stonecrandall Chapter 1028 Each has their own goals to support!
Chapter 1028 Each has their own goals to support!
Wu She's strategy for Gao Zhe wasn't necessarily to completely win over Er Niu. He knew Er Niu's loyalty to Gao Yao was deeply ingrained, making it extremely difficult to get him to explicitly express his support for Gao Zhe. His core objective was to "stir things up"! Through Gao Zhe's frank and incisive visit, the enormous risk of Empress Lü's potential interference in politics, and the possibility of discarding her once she had served her purpose, were laid bare before Er Niu.
As long as Gao Zhe can plant the seeds of doubt and fear about the consequences of supporting Gao Lin in Er Niu's heart, making him hesitate and unable to easily side with Gao Lin, or even just make him remain neutral, it will be a huge strategic victory for him! Because as long as Er Niu does not explicitly support Gao Lin, the military power in Xianyang will not become the last straw that breaks Gao Zhe's back, and he will still have more time and space to win more support in the court and the military.
While undercurrents surged within Erniu's residence, the entire city of Xianyang remained eerily calm. Due to Gao Yao's "absence," formal court assemblies could not be held, but an unseen struggle was unfolding in every corner. Memorials, some earnest and others laced with veiled sarcasm, rained down upon Prime Minister Xiao He and the regent, Queen Lü Zhi.
Although the content varied, their core demands were strikingly consistent: a country cannot be without a ruler for even a day; a grand court assembly should be convened as soon as possible to decide on a regent and even… successor. No one dared to openly admit that Gao Yao was absent, but everyone's actions pointed to that power vacuum.
Meanwhile, the other two young masters were not idle either.
The third prince, Gao Ning, was favored by his mother, Lady Lü Su, who was of a gentle nature. Although he himself resided in the palace for many years and was not strictly confined, his movements were still somewhat restricted. Some court officials who were inclined to support him acted with extreme caution and cunning. They wanted to place their bets but feared the risks, so most of them communicated with Lady Lü Su through secret channels, expressing their implicit support in the form of letters, but never leaving any concrete evidence against her.
This ambivalent attitude made it the slowest and most difficult for Gao Ning's forces to coalesce. However, it wasn't without its advantages. Gao Ning wasn't seen as a competitor by the others, which was actually a good thing to some extent, effectively preventing him from becoming a target.
The fourth son, Gao Qun, was favored by Gao Yao during his lifetime and already had his own residence, making his activities much easier. Gao Yao had repeatedly expressed his admiration for Gao Qun's intelligence and benevolence to his court officials, which was seen as a strong signal. At this time, many officials, especially civil servants who valued "orthodoxy" and "legacy," as well as some nobles who had interacted with Gao Qun and believed that his kind character could ensure their family's wealth and status, began to contact Gao Qun through various means.
They often used the pretext of discussing scholarship and appreciating the works of craftsmen to secretly negotiate their allegiance. This made the area in front of Gao Qun's residence quite bustling for a time, and he secretly gained the favor and goodwill of many people.
The power vacuum left by Gao Yao's sudden departure was like a boulder thrown into a still lake, creating ripples that spread far and wide throughout the capital. On the surface of the court, a temporary calm seemed to prevail, but beneath this tranquil surface, several powerful undercurrents had already begun to clash and intertwine, each seeking its own moment to surge forth. The question of succession hung like a sword of Damocles over everyone's heads; the direction in which it fell would determine the fate of countless individuals and the future trajectory of this newly formed power.
In this silent game, the most eye-catching figures are naturally the three adult princes: Gao Lin, Gao Zhe, and Gao Ning. They stand like a tripod, each possessing unique assets and advantages.
The eldest son, Gao Lin, held the rightful place of the legitimate heir. His mother, Empress Lü Zhi, as queen, was the epitome of virtue and authority, and her very existence formed the solid foundation of Gao Lin's legitimacy. Within the rigid system of rites and laws, the power of this "name" was invisible yet immensely weighty, attracting courtiers who adhered to ancient customs and valued the order of succession.
Empress Lü herself was no ordinary woman. She had weathered many storms, possessed superb political skills, and had cultivated her influence in the court for many years, with disciples and old friends scattered throughout the country. She knew that while a prestigious title was important, it needed the support of real power. Therefore, in the days following Gao Yao's death, she did not rush to convene a court assembly in the name of queen to forcefully push for her succession.
She was observing, weighing her options, and secretly orchestrating events. Convening a court assembly meant bringing the succession issue to the forefront for a final showdown. If the forces supporting Gao Lin failed to gain an overwhelming advantage, not only would the matter be difficult to resolve, but it could also escalate the conflict and trigger unpredictable turmoil.
Therefore, Empress Lü's inaction was not cowardice, but a highly patient political strategy. The "famous weapon" she possessed was her most important bargaining chip, which she had to play at the most critical moment in the most secure way.
In contrast to Gao Lin's legitimate path, the second son, Gao Zhe, took a purely military route. He was martial from a young age, with a resolute and decisive character. He spent many years training in the army, sharing joys and sorrows with his generals and forging deep friendships.
Nearly 30% of the army's powerful generals clearly stood behind him. These generals believed in the supremacy of the strong and the merit of conquering new territories. They admired Gao Zhe's bravery and courage, and believed that in chaotic times or at crucial moments in the development of power, a strong monarch who could lead them to victory was far more important than a weak prince who merely followed etiquette.
Gao Zhe's existence is like a drawn sword, its cold light gleaming, representing an unquestionable force of coercion. His supporters believe that only absolute force can guarantee the safety and expansion of his power, and deter any unscrupulous intentions from within or outside the country.
The third son, Gao Ning, was in a delicate and flexible position. He did not have the title of his eldest brother, nor did he have the military power of his second brother, but he won the favor of another group of people with his outstanding personal abilities and well-rounded qualities.
He was skilled in both civil and military affairs, handling government matters with clarity and insightful analysis of current problems; when discussing military matters, he was also incisive and insightful. This well-rounded ability attracted the attention of some veteran officials who valued practical skills and hoped for a smooth transition of power, as well as some high-ranking military officials who did not want any one faction to become too powerful and disrupt the balance. It is noteworthy that those who supported Gao Ning, such as Ying Bu and Zhang Liang, mostly chose to support him covertly rather than openly taking sides.
Among them, Zhang Liang's planning was particularly far-sighted. As a man of exceptional wisdom, he assessed the situation and calmly analyzed his own predicament and the political landscape of the court. He knew that if he joined Gao Lin or Gao Zhe at this time, he would not be part of the original core group, and even if the person he supported eventually succeeded to the throne, he would find it difficult to gain a position beyond his current status based on merit. The strong foundations of Xiao He and Cao Can among the civil officials, Han Xin's prestige in the army, and even the potential power of Li Zhao, a representative of the emerging forces, all meant that even if Zhang Liang joined them, the marginal benefits would be extremely low.