Realistic governance games for both male and female audiences

Chapter 26 Reasons for the Opposition to Prince Su as Crown Prince

The commotion in the Hall of Supreme Harmony had just subsided when Grand Commandant Gu Youzhi followed the imperial carriage and went straight into Emperor Xiao Qingkuang's sleeping quarters.

The palace doors closed, shutting out the cold moonlight that filled the courtyard.

Afterwards, Xiao Qingkuang returned to the main hall of his palace. After letting out a long breath, he slumped onto the dragon throne in his palace as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders.

"Grand Commandant Gu!"

After a long silence, Emperor Xiao Qingkuang, his voice carrying a barely perceptible hint of doubt and inquiry, slowly spoke.

"At today's banquet, I have a question that I do not understand... Would you be willing to enlighten me?"

Gu Youzhi, who was standing respectfully below, immediately clasped his hands in a fist salute upon hearing this: "Your Majesty, please speak. I will answer whatever I know!"

Xiao Qingkuang raised his eyes, his gaze sharp and piercing Gu Youzhi's pupils:

"The Empress Dowager is determined to succeed in establishing an heir today, and most of the civil and military officials are her cronies..."

"I originally thought that these sycophants would go along with it and support Prince Su, but what happened?"

"From Huo Zhong to Zhao Wuji, and even those noble members of the imperial clan who usually followed the Empress Dowager's lead, not a single one spoke up in agreement... On the contrary, there were many opponents!"

"What surprised me most was that the Empress Dowager's own nephew, Huo Zhong, would actually stand against her!"

"When did these court officials become so 'loyal to the emperor and patriotic'?"

"I'm very curious to know, what secrets lie behind this?"

…………

Gu Youzhi nodded slightly, his expression solemn.

He did not rush to answer, but waited for the chief eunuch to bring over an embroidered stool. He then solemnly straightened his robes and sat down before speaking.

"Your Majesty's insight is astute; you saw through the undercurrents beneath the surface at a glance!"

Gu Youzhi began by praising Emperor Xiao Qingkuang before slowly explaining his own insights.

"The Empress Dowager's faction may seem powerful, but in my humble opinion, they are nothing more than a group of opportunists who depend on the Empress Dowager's power!"

"They support the Empress Dowager because she can bring them benefits. Once the Empress Dowager's decisions infringe on their fundamental interests, this so-called 'Empress Dowager power' will collapse in an instant."

"And today's events... are clear proof!"

…………

Xiao Qingkuang raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "Oh? You mean, making Prince Su the crown prince infringes on the interests of all of them?"

"Exactly!"

Gu Youzhi extended a finger and pointed it into the void.

"Let's start with General Huo Zhong!"

"Although this person is the Empress Dowager's nephew and seems to be connected to her by blood and share the same interests, in my humble opinion, there is actually an irreconcilable conflict between him and Prince Su."

…………

"Oh?" Xiao Qingkuang became interested. "What do you mean?"

"The reason Huo Zhong was able to secure his position as Grand General was not only because of the Empress Dowager's support, but also because he commanded the powerful Imperial Guards and had achieved outstanding military exploits!"

"Therefore, General Huo Zhong established himself in the army and even in the imperial court by virtue of his military power."

"But Your Majesty must not forget that Prince Su, Xiao Suyue, is also a rare military talent!"

"He has guarded the western frontier for many years, achieving numerous military exploits and winning the hearts of the army... If such a distinguished prince were to become the crown prince, does Your Majesty know what that means for Huo Zhong?"

…………

A glint of light flashed in Xiao Qingkuang's eyes: "It means a threat!"

"good!"

Gu Youzhi emphasized his tone.

"A crown prince who holds military power will never tolerate another powerful general appearing by his side!"

"Even if Prince Su remains outwardly calm, he will inevitably try every means to weaken Huo Zhong's control over the army and gradually take military power back to himself."

"As for the Empress Dowager, does Your Majesty believe she trusts her most beloved youngest son more, or her nephew, the Grand General?"

"The answer is beyond doubt!"

"The Empress Dowager definitely trusts her most beloved youngest son more!"

Therefore, for Huo Zhong, the ascension of Prince Su marked the beginning of his downfall!

"If he doesn't object today, he'll be doomed to die!"

"Therefore, his opposition to Prince Su was actually to protect his own military power and life!"

…………

Xiao Qingkuang nodded thoughtfully and said, "That makes sense! What about Grand Tutor Zhao Wuji? He has always been at odds with Huo Zhong, so why is he on the same side today?"

"Zhao Wuji was a shrewd and calculating man. He had always harbored the idea of ​​weakening the power of the regional princes and consolidating their authority."

Gu Youzhi sneered.

"In his view, establishing Prince Su as crown prince would undoubtedly strengthen the military, which runs counter to his philosophy of 'civilian rule.' It would be strange if he agreed to it!"

"Therefore, when your humble servant and the General are at the forefront, he has no reason not to intervene!"

…………

Then, without waiting for Emperor Xiao Qingkuang to ask a question, Grand Commandant Gu Youzhi continued speaking on his own:

"As for the Minister of War Zhao Meng, Right General Ma Meng, and other court officials who are knowledgeable about military affairs, why do they also oppose Prince Su becoming the crown prince...?"

At this point, Grand Commandant Gu Youzhi's tone carried a hint of sarcasm:

"Naturally, it's because if Prince Su becomes the crown prince, they risk being kicked out of court... or even demoted and stripped of their titles!"

"They are all high-ranking and powerful figures in the court. Therefore, they are well aware that if Prince Su is made crown prince, he will inevitably have to build a team specifically for him as crown prince; otherwise, his position as crown prince will be meaningless!"

"So, where will Prince Su, who wants to build his own team, select his personnel?"

"Should he choose from his loyal old subordinates in his western fiefdom, or from the court officials in the capital with whom he has no close relationship?"

…………

Xiao Qingkuang couldn't help but interject, "Of course, we'll use our old troops!"

"Exactly!"

Gu Youzhi cupped his hands and said,

"Perhaps while Your Majesty is in power, the power of these officials in the capital will not change much overall. But once Prince Su inherits the throne, does Your Majesty think that Prince Su will retain the power of the officials, or will he allow his heir apparent's faction to take over the power that should belong to the officials?"

"Therefore, for the vast majority of people in the court... at least for the current high-ranking officials and nobles, Prince Su's ascension to the throne is actually not in their interest!"

"Under such circumstances, when your humble servant and Huo Zhong and others took the initiative to attack, they were naturally happy to go along with it and launch a coordinated attack!"

…………

"I see..." After Grand Commandant Gu Youzhi's insightful and detailed explanation, Xiao Qingkuang finally understood everything. A slightly amused smile appeared on his lips. "I thought they were loyal to the emperor and loved their country, but they were nothing more than a bunch of opportunists who would betray their 'master' for their own benefit!"