Red Mansion: Seizing Jiangdong, starting with pirates

Chapter 224: Conferring the Nine Gifts

"No!"

As expected, Yu Lian stood up.

"According to the ancestral system of our dynasty, those who are granted fiefs are not granted the title of king, and those who are granted the title of king are not granted fiefs. Although Duke Yonghuai has made special contributions, Your Majesty has granted Suzhou and Huizhou to him to show his kindness. How can you break the laws of our ancestors and disrupt the order of the country?"

Fang Yong glanced at Yu Lian briefly after hearing this, but didn't care.

Yu Lian is loyal to Da Xi.

But unfortunately, his own strength is no longer enough to turn the situation around.

The reason why Fang Yong spared Yu Lian's life was, on the one hand, because Yu Lian had some good reputation among the people and killing him would cause discussion; on the other hand, because Yu Lian was in charge of the research and development of Daxi's firearms, those grassroots craftsmen respected him very much and it was not easy to kill him.

In addition, Yu Lian has no followers and no military power. He is alone and can hardly pose a threat to the other side.

There is no need to kill such people.

As for the fact that he spoke out to stop him from being crowned king, Fang Yong didn't need to say anything himself, as there were great scholars who would argue for him.

The Minister of Rites Meng Shen stood up directly.

This man is a great scholar in the country, a disciple of Confucius, and is best at betrayal.

Now that Fang Yong has gained control of the world, it is no surprise that he came over to join him.

Meng Shen refuted Yu Lian confidently:
"Taifu, what you said is wrong! The ancestral system is the foundation of the country, and it is intended to protect the country and the people, and to prosper the country. Now General Fang has saved the country from decline and stabilized the world. If we don't make him a king, how can we show his merits and virtues?"

Yu Lian angrily retorted:

"Your Majesty has already been conferred the title of Duke of Yonghuai on the two states of Su and Huizhou. Now that he has taken over Shandong and Zhili, if he is conferred the title of King again, how will the country's order be preserved?"

Meng Shen said:
"Why not? Although the matter of conferring the title of king violates the ancestral system, it is actually a move to conform to the times and safeguard the country. How can we be like the Grand Tutor, who is corrupt and ignorant, sticks to the old ways and does not respond to changes in the times?"

Assistant Minister Meng Liang chimed in:
"General Fang drove out the Tartars and stabilized the country. He has made great contributions to the world. Now he is the King of Wu. He deserves the title!"

The Minister Gao Jing was even more shameless and stepped forward and said:
"Not only that, Your Majesty should also grant General Fang a crown with nine tassels, a yellow axe, and command of all the ministers to honor his merits. He should be allowed to enter the palace with a sword and shoes, and should not need to kneel when entering the court, and should be given the courtesy of being praised and bowed without being named."

Upon hearing this, Yu Lian glared at Gao Jing, and was so angry at his shamelessness that she was speechless.

The other officials all shouted at the same time:

"Your Majesty, please confer the title!"

Emperor Longqing looked at the ministers kneeling below and felt a huge sense of powerlessness.

Throughout history, there has never been a person who has been treated like this and has not usurped power and rebelled.

It is impossible that His Highness and his officials were unaware of this, yet they still forced the emperor to abdicate...

Could it be that Daxi would perish at his hands?

"Perform...

Emperor Longqing uttered two syllables weakly; he had already lost all his strength.

Fang Yong smiled faintly and declined three times.

Finally, after everything was done, he smiled and accepted the throne, saying:

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty."

Emperor Longqing said bitterly:
"King Wu, there is no need to be so polite. If you have something to say, please report it. If not, leave the court."

Fang Yongdao:
"I have an important matter to report to Your Majesty."

Emperor Longqing didn't know what Fang Yong wanted to do, but no matter what Fang Yong wanted to do, he was powerless to resist and could only say:

"What is your business, King Wu, please speak."

Fang Yongdao:
"The palace where your majesty lives was once occupied by the Tartars. The Tartars are treacherous and must have left spies among them. To protect your majesty's safety, I ask your majesty to re-establish the Jinyiwei to protect the safety inside and outside the palace."

When Emperor Longqing heard this, he knew that Fang Yong was looking for an excuse to send people to monitor him. With the crime of "grassland spy", Fang Yong could arrest anyone he wanted in the future.
But he had no way to resist, so in order not to humiliate himself, he had to obey:

"Approved. Do you have any candidates for the commander of the Royal Guard?" Fang Yong said:
"My brother Li Ni is loyal to the country and can serve as the commander of the Jinyiwei."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Longqing had no choice but to agree.

Fang Yong said again:

"Although the world is stable today, the nine provinces are still turbulent, and there are countless uprisings and rebellions. In order to protect the peace of the country, I request Your Majesty to build a small courtyard in the Qianqing Palace, set up a military council, and select eight loyal ministers to serve as military ministers to stabilize state affairs."

Aircraft Department!
As soon as Fang Yong finished speaking, all the ministers in the court looked over at once.

There are no mediocre people who can enter the court, Fang Yongyi said, and they instantly realized that this so-called Military Affairs Council was the second cabinet.

Now that Emperor Longqing has become a puppet, the original cabinet is naturally useless. If you want to enter the center of power again, you have to enter the Grand Council!

Emperor Longqing could roughly see Fang Yong's intention at this time, but he was powerless to resist and could only let it go. He cooperated with Fang Yong and said:

"What the King of Wu said is very true. I wonder who is loyal enough to be the Minister of Military Affairs?"

Fang Yong heard this and replied:

"Wu Yuan and Zhai Xun are loyal to Your Majesty and have made great contributions in the battles against the Tartars. They can be appointed as military ministers."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Longqing couldn't help but glance at Wu Yuan and Zhai Xun.

Wu Yuan and Zhai Xun smiled "kindly" at Emperor Longqing.

Emperor Longqing had no idea what loyalty these two men had, but since Fang Yong said so, he had no choice but to agree.

Fang Yong said again:
"Xue Ao and Jia Yucun are equally loyal to Your Majesty. Although they did not kill the enemy in front of the battlefield, they made contributions in the rear. They can be appointed as ministers of military affairs."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Longqing agreed again.

Fang Yong spoke again, and this time he turned around and looked at the ministers in the court.

Upon seeing this, the officials of Daxi immediately looked excited.

It looks like the remaining positions are theirs!
Fang Yong glanced at the ministers, and finally fixed his gaze on Guo Bai and Cui Shu, and said:
"Guo Bai and Cui Shu, these two have always been loyal to Your Majesty, they are the pillars of the country, Your Majesty's left and right arms, and can be ministers of military affairs."

Guo Bai and Cui Shu were overjoyed when they heard this.

Emperor Longqing was so angry that he gnashed his teeth.

If he hadn't been deceived by these two treacherous villains, how could he have fallen to this state today?

Looking at the happy faces of Guo Bai and Cui Shu, Emperor Longqing wished he could tear them apart with his bare hands.

"Yes, it is allowed."

Emperor Longqing said through gritted teeth.

Anyone could hear the dissatisfaction in his tone.

Fang Yong didn't care about Emperor Longqing's little mood. He talked about the last two places.

"As for the last two..."

Fang Yong paused for a moment, looking at the excited ministers in the hall, Fang Yong said:

"Your Majesty, I am still a subject after all, and it is not my place to make the decision on your behalf. I will leave the final two spots to you gentlemen to discuss and decide!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Longqing looked at Fang Yong and couldn't help cursing in his heart.

Why am I still a subject and cannot make decisions on behalf of Your Majesty?

It would be inappropriate for Your Majesty to decide on eight people. Why don't you decide on six?
Bastard, bastard, traitor, Wang Mang and Dong Zhuo!
Of course, he only dared to say these words in his heart.

He still said very respectfully:

"The King of Wu is selfless and impartial, which comforts me greatly. I will leave it to you all to recommend. The King of Wu and I will make the decision together at the next court meeting. Is that okay?"

Fang Yong said: "Your Majesty is wise."

(End of this chapter)