Chapter 1127

Today's main purpose is to win Duan Yu over.

Since that is the case, a Director of the Imperial Hospital, Zhang Feng...

"Marquis Duan, rest assured. This matter... if it is true, I will certainly make the decision for you."

"However..."

"I summoned you here today for another matter."

Empress Dowager Dong hurriedly changes the subject to get to the point, fearing that Duan Yu might bring up other off-topic issues.

"Your subject is listening," Duan Yu replies neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Marquis Duan, I summoned you here today to ask for your opinion on the matter of establishing a Crown Prince."

"Marquis Duan is a trusted minister of the Great Han. Previously, you were not in Luoyang, but now that you have returned, I thought I would ask for your opinion."

"I am following His Majesty's wishes to establish Imperial Prince Liu Xie as Crown Prince. This is His Majesty's wish; presumably, you support this, Marquis Duan?"

Probing.

Empress Dowager Dong's words are clearly probing his intentions.

If he were to comply, then... perhaps Empress Dowager Dong would lower the stakes for winning him over.

But if he were to show too much opposition, I fear Empress Dowager Dong would also secretly be on guard.

This is what Jia Xu said before he entered the palace.

But the "Disrupting the Martial Order" plan is already set.

Everything must be executed according to the plan.

"Empress Dowager, the matter of establishing a Crown Prince is a major affair of the state, involving the Three Excellencies, the various ministers, and the scholars and officials of the world."

"Your subject is but a mere martial man. Although I have received His Majesty's great favor, I only know how to march and fight."

"But since the Empress Dowager has asked, your subject also has a few words to say."

"Marquis Duan, please speak freely," Empress Dowager Dong waves her long sleeve and says: "I summoned you here to hear your opinion."

Duan Yu takes a deep breath and says: "Your subject obeys the edict."

"Since the Empress Dowager has summoned your subject to the palace to ask, can your subject assume that there is opposition to establishing Dong Hou as Crown Prince?"

Empress Dowager Dong remains silent.

"Your subject believes that with the world in chaos today, the Taiping Dao rebellion has just been quelled, and the various provinces are not yet settled."

"Even if it is His Majesty's order, to abolish the legitimate eldest and establish a secondary son is a path to disaster."

"Of course, this is only your subject's opinion and cannot represent the whole world or the ministers in the hall."

Duan Yu bows.

Empress Dowager Dong, sitting behind the bead curtain, furrows her eyebrows and slowly says: "Marquis Duan's words are also what I worry about."

"However... that you can consider the Great Han and His Majesty makes you a rare loyal minister."

"Since you have said so, I will not hide anything from you."

"His Majesty once told Me that as long as you are here, the Great Han will not fall into chaos."

"If not for you quelling the Taiping Dao rebels, perhaps the world would still be in chaos."

"Therefore, I feel that as long as you can continue to support His Majesty, with your support, I have a sense of confidence."

Duan Yu listens to Empress Dowager Dong's voice without speaking.

The real show is about to begin.

Winning someone over requires an attitude; it can't be as simple as just a few words.

Sure enough, just as Duan Yu is listening to Empress Dowager Dong's praise, her tone changes.

"I have heard that you have reopened the Western Regions road and brought the Western Regions states back to the Great Han. This is an achievement for the ages."

"Only a capable minister like you could achieve such a feat for the Great Han."

"Marquis Duan, I have thought about it. Since the Yongchu era, the Western Regions have had their connection with the Great Han severed and have been separated from the Great Han for so many years."

"If not for you, it would have been impossible to reconnect with the Western Regions."

"If you can reconquer the Western Regions, then I will make the decision on behalf of His Majesty and the Crown Prince to confer upon you the title of King of the Western Regions!"

"What does Marquis Duan think?"

Heh.

Duan Yu, with his head lowered, raises the corners of his mouth. What a big pie in the sky.

This Empress Dowager Dong really dares to draw it! ===== CHAPTER 1129 =====