A son who doesn't resemble his father? Love you, old man, see you at Xuanwu Gate!

Chapter 247 Offering a Son
The north wind howls, and water freezes instantly.

Inside the dark room, Zhou Gong, Xiao Qing, and Zhang Cheng felt colder than the wind outside.

Fell into a trap!
Unexpectedly, the Chen family even betrayed their own people.

All the schemes had one purpose: to wipe out the rebel army and leave His Majesty all alone, so that the Crown Prince would not be associated with the name of filial impiety.

But who cares about the reputation they'll be branded as butchers?
Before they've even done anything, they've already incurred the blood debt of hundreds of thousands of lives. Is this the price to pay for rebuilding the glory of their ancestors?
There was silence for a while.

Xiao Qing looked at Chen Mo. Since there was no turning back, he might as well forge ahead and asked again, "What does it mean to be loyal to one's duty?"

Zhou Gong and Zhang Cheng remained silent.

The Chen family is cunning and scheming; after this incident, we should no longer associate with them.

Chen Mo seemed oblivious to the fact that his family friends had all made the right choice, and smiled with delight: "Uncle, you can establish yourself through political maneuvering and develop your abilities. If you want to be valued by your superiors, you need both political maneuvering and ability."

"Although His Majesty has chosen Zhou Shishu as the commander of the restoration army, it will probably not be so easy for Zhou Shishu to gain His Majesty's complete trust and control the entire rebel army. Zhou Shishu, you need to produce 'proof' that will reassure His Majesty."

If you want to lead the entire rebel army to their deaths, you must first gain control of the entire rebel army and become His Majesty's "Grand General".

However, the Liu family monarchs have always been very wary of the founding meritorious officials, while the founding meritorious officials are also very dissatisfied with the Liu family monarchs. Even if they cooperate briefly, they each have their own ulterior motives. Given His Majesty's suspicious nature, if Zhou Gong cannot gain His Majesty's complete trust, it would be good enough if he could lead half of the rebel army. However, if Zhou Gong cannot lead the entire rebel army, it means that the plan has failed. In order for the plan to succeed, Zhou Gong must make sacrifices.

"Chen Mo, what do you want?" Zhou Gong asked directly.

Calling someone by their uncle or nephew is unsettling. It's best to avoid using such kinship terms and address them by their given names instead.

"Does Uncle harbor resentment towards his nephew?"

Chen Mo smiled in response, and before Zhou Gong could deny it against his will, he continued, "Then I won't say anything more. As for how to gain the trust of a monarch in war, Uncle Xiao's family obviously has more experience. If Uncle doesn't trust me, you might as well ask Uncle Xiao for advice."

Hear the words.

Xiao Qing glared at him. Although there was no evidence, his ancestor Xiao He was definitely being implied.

Sensing Zhou Gong's gaze shift to him, filled with trust, Xiao Qing couldn't help but sigh and utter two words, "Offer up your son!"

History is the best teacher.

In June of the second year of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Gao returned to the capital, Liyang. On the sixth day, he established his son Liu Ying as the crown prince, pardoned criminals, and ordered the sons of the feudal lords in Guanzhong to gather in Liyang to serve as guards.

Xiao He remained in Guanzhong to serve Crown Prince Liu Ying, manage the capital Liyang, formulate various laws and regulations, and establish ancestral temples, altars of the land and grain, palaces, and counties. Xiao He always submitted memorials to Emperor Gao first, and Emperor Gao always approved them and allowed them to be implemented.

Sometimes, if there was no time to submit a memorial, the most appropriate method would be used to handle the matter first, and a memorial would be submitted after the Emperor returned.

When Xiao He governed Guanzhong, he transported military provisions by water and land to supply the troops at the front. Emperor Gaozu suffered repeated losses and scattering of troops on the battlefield, and Xiao He often conscripted soldiers from Guanzhong to replenish the Han army's losses in a timely manner. Emperor Gaozu then entrusted Xiao He with the administration of Guanzhong.

In the third year of the Han Dynasty, Emperor Gaozu and Xiang Yu's armies were locked in a stalemate between Jing and Suo. Emperor Gaozu repeatedly sent envoys to Guanzhong to comfort Xiao He.

Bao Sheng said to Xiao He, “The king is out there, enduring wind and rain, yet he repeatedly sends people to comfort you. This shows that he is beginning to doubt you. If you are thinking of your well-being, you should send your capable sons and brothers to the front lines. This way, the king will trust you more.”

Xiao He then followed Bao Sheng's advice, which greatly pleased Emperor Gao, and he completely dispelled his suspicions.

Zhou Gong was struck dumb, his lips trembling as he said, "You want me to hand over all my Zhou family descendants to Your Majesty in exchange for Your Majesty's complete trust?"

Xiao Qing did not answer, but simply closed his eyes.

Their ancestors dared to send their descendants to the front lines because they had no intention of betraying their own people. Their descendants would not only be safe under the Emperor's command, but might even gain some military merit and rewards.

What about the Zhou family now?

They were determined to eliminate any possibility of His Majesty's restoration. Once the plot was exposed, given His Majesty's tyrannical nature, the descendants of the Zhou family would have a hard time even dying a peaceful death. The Zhou regime was on the verge of collapse.

Zhang Cheng glanced at him, then at Xiao Qing, and finally his gaze settled on Chen Mo. This sworn brother was far too insidious.

One's own ideas are entrusted to others with such ease and freedom.

A ray of dawn arrives especially early on snowy days; just as the hour of Yin (3-5 AM) begins, the world is already bright.

The dark room is opened.

Xiao Qing, Zhang Cheng, and Chen Mo came out. Heavy snow was falling all around, and the courtyard was already covered in white. The soft snowflakes drifted onto the three of them's faces, melting at different rates.

Zhang Cheng was the slowest, Xiao Qing was next, and Chen Mo was the fastest. His burning face almost melted away in an instant, and his heart slowly relaxed, revealing a relaxed and happy smile.

The sound of their footsteps crunching on the snow barely masked their hushed conversation.

"You'an, are you sure the Chen family won't get involved in this?"

“No.”

"How will the Chen family demonstrate their loyalty?"

"The Chen family has its own methods, but we can't tell you, Zichuan."

Zhang Cheng and Chen Mo talked.

Xiao Qing interjected, "Xiao Mo, why doesn't the Chen family show loyalty in the same way?"

"Uncle, this is informing on someone."

"What's wrong with snitching?"

"That's the act of a petty person."

"What do you mean?"

"Informers can gain the trust of their superiors and advance quickly by informing on others, but they will be hated by everyone."

"As you said, we had no choice."

"Morality is judged by actions, not by intentions."

"...Is that all?"

"Moreover, the main reason why the Chen family does not do this is that they know the Emperor will not tolerate informers. The Han Dynasty can encourage everyone to reflect on their own actions, but it cannot allow everyone to feel insecure."

"The emperor appointed the embroidered-robed censor directly to the emperor's command."

"That's different. The emperor appoints treacherous officials for the sake of court stability. Court officials slander each other to climb to higher positions. The emperor's power comes from the two Grand Marshals' and Grand Generals' offices, and from the Prime Minister's office. It is safe. When the development of the Han Dynasty and the security of power are in conflict, the development of the Han Dynasty will definitely give way to the security of power. When the security of power is guaranteed, the development of the Han Dynasty is the emperor's top priority. The trend of informing will affect the development of the Han Dynasty. The future Han Dynasty court needs loyal and upright ministers, not just loyal villains."

"You mean, Xiao Mo, you are a loyal and upright minister?" Xiao Qing couldn't help but laugh, as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world.

Chen Mo calmly replied, "Yes, it will."

Xiao Qing could no longer laugh.

The wind swirls the light snow, making it spin like a whirlpool; a hurricane begins at the tip of a blade of grass, and a great wind rises.

(End of this chapter)