Chapter 58: One Step to Heaven

  "The common people dare not." He was so excited that his whole body shook and almost fell to the ground.

  Gao Wei said faintly: "Speak."

  "Yes." Gao Xing was trembling with fear, his forehead sweating profusely, with beads of sweat the size of peas falling to the ground like pearls. This scene delighted Gao Wei greatly, as he savored the fine wine and fruit presented by the beautiful woman beside him, leisurely enjoying Gao Xing's terrified appearance.

  "I, a humble subject, am dull and untalented, lacking in both ability and virtue. Even if Your Majesty were to graciously bestow upon me an official position, I would be unable to fulfill its duties, and would only bring calamity to the country and harm to the people, disappointing Your Majesty's expectations. Therefore, I, a humble subject, dare to request that Your Majesty permit me to enter a school to study and learn, so as to avoid bringing shame to Your Majesty."

  "This request is simple, I agree." Gaowei readily agreed to the excited request, but he furrowed his brow and hesitated, saying: "Your father has made great contributions in fighting against Chen's army. If I don't greatly reward him, I'm afraid the people will have complaints! Think again, what else do you want? Speak quickly!"

  "Damn it, I want your throne, will you give it to me? If I ask for more, you'll definitely be even more suspicious of that cheap old man. But if I ask for less, you're not even happy about it? This is really infuriating! He was secretly pleased but his face showed only difficulty, unable to speak up."

  "Hmm?" Seeing her excitement but getting no answer, Gao Wei couldn't help but furrow his brow, his voice somewhat low.

  Living with you is like living with a tiger.

  This sentence is now deeply felt, although this emperor is dull and incompetent, but the unpredictable temper of joy and anger that all emperors have is learned to perfection, making it impossible for you to guess what he's thinking.

  It's indeed a bit embarrassing for Gao Xianzhi. As the hostage, he was used by Gao Wei to control Gao Changgong who had troops outside and wanted to leave Ye City, so his chances of leaving were slim. He could also ask for an official position, but it would definitely not be a high-ranking one or an important post, so what's the point besides wasting time?

  "Your Majesty, since Gao Xing is still a child, don't make things difficult for him." Just as Gao Xing was thinking about how to reward him without making Gao Wei more vigilant and also benefiting his own future career, Feng Xiaolian spoke up, "As the ruler of a country, with the wealth of ten thousand miles at your disposal, whatever you want to bestow upon your subjects is yours to give. Who else would dare ask for it? Moreover, isn't the power of that treasure something only you and I know about? If you reward him too lightly, wouldn't that be inappropriate?"

  "The Empress is absolutely right." Gao Wei said in agreement, casting his gaze at Gao Xing. After a moment of thought, he continued: "Gao Xing, although your father made great contributions in resisting the Chen army, he is no longer a member of my imperial family, the Gao clan. He has brought shame to our ancestors, and I am not inclined to reward him. However, those who have merit should be rewarded, and those who have faults must be punished. As the son of Zheng Changgong, you may receive the reward on his behalf."

  Gao Wei paused slightly, his face solemn and dignified as he said, "I'm glad to hear that."

  "The humble subject is present." He was thrilled, and with a slight tremble, he knelt down on the ground, his upper body straight, with a mix of fear and delight as he looked at Gao Wei.

  "Your father and son have made great contributions to the defense of the country, and you also presented precious treasures. Your loyalty to the monarch and love for the country are truly commendable. I specially decree that you be appointed as Duke of Huaiyang, Governor of Yingzhou, with the same rank as the Three Departments, and reward you with 1,000 taels of gold, 700 bolts of silk, and 27 servants."

  Delighted and curious, Gao Wei was so generous that he handed over a state of land to himself, and then heard Gao Wei's faint voice come.

  However, the northern border has many bandits, and you are still young, with some shortcomings in your virtues. I'm afraid you can't take on this task yet. Therefore, I order you to stay in Ye City for now, and remotely govern Yingzhou Prefecture. After studying for three years, you will go there to take office. Can you agree?

  "Your Majesty's kindness is boundless, I am deeply grateful and will strictly follow Your Majesty's instructions!" He bowed deeply with joy.

  Gao Wei nodded slightly and smiled, knowing it was time for him to leave. He bowed again and said: "Your Majesty, I bid farewell."

  Gao Wei lightly waved his hand, and with a smile, he bowed slightly and took a few small steps back. Then, slowly turning around, he walked out of the grand hall, and behind him, Feng Xiaolian's soft gasps could be heard again.

  Under the leadership of the palace guards, Gaoxing walked out of the imperial palace with an excited and agitated expression on his face, heading home. However, contrary to the sunny weather at this time, Gaoxing's mood was like a cold winter, overcast with gloom.

  From a commoner, he suddenly became a Duke of a scattered county, with the same status as the Three Departments, a Governor of a state, and a second-grade official. It can be said that he rose to fame overnight, envying those who had spent their lives struggling for fame, wealth, and power.

  However, if you understand the politics of Northern Qi at this time, you will not think so. The politics of Northern Qi at this time is indeed muddled to a point that makes people angry, and it's not just that many of the family servants of the three nobles are instruments of the three departments, holding high offices and noble titles. Even some domestic animals have such honors, which is a terrible thing. Local officials, on the other hand, do not care whether they have talent or virtue, as long as they pay money, they can occupy a state or a county.

  It sounds like Gao Wei's reward was very generous, but in fact it wasn't worth much at the time. The state of Yingzhou was located in a remote area, which was the northern border of Northern Qi, adjacent to Tujue, Khitan, Kumo Xi and Goguryeo, and was under constant threat from foreign armies, with a very severe and chaotic situation. Not to mention this distant control of Yingzhou, it's just empty talk, even if Gao Wei were allowed to go to Yingzhou at this time, he wouldn't be very willing.

  If he governs Yingzhou with care, the complex situation in Yingzhou will inevitably make him happy. If he allows the Turks and other foreign tribes to trample and harass his subjects, not to mention that Gao Wei will take advantage of this to punish him, Gao Xing's character would never allow anyone to bully his compatriots in front of him. Moreover, if Gao Xing does so, his ambition for hegemony can be forgotten, after all, whoever wins the hearts of the people will win the world.

  He happily greeted all the female companions around Gao Wei, but his face had to pretend to be excited and smiling. After all, if he showed dissatisfaction, Gao Wei would laugh even more happily.

  But what's strange is that Feng Xiaolian, a woman who always thinks about consolidating her own position, would suddenly help him speak up. Gaoxing couldn't figure it out, but he wasn't in the mood to think deeply and hurriedly headed home. To his guards, it seemed like an excited expression.

  Feng Xiaolings' enthusiasm for helping the host is actually due to the "Longevity Formula". This classic, which is a cultivation technique, may or may not be able to achieve longevity, but its effect of strengthening the body and physical health is absolutely present.

  Although Gao Wei was only in his early twenties, he was already robust and vigorous. As the emperor, he had many beautiful women in the palace, but his energy was limited after all. Looking at history, many emperors died young, which shows that indulging in sensual pleasures without restraint is not feasible. The "Longevity Decree" had a miraculous effect on physical regulation, and Feng Xiaoliu, as Gao Wei's most favored woman, naturally felt it deeply. In recent days, Gao Wei was clearly full of energy, serving her with great enthusiasm, making her feel extremely comfortable, and her appearance seemed to have improved, her skin becoming smoother and more delicate. This made Gao Wei even more infatuated with her. As a woman who relied on her youth for a living, Feng Xiaoliu was overjoyed, and she was very grateful to Gao Changgong and his son Gao Xing, who presented her with precious gifts.

  There is no wall that can't be blown through by the wind. The auspicious sign of the divine turtle delivering treasures has spread from Xuyi to the capital, and people in every street and alley are eagerly passing it on. Since Chen's northern expedition a few months ago, the oppressive atmosphere has eased somewhat. In this era of worshiping ghosts and gods, the advent of an auspicious sign can have a powerful effect in boosting morale. This is also one reason why the resistance faced by Chen's northern expedition is becoming increasingly stubborn.

  When he returned home in high spirits, the butler came to report that Wang Yun had been waiting for a long time in the front hall.

  Delighted by what he heard, the forced smile on his face turned into a genuine grin, and after exchanging greetings with the butler, he rushed straight to the front hall.