My father, Gao Huan, is an invincible prince!

Chapter 70: Laying out a closed loop, dominating the capital!

He had already thought these things through when he was in Jinyang, but he had never been able to make a decision.

Now that I have arrived in Ye City and witnessed these deep-seated problems firsthand, I am even more convinced of my own situation.

"If that's the case, then so be it."

He murmured something, put the silk book away, and placed it in the wooden box.

As I got up, I realized my neck was stiff. I looked up again and saw that the moon was bright and the stars were few outside the window, and all was quiet.

He stared blankly out the window for a moment, then stretched, got up, and pushed open the door to go out.

A night breeze caressed my face, carrying the heat of a summer night. The courtyard was quiet, save for the chirping of insects, which made the night seem even deeper.

Gao Cheng stood in the courtyard, took a long, deep breath, and felt as if the stone that had been weighing on his heart for so long had become lighter.

Immediately, he turned around and headed to the backyard.

Before he could make a move, he suddenly saw He Xi She Le emerge from under the corridor and hurry over, so he stopped and waited.

Shortly after, He Xi She Le stepped forward, bowed, and reported: "Your Highness, General Huli sent a letter saying that the military provisions have passed through Ji County and will arrive in Ye in six or seven days at the latest."

Gao Cheng was taken aback upon hearing this.

Immediately, a deep smile crept onto his lips.

This is because once the 30,000 shi of military rations arrive, the most important link in his plan for Ye City—military power—will be completed.

With these military provisions, he no longer needed to worry about the imperial guards disobeying him.

At that time, the final variable in Ye City will be settled.

Thinking of this, he immediately nodded and gave the order: "In that case, you should quickly organize the soldiers and go to meet them. Once the grain arrives in the city, distribute it to the camps immediately. Anyone who disobeys will be punished according to military law."

"only!"

Upon hearing this, He Xi Shele immediately accepted the order and left.

Gao Cheng watched him leave, feeling quite pleased, and then turned and walked towards the backyard.

The inner room in the backyard was still brightly lit.

Zheng Dache and Yuan Zhonghua sat facing each other, with an unfinished chess game in front of them, but neither of them had the mind to make a move.

It wasn't until Gao Cheng pushed open the door that the two women looked up at the same time, their faces showing joy.

But a moment later, Zheng Dache curled her lips, turned her face away, and said sourly, "Alas, does the young master still know to return home? I thought the young master would stay at the Li residence tonight and have a candlelit chat with those two beauties."

Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng paused abruptly, then raised an eyebrow and looked at the two women with some surprise.

So these two women are jealous?

Yuan Zhonghua sat upright to one side, trying her best to maintain her composure, but she couldn't hide the resentment in her eyes. When she saw Gao Cheng looking over, she quickly forced a smile and said softly, "Your Highness works hard for the country, and we dare not disturb you. However... it is late, Your Highness should rest early."

These words sounded magnanimous, but the tone revealed a hint of grievance.

Gao Cheng found it amusing, but deliberately dragged out his words: "Oh? So, you all already know about my intention to take a woman as a concubine?"

"It's the talk of the town; how could we not know?"

Zheng Dache turned around, her almond-shaped eyes wide open, and said angrily, "The young master went to the Li residence to visit, and was gone all day. When he returned, he didn't even look at us, and went straight to his study. I thought the young master saw a celestial beauty and looked down on us common beauties."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Zhonghua remained silent, but forced a smile.

However, Gao Cheng couldn't help but laugh out loud at their antics.

"Are you still laughing?"

Seeing that he was still laughing, Zheng Dache became even angrier, stamping her foot and saying, "I am heartbroken here, how can the young master laugh?"

"I laugh at your unreasonable behavior."

Gao Cheng walked over and sat down beside her, pinching her cheek and teasingly saying, "I went to the Li residence today for state affairs and to accompany Erlang on his visit. From beginning to end, I didn't even get to see the face of that Li family lady. Why do you complain so much?"

Upon hearing this, Zheng Dache was taken aback, the resentment in his eyes lessening somewhat, but he still didn't believe it: "Really?"

Gao Cheng shrugged: "Why would I lie to you?"

Seeing Gao Cheng's indifferent attitude, Zheng Dache was immediately skeptical.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Zhonghua's eyes lit up with joy, but she quickly remembered that she was the Crown Prince's wife and should be magnanimous. She then composed herself and said, "The Crown Prince works hard for the country, and we have not been able to share his burdens. Instead, we are being jealous. It is truly inappropriate of us."

Seeing that the two were still skeptical, Gao Cheng didn't bother to dwell on the topic any further.

He immediately assured her, "You two really don't need to worry. That Lady Li, even if she has some beauty, is nothing more than a marriage alliance and a household item for me. How can she compare to my Zhonghua's gentle and virtuous demeanor, and my radiant beauty?"

"Therefore, you two should know that no matter when, the only ones I cherish in my heart are you two concubines."

As soon as Gao Cheng uttered his scumbag quote that he was just playing around with them and that they were his true love, the two women's resentment instantly turned into joy, and a sweet feeling secretly arose in their hearts.

However, Zheng Da still pursed his lips and said, "Your Highness may speak sweetly, but who can fathom what is in your heart? Besides, those two beauties of the Li family are known as the 'Twin Lotuses of Hebei,' and I truly do not believe that Your Highness is not moved at all."

Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng couldn't help but roll his eyes. Too lazy to argue with her, he simply said with a stern face, "That's enough. Why are you babbling on and on? It's getting dark, and I have important matters to attend to tomorrow. I should go to bed now!"

Having said that, he ignored the two women's expressions and got up to walk into the inner room.

After taking two steps, he turned back to look at Zheng Dache and said irritably, "What are you still standing there for? Do you want me to sleep alone? Hurry up and go and attend to me in bed."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Dache was taken aback at first, but after a moment, he blushed and happily followed.

Yuan Zhonghua watched the two figures leave, a hint of loneliness flashing in his eyes.

But when she looked down at her flat-chested body, she couldn't help but feel a little frustrated.

He sighed in despair and couldn't help but wonder to himself when he would finally grow up.

......

......

In the days that followed, Gao Cheng settled down completely, spending his days either at the Governor's Mansion refining and perfecting the new policy strategies or waiting for news from various places.

Gao Yang frequented the Li residence daily, ostensibly to "discuss the wedding arrangements," but in reality, he was constantly exchanging poems with Li Zuwan, and they were inseparable.

Such behavior made Duan Shao shake his head repeatedly, saying that even heroes cannot resist the charms of a beautiful woman.

Before they knew it, the third day had arrived, and the young men from various families in Hebei finally began to enter Ye.

The Lu family of Fanyang, the Wang family of Taiyuan, the Cui family of Qinghe, the Cui family of Boling, and the Li family of Zhaojun, among others, each sent a dozen or so members of their clansmen to gather at the governor's mansion.

After Gao Cheng personally met with and examined them, he assigned them to various departments of the Ministry of Personnel as clerks, as previously agreed, and ordered them to familiarize themselves with government affairs first.

It was also stated that after three months, a unified examination would be conducted, and officials would be appointed based on their abilities.

The children had anticipated this, and although they were unwilling, they had no objections.

As scions of powerful families entered the court one after another, the power structure in Ye City completely shifted in Gao Cheng's favor.

The noble families were thus filled with gloom and despair.

In a private room in Sima Ziru's mansion, Sun Teng, Sima Ziru, Gao Yue, and Gao Longzhi sat around a table, their faces ashen.

Gao Longzhi's face turned ashen, and he spoke first with hatred: "I never expected that the families of Hebei would all be such spineless cowards! How arrogant and self-important they were in the past, but now they are willing to be lackeys and lackeys!"

Gao Yue sighed, slumped down on the bed, and muttered, "The situation is hopeless, the situation is hopeless. Now Gao Cheng has evidence of his crimes and has the help of powerful families. We... are probably doomed."

Sima Ziru closed his eyes and remained silent, his fingers constantly twirling his beard, as if he were pondering something.

After a long while, he opened his eyes, a resolute glint in them, and said, "Things have come to this, and I fear we have only one path left."

"Brother Sima, what good plan do you have?"

Upon hearing this, the three of them immediately looked at him, a glimmer of hope igniting in their eyes.

Sima Ziru did not keep them in suspense and immediately said in a deep voice, "We can only write to Jinyang, tell the whole truth, confess our crimes and beg for mercy. If Your Majesty would remember our past kindness in following the emperor, perhaps you could spare our lives."

"Should we ask the King?"

Sun Teng was taken aback, then his face showed reluctance: "However... if Your Majesty were to find out about our embezzlement..."

"Now that things have come to this, is there any better plan?"

Sima Ziru interrupted him sharply, his eyes filled with sorrow: "If we confess now, His Majesty, considering our past instigation in Xindu, may not immediately execute us. If we do not go to seek justice, I fear that within ten months, we will all be beheaded!"

Upon hearing this, the three looked at each other, their faces filled with despair.

This is because all three of them knew that if Sima Ziru was right, then apart from King Gao, they had no one else to rely on.

Thinking of this, Sun Teng immediately gritted his teeth and said, "In that case, I will write the letter immediately. I truly do not believe that Your Majesty is indeed a mere child who would abandon all our years of hard work!"

The four reached a consensus and jointly wrote a letter, confessing their crimes of embezzlement, selling titles and honors, framing loyal officials, and abusing their power to deceive their master.

Following that, it also described how Gao Cheng, after arriving in Ye, became arrogant and domineering, and how he ruthlessly exterminated those who had followed him.

Their words were earnest and heartfelt, each one filled with sorrow, pleading with Gao Huan to spare their lives out of consideration for their past relationship.

After writing it, he immediately dispatched his trusted lieutenants to deliver it to Jinyang at top speed.