Han officials

Chapter 301 Political Struggle Is Everywhere
The next day, at the State Affairs Hall.

"Welcoming the emperor to Ye is merely icing on the cake!"

After Xi Zhicai expressed his views, Wei Zhe ordered the discussion to end there.

All the civil and military officials knew that Xi Zhicai was Wei Zhe's most trusted confidant and often represented Wei Zhe's attitude.

Therefore, even if some people are unwilling, they can only give up at this moment.

However, Guo Tu, the initiator, was still unwilling to give up. That night, he went to Wei Zhe's residence and advised him that if he did not welcome the emperor, he should get rid of him as soon as possible to prevent the emperor from being used by others and becoming an adversary of Ye City.

This time, Wei Zhe did not hesitate at all after hearing this. He immediately reprimanded him and punished him by making him study at home for half a year, during which time he was not allowed to participate in the council of the shogunate.

Upon hearing this, Guo Tu hurriedly knelt down, apologized in fear, and returned dejectedly.

But as he watched Guo Tu's hasty retreating figure, a strange look flashed in Wei Zhe's eyes.

In fact, he had considered the method Guo Tu mentioned in private.

There was nothing he could do; the emperor's presence had gradually become a hindrance to him.

If someone else were to gain the emperor's righteousness, it could indeed pose a certain obstacle to his pacification of the realm.

Therefore, he neither flattered the emperor nor allowed anyone else to control him.

But how can this be done?

It seems that letting Liu Xie die is the only feasible solution.

It should be noted that Liu Xie had no children, and his only brother had been poisoned to death by Dong Zhuo.

If the emperor were to suddenly pass away at this time, the Chang'an court would inevitably collapse.

Even if they were to find another member of the imperial family to inherit the throne, it would be impossible for the court to do so given its limited prestige.

To be honest, when this thought popped into Wei Zhe's mind, he was indeed deeply moved.

However, after much deliberation, he ultimately gave up the idea.

The reason is simple: nothing stays hidden forever.

Even though Wei Zhe was 99% certain he could assassinate the young emperor, accidents are ultimately unpredictable.

Once the suspicion of regicide is attached, then evidence becomes irrelevant.

Even if people in that era dared not say it, future generations would still investigate why the young emperor died under mysterious circumstances.

At that time, Wei Zhe will likely be like Sima Zhao, burdened with the crime of regicide for the rest of his life.

Since he himself had murdered the emperor, how could he expect his subjects to be loyal to him even if he later founded a country and became emperor?
How can one correct others if one is not upright oneself?
Are we to expect future generations to say something like, "We humbly acknowledge that the Holy Dynasty governs the world with filial piety"?
If that's the case, then even if Wei Zhe dies, he will be so ashamed that he will have nowhere to hide.

So this move, though seemingly clever, is actually a terrible one.

The political cost he paid was far too high compared to the benefits he gained.

Even if there was only a one in ten thousand chance that the information would be leaked, Wei Zhe was unwilling to take the gamble.

Conspiracies can never be brought to light.

He would rather work hard and win honestly and fairly than resort to underhanded tactics and opportunism.

At this moment, Wei Zhe even began to doubt Guo Tu's motives.

This guy is even willing to do things that defy the world, is it really because of loyalty?
Or perhaps he just wanted to take a gamble and gain some leverage over his own side?
Thinking of this, Wei Zhe suddenly waved his hand, and an ordinary-looking servant walked out from the shadows.

"Go and find out who Guo Tu has met and what they have talked about these past few days."

"Yes!" the man said, and then quietly left.

As a spy for the Public Security Bureau, he naturally had special connections.

Now Wei Zhe finally understands the joy of the Zhu family emperors; it turns out the Embroidered Uniform Guard is so useful.

At present, the Suspended Mirror Bureau is like the Censorate, and the Passenger Bureau is like the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

Wei Zhe usually delegated some of the more clandestine tasks to the Bureau of Personnel.

Aside from lacking the Jinyiwei prison, the methods employed by the Xingrensi (行人司) are increasingly resembling those of the Jinyiwei.

……

The next day, at the Guo residence.

In the study, Guo Tu looked utterly dejected.

"What can be done now that things have come to this?"

Upon hearing this, Xin Ping shook his head firmly and said:
"I am absolutely certain that Duke Wei is not one to be subservient to others; he is a figure like Emperor Gaozu of Han. It is utterly impossible for him to submit to the young emperor in Chang'an!"

"Then why is that?" Guo Tu gritted his teeth and said, "We have all been so open and honest with each other, can't that prove our loyalty?" To be honest, this time Guo Tu really didn't have bad intentions, he was just a little too selfish.

There was no way around it; he was just too eager to improve.

If his previous surrender to Wei Zhe was out of desperation, now it shows he truly admires Wei Zhe.

Even if Yuan Shao were to be resurrected, Guo Tu could still help Wei Zhe deliver the final blow.

After all, with Wei Zhe taking over Yan and Xu provinces, he now controls nearly half of the thirteen provinces of the Han Dynasty.

In terms of population, the number of people under Wei Zhe's rule was nearly 20 million.

With such a vast empire, even if Wei Zhe didn't want to be emperor, his civil and military officials wouldn't agree.

Guo Tu is just a little selfish; he's not stupid.

Having finally gotten into Wei Zhe's car, he certainly wasn't going to be foolish enough to jump out.

But for him, simply not jumping out of the car was not enough; Guo Tu also wanted to move his position further forward.

To this end, he did not hesitate to call on his friends and acquaintances, trying to increase the influence of the Yingchuan gentry in the Yecheng shogunate.

Hmm, this trick does have some effect.

The addition of Zhao Yan, Du Xi, and Fan Qin indeed strengthened the Yingchuan faction.

Unfortunately, Xun You simply ignored Guo Tu's petty schemes and acted entirely in a businesslike manner.

Simply put, Xun You didn't want to get involved with these insects, nor did he need to band together with them.

Xun You's talent alone was enough to earn Wei Zhe's trust and entrust him with important responsibilities.

This deeply hurt Guo Tu, which led to this whole mess.

It should be noted that Guo Tu had thoroughly studied historical records during this period before coming up with the ingenious idea of ​​"holding the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords".

He knew that being too eager for quick success was a bit much, but this tactic did work.

This alone is enough to make Guo Tu take the risk.

You should know that he was originally a surrendered official, and his seniority and merits were no match for those Yuan soldiers from Liaodong.

If he hadn't taken an unconventional approach, he would probably have been suppressed by these Liaodong Yuan soldiers for the rest of his life.

In fact, if Guo Tu had a more impatient ruler, he might have already succeeded.

Unfortunately, he encountered Wei Zhe, a guy who was as steady as an old dog and not in a hurry at all.

Therefore, in his desperation, Guo Tu made that shocking suggestion to Wei Zhe last night.

Of course, Guo Tu did not mention these rebellious words to Xin Ping and the others. He only told everyone about Wei Zhe's punishment of him, so that everyone would understand that Wei Zhe really had no intention of welcoming the emperor.

Upon learning that Guo Tu had been punished by being confined to his residence for half a year, Du Xi and Fan Qin couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed.

After all, if Wei Zhe chose to "hold the emperor hostage to command the feudal lords," then the united front value of these Yingchuan scholars would inevitably skyrocket, since they had many supporters and could influence public opinion.

After a moment, Fan Qin, unable to contain his frustration, loosened his collar and said:
"If this won't work and that won't work, why not just persuade him to take the throne?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Tu and Xin Ping were stunned on the spot, and even Du Xi was dumbfounded.

Upon seeing this, Fan Qin realized he had misspoke and quickly waved his hand, saying, "I was just saying..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xin Ping's eyes lit up and he said:

"No, this method is excellent, and it is timely."

As he spoke, Xin Ping couldn't help but stand up excitedly and pace back and forth, saying:

"No merit is greater than persuading someone to ascend the throne; this is the greatest merit of following the emperor!"

"Even if Lord Wei declines, he will surely remember our attitude."

"When Duke Wei later becomes emperor and establishes a new dynasty, how could he, as the initiator, not have made a contribution?"

Upon hearing this, Guo Tu realized what was happening and his eyes lit up with excitement.

“That’s right. Even if Lord Wei declines and refuses to become emperor, we can still take the lead in accepting the title of king.”

"If we can help Duke Wei establish a royal title, we might be able to establish a national title as well."

“If the name of the country is chosen by us, we scholars from Yingchuan can naturally surpass it and stand on equal footing with the Yuan dynasty of Liaodong, sharing the credit for following the emperor.”

Upon hearing this, Du Xi and Fan Qin finally realized what was happening, and their faces lit up with joy.

So Guo Tu and his team, who had just been frustrated by their failed strategy, were now full of fighting spirit and ready to make new contributions...

(End of this chapter)