stonecrandall Chapter 760 Either take the blame or become king!
Chapter 760 Either take the blame or become king!
"Li Si, this method..." Gao Yao pondered, tapping the table unconsciously with his fingertips, frowning, "It's somewhat... chilling." He finally chose this more elegant, but more weighty word. "Holding the former master's head, forcing his subordinates to open the city gate..."
Gao Yao paused, his voice filled with an indescribable complex emotion, "It is certainly a shortcut, but it is also... an unfair victory, bordering on being a rogue."
Gao Yao's worries were not groundless. Although the wars of this era were cruel, they were still wrapped in a thin veil called "propriety" and "righteousness", and had not yet fallen into the abyss of the later generations where all means were used. Looking through the history books, I am afraid that the only person who could use such means without any psychological burden was Liu Bang, the first emperor of the Han Dynasty who started from a commoner. For the supreme throne, he could even abandon his father, brother, and wife. In his eyes, there was only the naked "world", and he didn't care about blood ties and moral shackles.
When Li Si came up with this vicious plan, Gao Yao couldn't help but think of the "Son of the Gate" who was nailed to the pillar of shame hundreds of years later in the Ming Dynasty - Ming Yingzong Zhu Qizhen. If the person sitting on the dragon throne at that time was an illiterate country bumpkin, the Ming Dynasty might not have collapsed so quickly and tragically! But it was this "Son of the Emperor" who was well-read and of noble birth who could drag the glorious empire into the abyss by himself. History is sometimes so ironic.
Now, what Li Si is planning is very similar to the "knocking at the door" move! He wants to use Wu Rui's "identity" and "prestige". Then, in the same way, force the enemy to give up the attack and finally choose to surrender.
Shameless? Gao Yao admitted frankly in his heart: It was indeed extremely shameless! This was almost like repeatedly roasting and exploiting the last bit of respect and loyalty in human nature towards the old master. However... Gao Yao's eyes became sharp, penetrating the fog of morality and pointing directly to the cold core - this was indeed a "conspiracy" that could swallow up most of Wu Rui's territory at the lowest cost and the fastest speed.
Without a single drop of blood, the city changed hands. Is there any deal more "cost-effective" than this? The temptation was so strong that it was suffocating.
Li Si saw Gao Yao's silence and struggle. Since this experienced counselor dared to offer this plan, how could he not know its filthiness? He knew too well that once this plan was implemented, the executor would bear a heavy infamy for all eternity. So, he straightened his clothes, took a step forward, and spoke in a low voice, but it clearly broke the silence in the tent:
"Prime Minister," Li Si bowed slightly, his posture respectful, but his words were filled with a sense of responsibility that was almost cruel, "A gentleman should not stand under a dangerous wall. This plan is indeed polluting and will easily lead to criticism. If the Prime Minister has reservations and does not want to be involved in such... ominous matters..."
He paused deliberately, as if he was choosing his words, but raised his head with great determination, "I am willing to shoulder all the responsibility! This responsibility and this crime were all caused by me, and I will bear the consequences!"
This was Li Si's decision, and also his deep calculation. He was too aware of his awkward situation in this emerging power. His reputation? He had already lost a lot when he served Qin Shi Huang before, or it could be said that this was not a loss of reputation. Li Si was just doing what he should do.
But under Gao Yao, Zhang Liang's deep hatred for his country, Ying Bu and other bandits' hatred for the harsh laws of the Qin Dynasty, and countless survivors of the six kingdoms who were ravaged by the Qin Dynasty... Their resistance and hostility to Li Si were deeply rooted and like a thorn in their side. Li Si knew this better than anyone else.
Since he had already been tarnished with a bad reputation, why should he fear adding more? This bad reputation was no more of an itch than a lot of lice, and no more worries than a lot of debts. If he could use this dirty means to clear the obstacles for Gao Yao and speed up the process of unifying the country, then this bad reputation would instead become proof that he, Li Si, was "loyal and faithful" and "did not shy away from the axe."
More importantly, all his forbearance and sacrifice ultimately pointed to a clear goal - to earn a stable future for his son Li You in the upcoming new dynasty, which would be enough to protect his descendants. For this, he was willing to be the sharpest and most easily discarded knife.
"Li Si," Gao Yao took a deep breath, as if to expel the stagnant air in his chest, his voice was filled with obvious fatigue and helplessness, "Isn't there another way? Tell me."
In the end, he did not immediately adopt the bloody and despicable "knocking on the door" strategy. It can be used, of course it can be used, and the effect may even be immediate. But deep in Gao Yao's heart, there is always a lingering reluctance.
After all, he was a man who valued love. If not, based on Lu Gong's failed rebellion, Lu Zhi and Lu Su would have been beheaded long ago - this was a betrayal that any monarch with a little bit of skill could hardly tolerate. If they didn't die, they would at least be imprisoned for life.
But what did Gao do? Not only did he suppress the matter and keep it secret, thus avoiding the tragedy of the entire Lu family being executed, he also only gave the two sisters limited punishment and did not kill them all, always leaving a glimmer of hope. This friendship was engraved in his bones.
The same is true for Li Si. In the eyes of the world, Li Si may be a cruel official who aided and abetted the tyrant, and was mean and ungrateful; in the minds of Zhang Liang and Ying Bu, who had a blood feud with the tyrannical Qin, Li Si was even more sinful. But for Gao Yao, if Li Si had not weighed the pros and cons, accepted his "suggestions" and "benefits" and arranged for him to move to the southern border, a place that seemed barren but actually held opportunities, how could he have the power he has today?
Even if Li Si was purely motivated by his own interests, this act of "sending him away" was objectively the starting point for Gao Yao's rise. Gao Yao always remembered this favor. Moreover, since Li Si joined the army, although he had a bad reputation, he had actually and quietly handled countless difficult matters for him, and he deserved all the credit and hard work.
Gao Yao understood what Li Si wanted: power and a chance to make a comeback. But the fact was that Li Si was indeed being used by him and was indeed paying him back. How could he bear to watch this old man, who had been carrying a bad reputation for half his life, take the initiative to jump into the abyss of infamy for a dirty trick and take the blame for him that would be infamous for eternity?
"Another point," Li Si's voice was steady and clear, as if the person who had just offered the poisonous plan was not him, "is to ask the Prime Minister to ascend to the throne and become the king!"
"Again?!" Gao Yao almost held his forehead with his hands, his tone was full of helplessness and a hint of knowing whether to laugh or cry. This was not the first time that Li Si had urged him to become king. He really couldn't understand how becoming king at this critical juncture could be a "clever plan" to break the deadlock? He looked at Li Si in confusion, his eyes full of questions like "How can this possibly solve the problem?"