Upon seeing this, Dong Zhuo's lips curled into a cold smile. "The Yuan family's people are already behaving like this, yet they still dare to try to fight me. Do they even deserve it?"
"Prime Minister, this matter is no child's play; please consider it carefully!"
"Haha!" Upon hearing this, Dong Zhuo burst into laughter: "Grand Tutor Yuan, what I'm trying to say is that if I were to become His Majesty's adoptive father, the Yuan family might not just be four generations of high-ranking officials, but could potentially be four generations of high-ranking officials!"
Upon hearing this, the members of the Yuan family all began to breathe rapidly.
They knew that Dong Zhuo was not joking. If their family really produced a family with four generations of high-ranking officials, then their family would probably surpass many top aristocratic families and become one of the strongest aristocratic families.
After Dong Zhuo said those words, even Yuan Wei couldn't help but be moved.
Although the Yuan family is a prestigious family with vast resources, they are also aware of their own shortcomings.
The lack of hereditary titles meant they didn't have much of an advantage.
Once Yuan Kui passes away, it will be difficult for the Yuan family to produce another high-ranking official. However, if a situation of four generations of high-ranking officials were to occur, then the Yuan family would have a chance.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Yuan family were secretly relieved that they hadn't impulsively refuted him earlier, otherwise they would have missed a golden opportunity and suffered heavy losses.
"Ahem, this matter is of great importance. I beg the Prime Minister to allow me a few days to consider it!"
Dong Zhuo nodded and smiled, "The Empress Dowager has issued a decree that His Majesty will recognize me as his adoptive father tomorrow. This cannot be delayed!"
The Yuan family members froze.
The Yuan family members panicked and all looked to Yuan Wei for a decision.
Yuan Wei remained silent for a long while, then gritted his teeth and said, "Since the Empress Dowager has issued the decree, we should obey it!"
Yuan Wei knew that he had to agree to Dong Zhuo's request this time, because the Yuan family dared not gamble with the outcome.
He had to think about the Yuan family!
When Yuan Wei said this, everyone in the Yuan family breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the Yuan family could achieve four generations of high-ranking officials, they would become the number one aristocratic family in the world.
Dong Zhuo smiled with satisfaction. He knew that the Yuan family would not dare to refuse, and this time he was confident of victory.
"Grand Tutor, do you think this gift is appropriate?" Dong Zhuo said, and then handed the gift to Yuan Wei.
Yuan Wei accepted the gift, examined it, and smiled, saying, "Thank you for the gift, Prime Minister!"
The two men exchanged a smile, and Dong Zhuo cupped his hands and said, "In that case, I shall take my leave now. I look forward to joining the Grand Tutor for this grand event tomorrow!"
After Dong Zhuo left, the members of the Yuan family began to discuss the matter.
Four generations of high-ranking officials—this was an opportunity that the Yuan family could only dream of.
If the Yuan family seizes this opportunity, they will surpass all the top aristocratic families.
Everyone present felt a strong desire.
Especially for Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, if they can make good use of this opportunity, wouldn't their careers be smooth sailing? They will surely rise to great heights in the future.
Thinking of this, the two brothers exchanged a glance and both saw the burning passion in each other's eyes.
Yuan Shu stepped forward to the elder of the Yuan family and said respectfully, "Uncle, I am willing to take on this task. I humbly request your permission, grandfather!"
Yuan Shu's voice was strong and resolute.
"Uncle, your nephew is also willing to do his part in this matter!" Yuan Shao said.
The two men's attitude was clear: they wanted to get involved in this matter and seize every opportunity to improve themselves. If things went well, they might even become one of the top three in the future.
This made the Yuan family members nod in agreement. Among the next generation of the Yuan family, only Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu could be considered outstanding. Their initiative to volunteer was exactly what they wanted.
Yuan Wei was naturally aware of this, but to him, Yuan Shu was the legitimate son, while Yuan Shao was merely an illegitimate son, and he had always looked down on Yuan Shao.
However, Yuan Shao's talent far surpassed that of Yuan Shu, leaving Yuan Kui in a dilemma, unsure of what to choose.
Finally, Yuan Wei looked at Yuan Shu and said, "Gonglu, I'll leave this matter to you!"
Yuan Shu's face immediately lit up with joy, and he quickly bowed and said, "I will follow your teachings, Uncle, and will certainly live up to your expectations!"
Yuan Shu was overjoyed. He had thought his chances were over, especially since Yuan Shao had already entered the court as an official and had even rendered meritorious service in the fight against the Yellow Turban rebels! But who knew that Yuan Wei was still on his side?
He looked at Yuan Shao with a smug expression, as if mocking him.
Upon seeing this, Yuan Shao clenched his fists and his eyes blazed with fury, but he could only suppress his anger because there were so many elders present.
"Heh!" Yuan Shao glanced at Yuan Shu with disdain, then turned and left, clearly too lazy to pay any attention to him.
Yuan Shu was overjoyed at the sight, secretly pleased, as if he could already see himself wielding absolute power in the court!
The next day, in the main hall of the palace, Liu Bian, dressed in a small dragon robe, sat at the head of the table, with Dong Zhuo sitting to his left, his face showing an indifferent expression.
On the right, Empress He sat dignifiedly, while the eunuch read out the imperial edict.
When the civil and military officials heard that the emperor wanted to recognize Dong Zhuo as his adoptive father, they were all greatly shocked.
In particular, the scions of powerful families angrily rebuked, "Your Majesty, you mustn't! This matter is of utmost importance; you absolutely cannot make such a hasty decision!"
The cacophony of advice from his civil and military officials caused Dong Zhuo to frown and reveal an angry expression.
Empress Dowager He waved her hand and said, "I have already made my decision, so please do not say anything more!"
"Empress Dowager..." The civil and military officials wanted to persuade her again.
"Step back!" Empress Dowager He shouted coldly, her majestic gaze sweeping across the entire hall.
The civil and military officials staring at her felt a chill run down their spines and lowered their heads, not daring to utter another word.
Upon seeing this, a cold glint flashed in Dong Zhuo's eyes, but he quickly concealed it and smiled, saying, "I am only following the Empress Dowager's orders. Since the Empress Dowager has made the decision, I will naturally abide by it. As for other matters, the Empress Dowager need not worry about them!"
Dong Zhuo's words were calm, but carried a strong threat.
Upon hearing these words, both civil and military officials felt a chill run down their spines and trembled with fear.
This was Dong Zhuo's warning to them, a way of intimidating them and telling everyone that he, Dong Zhuo, was not to be trifled with!
"I trust the Prime Minister, he will certainly not let me down!" Empress Dowager He smiled gently and patted Dong Zhuo's shoulder.
At this moment, Xun Shuang suddenly opened his slightly narrowed eyes and looked at Dong Zhuo, his gaze revealing a hint of murderous intent.
Dong Zhuo noticed Xun Shuang's gaze, and a hint of apprehension flashed in his eyes.
“This old minister thinks it won’t work!” Xun Shuang stepped forward slowly.
"Although Prime Minister Dong has made many contributions, he is, after all, an outsider and not of royal blood. How can he be worthy of being His Majesty's adoptive father?"
Xun Shuang's words were immediately met with approval from all the civil and military officials.
Upon hearing this, Dong Zhuo's face twitched; he had already guessed this.
As expected, Xun Shuang jumped out to object, which immediately gave him a bad feeling.
"Xun Shuang, do you intend to disobey the imperial decree?!" Dong Zhuo shouted with a gloomy face.
Xun Shuang shook his head slightly and said, "Prime Minister, please don't accuse me. I don't think this matter will work!"
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