My father, Gao Huan, is an invincible prince!

Chapter 52 Zheng's head hanging up can serve as a warning to others!

Gao Yang was unaware that Gao Cheng had already seen through his secret.

So in the days that followed, apart from frequently visiting the Li family's residence in Zhao County, everything else went smoothly.

They worked together from early morning to late at night, and their collaboration was quite effective.

In this way, several more days passed quietly in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Gao Cheng was in his study reading reports from Jinyang regarding the settlement and land reclamation efforts in various regions.

Wang Hong suddenly pushed open the door and entered, holding a gold-embossed invitation in his hands. A hint of joy appeared on his face as he said, "Your Highness, there's been some movement!"

Gao Cheng looked up and, seeing his expression, raised an eyebrow: "What's making you so happy? Could it be that old bastard Sima Ziru has finally lost patience and is about to set a trap?"

"Your Majesty knows things like a god!"

Wang Hong began by offering a flattering compliment.

He then stepped forward and presented the invitation, saying with a smile, "This is a letter from Lord Sima, inviting you to a banquet at his residence tomorrow at noon, as he says he has important matters to discuss. In addition, Sun Teng, Gao Yue, and Gao Longzhi will also be accompanying you."

Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng raised his eyebrows slightly, then took the invitation and casually flipped through it.

After reading the post, he couldn't help but let out a cold smile: "These old foxes have been plotting for days, and they're finally going to make their move."

Upon hearing this, Wang Hong wanted to offer another round of flattery.

Before he could speak, another guard rushed in, knelt on one knee, and reported, "Your Highness, General Huli has sent an urgent messenger who is waiting outside the mansion, saying that he has a great victory to report!"

"Oh?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng's eyes lit up instantly, and he immediately put down the invitation: "Summon them quickly!"

"only!"

The guards obeyed and left, and a short while later, they led in a knight covered in blood.

The knight's armor was still stained with blood, and he held a black wooden box in his hands.

Upon entering, he knelt and proclaimed loudly, "Your Highness, General Huli quelled the rebellion in Hanoi three days ago. All 321 members of the Lianshan branch of the Zheng clan of Xingyang's northern ancestral home have been executed. The 30,000 shi of military provisions held captive in Hanoi have also been recovered and will soon be transported to Yecheng. This is the head of the rebel leader Zheng Delin; please examine it, Your Highness!"

As soon as the knight finished speaking, Gao Cheng was overjoyed.

He hurriedly got up, walked quickly to the knight, took the wooden box, and opened it.

The box lid was opened, and a bloody human head came into view. Its eyes were wide open and its beard and hair stood on end. It was Zheng Delin, the head of the Lianshan branch of the Zheng family's northern ancestral home.

"good!"

Upon verifying his identity, Gao Cheng couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh loudly, his voice echoing across the rooftops: "Hulü Mingyue, truly my steed of a thousand miles!"

Before Gao Cheng's laughter had even faded, Gao Yang and Duan Shaoye had already rushed over upon hearing the commotion.

As soon as he entered, Gao Yang hurriedly asked, "Brother, what makes you so happy? Could it be that Brother Mingyue has arrived so quickly?"

Gao Cheng did not answer, but handed him the box and said with a smile, "Take a look for yourself."

Gao Yang subconsciously took the wooden box, and Duan Shao also came over to look at it together. When they saw the human head in the box, the two of them were instantly invigorated, and their eyes gleamed.

"good!"

A moment later, Gao Yang couldn't help but shout his praises: "Hulü Mingyue has indeed swiftly pacified Hanoi; he is truly a pillar of the nation!"

Duan Shao, equally beaming, congratulated him, saying, "Congratulations, Your Highness! With Hanoi pacified, the affairs of Ye can now be put on the right track, and the hearts of the people are surely won over!"

Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng nodded and smiled, saying, "It's not just that. The destruction of the Zheng family serves as a warning to others. Those two-faced families should also consider the consequences."

After saying this, he turned to look at Gao Yang and Duan Shao, a playful smile curving his lips, and instructed, "The time has come. You two should go to the residences of the Li family of Zhao County and the Cui family of Boling and invite the heads of both families to the Governor's Mansion as guests."

Upon hearing this, the two became even more excited.

This is because they have been waiting for this day for a very long time.

Gao Yang said impatiently, "I'll go right away and see if Li Xian still dares to act arrogantly today. He looked down on me the other day, and I will definitely get my revenge!"

Duan Shao also laughed and said, "I went to invite Cui Kai. Let's see if he can still talk about 'being of the same blood' now?"

Gao Cheng nodded and instructed, "Remember, it's 'please,' don't hurt anyone. We'll need to use their blades to deal with the likes of Sun Teng in the future."

The two exchanged a glance, instantly understanding, and replied in unison, "Yes!"

Having said that, he turned and strode away.

......

......

Half an hour later.

Li Xian, the head of the Li family in Zhao County, and Cui Kai, the head of the Cui family in Boling, were each invited to the main hall of the Governor's Mansion by Gao Yang and Duan Shao, who were both coerced and "invited" by them.

The two men took their seats in the main hall of the governor's mansion, both with gloomy expressions and barely uttering a word.

Even when Gao Cheng came out carrying the box, he did not get up to greet him, clearly disliking Gao Cheng's coercion today.

Gao Cheng didn't seem to care much. He walked straight past the two men and sat down in the main seat. He then placed the wooden box wrapped in black cloth on the table, and took out a stack of silk books filled with small characters and several seals from another wooden box.

After doing all this, he cupped his hands and smiled at the two men, saying, "My two uncles, I've been waiting for you."

Upon seeing this, Li Xian and Cui Kai's eyes darkened even more, but their upbringing as members of aristocratic families ultimately prevented them from doing anything improper.

Therefore, even though he was dissatisfied, he still returned the greeting with clasped hands and said, "Greetings, Your Highness." However, his attitude was quite cold.

Fortunately, Gao Cheng didn't seem to mind. After the greetings were over, he said frankly, "My two uncles, there's no need for such formalities. I've taken the liberty of inviting you today because I still wish to discuss the matter of stabilizing Hebei with you."

Upon hearing this, the two immediately thought to themselves, "Just as I thought."

So, this brat, seeing that bribery failed, decided to resort to coercion?

However, both of them came from prominent families and were used to seeing the world, so they were not easily intimidated by Gao Cheng.

Therefore, Li Xian immediately said, "So that's how it is. I understand the Crown Prince's intentions. However... we have already discussed this matter beforehand. The Zheng family and we are both old clans in Hebei, of the same blood and lineage, and we truly cannot bear to see them turn against each other. But I wonder what the Crown Prince's opinion is?"

Cui Kai's expression was also indifferent: "The Cui family's attitude is the same as the Li family's. If the young master still wants to say those old platitudes, there's no need to waste your breath."

Seeing their firm stance, Gao Cheng raised an eyebrow slightly: "So, you two aren't willing to leave any room for negotiation?"

The two remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.

After all, in their view, Gao Cheng had just arrived in Yedu, and with the four noble families restraining him internally and the powerful clans watching from the sidelines, he dared not do anything to them.

However, neither of them could definitively say anything definitive.

Therefore, Li Xian ultimately replied tactfully, "In my humble opinion, Your Highness has just arrived in Yedu and your foundation is not yet stable. It is truly inappropriate to wage such a large-scale war. Peace should be the priority, which is the best policy. What does Your Highness think?"

"Oh?"

Gao Cheng smiled enigmatically: "So, do you two uncles mean that I should allow the Zheng family to incite refugees in Hanoi, intercept 30,000 shi of military rations, and stand idly by while the imperial guards of Ye City mutini?"

Upon hearing this, Li Xian became even more displeased. Could it be that this prince is unable to understand human speech?

Despite his displeasure, he dared not respond to those words.

He could only frown and shake his head, explaining, "That's not what I meant. It's just... the Zheng family is the most prominent family in Xingyang. If the Crown Prince rashly sends troops, it might cause unrest in Hebei, which would be detrimental to the country."

"Is it detrimental to the country?"

Unexpectedly, Gao Cheng's expression changed abruptly as soon as Li Xian uttered these words, and he said coldly, "Does the Zheng family's interception of military supplies and incitement of popular uprising benefit the country?"

"What do you say, Master Cui?"

Cui Kai was speechless for a moment, his face turning even more unpleasant, because he hadn't expected Gao Cheng to suddenly turn his attention to him.

Gao Cheng had already said this much, so he didn't bother to say anything more.

He immediately reached out and lifted the black cloth covering the wooden box on the table, revealing a hideous human head inside. He said calmly, "You two may wish to take a look and see what this is."

(P.S.: Thank you so much to reader Chang'an Luoxue for the 6000 points reward! I'm extremely grateful!)