Chapter 326

"This matter is known to everyone, and I believe General Gonglu naturally understands this principle."

Yuan Shu nodded silently.

If the Guandong aristocrats could really finish off Dong Zhuo in a short time.

They wouldn't have organized two coalitions, only to suffer heavy losses and return in defeat.

But likewise.

The Guandong aristocrats had been deeply rooted in this land for hundreds of years.

From the beginning of the Han, to Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu restoring the Han.

The shadow of the Guandong aristocrats was behind it all.

Even... some more distant ones could be traced back to the six heroes of the East during the Warring States period.

The thing called foundation might not be noticed at first glance.

But when it really comes to competing on foundation, one will know how important this thing is!

The formation of aristocrats is a specific product of the era's background.

Aristocrats, aristocrats.

The so-called "generations" already explain a lot of things.

The biggest difference between aristocrats and powerful local gentry.

Is that they are not formed in one generation.

But through the efforts of several generations or even ancestors.

This leads to aristocrats naturally producing a kind of class solidification and a sense of superiority that despises everything.

At this moment.

Facing Yuan Shu, Fa Zheng continued to deceive:

"The things General Gonglu needs to pay are actually not many."

"On the contrary, it can be mutually beneficial."

"He who replaces the Han shall be the one who stands high."

"General Gonglu should not be unfamiliar with this sentence, right?"

"Bang!"

A distant memory somewhere in Yuan Shu's heart was suddenly awakened by Fa Zheng.

He who replaces the Han shall be the one who stands high!

The earliest source of this sentence comes from Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che.

The original words were:

"The Han has the calamity of six and seven; the law should be received again. Which descendant of the clan should respond to this? Six times seven is forty-two; he who replaces the Han shall be the one who stands high!"

What exactly does "stands high" refer to?

Later scholars have argued endlessly about this.

Some think it refers to Wang Mang, some think it refers to Li Jue, and some think it refers to Yuan Shu.

The mainstream view is these three.

But when Yuan Shu declared himself emperor in history, he once thought his courtesy name "Gonglu" happened to correspond to "stands high."

Therefore, he believed he should follow his heart, raise his banner, and replace the Han dynasty.

At this time, Fa Zheng suddenly mentioned the sentence "He who replaces the Han shall be the one who stands high."

Undoubtedly awakened a certain ambition in Yuan Shu's heart.

Just as Yuan Shu was letting his imagination run wild.

Fa Zheng suddenly smiled:

"General Gonglu, why not declare yourself emperor?"

"With your status as the legitimate son of the Yuan family, wouldn't it be what the people look forward to?"

Once these words were spoken, Yuan Shu was so frightened he almost collapsed, exclaiming:

"Fa Xiaozhi, what do you mean by this?"

"Could it be that you want me, Yuan Gonglu, to be that unfaithful and unrighteous person?"

Is Yuan Shu a loyal minister of the Han?

He is not a loyal minister of the Han at all!

The appearance he showed at this moment was mainly because he was uneasy about declaring himself emperor.

The first person to eat crab, before officially eating it, doesn't know what consequences it will bring.

Succeed or die.

Throughout history, all those who declared themselves emperor have considered it carefully.

Including Honey Water Brother in history, it was the same.

Although in the eyes of outsiders, Honey Water Brother's declaration of emperor seemed extremely silly.

But in Honey Water Brother's own heart, after declaring himself emperor, the scene presented should be a chorus of support.

Under the heavens, no one would dare not obey.

At this moment.

Facing Fa Zheng's deception, Honey Water Brother was uneasy.

But deep down, he actually hoped that Fa Zheng could give him a "detailed strategy" regarding declaring himself emperor.

He who replaces the Han shall be the one who stands high.

This famous saying from the mouth of Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che, had long left a deep mark in Honey Water Brother's heart.

Declaring himself emperor... is the ultimate dream of top-tier aristocrats in this era!

Whether it is Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, Sima Yi, Wang Ling, or Zhong Hui, they are all striving for this goal.

"General Gonglu, what the Han world looks like, don't you know better than me?"

"If you hold the Imperial Seal and choose to be the first to declare yourself emperor, the Guandong aristocrats will surely follow your lead!"

"At that time, wouldn't sweeping away the Guandong be easy?"

"Furthermore, after you declare yourself emperor, my lord can also take the opportunity to declare himself emperor."

"My lord and you, as the two emperors of the East and West, why not?"

"General Gonglu, you must not forget that your true enemies are Yuan Benchu, Cao Mengde, and others."

"They are the same as you, spokespersons in the eyes of the Guandong aristocrats."

"Of the three, only one can survive in the end."

"Either you die, or they both die, there is no exception!"

"And my lord is different."

"Besides recovering Bingzhou."

"Up to now, has he ever taken the initiative to send troops to attack Guandong?"

"No, right?"

"Moreover, even the recovery of Bingzhou was only because his official position before entering the capital was Inspector of Bingzhou."

"Besides that, there has been no reckless use of weapons."

"Looking at you Guandong warlords, on the other hand?"

"Since the failure of the first coalition."

"The number of Guandong warlords who died at the hands of Cao Mengde and Yuan Benchu is not small."

"Who exactly is your true enemy, I ask General Gonglu to see clearly."

After speaking, Fa Zheng found a seat and sat down, quietly waiting for Yuan Shu's reaction.

This speech cannot be considered entirely deception.

At least seven parts of it are true.

Among the Guandong warlords who died at the hands of Dong Zhuo, except for Tao Qian, there really wasn't a single one!

Most of the Guandong warlords died at the hands of their former allies Yuan Shao, Cao Cao, Yuan Shu, and others.

As the saying goes, "Big fish eat small fish, small fish eat shrimp."

This principle is vividly displayed in the Guandong warlords.

As Fa Zheng's words fell.

Yuan Shu fell into deep thought.