Good news and bad news

Chapter Two: Good News, Bad News

Zheng Wan and Song Yao both hailed from great families and had been well-read since childhood, so they naturally understood what Gao Yuan meant.

"More than half of the military generals are already under control; if you win over a group of scholars and literati on top of that, what are you trying to do?"

Seeing the two women still in shock, Gao Yuan patted his buttocks and left.

In truth, the two of them were completely caught up in Gao Yuan's sophistry.

Given the Gao Family's current situation, they would be suspected by the Emperor even if they didn't win over the literati.

A Grand General who commanded half of the world's troops, with two sons who were exceptionally capable—this was the kind of position that could rebel at any moment.

It was only because the Gao Family was so powerful and three generations had fought loyally for the country, earning high prestige throughout Da Qian, that the Emperor had not taken any substantive action.

Didn't you see in the original book that after the father and two sons of the Gao Family died in battle, the Emperor immediately moved to abolish the generals and armies of the Gao Family line?

He had even considered weeding out a waste like the original owner of this body.

Sometimes Gao Yuan even suspected that the death of the Gao father and sons in battle was a trap set by the Emperor.

Knowing his time was short, he eliminated the dangerous Gao Family line ahead of time to pave the way for his son.

Humming a little tune as he returned to his small courtyard and closed the gate, Gao Yuan pulled out today's "spoils" and began to feast.

Taking a bite of a fragrant and succulent chicken leg and a sip of sweet fruit wine, Gao Yuan closed his eyes in comfort.

"As the saying goes, drink while there is wine today, and worry about tomorrow's sorrows tomorrow. As expected, this kind of life is the most comfortable."

After eating and drinking his fill, then taking a hot bath, he wouldn't trade such a life even for that of an immortal.

Just as Gao Yuan drifted into dreamland, several cavalrymen were galloping along the official road in Daizhou to the north.

These men wore red battle robes with leather armor over them and carried three red flags on their backs; this was the standard attire of the Da Qian Red Plume Messenger.

Seeing this, the courier stations and cities along the way dared not be negligent, preparing horses, dry rations, and water one after another.

On the twentieth day of the third month in the tenth year of Taichu of Da Qian, five fast horses charged into Luoyang city.

Immediately, the five messengers shouted at the top of their lungs.

"Great victory! Great victory! His Majesty personally led the expedition to Mobei, crushed the main force of the Turks, and beheaded countless enemies!"

The shouting voices faded into the distance, and only then did the people of Luoyang react, beginning to cheer and celebrate one after another.

Gao Yuan, who was wandering the streets, felt his heart tighten when he heard the shouts of victory.

The reason was simple: according to the original work, this great victory was actually a pyrrhic one.

It was true that the Turkic army of two hundred thousand was routed, but more than half of Da Qian's one hundred and fifty thousand iron cavalry were also lost.

His cheap father Gao Wu and his two older brothers, Gao Long and Gao Hu, died in battle, and the elites of the Gao Family Army were also completely wiped out.

It was from this point on that the decline of the Gao Family became inevitable.

Once his love-brain acted up again and he handed over the last of the Gao Family Army's military power to the Third Prince...

The Gao Family, this century-old military family of Da Qian, would be completely buried by the dust of history.

The good days were coming to an end; Gao Yuan no longer had the heart to wander around and went straight home.

He had to start his plan.

The first step was, naturally, to be ready to slip away at any time.

During this period, he had already quietly sold many of the curios, calligraphies, and paintings in his courtyard, converting them all into portable gold, silver, and jewelry, all hidden in a manor outside the city.

Now that his old man wouldn't be coming back, he could also start moving the things in his room.

Returning to the Grand Generals Residence, he saw that everywhere had become busy, with smiles on everyone's faces.

"I heard there was a great victory at the front; the Head of the House should be returning in triumph soon, right?"

"Of course. I wonder if there will be rewards when he returns this time."

"Definitely. Having won such a great victory, His Majesty will surely bestow rewards. When the Head of the House is happy, how could he give us less?"

"Oh, just get to work. Be careful not to get a beating from Uncle Fu before you even get your reward."

Listening to the servants and maids of the residence whispering while they worked, Gao Yuan couldn't help but reveal a bitter smile.

While everyone was busy, Gao Yuan slipped into his cheap father's courtyard.

With just a simple search, he found many good things.

Seals made of Tianhuang jade, white jade ruyi... he stuffed a large bag full.

As the saying goes, gold in times of chaos; these jade items weren't easy to carry, so gold was the most reliable.

After hiding his "spoils," Gao Yuan swaggered to the dining hall.

Because news of the victory had arrived, today's meal was a bit more lavish.

Since Gao Yuan didn't like mutton, in addition to a large bowl of chicken soup, there was also a portion of roast goose in front of him.

Just as the family was about to pick up their chopsticks, a commotion came from the door.

A moment later, the butler Uncle Fu came running in hurriedly, even tripping over the threshold in his haste.

"Young Madams, Third Young Master, the... the palace has sent someone to deliver the Crown Prince's decree."

Zheng Wan's brow furrowed as she scolded,

"Has our residence never received an imperial edict before? What kind of behavior is this, being so flustered? Go and take ten strokes of the rod later."

"Yes!"

Gao Fu knelt on the ground and performed a salute before saying,

"The one... the one delivering the decree is Eunuch Wu."

Gao Yuan was already mentally prepared, but the two women were shocked.

"Eunuch Wu? Didn't he go to Mobei with His Majesty? Why would he suddenly return?"

In ancient times, not just any Eunuch could be called a 'Taijian'; that was the highest-ranking position among Eunuchs.

The two women were stunned for a moment before they reacted.

"Quick, set up the incense table. The entire household will follow us to receive the decree."

Soon, a white-haired Eunuch wearing a purple robe with gold-embroidered dragon roundels, surrounded by guards, arrived at the main hall.

This person was indeed the Emperor's personal head Eunuch, Chief Eunuch.

Chief Eunuch stood before the incense table, holding up a scroll of bright yellow silk.

"Crown Prince's decree."

Everyone bowed and shouted in unison,

"We receive the Crown Prince's decree."

These imperial edicts and decrees weren't like those in films and TV shows, starting with 'By Grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees'.

They all began with a long passage of flowery, formal language, serving as an explanation for the reasons behind the order.

In any case, Gao Yuan didn't understand a single word of it, only hearing the key points.

All three of the Gao father and sons had sacrificed their lives for the country, their bodies so mangled they couldn't even be identified. To honor the Gao Family's loyalty and martyrdom, the Emperor had entrusted the Crown Prince to confer the titles of Third-rank Virtuous Ladies upon Zheng Wan and Song Yao.

As for Gao Yuan, the nominal Commandant-Escort, he received the title of marquis of loyalty and valor of the Secondary Third Rank.

Although Gao Yuan's head was lowered, a cold smile remained on his lips, knowing the Emperor had begun to move.

"He really can't wait. The army hasn't even returned in triumph, yet he's already in a hurry to act."

"Two Third-rank Virtuous Ladies and a Marquis title with no actual fief far away—he's directly stripped the Gao Family of their military power."

But it didn't matter; this maneuver fit his plan perfectly.

So, while Zheng Wan and Song Yao were still in shock, Gao Yuan was the first to kneel down.

"His Majesty's grace is as vast as the heavens; we are deeply grateful."

No matter how shocked or confused they were, since Gao Yuan had knelt first, the others could only follow suit and kneel.

Chief Eunuch glanced at Gao Yuan, a disdainful cold smile appearing at the corner of his mouth, then he set down the silk and left with his men.

The Grand Generals Residence, which had been full of joy, instantly turned into a sea of sorrow.

With ashen faces, Zheng Wan and Song Yao drove away all the servants, then closed the door and stared fixedly at Gao Yuan.

"Third Brother, do you know the meaning of this Crown Prince's decree today? How could you..."

Gao Yuan toyed with the Crown Prince's decree while interrupting Zheng Wan with a cold laugh.

"Sister-in-law, what else could we do but accept it? Should we really defy the imperial decree?"

"The Emperor clearly intends to take this opportunity to reclaim military power; otherwise, he wouldn't have sent Chief Eunuch back from thousands of miles away. If we defy the decree, it would give them the perfect reason to wipe us out completely."

As the saying goes, the truth is a sharp blade. The anger in Zheng Wan and Song Yao's hearts completely dissipated; they slumped there motionless, silently weeping.