"Your Majesty, I believe that the matter of establishing a prince cannot be based on the order of eldest and young children in the people. The position of the prince is not an ordinary position, and the prince will inherit the throne in the future. The old minister believes that there is only one criterion for establishing a prince, either the eldest or the youngest or the heir apparent.
I only talk about the virtuous and the unworthy. Although the King of Jin was talented and learned, Mr. Su himself admitted that the King of Huai was indulged in pleasure, liked feasting and writing, and liked paintings, poetry, and music. His temper was too extrovert, which led to frivolity.
Naturally, there is nothing to criticize as a prince. After all, this is not a big problem. But if he ascends to the world in the future, he may not be suitable. Extravagant enjoyment, feasting, poetry and music are definitely not what the emperor can do. He is the respect of the world.
He should be mature and prudent, diligent and frugal, and set an example for all people. In this regard, the second prince Guo Xu is more suitable. I don’t know what the emperor and your lords think."
This time it was Yang Jun who stood up to speak. Although he was a little embarrassed by Guo Xu just now, he still followed the tacit agreement with Lu Zhongtian on the issue of stance and supported Guo Xu as the prince. As for Lu Zhongtian’s previous remarks, Yang
Jun understood this as a way to avoid suspicion. After all, Lu Zhongtian was Guo Xu's grandfather, so it was not easy to directly support Guo Xu as the prince, so he could only say some ambiguous words.
After Yang Jun said these words, the wind in the court immediately changed. Most of the officials originally wanted to support Guo Xu, but now the privy envoys took the lead and no longer hesitated and spoke in agreement one after another.
"What Privy Yang said is very true. As the saying goes, there is no way to establish talents. The virtuous can be promoted, and the unworthy can be demoted. This is an act for the sake of the country, the country, and the country."
"Everyone knows that the second prince is wise and brave. How can he be restrained by etiquette and law when it comes to matters related to Zuo of the Great Zhou Dynasty? That is a pedantic move."
As soon as these people spoke, the officials in the hall who supported Guo Mian quit their jobs and began to debate with them one after another.
"Nonsense, who is virtuous? What is the standard? You said that the second prince is virtuous than the eldest prince, can you point out the specific things?"
"Are you blind? The eldest prince is feasting and having fun, and everyone in the capital knows about it. The second prince is leading the army to guard the border. He is self-denial and diligent, and he is generous. Do you need to elaborate on the virtuous and unvirtuous?"
"What a joke, is it unworthy to feast on poetry and music? I, the Great Zhou Dynasty, popularized poetry and music. This is an elegant thing. How many celebrities and great scholars enjoy it endlessly. According to your opinion, that is unworthy? You don't feast on poetry and music? You
Is virtuous or unvirtuous?”
"How can we compare ordinary people? This is the foundation of the country. In the future, he will inherit the throne and ascend to the world. What is your intention in comparing ordinary people?"
"The world is one, and everyone must abide by the rules of etiquette and music. If the elders are abolished and the younger are established, the country will be in chaos."
"Bah! How about the Tang Dynasty? Emperor Taizong was not a long-term leader. He created the prosperous Tang Dynasty, and his civil and military skills were unparalleled in the world. This is the benefit of establishing virtuous people."
"It's ridiculous. I'm afraid you don't know the changes in the Xuanwu Sect and the pain of brothers killing each other. Throughout the Tang Dynasty, there were so many disasters of brothers fighting for the imperial power. The culprit started with Taizong. Because since Taizong came to the throne, the etiquette and laws were broken and the rules and regulations were disrupted.
, so the end of the Tang Dynasty followed the example of chaos. Are you going to let the chaos in the Tang Palace happen in our Zhou Dynasty today? How can you be at ease?"
"..."
"..."
In the court, both sides held their own opinions and argued endlessly. Each tried their best to refute the other's point of view, and they were noisy like ducks in a pond.
Lin Jue looked at this group of people with a wry smile, and felt that it was ridiculous. They didn't even understand Guo Chong's thoughts, and they were arguing here until they were blushing and thick-necked. Maybe Guo Chong needed them to argue so that he could stop the matter of establishing the crown prince.
Let’s do it.
However, Lin Jue was quite interested in the content of their debate. Whether to establish a virtuous person or to establish an elder has always been a controversial topic. In history, there are many cases where the wrong emperor's heir was established, which led to the decline of the country. Of course,
There are also situations where, in the name of promoting virtue, chaos breaks out in the palace, brothers and fathers fight against each other, and the world is in chaos.
It's not that Lin Jue has never considered this issue. For people who came from the earth in the future, he certainly hopes to be a meritorious person instead of blindly establishing heirs based on etiquette. But Lin Jue understands that this is not a simple matter.
A question that can be easily defined. Everyone hopes to establish a virtuous person, but what is the standard of virtuous people? Who will determine it? This is a controversial topic. Simply put, establishing a virtuous person is an objective standard, simple and easy to implement, and it can
Control. Establishing a virtuous person is a subjective standard, and it is difficult to define what is virtuous and unworthy. In this case, establishing a virtuous person can obviously have a universal standard and is easier to operate. Therefore, since ancient times, establishing a virtuous person has been the first priority.
This has largely avoided unnecessary disputes. This has a very positive effect on the stability and continuation of the regime. Of course, this will lead to chaos in the country due to the elders being unworthy, but this is also a balance.
The most acceptable result for most people.
As for the idea put forward by some people under the rule of the late emperor of this dynasty that "to rule the world and establish the virtuous, in troubled times to establish the virtuous", that is actually an effort to change this single system of establishing virtuous people and to make the virtuous ascend the throne. But in fact it is also difficult to define who is a virtuous person.
.In fact, if we are in troubled times, it is not a question of virtuous or not, but a question of whose fist is bigger and stronger. Those with bigger fists will naturally get what they want in a chaotic situation, but with
This controversy has little relevance.
In fact, Lin Jue didn't have any good ideas about these things, and he didn't have the ability to solve the eternally difficult matter. The reason why he chose to support Guo Mian was purely because of the situation. He would recommend others by himself, and perhaps those in the hall would
Most of the red-faced officials who argued were motivated by their own personal interests. The so-called dispute between the wise and the elders was just a fig leaf for the public.
Facing the noisy debate in the court, Guo Chong did not show any dissatisfaction. Instead, he stopped Zhao Yuankang, the commander of the front department, who tried to stop the officials from losing their composure. This was what Guo Chong wanted, and he was most worried about it.
What is more, today's discussion of the crown prince is one-sided. In that case, it will make things very difficult for him. This kind of contentious scene is what he wants to see the most. In this way, he has reason to postpone the discussion of the prince's discussion.
"My lords, can you be quiet for a moment? I have something to say." A man raised his arms and shouted loudly. Everyone looked and saw that it was Huai Wang Guo Xu who came out of the queue again.
Everyone's arguments stopped, and no one knew what Guo Xu was going to say at this moment. Logically speaking, after discussing the establishment of a prince, the two parties involved had no right to speak. They could only listen or accept some inquiries.
Answer. Guo Xu jumped out again, but he didn’t know what his intention was.
Guo Xu's face was indifferent and calm. Everyone's discussion stopped. Guo Xu turned around and slowly knelt in front of the throne, kowtowing respectfully.
Guo Chong frowned and asked, "Guo Xu, what are you doing?"
Guo Xu kowtowed heavily, raised his head and said, "My son, please ask your father to punish you."
All the ministers were shocked, and Guo Chong was also surprised and said: "Punishment? What crime are you guilty of?"
Guo Chongdao: "My son is the chief culprit. Because of my son, the court is divided, officials are at odds, and the government and the public are in turmoil. What is this but a crime? My father, I beg my father to stop the proposal of establishing a prince. Just as Prime Minister Lu said,
We, the Zhou Dynasty, are currently facing internal and external difficulties, and it is not appropriate to discuss the matter of establishing a crown prince at this time. It is not a good opportunity to discuss the establishment of a crown prince at this time, which will cause division among officials and unrest among the people. I cannot sit back and watch all this happen because of my son, so I sincerely request you
The father is condemned and begged to stop the prince's proposal. The father is in his prime, and there is no need to be so anxious about the prince's proposal. Especially under the current situation, everyone needs to work together to deal with the crisis. How can we do this?
And internal strife and strife? My father, I and my son and I beg my father to think twice and do this."
The court hall was silent. No one expected that Guo Xu would jump out and say such words. The red-faced officials who were fighting for him rolled their eyes. They completely failed to understand today's situation. Lu Xiang and Huai
When the king says something like this, is it a fight or not? How should we, the flag-waving ones, advance or retreat? It's really a ghost.
Guo Chong frowned and thought about Guo Xu's words. He was a little moved by Guo Xu. He had heard what Guo Xu said before from Lin Jue. Lin Jue also said that the prince's council caused the division of the imperial court. Now Guo Xu also said the same.
. This is the second time today that Guo Xu has impressed Guo Chong. The generous words he just said about the possible war with Liao are also in line with his own feelings. Guo Chong even doubted whether Guo Xu had discussed it with Lin Jue.
These two things, otherwise why would the two of them have the same caliber?
But no matter what, the fact that Guo Xu could make such a statement really made Guo Chong have a great impression of him. He originally loved Guo Xu, and Guo Xu could be so aware of the overall situation and consider the overall situation, which showed that he had not misjudged the person.
"Guo Xu, please get up. I need to discuss this matter with all the ministers. The proposal for the crown prince is a matter decided by me. I can't take it back. This is not your fault. There will inevitably be disputes when discussing the establishment of the crown prince.
"Yes." Guo Chong said solemnly.
Guo Xu did not stand up, but kowtowed and said: "Father, if we must discuss the establishment of a crown prince, I think that King Jin is more suitable. King Jin is the eldest son, and he is talented and famous. He has made great achievements in suppressing the rebellion.
He is the popular choice. My son thinks that he is the most suitable candidate. My moral character is shallow and it is difficult for him to hold a big position. He knows that he is not qualified for the position of prince. It is a mistake to include him as a candidate. He must win the position of prince.
His virtue is worthy of his position, and the King of Jin possesses both virtue and talent, so there is no need to discuss it any further. These are my sincere words, and they are absolutely not lies. I sincerely ask my father for your permission."
There was even more elegance and silence in the court. Could it be that King Huai was stupid? So many people worked hard for him to win the crown prince, but he himself gave up? He praised King Jin as a flower and degraded himself into a piece of shit.
?What kind of idea is this? Guo Xu is afraid that his brain is really caught in the door. That is the position of the prince. It is obviously supported by the privy council and the prime minister, and the emperor is also biased towards him, but he actually gave up.
Lin Jue stood there and secretly admired that Guo Xu was indeed very smart. He seemed to have an insight into Guo Chong's psychology. All his words and deeds today were aimed at Guo Chong's weakness. He thought clearly and clearly.
Guo Xu knew that his father did not want to establish a crown prince. Instead of doing this, it was better to show magnanimity and virtuousness, and win the favor of others. Since he could not get it in a short time, why not take the opportunity to gain some reputation as a virtuous man? This is the best way to win favor.
A good strategy. I believe that after today, everyone will say that Guo Xu voluntarily gave up the fight for the position of prince in order to avoid court battles. His reputation as a virtuous man has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
