First Minister of the Tang Dynasty

...

Seeing Gao Chong's attitude, Old Madam Lu was very relieved, she nodded with a smile and said, "Okay, okay, your father and son are doing well now, and you old man should rest in peace."

Gao Chong just held his grandmother's hand tightly and listened quietly.

Gradually, Mrs. Lu's expression fell into memory, and she said slowly: "Your uncle Gao Jiong, he is famous all over the world, he is called the real prime minister, and is praised by people all over the world, but who knows that he also has a younger brother born out of concubine."

Gao Chong was shocked, it turned out that his grandfather was a bastard.

"Your great-grandfather, Yu Bin, whose style name is Yuan Bin, first served in the Eastern Wei Dynasty. He was promoted to General Longxiang, but because he was persecuted by Emperor Shenwu of the Northern Qi Dynasty, he had to flee to the Western Wei Dynasty. , into the Hussar General, and returned to the Bohai Gao family."

"Mr. Yuan Bin's son was not prosperous. Originally, there was only one son, which was your uncle, who was taboo and named Zhaoxuan. Later, Mr. Yuan Bin took a concubine and gave birth to a concubine, who was your uncle."

Mrs. Lu sighed with emotion: "You, old man, have been favored by Duke Yuan Bin since childhood. However, your great-grandmother was born in a small family, and her family background is far inferior to that of Duke Zhaoxuan's mother...".

As Mrs. Lu slowly narrated, Gao Chong finally understood the past.

His grandfather's name was Gao Ying, the second son of Gao Bin's concubine, and Gao Jiong was the eldest son.

Gao Jiong and Gao Ying are half-brothers. Gao Jiong's mother came from the Hongnong Yang family, named Ji Jiang, and came from a noble family, while Gao Ying's mother was only from a small local family in Pangzhou.

But Mrs. Lu said that Yang Jijiang was deeply righteous, intelligent, and never treated Gao Ying harshly. This also reminded Gao Chong of one thing.

When he asked Chen Shuda about his grandfather, Chen Shuda only said that his great-grandmother Yang Jijiang was reasonable and resourceful, and that his uncle Gao Jiong was deeply trusted by Yang Jian, and he was extremely dignified when he came to the court to pay homage to him.

Yang Jijiang said to the complacent Gao Jiong: "You are extremely rich, but there is only one thing you don't have yet."

Gao Jiong was very surprised, and asked curiously: "My son has become the prime minister, and he has been appointed as the Duke of the country. What else do I not have?"

"Decapitate", Yang Jijiang said: "You have everything you should have, now only decapitation is left."

Gao Jiong was horrified.

Sure enough, as the saying goes, too much is too much, and Gao Jiong was killed unjustly later.

After hearing the story, Gao Chong was surprised when he crossed the river to destroy Chen, and asked in shock, "Did Zhang Lihua be killed by Ah Weng?"

Old lady Lu nodded expressionlessly.

"At that time, Yang Guang took a fancy to Zhang Lihua's beauty and sent people to take him into captivity. Your uncle came forward to dissuade him and said, "King Wu destroyed the merchants and killed Daji. Now that the Chen Kingdom has been pacified, Zhang Lihua should be killed." So you asked your old man to execute Zhang Lihua by the Qingxi River. ".

Speaking of this, Old Madam Lu had a look of grief and indignation, "The reputation of beheading Zhang Lihua's loyalty fell on your uncle, but Yang Guang held a grudge and sent someone to kill your old man in Qingxi River.

It is not appropriate to publicize such dirty things, and Yang Guang has no praise for declaring that you, Aunt, died at the hands of the remnants of Nan Chen."

"Up to now, Yang Guang is dead, and Yang Sui is also dead. It's just that your old man has never rectified his name. He has lofty ambitions, but he died unjustly at the hands of his own people before he could establish his achievements. He was still a good man until his death." .

The old lady Lu said sadly: "The world still doesn't know Yang Guang's crime against Zhongliang."

Gao Chong was relieved after hearing this: "Grandma, don't worry, I will leave it to my grandson to deal with it, and I will definitely rectify Ah Weng's name."

Old Madam Lu stroked Gao Chong's head, and said softly: "Don't blame your uncle, he has nothing to do, if he showed any abnormalities at that time, I'm afraid he won't be able to return alive, so he can only pretend not to know.

In addition, your uncle insisted on supporting the deposed prince Yang Yong, and later he was killed by Yang Guang because of his persuasion, and some of them were affected by your Aunt's affairs."

"Grandma, don't worry, this grandson knows." Gao Chong nodded and said, "Aye also told me that back then."

Seeing Old Madam Lu expressing the depression in her heart, Gao Chong felt relieved and said with a smile: "Our Gao family is different now, and Ah Weng should be relieved to be under the Nine Springs.

Aye is thin-skinned, pays attention to the way of a monarch and his ministers, and he doesn't have much friendship with the prince, so just leave this matter to me, don't worry, grandma."

Mrs. Lu nodded with a smile, and then said with a slight frown: "Although I don't have much wisdom, I would like to tell you, man, don't get carried away, too much is too late, the sage has a saying, think twice before acting, You must remember."

"The grandson will keep it in his heart," Gao Chong solemnly replied.

After appeasing his grandmother, Gao Chong went back to the study and fell into deep thought.

Although my grandmother didn't tell much about my grandfather Gao Ying just now, Gao Chong can probably guess something.

Uncle Gao Jiong may be a real gentleman, and that great-grandmother Yang Jijiang may be really intelligent, but the grandmother did not mention Gao Ying's birth mother's deeds in her words, and even Gao Chong did not even know the surname of her biological great-grandmother.

Reminiscent of his grandfather Gao Ying not taking concubines, and his father Gao Junya also refusing to take concubines for many years, it is really a clear trend in this era, Gao Chong already understands the reason in his heart.

Just as Gao Chong was meditating, there was a bang on the study door.

"Aye, I know you are inside, someone is looking for you".

Gao Yanzhang yelled loudly, banging on the door with both hands.

"Oh my little man, don't hurt your hand..." I vaguely heard the maid's dissuasion, but Gao Yanzhang was lawless and would not listen to persuasion.

"You bastard, don't you?" Gao Chong opened the door and scolded.

"Aye, I'm here to report that someone is asking to see you in the front hall," Gao Yanzhang reported with a serious face.

"Do you need to report?" Gao Chong reprimanded, dumbfounded.

Under the corridor, Mending had a bitter expression on his face, "Mr. Lang, Mr. Xiao Lang insisted on coming, so stop me from speaking."

"Who is looking for me?" Gao Chong hugged Gao Yanzhang and asked.

"People from the Xue family from Hedong have been ordered to bring Xue Rengui here," Mending said truthfully.

"Xue Rengui is here?" Gao Chong raised his eyebrows and said with a smile, "Go to the west courtyard and call Yunzhi and the others over."

When he came to the front hall, he saw Xue Rengui sitting listlessly, and beside him a man in a brown robe looked around, feeling a little embarrassed.

Seeing Gao rushing over, the two stood up awkwardly.

"Greetings, Greetings Gao Siqing", the man looked like a honest man, crossed his hands and saluted.

"Apprentice Xue Li, pay homage to Master", Xue Rengui hastily straightened his clothes and saluted respectfully.

"You're polite," Gao Chong nodded with the man crossing his hands, then looked at Xue Rengui, and was taken aback, "Rengui got up to talk, what are you?"

"Master, my mother, she, she is gone", Xue Rengui's eyes were red when he said that, and he clenched his fists tightly, trying not to cry.

"What's going on?" Gao Chong asked in amazement, "Didn't I save enough money for a doctor?"

"It can't be cured, the doctor said it can't be cured..." Xue Rengui, who was only 12 years old, couldn't hold back any longer, and burst into tears.

Gao Chong's eyes narrowed, and he looked at the man next to him, who hurriedly said: "The doctor said that his mother's body loss is too serious, there is really no other way."

Gao Chong sighed and patted Xue Rengui on the shoulder, but he was not so relieved.

This kind of pain of losing a loved one is useless no matter how enlightened it is, and the so-called mourning and reconciliation seems particularly pale and powerless.

Not long after, Gao Kan came with Pei Xingjian and Tudi Jinxing, and was a little overwhelmed to see Xue Rengui who was crying sadly.

Seeing this, Xue Rengui hurriedly wiped his tears and snot with his sleeve, "Master, this apprentice is rude."

Seeing that Xue Rengui is so sensible, Gao Chong shook his head and said: "It will feel much better if you cry, you still have your master and so many brothers and sisters here, if you practice your skills well, you will stand out in the future, so that you, Aye A Niang is happy under the Nine Springs."

Xue Rengui solemnly responded.

Gao Chong was very pleased, and introduced Xue Rengui to the three of them, "From now on, the four of you will live together in the West Courtyard. You should support and encourage each other, and you must not fight among yourself."

The four of them looked at each other and responded positively.

At the same time, East Palace, Cheng En Palace.

Li Shimin's face was heavy, and he asked in a deep voice: "Did he really say that?"

The next one, a white-faced official who was over fifty years old, bowed his head and waited. Hearing the words, he just bowed in response, "Yes", and then dared not say anything else.

This person is Li Yuan's servant, who was sent by Li Yuan to deliver a message to Li Shimin. Li Yuan said that he would not attend the enthronement ceremony.

This made Li Shimin very annoyed. The enthronement ceremony was grand, and the crown prince was enthroned, but the emperor did not attend.

"Take a message to Pei Xuanzhen, I don't care what method he uses, the saint must attend the enthronement ceremony," Li Shimin said in a deep voice, gritting his teeth.

After finishing speaking, he stared at the servant, his eyes froze, "You shouldn't belong to Wang De, right? I don't care who you belong to, I hope you don't make mistakes."

"I understand", the inner servant bowed and responded with a very respectful attitude.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is in charge of the internal affairs of the palace. There is one supervisor, who ranks in the third rank; two young supervisors and four servants, who rank in the fourth rank; six regular attendants, who rank in the fifth rank; ten internal servants, who rank in From the fifth rank; 12 interns, ranked in the sixth rank; [-] inwards, ranked in the eighth rank...

The present Internal Supervisor is Wang De, who is Li Yuan's personal eunuch, in charge of the inner court affairs, with a high position and authority, and a very good status in the harem. Even many concubines need to curry favor with the Internal History Supervisor, which is equivalent to the later chief executive of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Commonly known as the big house manager.

Few people know that Wang De is not only loyal to Li Yuan, but also secretly loyal to Li Shimin. This is one of Li Shimin's unknown trump cards.

As soon as Li Shimin ascended the throne, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will be completely changed. Now Zhang Anan is also a regular servant of the fifth rank, and the position of Internal History Supervisor can be said to be reserved for Zhang Anan.

After the internal servant retired, there was no one else in the hall, Li Shimin finally couldn't bear it anymore, he was so angry that he got up and kicked the case-reversal table.

"Xuan Gaochong came to see me," Li Shimin ordered after he calmed down.

Only Li Shimin knew that Gao Chong's strategy played a vital role in the entire process of seizing the heir.

Since Gao Chong started his career, he has been good at military affairs, and his achievements are outstanding. Many people regard Gao Chong as a warrior, but only those who are close to Gao Chong know that Gao Chong is not only good at military strategy, but his mind is actually worse than a beehive. many.

Gao Chong was introducing Xue Rengui to his family members in Yan State's mansion, which made Xue Rengui who had just lost his dear one feel warm, especially Xue, who always treated him as his own son.

Then Li Xiuwan approached and asked: "Mr. Lang, have you ever reported the good news to the palace?"

Gao Chong paused, and muttered: "We don't need to go, the palace already knew about it."

Li Xiuwan was stunned when she heard the words, but fortunately she soon understood, she just sighed in a low voice: "Your Majesty should go."

Seeing this, Gao Chong nodded hesitantly, "I understand what you mean, I'll go now."

Although the palace should already know, but this layer of window paper cannot be pierced, it should still pretend not to know, Gao Chong also understands this in his heart, and Li Xiuwan also understands it.

Gao Chong was about to go out, when he suddenly saw four people chatting and laughing in the courtyard, his heart moved, and he said: "You change your clothes, come with me".

After the four of them changed their clothes, Gao Chong got on his horse, and the four of them, one on the left and one on the right, followed closely.

"Brother, where are we going?" the upright Gao Kan asked directly.

The other three apprentices also looked at Gao Chong curiously.

"Enter the palace", Gao Chong said with a smile, "I'll take you to meet the prince."

The four were astonished.

As soon as he left the gate, he saw a few riders rushing forward. When Gao Chong saw it, he frowned, "Someone is coming from the palace".

"Gao Siqing stay here", the person who came was the servant of the East Palace, seeing Gao Chong leaving the workshop, he hurriedly said: "The crown prince summons, where is Gao Siqing going?"

"Coincidentally," Gao Chong raised his eyebrows and smiled, "I'm about to meet the prince."

The servant was startled, then smiled and said: "That's really a coincidence, please, Mrs. Gao Si."

"Tall, reward," Gao Chong casually ordered in a good mood.

Gao Da immediately took out a grain of silver barley from his bosom and handed it to the little servant.

The servant's eyes lit up when he saw it, and he said hesitantly: "Thank you, Mrs. Gaosi, but this...".

"Take it, I'm happy today", Gao Chong laughed and said, "The princess is happy."

The little servant reacted quickly, and immediately cupped his hands to congratulate, "Congratulations to Gao Siqing, congratulations to Gao Siqing, the prince will definitely feel better when he hears this news."

"Huh?" Gao Chong's eyes narrowed, and he turned sideways and asked in a low voice: "The prince is not in a good mood?"

After accepting the generous reward, the little servant covered his mouth and said, "Just now someone came from Qizhou, and the prince was furious."

Qizhou... What the hell is Li Yuan doing?This was Gao Chong's first reaction.

"Gao Siqing, who are these?" The servant immediately changed the subject and looked at the four and a half boys behind Gao Chong.

"This is my younger brother Gao Kan", Gao Chong said with a smile: "These three are my apprentices, I will take care of them from now on."

"Don't dare, don't dare, Gao Siqing is serious." The little servant hurriedly waved his hands and smiled, but the bright smile on his face showed that he was in a good mood.

This is the famous Gao Youzhi, who is so polite to a little eunuch like me.

Soon after entering the East Palace, outside the Hall of Cheng En, the servant went in to report.

Gao Kan frowned all the way, seeing the servant leaving, and was about to speak, Gao Chong smiled lightly and said: "Don't ask, I'll just tell you what you want to say, I'll just tell you a few words.

First, being kind to others will eventually bring you blessings.

Second, 30 years in Hedong and 30 years in Hexi, don’t bully the young and poor.”

"Don't bully young people into poverty...".

The four teenagers were shocked when they heard this sentence, and they all responded solemnly.

Gao Kan nodded ashamedly and said: "What brother said is that I shouldn't look down on...".

Before he finished speaking, Gao Chong slapped him and said seriously: "You must abide by the etiquette later, and don't rush into His Highness the Crown Prince."

At the same time, the servant came forward to greet him with a smile, "His Royal Highness invites Mrs. Gao Si."

Gao Kan didn't understand, so he patted his head and followed Gao Chong. He hadn't reacted yet because of his upright nature, but Pei Xingjian already understood the reason.