Chapter 39: A Jug of Imperial Wine

  Han Feng, styled Changlu, was a native of Changli. He was intelligent and observant from an early age, had extraordinary strength, and was skilled in archery and horsemanship. When Gao Wei was still the young crown prince, Han was sent to accompany him, and they developed deep feelings for each other. After Gao Wei became emperor, Han repeatedly received promotions, becoming a minister, leading the army, and overseeing major affairs within the imperial palace.

  All major military and national affairs of the Northern Qi were handled by Han Zhenyi, along with Gao Anagong and Mu Tipo, who jointly held great power. Although they were called the "Three Nobles", in reality they were the three great calamities, engaging in greed, corruption, selling official positions and titles, and doing all sorts of evil deeds.

  Han Feng is a typical figure of ethnic discrimination, especially hostile to the Han people. The ministers in the court dare not look at him when they ask for his advice on things, but they will still be scolded by him without reason. He often says, "The Han people are really hateful and can only be killed."

  As for this person, happiness is quite disdainful, more accurately, it's hatred. If it weren't for the fact that this is Xuyi County and there are so many civilians around, happiness would have definitely killed this person off to rid the world of a great calamity.

  The reason why Qi State fell so quickly into the hands of Northern Zhou is closely related to the evil deeds of Han Changlu and others. The treacherous ministers were jealous of the virtuous and capable, and framed the loyal and good, which can be understood. But what is unbelievable and shocking is that not only did he grant official titles and noble ranks to his family's servants and slaves, but even granted official positions and noble ranks to the birds and beasts in his household, which is absurd and maddening.

  Historically, Wang Lin died, Shouyang fell, and the Chen State's army was about to cross the Huai River. However, this official was playing a game of cuju with Mutiwa, completely carefree. Later, Gao Wei sent him to defend the Yellow River coast, but he advised the emperor, "Life is short, one should enjoy it while they can." The incompetent and pleasure-loving Gao Wei naturally agreed. Thus, the originally powerful Northern Qi was ruined by this foolish ruler and his officials.

  "Your Highness is overpraising me. As a minister of Qi, defending the borders and fighting against enemies is my duty. How dare I take credit for it?" Gao Changgong's face was serious, without any hint of pride from being praised.

  Han Changyuan burst out laughing and said, "The young master is still the same as ever, so humble!" However, his eyes were very strange, without a hint of praise, but instead revealing a faint sense of schadenfreude and pity, hidden deep within his gaze. Except for those with keen intuition, no one else noticed this, their attention all focused on Han Changyuan since he got off the carriage.

  Gao Chang Gong smiled and said, "Your Highness has traveled far and must be tired from the journey. Why not follow me to my humble abode and let me host a welcoming feast for you?"

  Han Changyuan's expression turned solemn as he said, "Thank you for your kind intentions, Your Excellency. However, I bear the heavy responsibility entrusted to me by His Majesty and dare not slacken."

  His expression changed slightly, and he muttered under his breath, "It's here."

  His delighted eyes narrowed for an instant, a cold glint flashed in his eyes and disappeared, but he quickly returned to calmness. He was always respectful, with his head slightly lowered, and no one noticed his expression, nor did anyone notice that Gaoxing's hand, which had been hidden in his sleeve, had come out at some point and, with his palm like a knife, casually swung back once.

  Gao Chang's face sank, a flash of struggle flickered in his eyes, and the corners of his eyebrows twitched violently. He lowered his head slightly and said in as calm and gentle a tone as possible: "Your Highness is right, I don't know if there's anything I can do to cooperate, but please speak up, I will definitely do my best to assist Your Highness, to repay the emperor's kindness!"

  Han Changyuan smiled lightly and said: "Zheng Neishi is indeed the most loyal minister of His Majesty, but I came here because of you."

  Kao Chang Gong's facial muscles twitched, and a thread of anger flashed in his downcast eyes. He himself had the noblest surname in this country, but was unjustly deprived of it and forced to take on his wife's surname, which was undoubtedly the greatest shame and the deepest pain in his heart.

  In the third month of Xuyi City, although everyone knew that his name was Zheng Changgong at this time, no one had ever called him by the surname Zheng. It was because Gao Changgong was in charge of the military and political affairs of Xuyi, with the power to kill or pardon, and secondly, it was due to the sympathy of the people for his experience, and even more so, it was an affirmation of his merits and character.

  Previously, Han Changyuan had called him "Master Hou", but now he was calling him "Zheng Neishi". Gao Changgong wasn't a fool and naturally knew that this was an ominous sign, that disaster was looming over his head. If it were good news, even though he no longer bore the surname Gao, he still had the imperial bloodline flowing through his veins. Han Changyuan, no matter how arrogant, wouldn't dare to casually offend a member of the imperial family with such prestige.

  Is he going to die? Gao Chang's mouth curled up into a bitter and desolate smile. Although he had long expected the arrival of this day, when the moment finally arrived, his heart was filled with not only bitterness and desolation, but also intense resentment and unwillingness, as well as reluctance, a longing for life, and even more so, a longing for his gentle wife and clever son.

  "Speak!" Gao Chang Gong said calmly, his expression somewhat wooden, and without the previous respect. It was pointless to show more respect now; it wouldn't change the outcome, so why force himself?

  "General Zheng Changgong receives the imperial edict!" Han Changyun shouted loudly, his voice echoing far and wide.

  "This guy's voice is quite loud, indeed like a martial artist, but all he knows is to bully the weak, not knowing how to bravely fight the enemy, he's not even as good as dog shit! If you weren't still useful, I'd send you to meet Marx today! Oh, no, Marx hasn't been born yet!" He said with a slight curl of his lips and icy eyes, coldly sneering in his heart.

  The surrounding crowd thought that Gao Changgong was about to receive an imperial reward, and they looked at Han Changling with excitement and anticipation.

  Gao Chang's whole body shook, and he looked at Han Changyuan with a calm gaze. His knees softened, and he knelt down just like that.

  Gao Chang knelt down, and the officials behind him naturally followed suit, kneeling down in unison with extremely respectful expressions. They lowered their eyebrows and eyes, not even daring to breathe loudly. After all, the person in front of them was the powerful Chang Lei Wang, who held sway over the entire court. If they were to offend him, not only would their official careers be at risk, but even the lives of their entire families might not be spared.

  The onlookers by the roadside also knelt down one after another. The originally bustling North City Gate suddenly fell silent.

  Looking at the thousands of people kneeling in front of him, Han Changyuan couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and satisfaction. The king who was once high above, with great power and authority, the direct descendant of the God of War Emperor, was now kneeling in front of him, what an accomplishment this was. And all of this, was just because he had said a few words at the right time.

  Han Changyuan's face was full of smiles, but his eyes showed disdain and coldness. He turned around and took out a scroll of imperial edict from the carriage, unfolded it, cleared his throat, and read it aloud.

  The imperial edict was brief, and after a few words of praise for Gao Changgong's loyalty, Emperor Wenxuan rewarded him with a flask of imperial wine and promoted him to the post of governor of Huai Prefecture. However, Emperor Wenxuan missed Gao Changgong even more than he missed his nephew Gao Xing, but since the journey was long and it would be inconvenient for him to travel, he could only ask Gao Changgong's family to accompany Han Langyun to Ye City. As for the military affairs of Huai Prefecture, Wang Lin would take charge for some time.

  All the kneeling civilians and officials were shocked, such a great victory, but only so little reward, all thought that the emperor was too stingy, but Gao Xing and his father were clear-minded.

  The majestic Chang Lei Wang, one of the three nobles, came from afar, a thousand miles away. Could it be that he only brought a jug of wine? This is obviously impossible! Those who are familiar with history would know that the wine must be the poisonous wine used to assassinate Gao Changgong in history.

  Gao Changgong was somewhat stunned, thinking that only he would suffer, but unexpectedly he had to bring Gao Xing and his mother together to Ye City. Later, the crisis was unpredictable, and in his ears, it seemed that Gao Xing's words echoed again: "Dad, if you go, Mom won't survive either, I don't want to be left alone in this world."

  "Zheng Neishi, accept the edict!" Han Changjian's mouth corners floated up with a hint of a pleased smile, his tone dragging on.

  Gao Chang Gong looked at Han Chang Yun with a dazed expression, his heart struggling, decades of humiliation and anger surging in his chest, but he tried his best to suppress them, fearing that a moment's bravery would implicate Gao Xing and her son.

  Just as Han Changyuan's eyes flashed with anger, wanting to say something, "Boom", a loud and deafening sound came from the city of Xuyi, the voice was dull and loud, shaking the earth. The ground shook for an instant, and Han Changyuan was caught off guard, the imperial edict in his hand fell directly to the ground.

  The people kneeling on the ground were also affected, and they were shaken to the east and west. For a time, the chaotic screams rang out.