direction

Silence reigned in the carriage. After a long while, Zhao Xiyao's voice drifted over.

"Why don't we go to West City in Ningzhou? Mu Qing, the only daughter of the West City Local Chieftain Mu Sheng, was a hostage in Luoyang for five years, and she has an excellent relationship with me."

Gao Yuan was still hesitating when Zheng Wan pushed open the carriage door.

"Third Brother, the West City Pacification Commissioner Ye Quan is a protégé of my Zheng Family, and the Menge Pacification Commissioner Lin Yang nearby is a protégé of your Second Sister-in-law's family."

Gao Yuan did not agree immediately but muttered inwardly,

"System, can you scan the information of these three people?"

"Host, the scanning function can only be used face-to-face, dear!"

With the system unavailable, Gao Yuan was even more conflicted.

However, it was impossible to stay within the territory of the Great Qian Imperial Court; otherwise, death was certain.

It seemed the only options were Ningzhou and Qian Prefecture. In these two prefectures, the Great Qian Imperial Court practiced a policy of loose rule, which, to put it bluntly, was just in name only.

The local power was still held by the Local Chieftain, and the imperial Pacification Commissioner was merely a figurehead, much like a mascot.

However, although the Great Qian Imperial Court could not reach these places, the local Local Chieftains were not to be trifled with.

These Local Chieftains were all local emperors who held the power of life and death. Would they be willing to accept him?

The Great Qian Imperial Court had tried to implement the policy of replacing native offices with imperial appointees several times, but the results were minimal, even sparking huge resistance. In the end, they had to rely on strong military force to annihilate the three most troublesome Local Chieftains.

He had to remember that he would be bringing troops with him.

Seeing that Gao Yuan was still hesitating, Zhao Xiyao added the most important piece of leverage.

"Mu Sheng is nearly fifty and has only one daughter, Mu Qing. He has long harbored thoughts of retiring and has petitioned the imperial court several times to implement the policy of replacing native offices with imperial appointees so he can retire in Luoyang. It's just that West City is too far, and the imperial court's reach cannot extend that far, so they have never accepted it."

After hearing this, Gao Yuan finally gritted his teeth and made a decision.

"Fine, then we'll go to West City."

With the destination confirmed, the caravan's speed increased slightly, and Gao Yuan returned to his own carriage.

Drowsy and just about to fall asleep, Song Yao, who had been holding back for a long time, finally voiced the doubt in her heart.

"Xiaoyuan, why didn't you kill The Emperor? Even taking him as a hostage would have been better!"

"He is a prince, and a prince favored by The Emperor. Regardless of whether we killed him or held him hostage, it would be a provocation to The Emperor."

Gao Yuan paused and scanned the three women. Although Zheng Wan and Zhao Xiyao did not ask, their ears were pricked, waiting for Gao Yuan to continue.

"Since we want to show our magnanimity and dispel The Emperor's concerns, we should just do it thoroughly. Otherwise, given his suspicious nature, if we take a hostage, it will only show that we have a guilty conscience, and then he will choose to eliminate us at all costs."

While passing through Jingzhou, Gao Yuan found a place with good feng shui to bury the fallen soldiers.

In the battle with The Emperor, 183 of Gao Yuan's 500 family retainers and Zhao Xiyao's 100 Personal Guards were killed, and 75 were seriously wounded and disabled.

Counting those who were unwilling to continue south halfway, Gao Yuan was left with only 284 fighting men.

Going to the Southwest with only this foundation wouldn't work; he would likely be robbed halfway.

Therefore, all the way south, Gao Yuan intentionally or unintentionally gathered some refugees and orphans.

Passing through some towns, he would also specifically go to the slave market to buy some young men and women.

By the time the group reached Yingzhou, the team had expanded to nearly 3,000 people.

The Yingzhou Governor, Mao Biao, was a former Qianniu Guard of The Emperor and could be considered his staunch confidant.

An A-rank general, it was quite appropriate for him to lead 8,000 troops to guard Yingzhou against those Local Chieftains.

Mao Biao himself felt sighing at the Gao Family's plight; after all, they were both military men, and it was inevitable to feel a sense of shared sorrow.

Coupled with The Emperor's secret order and a small box of jewelry offered by Gao Yuan, Mao Biao did not make things difficult for Gao Yuan.

Not only did he hand over the military supplies Gao Yuan wanted, but he also gave Gao Yuan 1,000 pack horses.

Entering the Southwest border region, it was basically mountainous roads, and carriages were far less convenient than pack horses.

The women also had to abandon the carriages, and everyone got on the pack horses.

Bidding farewell to Mao Biao, the group continued forward. To be safe, the entire army began to wear armor.

Along the way, by having veterans train new recruits, and with the fierce general Xia Luqi leading, Gao Yuan raised a troop of nearly 1,000 men.

1,000 armored elites entered the region under the jurisdiction of Qian Prefecture. This was like throwing a stone into a calm lake, creating ripples.

"My Lord, there are more and more people spying on us nearby lately. Do you think we should..."

Xia Luqi made a chopping motion with his hand.

Although it was uncomfortable to be watched, Gao Yuan shook his head.

"Killing these people will cause trouble. If they want to watch, let them watch."

Gao Yuan spoke with great confidence. With a fierce general to hold the line and 1,000 elites, he was truly not afraid of these Local Chieftains.

Of course, Gao Yuan also performed the necessary courtesies. Along the way, passing through the territory of each Local Chieftain, he would send people to bring some gifts to greet them.

At this, the Local Chieftains were no longer as guarded as before.

Except for those who were still following to monitor and observe, everything else was basically the same as usual.

Crossing the jurisdiction of Qian Prefecture, the large group entered the capital of Ningzhou, Yunnan Commandery, which was occupied by the largest Local Chieftain power, the Yang Family.

Everyone was tired from the journey, so Gao Yuan chose to set up camp by the beautiful Diannan Marsh to rest for a few days.

Bumping along on horseback all the way, the three women did not look well.

However, upon seeing the vast and beautiful Diannan Marsh, Zheng Wan and Song Yao both showed bright smiles.

Only Zhao Xiyao sat by the lake without saying a word, gazing into the distance, not knowing what was on her mind.

"What are you thinking about?"

He waved his hand in front of Zhao Xiyao, then sat down beside her.

Although there was a distance of two or three fingers between them, the faint fragrance from the young woman still drifted into Gao Yuan's nose.

Beauty and scenery made Gao Yuan feel relaxed and happy, and the fatigue of the long journey lessened quite a bit.

The two sat quietly by the lake. After an unknown amount of time, Zhao Xiyao spoke.

"Gao Yuan, can we not go back?"

"Theoretically, yes. In the eyes of your father and your third brother, this is basically equivalent to severing ties with them. Especially your third brother; to him, we are a huge threat. Unless we defect to the Former Crown Prince, and ensure that the Former Crown Prince can ascend to the throne, or we rebel and fight our way back."

Two trails of tears streaked down that beautiful face, making one feel heartache.

"Alright, don't be sad. You don't have any relatives in Luoyang anyway. In a few years, I will send someone with heavy gifts to bring back your mother's spirit tablet."

Zhao Xiyao turned to look at this man who was her husband in name, and after a long while, she uttered two words.

"Thank you!"

Gao Yuan smiled and waved his hand.

"Nothing to thank. At least you and I can be considered husband and wife for a time, this is what I should do. By the way, if, I mean if, you have someone else in your heart later, just tell me. We will separate, but please don't give me a green hat."

Gao Yuan was a single dog in his previous life, so how would he know any tricks to woo women?

So he chose the method of playing hard to get combined with sincere and sharp honesty.

In fact, he had already made up his mind. How could he let such a beautiful woman go?

Whoever wanted to covet her, he would chop them all down.

Anyway, as long as her body belonged solely to him, whether her heart did or not was less important.

As for the two beautiful sisters-in-law, Gao Yuan's attitude was the same: never let go.

He was very fortunate that his two brothers-in-law had no offspring yet, otherwise, it would have been difficult for him.

Dorgon told the whole world with his personal experience that a widow with a child, no matter how tempting, should not be taken; they are difficult to raise.