Chapter 157

Hero?

Guo Wei repeatedly chewed over these two words, his gaze dark and unfathomable; the words rolled between his teeth, carrying a touch of self-mockery, yet also hiding a heaviness that no one could comprehend.

He had spent half his life in military campaigns, rising from a lowly soldier to wielding power over the court and countryside, having seen every storm; yet now he was stumped by the two words "hero".

He certainly knew that, although he now commanded heavy troops and controlled the government, his rule lacked legitimacy. The Han dynasty's realm had just stabilized its foundations after the war, and everyone at court and in the countryside hoped for a hero who could steady the situation and win the people's hearts to inherit the throne and secure the wavering state. But where could such a hero be found?

Among his followers, the brave generals who had fought alongside him to seize the empire—who among them was not a hero capable of standing alone? In terms of military achievements, courage, and strategy, picking any one of them would make them a hundred times stronger than those civil officials who only talk idly in the court.

But could we let them become emperor?

Guo Wei suddenly gripped his sword, a flash of cold severity crossing his eyes. He knew these old subordinates too well; they had followed him to conquer the realm seeking fame, wealth, and titles, to carve out fiefdoms, their very nature bearing the arrogance and domineering spirit of soldiers.

If they were to sit on the dragon throne, today they might ascend thanks to Guo Wei's recommendation, but tomorrow they could be tempted by power, just as they had once overthrown the Later Han, stirring up another bloody storm. Then not only would the hard-won stability he had maintained collapse instantly, the common people would fall into chaos again, and Guo Wei himself would end up disgraced and ruined.

Military men disrupting politics has been the greatest poison since the Five Dynasties. He himself rose to power through this very means, and he knows better than anyone what would happen if these generals, who hold military power, caught sight of the hope of the throne.

By then, likely before he even draws his last breath, these people would already be fighting each other for succession, heads bloodied.

As for civil officials… Chancellor Fan Shi is actually a fine choice—loyal, capable, and prestigious.

But he is ultimately a scholar. In an era where power grows out of the barrel of a gun, can a civilian emperor without military backing truly hold onto the realm?

Guo Wei dared not gamble.

"What Su Sir says is easy." Guo Wei gave a bitter laugh, "In this world, heroes are many. But who is the one I can trust, whom all my subjects would also willingly accept as a hero?"

"Your Majesty, this person is actually far away in the heavens yet near at hand." Su Qin's face again showed that smug, confident smile.

"Oh?" Guo Wei's heart stirred, "Sir, whom do you refer to?"

Su Qin did not directly say that name.

Instead he asked Guo Wei a question: "Your Majesty, this humble commoner dares to ask: aside from your several deceased princes, whom do you most value and admire among the younger generation?"

Guo Wei was stunned.

He hadn't expected Su Qin to ask that.

He subconsciously went through in his mind the faces of the young people around him.

The first that came to mind was his nephew by marriage, Li Chongjin.

This boy is his sister's son, the closest blood relative. He is brave and fierce in battle, unafraid of death, highly regarded in the army, and would make a fine general.

But as emperor…

Guo Wei shook his head.

Li Chongjin is too hasty, obstinate, and unwilling to listen to others; moreover, he is narrow-minded and holds grudges. Making him emperor would likely turn him into a second Liu Chengyou.

The second that came to mind was his son-in-law, Zhang Yongde.

This boy is the husband of his most beloved daughter. He is modest and steady in his conduct; after Guo Wei ascended the throne, he also promoted him repeatedly.

Yet precisely because he is too modest and steady, he appears somewhat lacking in resolve. He could perhaps maintain the status quo, but to expand territory and unify the realm, he still lacks the necessary drive.

After ruling out these two, the image of a certain person involuntarily surfaced in Guo Wei's mind.

He was a tall, handsome young man with a solemn gaze.

Chai Rong.

He was the nephew of his wife.

By reckoning, he shares no blood relation with Guo Wei.

Yet Guo Wei could not help but admit that among all his juniors, he admired Chai Rong the most.

This boy lost his father at a young age, wandering with his aunt—namely Guo Wei's wife, Lady Chai—until Guo Wei took him in as an adopted son.

He followed Guo Wei on southern and northern campaigns.

He could fight on horseback and govern on foot.

When he served as a military governor of a region, he turned a barren land into well-ordered prosperity, earning the people's praise.

In the army, he ate and lodged with the soldiers, rewards and punishments were clear, and he won the soldiers' hearts.

Guo Wei had several times wanted to recall him to the capital and entrust him with important duties, but each time he politely declined, citing the heavy responsibility of guarding the frontier.

This is a young man with hardly any flaws.

Yet precisely because he is too perfect, Guo Wei harbors a faint, almost imperceptible wariness toward him.

Guo Wei looked at Su Qin and noticed that Su Qin was also smiling at him.

That gaze seemed to have seen through all his thoughts.

"It seems, Your Majesty, you already have the answer in mind." Su Qin spoke slowly, finally uttering that name: "The military governor of Jinzhou, Chai Rong, Master Chai."

Guo Wei's heart gave a sudden jump.

"My lord holds Master Chai in high esteem." Su Qin continued, "He says, 'Master Chai is outstanding in appearance and talent, skilled in horseback riding and archery, versed in civil affairs, possessing the ability to govern the world and bearing a heroic martial spirit.' Looking across the world, among the younger generation, none can surpass him."

"If Your Majesty could look beyond lineage and pass the great throne to him, then the Great Zhou would be fortunate, and all under heaven would be fortunate!"

Su Qin's words struck Guo Wei's heart like a heavy hammer.

He had to admit that the Wang family's proposal was the best among all his current options.

But…

"He is my inner nephew, but not my son." Guo Wei voiced his greatest concern: "If I were to pass the throne to him, how would the court officials think? How would the common people view it? They would say I had seized the Liu family's realm and then handed it over to an outsider. How is that different from abdication?"

"Your Majesty, that is mistaken." Su Qin shook his head, "Although Master Chai is not your biological son, he has been raised since childhood by you and the empress; how is he any different from a true child?"

"Moreover, you are the founding sovereign! Your will is the nation's highest decree; with a single word from you, who would dare not obey?"

"As for the people's opinions…" Su Qin smiled, "Your Majesty, have you forgotten how you yourself ascended the throne?"

Guo Wei was startled.

"'Donning the yellow robe, he followed the will of the army and the people.' Su Qin's tone carried a hint of teasing: 'Since we can 'follow the will' once, why not do it again?'"

Wearing the yellow robe, he follows the will of the army and the people. Su Qin's tone carried a hint of teasing, "Since you can comply once, why can't you comply again?"

As long as you wish, our Wang Family has plenty of ways to make all the people under heaven believe that Chai Gongzi inheriting the great mandate is Heaven's will and the people's desire.

Guo Wei's breathing became heavy.

He looked at the confidently speaking blue-clad scholar before him, and for the first time felt a hint of fear.

Has the Wang Family's power grown so great that it can manipulate the Mandate of Heaven and people's hearts?

"What... do you want to do?" Guo Wei asked hoarsely.

A mysterious smile appeared on Su Qin's face.

"Your Majesty, do you think it would be difficult to dig up a stone figure inscribed with 'Chai Clan Will Prosper' from the Yellow River, or to discover a 'Heavenly Book' bearing Chai Rong's name on the old pagoda tree in your palace, or to have the officials of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau observe the night sky and find a new emperor star falling toward Jin Prefecture?"

Guo Wei's back was instantly soaked in cold sweat.

He was all too familiar with these tactics.

Throughout history, those who wanted to rebel or strengthen the legitimacy of their rule—haven't they all played these tricks of feigning mysticism?

Yet these tricks happen to be very effective.

The common folk just believe in this.

Guo Wei used to think these were petty tricks unfit for the table.

But now, when the Wang Family mentions these petty tricks, they are no longer petty tricks.

"Wang Family, why do you want to help me? Or rather, why do you want to help Chai Rong?" Guo Wei asked the most crucial question.

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

The Wang Family wouldn't go to such trouble just to solve Guo Wei's succession problem.

"Your Majesty, have you forgotten the ancestral precept set by my family's former head?" Su Qin countered.

"Never northward..." Guo Wei murmured.

"That's right." Su Qin nodded. "My Wang Family's ambition lies in the four seas, not in Zhongyuan. We hope Zhongyuan will have a strong, unified regime only because a stable and prosperous Zhongyuan benefits our overseas trade."

"A stable partner is far better than a band of constant raiders."

"And, in the view of our family's head, Chai Gongzi is the most suitable person who can quickly stabilize Zhongyuan."

"Helping him is actually helping ourselves."

Su Qin's words were reasonable and sincere, leaving Guo Wei unable to find any loophole to rebut.

Yes, for the Wang Family, it doesn't matter at all who the emperor of Zhongyuan is—whether surnamed Liu, Guo, or Chai.

What matters is whether this person can quickly end the chaos and let everyone do business in peace and profit.

And Chai Rong is undoubtedly the best choice.

Guo Wei fell silent.

He sat on the Dragon Throne, eyes closed, his fingers unconsciously tapping the throne's armrests.

In the study, a long silence fell.

Su Qin did not urge him, merely standing there quietly, waiting for his decision.

After a long while, Guo Wei finally opened his eyes.

"Good." He said only one word.

"I, I will trust the Wang Family once!"

"But I also have a condition."

"Your Majesty, please speak."

"Chai Rong must change his surname to Guo." Guo Wei stared at Su Qin, saying each word clearly: "From now on, he is my son, Guo Wei! The sole legitimate heir of my Great Zhou!"

This was his final bottom line and dignity as both an emperor and a father.

Su Qin smiled.

He bowed deeply to Guo Wei.

"Your Majesty is wise."

"This humble subject will now early congratulate my Great Zhou: may its reign last ten thousand years and its realm endure forever."