Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 201 You Are the Emperor

Luoyang Imperial Palace.

Erzhu Rong received no imperial decree, yet he led several thousand cavalrymen as the vanguard southwards, with the rest of the army following suit.

Seeing this situation, the nobles and officials in Luoyang became anxious and knocked on the palace gates overnight, wanting to find Empress Hu.

However, Empress Hu did not want to see them. In the end, after a stalemate, Empress Hu only allowed a few high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Yuan Yong, to enter the palace.

Yuan Yong did not want to come.

But he was the prime minister, and even if he didn't want to come, so many people forced him to come.

Having learned from Li Shuang's example, the officials were already considering compromise when they saw Erzhu Rong marching south with great momentum.

The high-ranking officials believed that their conflict with Empress Hu was about choosing the next emperor. For Empress Hu to seize power, the best course of action was to install a young son as emperor. This would give her a reason and excuse to continue ruling.

Empress Hu continued to act as the powerful empress dowager, the officials remained officials, and Luoyang remained the same Luoyang.

Thus, all was well.

But when Yuan Yong actually met Empress Hu, he was already certain of his guess.

This woman is truly insane!
"Your Majesty, Erzhu Rong's southward march is a clear indication of Sima Zhao's ambitions; Luoyang is in grave danger!"

Empress Hu looked down at the several highly respected ministers below, who were like ants on a hot pan, and smiled contemptuously.

"You're worrying too late."

"What does the Empress Dowager mean?"

"If you can bring His Majesty back to life, I will grant your request!"

The other officials looked at Yuan Yong, all somewhat incredulous, wondering if Empress Hu was overwhelmed with grief.

Yuan Yong gritted his teeth, cupped his hands, and said:

"Your Majesty, His Majesty's assassination attempt was an accident!"

"Accident?"

Empress Hu sneered:
"A crossbow bolt, poisoned, could strike Your Majesty's vitals from over twenty feet away. How many archers in Luoyang possess such skill? Are you telling me it was an accident?"

Upon hearing this, the officials finally understood what Empress Hu meant; she suspected them.

"Empress Dowager, we are innocent! How dare we commit regicide?"

At that moment, all the officials knelt down, and Empress Hu turned her attention to Yuan Yong.

"Prime Minister, what about you?"

"Your Majesty, this matter has nothing to do with us. There are few archers like this in Luoyang, but there are plenty outside the city."

Yuan Yong wanted to shift Empress Hu's suspicions to areas outside Luoyang, as this was the only way to stop her from going mad.

"Erzhu Rong and Li Shuang, their armies are not lacking in such archers. Not to mention those from distant past, among the troops left behind by Li Chong, there were such figures who could hit a willow leaf from a hundred paces away. This old minister has witnessed it with his own eyes."

"Are you trying to drive a wedge between me and the General?!"

Empress Hu was furious. Yuan Yong's words were clearly meant to tell him that Li Shengui was also a suspect.

“My son suffered in agony on his bed for a month before I watched him breathe his last. Do you think you can deceive me with a few words?”

Despite seeing Empress Hu's appearance, Yuan Yong remained fearless and stood his ground.

"The highest level is to be detached from emotions, the lowest level is to be devoid of emotions, and it is precisely those of us who are devoted to emotions! But Your Majesty, Luoyang is the place where emotions are least important. Are you so sure that Li Shengui has no ambitions?"

Yuan Yong's words silenced Empress Hu.

A surge of emotion welled up within her. Emotionally, Empress Hu didn't want to believe Yuan Yong's words, but rationally, she told herself that at this moment, she shouldn't trust anyone.

Especially men!
"After the late emperor assumed personal rule, he was even more harsh on Li Shuang, Li Shengui, and others. Li Shengui held absolute power in Henan, and his soldiers were loyal to him. Did he not also want to enter Luoyang like Li Shuang did, so that he could either seize absolute power and control the world, or be granted a kingship and enjoy unparalleled honor? But if the late emperor were alive, how could he have done it!"

"Shut up!"

Empress Hu was filled with complex emotions, and her anger was palpable. Seeing this, Yuan Yong felt not fear, but rather a sense of relief.

Empress Hu's current state is better than her remaining completely silent.

Fortunately, this woman still had a shred of reason left.

Yuan Yong didn't know who the mastermind behind the regicide was, and his primary suspect was Yuan Ziyou. However, at this time, Yuan Ziyou absolutely could not be a suspect.

Once Empress Hu confirms that Yuan Ziyou is the mastermind, then all the officials in the court will become targets of her revenge.

"Your Majesty has ordered me to be silent, and I will naturally obey. But Your Majesty should not forget that by doing this, you may be playing right into the mastermind's hands! Even if it wasn't the Duke of Chenliu who did it, what if it was Erzhu Rong?"

Empress Hu's attitude softened considerably.

Yuan Yong's actions tonight have temporarily eased the situation.

"According to the Prime Minister's plan, what should be done?"

Yuan Yong cupped his hands and said:
"The assassin who plotted to kill the late emperor can be investigated later. The most urgent task is to stop Erzhu Rong's army."

"Let's do as you say!"
-
The imperial envoy finally arrived!
Inside the main tent, Erzhu Rong sat behind his desk, surrounded by military heroes from the north.

Yuan Ziyou arrived before Erzhu Rong with the imperial decree.

"The imperial court wants me to stop?"

Erzhu Rong led several thousand cavalry on a forced march, only slowing down after reaching Hanoi. The long journey had left Erzhu Rong somewhat thin, but his spirits were exceptionally high.

One could even say that Erzhu Rong was somewhat excited.

As Yuan Ziyou walked along, he saw that all of these thousands of riders, from cavalrymen to officers, were in the same manner.

"This is indeed an order from the imperial court!"

Yuan Ziyou felt a pang of regret; he hadn't expected Yuan Yong to actually be able to persuade Empress Hu. Yuan Ziyou arrived because he had married a woman from the Erzhu clan and was also close to Erzhu Rong.

"Does the Prince of Chang Le want us to stop?"

Erzhu Rong's words made Yuan Ziyou hesitate.

He wanted to be emperor, and he was confident he could do it better than Yuan Xu. But now, the officials in Luoyang did not want Erzhu Rong to continue his southward march, and he could not go against their wishes.

Yuan Ziyou knew that even if he eventually ascended the throne, he would still have to rely on those ministers to rule the world.

Just as Yuan Ziyou hesitated, Erzhu Rong took the order to cease hostilities from his hand and threw it aside.

"If you don't want to stop, then don't stop!"

Yuan Ziyou was very surprised, but then he heard Erzhu Rong say:

"This is a false order, don't you generals agree?"

"The General of Chariots and Cavalry is right!"

Erzhu Rong's words were met with enthusiastic response from the crowd.

What would happen if these people were allowed into Luoyang?
Yuan Ziyou dared not think about it, but Erzhu Rong did not allow him to think too much, and immediately shouted:

"The Prince of Changle is the son of the Prince of Pengcheng and the grandson of Emperor Xianwen, a man of noble birth. Now that the late emperor has suddenly passed away and treacherous officials are rampant in the court, the Prince of Changle should succeed to the throne and restore the Great Wei dynasty!"

Erzhu Rong immediately knelt down.

"I see your Majesty!"

Then, all the military heroes from the north in the tent also knelt down.

"I will see you, Your Majesty!"

Looking at this group of northern military heroes and listening to their unanimous words, Yuan Ziyou felt not joy, but rather a strange fear.

……

(End of this chapter)