Three Kingdoms: My Strategy Simulator.

【Appointed by Heaven, May (He) enjoy longevity and lasting prosperity】

‘No mistake, it’s the Imperial Seal of Succession!’

Li Ji carefully checked the inscription on the front again, and it was exactly right.

Stroking the texture of the jade seal, a hint of fervor involuntarily appeared in Li Ji's eyes, then quickly subsided.

No Han Chinese could remain indifferent to the Imperial Seal of Succession, and even Li Ji experienced a great psychological fluctuation.

In this era, the significance attached to the jade seal was unimaginable; it symbolized legitimacy.

Li Ji took a slight breath, feeling the heavy weight of the jade seal, and asked.

“Bo Fu, where did you obtain this thing?”

“It was found by searching the corpse of the treacherous Liu Biao,” Sun Ce replied.

Li Ji frowned slightly, then relaxed.

The information Sun Ce had previously compiled made no mention of this object in the documents, but in an instant, Li Ji understood that the Imperial Seal of Succession was of great importance, and it was right not to put it in writing.

Many things, once written down, would leave traces and could be known by others.

“Besides you, does anyone else know about this object?” Li Ji asked.

“No, even Gongjin doesn’t know,” Sun Ce replied.

This answer made Li Ji nod slightly, but also inexplicably felt that the jade seal was a bit hot to handle.

Compared to something like 'The weather is getting cold, Governor, put on a yellow robe to keep warm…'

Directly stuffing the Imperial Seal of Succession into Li Ji's hands was more than three times as tempting.

What's more, Li Ji, as the Governor, had power, soldiers, and prestige, and with the jade seal in hand, all the conditions for rebellion were invisibly met.

Li Ji looked at Sun Ce deeply, but the look in Sun Ce's eyes was so clear and filial.

It was only because Li Ji knew Sun Ce inside and out; otherwise, if it were Wei Yan or Sima Yi who offered the jade seal, Li Ji would really suspect that they were trying to sow discord.

Immediately, Li Ji asked Sun Ce in detail about how he obtained the jade seal, and after confirming that no third person knew of the jade seal's existence, Li Ji fell into thought.

The Imperial Seal of Succession was undoubtedly a national treasure.

But obtaining it before one's virtue is worthy of the position is not a blessing, but a disaster.

Holding the jade seal is equivalent to declaring to the world that one is ready to become the legitimate ruler.

And wanting to use the jade seal to declare oneself emperor is equivalent to opening the mic to the entire server and wanting to be the boss, and being ganged up on is only to be expected.

In the original trajectory, Yuan Shu, who occupied the territories of Yu, Jing, Yang, and Xu provinces, declared himself emperor and was beaten to death by a mob, not to mention that for the moment.

(PS: I carefully checked the territories Yuan Shu occupied before declaring himself emperor, and it was indeed the case.

At that time, Sun Ce was nominally still affiliated with Yuan Shu, and only announced his separation after Yuan Shu declared himself emperor, and in addition to Yu Province, Jing Province and Xu Province were also occupied by Yuan Shu.

In addition to Yuan Shao north of the Yellow River, it could be said that the world belonged to the Yuan family at that time. As long as the two Yuan families in the north and south joined forces, the unification of the world under the Yuan family would be the general trend, but unfortunately, the two Yuan families had conflicts, and Yuan Shu acted like a brainless idiot and declared himself emperor.)

Currently, Liu Biao secretly hid the jade seal, and was also ganged up on by Liu Yan, Liu Bei, and Yuan Shu, which shows the disaster-attracting ability of this Imperial Seal of Succession.

‘This thing is not the time to be revealed to the world yet…’

Soon, Li Ji made a decision in his heart, put the jade seal in front of Sun Ce, and said. “Ce'er being able to take out the jade seal pleases me greatly, but this thing still needs Ce'er to keep it safe for a while.”

“Teacher doesn’t want it?”

Sun Ce blurted out a sentence, almost making Li Ji choke.

Li Ji had no intention of declaring himself emperor, what use would he have for the jade seal?

And why are you so eager? Even if I declare myself emperor, the position of crown prince will not be yours, Sun Bo Fu, but should be Li Xiang's.

Li Ji couldn't help but glance at Sun Ce, and Sun Ce realized that what he had just said was a bit inappropriate, smiled sheepishly, and explained.

“What I meant was… isn’t Teacher going to hand this thing over to the Lord?”

“It is not appropriate for the Lord to obtain the jade seal at this moment, otherwise it will be more of a curse than a blessing.”

Li Ji shook his head and instead said.

“After thinking it over, it is still best for Ce'er to keep the jade seal for the time being, and you must not reveal this matter, Ce'er has never obtained the jade seal from Liu Jingzhou.”

Sun Ce nodded and replied. “Yes, Teacher.”

Li Ji felt a little relieved after hearing this.

It seems that Sun Jian died because of the jade seal, causing Sun Ce to not think much of the jade seal. It is the most appropriate choice for Sun Ce to keep it.

As for why it wasn't Li Ji keeping it himself…

What's the difference between that and Trump hiding 'Mein Kampf' at home?

Once it is accidentally leaked, it will really be like dropping yellow mud in your crotch, even if it's not shit, it's still shit.

Since Li Ji himself had no such thoughts, naturally a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall, and it is best to avoid troubles and misunderstandings in advance.

And just like the connection between Yan Ying and the World's Greatest, it's not that you can become the World's Greatest by obtaining Yan Ying, but only the World's Greatest is qualified to use Yan Ying.

The jade seal is the same.

Obtaining the jade seal does not necessarily mean you are the overlord; only the true overlord is qualified to use the jade seal.

With the jade seal in Sun Ce's hands, Li Ji was not afraid of any waves being stirred up.

Liu Biao's death was due to his failure to recognize this reality.

Immediately, after Sun Ce put the jade seal away again, Li Ji repeatedly instructed him before turning around and leaving the camp.

And after leaving the camp, Li Ji looked around again, confirming that no one was eavesdropping around the camp, and then he felt relieved.

Just as Li Ji was about to leave, Zhou Yu, who had been waiting in the distance, came over and saluted.

“Gongjin, is there something?” Li Ji asked.

Zhou Yu raised his head, his eyes slightly sharp, and said. “I have something to say, I wonder if the Marquis would listen to it.”

“Gongjin, feel free to speak,” Li Ji replied.

“Bo Fu regards the Marquis as a father. The Marquis borrowed Bo Fu's desire to avenge his late father and eliminate Liu Biao, plotting to seize Jing Province, which is only natural.”

After a pause, Zhou Yu frowned and said.

“But the Marquis, in order to clear himself of this matter, severely punished Bo Fu in this way, publicly whipping him, and even sending him back to Wu Commandery to await the Lord's decision, isn't that a bit too ruthless?”

Throughout the entire process, Li Ji did not speak.

Only after Zhou Yu finished speaking did Li Ji look at Zhou Yu, who seemed a little indignant, and say.

“Gongjin, everything about you is excellent, except that your capacity is a little small.”

“Hmm?” Zhou Yu was stunned, not knowing what Li Ji meant.

“If it were only to eliminate Liu Biao and enter Jing Province, this Marquis has plenty of ways to secretly kill Liu Biao and pin the blame on Liu Yan.”

“In that case, wouldn't it be more logical for the Lord to enter Jing Province? Why would it be as troublesome as it is now?”

Li Ji asked in return, leaving Zhou Yu speechless.

After all, Zhou Yu was very clear that Li Ji had foreseen Liu Biao's defeat in advance, and that was why he had given a hint, allowing Sun Ce to successfully encounter the fleeing Liu Biao.

(End of this chapter)