My father, Gao Huan, is an invincible prince!

Chapter 36 A Powerful Family Launches an Attack? This is Truly Heaven's Help!

Meanwhile, in Ye City.

As night fell, the entire city of Ye was already quiet and peaceful, except for a large mansion in the city that covered hundreds of acres, which was still brightly lit.

Inside the main hall of the residence, Sima Ziru, Sun Teng, Gao Yue, and Gao Longzhi, who were known as the Four Nobles of Ye at the time, were sitting together.

On the table in front of the four men was a thick stack of documents, but the ink had long since dried, and no one reached out to read them.

The atmosphere inside the hall was stagnant and oppressive, as if a storm was brewing, so stifling that it made one's heart tighten.

This situation is not without reason.

This was because after the news spread that Gao Huan had issued an edict ordering his son, Gao Cheng, to go to Ye City to take charge of all affairs and manage the government, the four of them were filled with resentment.

They were all loyal and influential figures who had followed Gao Huan since he rose to power.

Having entrenched himself in Yecheng for many years, he cultivated his power and controlled the local military, political and financial power for a long time, accumulating wealth and power while enjoying honor and prestige.

In his heart, he had already regarded the capital of the Great Wei Dynasty, Ye, as his own.

Upon hearing that Gao Cheng was coming to Yedu to seize power, clearly intending to take away the fruits of their years of hard work and cut off their financial resources and power, they were naturally resentful and dissatisfied.

When Duan Shao and Huli Guang arrived in Ye City ahead of Gao Huan on his orders.

On the surface, they were maintaining order and stabilizing the situation, but in reality, they were paving the way for Gao Cheng's future, which made them even more upset.

There was no other way; the two were personally assigned by Gao Huan and came with the king's orders.

Even if they were very unhappy, they couldn't openly disobey Gao Huan's orders, so they had no choice but to unite and try to corrupt the two men with wealth and honor.

Unexpectedly, after they had gone to great lengths and barely managed to stabilize Duan Shao and Huli Guang, they discovered that someone was secretly investigating them.

Moreover, the other party not only secretly investigated their private farmland and property, the allocation of grain and salary, but also their various misdeeds such as selling official positions.

Even their daily life at home and their private interactions with others were secretly investigated and investigated.

The discovery of these secrets caused the four men great anxiety and sleepless nights.

However, what frustrated them even more was...

They clearly knew that someone was acting in secret, and had sent people to investigate for a long time, but they still couldn't find a trace of them.

The feeling of being watched from the shadows, being secretly observed but powerless to retaliate, was a hundred times worse than swallowing a dead fly.

Time passed slowly, and the silence lasted for a long time.

After a long pause, someone finally couldn't hold back any longer and asked, "Gentlemen, we have been searching for a long time, but we haven't found a single piece of information."

The person who spoke was none other than Sima Ziru, a close friend of Gao Huan from his early years when they were commoners.

He was born with a gentle and refined appearance, a calm and composed demeanor, and clear and gentle eyes. Having held a high position as a civil official for many years, he naturally possessed the air of a scholar.

However, everyone in the hall shook their heads upon hearing this.

Sun Teng, a sturdy man with years of practical experience, chimed in helplessly, "Their movements are elusive and their techniques are extremely sophisticated. Whenever a crucial moment arrives, they vanish without a trace."

"What's even more strange is that they seem to see right through us. If I didn't know that everyone here was a trusted confidant, I would almost suspect that there were spies among us."

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions darkened even further.

Gao Yue pondered silently for a moment, then suddenly frowned and slowly spoke: "Judging from your opinions, those who are acting in secret are probably the likes of Duan Shao and Hulü Guang. Those two spend their days feasting and drinking, probably trying to dazzle the public and cover their tracks?"

However, Gao Yue had barely uttered these words before the others could even think of a reply.

Sima Ziru shook her head slightly, her tone firm: "Absolutely not. Although these two are shrewd and quick-witted, they are also flamboyant and lack seclusion."

"Moreover, all the followers they brought are within our grasp; their every move is meticulously monitored. How could they possibly have room to secretly lay their claws?"

"If not these two, then who?"

Gao Longzhi frowned deeply and asked in doubt, "Could it be the work of He Xi Shele?"

Sima Ziru shook his head again in rejection: "That's unreasonable. The governor is busy building his residence near Le County, he's occupied day and night, how could he possibly have time for anything else?"

"Moreover, he was originally a lowly subordinate of Gao Cheng, holding a humble position and having little influence. How could he possibly have such profound intentions and confidence?"

Several speculations were overturned, and the four of them fell silent once again.

A moment later, Gao Longzhi, who was known for his fiery temper and impatience, could no longer contain his anger and roared, "Whoever is lurking in the shadows, they are nothing more than Gao Cheng's lackeys."

"In my opinion, why should we bother with clandestine efforts? We should openly confront them head-on!"

"We are all trusted and long-time ministers. Even if Prince Gao himself comes, we should remember our past friendship and maintain our dignity. Gao Cheng is just a young boy, new to the ways of the world. Even if he personally comes to Yedu to take charge of affairs, what can he do to us old ministers?"

Although Gao Longzhi's words were arrogant and blunt, the other three all agreed with them.

After all, what did they seek when they sacrificed their families to follow Gao Huan in his campaigns?

Isn't this the power, wealth, and generational honor we enjoy today?

But now, King Gao has sent his son to take power. Isn't this a case of discarding a donkey after it has served its purpose?

For a moment, apart from the deep-thinking Sima Ziru who still maintained his composure, Sun Teng and Gao Yue both spoke up in agreement, supporting Gao Longzhi's words.

However, just as the group was filled with righteous indignation, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from outside the hall.

Immediately afterward, a spy dressed in black strode into the hall, his expression panicked, and said, "Gentlemen, something terrible has happened!"

Upon seeing this, Sun Teng immediately reprimanded in a stern voice: "Why are you so flustered and disorderly?"

The scout bowed and clasped his hands, urgently reporting: "Reporting to you all! An urgent message from Hebei has arrived: The Zheng family of Xingyang, claiming that Princess Consort Zheng Dache of the Gao King died suddenly and was wronged, has incited refugees in Henan to create chaos and obstruct the road, openly intercepting 30,000 shi of grain destined for Ye."

"Furthermore, we have joined forces with the Lu family of Fanyang, the Li family of Zhaojun, and other prominent families in Hebei, and jointly petitioned the Prince of Jinyang's court, earnestly requesting that Prince Gao thoroughly investigate the cause of Zheng's death. If a fair judgment is not found, these families will cut off all grain and provisions to the various prefectures and cease all grain tribute to Ye!"

"What?"

Upon hearing the urgent report, the four were immediately taken aback.

Gao Yue abruptly stood up, his face filled with disbelief, and exclaimed in shock, "How dare the Zheng family of Xingyang be so arrogant and rebellious? Are they not afraid of King Gao's wrath and punishment?"

Although Sun Teng and Gao Longzhi did not speak, their faces were filled with shock and solemnity.

Sima Ziru, however, was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, and then a strange smile appeared on her face.

"Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!"

A moment later, he exclaimed three times, "Wonderful!" and clapped his hands and laughed, as if all the pent-up frustration in his heart had been swept away.

Everyone was astonished to see Sima Ziru laughing.

Sun Teng couldn't help but frown and ask, "Brother Ziru, our military supplies have been intercepted, and unrest has broken out in Hanoi. Why are you laughing instead?"

"That's precisely why I'm laughing."

Sima Ziru stroked his beard, making no attempt to conceal his intentions, and slowly explained the advantages and disadvantages involved:

"Gentlemen, consider this: When the powerful families of Hebei rebelled, King Gao would surely have appointed his heir to handle the situation. This young prince has just arrived in Ye City, unfamiliar with both the people and the land, and is suddenly thrust into this great conflict. If he mishandles the situation, he would be considered incompetent, and how could he possibly have the face to oversee the affairs of Ye?"

Upon hearing this, everyone suddenly understood and grasped the profound meaning behind it.

Sun Teng immediately clapped his hands and laughed, his tone full of joy: "This is truly divine assistance, absolutely ingenious."