Chapter 368: Ministers Persuade
In the spring of the 208th year of Jian'an (), all the ministers submitted a petition together, requesting that the King of Wu ascend the throne as emperor.

Emperor Liu Xie took the opportunity to issue an edict, asking the King of Wu to hold a ceremony of abdication.

Wancheng, Jingzhou, the Palace of the King of Wu.

"Inverted!"

“Everything has turned against us!”

Jin Mao threw away one memorial after another, picked up the memorial signed by the Construction Bureau again, read two pages, and felt like throwing the book again.

As soon as I saw the signature, it was Zhuge Liang!
Damn it, little Karami dares to do that?

Aren’t you afraid of being fired?
However, before Jin Mao could react, Jia Xu led the officials of the Grand Council to pay a visit to Jin Mao and asked him to ascend the throne as emperor.

Jin Mao's face was uncertain under the candlelight. He knew that this was not only the will of the ministers, but also an irreversible trend in the tide of the times. He stood up slowly, his eyes passed through the heavy curtains, as if he had penetrated the high walls of the mansion and saw a wider world and an unknown future.

"Gentlemen, do you know that if we take this step, we will be doomed forever?" Jin Mao's voice was deep and powerful, and every word seemed to hit the hearts of everyone present like a heavy hammer. He looked around and saw that the ministers either had firm expressions or had expectations in their eyes, all of them had high hopes for him.

"Your Majesty, this is the destiny and the people's will. The Han Dynasty is in decline and no longer capable of reviving. Your Majesty is both virtuous and talented, and you are the only one to save the people from this dire straits." Jia Xu stepped forward, bowed, and spoke earnestly.

Jin Mao was silent for a moment, feeling mixed emotions. He knew that once he accepted the throne, he would have to take on unprecedented responsibilities and pressures, and would also face challenges and doubts from all sides.

"I'm not ready for this yet, so let's put it aside for now."

Jia Xu rarely started to charge into battle. There was no other way. He was the only important official in Wancheng. If not him, who else could he charge at?
"Your Majesty, the affairs of the world cannot be carried out after everything is ready. In the past, Emperor Gaozu rose from humble beginnings and achieved great success with his passion, wisdom and courage. Now Your Majesty holds a large army and the people are loyal to you. This is exactly what is in line with the will of heaven and the people. Moreover, time waits for no one. The Han Dynasty is in decline and many heroes are rising up. If Your Majesty hesitates, you may miss the opportunity and regret it later." Jia Xu's words revealed an unquestionable firmness. He knew very well that for a wise ruler like Jin Mao, he must reason with him and move him with emotion in order to inspire his ambitions.

Jin Mao heard this and looked into the distance with deep eyes, as if he was weighing the weight of this heavy decision. Inside the hall, the air froze, and all the ministers held their breath, fearing that the slightest sound would break the silence that determined their fate.

"What Mr. Jia said is absolutely true, but I also know that the road to becoming an emperor is full of thorns and it cannot be achieved without firm belief and extraordinary wisdom. I need time to think carefully about how to maintain domestic stability and resist foreign aggression, and how to restore the Han Dynasty without repeating the past mistakes and letting the people suffer from war again." Although Jin Mao's voice was soft, it revealed unquestionable power.

Seeing this, Jia Xu felt relieved. He knew that he was still hesitant, but he did have the heart to become emperor. "Your Majesty is wise. I am willing to do my best to assist you and work together for your great cause. When the time is right and the people support you, your ascension to the throne will be a natural outcome."

"Since you've said so, let's set a deadline." Jin Mao made a concession and tried to delay the time as much as possible. "When the city in the northeast is built and the northwest is connected, I will ascend the throne."

How could that be possible? Jia Xu was already over sixty years old. Who knew if he could wait until that day? After all, in this era, people were considered to have known their fate at the age of seventy. How many years did he have left to live?
Jia Xu advised: "Your Majesty, the world's situation is changing rapidly, and the timing is beyond human power to predict. However, Your Majesty's ambition is like the guidance of the stars, and it will be achieved no matter how far it is. Although I am old, my heart is toward the light, and I am willing to use the rest of my life to pave a smooth road for Your Majesty. As for the deadline, it is just a ruler in Your Majesty's heart to measure the people's support and the rise and fall of the country's strength. Why don't you take this opportunity to open up more talents, work diligently and love the people, and when the world is united and the people live and work in peace and contentment, the enthronement ceremony will naturally follow the will of heaven and the will of the people."

Jin Mao's eyes flashed with approval when he heard this. He knew that Jia Xu was not only a man of great wisdom, but also a man of loyalty and patriotism. "Mr. Jia is right. I should put the people of the world first and not rush. From now on, I will be more diligent and strive for peace and prosperity for the country and the people. When the time is right, I will discuss ascending the throne again."

After saying this, Jin Mao turned around and looked out the window. He saw the clear sky and gentle breeze, and a surge of lofty sentiments and ambitions surged in his heart. "I vow to create an unprecedented prosperity and let future generations remember that today's efforts are all for that eternal glory!"

Upon seeing this, Jia Xu bowed and was secretly anxious, but he also knew that the matter could not be discussed any further, otherwise he would be disliked by his lord.

"My minister retire."

...

Wancheng, Jingzhou, Jia Mansion.

Xun Yu was invited here with a lot of resentment. He had promised not to interfere or cause trouble, so why didn't these people let him go? They also wanted him to give advice on the matter of ascending the throne?
Jia Xu knew Xun Yu's dissatisfaction very well, and said with a smile: "Brother Wenruo, don't be angry. Although this is not what you want, you and I are both in the midst of a chaotic world, and the responsibility on our shoulders is heavier than Mount Tai. The lord is ambitious and wants to build a foundation for eternity. As counselors, if you and I can lend a helping hand and accomplish a great cause that will go down in history, wouldn't it be great?"

Xun Yu sighed when he heard this, and the worry on his face faded a little, but he still couldn't hide his worries: "That being said, the world is still unsettled, wars are frequent, and the people are displaced. If we are busy with the coronation ceremony at this time, it may not be a wise move. We should first think of a way to keep the people safe, and then we can plan big things."

Jia Xu nodded in agreement, with a hint of deep thought in his eyes: "Xun Gong's words make sense, but the lord's heart is not to completely ignore the people. He wants to use the name of this prosperous era to inspire the soldiers and stabilize the people's hearts. At the same time, he is also announcing to the world that our dynasty will uphold benevolent governance and put the people first. However, we really need to carefully grasp the balance between the two."

Xun Yu pondered for a moment, then slowly said: "In that case, I will not say any more. But please tell my lord that the matter of ascending the throne should be simple and not waste money and manpower. As for the strategy of pacifying the people, I have a preliminary idea, and I am willing to discuss it with Wenhe and strive to implement it as soon as possible to relieve the suffering of the people."

Seeing that Xun Yu would not listen, Jia Xu had no choice but to tell the truth: "Xun Yu should know the lord's temper. If no one can persuade him and the ministers force him to abdicate, this matter will definitely turn against him."

Xun Yu frowned slightly when he heard this, and a trace of worry flashed in his eyes. He sighed and said, "Mr. Jia is right. Although the lord is wise and brave, he is stubborn. However, our dynasty has just been established and there are many things to be done. It would be unwise to cause public resentment because of the extravagant coronation ceremony. As ministers, we should put the country first and not let our selfish desires blind our eyes."

"How about this," Xun Yu proposed after a moment's hesitation, "I will personally write a letter, explaining the importance of keeping the people safe and the way of frugality, hoping to touch the master's heart. At the same time, I will also list my plan for keeping the people safe in detail, attach the implementation steps and expected results, for the master's reference. In addition, you can ask the old ministers of high moral character and prestige in the court to jointly submit a petition to persuade together, which may achieve twice the result with half the effort."

After hearing this, Jia Xu's eyes flashed with approval, and he nodded and said, "Xun Gong's plan is very good. It not only takes into account the face of the lord, but also is feasible. I will immediately start preparing and contact my colleagues in the court to join in this effort. At the same time, I will also secretly pay attention to the movements in the court to prevent any unscrupulous people from taking the opportunity to cause chaos."

half a month later.

When Jin Mao saw a group of old scholars led by Xun Yu jointly writing a letter requesting to ascend the throne, his face looked extremely ugly.

"Is Xun Wenruo very free?" "Did I give him face?"

Jin Mao's anger was boiling in his chest, but he had to suppress it. He knew that his anger at this moment would only make him lose more reason and judgment. He closed his eyes and thought for a while. After a while, he sneered and said to himself: "Xun Yu, Xun Yu, do you think you can force me to surrender like this? How can I, Jin Mao, be seen through so easily?"

He summoned his confidants and whispered, "Since they are trying to be soft, let's retreat to advance. Pass the order that I am not feeling well and need to stay in seclusion for a few days. All court affairs will be temporarily managed by the military discipline minister Jia Xu. At the same time, spread the word that I am deeply worried about ascending the throne and am afraid that I cannot handle the heavy responsibility. I am willing to listen to the opinions of scholars and people all over the world."

As soon as these words came out, people inside and outside the court immediately started to discuss. Some people praised him for his humility, while others implied that he was playing hard to get. Many common people and scholars began to organize themselves spontaneously to discuss the future of the country and the virtue of the monarch. For a while, the direction of public opinion became complicated and unpredictable.

Behind the scenes, Jin Mao secretly summoned several trusted generals, his eyes flickering with determination: "We must not only stabilize domestic affairs, but also strengthen border defense to prevent foreign enemies from taking advantage of the situation. At the same time, I want you to secretly investigate those who are ready to make trouble in the court. No matter who it is, anyone who dares to stir up trouble at this critical moment will be severely punished!"

As Jin Mao's deployment gradually unfolds, the court seems calm, but undercurrents are surging. Although Xun Yu and others did not expect Jin Mao to do this, they did not panic, because they knew that the contest had just begun. In this game of power and responsibility, loyalty and ambition, it is still unknown who will have the last laugh.

But Jia Xu was almost overjoyed.

The so-called public opinion is to let the local governors submit petitions from the people, which is exactly what the ministers want.

"Xun Wenruo is indeed a talent who can assist the king." Jia Xu praised: "It saves us from a big conflict."

A month later, ten of the thirteen states of the Han Dynasty sent petitions to the King of Wu, asking him to ascend the throne and become emperor.

The three states that were silent were Liang, Bing and Jing. Needless to say, Jia Xu didn't dare to do anything under Jin Mao's nose in Jingzhou. Liang and Bing had been at war for many years. Even if the world was united now, it was still very chaotic. The Book of Ten Thousand People was a bit nonsense.

However, this did not stop the King of Wu from making plans. He knew that the road to becoming an emperor was not only about status, but also about the stability of real power and the true unification of the world. Therefore, the King of Wu secretly summoned Jia Xu and several trusted ministers to discuss the plan in a secret room.

"Although the petition of the people is the intention of the ministers and the will of the people, I know in my heart that the real challenge has just begun." Jin Mao said in a deep voice, his eyes like torches, penetrating the heavy palace walls and looking into the unknown distance.

Jia Xu smiled slightly upon hearing this, and said, "Your Majesty is wise. Although Liang and Bing are in chaos, they are also the key to the revival of our Han Dynasty. If we can completely pacify these two states, it will not only relieve our worries, but also demonstrate your majesty's power and bring the world together."

"That's right." Jin Mao nodded in agreement. "I think we should build the city and the carriageway first, and then it won't be too late to become emperor."

Unexpectedly, after going around in circles, he returned to the starting point. Jia Xu knew his lord's character very well. The reason he was so reluctant to ascend the throne and become emperor was because he was lazy.

"Your Highness, you know that there are three major benefits to ascending the throne."

Sure enough, Jin Mao asked with interest: "What are the three major benefits?"

Jia Xu told him everything he was thinking: "First, Your Highness can appoint a few more military ministers to assist in the administration, so that you can have someone to look to for matters both large and small, both inside and outside the court."

The first blow hit Jin Mao's weak spot. He asked hurriedly, "What about the second and third?"

Jia Xu smiled slightly and continued, "Second, after ascending the throne, Your Highness will be able to legitimately recruit talents from all over the world. No matter whether they are scholars, farmers, merchants or workers, they can all be used by me to work together for the great affairs of the world, making my cause more stable. With so many talents, why should I worry about not prospering?"

Jin Mao's eyes sparkled when he heard this, and he was obviously quite moved by this. He pondered for a moment and asked again, "What about the third one?"

Jia Xu's expression became more serious. "Third, if Your Highness ascends the throne to become the emperor, it will be in compliance with the will of heaven and will win the support of the people. The people all hope that a wise ruler can bring peace to the world. Your Highness's reputation for benevolence is well known. If you ascend the throne to become the emperor, you will be able to unite the people and win their hearts. People all over the world will praise Your Majesty for your wisdom. In this way, the world can be stabilized and a lasting foundation can be expected."

After hearing this, Jin Mao fell into deep thought. It was not that he did not know the benefits of ascending the throne, but due to his personality, he was somewhat resistant to the tedious affairs of the court. But every word of Jia Xu made sense, especially when he mentioned that it could open up a wide range of talents and rally the people's hearts, which made him feel moved.

"Wenhe is right. I should really consider the overall situation." Jin Mao finally spoke, his tone showing both determination and helplessness. "But the matter of ascending the throne still needs to be properly prepared. We can't rush it."

"Your Highness is wise." Jia Xu bowed, "I am willing to share your worries and fully assist in the preparations for the coronation ceremony and subsequent matters to ensure that everything goes smoothly."

Jin Mao nodded, but still had doubts: "What do the ministers mean?"

Jia Xu was overjoyed that things had finally come to this, but as an old fox in the officialdom, how could he show his emotions on his face?

Pretending to hesitate for a moment, Jia Xu suppressed his joy and said seriously: "The ministers have been looking forward to this day for a long time!"

"Your Highness is well-known and benevolent, and is the best choice according to the instructions of the late emperor. I have discussed this privately with several important ministers, and they all have high hopes for Your Highness and are willing to assist you with all their strength and work together for national affairs. However, although people's hearts are united, there are also many people in the court who are on the sidelines and may have complaints. Your Highness needs to show extraordinary tolerance and wisdom, both to appease people's hearts and to demonstrate the spirit of the new dynasty, so as to truly win the trust of everyone."

"This is exactly what I think." Jin Mao pondered for a moment, his eyes sharp, "I think that the coronation ceremony should not only be solemn and grand, but also reflect the openness and tolerance of our new dynasty. We can open up the way for talents, not stick to one style, and invite wise men from all over the world to participate in the grand event, so that everyone knows that the rule of our Jin Mao is the rule of the world for all people."

Upon hearing this, Jia Xu's eyes flashed with admiration: "Your Highness has a far-sighted vision, and we will do our best!"

(End of this chapter)