Tibet.

Chapter 1416 Brothers Separate
In the evening, Dugu Lie packed his luggage. He would leave for overseas early the next morning.

Ever since the island was purchased to build a kingdom, the older members of the family have become jealous and have been thinking of various ways to entangle Dugu Lie. Each of them wants to become the first king of the Dugu Kingdom, even if it means being a nominal king.

These tribesmen are actually not of high generation, and are of the same generation as Dugu Lie, but they always think that Dugu Lie is clinging to the power in the Tang Dynasty and is unwilling to go to the island.

If Dugu Lie is unwilling to go to the island, their chance will come.

How could Dugu Lie give up the throne of the first king?
Seeing that his brother Dugu Jun took the initiative to go to Quanzhou and prepare various supplies, it was obvious that he wanted to seize the right to build the island and lay a solid foundation for him to become the first king.

Dugu Lie was anxious and did not hesitate to use his status as the father-in-law of the emperor to ask for help. In the end, Dugu Jun was appointed as the governor of Xiangzhou, which slowed down Dugu Jun's ambition to become king.

Dugu Lie is now the Minister of War, but he knows very well that he can only serve for this term and cannot be re-elected, which means he still has three years left in his term.

But if he doesn't confirm the king's identity now, it might be too late in three years.

But to confirm his identity as king, he has to go to the island, and it will take at least a year to go back and forth. What will happen to his position as minister?
So Dugu Lie was very distressed. He was reluctant to give up his position as prime minister, but also did not want to lose the opportunity to become king. He had been in a dilemma for the past few months.

It was his brother Dugu Ming who advised him that it was impossible to have the best of both worlds. He could not enjoy all the power of the Shangshu and hold on to the king at the same time.

Even if he is lucky enough to survive and step down after three years, and become king again, he will lose the trust of his people. You have taken all the good things in the world, what should others do?
Dugu Lie then realized that there is gain only after loss, so he decisively submitted his resignation letter to the emperor and prepared to leave for Quanzhou.

Even if he was busy in Quanzhou for a year or two before going to the island, it would be better than being a minister in Chang'an.

"The Third Master is here!" the housekeeper shouted, and brother Dugu Ming walked in.

Dugu Ming looked at the luggage scattered all over the floor and asked with a smile, "Are you leaving now, big brother?"

Dugu Lie nodded and sighed, "I am about to leave, but I feel so lost!"

Dugu Ming smiled slightly and said, "Brother is just going to take a look, he is not going to never come back. You will be in the mansion again at this time next year."

"Not necessarily. Maybe I will stay in Quanzhou."

Dugu Ming nodded and asked, "Is there any news from Jinyang?"

"It's the same news as before. Twenty thousand workers have already started logging. Jinyang is too busy to come back. Someone is needed in Quanzhou."

“Isn’t Raoyang in Quanzhou?”

Dugu Lie smiled bitterly, "I'm still worried about him, I still want to go and see him myself."

Dugu Ming said helplessly: "After all, Rao Yang is already 37 or 38 years old. He has also served as a general of the Shenwu Army. He has always been steady in his work. What is there to worry about, big brother?"

"Am I not looking for an excuse? Otherwise, why would I be so eager to go to Quanzhou and then to the islands?"

Dugu Ming laughed in silence. He paused for a moment and said, "The matter that elder brother told me a few days ago was about the name of the country. It's best not to act rashly. Wait until you have consulted the emperor before making an announcement."

When a country is founded, it must have a name. Dugu Lie immediately thought of Liang, which was the title bestowed upon his ancestor Dugu Xin by the Tang Dynasty, and he was given the title King of Liang.

Dugu Lie even wanted to find someone to make the flag, but was dissuaded by Dugu Ming.

Dugu Lie hesitated for a moment and said, "I will ask the emperor for instructions when I come back, which will take a year."

"Brother, establishing a nation is a long-term plan. One or two years late doesn't matter. But if the king is not appointed by the emperor, it is treason and self-proclaimed. It is seriously illegal and will always be a handle for future generations. I will definitely regret it in the future."

Dugu Lie thought about it and realized that he was a bit too hasty.

"You are right. How can I raise the flag if the emperor does not grant me the kingdom? I am confused."

Dugu Ming smiled again and said, "If you are impatient, you can temporarily use the clan flag instead and regard it as the national flag in your heart. But we cannot call it a country to the outside world. We can only call it Dugu Territory. We must wait for the emperor to officially confer the title of king before we can raise the national flag. Brother, listen to me. Even if the emperor is our son-in-law, he will not compromise or be vague on matters of principle. I know him too well."

"Okay! I'll listen to you. I'll use the clan flag instead."

At this time, the housekeeper ordered the servants to start loading the luggage onto the ship. There was a dock behind the Dugu Mansion. Dugu Lie first took a passenger ship of 1,000 shi to Xiangyang, and then changed to a large ship of 10,000 shi to go directly to Quanzhou.

He also traveled lightly, with only a maid and a few guards. His wife and concubines would join him in Xiangyang two days later. The main reason was that Dugu Lie wanted to experience the feeling of traveling alone in a small boat and did not want to bring so many women. Dugu Ming was silent for a moment and said, "Brother, the emperor has issued an order."

This was the reason why he came here tonight, to inform his eldest brother of the result.

Dugu Lie asked, "Are you removing my titles of Minister of War and Minister of the Secretariat?"

Dugu Ming nodded, "Brother should be mentally prepared!"

Dugu Lie forced a smile, "That's good, I'll give up and don't have to run back from Xiangyang anymore."

"That's why I told my eldest brother."

Dugu Lie hesitated for a moment and said, "Who will replace me?"

"Not yet. I had tea with Prime Minister Zhang yesterday, and he said that the emperor might use Wang Sili."

Dugu Lie frowned, "Wang Sili is already over sixty years old, can he still take on such a big responsibility?"

"It should just be a transition. Three years later, the young and vigorous faction will take over. I estimate that it will most likely be Ma Lin, and then Li Sheng. There is a pattern here."

"What's the pattern?"

Dugu Ming smiled, "The Minister of War must also serve as the Chief of the Martial Arts Hall. The first position that my brother resigned from was the Chief of the Martial Arts Hall, and Wang Sili took over. That's why Zhang Li can conclude that Wang Sili must have taken over from my brother as the Minister of War. Three years later, Ma Lin will first serve as the Chief of the Martial Arts Hall, and then take over as the Minister of War, and Wang Sili will retire completely."

Dugu Lie sighed, "The Yangtze River's waves behind push the waves ahead. Our generation has occupied high positions since the Tianbao years. It's time for us to step down."

At this time, the butler came over and whispered, "Master, it's time to set off."

Going on a long journey is very particular. You must set off on an auspicious day and time. Not a moment earlier or later will do. Dugu Lie smiled and patted his brother's shoulder, "Thank you for seeing me off. I should leave now!"

Dugu Lie, surrounded by his family, came to the back house pier, where a passenger ship with a capacity of 1,000 shi was already moored. Dugu Lie boarded the ship, and the boatman quickly untied the rope. The housekeeper shouted, "It's an auspicious day, let's set off!"

The boatman pushed the long pole hard on the quay, and the big boat swayed away. The two brothers waved goodbye reluctantly.

Neither of them knew that this farewell would be forever.

In the spring of the following year, Dugu Lie fell ill and died on the new island. Despite his frail health, Dugu Ming resolutely took on the responsibility of building a nation for his family. He was canonized as the King of Dugu Liang State by Li Ye. He rushed to the island and became the first king of Dugu Liang State.

Since Dugu Ming had no son, after his death, his eldest brother's eldest son Dugu Jinyang inherited the throne and became the second king of Dugu Liang State.

This is Dugu Ming's foresight. He had to wait for the emperor to confer the country's name. In the end, Li Ye did not directly confer the country's name, but used the clan name plus the country name to show the uniqueness of their overseas vassal states.

The Dugu family was named Dugu Liang State, the Yuan family was named Yuan Wei State, the Changsun family was named Changsun Qi State, and so on.

It was still dark when Li Ye slightly opened his eyes. He had the best of luck with Shen Zhenzhu last night. They had sex twice in one night, making Shen Zhenzhu fall asleep in extreme happiness.

Li Ye reached out and hugged Shen Zhenzhu. Shen Zhenzhu was plump and charming, with fair and delicate skin, exuding the charm of a mature woman.

Seeing the traces of tears on Shen Zhenzhu's face, he smiled slightly and asked, "Did you cry last night?"

Shen Zhenzhu whispered: "I am just touched!"

Li Ye understood her thoughts. She did not have the natural beauty and grace of Yang Yuhuan and could only grow old day by day, so she was afraid of being banished to the cold palace.

Li Ye held her in his arms and said, "I will treat every woman of mine well. There is no such thing as a cold palace in my palace. Even if she doesn't have a child, as long as she serves me for one night, I will let her enjoy it for the rest of her life. What's more, you have a son. Don't you understand that a mother's status depends on her son?"

Shen Zhenzhu was greatly relieved by her husband's words. She nodded and said, "I will remember what Your Majesty said."

Li Ye smiled and said, "While it is still dark, let's have another morning ceremony!"

Li Ye whispered a few words in her ear. Shen Zhenzhu nodded shyly, slowly turned over, and began the Li Ye family's special morning ritual.

(End of this chapter)