Mythical Qin: I, Gao Yao, will never be a eunuch!

Chapter 273 Xiao He’s counter-recruitment, why not accept the talents offered to him!

As Dou Guan blurted out these words, Xiao He's calm expression froze for a moment. To let him control the entire southern border and to enfeoff him as the King of Yue, such conditions and prices were indeed not low. Not only that, but he was also given a part of the territory that had long been assigned to the State of Chu. Whether the State of Chu was willing to accept it or not was not discussed for the moment, but the significance of making such a division again at this moment was already very different.

Xiao He calmed down and said slowly, "Oh? Doesn't it mean that the court offers such generous conditions without any other requirements?"

Dou Guan smiled slightly and responded, "Of course there is, but there is only one requirement."

Hearing this, Xiao He couldn't help but speculate secretly, and various possibilities flashed through his mind. Suddenly, as if he had guessed something, he frowned and asked, "Could it be related to my master Gao Yao?"

At this moment, Xiao He was actually full of surprise. He had never expected that the conflict between Gao Yao and the court had developed to such a serious level. Perhaps, this conflict was not just directed at the entire court, but was related to certain specific figures in the court. The specific situation is still unknown. But what is certain is that the mysteries hidden behind this incident are probably far beyond his initial imagination.

"Alas, Xiao He, to be honest, I know your character very well. Once you make up your mind to do something, no one can pull you back, and there is no possibility of regret. But this time, the conditions given by His Majesty really made me sigh! Look at the current situation. The military strength of the Southern Territory is far inferior to that of the imperial court. If we really have to fight to the death with the imperial court army, the final outcome will definitely be a lose-lose situation. Moreover, judging from the current strength of the Southern Territory, the probability of losing this war is very high! Now we have to attack the State of Chu and resist the Qin State. In such a difficult situation, how can our Southern Territory have such a strong strength?"

At this point, he paused for a moment, staring at Xiao He, and then said with emotion: "I have also been to the current southern border in person, and everywhere I saw was a scene of prosperity. All walks of life are booming, and the people live and work in peace and contentment. This must be inseparable from the many efforts you have made! His Majesty has promised that as long as you, Xiao He, are willing to surrender and help the court successfully take over the southern border, then in addition to the benefits promised before, he can also ensure that Gao Yao's family will not be attacked, and they will be allowed to continue to live in Nanhai County, and they will never be implicated in the slightest."

"Now, Your Majesty wants nothing more than Gao Yao's head. As long as we can offer him, we will withdraw our troops immediately and will never invade an inch of land in the southern border!" Dou Guan said righteously. His firm eyes were fixed on Xiao He, as if waiting for him to make a decision.

Xiao He listened to Dou Guan's words quietly, but his heart was already filled with turmoil. He couldn't help but sigh that the conditions given by the court were too shocking and too exaggerated. Gao Yao's life alone could actually be exchanged for the peace and tranquility of the entire southern border. This sounded incredible. However, the cruel reality was in front of him, and he had no choice but to believe it.

But at the same time, Xiao He also keenly realized that there was a deeper conspiracy and calculation behind this incident. The court was so obsessed with taking Gao Yao's life that it even offered such tempting conditions. Its strong targeting was obvious at a glance. Not only did they show no mercy to Gao Yao, they even ignored the life and death of the elected Prince Gao, the dignified King of Qin. There must be some unknown reason for this.

Thinking of this, Xiao He raised his head, stared at Dou Guan, and slowly said: "Mr. Dou Guan, if you look at this from another angle, if I ask you to convey a message to the court, saying that if there are important officials in the court who are willing to abandon the dark and join our camp, they will also receive generous treatment from my master. I wonder what Mr. Dou Guan thinks about this?"

"This is different!" Dou Guan's expression changed slightly when he heard this. He looked at Xiao He solemnly.

"Oh? How is it different?"

"Xiao He, you should understand that Gongzi Gao, the so-called King of Qin, is just a cover nominated by Gao Yao. There are many intelligent people in this world. Such self-deception may deceive ordinary people, but how can it deceive wise men? Gao Yao is ultimately a man with evil intentions, trying to usurp power. Xiao He, you are a man of great talent and strategy, and you must see this more clearly than me. Since you know this situation well, why do you insist on being wrong? If you can ascend to the throne of the King of Yue now, wouldn't it be wonderful?"

After hearing this, Xiao He couldn't help but shake his head and chuckled, responding with a slightly sarcastic tone: "Haha, I really didn't expect that you would think so highly of me. Since you have such an idea, why don't you look for someone else? In my opinion, there should be many people in the south who are more suitable than me. Aren't Zhao Tuo and even Cao Shen more qualified than me?"

For Xiao He, betraying Gao Yao was simply a fantasy, and that was his bottom line that he would never cross. It was not because Xiao He was blindly loyal, but because he had a keen eye and saw the current situation clearly. Today, the southern border presents a scene of prosperity and peace and contentment, which is exactly what the world should look like.

"Of course you can, but I always feel that something is lacking! Only you, Xiao He, have such extraordinary talents. With such generous and superior treatment and conditions in front of you, Xiao He, you must think carefully!" Dou Guan persuaded earnestly.

However, at this moment, Xiao He suddenly burst into laughter: "Hahahahahaha..." This sudden laughter made Dou Guan instantly confused. He stared at the calm Xiao He in front of him with astonishment.

After Xiao He stopped laughing, he slowly said: "Sir, although I have not fully accepted your courtesy to me in the past, I have always remembered this kindness in my heart. That is why we met today. But don't mention it again about my betrayal of my master, especially don't tell anyone else. Otherwise, Xiao He is really worried that you will not be able to leave this southern border safely!" After saying that, Xiao He's eyes became particularly firm, as if warning Dou Guan not to act rashly.

Seeing Xiao He's originally mild attitude suddenly take a 180-degree turn, Dou Guan's expression could not help but change slightly. He really had not expected Xiao He's attitude to change so quickly, catching him off guard.

"Lord Xiao He, are you going to order me to expel you?" Dou Guan stared at Xiao He, his eyes revealing a hint of confusion and surprise.

Even in the face of Xiao He's sudden change, Dou Guan did not show the slightest fear. After all, how could Dou Guan be a coward who dared to come to the southern border to meet Xiao He in person during such a sensitive period? Therefore, when Xiao He threatened him with words, Dou Guan was not afraid at all.

Unlike Xiao He, Dou Guan was a man who understood the situation and had a good sense of people. However, as a Qin man, his loyalty to the emperor and his country were deeply ingrained in his bones and could not be erased. If Xiao He was a foolishly loyal person, Dou Guan was actually a truly foolishly loyal person. Although he knew that the court's decision to enfeoff the kings was inappropriate, he still chose to follow the emperor's orders.

"Haha, how could that be? The gentleman has done me a favor, so I will never harm him."

Xiao He forced a smile on his face and continued, "I just want to kindly remind you, sir, that if some words are said here and accidentally heard by outsiders, I am afraid that even I may not be able to protect you!"

"What's more, you should have just arrived in the southern border. You said that Gao Yao was a disloyal person, and that all the smart people in the world can see the ambition of my master. But have you ever really opened your eyes and looked at the world now?"

"When Qin Shi Huang conquered all directions, he conscripted laborers to build fortifications in various places, which plunged the country into dire straits and the people suffered terribly! Because too much manpower was diverted to engineering construction, the land available for farming was drastically reduced. What was the result? The number of refugees increased day by day, and bandits and bandits were rampant. Government orders could not be smoothly conveyed to local areas, and the order of the entire country became chaotic. Could it be that you gentlemen are completely unaware of these situations?" At this point, a trace of anger clearly appeared on Xiao He's face, and his sharp eyes swept over everyone.

Dou Guan was surprised to see Xiao He, who was always calm and steady, so excited. This was a look of Xiao He he had never seen before!

Then, Xiao He calmed down a little and continued, "But let's take a look at the southern border where we are now! Here, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and their lives are prosperous. Compared with the past, the burden of various taxes can be said to be negligible, and it has almost no impact on the daily lives of the people. The people are not only able to go to restaurants to taste delicious food, but also have a lot of surplus every month. They use this surplus to buy new clothes and improve the living conditions of themselves and their families; they can even eat a delicious meat meal every now and then. Even if some people no longer engage in farming, they don't have to worry about food and clothing. Because a large number of workers are needed here to participate in various production activities, business is extremely prosperous, presenting a thriving scene. I think that only such a social environment can be called a true heyday!"

"If you are poor, you should take care of yourself; if you are rich, you should help the world. Based on your knowledge, what is a country, what is a family, and what is the people?"

"So, if you win the support of the common people, you will become the emperor; if you win the support of the emperor, you will become a prince; if you win the support of the princes, you will become a minister. Sir, you are also a Confucian. Have you forgotten the teachings of the ancient sages?"

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