Gao Rou

189 AD, Luoyang, the Golden Market, a gambling den.

"The young master has business to attend to. Why so many questions? Just do as you are told, and do it well for Master Xu, or I will twist your head off," Xu Chu barked sternly.

Zhu Ao shuddered in terror, his voice trembling as he replied, "I obey, I obey."

Yuan Xi nodded and continued, "Once you have recruited those men, have them help gather intelligence. I will send someone to give you specific instructions. From now on, you are to contact only that person and report solely to me. Do you understand?"

Zhu Ao nodded frantically, promising Yuan Xi, "Rest assured, young master. I will certainly handle what you have entrusted to me, or you may take my head."

"Your mother and brother shall remain in Luoyang for now, working at the shop here. I will not treat them poorly," Yuan Xi said, taking a sip of tea.

Hearing this, Zhu Ao said with gratitude, "It is you, young master, who has given my family a chance at a new life. From now on, my life belongs to you."

"Work hard," Yuan Xi said, then rose and departed.

Later, some felt that the Grand Ancestor, Emperor Xuanwu Yuan Xi, was somewhat dishonorable for using the families of others as leverage. Heh, but had anyone ever questioned Cao Cao? Or Zhu Wen? Or Li Shimin?

On one hand, this was indeed suspicious of coercion. On the other, it was a manifestation of a subject's loyalty to their lord. Many subordinates voluntarily placed their families under their lord's watchful eye. This was basic politics.

This was the art of governance, balancing benevolence with authority. The four lords of the Warring States period also widely recruited retainers to prepare for emergencies, as did his own father, Yuan Shao.

As the saying goes, like father, like son; the ancients never deceived me. As a son, Yuan Xi followed suit.

Not long after returning to the Yuan residence, just as he was about to enter his courtyard, a guard reported, "Young master, Young Master Gao is here to visit."

"Very well, I understand," Yuan Xi’s gaze sharpened.

Gao Rou was the elder brother of Gao Yue and a close childhood companion of Yuan Xi—a relationship much like that of Li Shimin and Zhangsun Wuji. After composing himself, Yuan Xi slowly entered his courtyard. He headed straight for the study, where he saw the elegant youth, dressed in fine robes, already inside.

He was browsing through books, acting as if he were not an outsider at all.

"Brother, why have you come here? I’ve missed you dearly," Yuan Xi stepped forward and embraced his shoulder.

"Haha!" The youth, dignified and solemn, exuded a subtle air of authority. Seeing Yuan Xi’s gesture, he merely lowered his head and chuckled.

"My mother told me the situation is unstable lately, so she had me come over to check on you. What, Yuan Xianyi, do you not welcome your brother?" Gao Rou did not hide his intentions, stating his purpose directly.

"Not at all, how could that be? Please, Brother." Yuan Xi invited him to sit. This future brother-in-law was a major asset in his pursuit of Gao Yue. He could not afford to neglect him. Had he not been so obsessed with the legendary Diaochan back then, he would not have ignored Gao Yue’s feelings.

If he had to choose between Diaochan and Gao Yue now, he would undoubtedly choose Gao Yue. Who could blame him for being so fickle at the time? Diaochan was a bewitching enchantress, but Gao Yue possessed the grace of a future empress—a virtuous helpmate far beyond the likes of Empress Zhangsun.

But at the time, his youthful infatuation and surging hormones had offended Gao Yue. How he regretted it! Of course, the matter of Princess Wannian did not count.

"Brother, why don't you speak with your father? How about letting Wugou come back to the Yuan household with me? What do you say, will you help me with this?" Yuan Xi implored.

Yuan Xi realized that Emperor Ling might pass away this very year. When that happened, the court would fall into chaos, and that old brute Dong Zhuo would arrive. He felt a secret anxiety. His memories were erratic, sometimes clear, sometimes gone, but many things he recalled had been verified one by one.

He feared that some events might occur ahead of schedule, beyond his predictions, and Gao Yue was his only true concern. He had to plan ahead, but since his transmigration memories were flawed and incomplete, it was a headache.

Gao Rou, suspecting nothing, smiled and said, "Xianyi, go to my house and make a formal proposal. My father might agree to let you take my younger sister away."

Gao Rou’s father and Yuan Shao were at odds politically, engaged in factional strife. It was clearly inappropriate to propose now; otherwise, Yuan Xi would have done so long ago. If he charged into that mess now, it would be a miracle if Gao Jing agreed.

Meeting Gao Yue was a great stroke of fate, but the timing for marriage was terribly unfortunate. It was maddening, especially this year.

"Brother, you know how your father is. My idea was for Wugou to return to the Yuan house with me first—to make it a *fait accompli*. What do you think?" Yuan Xi said shamelessly.

Women in the Han dynasty were not yet oppressed by the later Neo-Confucian doctrines, so Yuan Xi wanted to try his luck. What if it worked?

However, even with open-minded thinking, there were limits. The ridiculous idea Yuan Xi proposed left Gao Rou speechless for a long moment.

Still, he wanted to help his close friend if he could. First, the Yuan family was a prominent clan worth befriending; second, he got along well with Yuan Xi; third, he believed Yuan Xi would accomplish great things in the future. So, some things were worth considering—though he could not help with anything too outrageous.

"Xianyi, you speak lightly. If my sister follows you now, how would Yue'er face others in the future, and how would people view the Gao family?" Gao Rou’s expression turned stern as he began to lecture Yuan Xi.

"Er, I was just asking," Yuan Xi said with an awkward smile.

"Within a year, the court situation will stabilize, and then you and Yue'er can be together. Can you wait a little longer?" Gao Rou comforted the dejected Yuan Xi.

Yuan Xi wanted to wait, but time would not wait for him.

"Er, er, er, alright," he muttered vaguely.

His mind raced for a strategy. He had intended to take Gao Yue away and then, using the excuse of the chaos in the world next year, simply not return her. Who knew the old man Gao and Gao Rou were such shrewd operators? They wouldn't release the hawks until they saw the rabbits.

Only by getting her to a territory under the influence of the Yuan family’s students and former subordinates, far from Luoyang, could he truly ensure Gao Yue’s safety. But how could he find an excuse? And how could he get the unmarried Gao Yue to follow him without name or status? Thinking of Gao Yue, he remembered Dong Zhuo’s entry into the capital, and his skull felt like it was splitting. Beauties were hard to chase, and matters were even harder to handle.

Truth be told, Yuan Xi was tempted to just kidnap both Gao Yue and Gao Rou, create a *fait accompli*, and be done with the trouble.

"Xianyi, why don't you come to my house in a few days to see Yue'er?" Gao Rou suggested after some thought.

"Huh? Is that appropriate at this time?" Yuan Xi scratched his head.

"You fool, perhaps Yue'er is wishing for you to come see her?" Gao Rou sighed at his friend’s lack of insight.

When it came to Yuan Xi pursuing Gao Yue, Gao Rou was even more proactive than Yuan Xi himself. In his words, any man capable of winning his sister's heart was talented and worth befriending. Thus, he was an enthusiastic supporter of Yuan Xi’s pursuit, often offering advice and enjoying it immensely.

Perhaps only someone as unreliable as Gao Rou would sell out his own sister, though this could also be considered a test for Yuan Xi. After all, among the great noble families, was there ever such a thing as pure friendship? Heh.

...

Guo Jia, courtesy name Fengxiao, a genius, a drunkard, Marquis of Yingchuan.

He initially joined Yuan Shao but found him not to be an enlightened lord. Recommended by Xun Yu, he intended to flee south to Cao Cao, but was captured by Emperor Xuanwu on the way. To protect Xun Yu, he temporarily surrendered to Yuan Xi.

He followed Yuan Xi west, and after the attempt on Dong Zhuo’s life, he officially pledged allegiance to Yuan Xi. Later, he plotted the conquest of Qingzhou, the Yellow Turbans, Xuzhou, Jizhou, and Youzhou for Yuan Xi.

He plotted against Cao Cao, his schemes never failing; he possessed great tactical depth and favored daring, unconventional maneuvers.

Later, due to frail health, he resided in the capital. As for the intelligence of the Dark Guards, Yuan Xi permitted him to review it before it was presented to the throne. Before his death, Emperor Xuanwu stripped him of his titles and reduced him to a commoner.

This was the last kindness of Emperor Xuanwu.

Guo Jia then wandered the world, and his whereabouts became unknown to his contemporaries.

Legend has it that during the reign of Emperor Ming of Jin, he appeared in Kuaiji Commandery and later passed away in Penglai. Emperor Ming of Jin, mindful of his contributions, restored his title, granted honors to his descendants, and had him enshrined in the Lingxiao Pavilion.

To achieve success, to attain fame, and to withdraw in time—that is wisdom.