The Rebellious Officials and Traitors of the Late Han Dynasty

Chapter 488: The Han Dynasty is about to fall
Wu County, Qin Shou put down the report in his hand, a satisfied look on his face, looked around and said: "Wei Yan sent a report that Jiangxia has returned to the court, and now Cao Cao only has Wu County left."

"Congratulations, Your Majesty. Congratulations, Your Majesty."

When the generals heard this, they immediately showed joy on their faces. With Jiangxia captured, it was only a matter of time before Cao Cao was defeated.

"Your Majesty, the general trend of the world has been determined. The people are in favor of you. Your Majesty is both virtuous and talented, and you are benevolent and kind. You are the one chosen by heaven. The Han Dynasty is weak, and the Han Emperor is incompetent. Now the people are looking forward to it. I hope that Your Majesty will follow the will of heaven and rule the world. This is a move that conforms to the will of heaven and the will of the people. If Your Majesty can ascend the throne and become emperor, he will surely stabilize the country, bless the people, and create a prosperous era. I am willing to do my best to assist Your Majesty, and work together to achieve a great cause for generations to come!"

Fa Zheng suddenly stepped out from the crowd, prostrated himself on the ground, and shouted.

"We, the ministers, respectfully request that Your Majesty ascend the throne as soon as possible, stabilize the country, and bring blessings to the people."

All the generals and others also prostrated themselves on the ground.

Now the situation in the world has been decided. Cao Cao only has Wu County left, and his army is only tens of thousands, so he is powerless to turn the tide. Liu Xie in Chang'an is just a puppet. He was still useful before, but now he has no use.

If he continues to be the emperor, no one in the world will be convinced by him. Didn't everyone follow Qin Shou and fight on the battlefield just to enfeoff their wives and children?
Qin Shou nodded and said, "Although I am brave, I am always victorious, not just because of my own efforts. I have the help of all the nobles and the unity of the soldiers to achieve today. When the world is at peace, I will be rewarded."

Qin Shou did not try to refuse the throne three times. As the founding emperor, there was no need for him to do so. Even if he wanted to usurp the throne, Qin Shou was prepared to do it openly.

"Your Majesty, Emperor Liu Xie of Han has made no contribution to the country, and he is arrogant and licentious in the palace. This boy must not be kept." The speaker was Hua Xin.

Everyone was stunned when they heard this, but they soon understood what Hua Xin meant. The Han Dynasty had ruled the world for 400 years, and perhaps there were still people among the people who sympathized with the Han Dynasty. As long as Liu Xie was killed, people's thoughts of this would be put to rest.

Qin Shou shook his head. In history, even Cao Pi could tolerate Liu Xie, let alone himself?
"Forget it. Liu Xie has made some contributions. We can choose a place for him to recuperate in peace in the future. The Han Dynasty has also been kind to the world by allowing the Liu family to have an ancestral temple and enjoy sacrifices in all seasons." Qin Shou decided to let Liu Xie's fate return to its original trajectory.

"Your Majesty, be merciful."

After hearing this, everyone thought that this was a move to demonstrate the emperor's benevolence to the people of the world and stopped trying to persuade him.

Moreover, if Liu Xie's life and wealth could be saved, it would also help persuade him to abdicate the throne. Otherwise, if it became a life-and-death struggle, it would not be a good scene.

It must be said that Liu Xie was lucky in history. He lived for more than ten years after abdicating the throne and was buried with imperial rites after his death. What's more, the title of Duke of Shanyang actually lasted longer than that of Cao Wei and survived into the Sima family. If it weren't for the incompetence of the Western Jin Dynasty, perhaps it could have died with the country.

Although Cao Pi's character is not very good, he is still commendable in this aspect.

On the contrary, look at other emperors. After Li Yuan ascended the throne, the last emperor of the Sui Dynasty, Yang You, died of a sudden illness at the age of fifteen; the same was true of Chai Zongxun of the Later Zhou Dynasty, who died at the age of twenty.

After Cao Pi usurped the throne, he still allowed Liu Xie to live for more than ten years, which shows that he was a good person.

Although Qin Shou was cunning, he thought he was no worse than Cao Pi.

"Zi Yu, you can go back to Chang'an to see the Han Emperor and tell him that the world will soon be unified." Qin Shou looked at Hua Xin in the crowd. This kind of thing should be left to professionals, and Hua Xin is a professional. "I obey your order."

Hua Xin was a smart man, so he naturally understood what Qin Shou meant.

Chang'an, Weiyang Palace side hall. Han Emperor Liu Xie held a newly delivered report in his hand, his brows knitted tightly, his expression solemn.

The candlelight in the hall flickered, shining on his pale face, making him look particularly haggard.

The noble lady beside him gently stroked his hand and asked softly, "Your Majesty, is there any bad news?"

Liu Xie sighed and handed the report to Concubine Dong in a low and weak voice.

"The Cavalry has swept across Jiangdong. Cao Cao only has two isolated cities left, Wuxian and Jiangxia. It is only a matter of time before he is defeated. Qin Shou's troops are approaching Wuxian. I... I am afraid that I can no longer keep my throne."

Lady Dong took the report, glanced at it hastily, and her face turned pale. She held Liu Xie's hand tightly, her voice trembling a little: "Your Majesty, if Qin Shou really unified the world, how would he treat you? Would he...would he..."

The throne will definitely be lost. Even if Qin Shou is willing to continue to respect the Han emperor, the ministers below will not agree and they will push Qin Shou forward.

The throne was definitely no longer safe, and Concubine Dong was more concerned about saving her own life.

She didn't say anything more, but Liu Xie already understood what she meant. He smiled bitterly, his eyes full of helplessness and sadness. He said, "I, the emperor, have long been in name only. If Qin Shou wants the throne, what can I do? But... I am worried that he will... execute me like he did to other kings who lost their country."

Hearing this, tears welled up in Dong Guiren's eyes. She hugged Liu Xie's arm tightly and said in a choked voice, "Your Majesty, you must not be in any danger! If Qin Shou really wants to force you to abdicate, you should...just agree to him. As long as you can save your life, nothing else matters."

Liu Xie gently patted Concubine Dong's hand, forced a smile, and said, "My beloved concubine, don't worry too much. Although I am incompetent, Qin Shou may not kill me. If he wants to win the hearts of the people, he may spare my life to show his kindness. But... I am a descendant of the Han Dynasty after all. If I watch my ancestors' foundation destroyed, I... I will be uneasy."

Concubine Dong lowered her head, tears dripping onto the back of Liu Xie's hand. She spoke weakly, "Your Majesty, the Han Dynasty has ruled the country for 400 years, but perhaps... perhaps it has really run out of luck. You have done your best, but the world is in such a state that it cannot be reversed by human power. As long as you are safe, I... I will be satisfied."

Liu Xie was silent for a long time, then slowly stood up, walked to the window, looked at the dim sky in the distance, and murmured to himself: "I have been on the throne since I was young, and have experienced the rebellions of Dong Zhuo, Li Jue, and Guo Si, and later was controlled by Qin Shou. In my life, have I ever truly controlled my own destiny? Perhaps... perhaps this is destiny."

Concubine Dong walked up to him, leaned against his shoulder, and whispered, "Your Majesty, no matter what the future holds, I will be by your side. As long as you are safe, I am willing to go anywhere with you, even if it means living in seclusion in the mountains, which is better than living in fear in this deep palace. If Your Majesty dies, I do not want to live alone."

"Big man!"

Liu Xie cried in his heart.

The two men stood hugging each other, and the candlelight in the hall gradually dimmed, as if foreshadowing the fate of the Han Dynasty, which was about to go out just like this faint flame.

(End of this chapter)