At this time, Gao Yang and Gao Feng also got off the carriage and pushed open the gate of the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion.
Gao Feng pulled a long face and directly walked towards the inner residence.
Gao Yang also walked towards his own room.
The Duke of Dingguo was the head of the six dukes of the Great Qian, with a prominent status. Moreover, Gao Tianlong was like a god of war, having few defeats in his life and receiving many rewards.
The Gao Mansion was incredibly large.
According to his memory, Gao Yang bypassed several artificial hills, walked along the corridor from the outer residence to the inner residence, and finally reached his own room.
Gao Yang directly threw himself onto his bed. The dry and comfortable mattress made every cell in his body greedily desire it.
"Awesome!"
Lying on the bed in the most comfortable position, Gao Yang began to calculate in his heart.
Although the Gao family was on the decline, a dead camel was still bigger than a horse. With one duke and one third-rank official, this status was enough for him to walk sideways in Chang'an.
Now, as long as he hold tight the empress's thigh, his small life in Chang'an was unimaginably comfortable and pleasant.
"I wonder what position the empress will reward me with..."
Since he had crossed into ancient times and was a seven-foot man, he should naturally build achievements and make great contributions.
Just as Gao Yang was thinking randomly, the door was suddenly pushed open.
A little girl with a ponytail, looking about six or seven years old, came into view.
The little girl had a lovely face and round, black eyes.
As soon as she saw Gao Yang, the little girl immediately burst into loud cries.
"Wuwuwu."
"Brother, why aren't you dead?"
"..."
Gao Feng came all the way to a room in the middle of the inner residence. He quickly pushed open the door and then respectfully saluted Gao Tianlong.
"I pay my respects to Father."
The Great Qian governed the country with filial piety. The younger generation must respectfully salute the elders when they meet.
Gao Tianlong had an expressionless face and was fiddling with the chessboard. "I already know about Yang'er's matter."
"This disobedient son has hidden deeply enough, but today's event is not only a good thing for this disobedient son but also a good thing for our Gao family."
Gao Feng was however worried. "But the empress didn't bestow any rewards. This means that everything is not settled yet!"
While fiddling with the chessboard, Gao Tianlong said, "Yang'er is naughty and has a notorious reputation. Originally, Cui Xinghe of the Cui family was the best candidate in the empress's heart, but Yang'er emerged halfway."
"Cui Xinghe is the number one scholar of the Great Qian. He is not only proficient in classics and righteousness but also well-versed in the way of governing the country. It's very normal for the empress to hesitate. According to my understanding of the empress, there is still a specific assessment regarding governing the country between Cui Xinghe and Yang'er."
"The current empress's ambition is no smaller than that of the previous emperor."
Gao Feng frowned tightly. "According to what Father said, if Yang'er can't surpass that Cui Xinghe, wouldn't he still be hard to escape punishment?"
"That's not necessarily the case."
Gao Feng's eyes lit up. "Father has confidence in Yang'er?"
Gao Tianlong nodded and sighed with emotion.
"I have lived for almost seventy years, gone through three emperors, and have seen all kinds of dirty schemes. But such a vicious one like this is the first time I've seen."
"Yang'er might give us another surprise."
"It's just that it ruined my reputation."
Upon hearing this, Gao Feng nodded in deep agreement.
"Besides, as long as I'm still alive, I can always protect his life. While I'm still alive, it's not bad for him to stir up some trouble."
Gao Feng said solemnly, "Father, there's another matter. Today, Song Qingqing, the daughter of Song Li, came in person to break off the engagement. There are quite a lot of discussions in Chang'an. What should we do?"
"The marriage of my Duke of Dingguo's Mansion is not so easy to break off. Since the Song family is heartless, then don't blame me for being unjust. All the younger generations of the Song family in the military will be kicked out, not a single one left. Considering such a great humiliation, if I go crazy, the empress won't say anything. Let's not talk about these for now. Life should be enjoyed in time. Come play chess." Gao Tianlong pointed at the chessboard and said.
Gao Feng's face changed and he was as if facing a great enemy. "Father, you are a chess master of the Great Qian. Isn't it not good to bully me, a poor chess player?"
Gao Tianlong stroked his beard and laughed heartily. "You are a good talker, lad. How could I bully the younger generation? I'll let you have a piece first."
Seeing that he couldn't avoid it, Gao Feng could only bite the bullet and sit down, but he couldn't help but remind, "Father, let's make it clear first. Whoever loses the game, no one is allowed to hit the other with the chessboard."
"..."
In the imperial palace.
In the Phoenix Luan Hall.
Wu Zhao was wearing a pure golden dragon robe and had a cold expression.
"Your Majesty, are you still thinking about the son of Minister Gao?"
Beside her, Shangguan Wan'er, wearing a dark green robe, asked.
Wu Zhao nodded. "The rumors in Chang'an are misleading. Such a vicious scheme couldn't be made by an ordinary playboy.
"Even I have never seen such a vicious scheme!"
Beside her, Shangguan Wan'er also nodded in deep agreement.
When she first heard these two vicious schemes, she was also shocked.
"Gao Yang's control over human nature, especially the evil of human nature, is simply terrifying!"
"If Your Majesty uses him well, Gao Yang will definitely be a great talent of the Great Qian."
Wu Zhao was somewhat surprised. She knew Shangguan Wan'er's pride very well.
In the entire Great Qian, there weren't many who could receive such a high evaluation from Shangguan Wan'er.
"Then do you think, between Gao Yang and Cui Xinghe, who is stronger and who is weaker? Who can assist me to create an unprecedented and unparalleled hegemony?"
Suddenly, Wu Zhao asked, her eyes filled with a domineering air even stronger than that of a man.
Shangguan Wan'er answered without hesitation, "The Cui family, Cui Xinghe."
Seemingly a little surprised, Wu Zhao said, "You have such confidence in Cui Xinghe?"
Shangguan Wan'er's face remained unchanged as she said.
"Cui Xinghe is not only the current number one scholar but also a pillar talent for the country. His theory on governing the country precisely pointed out the disadvantages of our Great Qian!"
"If Your Majesty wants to create an eternal foundation, Cui Xinghe should be the first choice!"
Wu Zhao had an expressionless face and looked outside.
"But I am more optimistic about this Gao Yang. I have a premonition that he is the one I'm looking for."
Shangguan Wan'er's heroic face was filled with confusion. "Your Majesty, this Gao Yang has a bad track record. Although he is good at grasping people's hearts, when it comes to governing the country, how can he be compared with Scholar Cui?"
Wu Zhao picked up a memorial and said indifferently, "Who is stronger and who is weaker, a test will tell."
"This year, many places in our Great Qian have suffered from major disasters, and public opinion is boiling. The county magistrate of Linjiang City, Du Jiang, reported that grain merchants in various places in Linjiang City are hoarding grain, and the grain prices have started to soar, which is difficult to contain."
"Coincidentally, Qingshui City not far away has also suffered from a major disaster. The grain prices have risen, and the common people can't afford it."
Shangguan Wan'er's eyes flickered, understanding Wu Zhao's meaning.
Only to see Wu Zhao say coldly.
"Draft an imperial decree. Bestow Gao Yang of the Duke of Dingguo's Mansion with the authority of Supervisory Censor and take charge of all matters, big and small, in Linjiang City. Bestow Cui Xinghe of the Cui family with the position of Supervisory Censor of Qingshui City and take charge of all matters, big and small, in Qingshui City!"
"I want them to stabilize the grain prices as quickly as possible and bring peace to the local people!"
Upon hearing this, Shangguan Wan'er was shocked.
But she quickly lowered her head and began to draft the decree.
"Your Majesty..." Shangguan Wan'er presented the drafted imperial decree to Wu Zhao.
"Cui Xinghe knows the limits and has the means. With him in charge of Qingshui City, there won't be any chaos. But for Gao Yang, you should follow and go with him."
"If I was wrong about him, you should intervene in time to prevent the situation from deteriorating further. But this person is different from ordinary people. Don't intervene unless it's absolutely necessary."
"Go and announce the decree. The disaster doesn't wait for anyone. Let them set off immediately."
After Wu Zhao finished speaking, Shangguan Wan'er hurriedly left the imperial palace.
After everything returned to calm.
Wu Zhao stood with her hands behind her back in the Golden Luan Hall. Her eyes looked out through the window, towards the entire Great Qian.
With this glance, it seemed as if she crossed time and space, seeing the mountains, rivers, and common people of the Great Qian.
She said to herself, "Father, I will prove to the people of the world that a woman can also be an emperor, and a woman can also lead the Great Qian to become powerful!"
"I will not only make the Great Qian stronger but also conquer the seven kingdoms and end this six-hundred-year-long chaotic era!"