In fact, Liu Bei also knew that it was almost time for a showdown now, and there was no way he could hide his little thoughts from the smart people here.
Even if my third brother hadn't always been thinking about drinking, now that his mind was a little clearer, he wouldn't be counting his age on his fingers with a confused look on his face.
Therefore, Liu Bei calmed down for a while, and then he said, "Since the Battle of Hanzhong, I have been feeling weak every day. In recent years, I have been suffering from constant illnesses. I still find it difficult to deal with government affairs for a long time, and I am even more incompetent in leading troops in battle. "
"I have lived fifty-five years in vain. I shouldn't have expected anything extravagant. However, Cao's thieves have not been eliminated and the Han Dynasty has not yet risen, so I dare not slack off day and night."
"Today, the three-legged alliance has become established. Although the Cao thieves suffered successive setbacks, the Central Plains and the essence of Hebei are still in their hands. Soochow Wu went north to occupy Huainan, Qingxu, and its power is not small. Although it has an alliance with the Han Dynasty, However, the people of Soochow are repeatedly dishonest and always want to protect themselves in Jingzhou, so they are not people who have a long-standing alliance."
"While I am still alive, Cao, the traitors, and Soochow will not dare to make trouble. If one day, I go underground to meet the previous emperors, and the heir succeeds, Cao, the thieves, and Soochow will join forces to invade. How should I deal with myself?!"
"The heir is certainly smart, but he is still young and still needs experience. But in today's world, where the Han Dynasty is weak and the thieves are strong, how many opportunities can be left for the heir to experience and grow?! There are thieves and bandits from outside who are invading the country. If there is turmoil and you no longer have the ability to make a decision, wouldn’t it mean that you will miss a big event?!"
"I can't bear the ruin of the Han family's foundation. Therefore, I want to reinstate the position of prime minister. I ask Mr. Kong Ming to take up the post. When necessary, he will support the heir, eliminate the debris and filth of the Han family, and lay the foundation for the revival of the Han Dynasty."
"After days of deliberation, all the ministers have their own opinions and private opinions. However, you are all my brothers. I hope that you can understand my good intentions and support this proposal."
After saying these words, Liu Bei looked at the five people around him quietly, waiting for their replies.
The atmosphere of the banquet regarding this matter has gradually become quieter from the relaxed atmosphere at the beginning.
Liu Bei said what should be said and what should not be said.
In fact, Liu Bei told everyone present very bluntly that this prime minister was specially set up for Zhuge Liang, and was set up to deal with the political situation after his death.
When Liu Bei was reinstated as prime minister, he just couldn't worry about what happened after his death. He was afraid that Liu Chan would not be able to take on the responsibility of reviving the Han Dynasty, so he had to choose someone he trusted to take charge of this matter.
And this person is Zhuge Liang.
Although everyone could have guessed before that after Liu Bei restored his position as prime minister, Zhuge Liang would most likely be the prime minister. However, there are some windows that cannot be pierced. This is a rule.
But now, Liu Bei not only exposed the truth, he even clearly stated his true inner thoughts, which was indeed quite open and honest.
In this regard, Zhuge Liang had nothing to say, he could only bow his head to the ground without saying a word.
Zhang Fei, who was originally very sensitive to military power, had no way to raise objections at this time.
Although in Zhang Fei's heart, he didn't think that the matter would develop as seriously as Liu Bei said, and even if it did, when Cao Wei and Soochow joined forces to fight, the second brother was still there, and our old Zhang was also there, Liu Bei stayed The gang of officials from Wei and Wu are all here. If those rat guys from Wei and Wu dare to attack, just fight them back.
But... Zhang Fei couldn't express his thoughts. After all, this was Liu Bei's personal arrangements for his funeral, and Zhang Fei couldn't directly refute it.
Another thing, no matter how rude and irritable Zhang Fei is, he will never forget how the three brothers really got started. If Zhuge Liang hadn't helped his eldest brother formulate a strategic plan, the three brothers might not be around now, or even, Maybe the grass on the grave is already three feet high.
Therefore, although Zhang Fei still had objections, when Liu Bei personally explained the reasons and appointed Zhuge Liang as the prime minister, Zhang Fei could only choose to acquiesce in the matter.
Even in Zhang Fei's view, Zhuge Liang is indeed the most suitable candidate at the moment.
As for Zhao Yun, after thinking for a moment, he took a small step forward, as if he had something to say. But he was pulled away.
It was none other than Zhang Xi.
The reason why Zhang Xi drags Zhao Yun is not to prevent Zhao Yun from going out to dissuade him. The main reason is that our group of civil servants are still there, and the responsibility of dissuading does not require you as a general to take action.
Well, obviously, Zhang Xi once again had the illusion that he was actually a civil servant.
After Zhang Xi stopped Zhao Yun, he looked at Xu Shu. Does that mean, you go up first or I go up first? !
Xu Shu gave Zhang Xi a roll of his eyes, then stepped forward, saluted Liu Bei, and said, "My lord's heart is known to me. I will live up to my lord's trust and swear to the death to revive the Han Dynasty!"
Whatever it is on, you should also learn to check out the atmosphere.
The boss will say such words, using a tone similar to pleading for discussion, hoping that you will agree to his request for posthumous affairs. At this time, you are really ignorant if you still give advice.
Let's leave this matter like this for now. Anyway, the person who will be the prime minister in the future is Kong Ming. With Kong Ming's personality and character, there is nothing you can't believe.
Xu Shu's statement caught Zhang Xi off guard.
No, you Xu Yuanzhi, a guy with thick eyebrows and big eyes, actually learned how to flatter others? !
Zhang Xi felt that there were some things that really couldn't be done, so he planned to stand up and give a forceful remonstrance. He didn't object to Zhuge Liang becoming the prime minister, but the system of the prime minister taking charge of three provinces and six departments still needed to be taken seriously. Do some research.
But when Zhang Xi stood up and prepared to advise Liu Bei, Zhang Xi saw Liu Bei's almost pleading eyes.
An emperor, an old man in his sixties, looks at you with an almost pleading look for his own affairs. What can you say? !
Coupled with Xu Shu's glances from time to time, Zhang Xi reluctantly pulled Zhao Yun again, pulling Zhao Yun out of the queue together, following Xu Shu's words, and expressing his position together.
"I will live up to my lord's trust and revive the Han Dynasty."
After hearing that everyone had expressed their opinions, Liu Bei smiled with satisfaction.
This matter is not over yet. In fact, Liu Bei also knows it.
But at least with the support of these five people, Liu Bei had the confidence to forcefully promote the restoration of the prime minister.
Liu Bei got the answer he wanted, and this private banquet was coming to an end.
After the banquet was over, Liu Bei returned to his palace to rest contentedly. Zhang Fei drank too much, so Liu Bei stayed in the palace for the night.
The remaining four people did not go back to their respective homes after the banquet, but went to Zhang Xi's house.
If nothing else, we still need to discuss the finishing matter.
Liu Bei can use a private banquet to seek the support of the five people, and there is no need to worry about what happens next. But these five people who actually face the government and military affairs must come up with a specific charter to convince the ministers in the court and the generals in the army. Just fine.
Don't look back. Liu Bei issued an order and ignored everything. The three provinces, six ministries and the army were all convinced. That would have delayed things.
This is only a problem for the central government. It is specific to the local areas, especially Jingzhou and Yizhou. If local families and officials resist this, I don't know how many troubles will arise.
Today's world situation has not yet been completely freed from the chaotic feudal separatist thinking of the late Han Dynasty. The central government's control over local areas is still limited, and it is far from centralizing power.
Although within the Liu Bei Group, the policy of "replacing history with pastoralism" has been basically abolished. Each state has only governors and no state pastors. However, in detail, the rights of the governors in various places are still considerable, and they are often related to the local aristocratic families and the nobles in the court. , all have interest relationships that are constantly being cut and messed up.
Not to mention anything else, Huang Yuan, the governor of Hanjia County, rebelled not long ago. Although he was suppressed in a short period of time, the governor of a county can start a rebellion by relying on his local influence, which shows the power of the local governor.
Once the reinstatement of the prime minister arouses dissatisfaction among the local families in Jingzhou and Yizhou, it is not impossible to incite individual governors to rebel with their influence and interests.
Therefore, although they had just attended the banquet, except for Zhang Fei who drank too much, the remaining four people had to continue having a small meeting.
And the reason why Zhang Xi's mansion was chosen is because this guy is now the governor of Yongzhou and has his own mansion in Chang'an.
The other people's residences were all temporary residences. Xu Shu, Zhuge Liang, and Zhang Fei still lived in Guanyi when they came to Chang'an.
There are so many people in that place, so there is no place to discuss such important government affairs.
It is convenient here in Zhangxi. Not only does it have a private enough room, but it is also guarded by the guards of the Zhang Mansion. It would be strange not to choose this place to discuss matters.
Zhang Xi had no choice but to take a few colleagues to his own house and discuss government affairs behind closed doors.
However, before the discussion, Zhuge Liang suggested that he should go to Guanyi and invite three people to participate in the discussion.
One is the representative of the Jingzhou family, Pang Tong and Pang Shiyuan.
The other one is a representative of the Dongzhou faction, Fazheng and Fiaozhi.
The last one is the representatives of the Yizhou faction, Huang Quan and Huang Gongheng.
Only when all three people are present and persuade them to agree to reinstate the prime minister, can this matter be thoroughly implemented from the central to the local levels.
It won’t work if one person is missing.
(End of chapter)
