My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 192 Taming evildoers is like controlling a wild horse!
Gao Yu nodded to himself.

His thoughts were almost identical to Gao Huan's, or rather, Gao Huan had expressed what he was thinking.

To determine whether Erzhu Rong intended to expand eastward, one only needed to see if he controlled Jingxing Pass, a strategically vital location fought over by military strategists throughout history and a crucial pass for eastward expansion from Shanxi.

Jingxing Pass is the eastern gateway to Shanxi. If it is not captured, Erzhu Rong's army will be trapped in the Taihang Mountains.

If Erzhu Rong had the intention to go east and wanted to do something, how could he possibly hand over the gate to someone else?

Gao Yu had originally predicted that Erzhu Rong would make a move after the New Year, but it seems that Erzhu Rong is more patient than he thought.

But even with patience, action will likely be taken soon.

If Ge Rong and Du Luozhou were to fight, Erzhu Rong would definitely take the opportunity to cause trouble.

Not a moment.

The messenger who came to deliver the personal letter to Du Luozhou was then brought before Erzhu Rong.

After dismounting, he bowed and paid his respects with utmost deference.

"Greetings, Grand Commander! My king has long admired your name and has specially sent me as an envoy to pay him homage."

"Get up."

Erzhu Rong simply waved his hand, "What brings you here to see me?"

The envoy replied respectfully, “My king has personally written a letter instructing me to deliver it to the Grand Commander. My king wishes to establish a marriage alliance between our children and the Grand Commander, so that we may be friends forever.”

"Becoming in-laws" is a more euphemistic way of putting it.

Erzhu Rong stroked his beard, took the handwritten letter from Du Luozhou from his hand, opened it in front of him, and glanced at its contents.

It was nothing more than some nauseating and ingratiating words, and the core point it wanted to express was simply that it wanted to form an alliance with Erzhu Rong.

Erzhu Rong, his face contorted with rage, rebuked, "The Erzhu family has received imperial favor for generations. How can we form a marriage alliance with bandits? Wouldn't that be a betrayal of the emperor's grace?"

The envoy's expression changed drastically, but then Erzhu Rong changed the subject again, "But without His Majesty's and Empress Dowager's edicts, I will not take action without permission."

You can't speak too directly.

The envoy was overjoyed and hurriedly replied respectfully, "It seems that my king was presumptuous. Grand Commander, you are loyal and devoted to the country. I will report back to your king when I return. As for the small gift from your king, I hope you will accept it as my king's apology for his presumptuous act."

Erzhu Rong smiled but didn't reply; he wouldn't even give Du Luozhou a verbal promise.

Indeed, there is no need for Erzhu Rong's verbal promise; it is sufficient to understand Erzhu Rong's current ambiguous attitude.

The envoy glanced around and quickly noticed Gao Huan in the crowd.

no way.

Being handsome makes it easy to attract attention. Remembering Du Luozhou's instructions before he came, the messenger immediately stepped forward and whispered to Erzhu Rong, "My king heard that an old friend is serving under the Grand Commander, and specifically asked me to convey a message."

Gao Huan's heart skipped a beat.

Who else under Erzhu Rong could be called an 'old friend' by Du Luozhou?
Could it be that Du Luozhou is seeking personal revenge?
The envoy glanced at Gao Huan and then said, “My king said that He Liuhun is a man of extraordinary talent, but unfortunately my king’s temple is too small to contain such an ambitious talent. Only a hero of our time like the Grand Commander can subdue his heart.”

Erzhu Rong squinted, while the others had varying expressions, except for Gao Huan, whose face remained ashen.

Husi Chun didn't speak up at this time. These words were too vicious. Wasn't he just trying to say that Gao Huan was a living 'Lu Bu'?

At other times, he might step forward and kick the Gao brothers while they're down, but he wouldn't be that stupid in a situation like this.

If he kicks someone when they're down in front of outsiders, he'll truly have no place to stand within the Erzhu clan in the future.

Erzhu Rong suddenly burst into laughter, "Is your king trying to say that He Liuhun is an extremely ambitious person with rebellious intentions?"

"Grand Commander, I am only responsible for relaying messages. How dare I presume to know the King's deeper intentions?"

Erzhu Rong then burst into laughter, but turned his gaze to Gao Huan and said loudly, "He Liuhun, this man says you have disloyal intentions. What do you have to say?"

All eyes were on Gao Huan, who remained calm and composed, cupping his hands and saying, "Grand Commander, please take a look."

In front of everyone, he walked toward a batch of fine horses that the shepherd had just brought. These horses were obviously not tamed, and their backs were not saddled.

Gao Huan approached a black steed, grabbed its mane, and with a powerful push of his legs, flipped himself onto the horse's back!
The untamed horse was clearly very resistant, constantly jumping and leaping in place, trying to throw Gao Huan off its back. However, Gao Huan simply held on tightly to its mane and squeezed it with his legs. No matter how hard the horse struggled, it could not shake him off.

After a stalemate, the horse ran out of strength and had no choice but to obediently lower its head and let Gao Huan drive it.

Gao Huan then rode his horse to Erzhu Rong's side.

Erzhu Rong retorted, "He Liuhun, what is the meaning of your actions?"

Gao Huan said solemnly, "Today, the world is in chaos, order has collapsed, and it is already a chaotic world. Chaotic world breeds evil people, and we must use evil to control evil."

"Evil people are like untamed wild horses. Before they are tamed, wild horses will rebel and hurt people, and so will evil people!"

"But governing evil people is like taming a wild horse; if you can subdue their hearts, it will be a great help to you!"

"For a heroic figure like the Grand Commander, controlling a wild horse is naturally a piece of cake, and so is dealing with evil people!"

"Only mediocre people who are good for nothing worry about being hurt by a wild horse or being devoured by evil people!"

Wonderful!

Upon hearing this, Gao Yu wanted to give Gao Huan a thumbs up. Gao Huan did not answer the question of whether he had ambitions or rebellious intentions.

Instead, they passed the question on to Erzhu Rong.

Throughout history, which talented person hasn't been ambitious?
If you, Erzhu Rong, want to rule the world, you must have the magnanimity to tolerate others and the confidence to manage your subordinates!
If Erzhu Rong lacked tolerance, wouldn't he be just as mediocre as Du Luozhou?

Upon hearing this, Erzhu Rong squinted at Gao Huan, then enthusiastically grabbed his arm and laughed, "He Liuhun's words resonate deeply with me."

He then coldly glanced at the embarrassed envoy beside him and said in a cold voice, "Did you hear that? You can tell your king what happened today and what He Liuhun just said!"

"Such a low-level tactic of sowing discord is better suited for fooling a three-year-old."

The envoy's face turned pale and then red.

Originally, he intended to disgust Gao Huan and, incidentally, sow discord within Erzhu Rong's internal affairs.

Unexpectedly, Gao Huan took the opportunity to humiliate him severely.

There is no right answer to this kind of question.

Du Luozhou felt that Gao Huan was too ambitious and wanted to replace him, which showed his disloyalty.

Gao Huan, on the contrary, said that Du Luozhou lacked tolerance and the magnanimity to embrace the world!

As for who I approve of more.

That depends on the magnanimity of the person who hears that sentence.

"Yes, I will certainly relay the message truthfully."

After having the envoy taken away, Erzhu Rong still affectionately held Gao Huan's arm.

"That Du Luozhou actually dares to use such a low trick to sow discord between me and Gao Lang. He underestimates me, Erzhu Rong, far too much!"

"A fine horse is a gift for a hero. Since Gao Lang personally tamed this horse, then it shall be given to Gao Lang!"

"Thank you, Grand Commander."

Murong Shaozong, Chilie Yanqing, and the others couldn't help but glance at Gao Huan again.

Perhaps Gao Yu's aura was too strong, so many of them overlooked Gao Huan's aspect.

They previously thought that Erzhu Rong treated Gao Huan so well entirely because of Gao Yu, a formidable general of the time, and that he wanted to win Gao Yu over.

But looking at it now...

Gao Huan was also an outstanding individual.

If nothing else...

This quick wit alone not only resolved his own awkward situation but also provided him with a life-saving talisman, putting Erzhu Rong in a difficult position as well.

So, none of the Gao brothers are easy to deal with?
Is this truly the kind of outstanding person that could be cultivated from a poor military family in Huai Shuo?

………………

Xindu.

Ge Rong summoned all the princes under his command to his residence.

“I have learned that Du Luozhou has sent an envoy to Xiu Rongchuan in Sizhou to form an alliance with Narzhu Rong.”

Someone immediately spoke up, "Your Majesty, we must also quickly send envoys to form an alliance with Erzhu Rong. We can't just stand by and watch that scoundrel Du Luozhou win over Erzhu Rong, can we?"

Ge Rong simply smiled.

Yuwen Luosheng then spoke up, “Erzhu Rong is an ambitious man. He occupies the six prefectures of Heng, Shuo, Fen, Guang, Si, and Bing, waiting for a high price to sell them. The court can do nothing about him and can only appease him with high-ranking positions and generous salaries. How could such a person form an alliance with Du Luozhou?”

"If Your Majesty wishes to seek assistance, you should go to the northern border to find the Rouran. Now that the harsh winter has just passed, the Rouran are in great need of supplies. Invite them to come south and attack Du Luozhou from the rear, so that they cannot attend to both ends. Our army can then win a decisive battle!"

Ge Rong nodded in satisfaction. "The King of Yuyang is indeed far-sighted and has the same idea as me. I have already sent out an envoy, who should be on his way back with news of the Rouran King!"

Yuwen Luosheng was taken aback. He hadn't expected that Ge Rong had the same idea as him and had already taken action.

The Rouran people's southward migration was simply to plunder the Yan and You regions, which were all Du Luozhou's territory, so Ge ​​Rong had no psychological burden whatsoever.

By destroying it, he would actually reduce the resistance he would encounter when he went to take over the territory after defeating Du Luozhou.

Ge Rong can also be considered an outstanding individual.

"From this day forward, prepare the army for war. When the time is right, I will personally lead the army north and personally defeat Du Luozhou!"

Ge Rong also knew that he had to fight Du Luozhou and use the momentum of a great victory to consolidate his own internal strength.

This also serves as a demonstration of one's strength to the Han Chinese powerful families in Hebei.

I am someone they would consider investing in as an angel investor.

There's no need for full-scale assistance; just avoid excessive resistance and allow yourself to gradually integrate the Hebei region.

(End of this chapter)