As soon as Li Gui said this, he examined Xiao Ruxun's expression. He was very nervous, not knowing how Xiao Ruxun would react.
Of course, Xiao Ruxun's reaction did not disappoint him.
"Establishing a legitimate heir is a rule that should be obeyed."
Xiao Ruxun nodded and said, "But you had already ordered for Guanghaijun to be the heir. We still have an impression of Guanghaijun. He is a wise, capable, and popular person. He has never made a mistake. We had intended to agree to your request for the title."
Li Gui's heart beat wildly as he cursed inwardly.
If the Daqin officially conferred the title, Guanghaijun's position as heir apparent would be as stable as Mount Tai. This was not a good thing for him.
Years of misgivings had long worn away the affection between father and son. Now, Li Ge treated Li Hui like an enemy.
"Your Majesty, that matter was a choice that I had no other choice. I was forced by the court officials to do it. Li Hui is not a legitimate son, nor is he the eldest son. I am still alive and can have children. If the Empress gives birth to a legitimate son, I am still willing to pass the throne to the legitimate son."
These were all excuses. Xiao Ruxun understood that Li Gui was not passing the throne to the legitimate son, but to grasp as much power as possible and was afraid of losing it.
As a ruler, Xiao Ruxun understood Li Gui's feelings.
He began to consider the pros and cons.
Li Hui was old and had been tempered. He already had his own staff and administrative skills. Historically, after Li Hui ascended to the throne, he had been a hesitant character in the war against the Ming Jin.
He was a person who was good at currying favor and had good diplomatic skills. He survived in the cracks between the Ming Jin and the Ming Jin, and his requests to the Ming court were mostly insincere. He was a far cry from Li Hui's deference.
To put it bluntly, Xiao Ruxun hoped that the ruler of Korea would be a mediocre ruler rather than a virtuous one. This would make it easier for the Daqin to continue controlling Korea. In Xiao Ruxun's view, Guanghaijun's virtuousness was not a good thing.
As for that unborn son of the first wife, Li Gui was already so old. It was hard to say if he could survive until the first wife's son came of age.
If the son of the first wife ascended to the throne, he would definitely be the young ruler. He would not be able to wield power alone, and power would definitely be divided. North Korea would also fall into a certain degree of chaos.
This was good news for Daqin. Daqin could use this to further infiltrate and control North Korea. When North Korea's political situation stabilized, it would not be so easy to break free from Daqin's control.
Therefore, supporting Li Hui to depose Li Hui was a good thing. It might even cause some disputes in the future. Moreover, this was an absolutely righteous title. If they didn't make good use of it, wouldn't they be wasting their sovereignty?
What does Daqin want the suzerainty for? Wasn't it all for benefits?
Allowing Kwanghae Jun to ascend to the throne would not be beneficial to Daqin, but allowing North Korea's political situation to remain unstable would be beneficial to Daqin.
This was especially so after Daqin wiped out the enemies on both sides, giving North Korea a chance to develop steadily. If North Korea really wanted to develop steadily, it would not be a good thing.
Xiao Ruxun made up his mind and decided to use his sovereignty to do something.
"What Minister Li said …"
Xiao Ruxun pondered for a moment. Looking at Li Hui's nervous expression, he smiled: "It's not unreasonable."
Li Hui's heart relaxed and he breathed a sigh of relief.
"Setting up a legitimate heir is a rule, and rules must be followed. I have also set up my eldest legitimate son as the crown prince. Although Li Hui is wise and capable, he is neither a legitimate son nor the eldest son. This is not in line with the etiquette. If I forcibly set up a successor, I'm afraid it will break the rules.
At that time, not only will it break the rules, but it will also cause endless disputes in the court. This is not something I want to see. However, Li Hui did not make a mistake. If he did not make a mistake, I'm afraid it's not appropriate to depose him. I can't do this, and neither can you. "
Li Hui frowned, seeming to understand Xiao Ruxun's meaning.
"How about this, if you really give birth to a legitimate son, everything can be discussed. You can do whatever you want. If you can't give birth to a legitimate son, Daqin will still confer the title of Li Hui. A country cannot be without a ruler for a day."
Xiao Ruxun patted Li Hui's shoulder.
Li Hui pondered for a moment and decisively understood Xiao Ruxun's meaning.
In this matter, the Daqin Emperor seemed to be standing with him.
No, he was already standing with him.
His Majesty the Emperor's meaning was that if you want to depose him from the position of Crown Prince, you can't just depose him without making a mistake, or else you won't be able to win the support of the people. But if he made a mistake and you want to depose him, it's also a very simple matter. Moreover, you can do it without worry, Daqin will support you from behind.
Li Hui was overjoyed.
"Your Majesty's love and concern for Korea, this subject is grateful from the bottom of his heart!"
Li Hui received a satisfactory answer and also proved his loyalty and the safety of Korea. He happily left the Imperial Palace.
Xiao Ruxun had most of the officials accompany him to leave, leaving only the old Grand Secretary Wang Xijue to accompany him for a walk in the Imperial Garden.
"Old Grand Secretary, say, for the sake of power and position, can this person give up everything, even the familial affection between father and son?"
Wang Xijue followed behind Xiao Ruxun and said, "Since ancient times, for the sake of power and position, such things have happened many times. It's all recorded in the history books."
"Yes, it's all recorded in the history books. Father and son killing each other, brothers and sisters killing each other, mother and son killing each other, mother and daughter killing each other. Even the most stable bloodline in the world can't resist the invasion of power. This power is really terrifying, too terrifying."
Xiao Ruxun's face was full of emotion.
"Your Majesty's words are extremely correct. This power can indeed invade any familial affection in the world, there is no exception."
"Is it the same for my family?"
Xiao Ruxun stopped and turned around to look at Wang Xijue with a smile that wasn't a smile.
Wang Xijue's legs softened, and he almost fell.
"Aiyo, old Grand Secretary, we don't have any other intentions. Don't scare you too badly."
Xiao Ruxun hurriedly went up to support Wang Xijue, saying with a smile, "We are only asking casually, no other intentions. Old Grand Secretary, don't be so suspicious. We cannot leave you."
Wang Xijue nodded repeatedly.
"This old subject understands. This old subject thanks Your Majesty for your care."
Xiao Ruxun nodded, sighed, and then said, "But this truly is a matter. For his own power and position, Li Zhi didn't care about the affection between father and son. Even someone as brilliant as Emperor Taizong of Tang killed his own older brother. Before power, why is the bond of blood so fragile?"
"This old subject … doesn't know either."
"Of course you don't know. If you knew, you should be the emperor, and not us."
Wang Xijue was so frightened that he trembled again. Xiao Ruxun hurriedly supported him. "Aiyo, sorry, sorry. Old Grand Secretary, we don't have any other intentions. We were just speaking casually."
Wang Xijue nodded repeatedly.
"This old subject knows, this old subject knows."
Xiao Ruxun smiled and tightly gripped Wang Xijue's hand. "Old Grand Secretary is a great contributor to stabilizing Daqin, loyal and devoted to us. We cannot bear to part with you. Just by looking at Li Zhi today, it is easy to imagine that we will also be like this tomorrow. Old Grand Secretary, do you think that we will also have a day like this?"
Wang Xijue's lips trembled, unable to say a single word.
"Haha, just a casual question. Old Grand Secretary, don't think too much."
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