gnovel Chapter 42 Sima's words are a joke, and his words have no power to win hearts!
Chapter 42 Sima's words are a joke, and his words have no power to win hearts!
As soon as Gao Cheng uttered these stern words, Gao Yue and Gao Long felt even more somber. They had not expected that Gao Cheng, at such a young age, would have such composure, even refusing the military seal.
They exchanged another glance, both seeing a hint of resentment in each other's eyes.
The worries in the hearts of the officials vanished, and they all breathed a sigh of relief.
He thought to himself that at least this young master still followed some rules.
Gao Yue, unwilling to give up, still advised, "Your Highness, you are mistaken. Since the king has already given his instructions, it is perfectly legitimate for Your Highness to take over military power."
Upon hearing this, Gao Longzhi quickly echoed, "Indeed, if the Crown Prince does not accept him, wouldn't he be betraying the King's good intentions?"
Seeing an opportunity, Sun Teng stepped forward and advised, "It's only a matter of time, why should the young master refuse?"
"otherwise!"
Upon seeing this, Gao Cheng replied firmly and without room for argument: "A country has its laws, and a family has its rules. I have just arrived in Yedu and have not yet achieved any merit. How can I accept a military tally privately?"
"Moreover, to accept military tally without the emperor's decree is to overstep one's bounds. Although I am foolish, I would not dare to commit such a grave crime. Gentlemen, let this matter not be mentioned again."
Seeing that Gao Cheng was so unyielding, the four men's spirits sank even lower.
However, in front of the entire court, they could not forcefully persuade him, otherwise it would seem that they had ulterior motives.
In the end, he had no choice but to give up, his face somber, and retreated back into the crowd.
Seeing this, Gao Cheng chuckled inwardly and said nothing more. He simply addressed the crowd in a loud voice, "Gentlemen, it's getting late. There's no need to linger outside the city. Let's go inside first, allow me to settle in, and then we can enjoy a drink and conversation another day, shall we?"
Upon hearing this, the officials, though their thoughts differed, could only respond in unison.
Without wasting words, Gao Cheng returned directly to the carriage and, surrounded by the crowd, slowly headed towards Yunlong Gate.
Sun Teng and the other three deliberately lagged behind the group, their expressions growing increasingly grim.
When Gao Cheng's carriage approached, Gao Longzhi finally couldn't hold back and said to the three of them through gritted teeth, "I never thought this brat would be a hundred times more difficult to deal with than that ugly second brother."
Sima Ziru remained silent, only staring at Gao Cheng's tall and straight back in front of him, his eyes filled with even more sinister intent.
He could hardly believe that a fifteen-year-old boy could be so flawless. He had only been in Ye for a short while when he had already neutralized all their initial attacks.
From then on, Ye City will likely never have a peaceful day again.
But things have come to this point, and there's no turning back; we have to find another way...
The carriage rumbled as it entered Yunlong Gate.
Gao Cheng sat inside the carriage, lifting the curtain slightly to survey the capital of the Great Wei Dynasty.
Looking around, one sees crisscrossing streets and alleys, rows of houses, merchants gathering, and pedestrians everywhere, a scene of prosperity.
Only he knew that beneath this prosperity lay deeply entrenched power, long-standing deep-seated problems, and a volcano about to erupt.
Seeing this, Yuan Zhonghua cautiously asked, "Your Highness, where shall we go first?"
Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng immediately withdrew his gaze and said in a calm tone, "It's late today, so we should head to the Governor's Mansion for the night. We'll settle things with these old foxes tomorrow."
Upon hearing this, a look of worry flashed across Yuan Zhonghua's face.
Gao Cheng's expression was solemn, and he ultimately said nothing more.
A short while later, the carriage had passed through the streets and alleys and arrived at the gate of the Governor's Mansion.
Gao Cheng was the first to disembark from the carriage. Looking at the brand-new mansion before him, a look of satisfaction appeared on his face.
Upon seeing this, Sima Ziru hurriedly spurred his horse to catch up with the carriage and said loudly, "Your Highness, I have prepared a simple feast at my residence and invited all my colleagues. Why don't you join me for the banquet first, and then stay at the Governor's Mansion later?"
Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng refused without hesitation, saying, "Thank you for your kind offer, Lord Sima, but I have just arrived in Yedu and many things are still unsettled, so I am truly uneasy. Let us wait until I go to court to assume my duties and settle down before we drink together."
Sima Ziru's smile faltered slightly; she wanted to persuade him further.
But Gao Cheng had already turned to face the crowd and said slowly, "I am grateful for your hospitality today. Now that we have arrived, please go your separate ways. I will thank you all in person another day."
Upon hearing this, the officials exchanged bewildered glances once more.
Seeing Gao Cheng's firm attitude, they couldn't force him, so they bowed and took their leave, each going their own way.
Even Duan Shao and Hulü Guang did not linger and left directly.
Sima Ziru, however, was rebuffed and felt even more frustrated.
Seeing that the officials had already dispersed, he still forced a smile and said, "In that case, Your Highness, please settle in first, and we will meet again another day."
Gao Cheng nodded slightly, then smiled and reminded him, "By the way, Master Sima, don't forget to send Erlang back as soon as possible."
Sima Ziru stiffened, turned around and forced a smile, "Your Highness, rest assured, I understand."
Having said that, he turned and left, his back looking rather disheveled.
Upon seeing this, Gao Cheng's smile deepened. He shook his head and led the carriage towards the mansion gate.
At the gate of the mansion, his trusted attendant, He Xishele, was already waiting. Upon seeing Gao Cheng arrive, he hurriedly stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Highness, I've been eagerly awaiting your arrival!"
Gao Cheng nodded and said, "It has been several months, and you have worked very hard."
"Your Highness is too kind."
Upon hearing this, He Xi Shele was immediately flattered and hurriedly said, "We are willing to serve the Crown Prince, even at the cost of our lives."
Gao Cheng nodded without saying anything more, and led Yuan Zhonghua and Zheng Dache straight into the mansion.
Upon reaching the central courtyard, he instructed, "He Xi She Le, once Er Lang returns, go and invite Cousin Tie Fa and Ming Yue to the mansion to discuss matters."
"only!"
He Xishele responded and accepted the order.
......
On the other hand, after all the civil and military officials had left, Sun Teng, Sima Ziru, Gao Yue, and Gao Longzhi did not return home.
Instead, they went together to Sima Ziru's residence to discuss subsequent countermeasures.
There was nothing they could do. Gao Cheng was so unyielding today, and they hadn't even retrieved the evidence Gao Yang had collected. They simply couldn't help but panic.
Therefore, as soon as the carriage came to a stop in front of Sima Ziru's residence, the four of them hurriedly got off and walked into the residence.
Upon entering the mansion, Sima Ziru hurriedly asked the approaching steward in a deep voice, "Where is the Second Son of the Gao family?"
Upon seeing this, the steward quickly bowed and replied, "Returning home, Master, Second Brother is still drinking with Eldest Brother in the main hall."
Sima Ziru's eyes twitched, then he took a deep breath and said to the three of them, "I'm going to see Erlang. You gentlemen, please wait in the side room for a while."
Sun Teng and the other two had no objections and immediately nodded, then were led by a servant to the side room.
Upon seeing this, Sima Ziru straightened his robes and strode towards the main hall.
Inside the main hall, Gao Yang still sat there with an air of authority, the food and wine in front of him long since gone cold. Sima Xiaonan sat beside him, his smile frozen stiff.
When Sima Ziru entered, the two of them both breathed a sigh of relief.
Immediately, Gao Yang raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile, "Has Lord Sima returned? How was the scenery outside the city? And what about my elder brother's temperament?"
Sima Ziru cursed inwardly, but forced a smile on his face and praised, "The young master is indeed a man of outstanding character, truly captivating."
After praising him, he added urgingly, "Also, the young master has arrived at the governor's mansion and is staying there. He has specifically ordered me to urge the second young master to return as soon as possible."
Upon hearing this, Gao Yang showed no surprise whatsoever, only smiling and nodding: "Since it is my elder brother's request, I will certainly comply."
Having said that, he put down his wine cup, stood up, patted the wrinkles in his robes, and said with a smile, "I am deeply grateful for Lord Sima's hospitality today, and I have troubled you greatly. Another day, I will host a banquet and invite you and my brother Xiaonan to my residence to enjoy a good drink together."
Upon hearing this, Sima Xiaonan breathed a long sigh of relief and immediately replied with a smile, "Very good, I will await your good news, Erlang."
"Goodbye!"
Gao Yang bowed to the two men and then swaggered out.
However, upon reaching the door, he suddenly stopped and turned back to Sima Ziru with a smile, saying, "By the way, Master Sima, it would be a real pity to burn the white paper you obtained in the other courtyard today. It would be perfect to keep it as toilet paper."
Upon hearing this, Sima Ziru's face turned ashen.
"Hahaha, just a joke, just a joke, please don't take offense, Lord Sima, I'm leaving now!"
Gao Yang laughed heartily and slowly walked away, leaving only his back view in an instant.