My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 411 The Three-Piece Set Acquired

At the meeting.

Yuan Xiu had a sour face.

He began to miss his previous life, how comfortable it was in his own mansion.
Even though he has ascended the throne and become emperor, claiming to be the ruler of all under heaven, he is still a powerful figure.

It seems glamorous on the surface, but what's the reality?

What's most agonizing and unacceptable is that power is right in front of you, and everyone tells you that it's your power, but you can't use it.

You can see it, but you can't use it.

This is a puppet emperor.

Yuan Ziyou also considered himself a puppet emperor, but his situation was much better than Yuan Xiu's. At least Erzhu Rong made some concessions and appropriately delegated a lot of power to Yuan Ziyou.

This is also related to the fact that Yuan Ziyou had been serving as an official in the Imperial Guard in Luoyang, and thus already had a certain base of support.

Yuan Xiu was not the eldest son of Yuan Huai's branch; the eldest son was the 'pale green youth' Yuan Ti.

"Is there anything you wish to report?"

Before Yang Yin could speak, Sima Ziru stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty! After the court session yesterday, we discussed the matter of bestowing the title of General of Heavenly Strategy. It is indeed better to decide on it sooner rather than later. Let's make a decision today."

"Yes, Your Majesty. General Tian Ce is leading troops in a fierce battle against the traitor Er Zhu Rong. Er Zhu Rong's soldiers are extremely brave, and it is bound to be a tough battle. General Tian Ce has won the hearts of his soldiers. If we can reward General Tian Ce, it will surely inspire the soldiers to fight bravely against the enemy."

"His Majesty…………"

One by one, the people began to express their opinions.

On the contrary, Yang Yin and the others did not speak.

The people of Tian Ce Mansion were united in their desire to push Gao Yu to 'progress,' and Gao Yu couldn't stop them.

Yuan Xiu was in the same boat at this moment.

The government and the public are united in pushing forward a certain matter.

Even an old emperor like Xiao Yan, who had held power for decades, couldn't stop it.

Not to mention Yuan Xiu, a puppet emperor regarded by everyone as a 'mascot,' who was even less likely to stop it.

They were even willing to offer advice.

It's because people are willing to give him face and don't want to break off relations.

However, if someone insists on going their own way under these circumstances, someone will try to make them lose face.

"Then what do you think... how should they be rewarded?"

Yuan Xiu practically spat out those words through gritted teeth.

Sima Ziru then followed suit and said, "What His Majesty said yesterday also makes sense."

"Our ancestor, Emperor Xiaowen, made it clear that no one other than a direct descendant of Emperor Daowu could be granted the title of king. Moreover, with the example of the traitor Erzhu Rong before us, for the sake of the reputation of the General of Heavenly Strategy, it is indeed not permissible to grant him the title of king."

Yuan Xiu was taken aback.

Not granting him the title of king?
What's the real purpose of this?

Sima Ziru continued, "In my opinion, he should be promoted from General of the Heavenly Strategy to Marquis of Zhoucheng County."

King, Duke, Marquis, Earl...

This is equivalent to elevating Gao Yu's title from Earl to Marquis, a promotion of one rank.

Titles of nobility.

The most valuable titles were awarded at the founding of the dynasty, because the country had just gained control of the land, and the higher the title, the more benefits one would receive.

However, titles often became inflated towards the end of a dynasty.

Firstly, the central court had no control over the local areas and could not provide any real benefits. Even if a title was conferred, the imperial edicts stipulated that there would be a fief, but the people could not enjoy it at all.

Secondly, in order to win over the people, the central government had no choice but to bestow generous rewards and titles indiscriminately.

Anyone with a modicum of political acumen knows that such concessions must have ulterior motives.

Yuan Xiu looked completely bewildered.

Such a concession?

Could it be that I really misunderstood Gao Yu?

However, Sima Ziru spoke again, "However... such a meager reward is hard to convince the people. After all... General Tian Ce has indeed made great contributions. If the court treats him so perfunctorily, wouldn't that discourage the soldiers who are fighting for the country at the front?"

"In order to prevent General Tian Ce and his soldiers from being disheartened, and to prevent the people of the world from misunderstanding His Majesty and regarding him as a foolish ruler who fails to reward merit."

"I propose it!"

"Your Majesty, I beseech you to bestow upon the General of Heavenly Strategy the privilege of 'not having to bow upon entering the court, not having to name those who are praised, and being allowed to wear a sword and shoes in the palace,' for only then will the people be satisfied!!"

Yuan Xiu squinted.

OK!

So this is where you're waiting for me, right?

Conferring the title of king, bestowing upon him the Nine Bestowments, and granting him the privileges of "not having to bow when entering the court, not having to name himself when being praised, and being allowed to wear a sword and shoes in the palace"—this is the quintessential "three-piece set" for usurping the throne.

It can also be viewed as a process of a powerful minister usurping the throne.

Just look at Erzhu Rong and you'll understand.

Under Erzhu Rong's relentless pressure, Yuan Ziyou was only one step away from receiving the "Nine Bestowments," but he refused to budge on this issue.

It's because Erzhu Rong has already gotten what he was entitled to.

All that's missing is for Yuan Ziyou, the ruler of the world and the emperor of the Great Wei, to personally bestow upon him the "Nine Bestowments," and for the Great Wei government to officially acknowledge Erzhu Rong as a virtuous, capable, talented, and renowned person.

As long as one is "bestowed with the Nine Bestowments", it is equivalent to having official endorsement.

The Emperor of the Great Wei personally endorsed it.

So……

It was only natural that Erzhu Rong, the emperor of the Great Wei, personally endorsed the title of "virtuous, talented, and renowned," to replace him.

The world.

The virtuous should occupy it.

Sima Ziru and his group's suggestion seemed to make Gao Yu back down in terms of title, but in reality, they still demanded one of the 'three-piece set of usurpation'.

Clearly, they are still preparing for Gao Yu's 'usurpation'.

Whether Gao Yu had this idea or not is not important.

It's enough if his subordinates have this idea.

after all……

When you feel cold, you should put on clothes.

It's so cold outside, but they care about their lord. What's wrong with adding a coat for their lord when it's cold?
As for why this garment is in the style of a ceremonial robe.

They don't know either.

It was all done by the craftsmen under his command.

Can I refuse?

Looking at the united and dedicated officials, I decided to maintain my dignity.

Yuan Xiu sighed.

"Yesterday I also discussed this with my relatives and pondered for a long time, but we couldn't come up with a proper solution."

"Your proposal is indeed reasonable."

"Then... issue the decree according to your wishes."

"He was granted the title of Marquis of Zhoucheng County by the title of General Tiance, and was also granted the privileges of 'not having to hasten his steps when entering the court, not having to use his name when being praised, and being allowed to wear a sword and shoes in the palace.'"

Sima Ziru immediately took the lead and spoke loudly.

"Your Majesty is wise!!"

"Your Majesty is wise!!"

Yang Yin also bowed and loudly echoed.

For now, that's enough.

Next, we just have to wait for Xiangzhou.

The battle report of the Gao brothers' head-on battle with Erzhu Rong has arrived.

Yang Yin, however, was quite optimistic.

after all……

The military order that Gao Yu sent back was for Yang Zhong to lead a large army from Jizhou, not for defense.

This means that the current situation is very optimistic.

Gao Yu's idea was to launch an attack to achieve greater results.

Battle reports can be deceiving, but the front lines cannot.

If the battle ahead is going badly, why would Gao Yu send Yang Zhong to lead the troops into battle?

After receiving the imperial edict.

Yang Yin did not linger in Qinghe County.

He wanted to hurry back to Qingzhou.

Supplying the army with provisions was the greatest assistance these civil officials, who couldn't fight on the battlefield, could offer Gao Yu.

PS: The storylines involving the Three Punches of the European Emperor and the Dog-Foot Emperor will definitely appear later.

(End of this chapter)