The Slender Waist-Chapter 411 - 297: Forced to Add Nine Tin Gifts
The rite of the Nine Bestowments is the highest honor an emperor can bestow upon his subjects.
It specifically includes chariots, clothes, vermilion doors, access to the stairs in front of the throne, musical instruments, ceremonial axes and yak-tail whisks, bows and arrows, and the Hegemon’s Grain and Ritual Liquor. Compared to the items "bestowed" with the Nine Bestowments, they hold a special meaning; often, it’s the imperial power’s reluctant compromise to the subject who holds overwhelming military power.
Wang Mang, Cao Cao, Sima Zhao...
All received the rite of the Nine Bestowments.
The founding sovereigns of Nanqi and the predecessor dynasties first accepted the Nine Bestowments, then overthrew the former and established new dynasties, obtaining the throne.
It could be said that the Nine Bestowments are the prelude to forcing an emperor to abdicate.
When the realm is fragmented and the imperial power is dwindling, the powerful subjects holding military power reluctantly add the Nine Bestowments, clearly demonstrating their intention to depose and claim the throne for themselves.
Thinking of her three-year-old son, Li Sangruo felt a chill seep through her body, clenched the sheets tightly in her hands, and stared fiercely at Tang Shaogong, her teeth clenched as she spat out two words.
"No! Anything, but the Nine Bestowments... absolutely not..."
Tang Shaogong looked up at her, "Your Highness, this is the Prime Minister’s intention."
He was using her father to press her.
Li Sangruo sneered coldly, "Does Pei Jue dare to accept the Nine Bestowments if I were willing to bestow them?"
Tang Shaogong’s eyes remained cold, and after a long moment, his lips barely parted.
"Hasn’t Your Highness realized? The Great General is not merely throwing a tantrum at the imperial court. This is what he wants."
Li Sangruo’s voice was cold, "If so, then why would my father agree to it?"
Tang Shaogong replied, "If he does not agree, does Your Highness know the consequences?"
Li Sangruo’s eyes turned bloodshot, tears filled her eyes, a deep red, but she stubbornly did not let them fall.
"What consequences? Isn’t he supposed to resign from his post and retire with his vixen? Then let him retire. If he dares to rebel and become the enemy of the court... then he is seeking his own death. My Dajin has strong soldiers and sturdy horses. It’s not certain if the Northern Yong Army will wholeheartedly submit to him. Even if they did, so what? We still have the Tiger Guard and Dragon Cavalry, and hundreds of thousands of Imperial Guards..."
Tang Shaogong’s emotions did not change.
He waited until she had fiercely finished speaking, then spoke calmly.
"One hundred and twenty thousand iron cavalry of the Northern Yong Army control five cities, plus Xinzhou, enough for Pei Jue to establish his footing. The imperial court losing control over the Northern Yong Army is like losing half of its territory. But, that’s not even the most dangerous part."
Li Sangruo asked bitterly, "What is, then?"
Tang Shaogong remained calm, "Once Pei Jue raises his flag, the old troops of the Pei Family Army will respond. Local warlords will have only two choices: submit or avoid disaster. With a great disorder upon us, the Aristocratic Families will inevitably unite to denounce Your Highness... There’s no need for the Northern Yong Army to march to Central Capital. Pei Jue won’t even need to mobilize troops to have Your Highness abandoned by the Aristocratic Families. They argue solely for their own interests; unwilling to bring disaster upon themselves, they will either cleanse the royal side to please Pei Jue, either forcing the Empress Dowager to end her own life or suggesting the deposition of the Li Family from the court, or they’ll support another capable person to establish a new ruler. At that point, with what will Your Highness call upon the Tiger Guard, Dragon Cavalry, and the so-called hundreds of thousands of Imperial Guards? Why should they listen to the words of a mother and child who have lost power..."
Li Sangruo’s face turned ashen.
She had not forgotten that her son Kuangkuang was placed on the Emperor’s throne by Pei Jue’s own hands.
It was Pei Jue and the Pei Family’s meritorious service that had subdued the Dajin Aristocratic Families and the restless imperial kin.
Pei Jue could place Kuangkuang onto the Dragon Throne, and he could also remove him from it.
"I never thought to be his enemy, never..."
Tang Shaogong gave her a glance, silently.
"I was wrong..." Li Sangruo covered her face and wept. "Uncle Shaogong, if I bestow upon him the Nine Bestowments, will he no longer rebel?"
Tang Shaogong’s expression grew heavy, "As the Prime Minister said, stabilize him first, then plan further."
Stabilize? Once that path is taken, Dajin will already be teetering. How could it be stabilized?
Li Sangruo did not know if Li Zongxun, in an attempt to force Pei Jue’s hand, deliberately took this dangerous step. All she knew was that she now found herself with very few ways out.
The imperial kin will abandon her...
One misstep, and even her own father might abandon her.
Suddenly, Li Sangruo pulled back the curtains, her eyes blazing as she looked at Tang Shaogong, "Actually, there might be a solution to our current situation. Uncle Shaogong, have you forgotten someone?"
Tang Shaogong still appeared tranquil, "Who?"
"Pei Chong, the old General." Li Sangruo’s eyes were heavy with dark clouds, her lips curled in a bitter smile.
"When the Li Family was to be intermarried with the Pei Family, the old General thought highly of me. He is loyal and devoted to Dajin, and would never allow a witch to manipulate Mr. Pei."
Tang Shaogong looked into the hopeful eyes of Li Sangruo.
After a long moment, he sighed.
"Your Highness still doesn’t see the truth. Regardless of what the old General’s intentions may be, even if he wishes to turn the tide, it’s already too late to control his son..."
