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Xiao Yi After the death, the crown prince Xiao Zhaoye ascended the throne, but he was a pleasure-seeking emperor. He had no interest in state affairs, ignored the advice of the minister Xiao Lu'an, and even harbored thoughts of killing Xiao Lu'an.
At this time, the powerful minister Xiao Lu'an, who later became Emperor Ming of Southern Qi, decided to take preemptive action to depose Xiao Zhaoye.
In the secret chamber of the cabinet, General Xiao Lu'an Xiao Zhan ly said to Xiao Yan and others, "If we continue to let the Emperor Xiao Zhaoye go on like this, the country will be in imminent danger. I think it's time to take action."
Xiao Yan tightly gripped the fan in his hand and retorted, "General Xiao, the deposition and enthronement of an emperor is a major issue and cannot be taken lightly. Doing so now will inevitably provoke opposition from the princes, which may exacerbate internal conflicts and lead to greater chaos."
"Xiao Yan, but most of the kings you mentioned are not very talented, only Follow the king—Xiao Zilong is both civil and military, and he has control of Jingzhou. If we can bring him back, then everything will be fine," Xiao Lu'an analyzed calmly.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Qinglan smiled and replied, "Lord Xiao, the important thing lies in the person, not in the so-called everything will be fine. Follow the king is just a false reputation, he doesn't have any real talent. His subordinates are also not outstanding, they just rely on Wuling Governor Bian Bailong and another person."
Xiao Yan continued after Zhao Qinglan, adding, "Moreover, these two are also incompetent, greedy for money and wealth. As long as we promise high-ranking positions and rewards in a letter, we can easily summon them back. Without their right-hand men, Follow the king will also come back with them."
Xiao Lu'an strongly agreed with Xiao Yan and Zhao Qinglan's analysis. His eyes seemed increasingly excited. "Good, let's proceed with this plan. Start preparing the letters and rewards."
After a few days, Xiao Yan and Zhao Qinglan delivered a letter and a secret message.
"Someone, hand me that sealed letter," said Xiao Lu'an, as he flicked his fingers, holding the power of the court. A close attendant immediately presented a letter adorned with gold and jade.
Xiao Lu'an opened the letter, read its contents, and then smiled slightly at Xiao Yan, saying, "Is this the letter that will bring Follow the king back?"
Xiao Yan smiled and replied, "Exactly, Your Majesty. I believe this will be a successful political maneuver."
Xiao Lu'an handed the letter to the secretary next to him, then slowly walked to the window, gazing at the moonlight spilling onto the pond outside the splendid palace, as if contemplating something.
Suddenly, he spoke up: "Xiao Yan, do you really think he will come back? Will those subordinates be easily bought by us?"
Xiao Yan was moved and slowly said: "Your Majesty, although Jingzhou is important, the power of Follow the king has not been consolidated. On the one hand, he also lacks sufficient political thinking and military strength; on the other hand, his subordinates, such as Bian Bailong, are all greedy people who will turn their heads when they see an opportunity. With the prestige of the adult and the wealth we promised, they will come."
Xiao Lu'an seemed to be moved by Xiao Yan's analysis, chuckled and said, "Alright, let's do it your way. But if the plan fails, do you understand the consequences?"
Xiao Yan bowed and replied, "General Xiao, I will take full responsibility."
Three months later, everything went smoothly as planned by Xiao Yan. Bian Bailong and another general in Jingzhou accepted Xiao Lu'an's conditions and abandoned their support for Follow the king. Xiao Zilong had no choice but to return to Nanjing in tears and submit to Xiao Lu'an.
After successfully recalling Follow the king, Xiao Lu'an immediately deposed and killed Xiao Zhaoye, and enthroned Xiao Zhaowen, taking control of the court.
Three months later, Xiao Lu'an successfully deposed Xiao Zhaoye and declared himself emperor. He carried out a large-scale massacre of the descendants of the emperors Xiao Daocheng and Xiao Yi, killing the eldest first and sparing no one, including the youngest, before his death. All were exterminated.
One reason is that the throne is not rightfully occupied, so the grass must be cut and the roots removed to prevent endless trouble. Another reason may be that one's inner demons are at play. Since childhood, both parents have passed away, and although it was Xiao Daocheng who raised him personally, once these people ascended to the throne, they never treated him as a sibling.
In the palace of Xiao Lu'an, the luxurious palace walls towered high, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, showcasing the emperor's authority and nobility. Unlike the previously tense and desolate atmosphere, the current mood seemed to have relaxed slightly.
Nevertheless, Xiao Lu'an's gaze remained as sharp as an eagle's as he looked at the ministers in front of him, deep in thought.
He thought of Xiao Yan, the young nephew who had once advised him.
After Xiao Lu'an ascended the throne, he did not forget Xiao Yan's contributions and was about to promote him to a higher official position.
However, at this critical moment, he suddenly thought of the young man by Xiao Yan's side, Zhao Qinglan.
"This descendant of the Xiao Family is young, but quite visionary," thought Xiao Lu'an to himself. "However, he has been too close to Xiao Yan, and has even been involved in certain political decisions, which is an unknown factor for me."
Xiao Yan and Zhao Qinglan sat in their own study, one side adorned with a scroll depicting a complex battlefield layout, while the other was piled with notes and confidential reports.
Zhao Qinglan looked at Xiao Yan in front of her, feeling uneasy. " Brother Xiao, are you sure this is the right thing to do? Is Xiao Lu'an really a trustworthy emperor?"
Xiao Yan took a deep breath. "To be honest, I don't fully trust the emperor, but for now, it seems that he poses no threat to us. And we do need his power and resources. Once the situation is favorable for us, we can seek new allies and opportunities."
Zhao Qinglan smiled and felt that Xiao Yan made a lot of sense.
At that moment, a courtier hurriedly entered and said, "The Emperor summons Lord Xiao and Mr. Zhao."
The two men accompanied the minister to the throne of Xiao Lu'an. Xiao Lu'an looked serious and said to Xiao Yan, "Xiao Yan, your strategy is indeed brilliant. I intend to appoint you as the Deputy Minister of the Central Secretariat, with a rank of fourth grade. What do you think?"
Xiao Yan bowed and said, "Your Majesty's favor is overwhelming, and I am deeply grateful."
"Where is Zhao Qinglan?" Xiao Lu'an's gaze turned to Zhao Qinglan.
"I heard that not only are you outstanding in literary attainments, but you also have remarkable military strategies. What position do you think should be given to you?"
Zhao Qinglan smiled slightly, glanced at Xiao Yan, and then said to Xiao Lu'an: "Your Majesty, if you think this humble minister has some talent, why not bestow the position of Shuzi Crown Prince."
Xiao Lu'an considered for a moment, then nodded in agreement: "Very well, in that case, I will appoint you as Shuzi Crown Prince, a fifth-rank official position."
Zhao Qinglan and Xiao Yan exchanged a glance, both seeing the joy in each other's eyes.
At that moment, a trusted aide hurried in, holding a letter: "Your Majesty, there's a report from the north. The army of Northern Wei has mobilized, seemingly with the intention to invade our Southern Qi."
Xiao Lu'an furrowed his brows, took the letter and read it over, then looked at Xiao Yan and Zhao Qinglan and said, "Since you are all here, we might as well discuss this matter together."
Zhao Qinglan took the letter, studied it carefully for a moment, and then spoke, "Your Majesty, from what I can see, the actions of Northern Wei this time are not just a sudden impulse. They may have been preparing for a long time, and we should be prepared as well."
Xiao Yan also agreed, saying, "I support Zhao Qinglan's view. This time, we not only need to strengthen our border defenses, but also secretly dispatch scouts to understand the enemy's specific movements."
Xiao Lu'an The emperor, deeply approving of this, immediately instructed the corresponding deployment to be carried out.
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