Taking action is the worst strategy; the best way is for the courtiers to petition, and for the Emperor to ’voluntarily’ abdicate in front of the world.
Nowadays, with the Zhang Family’s influence over the Court, it is possible to achieve this.
Zhang Zhao stood up and said to Wang Xiao and Song Yingzhen, "So, it will depend on you gentlemen!"
Wang Xiao’s eyes lit up as he nodded; he exchanged glances with Song Yingzhen and hurried back to the Ministry of Justice, and Dingyuan Marquis’s Mansion. The merit of following the dragon was right before them; if missed, such fortune would never come again.
Zhao Qingshan, Zhao Yu, and others also hurried off. Having obtained such a secret, they naturally knew how to earn the merit of following the dragon.
In a way, this was also Zhang Zhao’s "favor and glory" to everyone.
Zhang Lu stayed until the end. He was somewhat embarrassed at the moment. As the Commander of the Black-clothed Guards, his main duty was to monitor the inside and outside of the court, while also assisting the Capital Camp in guarding Haojing City, so it was inappropriate for him to follow everyone else to the Chengtian Hall and cause a ruckus.
But he thickened his skin and asked Zhang Zhao.
"Second Master, is there anything I should do?"
Zhang Zhao glanced at Zhang Lu. He already had an important task for Zhang Lu, and solemnly said,
"Please have Uncle Lu arrange for people to watch the palace gates carefully and monitor the royal family’s mansions. If anyone causes trouble..."
A sharp glint flashed in Zhang Zhao’s eyes.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Lu’s eyes brightened, and he immediately responded in a deep voice.
"Alright, I’ll gather the Black-clothed Guards and the Capital Camp brothers and send them all out!"
He hurriedly left.
Zhang Zhao stood there, pondering slightly. After checking for any oversight, he first returned to the Zhang Family, waiting for good news from the court.
He had done what needed to be done.
As for things he shouldn’t do, he didn’t need to be involved.
...
Just as Zhang Zhao predicted, he only released a bit of information, and many allies of the Zhang Family, who had been ’waiting for a long time,’ sharpened their knives.
After eight years of divide and conquer,
the many important ministers throughout the court knew very well that they were now bound with the Zhang Family, like grasshoppers on the same rope.
If the Zhang Family threw in the towel, the unluckiest would not be the Zhang Family, but everyone else.
Therefore, many civil and military ministers were even more enthusiastic about this matter than the Zhang Family.
The Grand Commandant’s Mansion!
The old Grand Commandant Wang Huan, after eight years, reemerged to personally invite Minister of Justice Wang Wan, Marquis Dingyuan Song Shang, Marquis Han City Gu Chen, Marquis Yu Bei Duanmu Jun, Imperial Censor Wei Gui, Marquis Zhenbei An Ruming, Commander of the Imperial Guard Song Dingshan, Grand Minister of Rites Zhang Duan, Minister of the Imperial Treasury Zhou Qun, Minister of Agriculture Qian Pan, and four or fifty other civil and military ministers to gather in the inner hall to petition Emperor Qi Yuan to abdicate to the Prime Minister.
In the inner hall, Emperor Qi Yuan, wearing a dark red Emperor’s Robe and adorned with the Imperial Crown, was in his vigorous years, bending over the desk, reading memorials. When he heard the purpose of the ministers’ visit, he was drenched in sweat, his hands and feet icy cold.
The hand holding the imperial brush trembled slightly, almost unable to grip it. Fortunately, a member of the Little Yellow Sect supported him from the side, preventing a fall.
The old Grand Commandant Wang Huan looked at Emperor Qi Yuan on the throne, a trace of reluctance flashing in his eyes, but he still stepped forward first and memorialized, "Your Majesty, since the Prime Minister took office, he has pressed the heavens and earth, spread virtue to all corners, provided benevolence to all things, bestowed grace upon all the people, and held back the looming downfall of the Daqian Kingdom. Such achievements surpass even the ancient saints.
Today, a conference of ministers has declared the end of the Daqian Dynasty’s fortune, hoping Your Majesty acts according to the ways of the ancient saints Yao and Shun, prioritizing the mountains, rivers, and Sheji, and abdicates to the Prime Minister. This would align with the Celestial Heart above and the people’s will below, allowing Your Majesty to enjoy the peace of leisure, a blessing to our ancestors, and all the people. We have decided, and have come to petition!"
On the throne, Emperor Qi Yuan could no longer sit still, unable to help but step down from the dragon chair, hurriedly lifting Wang Huan up, pleading,
"Beloved ministers, why do you come to this? Since succeeding to the throne, though I am of dull intelligence and cannot compare to my ancestors, I have been diligent without error. How can you, beloved ministers, act like this...?"
His complexion turned pale, his eyes seeking help from the ministers.
But looking into those blazing eyes, burning like flames, an overwhelming fear could not help but arise in his heart.
The numerous civil and military ministers, familiar to him in the past few years, seemed to have turned into demons.
Nearby, Wang Wan also stepped forward and said in a deep voice.
"Your Majesty, since the Prime Minister took charge of the court, Daqian has swept away the end-of-dynasty scenes, calamities have ceased, the people have laid down arms, the Qilin has descended, the Phoenix has presented, and the Red Dragon has appeared with various auspicious signs, sweet dew has fallen. These are heavenly omens, indicating the birth of a new ruler."
Pausing slightly, Wang Wan cast a glance at Xue Dongming, the head of the Observatory Platform.
Xue Dongming’s gaze shifted, leaving him no choice but to step forward and bow, saying: "Your Majesty, our duties include observing the heavens, and we have indeed seen the Daqian’s fortune has ended, the previous Emperor Star has vanished, and the current Emperor Star has not yet risen, while the Prime Minister’s fortune is extraordinarily prosperous, encompassing the heavens and earth, beyond words!
Throughout history, there has been a rise and a fall, prosperity and decline; is there a country that does not perish, or a family that does not fail? Daqian has been passed down for more than four hundred and sixty years to Your Majesty, and its fortune is exhausted. It is wise to retreat early, hesitation will lead to change, and delay may bring unexpected consequences!"
"You..."
At this moment, Emperor Qi Yuan pointed at Xue Dongming, nearly unable to take a breath.
This young emperor felt his chest churn with tumultuous blood and qi.
Even if they wanted him to abdicate, they did not need to berate him so.
What did they mean by the previous Emperor Star vanishing and the current Emperor Star not yet born? That he had no attributes of a king?
But Wang Wan was unconcerned, in charge of the Ministry of Justice, his face already fierce. As he approached ominously, he said in a low and sinister voice,
"All under heaven knows Your Majesty lacks the blessings of a sovereign, which led to the Palace collapse at your accession, and all of the Princes and Princesses were slaughtered, with chaos spreading across the land!
If it were not for the Prime Minister suppressing the divine artifact in the court, there would be more than a few sources of chaos and harm to the people!
No need to mention the night of Shen Chen, which could all too easily repeat!
Your Majesty grew up reading the books of saints, you should understand gratitude and retribution, do not do something you will regret!"
Towards the end of his speech, a hint of threat was already apparent in his eyes.
The ’night of Shen Chen’ he mentioned refers to the past incident when the late Emperor passed away!
The ministers at this moment advanced step by step, and several military generals looked fiercely, with a fierce glint in their eyes.
Facing such coercion from the ministers, Emperor Qi Yuan’s complexion turned white.
He was well aware of how Emperor Jingwu fell.
Nearby, Marquis Dingyuan Song Shang also stepped forward to the stairs, pressing the point and saying:
"Your Majesty, why hesitate? Although Daqian is currently prosperous, it is all built upon the Prime Minister’s divine might. Without the Prime Minister, Daqian can’t withstand the destruction and assault of those outsiders. Rather than this, why not abdicate the throne for peace and leisure, what’s the harm?"
Seeing this, Wang Wan was about to step forward and grab Emperor Qi Yuan’s Dragon Robe to argue, but Wang Xiao pulled him back, looking at the barely twenty-year-old, frail figure of Emperor Qi Yuan, and said,
"Your Majesty, virtue that does not match one’s position will inevitably bring disaster; please abdicate!"
After speaking, he solemnly bowed to Emperor Qi Yuan.
Song Yingzhen stood aside, watching the scene unfold from afar, shaking his head inwardly, thinking Wang Xiao was still a bit soft-hearted.
In fact, at this point, an individual’s will can no longer halt the torrent above the court.
Emperor Qi Yuan looked at the ministers and understood that he was no longer able to hold on to heaven.
At this moment, this young emperor sat, somewhat collapsed, on the Jade Tier.
"Think of our Grand Ancestor who rose from obscurity, enduring hardship, to achieve today’s foundation, and now, just over four hundred years later, it is to be destroyed in my reign. How can I bear it?"
Wei Yuan sat on the Jade Tier, losing composure and weeping bitterly.
The ministers all watched coldly.
The collapse of Daqian was already destined. Without Prime Minister Zhang Jian, the whole of Daqian would be like a castle in the air.
No matter how loudly Wei Yuan cried, it could not save Daqian’s national fortune.
In the end, strength comes from oneself.
After losing the Dragon Qi, Daqian had already lost all its capital.
Seeing this, Wang Wan couldn’t help but mockingly sneer.
"Your Majesty, do not act childish; the affairs of state cannot afford delay. Please make an early decision to prevent complications and avoid an unseemly outcome!"
Growing impatient, he waved his hand, and armed guards stepped forward to intimidate, simultaneously dragging several members of the Little Yellow Sect away right in front of Emperor Qi Yuan.
Witnessing this scene, Emperor Qi Yuan’s face turned pale as he trembled and could only say,
"I am willing to pass the reign of the empire to the Prime Minister; I only ask the Prime Minister to show mercy, allowing me to live out my remaining years."
Hearing this, all the ministers were overjoyed.
Then the old Grand Commandant Wang Huan said, "The Prime Minister will not fail Your Majesty. Your Majesty, please immediately issue the edict to reassure the hearts of the court and people."