stonecrandall Chapter 1024 Gao Lin visits 2 Niu!
Chapter 1024 Gao Lin visits 2 Niu!
Therefore, Gao Yao made a decision that broke all court conventions: he bestowed upon the eight-year-old Gao Qun an independent residence. This act was far more significant than simply gifting a house. It was tantamount to granting Gao Qun the power to establish his own residence—an independent space free from the constraints of court rules, where he could freely recruit retainers and conduct research. This honor was not even bestowed upon his son Gao Lin, who was already the crown prince, and other princes were confined to the collective environment of the palace.
Gao Yao went a step further, personally instructing the Ministry of Works to do its utmost to meet Gao Qun's research needs, as long as they were reasonable. This order undoubtedly opened a green channel for Gao Qun's "scientific research activities" within the imperial official system. To Gao Yao, all of this might simply appear as a father's understanding and support for his genius son, a protection of the empire's future technological potential. But to the court officials, adept at discerning the emperor's intentions, it undoubtedly sent an extremely strong political signal.
The ministers began to reassess the young prince's worth. They realized that Gao Yao's criteria for choosing an heir might not be simply "order of seniority" or "literary and military prowess," but rather he valued the potential to advance the times alongside him and continuously "create" new possibilities.
Gao Qun was undoubtedly the most likely candidate for this position. Although he was not skilled in political maneuvering, his interests lay precisely in the most dazzling jewel in Gao Yao's crown of power. Thus, a group of technocrats closely connected to the Ministry of Works and the Directorate of Imperial Works, as well as pragmatic officials who firmly believed that technology equaled national power, began to quietly turn their attention to the residence of Prince Gao Qun. They believed that whoever controlled the future direction of technology might control the future of the nation. Gao Qun's existence transformed this succession struggle from its traditional framework, introducing a completely new and uncertain dimension.
The four young masters, with their four different qualities and backgrounds, reflect the four major potential interest groups in the imperial court.
Those who supported Gao Lin were mostly officials in charge of rites and history, as well as some old-fashioned nobles who adhered to the ancient Zhou rites. They were the maintainers of "orthodoxy" and "stability," but their power had been gradually marginalized in the efficient and pragmatic Gaoyao era.
Those who support Gao Zhe are mainly composed of military merit groups and newly promoted hawkish generals. They are eager to gain more merit and rewards through continuous expansion and war, representing the empire's vigor and sharpness, but also harboring the risk of dragging the country into a state of excessive militarism.
Those who favor Gao Ning are the pragmatic members of the civil service who value administrative efficiency and care about the well-being of the people. They expect a monarch who can listen to opinions and make rational decisions to ensure the long-term stability and steady development of the empire.
Those who focus on high-level groups are emerging technocrats and businessmen with strategic vision. They are betting on future technological revolutions and believe that a fundamental improvement in productivity is the ultimate guarantee of national strength.
Gao Yao himself could never have imagined that his sudden absence would lead to this situation, or even that he would unintentionally create this situation of checks and balances. But it was precisely because of this that every young master and the forces behind them saw hope, thus restraining each other and preventing any one party from becoming too powerful too early and threatening his absolute authority.
The special cultivation of Gao Qun stemmed from genuine appreciation, but it was also a crucial move to disrupt the balance. This move forced all competitors and their backers to rethink their strategies. It clearly told everyone that the final answer was not written in past traditions, nor entirely determined by current military achievements, but rather lay in the future—a future defined by wisdom and innovation.
As dusk settled, Xianyang City appeared particularly solemn in the early night. Before the residence of Gao Niu, commander of the Fourth Army Group, lanterns hung high, personal guards stood at attention, and an unusual tension permeated the air. Inside the residence, Gao Niu—the one whom Gao Yao had named Er Niu and treated like a brother—sat upright in the main seat of the main hall, his brow furrowed, his fingers unconsciously tapping the hard rosewood armrest.
With the military genius Han Xin overseeing things at Mount Li, there's no need for him to worry too much for the time being. Erniu is acutely aware of the delicate and sensitive nature of his current position. His Majesty Gaoyao's mysterious disappearance and uncertain fate have left behind a vast power vacuum and a group of successors with differing motives.
And he, Gao Niu, held command of a full 70,000 elite troops surrounding Xianyang! These 70,000 fierce warriors were like a sharp sword hanging over Xianyang, its edge capable of determining the final outcome of this struggle for the throne. Whether it was the eldest son Gao Lin, known for his virtue and supported by the Lü clan, or the other sons, each with their own followers, no force could ignore the will of Gao Niu and his tens of thousands of troops.
It could be said that whoever he sided with would gain an overwhelming advantage in this game, and might even be able to secure the victory directly. This weighty power, however, made Erniu feel extremely uneasy at this moment.
"The eldest son has arrived!" came the loud announcement from the guard outside the door.
Erniu took a deep breath, composed himself, stood up, straightened his not-too-disheveled armor and robes, and strode towards the door to greet them. What was bound to happen had finally arrived.
Surrounded by a group of guards, Gao Lin calmly stepped into the mansion. He was not dressed in the fine clothes of a young master today, but rather in a simple and practical outfit, which made his figure stand out even more. Although there was a bit of the sharpness unique to young people between his brows, his demeanor was composed and his manners were impeccable.
"Gao Lin greets Uncle." Gao Lin bowed first, his posture extremely humble.
Erniu quickly stepped aside, offering his hands in a gesture of support: "Young Master, you flatter me. Please come in quickly. May I ask what brings you here so late at night?" He deliberately maintained a respectful yet distant distance, and his words strictly adhered to the duties of a subject.
The two took their seats as host and guest, and after the servants served fragrant tea, they dismissed everyone else, leaving only the two of them in the large main hall, where the atmosphere became somewhat tense for a moment.
Gao Lin did not immediately get to the point. Instead, he looked around the simply furnished room, which resembled a military officer's study rather than the main hall of a duke's mansion, and spoke sincerely: "Uncle, there is no need to be so formal. My father often told me and my brothers that among all the civil and military officials, only you, Uncle, have fought alongside him from humble beginnings. You are a true friend in life and death, and the most trusted and reliable minister to whom he can entrust his back. Now that my father has gone far away and has not returned, I am uneasy. After much thought, I have come to consult you, Uncle, to find some peace of mind."
That address of "Uncle," and those seemingly heartfelt words, filled Erniu with mixed emotions. He, Gao Niu, was originally a nameless war orphan. But because Gao Yao had said, "Follow me, and you'll have meat to eat," he had followed him wholeheartedly, starting as a personal guard and fighting his way up through bloodshed. It was only through his bravery and absolute loyalty to Gao Yao that he had reached his current position.