My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 361 Establishing a New Emperor
Luoyang.

Heba Yue, Heba Sheng, Li Hu, Dugu Xin, Yuwen Tai and others gathered together.

They had all followed Erzhu Tianguang into Guanzhong to quell the rebellion. After receiving their respective rewards, Erzhu Tianguang gathered them in Yongzhou under the pretext of congratulating Erzhu Rong on being granted the Nine Bestowments. After that, they came to Luoyang.

Along the way, they also learned various kinds of news.

"No wonder they summoned us to Luoyang so hastily; isn't this just to detain us?"

Hebasheng was furious. They were being held captive in Luoyang, their lives hanging in the balance at Erzhu Rong's mercy. In such an insecure environment, people's emotions were more volatile than usual.

Because there's a knife hanging over my head, I don't know when it will fall and I'm constantly filled with anxiety.

Heba Yue glanced at his elder brother and advised, "Brother, be careful what you say."

After looking around, Li Hu said, "Actually, it may not be a bad thing. For us, it may be a golden opportunity to take another step forward."

Hebasheng retorted, "What do you mean? The Prime Minister has committed regicide, making him a traitor whom everyone condemns. If we help him, wouldn't that be aiding and abetting evil?"

Li Hu shook his head and retorted, "Those who knew are all dead. The Prime Minister can simply insist that he did not do it. Don't forget... His Majesty and the Empress have a young son."

"The so-called righteous cause—whoever wins holds the righteous cause in their hands!"

"The imperial authority of the Great Wei Dynasty has long been lost. How many people in this world are still willing to serve the Great Wei Dynasty?"

The Northern Wei was not the Han Dynasty.

For four hundred years, the Han Dynasty nurtured scholars, so even after the chaos caused by Dong Zhuo and the fact that Emperor Xian of Han later became a puppet in Cao Cao's hands, many aristocratic families still admired the Han Dynasty. Whenever Cao Cao encountered difficulties on the front lines, something would always go wrong in Xuchang.

The most typical example is that after Guan Yu flooded the seven armies, a rebellion broke out in Xuchang immediately. Many ministers who admired the Han Dynasty planned to take the emperor and flee south to join Guan Yu.

To the Central Plains, the Wei royal family was a "foreign race," and their relationship with Han Chinese aristocratic families was more of a cooperative one.

First, Empress Dowager Hu's own outrageous actions greatly damaged the dignity of the royal family, and then Erzhu Rong trampled the royal family's dignity into the ground. Everyone knew in their hearts that the fate of the Great Wei Dynasty was sealed.

Ambitious individuals strive to become their own power and contend for the world, while most aristocratic families merely observe and wait to see who will become the next ruler of the world before placing their bets and investments.

"If the Prime Minister could swiftly march north to Hebei and quell He Liuhun as he did with Ge Rong, then... Mo Heduo would be left to fend for himself alone in Shandong."

Hebasheng was taken aback, then asked in return, "Do you dare to lead your troops to fight against Mohedu?"

Li Hu paused.

Yuwen Tai suddenly spoke up, saying, "Even the Overlord was brave, but he was besieged at Gaixia. No matter how brave Mo Heduo is, he is only one person. How can he resist with just a corner of Shandong?"

Everyone has different expressions.

What Yuwentai said was indeed correct. On the battlefield, an individual's bravery may determine the outcome of a battle, but it cannot reverse the overall situation.

"Although Shandong is a prosperous land, its geographical advantages are not as good as Guanzhong, and it has no natural defenses... Why did the Prime Minister disagree when His Majesty wanted Moheduo to enter Guanzhong? Wasn't it to guard against this day?"

Guanzhong is indeed the most suitable place for separatist regimes, but it is currently in the hands of Erzhu Rong.

To put it bluntly, even if Erzhu Rong's campaign was unsuccessful, he could retreat to Guanzhong and hold his ground, thus ensuring his own invincibility!

"You idiot, say something!"

Hebasheng then looked at Hebayue and urged him on.

"I also feel that now is our opportunity."

"The Prime Minister has always been wary of us from the Six Garrisons, yet he still values ​​and promotes us? Does he really trust us?"

Hou Mochen asked with a hint of doubt.

"This time, that time."

Heba Yue shook his head. "Before, when the world was not in great chaos, it was understandable that the Prime Minister suppressed us and made good use of the incompetent Erzhu clan. But now... he can't afford to lose, so he will naturally be bold in using us. We should thank He Liu Hun."

By taking the soldiers of the Six Garrisons away, Gao Huan was actually helping Heba Yue and his men in a roundabout way.

The troops of the Six Garrisons were a hot potato for Erzhu Rong. He couldn't control the Erzhu clan members, and he didn't trust the people of the Six Garrisons.

If Gao Huan takes him away now, it's actually good news.

In Erzhu Rong's eyes, Heba Yue and others had lost their 'foundation'. Without a foundation, they could not threaten Erzhu Rong and would even have to rely on him.

Dugu Xin, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up, "Why can't we go and seek refuge with He Liuhun and Mo Heduo?" "Qimi, I know you admire Mo Heduo, and I also have great respect for him, but... what place is there for us by Mo Heduo's side?"

Heba Yue pointed out the most crucial point.

“Mo Heduo is already surrounded by Han Chinese noble families, and He Liu is surrounded by Huai Shuo people. Even if we go to seek refuge, we will have to be subordinate to them.”

"However... those around the Prime Minister are all incompetent fools, we will surely be given important positions!"

They all risk their lives for a better future.

Whether it's Gao Yu or Gao Huan, it's obvious to the naked eye that even if they make great contributions under their command, when it comes to rewards, the lion's share won't go to them.

The situation is different for Keerzhurong.

Erzhu Rong has lost his sense of righteousness, and his Erzhu clan members are not capable of being of great use. In order to win them over, we will surely offer them high-ranking positions and generous salaries and give them important positions.

Dugu Xin shrugged, but did not refute it; the reasoning was not complicated.

This is just like dividing up mutton.

The best parts of the cattle and sheep that Gao Yu and Gao Huan slaughtered were all taken by others, and they ended up eating the leftovers.
"Then we will do our best to serve the Prime Minister in the future."

Heba Yue shook his head.

"Let's wait and see... let's see how the Prime Minister will act next."

"Is it an eagerness to immediately change the dynasty and ascend the throne, or to establish His Majesty's young son as heir to stabilize the situation first, or perhaps..."

"Or what?"

Hebasheng pressed for more information.

Heba Yue didn't finish his sentence, but Yuwen Tai, Dugu Xin, and the others understood immediately.

What will Erzhu Rong ultimately choose?
………………

Inside the residence of General Tianzhu.

Erzhu Rong did not overstep his bounds by moving directly into the palace; instead, he ordered the restoration of order within the palace.

Erzhu Ying'e has successfully given birth to a baby boy, and she is currently in charge of matters in the palace.

"Good, good, good. Yuzhou has been taken. Now... Guanzhong, Shanxi, and Henan are all in our hands."

"Prime Minister! What are you still hesitating for?"

"Emperor Erzhu's youngest son as emperor, then send troops to quell the rebellion. First, go to Hebei and tear that damned He Liuhun to pieces! Avenge the descendants of my Erzhu clan!!"

Erzhu Shilong kept trying to persuade him from the side.

Erzhu Rong remained silent.

At this moment, Prime Minister Wang rushed over, "Prime Minister...the person has been found!"

"Settle them in first."

Only then did Wang Xiang turn and leave.

"Shilong, you should have people make preparations... I intend to establish Yuan Ye, the Prince of Guangchang, as emperor."

"King Guangchang?"

"Correct."

Erzhu Shilong repeatedly advised, "Prime Minister, you should think it over again."

"How can the Guangchang King, who is of a minor branch of the bloodline, command the respect of the people?"

Erzhu Rong had no intention of becoming emperor directly, and he didn't even have the idea of ​​making Yuan Ziyou's youngest son the emperor. Because if he made Yuan Ziyou's youngest son the emperor, Erzhu Rong would be seen by outsiders as the de facto 'emperor'.

Erzhu Rong's current plan is to find another person from the imperial clan to be emperor, citing the fact that Yuan Ziyou's youngest son is too young, while he continues to serve as prime minister. Then, in the name of the new emperor, he will send troops to quell the rebellion.

(End of this chapter)