Starting with a Wei Wu soldier

Chapter 168 Voices Urging Him to Ascend the Throne

The smoke of war in Xiliang had completely dissipated, the granaries of Longyou were piled high with new wheat, and merchants thronged the official road from Xinghuobao to the northern frontier. Meanwhile, the post horses from Jincheng to Guzang galloped day and night, delivering government orders and tax documents. When the first withered sycamore leaf fell on the command platform at Xinghuobao's drill ground, everyone realized that this northern power, which had risen at a miraculous pace, had truly taken control of a vast territory stretching from Liangzhou in the west to the border wall of Youyan in the east, from the grasslands in the north to the Yellow River in the south, becoming the veritable master of "most of the north."

The autumn harvest statistics were gradually compiled and submitted to Su Xiaoxiao, the Imperial Household Minister, who then refined them into concise charts and presented them to Chen Xing and the core ministers. Watching the lines and numbers symbolizing population, land, granaries, and tax revenue rise steadily, even the most cautious old minister couldn't help but think: such a foundation is beyond the reach of ordinary "lord of a fortress" or "general."

This idea initially circulated only in private conversations, like scattered sparks in an autumn field. But after a "Autumn Conference" presided over by Jia Wen and attended by key officials from various prefectures and representatives from newly attached counties, the sparks quickly gathered and ignited into an uncontrollable blaze.

The autumn council was originally intended to summarize the gains and losses of the year and plan for the important tasks of the coming year. However, as the meeting drew to a close and the issues of the future political structure and legitimacy were discussed, the atmosphere suddenly became heated and subtle.

The first to speak was a representative of a Xiliang gentry family who had recently submitted to the court and been appointed as the Prefect of Liangzhou. He rose, quoted extensively from classical texts, speaking of "the mandate of heaven" and "legitimate cause," and finally declared passionately: "Now our lord has pacified the north, his power extends throughout the land, his virtue benefits all people, and his achievements are unparalleled! Yet he still commands the four directions with the title 'Star Lord,' which, though showing humility, is insufficient to deter disobedient subjects and cannot repay the soldiers' bloody battles and the people's sincere admiration! We, your humble servants, risk our lives to earnestly request that our lord, in accordance with Heaven's will and the people's will, be granted the title of King and the throne, so as to appease the hearts of the people!"

These words, once uttered, were like a drop of water thrown into boiling oil. Immediately, several civil officials, especially those from newly annexed territories and aristocratic officials eager to establish their positions in the new dynasty, echoed their sentiments. They argued for the necessity of becoming king from the perspective of ritual and propriety, or stressed its urgency from the perspective of popular support, their words earnest and their emotions stirring.

Among the military officers, Zhang Heng was the most straightforward. He strode forward, his voice booming: "My lord! I, Zhang, am a rough man, I don't understand all that scheming! All I know is that following you in battle, we won Xiliang, and occupied such a vast territory. My brothers shed blood and sweat, and they deserve a greater title, to bring glory to our ancestors! Those weaklings in the south dare to call themselves kings and tyrants, so why can't our hero, my lord, be king? If we become king, we'll have more confidence when we go out! This humble general begs my lord to become king!"

Although Dian Xiong didn't say much, he nodded emphatically and said in a deep voice, "General Zhang is right!"

Even the usually composed Chen Wei, after a moment of contemplation, stepped forward and bowed, saying, "My lord, with the territory expanding and the army and people growing daily, it is indeed difficult to govern them all under the duchy system alone. The system of nobility, with its greater weight and prestige, is beneficial for commanding the four directions, integrating resources, and clarifying the hierarchy. Moreover... the soldiers are willing to fight to the death, and the civil and military officials are loyal. We also hope that my lord can elevate them to a higher level to demonstrate their achievements."

Zhao Tiezhu, who was in charge of civil affairs, knew that the current affairs were too complex to be effectively managed without a higher-level political structure. He said, "My lord, the title of king and the establishment of a system are not empty words, but a necessity for governing. We should set up six ministries and nine ministers, clarify the official system, and divide powers and responsibilities. Only in this way can government orders be effectively implemented and the people's livelihood be guaranteed."

Jia Wenli stood at the head of the civil officials, remaining silent throughout, listening quietly, his narrow eyes gleaming as if he were deep in thought.

Chen Xing, seated on his throne, remained calm, his expression unreadable. His gaze slowly swept over the impassioned officials below, his mind clear as a mirror. The calls for his ascension, seemingly popular, were actually rife with undercurrents. Some, like Chen Wei and Zhao Tiezhu, were genuinely concerned with the public good and the greater good; others, newly allied officials from aristocratic families, were eager to gain higher positions in the new dynasty; still others, like Zhang Heng, were generals hoping to advance their careers by virtue of their service to the new emperor; and still others, simply opportunists, were going with the flow.

Should he declare himself king? He wasn't entirely without thought. Starfire Fortress, having reached this point, was indeed cramped simply by existing as a "duchy." Becoming king wasn't merely an elevation in title; it was a fundamental leap in political status. It meant establishing a more complete bureaucratic system, exercising more independent legal authority, uniting the people internally, and demonstrating strength externally. This would be especially advantageous when dealing with the southern lords who had already declared themselves kings or emperors. Perhaps the system would also offer corresponding periodic rewards…

However, becoming king also means greater responsibility, a more conspicuous target, and stronger external hostility. The "Anti-Star Alliance" in the south will likely find a better pretext for attack immediately, and the Snow Wolf Clan in the north, and even more distant forces, will be more vigilant. Internally, how to balance the distribution of interests between the old and new forces in the "New Dynasty" will also be an extremely challenging issue.

"I understand the intentions of my ministers," Chen Xing finally spoke, his voice steady and calming the commotion in the hall. "However, the matter of becoming king concerns the very foundation of the nation and the mandate of heaven, and is of utmost importance. I am of meager virtue and talent, and to ascend the throne so suddenly would not be a blessing for the people, nor would I fear divine retribution. This matter... shall be discussed later."

He refused outright, using the most standard humble excuse.

But once the flame of urging him to ascend the throne was ignited, it was not easily extinguished. After the Autumn Deliberations, memorials urging him to take the throne flooded Chen Xing's desk like snowflakes. Not only officials in the court, but also local prefects, military commanders, and even some influential gentry and celebrities began to submit petitions. The words became increasingly earnest, the reasons increasingly numerous, and even rumors of "auspicious omens" began to circulate—a white deer was spotted in a certain place, a well gushed forth sweet spring water in a certain place, an old farmer dreamed of a golden dragon descending upon Xinghuo Fortress…

Murong Mingyue also heard the rumors in the back hall. One day, as she massaged Chen Xing's tense shoulders and neck, she softly asked, "Husband, the clamor outside urging you to ascend the throne is so great, what... exactly are you planning?"

Chen Xing grasped her hand and sighed, "Mingyue, becoming king is only a matter of time. But the timing and the method must be carefully considered. I cannot appear impatient; I must show humility with the courtesy of 'three invitations and three refusals' to silence any gossip. Furthermore, I must use this opportunity to see who is truly acting for the public good and who has ulterior motives, and to reorganize the internal power structure."

Murong Mingyue understood: "My husband is a man of great foresight. However, this 'three requests and three refusals' will likely not be accomplished in a day, and will require someone to mediate and guide the process..."

"Wenhe has his own plans." A hint of certainty flashed in Chen Xing's eyes. "This matter will also serve as a litmus test."

Sure enough, a few days later, led by Jia Wen, Chen Wei, Zhao Tiezhu, Zhang Heng, Cheng Yin and dozens of other important civil and military officials jointly submitted a memorial entitled "A Plea to Lord Xing to Advance in Accordance with Heaven and the People." The memorial was extremely respectful and earnest, praising Chen Xing's achievements and virtues to the point of being almost a reincarnation of Yao and Shun, and explicitly requesting that he "advance to the throne, establish a state and system, to satisfy the hopes of the people."

This joint petition carries immense weight, encompassing almost all of Xinghuobao's core and secondary power figures. It signifies that the urging movement to ascend the throne has formally escalated from public opinion and sporadic petitions to a public political demand from the ruling group as a whole.

Faced with this weighty petition, Chen Xing once again "resolutely" declined at the court assembly. He listed his own shortcomings, emphasized that the world was not yet at peace, and that declaring himself king might embolden the enemy. His words were earnest, even carrying a hint of "self-reproach," which moved many of his ministers.

However, the calls for him to ascend the throne did not cease; on the contrary, they intensified. Inside and outside Starfire Fortress, almost everyone was talking about it, and the title "Star King" began to circulate unnoticed. An invisible but enormous force was forming, propelling Chen Xing, and this emerging northern overlord, towards that inevitable, higher position.