My father, Gao Huan, is an invincible prince!

Chapter 31 We urgently need to integrate the Han and non-Han peoples so that the world will be won o

Gao Ang stared blankly at Gao Cheng, his eyes full of confusion. Was there even a need to ask such a question?

Throughout the entire Eastern Wei Dynasty, with its millions of households and tens of millions of people, even a three-year-old child would likely know the difference between the Han and the Hu people.

He opened his mouth as if to speak, but then realized that Gao Cheng's question was definitely not that simple.

For a moment, I didn't know how to answer.

Seeing that Gao Ang remained silent, Gao Cheng, without waiting for his reply, asked and answered himself: "In my eyes, the so-called distinction between Hu and Han is nothing but a narrow-minded view."

After saying this, he looked up at Gao Ang and smiled, "In my eyes, there are only the people of the Great Wei and the ministers of the Gao family."

"Those who can expand the territory of the country and provide a safe haven for the people are meritorious officials and should be richly rewarded."

"Conversely, those who hold positions without performing their duties, or who embezzle and break the law, regardless of whether they are Han or non-Han, will be severely punished without exception!"

Gao Cheng's words were forceful and resolute.

Gao Feng was visibly shaken, his eyes flashing with disbelief.

He stared intently at Gao Cheng, as if he were seeing this fifteen-year-old boy for the first time.

He originally thought that Gao Cheng would at most utter empty words like "we will certainly not mistreat the Han people".

Unexpectedly, Gao Cheng possessed such a broad perspective, prompting him to ask, "Is what the Crown Prince said truly true?"

Gao Cheng simply shook his head, giving an irrelevant answer: "In the past, Emperor Xiaowen of Wei moved the capital to Luoyang, changed his surname to Han, and implemented Han systems, eagerly awaiting the unification of the Han and non-Han peoples so that the people would be loyal to him. Unfortunately, the rebellion of the Six Garrisons ruined all his previous efforts, leading to the current situation where the Han and non-Han peoples are enemies and wars never cease."

At this point, he turned to Gao Ang and smiled, "Lord Ao, are you asking what I would do if I were in power?"

"I can assure you that on this journey to Ye City, we will reaffirm Emperor Xiaowen's legacy, and promote people based solely on their talent, regardless of whether they are of Han or non-Han descent. Those Xianbei men skilled in literature may become officials; those Han men skilled in martial arts may become generals. Those who have merit will be rewarded equally, and those who have committed crimes will be punished equally."

"It will ensure that both the Han and non-Han peoples can live in peace and prosperity, and share in the good times."

Upon hearing this, Gao Ang slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly, his eyes wide with surprise, almost thinking he had misheard.

Gao Cheng actually wants to revive Emperor Xiaowen's policy of unifying the Han and non-Han peoples.

Since the rebellion of the Six Garrisons and the upheaval at Heyin, who dares to speak of unifying the Han and non-Han peoples again?

Even when King Gao was in power in Eastern Wei, he continued to manipulate the power of "separate governance between the Han and non-Han peoples".

On one hand, they told the Xianbei people, "The Han people are your slaves," and on the other hand, they told the Han people, "The Xianbei people are your protectors."

He wanted to keep the Hu and Han people in check so that he could control the situation from the middle.

But Gao Cheng's words were meant to completely break down this barrier and truly integrate the Hu and Han people into one!

This is the dream that so many Han Chinese patriots have been waiting for for decades!

He almost couldn't help but shed tears of emotion, but he held them back and bowed deeply to Gao Cheng again.

This time, however, he was truly convinced: "If Your Highness can truly put this into practice, the million Han people of Hebei are willing to serve you to the utmost. I, Gao Ang, am even more willing to be Your Highness's vanguard, braving fire and water without hesitation!"

Seeing him perform such a grand ceremony, Gao Cheng quickly stood up and stepped forward to help him up personally: "General, there's no need for this. What I've said comes from the bottom of my heart. Since you've been so frank today, I might as well give you some reassurance."

"A reassurance?"

Gao Feng's expression changed: "Why?"

Gao Cheng looked around and, seeing that no one else was around, immediately lowered his voice and said, "To be honest, the reason I went to Ye City is to ensure that Han Chinese and Xianbei soldiers enjoy the same treatment when they join the army."

"From this point on, regardless of whether they are Han or non-Han, all those who enlist will be exempt from taxes and levies, and those who make meritorious contributions will receive the same titles and rewards. This is so that Han Chinese sons and daughters can also be ennobled and appointed as generals based on their military achievements, bringing glory to their families."

"In addition, if Your Majesty launches a western expedition in the future, I will also advise Your Majesty to recommend you as the vanguard general, to lead the Hebei troops and stand alone in command."

"What does the general think of this medicine?"

Upon hearing this, Gao Ang's eyes welled up with tears, and his blood boiled with fervor.

A vanguard general, leading independently, and receiving equal treatment—these were all things he had always dreamed of.

It should be noted that in the past, when King Gao was on campaign, he always relied on the Xianbei cavalry as the main force, with Han Chinese troops mostly serving as auxiliary troops. He never allowed a Han Chinese general to lead an army on his own, let alone treat the Hu and Han soldiers equally.

Gao Cheng's words meant that Han Chinese youths finally had a normal upward mobility channel and would no longer have to be slaves for generations.

He trembled all over, barely able to speak. After a long while, he finally managed to say in a trembling voice, "Is what you say true, Your Highness?"

Gao Cheng replied firmly, "Since I aspire to rule the world, I will never break my promise to the world."

"Okay, okay, okay!"

Gao Feng, upon hearing this bold statement, even exclaimed "Good!" three times.

He then threw his head back and laughed loudly, his voice echoing outside the tent: "Today, I have finally waited in vain. From this day forward, I, Gao Ao Cao, and all the powerful clans of Hebei will follow the Crown Prince's lead without question."

Having said that, he took the wine vessel, filled two large cups, and handed one to Gao Cheng, saying, "Your Highness, please drink this cup to the brim. I and the families of Hebei will never fail you!"

"please!"

Seeing this, Gao Cheng no longer refused, raised his cup and drank with him.

The warm wine, as it entered their throats, transformed into a surge of heroic spirit, stirring the emotions of both men.

A moment later, the two smiled at each other, and all the previous tests and barriers disappeared. The atmosphere of the banquet that followed was extremely harmonious.

Gao Ang pulled Gao Cheng along and talked on and on, from the Rebellion of the Six Garrisons to the Incident at Heyin, from the uprising in Hebei to the great victory at Hanling, he talked on and on.

Gao Cheng would also chime in from time to time, offering insightful and incisive opinions that made Gao Gao admire him even more.

As the wine flowed freely, Gao Cheng suddenly laughed and said, "General, do you still remember when I rode alone into Ji Province ten years ago to persuade them to surrender? At that time, you saw that I was young and wanted to drive me out of your house, saying, 'You're just a wet nurse with barely any hair on your head, yet you dare to come and persuade me to surrender.' Now it seems that you misjudged me, General?"

Gao Ang blushed, scratched his head and laughed, "At that time, I was blind and did not recognize the true talent of the young master. The young master is magnanimous and will not take it to heart."

"However, I still vividly remember the fearless spirit of the young master back then."

"At the time, I thought, this lad is so bold, he's bound to amount to something. And sure enough, just a few years have passed, and the Crown Prince has already taken control of the court, even the King's concubines..."

Halfway through his sentence, Gao Ang suddenly realized he had let something slip, quickly stopped himself, and coughed awkwardly twice.

Gao Cheng: "..."

Yuan Zhonghua: "..."

Liu Taozhi: "..."

An eerie silence fell over the tent once again.

After a long pause, Gao Cheng twitched his lips and said irritably, "General, if you're going to drink, then drink. Why bring up those old stories?"

"Besides, it's all a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding!"

Gao Ang nodded hurriedly, laughing it off, "Yes, yes, it's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding. Let's drink, let's drink!"

Gao Cheng rolled his eyes, too lazy to argue with him, and continued drinking.

After several rounds of drinks and several dishes, and as the sun began to set, Gao Cheng decided not to linger any longer.

He then rose to take his leave: "Lord Ao Cao, now that we have eaten and drunk our fill, it is time for me to depart. There are many matters to attend to in Yedu, and I cannot linger any longer."

Upon hearing this, Gao Ang did not try to stop him, and nodded, saying, "Very well, I will see the young master out of the camp."

The two walked out of the central command tent side by side, where the convoy outside the camp was already fully prepared and ready to depart.

Gao Yang stopped in front of the carriage and said with concern, "Young Master, in Ye City, people like Sun Teng and Sima Ziru are all cunning and treacherous. They are usually corrupt, lawless, and engage in factionalism. As the young master is in charge of all affairs in Ye City, you should be careful."

"If needed, just send someone to deliver a message to me, and I will lead the men of Hebei to their aid day and night."

"Don't worry, Lord Ao Cao, I know what I'm doing."

Gao Cheng nodded and helped Yuan Zhonghua into the carriage.

Gao Ang clasped his hands in a fist salute again, and said no more.

"Let's go!"

Liu Taozhi sat on the carriage shaft, shouted loudly, and the carriage slowly started moving, driving out of the military camp.