Han officials

Chapter 302 No one is a saint
"This Guo Tu..."

In the backyard of the General of the Cavalry's mansion, Wei Zhe was speechless as he looked at the dossier in his hand.

Having ambition is good, but this guy is too ambitious!

He finally understood why many emperors were wise in their early years but became senile in their later years.

Being constantly surrounded by these clever people who flatter you all day long would eventually confuse even a god!

After a moment of contemplation, Wei Zhe considered sending someone to warn Guo Tu, but then hesitated.

After all, persuading someone to ascend the throne is different from welcoming the emperor; if he refuses too firmly, it could easily cause misunderstandings.

Thinking this through, Wei Zhe simply put the case file aside and prepared to see how the outside world would react to the matter.

As expected, the next day, before Xin Pinghua had finished speaking, the Political Affairs Hall was in an uproar.

However, unlike the previous debate over whether or not to welcome the emperor, this time the hall of state was filled with excitement and restlessness.

At this moment, Xin Ping was still excitedly and incessantly speaking:
"...Your Excellency has quelled the rebellion and restored order, your achievements surpassing those of the Three Dynasties; now the Han dynasty has come to an end, and the Mandate of Heaven rests in Ye. If you adhere to minor principles while disregarding the greater good, and abandon the aspirations of millions, it will not be the way to secure the nation... The order of Heaven cannot be without a ruler, nor can the gods and men be without a sovereign... We beseech Your Excellency to follow the will of Heaven and the people, and swiftly assume the throne!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Gao Lan, a surrendered general, was the first to rush forward and excitedly echoed:
"The whole world looks up to you, Your Excellency; if you do not assume the rightful place, we fear we will lose the hopes of the people!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang He hurriedly stepped forward and shouted:
"Your Excellency's virtue matches Heaven and Earth, and your achievements surpass those of Zhou Yi; you are admired by all. If you were not to become Emperor, what would become of the common people?"

Compared to these eager generals who surrendered, Zhao Yun and other veteran generals were a step behind.

In fact, even at this moment, their faces showed more astonishment than excitement.

Because they hadn't received any prior notice of this persuasion, they felt completely caught off guard.

It's not that they oppose Wei Zhe becoming emperor, but shouldn't they be informed beforehand about such an important matter as urging him to ascend the throne?
Before these Liaodong Yuan generals have even spoken, why are these surrendered officials so agitated?
With the atmosphere already so high, Zhao Yun and the others naturally wouldn't let the team down.

As Taishi Ci, Zhao Yun, and others stepped forward, the atmosphere in the hall became even more heated.

However, Wei Zhe looked around and found that most people still seemed somewhat lost.

Furthermore, there were slightly more military generals urging him to ascend the throne than civil officials, and people like Tian Feng remained completely silent.

Seeing this, Wei Zhe, who had probably completed his initial assessment, realized that it wasn't time to act yet.

"My virtue is shallow; how could I dare to have such a thought? Please, gentlemen, do not harm me!"

Having said that, he turned his face to Xin Ping and rebuked him:
"Who are you, and how dare you speak of the emperor's supreme position?"

"Where are the guards? Take them away, deduct a year's salary, and confine them to the mansion for three months to study diligently."

Seeing Wei Zhe deal with Xin Ping so decisively, the heated atmosphere in the hall suddenly turned cold.

After all, there are specific methods and procedures involved in the three refusal and three concessions, and even the political terminology used in the refusal is carefully chosen.

Wei Zhe's actions clearly indicate that he was not playing the trick of declining three times.

However, Xin Ping, the person involved, was not afraid. He readily apologized and left with the guards.

In any case, he has already obtained the political capital he wanted.

As the first minister to urge him to ascend the throne, this great feat would stay with him for the rest of his life.

If any ordinary Liaodong Yuan general dared to talk about seniority in front of him, Xin Ping could now completely ignore them.

However, although Xin Ping left, the preparations of the Yingchuan faction went far beyond that.

Just when the other civil and military officials thought that the grand show had come to an end, Fan Qin suddenly stepped forward.

He solemnly said with a dignified expression:
"Please forgive my boldness, but my words may be offensive, though they are not without merit."

"Your Excellency is benevolent, wise, and martial, possessing extraordinary talent. In the past, when Dong Zhuo disrupted the government and threatened the state, Your Excellency again appointed generals who, with the courage of dragons and the strength of tigers, decisively defeated the traitor Dong Zhuo, recovered the old capital, eliminated the scourge for the people, and restored the Han Dynasty, allowing the Liu family to continue their ancestral rites. You have rendered great service to the Han Dynasty!"

"When the various nomadic tribes of the grasslands moved south, the nine border prefectures were in imminent danger, and the Han territory stretched for thousands of miles, smoke of war was everywhere. Your Excellency raised a large army again, marched north from Lulong, and swept across the borderlands. In the Battle of Langjuxu Mountain, you personally donned armor and risked your life. After several such battles, you finally defeated the fierce and ugly nomadic tribes, pacified the northern frontier, raised your banners for thousands of miles, and restored the divine might of the Central Plains!"

At this point, Fan Qin even became emotional, with tears welling up in his eyes, and said:

"Throughout history, no minister has ever achieved such merit in governing the world. And no one who has achieved such merit has ever remained a minister for long. Now, Your Excellency is ashamed to have not done enough good; this is the ultimate expression of virtue."

"However, given your merits and achievements, you are now merely ranked alongside marquises and generals. Is this what the world desires?"

"If we place these two side by side, it's like comparing Mount Tai to a hill; how can we possibly discuss them on the same level?"

"Although Your Excellency possesses great power and virtue, you have not established a firm foundation, which makes people doubt you on important matters. This is something we must seriously consider. I have received extraordinary favor from you in all these matters, and I dare not fail to report them."

"Now that Xuzhou has been subdued and Yanzhou is under our control, it is truly appropriate to follow the ancient ways and establish a five-rank feudal system to align with the principles of Heaven!" The so-called five-rank feudal system is actually the same as the idea of ​​granting titles of nobility.

According to the Book of Rites, the Zhou Dynasty had five ranks of nobility.

The ranks are Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, and Baron.

Fan Qin's words were an advice to Wei Zhexian to follow the principles of Heaven and the wishes of the people and establish a duchy.

For example, the states of Song and Guo in the early Western Zhou Dynasty were among the ducal states.

It must be said that Fan Qin truly deserves his reputation as a master of writing; this remonstrance, written while staying up all night, was by no means hasty.

Even the veteran officials of the Han Dynasty who had previously felt somewhat lost now deeply agreed with his reasoned and persuasive advice.

Even Guo Yuan, Xi Zhicai, and Xun You, who had previously thought Xin Ping and the others were just fooling around, couldn't help but nod slightly.

Hua Xin, who had just been transferred back to the shogunate to serve as the Director of Agriculture, couldn't help but step forward and second the motion:
"Your words are truly excellent. I, a humble servant, dare to speak presumptuously, but given your virtue, Your Excellency, you are worthy of the honorific title of 'Duke of Qi'!"

Unexpectedly, his words displeased many people in the hall, including those from Youzhou and even Jizhou.

Simply put, these Hebei officials disliked the title "Duke Qi".

Tian Chou, a native of Youbeiping, immediately stepped forward with a furrowed brow to object:

"The title 'Duke of Qi' is a bit too narrow-minded; it would be better to use the honorific 'Duke of Yan,' which would be much more grand!"

Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials from Youzhou nodded repeatedly.

However, while they were satisfied, the Yuan followers from Qingzhou felt offended.

What does it mean to be somewhat narrow-minded?
How could Qingzhou be considered narrow-minded?
Wasn't the State of Qi much stronger than the State of Yan during the Spring and Autumn Period?
If we're talking about stinginess, then "Lord Yan" is truly the stingiest!
Furthermore, some of the civil and military officials in Hebei were also dissatisfied with Tian Chou's words, since Ji Province was not within the territory of Yan State.

For a time, some people suggested that he be given the honorific title "Duke Zhao", since they were all from the land of Yan and Zhao!
Thus, the Hebei civil and military officials, who had just been united in their hatred of the enemy Yuan Cong of Qingzhou, suddenly turned against each other.

Looking at the chaotic scene below, Wei Zhe's eyes were deep, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

Only after he had observed the attitudes of all the officials towards this matter did Wei Zhe suddenly say:
"Those who establish the five ranks are sages. How could I, a mere subject, bear such a responsibility?"

After saying this, Wei Zhe ignored the crowd below and turned to leave on his own.

Upon seeing this, Fan Qin was overjoyed, knowing that he had made the right bet.

Wei Zhe's actions clearly indicate that he is going through the process of three resignations and three concessions.

Many officials present realized this, and the crowd dispersed with their own thoughts.

However, after returning to their residence, Fan Qin, Xin Ping, and the others, having regained their senses, were somewhat troubled.

They did not expect that even though they had caught everyone off guard, there would still be many difficulties in the matter of "granting an honorific title". The Liaodong Yuan Cong and the Hebei scholars were still fixated on this achievement.

It is said that Fan Qin originally envisioned the title "Duke Han".

Because during the Warring States period, Yingchuan was the core territory of the State of Han, and the capital of Han was originally located in Yangdi.

After conquering Han, the First Emperor established Yingchuan Commandery in the former territory of Han, with its capital still in Yangdi.

However, Fan Qin's idea was promptly rejected by Xin Ping, Guo Tu, and others.

Even though they quite liked the title "Lord Han," it really had nothing to do with Wei Zhe.

After some discussion, they finally reached a consensus and decided to bestow upon him the honorific title "Duke of Jin".

Firstly, it is because Yingchuan County was originally part of the former territory of the State of Jin, and it was a famous city of Jin before the division of Jin into three states.

If Wei Zhe were to use "Duke of Jin" as his title, then these people would be considered one of his own.

Secondly, Wei Zhe's current territory largely overlaps with that of the Jin state.

If Wei Zhe were to use "Duke of Jin" as his honorific title, it would be reasonable and justifiable.

However, after witnessing the debate during the day, Fanqin and the others suddenly felt immense pressure.

Thinking of this, the group had no other choice but to rack their brains to figure out how to refute the views of the Hebei scholars and the Yuan dynasty officials from Liaodong.

Meanwhile, back at his residence, Wei Zhe did not summon anyone. He simply gazed at the bamboo outside the window for a long time without saying a word, seemingly not very happy...

(End of this chapter)