Realistic governance games for both male and female audiences

Chapter 8 Only those who can endure a moment's anger can achieve great things!

Of course, besides the reasons he mentioned, the more important reason why Xiao Qingkuang wanted to meet those generals was that he felt that the present moment was an excellent opportunity!

According to the original owner's memories, Xiao Qingkuang knew that he had only been on the throne for a short time, and most of the veteran generals in the army only obeyed their own factions and mostly paid lip service to his imperial edicts.

If I can take this opportunity to personally appease them, using both kindness and force, I might be able to seize some military power.

Therefore, in Xiao Qingkuang's view, this opportunity was a good chance for him to get in touch with these generals and try to take command of the military. So why shouldn't he go and meet those generals?

Unable to contain his excitement, Xiao Qingkuang disregarded Gu Youzhi and immediately strode towards the palace gate.

However, after taking only a few steps, a withered but powerful hand suddenly grabbed his arm!

Xiao Qingkuang turned around and saw that Gu Youzhi's wrinkled face was filled with anxiety.

"Your Majesty, no! Absolutely not!" Gu Youzhi's voice was low, but it carried an unprecedented urgency. "Your Majesty, the generals are currently in a state of heightened emotion, like a volcano about to erupt. It would be best if Your Majesty did not go to see them at this time!"

"Grand Commandant, what do you mean by this?" Xiao Qingkuang frowned, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes. "I am their sovereign and father. Do I not even have the courage to face my own people?"

"Your Majesty, that's not what I meant!" Gu Youzhi took a deep breath, trying to calm his tone. "I'm afraid that Your Majesty's trip will not only fail to win back the army's morale, but may even backfire!"

Xiao Qingkuang was slightly startled upon hearing this. Clearly, Grand Commandant Gu Youzhi already knew the real reason why he insisted on meeting with those generals!

"Backfired?" Xiao Qingkuang looked thoughtfully at Grand Commandant Gu Youzhi. "I...would like to hear the details!"

At this moment, Gu Youzhi's eyes, which seemed to see through the world, stared directly at Xiao Qingkuang: "Your Majesty, do you think that if you go out now, speak kindly, and explain your position, you can make them understand your good intentions, or even win over some of the army's hearts?"

"Could it be?" Xiao Qingkuang couldn't help but ask back.

"Won't!"

Gu Youzhi said decisively.

"Your Majesty, I'm afraid... you haven't truly grasped the real reason for those generals' anger yet!"

"The reason those generals were angry was simply because our peace negotiations had killed their opportunities for merit, promotion, and wealth!"

"For those generals, only war could allow them to quickly rise through the ranks, or at the very least, make some money off the war!"

"Therefore, if you go out now, no matter what you say, they will only think you are making excuses and shirking responsibility!"

"You want to use grand principles to subdue them?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive my bluntness, but I'm afraid this is impossible!"

"Because, in the face of enormous profits, any grand principles are pale and powerless!"

…………

Upon hearing this, Xiao Qingkuang frowned even more deeply, but he did not interrupt Gu Youzhi.

Seeing this, Gu Youzhi continued, raising his voice slightly:

"Moreover... Your Majesty, even if you truly support these generals in fighting the Northern Xiongnu head-on, how could these generals, whose backers are already deeply entrenched, easily change their allegiance and pledge allegiance to Your Majesty?"

Gu Youzhi, watching Emperor Xiao Qingkuang still deep in thought, felt a surge of anxiety. To prevent him from making a wrong decision, Gu Youzhi immediately decided to... voice his suspicions, which he had previously held but had not yet been substantiated by:

"Your Majesty, have you considered why the Northern Xiongnu invaded at this time? Why did Yanmen Pass fall so easily? Was it merely due to the incompetence of the defending general?"

Upon hearing Gu Youzhi's words, Xiao Qingkuang's heart skipped a beat.

"Grand Commandant, what do you mean by that?"

Xiao Qingkuang immediately pressed on with a cold glint in his eyes.

Now that he had even voiced speculations without any evidence, Gu Youzhi had no more reservations:

"These generals, their families, and the forces behind them, may have already reached some kind of tacit agreement with certain feudal lords!"

"These generals need war, they need chaos, to fish in troubled waters, to expand their own power, and some feudal lords also need war... to snatch chestnuts from the fire!"

"Therefore, even if Your Majesty were to comply with the generals' wishes and force a war, I'm afraid those generals would not truly be willing to serve you!"

…………

Xiao Qingkuang's pupils contracted slightly.

"This... can't be right?"

At this moment, a sliver of hope still lingered in Xiao Qingkuang's heart.

"Nothing is impossible!"

Gu Youzhi gave a bitter smile.

"Your Majesty, the court is a murky place!"

"Your power base is not yet secure. If you rashly go to meet these emotionally charged generals, you will not only fail to consolidate military power, but you may also alienate those generals who crave military merit!"

"If they think you're using them or deceiving them because of this, the consequences are unimaginable!"

"not to mention……"

…………

At this point, Gu Youzhi paused slightly before continuing with a worried tone, "Your Majesty, your desire to consolidate military power is certainly commendable, but... have you considered that by meeting with those generals now, you might easily reveal your eagerness to control the military? At this stage, this is... probably not a good thing for Your Majesty!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Qingkuang fell completely silent.

Xiao Qingkuang knew that Gu Youzhi's words weren't really wrong!

Neither the so-called regents, nor the Empress Dowager, nor the princes would tolerate him easily gaining access to military power!

Once they realize his desire for military power, they will become more wary of him and will try even harder to prevent him from taking control of the military. They might even use these generals to create even bigger trouble for him!

Without hesitation, Xiao Qingkuang began to quickly weigh the pros and cons in his mind.

At the same time, the roars of the generals outside the palace grew louder and louder!

Xiao Qingkuang could even clearly hear the dull thud of the armor on the generals hitting the vermilion gate.

Clearly, the military generals who had been waiting for Emperor Xiao Qingkuang's response for so long were beginning to lose their composure!

"Your Majesty..." Gu Youzhi whispered again, "Only those who can endure temporary anger can achieve unparalleled greatness!"