My older brother is Gao Huan.

Chapter 452 Duke Zhou + Prime Minister!

Gao Yu wanted to laugh.

Is this what Yuan Xiu called 'checks and balances'?
Even now, they still can't see the situation clearly, and even seem so petty.

In exchange for the title of Duke of the Founding Dynasty, they wanted Gao Yu to agree to give up the position of Prime Minister.
That would be to underestimate the position of the prime minister, the head of all officials.

Although the Three Departments and Six Ministries system was gradually taking shape during the Northern and Southern Dynasties, and the power of the prime minister had been greatly weakened, he was still a figure who could rival the imperial power. A prime minister with real power was truly "second only to the emperor." Even emperors with less ability had to temporarily avoid the sharp edge of a prime minister with high prestige.

The prime minister of today is not comparable to the prime minister of the Ming and Qing dynasties, whose imperial power was highly centralized.

The position of Chancellor was a real one established in the imperial court, while the title of Prime Minister was not an actual position but a general term.

Gao Yu was granted the title of "Recorder of the Imperial Secretariat," which allowed him to exercise the duties of the head of the Imperial Secretariat and the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat. In fact, Gao Yu could be regarded as a prime minister.

Yuan Xiu is far inferior to Yuan Ziyou.

The Great Wei dynasty has long lost its "reputation and power," and the Great Wei emperor has long since lost his "power," possessing only its name.

In the early and peak periods of a dynasty, the career path in officialdom strictly follows a standard process and rules, and everyone follows and abides by these rules.

At the end of each dynasty, order collapses and rules are broken.

The value of titles and official positions has been greatly reduced, and they will become worthless. Why would you hold onto something worthless like a treasure and never let go of it?

Yuan Xiu didn't even understand what his biggest card was.

Despite upholding the righteousness of the emperor, the greatest power he wielded was actually the power to "draw a pie in the sky."

How could Yuan Ziyou have dared to promote Gao Yu so blatantly, even disregarding the rules that everyone in the court had previously followed?

He was promoted to General of Chariots and Cavalry right from the start, and then directly appointed as 'General of Heavenly Strategy'?
This is related to Gao Yu's extraordinary personal abilities and his truly remarkable achievements.

But Yuan Ziyou was also very clear about it.

"Drawing a pie in the sky" is his greatest asset.

If it were Yuan Ziyou facing this situation, he would immediately bestow upon Gao Yu the title of king to silence him, and then use the excuse that Gao Yu needed to go out and lead troops, and that his energy was limited. At present, the biggest threat to the Great Wei is the traitor Erzhu Rong, and only Gao Yu leading troops can contend with him. Gao Yu needs to focus all his energy on leading troops and fighting battles, and cannot be distracted by trivial political affairs.

Therefore, the position of prime minister was given to someone else to assist Gao Yu in better leading the army to resist Erzhu Rong.

Yuan Xiu might have it, but if Gao Yu were to be granted the title of king now, then... Gao Yu would only be one step away from the three-piece set of usurpation: the final one, the "Nine Bestowments".

But isn't this still missing the last piece of the set?
If you delay things, there will always be a turning point.

Everyone knows Gao Yu's style of leading troops into battle. He likes to personally lead troops into battle. If Gao Yu were to die on the way to the battlefield, wouldn't the time gained by delaying him at this moment become meaningful?
War is dangerous and perilous; anything can happen on the battlefield.

"His Majesty……"

After bowing respectfully, Gao Huan shook his head and refused, saying, "Your Majesty's kindness is deeply appreciated, but... how can I let my own selfish desires cause you to neglect Your Majesty and the affairs of the state?"

"The prime minister is the head of all officials, and only those with exceptional ability, integrity, and character can hold this position. What merit or ability do I possess?"

Seeing that Yuan Xiu was about to speak, Gao Huan preemptively spoke, not giving him a chance to speak.

"As for this battle? I am a great sinner. It was my greed for merit and recklessness that led to the loss of so many soldiers. If it weren't for General Tian Ce's arrival... I would have already lost all face and become a prisoner of the traitor Er Zhu Rong."

"Not only have I not rendered any service, but I am also a person who has committed a great crime."

“Your Majesty’s promotion of me tarnishes Your Majesty’s reputation, and I have no face to meet the families of the soldiers who have been harmed because of my greed for merit and recklessness.”

"Your subject dares not accept such an appointment."

Gao Huan's refusal was reasonable and well-founded; even if Yuan Xiu wanted to forcefully promote him, he couldn't find any reason to do so.

Yuan Xiu's face darkened.

Gao Huan then spoke again, "However... there are many matters at present, and the position of Prime Minister cannot be left vacant. The court needs someone to assist His Majesty in handling state affairs."

Ok?
Everyone couldn't help but look at Gao Huan.

Is it...

Is Gao Huan trying to use a strategic retreat to advance?

Yuan Xiu also looked up sharply, his eyes filled with a glimmer of hope, but it quickly turned to utter disappointment. "General Tian Ce is of the highest moral character and integrity, and his abilities are exceptional. The late emperor always spoke highly of him. Moreover, General Tian Ce is young and strong, and he can handle even the most important political affairs properly."

"As for needing to go out and lead troops into battle?"

"Precisely because of this, the most important thing for Your Majesty right now is to quell the traitor Erzhu Rong. General Tian Ce is leading troops outside and confronting Erzhu Rong. He knows best how to govern in order to more effectively fight against the rebel Erzhu Rong."

"Your Majesty, I implore you to consider the well-being of the Great Wei dynasty and bestow upon General Tian Ce the title of Chancellor!"

Gao Huan declared in a righteous and resounding voice!
Sima Ziru and other close ministers who had previously followed him also chimed in, "Please! Your Majesty, bestow upon General Tian Ce the title of Chancellor!"

Yang Yin, Cui Xian, and other scholars from the Tian Ce Mansion also shouted loudly, "Please! Your Majesty, bestow upon the title of Grand General of Tian Ce the title of Prime Minister!"

The military officers were especially loud.

The imperial guards outside the palace, who were responsible for protecting the palace, could also clearly hear these words. It seemed that their general had taken another step forward.

Yuan Xiu was now in a precarious position, with no one even offering him a way out.

This posture.

He has no choice but to give it to him today.

In the past, Gao Yu might have stood up and said a few polite words to prevent Yuan Xiu from being too embarrassed.

but……

He has now lost all patience with this clueless and idiotic fool.

He figured it out too.

From the moment one becomes the 'General of Heavenly Strategy,' a powerful minister, and is even likely to replace the Great Wei, change the dynasty, and become the new emperor.

He could not possibly have a good reputation in history books.

Why care about your posthumous reputation?
The more someone cares about their reputation, the more easily they can be manipulated through moral blackmail.

As long as you have no morals, no one can hold you hostage!

At this moment, he watched coldly as Yuan Xiu, the emperor of Great Wei, completely lost face!

Yuan Xiu clenched his fists, his whole body trembling!

With everyone united, no one in the entire court dared to stand up and speak for the emperor.

instead……

Everyone was in cahoots, trying to curry favor with Gao Yu. Even those who weren't familiar with Gao Yu before were trying to show their goodwill to him at this time.

But did he have a choice?
He himself took the initiative to propose the appointment of him as prime minister.

He wasn't going to bring this up.

Others couldn't very well suggest establishing a prime minister, as this would be a classic case of trying to steal a chicken but losing the rice instead.

Yuan Xiu glared hatefully at Gao Huan not far away!
That damned He Liuhun.

I gave you so many opportunities, yet you treated me like this, disappointing me and embarrassing me!
"His Majesty!!"

Gao Huan shouted again.

Yuan Xiu is already retired from the military and can retire.

He closed his eyes in despair, remained silent for a long time, and then gritted his teeth and said, "General Tian Ce is indeed more suitable to serve as Prime Minister..."

Including the title of Founding Duke that he previously bestowed upon Gao Yu.

Duke of Zhoucheng, or simply 'Duke of Zhou'.

Gao Yu is now a combination of the Duke of Zhou and the Prime Minister.

(End of this chapter)