BSI Chapter 23: Competing with Yuwen Heita for Time.
Chapter 23: Competing with Yuwen Heita for Time.
The next day arrived.
Gao Cheng slept until the sun was high in the sky before finally sitting up from under the quilt, his hair disheveled and his back aching.
It wasn't that he was lazy; it was just that the demon from last night was far too dangerous, keeping him occupied until the third watch of the night.
Even though he was young and full of energy, he was still young.
At this moment, I felt as if all my muscles and bones had been disassembled and reassembled, and I was so weak that I couldn't muster any strength.
Just as he was lazily leaning against the couch, Zheng Dache suddenly came in carrying a copper basin.
Seeing that he had woken up, she immediately smiled and said, "Your Highness is awake? I thought you were going to sleep until sunset."
Gao Cheng glanced at her, too lazy to say anything.
Seeing her face as beautiful as a spring peach, her eyes filled with a languid contentment, and her radiant complexion, I immediately felt a pang of injustice.
This woman was quite proactive last night, so why is she so refreshed right now?
However, he was too lazy to speak, so he could only lean against the couch and listlessly look at her, thus expressing his dissatisfaction.
Zheng Dache didn't notice anything unusual.
Seeing that he did not want to speak, she wrung out a handkerchief and handed it to him, saying gently, "Young Master, wipe your face first. I have prepared lunch. Please get up and have some."
Upon seeing this, Gao Cheng fell silent for a moment.
Then he realized that there was no point in doing so, so he calmed down, took the handkerchief and wiped his face haphazardly a couple of times, then got up and dressed.
Zheng Dache didn't try to hide it; he just stood there watching, his eyes darting around, seemingly lost in thought.
Gao Cheng, however, felt uncomfortable under her gaze and said irritably, "What are you looking at?"
Zheng Dache covered his mouth and chuckled, saying with great charm, "It's nothing, it's just that the young master looks even more handsome in his clothes than when he's not dressed."
Gao Cheng: "..."
He twitched the corner of his mouth, decided not to engage in the conversation, quickly dressed, and went to the main hall for his meal.
Unexpectedly, Zheng Dache didn't pester him like he did yesterday. Instead, he quietly stayed by his side, serving food and pouring wine, his gentle and considerate manner making him seem like a completely different person.
Gao Cheng was somewhat surprised and couldn't help but glance at her a few more times.
Zheng Dache blushed slightly under his gaze and retorted, "What are you looking at, Your Highness? Is there something on my face?"
Gao Cheng shook his head, looking suspicious. "I was wondering why you've been so well-behaved today. Are you perhaps plotting something again?"
Upon hearing this, Zheng Dache couldn't help but roll his eyes at him.
She then said quietly, "Your Highness's words make it sound as if I, this servant, am utterly ignorant. Knowing that Your Highness has important matters to attend to, how could I dare to pester you?"
Gao Cheng blinked, but remained silent, only displaying a playful expression.
Seeing this, Zheng Dache couldn't help but roll his eyes at him again, but his voice still lowered: "Besides... we had our fill last night."
When she spoke the last few words, her voice was barely audible, and her face was flushed.
Gao Cheng was taken aback for a moment when he saw her shy appearance, his eyes filled with suspicion.
Seeing that her expression didn't seem fake, he didn't investigate further. He reached out and pinched her cheek, then quickly finished his meal and went to the study.
Zheng Da did not move the car, but just stared at his back and smiled again.
......
Gao Cheng went to his study, sat down at his desk, and looked at the stack of hemp paper that had been scribbled all over. He didn't waste any more time.
He took a deep breath and picked up his pen to continue writing.
As for Zheng Dache, perhaps as she said, she was completely satisfied last night, or perhaps as Gao Cheng guessed, she was brewing up another scheme, and indeed she wisely did not bother him again.
Only every hour would he quietly slip in, either to offer a dish of snacks or to place a bowl of soup down.
And they all left as soon as they dropped off their items, without lingering for long.
Gao Cheng was very satisfied with this, thinking to himself, "This woman knows when to advance and when to retreat. No wonder she had a good end in history."
And so it went, and before long it was evening.
Hearing Zheng Dache remind him from outside the door that the meal was ready, Gao Cheng did not delay. He stretched, put down his pen and ink, and went to the main hall to eat.
Before they could even pick it up, they heard a series of steady footsteps coming from outside the courtyard gate.
Immediately afterwards, Wang Hong's signature hoarse voice came through the door: "Your Highness, the King has sent Lu Lecha here, saying he has important matters to report."
Upon hearing that it was his father who had sent someone, Gao Cheng raised an eyebrow slightly, showing some curiosity, and said, "Enter!"
After speaking, Lu Lecha entered the room and knelt on one knee to greet the Crown Prince: "Greetings, Your Highness."
Gao Cheng nodded and asked, "What is it?"
Lu Lecha said in a deep voice, "The King sent me to inform the Crown Prince, Second Prince Gao Yang, that he secretly rushed to Ye City last night."
"Oh?"
Upon hearing that Gao Cheng had left last night, Gao Cheng raised an eyebrow, a look of surprise on his face.
He had assumed that even if Gao Yang were to go, he would need to prepare for at least a few days.
Unexpectedly, that ugly thing was in such a hurry. They had only reached an agreement yesterday afternoon, and he set off overnight.
What efficiency!
It seems that my ugly younger brother has been suppressed for far too long these past few years.
But thinking about it, it actually makes sense.
After all, Gao Yang was born a ruthless and ambitious man, but he pretended to be a fool for more than ten years. Now that he finally has the opportunity to realize his ambitions, he can't wait a moment longer.
Therefore, he did not offer any further comment, only saying calmly, "I understand, you may leave now."
Seeing that he was calm and had not shown any of his usual arrogance, Lulecha couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.
This prince has indeed grown up and is becoming more and more composed.
In the past, upon hearing such news, one would likely have mocked Gao Yang with comments like, "What's the rush, you ugly thing?"
He was filled with emotion, but showed it on his face, only bowing and saying, "This servant takes his leave."
Gao Cheng waved his hand: "Go."
Lulecha stood up, glanced at Gao Cheng again, and turned to leave.
Zheng Dache listened from the side, and only after Lu Lecha had gone far away did he say quietly, "Second Brother is indeed impatient."
Gao Cheng smiled and said, "Let him worry about it. Let's eat. Come on, open your mouth."
He picked up a piece of roasted meat and held it to her lips.
Zheng Dache's cheeks flushed slightly, but he still obediently opened his mouth to take it, chewing it in small bites, his eyes full of sweetness.
A short while later, dinner was finished.
Seeing that it was still early, Gao Cheng went to his study and buried himself in his writing.
Unexpectedly, this dedication lasted for a full two weeks.
During these two weeks, Gao Cheng wrote furiously during the day and spent his nights passionately entwined with Zheng Dache, leading a very fulfilling life.
And so, half a month later, at dusk, as the last drop of ink from Gao Cheng's vermilion brush fell onto the hemp paper, he finally finished organizing all his strategies.
He then further divided the completed strategy into three parts.
Of these three parts, the one that accounts for the largest share is military reform, followed by people's livelihood, and the one that accounts for the least share is governance.
As for why he placed the general first, it's quite simple: it was to buy time with the Western Wei.
That's right, he wants to race against time with Yuwen Heita, time for reform, and time for establishing his hegemony.
Although on the surface, the Eastern Wei seems to have an overwhelming advantage over the Western Wei in terms of population, land, military strength, grain production, and even civil and military officials.
It seemed that it was only a matter of time before the Eastern Wei Dynasty unified the world.
However, Gao Cheng, who was well-versed in history, knew very well that the so-called crushing of the Western Wei by the Eastern Wei was merely superficial and not worth relying on.
The true strength of both sides cannot be determined by looking at the surface data alone.
To give the simplest and most essential example: mountains and rivers.
Geographically, the Eastern Wei had virtually no passes that could be used for defense against the Western Wei.
Once the Western Wei forces passed through the four passes, they were in a flat plain where their warhorses could gallop freely, allowing them to attack any city of the Eastern Wei from any direction—east, west, south, or north.
As a result, Gao Huan had to spend a great deal of resources to defend Luoyang, Hulao Pass, Tongguan Pass, Puban Pass, Fengling Pass, and many other key locations with a large army, just to prevent the Western Wei from expanding eastward.
In contrast, what about the Western Wei?
Despite its small size and limited population, it firmly defends the natural defenses of the mountains and rivers.
Whether it's Hedong or the four passes, only a very small number of troops are needed to defend them and withstand the large-scale attacks of Eastern Wei.
Historically, the fact that Gao Huan led an army of 100,000 but failed to capture the small city of Yu Bi is clear evidence of this.
Therefore, despite the seemingly huge gap in strength between the two sides on paper, the hidden costs they need to defend against and attack each other are actually worlds apart.
This also reflects the centuries-long standoff between the two major groups of Hebei and Guanzhong, from the split of the Northern Wei Dynasty to the end of the An Lushan Rebellion.
The fundamental reason why Hebei Group, despite having overwhelming financial resources, military strength, and overall hard power, could never defeat Guanlong Group.