Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors
Chapter 445 - 254: A New Attempt at Chu Song (8000 words)_4

Chapter 445: Chapter 254: A New Attempt at Chu Song (8000 words)_4

"By that time, the royal family will truly be the mainstay of the Great Qi’s revival, with achievements rivaling those of Emperor Gaozu and Emperor Taizong—perhaps even surpassing them. At that time, the royal family’s accomplishments will surely warrant an individual temple, immortalized for millennia."

"Shortly after the Supreme Emperor passed the throne to the previous emperor, he completely lost power. It’s evident that power doesn’t stem from status but from the hearts and minds of the people. Of course, a significant portion of this public sentiment is also the attitude of officials and scholars."

"If the royal family truly reclaims the Northern Land, they will undoubtedly be a paramount sovereign in the hearts of the masses and the minds of scholars alike. Even if the so-called ’Second Saints’ are brought back, they’re merely clay and wax figures at best. It’s generous enough that the royal family doesn’t pursue their involvement in the Jingping Incident. What courage would they have to contend with the royal family for the throne?"

Emperor Gaozong of Qi seemed to become even more restless. He stood up and paced a few steps, "But I have no heirs..."

Chuge felt somewhat speechless, "Your Majesty, it’s still the same as before.

"If General Han doesn’t recapture the Yan clouds and reach Yellow Dragon Mansion, the Second Saints will never return.

"If General Han truly reaches Yellow Dragon Mansion and brings back the Second Saints, Your Majesty will still be the unchallenged mainstay of revival. As long as Your Majesty remains on the throne for even a day, you hold supreme power and can select your successor at will.

"Your Majesty lacks an heir, you can simply adopt from the line of Emperor Gaozu. Whether the Second Saints return or not, it won’t affect Your Majesty’s decisions."

These two issues, in Chuge’s view, were frankly nonsensical.

It was like a drowning man hesitating over a lifebuoy tossed to him, worrying whether the material of the lifebuoy was toxic.

Keep in mind that it has been only a few years since the Jingping Incident. For Emperor Gaozong of Qi, as long as he could defeat the Jin people and reclaim the Yan clouds, regardless of whether he brought back the Second Saints, he would establish absolute authority within the court and be able to accomplish whatever he wished.

Yet Emperor Gaozong of Qi was somehow worried that bringing back the Second Saints would affect his rule? He obviously had no concept of the public support brought about by the unparalleled achievements in recapturing the Yan clouds.

However, Chuge’s explanation did not satisfy Emperor Gaozong of Qi.

Emperor Gaozong’s expression twisted, as he said loudly, "But! These military men!

"If they take advantage of the campaign against Jin and become unrestrained, bestowing the imperial robe upon themselves, what then?

"If General Han really brings back the Second Saints and then initiates a military coup, supporting the Second Saints to the throne, what should I do!"

Chuge fell silent.

Not because he was persuaded by Emperor Gaozong, but because he was utterly dumbfounded by Emperor Gaozong’s peculiar train of thought.

Emperor Gaozong’s proposition did have a tiny bit of sense.

After all, shortly after Emperor Gaozong took the throne, he faced a military coup. His fear of the generals was ingrained deep in his bones.

The more victories General Han Fuyue garnered, the more suspicious he appeared of power that could threaten the throne, leaving Emperor Gaozong, an already insecure emperor, in constant trepidation.

Moreover, if General Han Fuyue truly colluded with the Second Saints, from Emperor Gaozong’s perspective, it seemed indeed possible they could depose him?

Chuge was exasperated, yet he still explained patiently.

"Your Majesty’s concern is somewhat like an unfounded fear of an imminent skyfall.

"Your Majesty, setting aside whether General Han is wholeheartedly loyal or bears no second thoughts toward you, Your Majesty has seen General Han’s conduct for yourself. I only wish to analyze the current situation in the court for Your Majesty now.

"The army of the Qi Dynasty is supplied with provisions and baggage from the rear, and its morale comes from the Northern Expedition against the Jin.

"Most of our soldiers have suffered at the hands of the Jin, carrying a deep-seated vendetta. This is a crucial reason for General Han Fuyue’s consistent victories and unstoppable momentum.

"If General Han truly wished to rebel, Your Majesty could immediately cut off his provisions and supplies, causing his army to collapse without a fight. Without supplies, General Han would have only two options to maintain his forces: plundering the wealth of the people or negotiating peace with the Jin.

"However, each of these options would lead to the disintegration of his troops’ morale and an inescapable doom. All Your Majesty would need to do is to elevate a few other capable generals to easily eradicate any insurrection.

"Furthermore, it’s improbable that General Han Fuyue has any real connection with the Second Saints.

"When the Second Saints were in power, General Han was but a lowly soldier. Your Majesty has shown favor and promoted General Han all along. How could he fail to understand this simple principle?

"How could they trust and employ General Han if the Second Saints were restored to power when he is after all, a subordinate promoted by Your Majesty? Conversely, why would General Han support the Second Saints?

"In my opinion, General Han’s rallying cry to welcome back the Second Saints is merely a slogan to boost morale. Because welcoming back the Second Saints symbolizes vanquishing the humiliation before Jingping. Besides, wasn’t this slogan initially raised by Your Majesty himself?"

Emperor Gaozong’s face twitched with veins, as if rendered speechless by the argument.

The questions he raised were some historical conjectures put forth by revisionists to argue "General Han Fuyue truly deserved to die."

In reality, they were unworthy of refutation.

In fact, even if General Han Fuyue had wanted to establish himself as the ruler at that time, there was absolutely no chance of success. Furthermore, judging by General Han’s daily conduct, he always seemed to be wholeheartedly loyal and unwavering.

Chuge’s words effectively used the arguments of future scholars to refute these fallacies, addressing them back to Emperor Gaozong of Qi.

Naturally, they were quite effective.