My father, Gao Huan, is an invincible prince!

Chapter 30 What is the Han people of Hebei, and what are the Six Garrisons of Xianbei?

Upon hearing this, Gao Yang's smile froze for a moment, and his tiger-like eyes, which were originally full of smiles, were instantly clouded with an indescribable gloom.

After a moment, he raised his eyes and stared at Gao Cheng for a while, then his lips moved as if he wanted to say something polite.

But when he met Gao Cheng's ambiguous smile, he swallowed back the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

After all, stationing troops ten miles away and waiting on the road—such a grand display of force—could hardly be just to invite Gao Cheng for a cup of wine; even he himself didn't believe it.

Moreover, Gao Cheng was right; he had been waiting for Gao Cheng here today precisely to test Gao Cheng's intentions.

Thinking of this, he no longer hesitated, took a deep breath, and smiled frankly: "Your Highness has discerning eyes. As expected, my little thoughts could not be hidden from Your Highness."

Gao Cheng's expression remained unchanged, and he simply nodded and smiled, "Lord Ao Cao is too kind. I am but a fifteen-year-old boy, how could I have any discerning eyes? I just felt that it was too much of a show for Lord Ao Cao to leave his post in Ji Province and instead station troops here to wait for me. I was flattered and thus asked one more question."

He paused, then added with a smile, "After all, I have a problem: I'm afraid of owing favors. If Lord Ao Cao doesn't make it clear, I won't feel at ease drinking this wine."

Upon hearing this, Gao Ang couldn't help but smile again.

He truly hadn't expected Gao Cheng to be so direct.

After all, as he had envisioned, the two of them would have to exchange drinks and make some indirect conversations before finally getting to the point.

But that's fine, it saves him from having to waste his breath.

Therefore, he did not continue to keep him in suspense and immediately said in a serious tone, "Your Highness is wise. I have been waiting for you here today because I have two things I would like to ask you."

Gao Cheng raised an eyebrow, not surprised, and simply nodded, saying, "Lord Ao, please speak freely."

Gao Ang took a deep breath, immediately raised a finger, and said in a deep voice, "Firstly, this humble general would like to ask the Crown Prince, if you were to hold the reins of power in the future, how would you govern the Han people of Hebei?"

As soon as these words were uttered, the atmosphere in the tent suddenly froze.

Yuan Zhonghua's face turned deathly pale instantly, and he nearly lost his voice.

Liu Taozhi instantly became alert, placing one hand on the hilt of her knife and staring intently at Gao Ang.

Because this is no longer a normal test, but a blatant interrogation.

The question was whether Gao Cheng, if he were to rule the world in the future, would continue Gao Huan's policy of "separate governance of the Han and non-Han peoples" and whether he would still treat the Han people as second-class subjects.

Gao Cheng, however, remained calm, looking at Gao Ang and asking, "And the second one?"

Secondly...

Gao Feng took another breath, raised his second finger, and solemnly said, "I just want to ask, does this old face of mine still hold any weight with the young master?"

"Your Highness, could you please enlighten this humble general?"

After asking the question, he stared intently at Gao Cheng, not wanting to miss any subtle changes in his expression.

No wonder he was so offensive; Gao Huan's increasingly indifferent attitude towards the powerful clans of Hebei over the years had made him very anxious.

He vividly recalled that before the Battle of Hanling, Gao Huan, in order to win over the powerful Han families in Hebei, did not hesitate to hold his brother Gao Qian's hand and call him "uncle".

But now that he has secured his position as the King of Bohai, he has turned his back on him.

Military pay was given to the Xianbei soldiers first, fertile land was distributed to the meritorious officials of Huai Shuo first, and even when victories were won, the Xianbei people received the lion's share of the rewards.

These Han soldiers, on the other hand, received only scraps and leftovers.

In addition to this, his blocking the road today also has a political consideration of his own.

Although he was the bravest warrior in the army and had made outstanding military achievements, Gao Huan would always give orders in Chinese whenever he was by his side to show his respect.

But Gao Huan's favor is one thing, while his institutional political status is another.

Although Gao Huan has not yet shown any intention of launching a western expedition.

However, it is an indisputable fact that those Xianbei nobles and important officials, such as Hulüjin, Dou Tai, and Peng Le, were stationed in various military strongholds and held real core military power.

He alone was arrogant, holding the title of "Grand Commander of Hebei Province" in vain. He seemed to be in charge of Jizhou and Shandong, enjoying great prestige and high power.

In reality, they were thrown into the rear, unable to even get close to the westward expedition.

He was not the kind of person who sought credit or personal gain; he was simply unwilling to accept defeat.

Unwilling to accept that the four Gao brothers had sacrificed their family fortune to relieve the nation's woes and led the Hebei youths through countless dangers, only to be met with suspicion and sidelined.

He was unwilling to accept that the Han men who had followed him and risked their lives would end up not even being able to get a full meal, and would be cursed by the Xianbei soldiers as "one-coin Han".

When Gao Huan was in power, he was able to barely suppress the resentment of his subordinates by relying on his military achievements and prestige.

But now that Gao Huan is handing over power to Gao Cheng, their future rests entirely in the hands of this fifteen-year-old prince.

If Gao Cheng, like Gao Huan, had relied on the Xianbei nobles, then the powerful clans of Hebei would likely never have a chance to rise again.

Therefore, he is waiting here today to find out Gao Cheng's true intentions.

Let's explore whether Gao Cheng is a copy of Gao Huan, or a new master who is willing to treat the Han people's power differently, and whether he can still get a share of the pie in the new generation of power structure.

After hearing him ask those two questions and seeing his serious demeanor, Gao Cheng couldn't help but think to himself, "Just as I thought."

He couldn't help but feel secretly pleased.

In fact, he had already guessed Gao Ang's thoughts when Gao Ang suddenly brought up the old stories of Hebei.

The reason I haven't said anything is to see just how determined Gao Feng really is.

But now it seems that his strong determination is far stronger than he had imagined.

Thinking of this, he could no longer contain himself and burst into laughter, saying, "Lord Ao Cao, Lord Ao Cao, these are not two separate matters, they are clearly one and the same."

Upon hearing this, Gao Ang was immediately taken aback: "What do you mean by that, Your Highness?"

"It's very simple."

Gao Cheng stood up, paced back and forth in the tent a couple of times, and slowly said, "The question that Lord Ao asked on behalf of the powerful clans of Hebei reflects my stance. The question that asked for myself also reflects my stance. Since both are asking for my stance, why differentiate between you and the powerful clans of Hebei?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Ang was even more surprised, as if he had not expected Gao Cheng to make such a statement.

Before he could speak, Gao Cheng turned his head, looked at Gao Ang, and smiled, "My attitude is very simple, just eight words: use if you can, and if you can't..."

He paused, then grinned: "We can't do without it."

high:"......"

He was stunned for a while before he realized that Gao Cheng had said something pointless.

He then became somewhat displeased: "Your Highness, please don't joke. This humble general is serious."

"I'm serious."

Gao Cheng immediately stopped smiling and said seriously, "Lord Ao Cao, before answering your question, I also have a question I would like to ask you."

Gao Ang was stunned again, and asked in astonishment, "What?"

Gao Cheng's expression turned solemn, and he asked in a deep voice, "May I ask, Lord Ao Cao, what are the Han people of Hebei, and what are the Xianbei of the Six Garrisons?"