My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 409 The Ancestral Laws Cannot Be Changed!
Cui Li's voice wasn't loud, but it was like a thunderclap from a clear sky, leaving everyone with a look of astonishment.

Sima Ziru showed no outward reaction, but was equally astonished.

King?

Currently, those who still hold the title of prince are all members of the Yuan clan, and the only prince of a different surname is Erzhu Rong, the "Prince of Taiyuan".

Despite Gao Yu's high position as a minister.

General of the Heavenly Strategy, Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, Grand Chancellor of the Eastern Route, and Commander-in-Chief of the military affairs of seven prefectures: Xu, Yan, Qing, Nanqing, Guang, Ji, and Qi. He wielded immense power and absolute authority, making it impossible for the imperial court to extend its reach into the entire Shandong region and surrounding areas. Gao Yu was, in effect, the 'local emperor' of that region.

However, in order to prevent Gao Yu from ending up like Erzhu Rong, where he made great contributions but was "unable to be rewarded", Yuan Ziyou wanted to prevent Gao Yu from ending up in a situation where he could not be rewarded.

He was quite cautious about Gao Yu's title.

During the reign of Emperor Xiaowen, clear regulations were made regarding the titles of nobility. The five-rank system of nobility established at the beginning of the Great Wei Dynasty was restored, and clear limitations were set. The scope of the title of king was fixed, and only the direct descendants of Emperor Daowu Tuoba Gui could obtain the title of king. The descendants of those who obtained the title but were not direct descendants of Tuoba Gui could also inherit the title.

but……

Each generation lowers the rank of nobility by one level, until it eventually reaches the lowest rank of viscount, at which point it stops decreasing.

It's somewhat similar to a titled version of the Edict of Grace.

In addition, there is a distinction between real and nominal titles of nobility.

A title granted with real fiefdom includes a fief, providing real benefits and economic privileges.

A nominal title does not include a fief; it is merely a nominal honorary title, similar to a bestowed honorary title.

Those who were granted a real fiefdom became the founding county marquises, while those who were granted a nominal fiefdom were simply marquises.

In public, everyone may respectfully address the two people as "Lord XX," but everyone knows the real difference between them.

Gao Yu's current title within the Wei system is only the Earl of Zhoucheng County.

Above that, there are three ranks: king, duke, and marquis.

Yuan Ziyou had a good plan: when the time was right, he would promote Gao Yu to a noble title, and after Gao Yu helped him completely quell Erzhu Rong, he would then make Gao Yu a king.

But clearly, before Yuan Ziyou could even start showing off his skills, he had already died prematurely.

Cui Li's outrageous demands aimed to elevate Gao Yu's title to the very top in one fell swoop.

Yuan Xiu squinted, his heart filled with extreme anger!
OK OK.

You don’t even act anymore, right?
A single great victory would grant him the highest possible rank and make him a king.

If we win against Erzhu Rong.

Should I make room for Gao Yu and simply hand over the imperial throne to him?

"Isn't this... a bit too sudden?"

Yuan Xiu suppressed his anger and said in a deep voice, "General Tian Ce has indeed made great achievements, but the war is not over yet, and the traitor Er Zhu Rong still occupies Luoyang. Isn't it a bit too hasty to confer titles at this time?"

Yang Yin stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty!"

"Now that the country is in peril, it is General Tian Ce who has led the army to hold on with great difficulty. Now that he has made such a contribution and relieved the country's worries, shouldn't he be rewarded?"

"To fail to reward merit is surely disheartening for the general."

Yuan Xiu was somewhat embarrassed, but he still gritted his teeth and said, "I am also thinking about the reputation of General Tian Ce."

"The greatest credit for this battle naturally belongs to General Tian Ce, but his generals and soldiers also fought bravely. However... no documents have been sent back from the front, so I have no idea how many people have made contributions. If I were to reward only General Tian Ce, wouldn't that discourage his soldiers? Wouldn't they think that General Tian Ce has taken all the credit and glory for this battle?"

"If the soldiers become disloyal and disloyal because of this, wouldn't that be giving that traitor Erzhu Rong a free ride!"

Yuan Xiu became increasingly convinced of his own reasoning, his voice grew louder and louder, and his aura suddenly surged forth, "The best course of action is to wait until the war is over and then reward all those who have made contributions all at once!"

Yang Yin shook his head and said with a serious expression, "Your Majesty...you are wrong."

"The entire Tian Ce Mansion, from its military officers to its soldiers, is hoping that the general will receive an honor from the imperial court. Such an honor is what everyone desires!"

"Otherwise, why would I have rushed here to see His Majesty at this time?"

They made their statement definitively shut it down.

The people of Tian Ce Mansion definitely want Gao Yu to 'improve' as soon as possible, don't they?

This means that Erzhu Rong has not yet been pacified. If the news is that Gao Yu has already pacified Erzhu Rong, then it's not as simple as just granting him a title of king.

That means being granted the title of king and receiving the Nine Bestowments—all of that.

Once the situation has stabilized, the next step will be to write the abdication edict, followed by three requests and three refusals.

Yuan Xiu's eyes seemed to be spitting fire, and his face was clearly filled with anger. He looked around at the ministers in the Taiji Hall, hoping that a loyal minister would stand up and give him a scathing rebuttal.

however……

Yang Yin was merely a registrar in the Tian Ce Mansion, yet no one dared to stand up and refute him!

Instead, they all lowered their heads, and a few even seemed eager to push things along at this moment, as a way of pledging allegiance to Gao Yuna.

"Judging by the time, the general should have already led his troops to confront Erzhu Rong again. I hope Your Majesty will issue the decree as soon as possible..."

"If the general's decree of bestowing a title upon a king can reach the front lines, it will surely boost the morale of the soldiers, unite them as one, and help the general quell the rebellion of Erzhu Rong!"

Snap!
Yuan Xiu leaned forward, like a tiger descending a mountain, and slammed his fist on the table in front of him.

He has practiced martial arts for many years, and his arms are strong and powerful.

This appearance was indeed extremely frightening, and many people were startled.

Yang Yin, however, showed no fear.

"This matter..."

"This matter is of great importance; please allow me to discuss it with my relatives."

Seeing this, Yuan Xiu was helpless...

Yang Yin represents the Tian Ce Mansion, which encompasses the entire Shandong region.

So what if he is the 'Son of Heaven'?

If he dared to order Yang Yin to be taken away, not to mention whether anyone was willing to do so, wouldn't all the officials be asking him, "Why did Your Majesty issue such a treasonous order?"
He glanced at Sima Ziru with a gloomy face.

He continued to explain.

"Our ancestor Emperor Xiaowen had clearly stated that no one who is not a direct descendant of our ancestor Emperor Daowu may be granted the title of king."

This is similar to what Liu Bang said in the White Horse Alliance: "Anyone who is not of the Liu clan and becomes king shall be attacked by all under heaven." The conditions are even more stringent; the candidate must be a direct descendant of Tuoba Gui, while for Liu Bang, anyone from his own Liu family would suffice.

"The laws of our ancestors must not be changed!"

"Erzhu Rong was originally a loyal minister of our Great Wei, but being granted the title of king because of his different surname has fueled his wolfish ambitions!"

"Do the soldiers of the Tian Ce Mansion completely disregard the reputation of General Tian Ce?"

Yang Yin remained unmoved.

"This time, that time."

"However... it has always been this way since the reign of Emperor Xiaowen."

"Is it right just because it has always been this way?"

Yuan Xiu's expression changed drastically!

Cui Li and the others' expressions changed drastically. He quickly reprimanded, "Military Advisor Yang, watch your words!!"

"I have spoken rudely, and I beg Your Majesty to punish me."

Yang Yin bowed with his hands clasped in greeting.

Yuan Xiu finally sighed and waved his hand, saying, "I can understand what Military Advisor Yang is thinking, but this matter is indeed of great importance. I will wait two more days and discuss it with my relatives before making a decision."

Cui Li and Sima Ziru also kept giving Yang Yin meaningful glances.

He then cupped his hands in greeting again.

"The situation at the front is urgent, and time waits for no one. I hope Your Majesty will make a decision soon and not let the soldiers lose heart."

(End of this chapter)