"Shao Yu, you are too modest. If you hadn't fought in Jinling City and Sui'an City, I'm afraid that I wouldn't have been able to secure my throne before the remnants of the previous dynasty would have targeted me. So, in terms of merit, you should be the first! After I ascend the throne, I will naturally give you great rewards, and you will be the first-class duke appointed by me!"
The first-class duke of a different surname is the highest title among all dukes. Even the former Marshal Gu and Duke Shang did not get this honor, but it was Gu Shaoyu who got the title.
Although Prime Minister Guo and the Queen Mother felt that the title was a bit too big, they thought it was understandable considering his achievements. Therefore, they both strongly supported such a reward and did not speak out to stop it.
On the contrary, it was Gu Shaoyu who felt that it was a bit too much, but before he could open his mouth, the prince changed the subject.
"Now that the external threat has been eliminated, it's time to resolve the internal troubles as well."
It was clear what the Crown Prince meant: the time had come to liquidate the Fourth Prince's forces.
In the past, the ones who followed him the most were the Wei Family, the Dingping Marquisate, and the so-called military advisor, the Left Vice Minister of Jin. However, many of the Fourth Prince's people had already been poached by the Left Vice Minister of Jin, so a lot of people were dragged into the whole situation.
After the nature of these people was determined, the Four Princes' party basically had no supporters left. The only eye-catching one was the Dingping Marquis' Mansion, but I'm afraid they also knew that dark clouds were looming.
Therefore, the Crown Prince's intention was to wipe out the Dingping Marquis' Mansion. In this way, the Fourth Prince, whose left and right arms were cut off, would naturally have no way to escape.
Thinking of this, Prime Minister Guo said something shrewdly.
"It doesn't necessarily mean we have to wipe them out, Your Highness. Don't forget that the Dingping Marquis' Mansion also holds a lot of private property. If we can persuade them to surrender, I think they will be a useful chess piece."
As for the best way to persuade the emperor to surrender, it would be best to have his daughter enter the palace. Anyway, the new emperor would expand his harem when he ascended the throne, so it was not a bad thing to have another concubine with a helpful family.
So, after a brief thought, the prince said to Prime Minister Guo.
"Grandfather is right. If that's the case, then I'll leave this matter to you. Forget about Shao Yu. I'm afraid that he has just arrived at the Dingping Marquis's mansion and the people inside are so scared that they are about to wet their pants."
After these words were spoken, several people smiled slightly.
But because they were still at the place where the emperor's body was resting, they didn't dare to be too presumptuous.
The poor Fourth Prince was still in the dark in his mansion, while what he thought was his most solid support was gradually disintegrating.
After hearing what Guo Xiang had just said, Marquis Dingping fell into silence.
If Wu'er were still alive, he would definitely not agree to this condition today. But now all ties between him and the Fourth Prince's Mansion have been severed. If he continues to follow, wouldn't he be courting death?
Moreover, from the very beginning, what he cared about was whether his grandson could ascend to that throne. Since this one was gone, there would be another one. Since the Fourth Prince was not capable of anything, then surrendering to the new emperor would not be a bad idea.
But, can it really be as smooth as Prime Minister Guo said?
No matter what, they were once enemies. What if they coaxed the Dingping Marquis into surrendering and then turned around to kill them?
Prime Minister Guo has been in power for decades and his expression is hard to tell, so he stroked his beard and spoke.
"With Shao Yu's situation, and now the Tiger Guards are outside, and the situation inside the City Defense Department, if I don't speak up, do you think Dingping Marquis's Mansion can survive for a few days? So it's not that we have no other choice and have to come to negotiate peace with you, but I really can't bear to see the lives of the people. You can convince the Fourth Prince to break off contact with the Wei family, which shows that you are still sane and know that Daxing is the foundation. So once the power of the former prince is removed, many positions will be vacant. There are also several outstanding descendants in Dingping Marquis's Mansion. Why not serve Daxing well at this time?"
I have to say that the conditions offered by Prime Minister Guo are really attractive.
First, he gave the Dingping Marquisate a chance to survive, and then he was given the possibility to climb up. After weighing the pros and cons, if he delayed the future generations of the entire family for his own obsession, then he would be too stupid to be a marquis and a clan leader.
So, I took a deep breath, and when I focused again, everything was settled.
"It is not impossible for my Dingping Marquisate to pledge allegiance to the new emperor, but Minister Guo must guarantee me that if the descendants of my Dingping Marquisate enter the court, they will not be affected by the past."
"Hahahaha, Lord Marquis, don't you know what kind of personality I have? As long as the descendants of Dingping Marquisate are wholeheartedly working for the good of Daxing and the new emperor, even if they ask me to give up the position of Prime Minister, I will agree!"
What he said was upright and aboveboard. Marquis Dingping had been dealing with him for many years and knew it was true, so he did not struggle any more and spoke immediately.
"When the new emperor ascends the throne, my Dingping Marquis Mansion is willing to spend 30% of our family assets to send our legitimate daughter to the palace to celebrate the new dynasty!"
At this point, Guo Xiang also knew that it had succeeded.
This guarantee from Marquis Dingping also meant that the forces under his command that once followed the Fourth Prince had all disintegrated and became a sharp sword in support of the new emperor.
As the saying goes, surrender requires a letter of surrender, and the letter of surrender of the Dingping Marquis' Mansion is naturally the fate of the Fourth Prince.
There is no mistake in the poem, post, content, and read the book on 6, 9, and bar!
Seven days passed in a row. The security outside the prince's mansion was tight, but inside it was so quiet that it was frightening.
It was of no use for the Fourth Prince to worry, so he could only drink to drown his sorrows.
It was not until he saw Lord Dingping walk in that his eyes lit up. He then dropped the bottle of wine in his hand, walked over excitedly and said.
"Why is my father-in-law here? But everything outside has been settled?"
When hearing this, Lord Dingping felt a little disdainful. Looking at the person in front of him who looked like mud, he felt that he had been blind before.
It is ridiculous to choose someone who is incapable of shouldering the responsibility.
Fortunately, even if he took a wrong step, he could still turn back, so he would never let the Fourth Prince become an obstacle for him to turn back. Therefore, his eyes became stern, and then he said.
"Fourth Prince, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has specially asked this old minister to see you off because he is your brother. Being born into this royal family is your fortune, but also your misfortune. Don't be resentful if you win or lose. Go on your way. In your next life, you can be reunited with a rich family and live a leisurely life. This kind of struggle is not suitable for you."
With just one sentence, the Fourth Prince's plans and dreams over the years were shattered to pieces. The Fourth Prince opened his eyes wide and couldn't believe that the person in front of him would say such a thing, so he spoke indignantly.
"You rebelled?"
"Daxing was originally the Crown Prince's regent. Now that His Majesty has passed away, isn't it only natural for the Crown Prince to ascend the throne?"