For the matter of proclaiming the emperor, the most critical thing is nothing more than the military and political foundation, plus a righteous name, but the really important thing is the military and horse.
The political foundation can be followed, and the righteousness and reputation can be fabricated.
Yuan Shu proclaimed himself emperor based on the prophecy that "those who succeed the Han Dynasty should be Tu Gao".
Cao Pi took the path of abdication when he became emperor, and prophecies also played a major role in it.
It even turned out that when Uncle Liu proclaimed himself emperor in Sichuan and Sichuan, he found a prophecy from an ancient book and used it as a basis.
As long as other conditions are sufficient, the name can be found at any time. Even if it is not written in the ancient books, the imperial literati will rack their brains to find a suitable reason for you to prove that you are a born ruler.
How do you say that?
After entering the customs, there was a great scholar who debated the scriptures for me.
So leaving aside other parts, the six major military regions and the troops affiliated to the military regions that have been successfully deployed are already a major reliance on his ability to successfully ascend the throne and proclaim himself emperor. Only he has so many who are good at fighting and are willing to listen. commanded army.
Moreover, the place where the Emperor is located is called Luoyang. Outside Luoyang City, there are eight regular troops surrounding it. These eight regular troops are all at Liu Bei's command. They are everywhere inside and outside Luoyang City.
And it is said that Liu Bei has successfully formed three more armies recently, and they are in the final preparation and preparation. The number of regular armies of the Han Dynasty has expanded to twenty-seven armies. Liu Bei's military strength has become stronger. Doesn't the plan of building an army of 300,000 people mean that Just for fun.
To use an inappropriate analogy, if Liu Bei really wants to be emperor, then he only needs to say a word. Within three months, the royal family will use Liu Bei's branch as the main line, and the original main line will be completely destroyed. Become a branch and lose all power and claims.
In the past, it was still a matter of whether or not it could be done. Now, whether it is possible or not is no longer a problem. The key is whether Liu Bei wants to do it or not.
This is something that the people in Luoyang City already understand but have been deliberately pretending not to know, because Liu Bei has always behaved like Duke Zhou, conscientiously assisting the government, doing things in a down-to-earth manner, and looking like a capable minister in governing the world. .
If Liu Bei himself didn't mention this matter and didn't show any signs of it, then others would never show any signs of wanting to talk about it.
This is too sensitive. If you are not careful, you will die.
However, this matter has almost achieved the state of one person's heart and the hearts of thousands of people, because everyone knows that if Liu Bei really wants to be the emperor, then the cronies who are promoted by him and currently occupy important positions in the court Factions will never oppose it, they will only support it.
After all, Liu Bei's surname is Liu, and he is a descendant of Emperor Gaozu. When he became emperor, the Han Dynasty was still the Han Dynasty. It was nothing more than the transfer of the throne from one branch to another, and nothing else would change.
What to do against him?
Are so many people really willing to respect that little emperor Liu Xie, even at the risk of their lives for it?
To put it bluntly, in the past few years, everyone has become accustomed to the rhythm of Liu Bei's rule, to this rapid development and the gradual improvement of life, and it is very clear that all this is because of Liu Bei, not because of anyone else.
How much benefit will it bring to everyone if Liu Bei is taken down?
How many people are willing to do something that is not beneficial?
The most fundamental problem is that Liu Bei's cronies and servants are too powerful. The political moat he has built for himself is wide and deep. It is by no means easy to shake most people and they do not want to be shaken.
Therefore, everyone instinctively avoids danger and the uncertain future, but they cannot ignore it. Therefore, everyone together sets their sights on the core of the empire's power - the General's Mansion.
The General's Mansion has actually changed a lot compared to the past.
After Liu Bei succeeded He Jin and entered the General's Mansion, he renovated the General's Mansion. At the same time, he bought the locations of his neighbors on the left and right, opened up all the walls, and slightly remodeled the courtyard walls, turning the three mansions into one. Mansion.
The entire remaining two mansions and the front yard of the General's Mansion have become the working areas of the Sixth Department. People who come in and out of work and life are people from the Sixth Department, and they are all subordinates of the General.
Among the entire mansion, only the backyard of the original General's Mansion was Liu Bei's home.
If there is any benefit to this structure, it is that it completely saves General Liu his commuting time to work. He only needs to walk a few more steps to reach his office and start passionate work with his subordinates. .
In order to accommodate more people working in the General's Mansion and smoothly transfer power to the General's Mansion, this level of reconstruction is actually a matter of course. Today, there are already more than 600 people in the Six Ministries handling official affairs.
People who usually go to and from the government departments and the six ministries to work come and go here, coming in and out, making this new general's mansion bustling with activity.
After the relevant rumors spread, although everyone was still in a hurry, the number of government affairs handled was still the same as in the past, the efficiency was not reduced, and even the content of conversations with each other remained the same, but everyone had something in their hearts. Concerned.
Regarding the rumors that Liu Bei's purpose of gathering power was to usurp the throne and proclaim himself emperor, everyone had their own opinions and considerations, but no one had any open communication on this matter.
Even private conversations should be kept away from the general's palace and crowded places, and only those closest to him would be allowed to have conversations.
For the group of people closest to Liu Bei, such things are extremely sensitive. Because they have daily contact with Liu Bei, they are very concerned about Liu Bei's reaction after learning about this matter, and it is said that Liu Bei has known about this matter for a long time.
But in the past few days, Liu Bei had no reaction to this. He was just working silently, working overtime and then getting off work as usual, with a calm face and no wavering.
This makes people feel very strange.
You, the old man, continue to work regardless of such a sensitive and fatal matter?
Everyone was surprised and even a little anxious, but Liu Bei didn't do or say anything. They couldn't rush up to catch him and ask "Are you going to be emperor?" This approach was too outrageous.
So, how will this matter end?
no one knows.
It's just that Liu Bei can sit still, but some people can't.
The group of people who had the closest relationship with Liu Bei were the first to be unable to sit still.
After waiting and watching for several days and finding that Liu Bei had no reaction at all, five people including Han Rong, Cao Cao, Yan Wen, Gai Xun, and Zhen Yan formed a group and took the lead in visiting Liu Bei.
Taking advantage of the lunch break, the five people collectively entered Liu Bei's study and discussed the matter with him.
Because there is a family relationship between them, the political alliance is more compact, and it is completely a state of binding interests. Now that such a big thing has happened, Liu Bei is not anxious, they are all anxious.
So they visited Liu Bei collectively and wanted to find out who Chou Yin Mao was.
There's nothing to worry about when everyone gets together. Anyway, it's each other's internal information and won't be leaked.
"Why are you worried about Zi for something that is not true? If there was actual evidence, they would have listed it on the list long ago. Now they only dare to spread rumors secretly. This only shows that this is unfounded. What do I have to worry about?"
Liu Bei looked at the five of them with a smile and said, "It's better if you all come to my place collectively and spread the word. I'm afraid some people will feel uneasy."
"Xuande, do you know who did this?"
Han Rong took the lead as his father-in-law and asked: "If there is really no such thing, then this is the most vicious frame-up, even more vicious than the frame-ups of Jinwen School back then. We must not let go of those who spread rumors!" We must drive them all away!”
Han Rong's opinion was also the opinion of the other four, and they nodded together.
Liu Bei pondered for a moment.
"It's Zheng Tai. My people noticed him before he sent people to spread rumors. Of course, I'm not surprised that someone would do this. It's just that I feel strange that Zheng Tai would personally order his men to do this. , could it be that they have no one left?”
Han Rong was furious when he heard this.
"This thief! How dare you do such a despicable thing! Xuande, can you tolerate him?"
Zhen Yan took a step forward.
"If you have plans to kill him, please allow me to do it on your behalf!"
Gai Xun also stepped forward and expressed that he was also willing to take action on Liu Bei's behalf.
However, Cao Cao and Yan Wen were relatively calm.
Cao Cao whispered: "Xuande, this matter is quite difficult. If you don't do it right, it is easy for people to misunderstand your intentions. If...Xuande, what do you think of this matter?"
(End of chapter)
