Chapter 6: The Family Banquet

“Big Brother! Big Brother!”

At dusk two days later, a finely dressed youth with narrow eyes knocked on the doors and windows. A nearby attendant paced anxiously but dared not intervene, for the youth was Gao Shaode, the younger full brother of the Crown Prince.

Receiving no response for a long time, Gao Shaode grabbed the attendant. “What is Big Brother doing now? Kang Huer isn’t here either. Could it be that Big Brother has already left the palace for a banquet? Are you lying to me?”

“Your Highness, absolutely not!” The attendant was drenched in sweat. “Since yesterday, the Crown Prince has been locked in his room. Unless he can fly, he must be inside. I heard he’s writing some kind of ‘novel’…”

“A novel? What is that?”

Gao Shaode frowned, his eyes darting. Suddenly, he had an idea. He called for the attendants to line up, then raised his foot, preparing to kick the door open together and surprise Big Brother.

“Your Highness, this isn’t appropriate… for the Crown Prince…”

“What’s inappropriate about it! Just follow my lead. If anything happens, I’ll take responsibility. Kick!”

No sooner had he spoken than the door abruptly swung open, revealing a towering, muscular man who looked down at them coldly.

He easily caught Gao Shaode’s right leg, preventing him from falling flat on his face, but the others were not so lucky—they tumbled in a heap at the threshold, wailing in pain.

The scar across the man’s eye and his indifferent gaze sent a chill through Gao Shaode. “K-Kang Huer! How are you here?”

Kang Huer was the bodyguard assigned by the Emperor to protect Big Brother.

At a banquet once, to test Kang Huer’s loyalty, the Emperor even ordered Gao Shaode to strike Big Brother three times. Gao Shaode, slightly drunk and following the Emperor’s command, had stood up and gone forward, only to be caught by Kang Huer and thrown back into his seat.

Gao Shaode was the Emperor’s second legitimate son. The Crown Prince Gao Yin was reserved by nature, so Gao Shaode acted recklessly, idolizing the Emperor and growing increasingly brazen, becoming a notorious troublemaker in Ye City.

It wasn’t until he met Kang Huer that he realized someone truly disregarded him, and he had no way to counter him, since Kang Huer was assigned to Big Brother by the Emperor. Thus, Gao Shaode behaved more cautiously around Kang Huer and developed a certain respect for Big Brother.

Gao Shaode found it strange; Big Brother generally disliked this rough barbarian and only kept him close by the Emperor’s orders, usually having him wait outside the room. That was why Gao Shaode thought Big Brother had already gone out. Yet today, Big Brother had actually let him inside?

Kang Huer said nothing, releasing Gao Shaode’s leg and stepping aside slightly. Gao Yin stepped out from beside him.

“Oh, isn’t this Shaode? You have time today and decided to visit your Big Brother?”

Big Brother had never spoken to him like this before. When Gao Shaode had greeted their mother that morning, she said Big Brother had changed somewhat. At the time, Gao Shaode hadn’t believed it, but now he was beginning to doubt.

Gao Yin waved his hand, and the attendants scrambled away. He walked side by side with Gao Shaode, Kang Huer following closely behind.

Kang Huer was carrying some sheets of paper and wooden boards—apparently the so-called “novel.” Gao Shaode grew curious. “Big Brother, what are those?”

“Oh, those are things that can bring wealth and prosperity.”

Gao Yin’s words puzzled Gao Shaode. They were already part of the royal family; why would they lack money?

From Gao Yin’s perspective, they were indeed short of funds. The expenses of the Gao household alone were a heavy burden for the Qi Kingdom.

Their Emperor father was the primary culprit, having constructed artificial mountains and lakes east of Ye City, built three grand terraces—Golden Phoenix, Sacred Response, and Revered Light—and erected a 1,500-li Great Wall. He also aided Wang Lin and Xiao Zhuang in resisting the Chen Kingdom to the south, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and warhorses. Coupled with numerous military encampments and the bustling officialdom, these factors collectively drained the treasury.

Faced with such circumstances, Gao Yang had decided to reduce the stipends of civil and military officials, cancel daily provisions for soldiers, and merge offices at the provincial, prefectural, and county levels, cutting many positions. Even the Chongzhen Emperor had not dared such measures. This contributed to the widespread corruption in Qi.

Another driver of corruption was the royal clan. With the Emperor leading by example, other princes, led by Henan Prince Gao Xiaoyu, lavishly built rear gardens and water halls. This trend spread nationwide, fueling a culture that opposed integrity and encouraged corruption.

Moreover, the Xianbei bandits in Jinyang cared little for propriety or honor. Indulging in luxurious attire, fine wine, and beautiful companions was their lifelong pursuit. They feasted and danced aboard the great ship of Qi Kingdom, oblivious to the people below who risked drowning.

For a foolish ruler driven only by desire, money was never scarce. Exploiting and plundering beneath was enough to remain worry-free.

But for a monarch like Gao Yin, who aspired to achieve greatness and reverse historical tragedies, not only was money scarce, so was capable manpower.

With wealth, one could recruit soldiers, attract talents, and deal with the two imperial uncles before they staged their coup.

This draft of “Romance of the Three Kingdoms” was his first step in monetizing knowledge.

“Big Brother, let me see it!”

Gao Shaode reached out eagerly.

Gao Yin said only, “This is for Father’s eyes first. If he dislikes it, I may tear it up.”

Gao Shaode withdrew his hand sheepishly. “Big Brother, you’ve been working on this the past two days? It’s not like me to say, but Father doesn’t care for such literary pursuits. Today is a family banquet; if you present this, you might get a cold reception.”

There were many royal banquets, but not too many. Everyone hoped to shine before the Emperor and earn rewards. Though all five brothers were princes, none would turn down more territory or wealth.

Gao Yin smiled quietly, which only irritated Gao Shaode further, and they fell silent.

In Gao Yin’s memory, Gao Shaode’s future looked bleak.

Gao Yang liked to beat his younger brothers, and when Gao Shaode was around, he never took pity, letting the others be beaten. For this, Gao Zhan bore a grudge against him.

Later, when Gao Zhan ascended the throne, their mother Li Zuo’e was forced into sexual servitude by Gao Zhan. At first, she resisted, but Gao Zhan threatened to kill Gao Shaode if she refused, and she was compelled to comply.

When Li Zuo’e became pregnant, Gao Shaode wished to see her, but she dared not meet him. He shouted at the palace gate, “Don’t you know I’m your son? You only avoid me because your belly is swollen.” This hurt her deeply. After giving birth to Gao Zhan’s daughter, she strangled the infant.

Furious, Gao Zhan declared, “If you kill my daughter, I will kill your son.” He seized Gao Shaode in the palace. Gao Shaode begged for mercy, but Gao Zhan scolded him, “You never helped me when I was beaten.” Then he killed him.

Since Gao Yin had come into this world, such tragedies would no longer occur. Yet Gao Shaode’s temperament revealed much: born into privilege, lacking empathy. If Gao Yin secured the throne, Gao Shaode might well become another Gao Yan or Gao Zhan.

Fortunately, Gao Shaode was only twelve and could still be guided. Brothers in this world included Gao Yang and Gao Yan, as well as Ji Fa and Ji Dan. As eldest brother and with a scoundrel father, Gao Yin bore an undeniable responsibility to educate his siblings.

If he could cultivate Gao Shaode into a talented and loyal prince, it would not only solidify his position but also set a strong example for others in Qi.

Not just Shaode, but Shaoyi, Shaoren, and Shaolian could all be united under him to help govern Qi. The five brothers living well together was paramount.

If, in the future, any signs of trouble appeared, he could deal with it as Liu Chang once did.

The two proceeded to the Sacred Response Terrace, one of the three grand terraces their father had built, lavish to the extreme, where the family banquet was held. Passing the Qianxiang Hall, the attendants reported that officials had just been given a banquet there not long ago.

Near the Sacred Response Terrace, they happened upon Yang Yin, arriving from the Divine Tiger Gate.

Yang Yin was also attending the family banquet because he had married Gao Huan’s daughter, Princess Changyuan, Gao Jing. Technically, Gao Yin should address him as uncle-in-law.

Though a prince, Yang Yin was both prime minister and elder. Gao Yin and Gao Shaode bowed to him, and Yang Yin returned their salute. The three entered the Sacred Response Terrace together.

Unlike the usual riotous feasting, today’s court music and dance were divided into sections, like different halls in a modern exhibition.

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