novelAbuy Chapter 22 Who says heroes cannot be employed?
Chapter 22 Who says heroes cannot be employed?
"What do I want you to do?"
Upon hearing this concern, Gao Cheng couldn't help but smile and said in a relaxed tone, "Of course, I want you to do things for me."
"You must know that Ye City is not the same as Jinyang. Jinyang is the foundation of my Gao family. The people in the city are all my father's old subordinates, and their hearts are with the Gao family."
"Ye City is different."
"In the imperial court of Yedu, not only are the Yuan clan members eyeing each other with hostility, but also the powerful families of Hebei who are deeply entrenched, arrogant and domineering, and difficult to control."
"Therefore, although my trip to Ye is nominally to oversee all affairs, in reality I am entering a den of dragons and tigers, wading into this murky water."
Although Gao Yang was precocious, he was still young and thought that power was only superficial and was tightly controlled by the Gao family.
Upon hearing this, he couldn't help but feel puzzled and asked in surprise, "What do you mean by 'wading through muddy waters'? Is there still resistance in the imperial court?"
"Indeed!"
Gao Cheng nodded, not wanting to keep them in suspense any longer, and immediately went back behind the desk and sat down again.
Looking at Gao Yang, he slowly explained, "You should know that in the court, people like Sun Teng, Sima Ziru, Gao Yue, and Gao Longzhi, although they appear to be loyal to the Gao family, are actually all old foxes with their own agendas."
"Furthermore, although the main force of the powerful families in Hebei was lost after the Heyin Underwater Swimming Competition, they still have deep roots in the local area. Eight or nine out of ten local officials, prefectural and county officials, clerks and assistants come from their families."
"If my Gao clan wishes to sweep across the world, bring peace to the universe, and even unify all directions, then these people will be obstacles, or even enemies."
"Therefore, I need a trusted confidant, an absolutely reliable person to be my weapon, to be my guide, to be my eyes and ears."
After saying this, Gao Cheng said nothing more, only seeming to be deep in thought.
After Gao Cheng finished speaking about Gao Yang's concerns, he suddenly raised his voice and said in a deep voice, "And you, Erlang, are the person I trust the most. Because you are my own brother, born of the same mother, blood is thicker than water, and we share joys and sorrows."
"In other words, if you come with me to Ye and I succeed in my endeavors, you will surely become a first-rate noble person in the world."
"On the contrary, if things don't go well, then my entire Gao family will suffer the same fate as the Erzhu family. Do you understand?"
"So that's how it is!"
Upon hearing this, Gao Yang finally understood.
Looking into Gao Cheng's eyes with sincerity, and recalling the grievances he had suffered over the years, he felt a surge of ambition rise from the bottom of his heart.
He then rose solemnly and bowed, saying, "Brother's good intentions are clear to me."
Seeing his reaction and the flames burning in his eyes, Gao Cheng knew that the time was right.
He immediately stepped forward, reached out to help him up, and said in a deep voice, "It's good that you understand."
Gao Yang nodded slightly, about to continue expressing his loyalty.
Before she could speak, Gao Cheng said earnestly, "However, I must ask you one more time: are you sure you want to go to Ye City with me and will not regret it?"
Gao Cheng was taken aback and asked, puzzled, "What makes you say that?"
Gao Cheng said, "As I just stated, my trip is not to advocate for any particular faction, but for the greater good of the world. Therefore, after arriving in Ye, I will definitely reform the administration, promote land redistribution and agriculture, and reconcile the Han and non-Han peoples."
"Since I have done these things, I will inevitably harm the interests of many people and make countless enemies. Even the slightest carelessness could bring about my death."
"Are you really sure about this?"
Gao Yang was also startled upon hearing this. Although he knew that going to Ye was not easy, he had not expected it to be this difficult.
After hearing Gao Cheng explain the consequences, a hint of hesitation unconsciously arose in his heart.
After all, although he is precocious, he is still only a thirteen-year-old child.
To say that one felt no fear whatsoever at the scene described by Gao Cheng would be a lie.
But this hesitation did not last long, and was replaced by determination.
Because he didn't want to be called an "ugly monster" for the rest of his life.
He also wanted to achieve great things, to make a name for himself in history, and to make those who once looked down on him look at him with new eyes!
He was indeed afraid of death, but he was even more afraid of dying without value or dignity.
Thinking of this, he immediately took a deep breath, straightened his back, and said, "Brother, I have made up my mind."
"As the saying goes, geese leave their calls as they fly by, and people leave their names as they pass through life. Although I am plain-looking and lack talent, I still aspire to achieve great things, so as not to let down my ancestors and not to waste this life!"
"If I can follow my brother to achieve merit, I would be willing to die in Ye City!"
Upon hearing these resolute words and seeing his spirited demeanor, Gao Cheng couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion.
The phrase "to be remembered in history" is indeed a powerful temptation that no passionate man could resist.
He sighed, then nodded and said in a deep voice, "Good! Your words are enough. You shall return to the manor immediately to see your father and inform him of your willingness to accompany me to Ye."
"If Father approves, you need not come to see me again. Immediately disguise yourself and secretly go to Ye City."
"Secretly heading to Ye City?"
Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng was immediately puzzled: "Why is that?"
Gao Cheng solemnly said, "Although Father has already sent my cousin Tie Fa and Huli Guang to Ye ahead of us, they are all in the open, and their every move is under the watchful eyes of others."
"Therefore, I need you to act as a covert agent, infiltrate Ye City, and first investigate the backgrounds of all parties involved, to see who is truly loyal to the Gao family, who is two-faced, and who harbors malicious intentions."
"Once I arrive in Ye City, I will find a way to contact you."
When Gao Yang learned the whole story, he was startled again. He hadn't expected that his father had already sent Duan Shao and Huli Guang to Ye. How thoughtful of him!
But then he was astonished that Gao Cheng would entrust him with such an important task.
So, all those previous guesses and tests were just him judging others by his own petty standards?
In an instant, his feelings became complicated, and he nodded emphatically: "Yes, brother, I will certainly not fail you. If anything goes wrong, I will answer to you with my head!"
After saying this, he bowed deeply to Gao Cheng, then turned and left. His resolute back view showed no trace of the hesitation and trepidation he had shown when he came.
As Gao Cheng watched his departing figure, a relieved smile appeared on his lips.
He knew perfectly well that a shrewd and ambitious man like Gao Yang would not fall head over heels for him based on a few words.
But the fact that Gao Yang has willingly fallen into our trap today proves that even a hero like him can be turned to our advantage in the future, provided the methods are appropriate.
Thinking of this, his smile widened, and he said no more, heading straight for the study.
...
On the other side, as soon as Gao Yang stepped out of the gate of the villa, he felt his heart and soul surge with excitement, and his heroic spirit soared to the heavens.
Looking back at Gao Cheng's words, it was as if he could already see his future self holding the power of life and death, taking whatever he wanted from the world.
He took a deep breath, feeling he couldn't wait any longer, mounted his horse, and galloped off towards Jinyang with his entourage.
By sparing no effort, he managed to shorten the journey, which originally took half an hour, by a factor of two.
Upon returning to the Prince's residence, he didn't stop for a moment and went straight to see Gao Huan, explaining in detail his desire to go to Ye City with Gao Cheng.
Looking at his usually dull second son, Bi Gaohuan was surprised to see him suddenly display such sharpness.
But after hearing Gao Cheng's arrangements for him, a meaningful smile reappeared on his face.
Without asking further questions, he simply nodded slightly: "Since you wish to go, then go. Remember, once you arrive in Ye City, obey your elder brother's orders and do not act on your own."
"only!"
Gao Yang was even more excited after receiving confirmation.
He immediately responded respectfully, then turned and left the main hall, eagerly returning to his courtyard to plan his secret journey to Ye City.
Inside the hall, after Gao Yang left, Lou Zhaojun also came out from behind the screen.
She gazed at Gao Yang's retreating figure, her expression particularly complex, and said to Gao Huan, "Cheng'er, it seems you've really changed."
Upon hearing this, Gao Huan laughed heartily, his eyes filled with satisfaction, and said, "If he still doesn't change after this incident, then he is truly a fool. However, it is a good thing that he can see Zijin's strengths and is willing to support him. After all, the Gao family's foundation will eventually need the two brothers to support it together."
Upon hearing this, Lou Zhaojun's expression became even more complicated.
However... I said no more...
It is night, the moon is bright and the stars are sparse.
In a corner of the Prince's mansion, Gao Yang packed only a few belongings, disguised himself as a merchant, and quietly left Jinyang with a few trusted confidants, heading towards Yecheng under the cover of night...