My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 275 General Tianzhu

Yuwen Luosheng's fate was already sealed.

Regardless of whether Yuan Ziyou wanted to win him over, in Erzhu Rong's eyes, Yuwen Luosheng was doomed to die.

Erzhu Rong knew very well that the people under his command who were most likely to cause trouble were the people of the Six Garrisons, and he had to guard them closely. Yuwen Luosheng's resume was there for all to see, and even if he had not offered any strategies to Ge Rong, Erzhu Rong would still kill him.

There is no better person to make an example of than Yuwen Luosheng.

Inside the Taiji Hall, the tense atmosphere between the emperor and the prime minister made it somewhat somber for a moment.

Especially with the emperor's gloomy face, who would dare to go out and provoke him?
Yuan Ziyou was no longer just a mascot; the battle of Luoyang truly established the emperor's authority.

A moment of silence.

Gao Yu stepped forward again, while everyone else remained on the sidelines.

"Your Majesty, Prime Minister, this humble general has something to say."

A hint of joy flashed in Yuan Ziyou's eyes, while Erzhu Rong remained expressionless.

"General of Chariots and Cavalry, you might as well speak frankly."

“Yuwen Luosheng’s crimes deserve to be punished, but the Yuwen family has guarded the borders of the Great Wei for generations. Yuwen Luosheng’s father and elder brother were killed by the rebels. I hope Your Majesty will redeem his son and brothers so that the Yuwen family line will not be cut off.”

With someone taking the lead, Heba Yue and the others also stood up and echoed him.

When Wu Chuan broke through the siege, they had indeed received favors from the Yuwen family.

Even if we can't save Yuwen Luosheng, we should at least ensure that his family line continues, so that the family line doesn't completely die out.

Yuan Ziyou was filled with disappointment. He had thought that Gao Yu was speaking up for Yuwen Luosheng out of old friendship, but he had been excited for nothing.

Erzhu Rong then revealed a slight smile. As long as Yuwen Luo was dead, his brothers and offspring posed no threat whatsoever.

“General of Chariots and Cavalry is indeed a man of loyalty and righteousness. What you say makes a lot of sense. The crime lies with Yuwen Luosheng alone. We should only execute him. His brothers and children can be pardoned without charge.”

"Then let it be as the Prime Minister says."

After discussing the punishments for those who instigated the rebellion, the main event began: rewarding those who had contributed to the cause.

Erzhu Rong remained silent at this point.

With just a wink, Erzhu Shilong stepped forward and bowed.

"Your Majesty! This time, the Prime Minister quelled the bandits in Hebei, capturing the bandit leader and his princes alive... Your Majesty should reward him handsomely. In my opinion, the Prime Minister's military strategy is divine. The bandits in Hebei, who have been a headache for the imperial army, were easily wiped out by the Prime Minister. At present, there are still many rebellions in our Great Wei territory that have not been quelled, which is because the generals are incompetent."

"I propose that the Prime Minister be promoted to Grand General, to control all the troops in the land, so that he can command them and quell the remaining rebels."

The Chancellor was the head of all officials and wielded immense power. So much so that several emperors from Emperor Wu onwards in the Western Han Dynasty tried to limit the Chancellor's power by changing the Grand Commandant to the Grand Marshal and the Imperial Censor to the Minister of Works. However, this had little effect, and the titles of Minister of Works and Grand Marshal became honorary titles.

It can be said that the position of prime minister is often accompanied by the emergence of powerful ministers.

The prime minister can oversee the affairs of the three dukes, and the Grand Marshal, one of the three dukes, is the highest-ranking official in charge of the central military.

The so-called "Grand General" and "Commander of the Army" seem more like a pointless and unnecessary undertaking.

Yuan Ziyou hadn't yet figured out how to answer.

Erzhu Shilong then spoke again, "Such rewards cannot adequately reflect the extraordinary merits the Prime Minister has achieved!"

"Your Majesty proposes that, in addition to bestowing the title of Grand General, Your Majesty should also grant the Prime Minister the privilege of not having to bow when entering the court, not having to name him when being praised, and being allowed to wear a sword and shoes in the palace, as in the story of Xiao He. Furthermore, Your Majesty should grant the Prime Minister the Nine Bestowments. Only such an honor can be worthy of the Prime Minister's outstanding achievements!"

Yuan Ziyou's face immediately darkened.

Is this the place where he's waiting?

Like the story of Xiao He?
It's probably like the story of Cao Cao.

Is the next step to force himself to write an abdication edict, so that Erzhu Rong can rightfully replace him, ascend the throne, and completely change the dynasty?

They experienced the events of the Cao Wei period.

This series of rewards was the final step before the usurpation of the throne.

Are you already itching to become emperor?

Unfortunately, no one was able to stand up and refute it!

Erzhu Rong has already reached the top!

Whether it's official rank or noble title, his time as a subject has come to an end.

But this time, his achievements were indeed remarkable. Ge Rong ascended the throne and became emperor, ruling over a country, while Er Zhu Rong's achievement was the destruction of that country!
Refusing to reward merit won't silence public criticism. But this reward...

Everyone knows the heart of Sima Zhao.

"Your Majesty! You are a wise ruler, how could you mistreat those who have rendered meritorious service?"

Erzhu Shilong was aggressive, but Erzhu Rong remained silent like an old monk in meditation, as if he had no such idea at all and that it was his subordinates who insisted on giving him this treatment.

Yuan Ziyou slammed his hand on the imperial desk in front of him.

There was a bang.

To everyone's surprise, Yuan Ziyou forced a smile and spoke.

"It's not that I'm stingy, but that I don't want the reputation of a loyal minister of the Great Wei like the Prime Minister to be tarnished."

"What do you mean? I hope Your Majesty will enlighten me!"

Yuan Ziyou said, "Gentlemen in the hall, you must have read the history books. Who among those who were granted the Nine Bestowments did not bear the infamy of usurping the throne and betraying their lord? The Prime Minister is a loyal minister of our Great Wei. How could he have any thoughts of usurpation?"

The bestowal of the Nine Bestowments was indeed a reward from the emperor to his ministers.

but……

Both Cao Pi and Sima Zhao insisted on going through this process before usurping the throne, so much so that bestowing the Nine Bestowments was a very standard procedure for usurping the throne.

"How can I allow future generations to regard the Prime Minister as a usurper?"

"Indeed... the Prime Minister's merits deserve a reward!"

"A pillar of the nation like the Prime Minister has made outstanding contributions!"

"I have already decided on the reward for the Prime Minister!"

"The Prime Minister shall be granted the title of Grand General of the Heavenly Pillar, and shall not be required to bow upon entering the court, nor be named during ceremonies, and shall be allowed to wear a sword and shoes in the palace, just as Xiao He was!"

"Does Your Excellency have any objections?"

Erzhu Shilong was at a loss for words.

When I discussed this with Erzhu Rong beforehand, I didn't mention that Yuan Ziyou would do this.

He stood there, stunned, stammering and losing his composure.

Granting him the Nine Bestowments was his bottom line.

There's nowhere left to seal off?

Then let's just create an official position out of thin air.

Sikong Yangchun and the others immediately exclaimed, "Your Majesty is wise!!"

Upon seeing this, Erzhu Rong's eyes flashed with disappointment. He couldn't personally speak about bestowing the Nine Bestowments; doing so would be beneath him.

But he is not in a hurry.

We really can't push Yuan Ziyou too far right now.

But just as he was about to express his gratitude...

Yuan Ziyou spoke again.

"Speaking of meritorious service, the General of Chariots and Cavalry has also made outstanding contributions this time."

"Three thousand defeated three hundred thousand, relieving the siege of Luoyang! Such a feat deserves a great reward!"

No one spoke.

It was as if Gao Yu had already been a General of Chariots and Cavalry.

But everyone knows...

Yuan Ziyou will certainly not let this go so easily.

Just when everyone thought Yuan Ziyou was about to announce the rewards directly.

Yuan Ziyou deliberately kept everyone in suspense.

"Ever since the General of Chariots and Cavalry decisively defeated 300,000 enemy troops, I have often dreamt of the ancestors of my Great Wei Dynasty..."

(End of this chapter)