The third emperor of the Sui Dynasty

Chapter 182 Passing the position (recommended for collection)

Tianshui County, Shangyu
Xue Rengao worriedly took his younger brothers Xue Renyue, Chu Liang, and Zong Luohou into the Western Qin Palace. After winter last year, Xue Ju, who had suffered a lot, suddenly fell ill. Famous doctors and precious medicine stones were used, but he did not get better.

After Xue Ju was defeated by the coalition forces of Li Yuan and Li Gui, although under the alliance of Fang Xuanling, he launched the three-family attack on Tang Dynasty, but his vitality has not recovered. Although he currently occupies Tianshui County, Longxi County, Jincheng County, Gouhan County, Water River County, Xiping County, Heyuan County, Xihai County, and Lintao County, but the land is vast and sparsely populated, money and food are insufficient, and replenishment of troops has become a big problem.

Due to the lack of military resources, Xue Ju could only conscript more than 20 Qiang and Tuyuhun soldiers into the army, but his army strength still did not exceed 20, which was a full reduction of one-third compared with the [-] army in his heyday. as many as one.However, the troops were supplemented, but because they were plundered by Li Shimin, they had no food to support the army. Although they bought [-] shi from the Sui Dynasty, it was only a drop in the bucket.

What made Xue Ju even more troublesome was that he recruited Tuyuhun and other aliens as soldiers, so that the Tuyuhun forces rose rapidly in the territory. Under the ebb and flow, they changed from a minority to a dominant tribe, and the aliens were cruel in nature and plundered the local Han people. The common people abound and happen from time to time, but in order to appease the army, Xue Ju can't do business.

Moreover, because most of the border counties under Xue Ju ruled, and the local folk customs were tough, the Han people living here for generations were full of blood, and they were bullied by foreigners. Without fair treatment and no hope, Longxi County, Jincheng County, The Han people in Gouhan County, Piaohe County, and Xiping County moved to Huining County and Wuwei County in the Sui Dynasty, while the Han people in Tianshui County, Lintao County, and Tianxia fled to Hanyang County, Dangchang County, and Hechi County in Li Tang. Although the county is not as empty as ten rooms, it is not much better. What makes Xue Ju even more horrified is that not only the Han people fled in all directions, but also the Han officials and soldiers left without saying goodbye.

In just a few months, the Han people, soldiers, and courtiers have shrunk by [-] to [-]%. What makes him even more desperate is that Hao Yuan, his mastermind who planned many major battles, tried to persuade Xue Ju to no avail, and became angry. Disappointed, Guayin left without knowing what to do.The sight of the tree falling and the monkeys scattered was like the end of the world, which made Xue Ju worry too much and couldn't afford to get sick.

Xue Ju's illness made everyone in Xiqin feel like the sky was falling. Xue Rengao asked the doctor worriedly: "Father's condition..."

"I've tried my best. Your Highnesses and the General came just in time. Your Majesty is summoning you for something important!" The doctor sighed and left the palace.

"But my son is here?" Seemingly hearing a voice, Xue Ju's weak voice came from the bedroom.

"It's a child!" Xue Rengao felt a pain in his heart, and brought his brother and two senior officials into Xue Ju's bedroom.

The haggard Xue Rengao took a few steps forward and held Xue Ju's hand, and said in a low voice, "Father, my son is here."

"I wanted to delay it for a few more years, but now it seems that my time has come and my life is not long!" Xue Ju panted and laughed.

"Father, stop talking nonsense. Father is the pillar of our Western Qin Dynasty. How can we say such a thing? We are still waiting for you to lead everyone to rejuvenate the Western Qin Dynasty." Xue Renyue's eyes were slightly red, tears rolled in his eyes, and his voice become hoarse.

"Zhongxing Xiqin? Hehe...God will give omens when people are about to die. I can't wait, I can't wait!" Xue Ju swallowed hard, turned his head to look at Chu Liang and Zong Luohu and said, " While Ximing (Chu Liang) and the general are both here, I want you to be witnesses!" He tremblingly put the box containing the printed ribbon by the bedside on his chest, and called: "Yue Er !"

Xue Renyue's heart beat wildly, and his breathing became a little faster, but he quickly suppressed the excitement in his heart, didn't go to pick up the box, took a deep breath, and knelt down on Xue Ju's bed , saying: "Father!"

A strong unwillingness flashed in Xue Rengao's eyes. A few days ago, his father said that he was a fierce general who charged into battle without a trace of management talent, so he suddenly decided to hand over the great cause to his second brother Xue Renyue. Can't stand it.

"I'm dying, time is short! Today it was decided that Yue'er will succeed me. The future of Western Qin will depend entirely on Yue'er." Xue Ju said with difficulty, holding Xue Renyue's hand.

Xue Renyue hastily said: "Father, my elder brother is brave and good at fighting, my son is brave enough to accept this great position, please take back his life, my son is willing to devote his whole life to assist elder brother, and help us west Qin Jiangshan."

"In a prosperous age, my mantle should be inherited by Gao'er, but the main problem of my Western Qin Dynasty now is internal troubles. Gao'er can rule the world, but his temper is too impatient. If he passes the throne to Gao'er, this bad chess will only It will be worse and worse, and Gao's strategy and city government are not enough to compete with Yang Tong, Li Yuan, Li Gui and other princes. No other intention, but for my Xue family inheritance!" Xue Ju sat up with the support of the two brothers.

"This..." A look of hesitation flashed across Xue Renyue's face.

"Your Highness, please don't refuse!" Zong Luohu knelt down and bowed solemnly to Xue Renyue.

"Your Highness, please put the overall situation first."

Chu Liang couldn't help closing his eyes. He was very resistant to Xue Ju's decision. Xue Renyue was certainly more suitable to be the heir than the simple-minded Xue Rengao, and he had the strong support of General Zong Luohu, but Xue Rengao had always been the 'prince', and he would follow suit. With Xue Ju criss-crossing the battlefield, holding the [-]-strong army of the Western Qin Dynasty in his hands, and Xue Renyue had no achievements in the army, Xue Ju suddenly lost his elders and established his younger ones. Can Xue Rengao be reconciled?Can Xue Renyue tolerate his illustrious elder brother?
This is simply the cause of internal fighting. I am afraid that once Xue Ju dies, the two brothers will start fighting.

At this moment, Chu Liang had a very unpleasant feeling.

But what can Chu Liang say?what can be done
"Baby... because of my father's wrong love!" Xue Renyue's tears remained, and he knelt beside Xue Ju, weeping bitterly, and said in a hoarse voice: "Father, don't worry, as long as the baby is alive, I, Xiqin, will not perish!"

"Get the seal!" Xue Ju took a deep breath, and handed the seal ribbon to Xue Renyue.

"Here!" Xue Renyue did not refuse this time, and took the seal with both hands solemnly.

"I see the king!" Xue Rengao, Zong Luohu, and Chu Liang saluted Xue Renyue.

"Let's step back first, I still have something to say to Gao'er and Yue'er." Xue Ju looked at this scene with satisfaction, and smiled.

"Obey!!" Zong Luohou and Chu Liang retreated.

(End of this chapter)