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

Zhao Yun's heart skipped a beat, as if a huge stone had been thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples.

Immediately afterwards, an uncontrollable look of surprise appeared on his face.

Xiao He's answer was completely beyond his expectations.

Recalling that past event, when Liu Bei wanted to establish a crown prince, he solemnly asked Xiao He for his opinion several times.

Each time, Xiao He politely declined.

Everyone knew about this matter at the time, and everyone understood that Xiao He was intentionally keeping himself out of it and did not want to get involved in the vortex of establishing a crown prince.

After all, the matter of establishing a crown prince involves a wide range of issues, concerning the change of power within the royal family, and behind it lies the open and covert struggles of various forces.

When Zhao Yun frankly told Xiao He about his thoughts, he didn't actually expect Xiao He to agree immediately.

He knew Xiao He's way of dealing with people and had even prepared a whole speech in his mind, intending to continue to patiently persuade him after Xiao He politely declined.

He thought that even if Xiao He didn't agree at first, as long as he reasoned with him and appealed to his emotions, there might still be a chance to change things.

To everyone's surprise, Xiao He agreed without hesitation.

Not only did he agree readily, but his words also suggested that he had long intended to depose Liu Shan.

"Grand Marshal, do you perhaps already have the idea of ​​deposing the Crown Prince?"

Zhao Yun suppressed his inner joy and tried his best to make his tone sound calm, but his slightly trembling voice still betrayed the turmoil in his heart.

Xiao He nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing on his face, seemingly containing endless profound meaning.

“Zilong, if you, Zhao Zilong, can see what kind of person our Crown Prince is, how could I, Xiao Heqi, not see it?”

"Although this great Han dynasty is ruled by the Liu family, it was also established by you and me through our selfless dedication and tireless efforts in assisting the emperor."

"Back then, we followed His Majesty in conquering all directions, going through countless life-or-death battles, to finally gain half of the Han Dynasty's territory today?"

"Even if I, Xiao He, am the most prudent person to protect myself, how can I stand by and watch this cause be destroyed while I remain aloof from the world?"

Upon hearing Xiao He's words, Zhao Yun suddenly understood and felt a great weight lifted from his shoulders, as if a huge boulder had been removed from his heart.

He breathed a long sigh of relief.

What is Xiao He's identity?
That was the Grand Marshal, a pivotal figure in the Han Dynasty, wielding immense power.

What kind of wisdom and strategy does he possess?
With him in charge, there's nothing in this world that can't be accomplished.

Back then, Cao Cao led a million-strong army, poised to conquer the world. But under Xiao He's meticulous planning, that million-strong army was annihilated in the blink of an eye.

Now, in Zhao Yun's view, removing a crown prince is naturally no big deal.

Zhao Yun immediately felt relieved and asked with delight:
"Grand Marshal, tell me, when shall we submit a memorial to the Emperor to depose the Crown Prince? I, Zhao Yun, will follow your lead without question."

At this moment, Zhao Yun's eyes were filled with eagerness and anticipation, wishing he could immediately put the matter of deposing the crown prince into action and remove obstacles for the future of the Han Dynasty.

Xiao He remained calm and composed, speaking slowly and deliberately:
"Zilong, think about it carefully. Although the emperor is willing to accept advice, he is still the emperor, and we are still his subjects."

"Since ancient times, there have been strict boundaries in the relationship between ruler and subject, which are red lines that cannot be crossed."

“Unless the emperor intends to consult us, the matter of establishing a crown prince has always been decided solely by the emperor. How can we, as subjects, take the initiative to submit a memorial requesting the emperor to depose the current crown prince and establish a new one?”

“Even if it’s not about protecting oneself, this is not the way of a subject.” Hearing Xiao He’s words, Zhao Yun suddenly realized.

His mind was racing with thoughts.

A ruler is a ruler, and a subject is a subject; this is an unchanging truth throughout the ages.

Even if a monarch readily accepts advice and allows his subjects to offer loyal counsel, there is still a red line to be drawn.

Establishing a successor is one of the red lines.

If the position of crown prince is vacant, you can make suggestions on who should be made crown prince, because at this time the successor to the throne has not yet been determined, and all parties have the right to express their opinions.

However, the position of Crown Prince has already been decided. Unless the Emperor himself intends to depose the Crown Prince and actively seeks your opinions, you cannot take the initiative to advise me to depose the Crown Prince.

This is a sign of respect for the monarch's authority, and also the duty of a subject.

Although Zhao Yun was upright, loyal, and straightforward, he was not stupid; he understood this principle.

He nodded slightly, his eyes revealing understanding and agreement, and then asked:

"The Grand Marshal's words are reasonable. In your opinion, how should we depose the Crown Prince?"

Xiao He gazed toward Chang'an, his eyes deep and distant.

“The crown prince should naturally be deposed, but we can’t be the ones to bring it up. The emperor has to have this idea first and ask us what we think.”

"Moreover, this matter concerns the foundation of the nation and is of utmost importance. If the foundation of the nation is shaken, the country will be unstable. Therefore, it is not enough for just the two of us to have this idea; more colleagues need to reach a consensus."

"Especially my father-in-law, and the two Generals of the Cavalry, you know their status in the court and their influence before the emperor."

"This can only succeed if we get their support."

Zhao Yun nodded repeatedly.

Xiao He meant that it was not possible to rely on the strength of one or two people, but to unite the majority of the court officials and form a cohesive force.

Changing the subject, Xiao pointed west, his expression turning serious:

"Moreover, the most important thing now is to wipe out the false Wei and unify the world."

"Wei still exists. Even if we want to depose the crown prince, we cannot let it jeopardize our great cause of destroying Wei and delay state affairs!"

"Destroying Wei is our most important task at present. If we are distracted by the matter of deposing the crown prince and cause the great cause of destroying Wei to be thwarted, then we will be sinners against the Han Dynasty!"

Zhao Yun's body stiffened, and he immediately said solemnly:
"The Grand Marshal is right. Whatever we do, we must not let it affect the grand plan to destroy Wei, otherwise we will be sinners against the Han Dynasty!"

"Destroying Wei is a mission we must accomplish with all our might and at all costs."

Xiao He's expression returned to normal, and a faint smile reappeared on his face:
"So, we can't rush this; we have to take it one step at a time."

"What I mean is, we should destroy Wei while subtly using various methods to make the emperor gradually see the true colors of the crown prince and develop the idea of ​​deposing him."

"For example, we can let the emperor know at the appropriate time and by the appropriate means that the crown prince had the intention of burying the surrendered soldiers alive in Puban, and so on."

"However, we cannot be too obvious, lest we arouse the Crown Prince's suspicion and make the Emperor think that we did it on purpose."

"Once the Emperor sees the Crown Prince's true colors and is utterly disappointed in him, and decides to depose him, then we can join forces with like-minded colleagues, give him a little push and icing on the cake, and the matter of deposing the Crown Prince will be a natural outcome, won't it?" (End of Chapter)