The Splendor of the Five Dynasties

Chapter 97 Palace Council
Xiao Yi had no say in the palace council, but it was not boring.

He observed each speaker's performance and tried to guess their intentions.

For example, Wang Jun.

"I believe that Liu Xun, the son of Emperor Gaozu and the younger brother of the late Emperor, is nearing adulthood and should be established as the successor to the Han dynasty!"

Xiao Yi felt that "approaching adulthood" was a very assertive attitude, and Liu Chengyou was just too young. If it were the even younger Liu Xun, he could easily manipulate him.

He looked at Empress Dowager Li.

I thought that today the courtiers were bullying Empress Dowager Li, but to my surprise, she was quite calm and quietly gave an order to a eunuch.

"Please come."

After waiting for a while, four eunuchs carried a soft couch into the hall.

Standing at the palace gate, Xiao Yi could see clearly that a young man was lying on the bed. He was about the same age as Liu Chengyou, covered with a thick fur coat, with a sallow complexion, closed eyes, and rapid breathing.

I also smelled a familiar medicinal scent.

Phellodendron bark, turmeric, morning glory seeds... The medicinal juice that Liu Xun applied to his face was the same formula that Xiao Yi used to disguise the Guo siblings last time, which was quite a coincidence.

"Cough cough cough."

Seemingly sensing Xiao Yi's scrutiny, Liu Xun let out a terrible cough, looking like he was on his last legs.

Before Liu Xun could be carried inside, Wang Jun walked straight over, his brows furrowed and his face stern, and leaned down to probe.

"Ha, you were healthy yesterday, but you're sick today? It seems you have no interest in the country!"

Liu Xun was terrified, his pupils wide open. He was probably scared sick even if he wasn't already. He murmured, "Prime Minister Wang... I didn't mean it, I didn't mean it... no, I was powerless to do anything..."

Wang Jun was powerless to help those who were faking illness, and returned to the train with a gloomy face.

As Xiao Yi watched Liu Xun being carried out, he was quite impressed with his acting skills.

In the first round, Empress Dowager Li should be the victor.

After a while, seeing that no one spoke, Empress Dowager Li had no choice but to press her advantage herself.

"Liu Chong and Liu Xin were both brothers of Emperor Gaozu, and were close relatives of the Liu family by blood. They were capable of undertaking great responsibilities."

Xiao Yi had seen the files of Liu Chong and Liu Xin in the Shi family study. Shi Hongzhao attached great importance to these two "imperial uncles".

Both men were in their fifties and had been fighting alongside Liu Zhiyuan before he became emperor. They were not lacking in military merit, seniority, or skills. Compared to Liu Chengyou, they were the ones who could stand up to Guo Wei.

Liu Chong was appointed as the military governor of Hedong, and he had a strong foothold in Taiyuan. Liu Xin was originally the military governor of Yicheng Army, but he was replaced by Song Yanwo two years ago and went to Xuzhou to serve as the military governor of Zhongwu. This shows that Shi Hongzhao was wary of him.

If the two join forces, one in the north and one in the south, to attack Kaifeng from both sides, Guo Wei will inevitably face difficulties.

Furthermore, with all the elite troops from Yedu heading south, if they were to make further contact with the Khitan, and Guo Rong were unable to withstand the pressure, the situation could indeed turn around.

Xiao Yi thought to himself that Empress Dowager Li was insightful. To be able to propose this plan, besides being shrewd in dealing with people's hearts, she must also have some knowledge of military affairs.

After thinking it over, he realized that if he were to handle the situation, he could recommend Liu Xin as emperor, incite the Liu brothers to fight amongst themselves, attack the more powerful Liu Chong, and then kill Liu Xin to establish himself as emperor.

But he's an amateur and doesn't know the difficulty of letting a wolf into the house; we'll have to see how Guo Wei handles it.

Looking at the assembled officials, Wei Renpu was absent, so Wang Jun likely had no backup plan. He frowned and remained silent. The others were all warriors, skilled in battle but not in debate.

Finally, Wang Yin stepped forward, his voice steady and composed as he spoke eloquently.

"Speaking of Liu Chong, this old minister recalls several old incidents. When Emperor Gaozu raised his army, Liu Chong was in charge of the troops. He gambled with the officers, losing three months' worth of rations and even embezzling soldiers' bonuses to make up the difference, almost causing a mutiny. Emperor Gaozu personally used his own money to cover the losses, but Liu Chong showed no remorse. He then controlled Hedong and used the profits from salt and iron to gamble. Last year, when the Khitan envoys came to Jinyang, he set up a gambling den and lost the annual tax of three counties! Everyone in the army says, 'Liu Chong is a scoundrel, addicted to gambling.' If such a person, who treats national interests like child's play and uses territory as a stake, were to ascend the throne, wouldn't he be asking us to become slaves to the Khitan again?!"

The officials in the hall immediately erupted in discussion, with shouts of "We'd rather fight than submit" filling the air.

"Not bad!"

Wang Jun reacted immediately and stepped forward, saying, "Liu Chong is immoral, but Liu Xin is even worse. This year, Xuzhou suffered a great flood, and the people were starving. Liu Xin closed the granaries and refused to provide relief. Instead, he forcibly conscripted laborers to build private houses, causing more than ten thousand refugees to flood into Kaifeng. When Shi Gong summoned him to court, he declined, claiming that he had a carbuncle on his back. If such a person who deceives the emperor and oppresses the people were to rule the country, the people would suffer terribly!"

Having said that, he took another step closer to Empress Dowager Li, his tone firm and his attitude resolute.

"Has Your Majesty not seen that Emperor Min lost his virtue and died in four months? If we force these two people to be installed now, we will repeat the same mistake. At best, the court will be in turmoil; at worst, the Khitan will invade. At that time, even if we risk our lives, we may not be able to save the situation."

Xiao Yi heard it very clearly; Wang Jun emphasized the words "risked his life".

This is public intimidation.

Military officers shouted for support, while civil officials lowered their heads and dared not speak, as if even their breathing had become soft.

Empress Dowager Li's face turned pale. She clutched her handkerchief, closed her eyes to catch her breath, and remained silent for a long time.

Empress An, on the other hand, knelt to the side, still appearing indifferent and motionless.

Guo Wei did not speak until the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

He didn't offer any opinion, but instead looked at Feng Dao.

"A country cannot be without a leader for a single day. We hope that Mr. Feng can point out a clear path."

Xiao Yi understood. Feng Dao would propose a solution that would benefit all parties, and Guo Wei and the others would then make a decision, which would guarantee the desired outcome.

Feng Dao slowly stepped forward.

The wooden stick tapped the ground, the sound incredibly slow.

"despair."

"despair."

"despair."

All the high-ranking officials listened patiently.

Finally, the old man spoke.

"In my humble opinion, at this critical juncture, the choice of ruler should prioritize stability and security, rather than being bound by seniority or kinship. The imperial power should not be left in vain. I request that the Empress Dowager assume the regency to reassure the vassal states and prevent any accusation of 'outside officials usurping power.'"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi was greatly surprised.

Empress Dowager Li's eyes lit up with surprise and delight.

The military officers behind Guo Wei immediately became restless, but Guo Wei did not object. Instead, he raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet. Why?

Xiao Yi pondered Feng Dao's words again and realized that the key was the words "various vassals," and that the aim was to appease Liu Chong and Liu Xin, not the hearts of the subjects.

Feng Dao paused for a long time, and only continued speaking when he saw that no one wanted to interrupt him.

"As for the crown prince, this old minister has a candidate—Liu Yun. He is the eldest son of Liu Chongzhi, and he has come of age. He is currently in Xuzhou, serving as the military governor of Wuning."

Whispers arose in the hall.

Xiao Yi forgot to look at the reactions of those around him and fell into deep thought.

Bypassing the powerful and well-equipped Liu Chong and Liu Xin, and instead installing Liu Chong's son as emperor?

This idea... is brilliant!

He was far more astute than Liu Xin.

At present, whether Guo Wei establishes himself or someone else, Liu Chong will definitely raise an army. Guo Wei should have weighed the options and realized that this battle will not be easy to win for the time being.

Things were different when Liu Yun ascended the throne.

Liu Chong could not possibly rebel against his own son, and even if he wanted to raise an army, he would have no legitimate reason to do so; Guo Wei temporarily stabilized the situation and was able to gradually control the young Liu Yun, making arrangements with composure; Empress Dowager Li preserved the Liu family's empire and also gained the dignity of ruling as regent; among the civil and military officials, no one could find fault with her.

Feng Dao's move seems to be a compromise, taking into account the interests of all parties.

really.

Guo Wei said calmly, "Lord Feng's words are very much in line with the grand plan of the nation. I second that opinion."

A hammer is fixed.

"We, your humble servants, second this proposal. We beseech Your Majesty's decision!"

"I second the proposal..."

Xiao Yi looked at Feng Dao again and saw the old man slowly retreating back to the column, leaning on his paulownia wood cane, as if his words that had determined the fate of the world were just an ordinary statement.

It was done effortlessly and naturally.

He benefited greatly from this and thought that if he could learn a few of Feng Dao's skills, he would have no fear of not being able to establish himself in the new dynasty.

Having settled the matter, Guo Wei took his leave without lingering. As he passed Xiao Yi, he didn't say a word, but gently patted his shoulder.

He treated her with the same affection as if she were his own children, and his eyes were full of warmth.

Xiao Yi was taken aback, clearly sensing Guo Wei's trust.

After that, Wang Jun passed by without even glancing at him.

Wang Yin stopped and paused, saying meaningfully, "From now on, you will accompany the Empress Dowager to court and guard the inner palace, and you must protect the Empress Dowager well."

"Here."

After watching the military officers stride away, Xiao Yi turned around and found that all the civil officials were looking at him.

He changed his mind, ignored the gazes, turned to the outside of the hall, and loudly said something to Guo Wei's figure.

"Congratulations, Marshal!"

The civil officials, on the contrary, dared not look at him anymore. They looked away, lowered their heads, and silently walked past him.

Feng Dao was the last to leave. As he passed by Xiao Yi, Xiao Yi clearly saw the sorrow and helplessness in his eyes.

In an instant, Xiao Yi had a deeper thought.

Feng Dao wasn't the only one who was capable.

Guo Wei had long planned to have Empress Dowager Li rule as regent and Liu Yun ascend the throne. The fact that Feng Dao revealed this was likely a deliberate show of weakness, a strategic retreat to advance.

This is a smokescreen to stabilize the situation.

In order to lull Liu Chong, Liu Xin, Liu Yun, and the Khitans into a false sense of security, they would then divide and conquer them one by one.

It's not about political maneuvering, it's about military strategy.

This is exactly the same approach Guo Wei took when he pacified the three towns.

……

The officials withdrew.

Only two palace women remained in Zichen Palace to keep vigil.

A battle without the clash of swords: Feng Dao's strategy pacified the various vassal states, Guo Wei's strategic retreat secured the overall situation, and Empress Dowager Li struggled to maintain order in dire straits... like the smoke dissipating before a coffin.

The plain banners fluttered without wind.

Empress Dowager Li turned towards the palace gate and said, "Xiao Yi."

"The end will be here."

"You are granted a two-day rest period tomorrow and the day after. On the 27th of November, the late emperor's funeral will be held, and you will be in charge of escorting him."

"Your Majesty, this humble general is on duty with Li Chongjin..."

"The dead should be respected, let alone the emperor. How dare you refuse to pay your respects to His Majesty?" Empress Dowager Li said in an unyielding tone, "Accept the decree."

She used the enormous reason of the emperor's funeral to disrupt Xiao Yi's minor duty schedule, leaving Xiao Yi no room to refuse.

Perhaps, in her view, making an exception once meant there could be a next time, and she was trying to break through Guo Wei's surveillance and control little by little in this way.

A gust of wind blew by, stirring the soul-summoning bell.

It's as if a new storm is brewing.

Xiao Yi looked out the door, and the vast cityscape of Kaifeng unfolded before him, seemingly bowing down at the foot of the stone steps of the Zichen Palace.

He is in the eye of the storm.

(End of this chapter)