Memoirs of the Heavenly Khan

Chapter 540 The State Must Not Be Allowed to Be tarnished

Outside the Taiji Hall.

On the day of the court assembly, the officials and nobles of Luoyang entered through the Changhe Gate by carriage, disembarked at the Zhiche Gate, and walked into the palace gate, gathering in front of the halls.

The spring sunshine in Luoyang is still so bright, but the magnificent Taiji Hall, even after several repairs, cannot hide the mottled traces left by the war over the past ten years on every brick and tile under the sunlight.

Since the Heyin Incident, two thousand officials were slaughtered by Erzhu Rong. To this day, Luoyang has changed hands several times, and the palaces have almost turned into ruins.

Today, the Yuan dynasty's rule can only be glimpsed from the restored palace, offering a glimpse into its former glory.

The ministers walked to the front of the main hall. Under Lu Wenwei's gaze, Cui Ling gave a firm response and walked into the hall together, though he felt a mixture of secret joy and guilt.

The officials filed into the spacious hall.

As the emperor, Yuan Baoju, after all the officials had arrived at their designated seats, went to the palace and sat on his throne.

Even though he knew that the throne might not belong to him for long.

Yuan Baoju was feeling conflicted. He was experiencing a war, even though it was being waged in his name, he didn't need to participate.

The main two sides in this war were the nobles in this palace and the King of Qin who had not yet arrived!

After the greetings were completed, Hu Sichun stepped forward from among the officials, cupped his hands, and said:
"Since the fall of the Han dynasty and the succession of the Cao and Jin dynasties, the Five Barbarian tribes have invaded and ravaged China, and the world has been in chaos for a long time. As the ancient saying goes, 'Every five hundred years a king or hegemon will rise!' I have witnessed that since ascending the throne, the King of Qin has extended his benevolence to the four seas and bestowed grace upon all people. He has driven the Rouran from beyond the borders, destroyed the Erzhu in times of crisis, and reconciled the long-standing division between the North and the South. His benevolence and military achievements have spread throughout the world, surpassing all others in history."

The Wei dynasty is now almost finished!
"We beseech Your Majesty to follow the ways of Yao and Shun and abdicate the throne to the King of Qin. This would be a great blessing for the land and its people!"

Yuan Baoju was prepared, but upon hearing Hu Sichun's words, he still couldn't help but feel resentful.

Of course, this resentment mostly stemmed from personal grudges against Hu Sichun.

Yuan Baoju wanted to say something, but before he could speak, a sharp shout came from the main hall.

"This statement is utterly absurd!"

The speaker was the "prince" who had gotten drunk at Lu Wenwei's mansion that day!
He immediately refuted this, saying:

"Since the establishment of the Six Garrisons, the world has been in chaos, all because of my lack of understanding of the Way. This has led to the northerners rebelling and Erzhu usurping power. The Prince of Qin was originally a commoner, and he has obtained the throne today only through the grace of the court. Now Your Majesty is the sovereign, and the Prince of Qin is the subject. Husichun, what is your intention in uttering such treasonous words?"

After the prince finished speaking, a large number of supporters emerged around him, accounting for more than half of the court officials.

Although Hu Sichun was the prime minister, in terms of eloquence, he, being of northern origin, was certainly no match for the Han Chinese officials who were well-versed in the classics in court.

They could cite countless examples and find hundreds of reasons to support Li Shuang's succession; they could also cite countless examples and find hundreds of reasons to prevent Li Shuang from succeeding to the throne.

Hu Sichun always felt somewhat powerless when facing them.

Yuan Baoju looked at the scene and his heart stirred slightly. Just as he was about to speak, Yuan Xin in the crowd looked at him with a stern gaze.

Feeling that gaze, Yuan Baoju didn't say what he wanted to say, and changed his tone instead.

"I am of meager virtue, but the matter of abdication involves hundreds of millions of people. We should wait for the Prince of Qin to arrive before we can discuss it further."

While the officials and Hu Sichun were arguing, Lu Wenwei and Cui Ling did not move.

Seeing that everyone had stopped arguing, Yuan Baoju couldn't help but ask:

"How is the King of Qin? Why hasn't he come to court?"

Just then, Zu Ting stepped forward. He hadn't sided with Hu Sichun during the argument. Facing Yuan Baoju's questioning, he said:

"Emperor Liang caught a slight cold, and the Prince of Qin was worried, so he went to Ganquan Palace!"

Zu Ting's simple words changed the atmosphere in the court.

Emperor Liang!

As soon as those two words were uttered, everyone present suddenly realized something.
Li Shuang has backup options!

However, for that candidate to become the official one, a major upheaval would inevitably have to occur. The high-ranking officials were not unaware of this, but they were unsure whether Li Shuang was willing to bear such a price.
The officials in the imperial court each had different answers to this question.

However, Cui Ling had already made her choice.

Just as he was about to take that step, Lu Wenwei had already taken the first step.

Amidst Cui Ling's surprised gaze, Lu Wenwei spoke:

"Your Majesty, I believe the Prime Minister is right. The Wei dynasty is destined to end, and we should follow the will of Heaven and the will of the people. Your Majesty should abdicate in favor of the Prince of Qin."

Lu Wenwei's simple words clearly expressed his attitude.

Not only was Cui Ling surprised, but even the nobles and officials who had previously refuted Hu Sichun were astonished. Their expressions clearly said—

How come you, with your thick eyebrows and big eyes...

Just as Cui Ling was surprised, Zu Ting coughed. Regaining his composure, Cui Ling quickly followed Lu Wenwei's steps, cupping his hands in greeting:
"I believe that what Lord Lu said is absolutely right!"

In the imperial court, those who had not yet expressed their opinions, regardless of their true thoughts, all followed Lu Wenwei's lead.

Looking at this scene, Yuan Baoju was at a loss for what to do.
……

After the court session, the officials and nobles outside the palace quickly split into two groups.

A small group led by Lu Wenwei became the target of public criticism.

The remaining nobles, having been betrayed, became even more furious and agitated.

Despite the public's insults, Lu Wenwei, who was at the center of the controversy, remained unmoved and even disdainfully dusted off the corner of his clothes.

If Gao Cheng hadn't arrived with the imperial guards and maintained order, the two groups would have almost come to blows.

Seeing people leaving one after another, Cui Ling stood behind Lu Wenwei and whispered:

"Lord Lu, when did you..."

Lu Wenwei glanced at Cui Ling and said loudly:
"It always has been!"

"..."

At this moment, Cui Ling had only three words to say about Lu Wenwei.

XXX!

At that moment, Cui Ling felt somewhat fortunate that he was standing next to Lu Wenwei instead of on the opposite side.

Only then could he say to his own satisfaction:
"In that case, those people probably won't let it go."

Lu Wenwei, however, spoke with righteous indignation:
"We, the Han officials, should wash away the dust of the barbarians and welcome the new dynasty."

Cui Ling understood.

At this moment, however obedient he may appear on the surface, how much XXX is in his heart!

If he hadn't sensed the danger and sought out Zu Ting, he would probably be part of the Hu Chen clan now.

A chill ran through Cui Ling's heart, but a resolute expression appeared on his face.

"Lord Lu is right. We, the ministers of Han, should unite as one and not let the nation be tarnished!"

After Cui Ling finished speaking, the others also moved closer.

Lu Wenwei looked at the group of people around him and sighed inwardly.

There are still too many people!
……

(End of this chapter)