Chapter 12504

Chapter 12504

Guo Xianggu pondered silently, "That guy is trying to destroy my foundation."

Given Li Yan's status, at least two conditions are indispensable for him to replace Zhuge Liang.

One is that Zhuge Liang must have suffered a defeat on the front lines, and it cannot be a minor defeat, but a major defeat that would severely damage his reputation.

Secondly, it was essential to win over these important officials in the Shu Han court.

In other words, the courtiers had to stand on his side.

Behind the ministers were powerful families.

Now that the other party is forcing him to take action against the powerful families, it will not only solve his urgent need for supplies, but also force him to completely break ties with his ministers, killing two birds with one stone.

Dong Yun quietly reminded him, "The military situation is urgent, and there isn't much time left for Lord Li."

"I know."

Guo Xianggu had no choice but to agree.

Given the situation, if he were to stubbornly resist, he would be courting death.

The only remaining option is to follow the other party's script. Being passive may be passive, but it doesn't mean they have no room for maneuver at all.

It's man-made.

If he handled the details well, he could not only obtain supplies from powerful families, but also shift all the blame onto Zhuge Liang!
As soon as he started making arrangements, the grain-borrowing team, using his name, went directly to the homes of the major families to forcibly requisition grain.

In the end, without exception, they all left behind a single sentence.

"This is a direct order from Lord Li Yan. If any of you have any questions, you can question him directly!"

When Guo Xianggu was blocked at the door by the heads of various powerful families, each with a murderous look on their faces, he was completely stunned.

This scene of incurring public wrath seems somewhat familiar.

This was the scene when Liu Aozhi dealt a heavy blow to a group of shady businesses.

However, he was the Grand Administrator of Tianjun, the nominal head of Tianjun, and also known as the newly promoted Four-Zhang Dharma Master. Even if he had incurred the wrath of the masses, the major families did not dare to push him too far.

But Guo Xianggu didn't have that confidence!
The key issue is that Dong Yun is watching closely from the sidelines, and he doesn't dare to directly shift the blame to Liu Shan, nor can he sow discord between the people and Zhuge Liang at the front line. He can only suffer in silence.

In a short time, the once highly respected minister entrusted with the care of the young emperor was transformed into a treacherous villain who flattered his superiors and bullied his subordinates by a group of powerful families leading the slander.

It has a terrible reputation.

Guo Xianggu had unspeakable suffering.

He doesn't even dare to visit the powerful families or Zhuge Liang on the front lines, let alone sow discord among them. Given the public anger he has incurred, he might be ambushed at any time.

I don’t know how I will die by then.

"What a capable Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, who could control everything with a single hand!"

Guo Xianggu was so angry that he cursed loudly.

He had originally anticipated that with the front lines running out of supplies, even if Zhuge Liang was incredibly capable, he would be in a state of utter chaos, barely able to protect himself, let alone attend to the rear.

This is the time for him to truly shine.

Who would have thought this would suddenly happen?
"Useless! Both of them on the other side are useless!"

Guo Xianggu could only conclude that the two guys playing Sima Yi and Guo Huai on the other side were simply too useless. They had already run out of supplies, yet they still couldn't seize any opportunities.

After thinking for a long time, Guo Xianggu's eyes suddenly lit up: "Since we can't get anything out of the aristocratic families, let's start with Liu Shan. As long as we control this mediocre ruler, we can use the emperor to command the feudal lords!"

As a talented scholar with some fame in Tianjun, Guo Xianggu was not very familiar with such court struggles, but he was still quick-witted enough.

"The most crucial point right now is to cut off Liu Shan's communication with the front lines. We must not allow Zhuge Liang to influence his decisions any further!"

Guo Xianggu immediately mobilized his men to keep a close watch on the military intelligence department's communication with the front lines.

At the same time, they secretly sent people to spread rumors.

Soon, after some teahouse storytellers offered their seemingly profound insights, the news spread like wildfire.

"The Prime Minister's northern expedition is a pretense; his true aim is to seize power!"

"The so-called Northern Expedition is just a pretext for building up military power. How could Shu Han, with only one province, possibly stand against Cao Wei?"

"It's something that even a three-year-old can understand. How could a brilliant and intelligent person like the Prime Minister not understand it?"

"Knowing it's impossible, he still did it. His goal wasn't Cao Wei at all; he wanted to go even further!"

"The Prime Minister is already second only to the Emperor; what would it be if he were to advance further?"

"Your Majesty is in danger!"

Conspiracy theories will always be the most popular thing in the world.

Even with Zhuge Liang's reputation, people initially didn't take it seriously, but as more and more people spread the word, they quickly began to have doubts.

In just a few days, public opinion has reversed dramatically.

This is exactly the effect Guo Xianggu wanted.

Now that things have come to this, he has made a desperate gamble, and there is no turning back.

The next step is crucial.

Control Liu Shan.

From any perspective, this was a genuine rebellion. Even if he was arrogant and looked down on Liu Shan, this incompetent ruler, he knew that this was a very difficult task.

Liu Shan was incompetent, but that doesn't mean everyone around him was incompetent.

One wrong move and the whole game is lost.

However, Guo Xianggu's main focus remained on Zhuge Liang at the front lines.

In his eyes, from beginning to end, this person was his true enemy, and everything else was just a side issue.

To keep Zhuge Liang occupied, he once again sent a secret letter to Sima Yi and Guo Huai on the other side, conveying the chaos in the Shu Han court.

It can be summed up in one sentence.

If you can hold Zhuge Liang back for a while longer, and wait until he completely takes over the Shu Han court, Zhuge Liang will surely be defeated!
Meanwhile, Guo Xianggu kept a close eye on Liu Shan's every move, waiting for the opportunity he needed.

Three days later, the opportunity came.

Liu Shan secretly slipped out of the palace to stroll through the flower market, without informing Jiang Wan and other ministers, and only took fewer than ten close advisors with him.

Guo Xianggu was overjoyed.

Without any hesitation, he immediately led his men to surround Liu Shan in the brothel, isolating him from the outside world!

"Your Majesty, I, Li Yan, have an important matter to report."

Guo Xianggu arrived at the door with a serious expression and said in a deep voice, "News has come from the front lines that Zhuge Liang's rebellious intentions have been revealed; he wants to declare himself king!"

"He is called the Prime Minister, but in reality a traitor to the country. Your Majesty, I beg you to execute this villain!"

A mocking voice echoed from inside the room: "You call a traitor a traitor? Look at the situation now, who really looks more like a traitor?"

Guo Xianggu calmly replied, "Your Majesty, please do not misunderstand. Zhuge Liang's henchmen are everywhere in the court. I have no choice but to resort to this desperate measure today. My sincere heart is entirely for Your Majesty's sake!"

After a moment of silence in the room, the conversation shifted.

"Words alone are not enough. If you accuse the Prime Minister of rebellion, you must provide substantial evidence."

Guo Xianggu was well-prepared and immediately sent two letters through a close attendant at the door.

Guo Xianggu said, "This is a letter Zhuge Liang wrote to Sima Yi, proving his defection and treason! The evidence is irrefutable!"

"unambiguous evidence?"

The voices inside the room grew increasingly strange: "The handwriting doesn't quite look right to me. But speaking of letters, I do have two here. Why don't we take a look at them together?"