My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Xiao He's lips curled up slightly, a smile playing on his lips, a smile that held a deeper meaning.

He knew Zhao Yun very well.

Zhao Yun's name is renowned for its loyalty and bravery.

Despite his loyalty and bravery, Zhao Yun was by no means the kind of person who was blindly loyal.

He possesses exceptional intelligence and keen insight, and he is not blindly obedient; he has his own independent thinking and judgment.

Liu Shan, as the crown prince, had many obvious flaws.

These flaws may be overlooked or concealed by others for various reasons, but Zhao Yun, with his ability and insight, could see them clearly.

As the saying goes, "those who share the same ideas and beliefs" means that when he and Zhao Yun have the same judgment about Liu Shan, then the matter is already half successful.

Xiao He looked at Zhao Yun and slowly spoke:
"Yes, what Zilong said is exactly what I was thinking."

"Back then, His Highness the Crown Prince's dementia suddenly disappeared. During that time, his words and actions truly made me think that Heaven had blessed our Han Dynasty and given us a wise Crown Prince."

"But looking at His Highness the Crown Prince's behavior now, I'm afraid our initial expectations were just wishful thinking."

"The various problems he has revealed worry me. If one day the Crown Prince inherits the Han Dynasty, I am truly afraid that our Han Dynasty will follow in the footsteps of the Qin Dynasty..."

Xiao He paused deliberately at this point, leaving his words unsaid, but his meaningful gaze and tone clearly conveyed his unfinished thoughts to Zhao Yun.

Zhao Yun felt a sudden chill run down his spine upon hearing Xiao He's words.

He could naturally understand that Xiao He's implication was that he was worried Liu Shan would become a foolish and incompetent ruler like Qin Er Shi, and that the Han Dynasty would follow in the footsteps of the Qin Dynasty and perish in a short period of time.

Thinking of this, Zhao Yun felt a strong sense of mission welling up in his heart.

He devoted his life to serving his country with loyalty and righteousness. How could he sit idly by and watch the Han Dynasty perish after only two generations, just like the Qin Dynasty?

After a moment's thought, Zhao Yun's expression turned extremely serious, and he said solemnly:
"Grand Marshal, it was you and us loyal ministers and righteous men who assisted the emperor through countless battles and hardships that enabled the Han Dynasty to be restored."

"Countless loyal and righteous people have even sacrificed their lives for the sake of the Han Dynasty."

"Now, how can we sit idly by and watch it perish after only two generations?"

"Grand Marshal, we both receive the emperor's salary and are his trusted ministers. We must do something and not just stand by and watch the emperor's foundation be destroyed."

Under Xiao He's guidance, Zhao Yun's words finally began to touch on substantive content.

This was exactly what Xiao He wanted to do.

But he didn't rush to express his opinion; instead, he sighed softly.

"Back then, I was just a country bumpkin. Fortunately, the Emperor recognized my talent and entrusted me with important responsibilities, which gave me the opportunity to fight alongside heroes like you, to help the Emperor wipe out the bandits and revive the Han Dynasty."

Xiao He slowly recalled the bits and pieces of the past, and then said:

"Of course I don't want to see our great Han Dynasty, which we have finally revived, follow in the footsteps of the Qin Dynasty, which perished after only two generations."

“That would be a dereliction of duty on our part as ministers, a disloyalty to the emperor, and a betrayal of the people.”

After his impassioned speech, Xiao changed the subject:
"But now, the position of Crown Prince has been decided. This is a fait accompli, and we cannot easily change it. What can we do if we worry in vain?"

"Can our worries alone change the Crown Prince's character?"

Xiao He shook his head, feigning helplessness.

He still did not reveal his intentions to Zhao Yun.

This matter is of great importance, and given his status and position, he must be the backbone of the faction that opposes the removal of the crown prince.

Once you take action, you risk your life and fortune; there's no turning back.

Therefore, he needed Zhao Yun to express his opinion first and confirm Zhao Yun's determination before he could respond. After hearing Xiao He's words, Zhao Yun fell silent.

After pondering for a long time, Zhao Yun's eyes gradually became firm, and he seemed to have made a decision in his heart.

After a long pause, he took a deep breath and said seriously:

Throughout history, countless people have served as crown princes, but being a crown prince does not necessarily guarantee that one will inherit the throne.

"In history books, there are countless examples of how many crown princes failed to ascend the throne due to their own lack of virtue or various unforeseen events."

"Grand Marshal, since the Crown Prince is incompetent, we cannot sit idly by!"

"We can submit a memorial to the Emperor, truthfully explaining all the problems with the Crown Prince, and request that the Emperor choose another virtuous prince to be the Crown Prince!"

"Only in this way can we ensure the stability of the Han Dynasty and prevent it from collapsing after only two generations!"

"I urge the Grand Marshal to prioritize the well-being of the nation and its people, and not to stand idly by!"

Xiao He was startled. He slowly turned around and looked at Zhao Yun with admiration.

He truly deserves the title of Zhao Zilong of Changshan; his loyalty, bravery, and righteousness are unparalleled. When the country is in trouble, he is truly willing to step forward.

To be honest, Xiao He admitted that as a time traveler, although he also had a sense of national responsibility, his first consideration was self-preservation.

For example, back then, he was taken in by Guan Yinping and brought back to Fancheng. During his time in Fancheng, he remembered Lao Liu's kindness and generosity, so he decided to assist Lao Liu.

His choice to assist Lao Liu was primarily based on Lao Liu's benevolence and righteousness; following Lao Liu would ensure a peaceful end and a safe retirement.

Therefore, he tried his best to avoid getting involved in matters such as choosing a crown prince.

Why? It's all to avoid taking sides, to avoid offending anyone, and to ensure that no matter who becomes the future emperor of the Han Dynasty, they can remain invincible.

However, Zhao Yun was different.

Zhao Yun was a loyal and devoted minister.

Throughout his life, he was loyal and righteous, and always had the country in his heart.

In his heart, there was only the rise and fall of the Han Dynasty, and the safety of the nation.

For the sake of the Han Dynasty, he was willing to sacrifice his own life!

Therefore, Zhao Yun dared to bluntly propose to Xiao He that the crown prince should be replaced before Xiao He had made a clear statement.

It should be noted that Zhao Yun took a huge risk in doing this.

What if Xiao He objects and tells Liu Shan about it?
Zhao Yun had essentially offended the crown prince in public.

If Liu Shan were to successfully ascend the throne in the future, given his ruthlessness, he would certainly not let Zhao Yun off the hook.

It won't just be Zhao Yun who dies; the entire Zhao family might be in danger of losing their lives.

Thinking of this, Xiao He felt deeply admiring of Zhao Yun's spirit of sacrificing himself for the country and disregarding his own life, while also feeling ashamed of his own inferiority.

Faced with Zhao Yun's frankness, Xiao He felt that if he continued to beat around the bush, he would appear petty.

Moreover, he originally intended to win over Zhao Yun and have him join his team to depose the crown prince.

So, Xiao He took a deep breath, cupped his hands in a respectful gesture towards Zhao Yun, and said solemnly:

"What Zilong just said has struck a chord with me."

"May I ask Zilong, are you willing to join forces with me, Xiao He, to depose Liu Shan as Crown Prince and choose another virtuous prince for our Han Dynasty to serve as heir apparent?" (End of Chapter)