Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator

Even though Liu Bei's sudden idea differed from the established plan,

no one would dare to object to the King of Han at this moment, and they all bowed in agreement.

Soon after, at Liu Bei's gesture, a close attendant presented the edict to Liu Bei.

Liu Bei personally picked up the edict, unfolded it, and fixed his gaze on Li Ji, who was standing respectfully by his side, before speaking.

"If I were without the Marquis of Guoshi, I would not be where I am today; if Han were without the Marquis of Guoshi, it would not be as it is now."

"Today, as I ennoble the officials and reward their merits, the Marquis of Guoshi, Li Ji, should be credited with the foremost achievement."

Li Ji was slightly stunned. Realizing what was happening, he hurriedly stepped down a step to offer his respects.

However, Liu Bei preemptively stopped Li Ji and said,

"The Marquis of Guoshi should remain on the high platform."

At this moment, Li Ji couldn't help but suspect that Liu Bei had been planning this for a long time; otherwise, he wouldn't have specifically asked him to accompany him onto the stage earlier.

Under countless gazes, Li Ji had no choice but to offer his respects directly on the high platform.

But Liu Bei was not in a hurry to continue reading the edict. Instead, he whispered to Li Ji,

"In the past, when I was in dire straits, I was fortunate to meet Zikun, who did not abandon me. I secretly vowed that one day I would treat him as a national pillar, and today I can finally fulfill this promise."

Immediately, Liu Bei held up the edict and announced loudly,

"The Marquis of Guoshi's talent surpasses all others, his benevolence shines upon the great Han, he supports the Han Dynasty when it is about to collapse, and saves the people from fire and water. His achievements are immeasurable. Please accept a bow from me first."

With that, before Li Ji could react, Liu Bei, in front of all the people and officials, bowed to Li Ji on the high platform where he had just offered sacrifices to the heavens and reported to his ancestors.

This bow left countless people dumbfounded, and even Li Ji stared blankly at Liu Bei, his mind somewhat paused.

However, as the crowd gradually reacted, not only did no one step forward to stop Liu Bei, but many officials and generals also spontaneously bowed in the direction of Li Ji.

The world may be easily deceived, but most of the time, their eyes are sharp.

Li Ji has been in charge of military and political affairs for many years, without ever seeking personal gain or deliberately suppressing others. His words and deeds are as clear as a mirror, with only a public heart towards the great Han and the people.

In the great Han, where corrupt officials have been rampant for many years, Li Ji is not just a clean stream, but has unknowingly become a benchmark.

In order to attract scholars to Wu Commandery in the south, Li Ji did not hesitate to make high-profile moves, gradually becoming the leader of the strategists. Naturally, he inevitably gained a lot of animosity, and his every word and action were scrutinized with criticism.

But over the years, not to mention the officials and people under his rule, even countless of those who were hostile to him in the past could not help but be impressed by Li Ji.

Even the likes of Xu You and Guo Tu no longer openly attacked Li Ji's virtue and talent.

Even Cao Cao, who was scolded by Li Ji until he was almost rotten, only frequently scolded Liu Bei for being hypocritical, and never criticized or insulted Li Ji.

In this chaotic world, the four states of Yu, Xu, Jing, and Yang can have today's prosperity, and the people can live and work in peace and contentment. Who would question the merits of the Marquis of Guoshi?

Not only many officials and generals, but also many people outside the high platform followed suit and saluted.

When Li Ji reacted and hurriedly tried to get up to stop them, Liu Bei preemptively pressed down on Li Ji's shoulder and said,

"Zikun, you deserve this honor."

Li Ji's eyes could not help but turn red as he said, "Your Lordship is like this, how can I repay you even if I were to be crushed to pieces?"

"The great Han does not need Zikun to be crushed to pieces, it only needs Zikun to continue to steer the great Han and create a great and prosperous world."

Liu Bei replied, then released Li Ji, and then solemnly raised his voice again.

"Now, in this chaotic world, there are Han traitors who run rampant and establish false kings. In order to restore the Han Dynasty as soon as possible, I re-establish the position of Prime Minister and respectfully request the Marquis of Guoshi to take on this important task."

Prime Minister?!

As for Liu Bei's decision to ennoble the officials, the vast majority of them had been discussed and deliberated with Li Ji.

Only Li Ji's own appointment, Liu Bei had not directly discussed with Li Ji, but had secretly tested Li Ji's attitude towards re-establishing the Prime Minister.

Therefore, Li Ji was not surprised by this.

Moreover, the blueprint that Li Ji intended to realize in the great Han also required the authority of the Prime Minister, so Li Ji took a slight breath and accepted the appointment.

With the addition of the official position of Prime Minister, Li Ji's re-calmed heart could not help but surge with a wave.

Being ennobled as a marquis and appointed as prime minister is a wish in life.

Becoming a marquis has been achieved for many years, but becoming a prime minister is tonight.

However, after Liu Bei personally put on the Prime Minister's seal that had been completed not long ago for Li Ji, Liu Bei picked up another royal edict.

As soon as he opened his mouth, he appointed Li Ji as the Grand Commandant of the Han Dynasty, in charge of all military affairs of the Han Dynasty, and then ordered someone to send the general's sword and tiger tally, personally tied the general's sword to Li Ji's waist, and put the tiger tally in Li Ji's hand, and said softly.

"From now on, I also ask Zikun to continue to assist me in pacifying the thieves as soon as possible and restoring the Han Dynasty."

Li Ji lowered his head and looked at the Prime Minister's seal and general's sword on his waist, and then looked up at the officials and generals below, his mood complex for a while.

In the history of the great Han, there has never been a precedent for the honor of Prime Minister and Great General to be bestowed on one person.

Obviously, Liu Bei still intended to entrust all military and political affairs to Li Ji, and secretly, he must have argued with old ministers such as Liu Yu many times.

The resistance Liu Bei faced was undoubtedly enormous for this unprecedented event.

Therefore, Liu Bei was completely playing a word game. Since the Great General and Prime Minister could not be added to Li Ji alone, then let Li Ji act as the Great General in the name of Grand Commandant.

It is conceivable that, not to mention the day Li Ji is alive, Liu Bei may not set up the position of Great General again.

Even if someone really advances to the Great General, it is impossible to have the high status of Li Ji, the Grand Commandant.

With military and political affairs in one hand, the power can be described as monstrous.

That is, under Liu Bei's command, if it were someone else, Li Ji felt that he would not be far from being hacked to death.

But since things have come to this, and even Liu Bei has deliberately concealed it from Li Ji, and Li Ji had not noticed it at all beforehand, it is already too late to change this matter even if he wants to.

In front of all the people, Li Ji had no choice but to accept the appointment.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great kindness."

Li Ji responded, and was helped up by Liu Bei, turned around and looked at the people under the high platform.

But at this moment, Li Ji was still a little confused, let alone the officials and generals under the stage.

The most important question is, how should Li Ji be addressed?

The honor of the Prime Minister and Grand Commandant in one body is also an unprecedented precedent in the Han Dynasty.

In the end, Liu Yu, who had been prepared for a while, took the lead and saluted, saying,

"Greetings, Prime Minister."

Immediately, with a leader, the officials and generals under the stage temporarily suppressed their other thoughts and bowed together to Li Ji, who was wearing the Prime Minister's seal and general's sword on the high platform, holding the tiger tally, and shouted.

"Greetings, Prime Minister..."

Immediately afterwards, the people outside the high platform also shouted "Prime Minister", the sound spread for ten miles, echoing endlessly. (End of this chapter)