My father, Gao Huan, is an invincible prince!

Chapter 11. Favoring one's relatives and neglecting meritorious officials will surely chill the

As soon as Gao Yang said this, all the nobles in the hall stood up and echoed his words.

In an instant, congratulatory voices rose and fell in the hall, and the atmosphere became even more enthusiastic.

Gao Huan looked around and, seeing no one objecting, nodded in satisfaction: "Since everyone agrees, this matter is settled. Once the army has returned to camp and settled down, and all affairs in Jinyang are completed, I will send Prince Cheng to Ye."

After saying that, he turned his gaze to Gao Cheng beside him and asked, "Zihui, what do you think?"

This was an opportunity that Gao Cheng had been longing for, so why would he refuse it in the slightest?

He immediately rose from his seat, bowed deeply to Gao Huan, and declared loudly, "Your Majesty's command is my only obedience; I would go through fire and water without hesitation."

Seeing that he agreed readily, Gao Huan nodded again and said, "Good!"

He then gestured for him to return to his seat and instructed him, "In that case, at today's victory banquet, all of you gentlemen have fought bravely and shed blood on the battlefield for our Gao clan. You shall stand on my behalf and offer a toast to all the meritorious officials present."

Upon hearing this, Gao Cheng knew perfectly well that Gao Huan was paving the way for him, allowing him to get acquainted with these people beforehand.

Without hesitation, he replied, "Yes!"

He immediately turned around, took the wine ladle from the servant's hand, and ordered someone to bring over a bronze wine vessel, preparing to distribute the wine to everyone.

Seeing this, the atmosphere in the hall suddenly became even more lively.

Some were expectant, some scrutinizing, some indifferent, and some waiting to see him make a fool of himself—the range was vast and countless.

Gao Cheng, holding the ladle, wasn't in a hurry to distribute the wine.

He first looked around, taking in the expressions of everyone present, and then, after secretly memorizing their reactions, he smiled and said to the waiter beside him, "Come with me."

Having said that, he strode over to Huli Jin's seat.

Hulü Jin was Gao Huan's top general, leading the Tiele tribe. He had a distinguished military record and was known as the "God of Arrows".

Gao Cheng walked up to him and first filled the wine cup in front of Huli Jin with a ladle.

He then ordered the waiter to fill a cup, which he then picked up himself.

He then raised his cup to eyebrow level and said with a smile, "Lord Hulü is mature and prudent. The Gao family will always remember your merits in the northern expedition. This cup is a toast to you!"

Seeing that the Crown Prince was personally pouring the wine, Huli Jin did not act presumptuously.

He quickly rose, holding the cup with both hands: "Your Highness is too kind; this old minister is unworthy of such praise."

"General, you are too modest."

Gao Cheng smiled and clinked glasses with him, then tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp.

Huli Jin also drank the cup to the brim, and his gaze toward Gao Cheng showed a newfound intimacy.

Gao Cheng didn't say much, just nodded to him and turned to the next seat.

This man, named Gao Ang, courtesy name Ao Cao, was the most formidable figure among the powerful Han Chinese in Hebei.

He was exceptionally brave and skilled in battle, and was known as "Xiang Ji reborn" by his contemporaries.

He and his brother Gao Qian had led an uprising in their early years, but later surrendered to Gao Huan and became one of Gao Huan's most valiant generals.

Gao Cheng walked up to him and said with a smile, "I have long heard that General is the bravest in the army and the most imposing in Hebei. In this northern expedition against the Jiehu, General took the lead in the battle and killed the chieftain. His merit is the greatest, which is truly admirable."

"This cup is offered to General Cheng Jing, hoping that one day on the battlefield, you will again serve the country."

Upon hearing this, Gao Ang showed a rare hint of shyness.

He immediately rose, raised his cup with both hands, nodded, and said, "Your Highness flatters me. I am unworthy of such praise. I will certainly live up to Your Highness's expectations on the battlefield in the future."

After saying that, he downed the wine in one gulp and then grinned at Gao Cheng.

He was known throughout the world for his arrogance, yet he held a degree of genuine respect for this Crown Prince Go.

There was no other reason than that Gao Cheng was only ten years old at the time, yet he dared to go to Hebei alone to persuade his brothers to surrender.

That courage, that sharp tongue—even now, thinking about it still makes him feel lingering fear.

Gao Cheng finished his drink, nodded to him in acknowledgment, and then continued to offer toasts to the next person.

When it came to Lou Zhao, Duan Rong, Dou Tai, Liu Gui and other men of great military merit, they all dared not be presumptuous, and rose to reciprocate, praising the Crown Prince for his magnanimity.

Gao Cheng also nodded humbly and said little.

The remaining guests, even if they were not entirely convinced by the fact that the young master had taken over the family business at the age of fifteen, all maintained a high level of respect on the surface.

The atmosphere suddenly turned cold when the salute was presented to She Digan, Wei Jing, and Hou Jing.

All three men made no attempt to hide their dissatisfaction, staring intently at Gao Cheng.

When Gao Cheng approached, She Digan stopped him from pouring wine and said in a deep voice, "Please drink slowly. I have a question that I hope Your Highness will answer."

Gao Cheng stood still, holding the wine cup, his expression calm, and bowed slightly, saying, "Uncle, please speak freely."

She Digan asked, "May I ask, Your Highness, His Majesty previously ordered you to oversee all matters related to welcoming the Emperor. Today, at the long pavilion to greet the Emperor, why are you nowhere to be seen? Furthermore, at the victory celebration banquet, you also arrived late. Why is that?"

Gao Cheng remained expressionless and said with a smile, "Uncle, please calm down. This is my fault. I was slightly unwell and was unable to personally welcome you. I have already gone to the King to apologize."

She Digan snorted, but remained unrelenting: "Fine, this might be forgivable."

"However, in the order of toasting, why does the Crown Prince not first toast our relatives and elders, but instead first toast the generals from other clans? Does the Crown Prince consider us, his own flesh and blood, less important than outsiders?"

Upon hearing She Digan's words, Wei Jing and Hou Jing looked at Gao Cheng with ambiguous smiles, for these two were also close friends with Gao Huan.

Like She Digan, Wei Jing was related to Gao Huan by marriage. Wei Jing was Gao Huan's brother-in-law, while She Digan was Gao Huan's sister's husband. Although Hou Jing did not marry into the Gao family, he was Gao Huan's childhood friend and one of the largest shareholders of the Gao family.

Therefore, when She Digan asked this question today, it was less about interrogating and making things difficult for Gao Cheng, and more about forcing Gao Cheng to express his opinion and distinguish between him and the others.

At the same time, Gao Huan, who was in the main seat, also saw the dispute on this side.

But he didn't say anything to stop them; he just tapped the table lightly with his fingertips, watching them with interest.

Because he also wanted to see how this bastard, who usually explodes at the slightest provocation, would handle things today.

Will they turn on each other as usual, or will they be able to salvage the situation?

Gao Cheng met the curious gazes of the crowd and instantly understood Kudiqian's intention.

Therefore, he remained completely calm, simply picked up the wine cup, filled it for him, and then slowly said, "Uncle, you are mistaken."

She Digan frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"

Gao Cheng smiled and said, "That is precisely why I have left all the elders behind to pay my respects."

She Digan exclaimed in astonishment, "What kind of twisted logic is this?"

"Uncle, please listen to what I have to say."

Gao Cheng smiled and said slowly, "Gentlemen, you are my elders, and we are all of the same blood as the Gao family, sharing both honor and disgrace. Even if I have made a minor mistake, you will surely forgive and teach me. How could a slight delay in drinking a cup of wine cause any resentment?"

She Digan opened his mouth as if to speak, but had nothing to say.

When Gao Cheng spoke of this, his voice softened slightly.

He then raised his voice and addressed the crowd, saying, "However, the meritorious officials present here are different. They all risked their lives for the Gao family, braving danger and facing near-death experiences."

"As the eldest son of the Gao family, if I were to prioritize personal relationships over the loyalty of meritorious officials, wouldn't that discourage brave warriors? If trouble were to arise on the battlefield in the future, who would be willing to die for the Gao family?"

After saying that, he paused, looked at She Digan, and asked with a smile, "Uncle, do you think this makes sense?"