu Yuechan appeared at the right moment beside Lou Zhaojun, took out a silk handkerchief and handed it to her, calling out sweetly, "Sister-in-law."

Lou Zhaojun was taken aback at first, wondering where the strange girl came from.
She subconsciously took the handkerchief and wiped away her tears before carefully examining Erzhu Yuechan in front of her.

The girl had bright eyes and white teeth, with a pair of phoenix eyes that were lively and expressive, as if they could speak. Anyone who looked into her eyes would be unconsciously drawn to them. At a glance, she could tell that the girl was in her prime, no more than fifteen or sixteen years old, with skin as white as snow and incomparably beautiful. She was truly a beauty.

Even though she already knew the answer in her heart, Lou Zhaojun still asked with a puzzled look, "Who are you?"

Erzhu Yuechan, however, took her arm very affectionately and said, "Sister-in-law, my name is Erzhu Yuechan, and I will marry Erlang in the future."

"As Erlang said, my sister-in-law is indeed a great beauty. Back in Huai Shuo, the number of people who came to propose to her must have worn down the threshold."

It does resemble itself somewhat.

She's not shy or coy, but very outgoing and generous. Most importantly, her mouth is as sweet as honey, and she speaks very pleasantly.

Lou Zhaojun couldn't help but feel a bit more favorably disposed towards him, and her smile widened even more, "Second Brother is truly blessed."

Erzhu Yuechan lowered her head shyly and whispered, "It is Yuechan's good fortune to meet Erlang and be able to marry the person she loves."

"Good good."

This temperament and disposition are exactly like mine.

A series of rapid hoofbeats drew everyone's attention, followed by a hearty laugh. Erzhu Rong took the initiative to lead a group of people to greet them.

"Brother, it's been years since we last met. Do you still recognize your old friends?"

Erzhu Rong dismounted, and Gao Huan quickly came to him, preparing to bow, but Erzhu Rong reached out to help him up and stop him, saying, "You and I are old friends, why be so polite? Or does the eldest brother not recognize me as an old friend?"

"How dare you?"

Gao Huan was terrified and quickly explained, "Since Huai Shuo was captured, I have been on a long journey. Now, thanks to Tianbao's help, I am able to reunite with Erlang. I have no way to repay him."

"Brother, you're too kind. We're as close as family, why bother?"

Erzhu Zhao then spoke up, especially the phrase "as close as family," which made Gao Huan roughly guess what was going on.

He wasn't as famous as Gao Yu. He had some fame in Huai Shuo or Liu Zhen, but he couldn't compare to Gao Yu.

Erzhu Rong brought so many people to greet him, which was obviously to give Gao Yu face.

Erzhu Rong also gave him face.

"The world only knows that the second son of the Gao family of Huai Shuo is intelligent and brave, unparalleled in riding and archery, and the best in spear and lance. He is revered by the tribes of the grassland as the 'Peerless God'."

"But I, Erzhu Rong, know that Gao Jia Dalang is also a man of unparalleled wisdom and talent in this era!"

"Now, thanks to the blessing of the Heavenly Emperor, how fortunate I, Erzhu Rong, am to have the assistance of you two brothers. With you two brothers here, there is nothing in the world that cannot be settled!"

Those around Erzhu Rong were all taken aback.

Even when he acquired the three Heba brothers, Erzhu Rong never uttered such 'nauseating' words.

They can understand why Gao Yu and the others value him.

What abilities does Gao Huan possess that make Erzhu Rong value him so highly?
Erzhu Tianguang, Erzhu Zhongyuan and others were also dissatisfied, because they had been completely overshadowed by Gao Yu in front of Erzhu Rong, and now another person with the surname Gao had come.

"Tianbao, enough of this idle talk. The wind is so strong, we should go back early and prepare for the banquet!"

"Correct!"

"Today we will hold a welcoming banquet for Dalang and the others!"

………………

Throughout the arduous journey of escape and treachery, Gao Huan remained constantly on edge, never daring to relax for a moment.

However, after arriving at Xiuyingchuan and meeting Gao Yu, I could finally breathe a sigh of relief and stop feeling so tired.

After the banquet.

Despite seemingly drinking heavily, Gao Huan remained sober and rational.

He had so much to say to Gao Yu, and he also needed to understand the current situation.

Skillful!

Gao Yu thought so too.

After returning to the mansion, Gao Huan went directly to Gao Yu's room, and the two brothers began their late-night conversation.

"Brother, why are you heading east?"

“I learned on the way that you and the Yuwen and Heba families had successfully broken through the siege, so I assumed you would go to Pingcheng with them and headed east. Later, I thought you were going east to seek refuge with the Cui and Yang families, but I never expected you to go directly south and come to Xiurongchuan.”

No wonder they couldn't get any information; their travel routes were completely different.

Gao Huan also told Du Luozhou what had happened there. Gao Yu also learned that Yuwen Luosheng was now under Ge Rong's command and had even been granted the title of Prince of Yuyang.

Also.

Yuwen Luosheng was the one who killed Wei Kegu, and he was very famous among the soldiers and civilians of the Six Garrisons. Moreover, Yuwen Luosheng himself was very charismatic. Ge Rong was determined to use Yuwen Luosheng's name to recruit and win over more people to work for him. "You've had a long and tiring journey, brother."

"It's alright, at least they're still alive... It's also thanks to God's protection that you saved your sister, Ah Hui, and Tie Fa."

Gao Huan also had many feelings, and his gaze towards Gao Yu was somewhat complicated.

The younger brother who once needed his protection and had to ask him for advice on everything has now grown up and become increasingly shrewd and capable.

"By the way, what about Erzhu Yuechan and you..."

Gao Yu smiled and told him the same thing. Gao Huan was taken aback at first, then chuckled, "This temperament is just like Zhaojun's."

Lou Zhaojun fell in love with Gao Huan at first sight and even prepared the betrothal gifts and other things for him in advance.

Erzhu Yuechan took the initiative. After making up her mind, she secretly sneaked into Gao Yu's bed to be his bed warmer.

After chatting for a while, Gao Huan asked the most crucial question.

What do you think of... Tianbao?

"Tianbao is a powerful and ruthless figure of our time..."

Gao Yu gave his assessment: "His methods are sophisticated and his prestige is very high. Don't be fooled by the fact that Ge Rong, Du Luozhou and others are causing trouble in Hebei. It's just because some people in the court are wary of Tianbao and are afraid that he will take advantage of the situation to become too powerful, so they don't allow him to send troops eastward to quell the rebellion."

"If Tianbao leads the elite troops of the Erzhu clan eastward to quell the rebellion, the rebel army will be no threat at all."

Such a high evaluation?

Gao Huan pressed on with extreme caution, "Tell me about what has happened to you over the past year."

Gao Yu mainly focused on how Erzhu Rong, after offering his advice and setting the general direction for the Erzhu clan's development, achieved his goal through step-by-step planning and probing.

In particular, he took the initiative to attack Sizhou, captured Wei Qingbin alive, and then went south to demand the governor of Bingzhou.

After obtaining the official position, he voluntarily returned to Xiurongchuan. In Gao Yu's eyes, this series of actions was unexpected, yet it completely demonstrated his mastery of the court based on the current situation.

To appease him, the young emperor had to reluctantly bestow the title of Empress upon Erzhu Ying'e.

Even though Empress Dowager Hu knew that he had once been a confidant of Prince Yuan Yi of Jiangyang and was extremely wary of him, she could only helplessly grant Erzhu Rong some high-ranking official positions and generous salaries.

"Looking at it this way, Tianbao's methods are indeed remarkable."

Gao Huan couldn't help but sigh, "However, Ge Rong and Du Luozhou are also quite capable people, and they should not be underestimated."

Gao Yu laughed and said, "Brother, have you forgotten that the Erzhu clan has been rooted in Xiurongchuan for over a hundred years? Even if Ge Rong and Du Luozhou conquered several prefectures, the local powerful clans refused to help them. No matter how much they struggled, they were ultimately just a group of refugees."

"That's true."

Gao Huan had served under Du Luozhou and Ge Rong, and was well aware of the situation these two men were currently facing.

While their territory may seem to be expanding, they are actually far from truly controlling it.

That's just how this era is.

To completely control a state, a prefecture, or a county, one must have the cooperation of the powerful local clans.

Otherwise, if a large number of self-cultivating farmers were incorporated into the households of powerful clans, it would be impossible to find anyone to collect taxes, and a large amount of fertile land would be abandoned.

Aristocratic families and powerful clans are an unavoidable hurdle.

Erzhu Rong also needed the help of powerful clans, which is why he insisted on recognizing Wei Qingbin as his 'adoptive father' and arranged for women from the Erzhu clan to marry into other families.

They use this method to forcibly elevate their status.

It's the same principle as when someone becomes wealthy and then seeks out a common surname to acknowledge their ancestry.

Just like Gao Zhao, a powerful minister who once held immense influence, he was clearly from Goguryeo, but after he rose to power, he immediately claimed to be from the Bohai Gao clan.

“Tianbao has the insight to recognize people and the capacity to tolerate them. It is not unreasonable for my brother and me to serve him. With his help, we may be able to rise to high positions in the future, as long as his daughter gives birth to a son for His Majesty.”

"Whether they are powerful relatives of the emperor, or they usurp power and change dynasties... we are all those who have contributed to the rise of the new dynasty."

As expected of King Gao.

After receiving definite information from his own side, he immediately deduced Erzhu Rong's next two routes.

Gao Yu smiled and said, "None of that matters. The emperor's throne is only about name and power. Now, the Great Wei has lost its power and only has its name left... Whether it survives or not depends on Tianbao's decision."

"That's true... Let's just serve them wholeheartedly and wait and see."

For the Great Wei Dynasty...

Unless the Great Wei court can quell the numerous rebellions on its own and restore its authority.

even so.

The Erzhu clan was destined to become an uncontrollable force. Although the six prefectures controlled by Erzhu Rong were not wealthy, they were excellent terrain that was easy to defend and difficult to attack. The court, which had exhausted all its energy on the rebels, simply did not have the spare strength to deal with the Erzhu clan.

to some extent.

Erzhu Rong is now in an invincible position.

No matter how the situation develops, at worst he will be a top-level powerful minister who breaks away from the control of the court and establishes his own independent regime!

Not to mention that he had already placed a trump card next to the young emperor long ago.

(End of this chapter)