Chapter 495 Resolving Internal Concerns

"Shaoyu is too modest. If you hadn't fought in Jinling City and Sui'an City, I'm afraid that the remnants of the previous dynasty would have targeted me before I could even sit on the throne. So in terms of merit, you should be the first! After I ascend the throne, I will naturally reward you greatly. You will be the first-class duke appointed by me!"

The first-class duke of a different surname is the highest title among all dukes. Even the former Marshal Gu and Duke Shang did not get this honor. It was Gu Shaoyu who got the title.

Although Prime Minister Guo and the Queen Mother thought that the title was a bit too big, they thought it was understandable considering his achievements. Therefore, they both agreed with such a reward and did not speak to stop him.

On the contrary, it was Gu Shaoyu who thought it was too much, but before he could speak, the prince changed the subject and said.

"Now that the external threat has been eliminated, the internal troubles should also be resolved."

What the prince meant was clear, it was time to settle the forces of the fourth prince.

In the past, the most powerful people who followed him were the Wei family, the Dingping Marquis Mansion, and the so-called military advisor, the Left Vice Minister of Jin. However, the better people in the Fourth Prince's inner circle had long been poached by the Left Vice Minister of Jin, so many people were dragged out.

After the nature of these people was determined, the Fourth Prince's party basically had no supporters, except for the Dingping Marquis Mansion, which was more eye-catching. I am afraid that at this moment, they also knew that dark clouds were coming.

Therefore, the prince meant to wipe out the Dingping Marquis Mansion. In this way, the Fourth Prince, who had both left and right arms cut off, naturally had no way to escape.

Thinking of this, the Prime Minister Guo said something shrewdly.

"It may not be necessary to wipe it out, Your Highness, don't forget that the Dingping Marquis Mansion also holds a lot of private property. If you can persuade them to surrender, I think it will be a useful chess piece."

And the best way to persuade them to surrender is to let his daughter enter the palace. Anyway, the new emperor will also expand the harem when he ascends the throne, so it is not a bad thing to have a concubine with a helpful family.

So, after thinking for a while, the prince said to Minister Guo.

"Grandfather is right. If that's the case, then let you handle this matter. Forget about Shao Yu. I'm afraid that he has just arrived at the Dingping Marquis's Mansion, and the people inside are scared to pee their pants."

When these words came out, several people smiled slightly.

It's just that they were still in the place where the emperor's body was kept, so they didn't dare to be too presumptuous.

Poor Fourth Prince was still in the dark in the mansion, and the support he thought was the most solid was gradually disintegrating.

After listening to what Minister Guo just said, Dingping Marquis fell into silence.

If Wu'er was still there, he would definitely not agree to this condition today, but now his involvement with the Fourth Prince's Mansion has been completely cut off. If he blindly follows, wouldn't it be a way to his own death?

Moreover, from the beginning, what he cared about was whether his grandson could ascend to that position. Since this one was gone, there would be another one. Since the fourth prince was not a big deal, it would be a good idea to surrender to the new emperor.

However, could it really be as smooth as Prime Minister Guo said?

In any case, they were once enemies. What if they coaxed the Dingping Marquis's mansion to surrender, and then had the intention to kill him?

Prime Minister Guo had been in power for decades, and he could not tell what his expression was, so he stroked his beard and said.

"With the situation of Shaoyu, and the situation with the Tiger Guards outside and the City Defense Department inside, if I don't ask for this, do you think Dingping Marquisate will survive for a few days? So it's not that we have no other way to go and have to come to negotiate with you, but I really can't bear to see people suffer. You can convince the Fourth Prince to break off contact with the Wei family, which shows that you are still sane and know that Daxing is the foundation. So once the power of the former prince is removed, many positions will be vacant. There are also several outstanding descendants in Dingping Marquisate. Why not serve Daxing well at this time?"

It must be said that the conditions offered by Prime Minister Guo are really attractive.

First, it gave Dingping Marquisate a chance to survive, and then gave him the possibility of climbing up. Under such a balance, if he delayed the descendants of the whole family for his own obsession, then he would be too stupid as a marquis and a clan leader.

So, he took a deep breath, and when he focused again, the dust had settled.

"It is not impossible for my Dingping Marquis Mansion to be loyal to the new emperor, but Prime Minister Guo must guarantee me that if the descendants of my Dingping Marquis Mansion enter the court, they will not be affected by the past."

"Hahahaha, my Lord, don't you know what kind of character I am? As long as the descendants of Dingping Marquis Mansion are dedicated to Daxing and the new emperor's country, I will agree to give up the position of Prime Minister!"

What he said was open and aboveboard. Dingping Marquis had been dealing with him for many years and knew that it was true, so he did not struggle any more and said it immediately.

"When the new emperor ascends the throne, my Dingping Marquis Mansion is willing to give 30% of the family property to send the legitimate daughter to the palace to celebrate the new dynasty!"

At this point, Prime Minister Guo also knew that it was done.

And this guarantee from Dingping Marquis also meant that the forces under him who once followed the fourth prince were also dissolved and became a sharp sword to support the new emperor.

As the saying goes, surrender requires a token of surrender, and the token of surrender of the Dingping Marquis's mansion is naturally the fate of the fourth prince.

Seven days passed in a row. The guards outside the prince's mansion were tight, but the inside was so quiet that it was frightening.

The fourth prince was worried but it was useless. He could only drink to relieve his sorrow.

It was not until he saw the Dingping Marquis walk in that his eyes lit up, and then he threw away the bottle of wine in his hand and walked over excitedly and said.

"Why is my father-in-law here? But everything outside is settled?"

When he heard this, Lord Dingping was somewhat disdainful. Seeing the man in front of him who looked like mud, he felt that he was really blind before.

It was ridiculous to choose someone who couldn't take on the responsibility.

Fortunately, if he took this wrong step, there was still a way back, so he would never let the fourth prince become an obstacle to his turning back. Therefore, he looked fierce and said.

"Fourth Prince, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince thought of you as a brother, so he specially asked this old minister to send you off. Being born in this royal family is your luck and your misfortune. Don't complain about success or failure. Go on your way. In the next life, you can live a leisurely life in a rich family. Such a fight is not suitable for you."

In one sentence, the fourth prince's plans and dreams for many years were shattered. The fourth prince widened his eyes and couldn't believe that the person in front of him would say such a thing, so he said indignantly.

"You rebelled?"

"Daxing was originally the Crown Prince's regent. Now that His Majesty has passed away, isn't it only natural for the Crown Prince to ascend the throne?"