If you're made a fake emperor, why did you change the country's name?

The next day, at the ten-mile-long pavilion in the capital.

Qian Batian changed back into a brocade robe, mounted a tall horse, and was followed by only two attendants.

In the pavilion, Zhao Yu waved enthusiastically and watched the three figures gradually disappear at the end of the official road.

"Your Majesty, the Prince of Zhennan has already gone far away," Wei An whispered a reminder from the side.

"Um."

Zhao Yu composed himself and quickly began to plan his next move.

With Qian Batian gone, it will undoubtedly further stimulate the lurking fish and shrimp in the imperial city to surface.

"Your Majesty, Lord Qiu Ping is requesting an audience outside the palace gates, saying he is acting on your orders," Wei An added.

"Return to the palace." Zhao Yu turned and left the pavilion.

Inside the quiet study.

When Qiu Ping saw Zhao Yu enter, he bowed respectfully.

"Your Majesty, there's been progress on the matter you asked me to keep an eye on."

"Speak." Zhao Yu sat behind his desk, toying with the tiger military tally in his hand.

"The Li and Lu families held two secret meetings last night in very secluded locations, which our people couldn't easily reach. We could only find out indirectly by eavesdropping. It seems they are preparing to make a move at tomorrow's morning court session."

A slight smile appeared on Zhao Yu's lips.

Sure enough, as soon as Qian Batian left, they couldn't sit still.

But how will they launch their attack?

But no matter how they launch their attacks, the goal will always be the same.

Zhao Yu pulled out several blank imperial edicts from the side, picked up his pen, and dipped the pen tip into the inkstone.

The soft rustling of pens falling on paper echoed in the quiet room.

A few moments later, several imperial edicts were completed in one go.

Zhao Yu handed them to Qiu Ping.

"At the morning court tomorrow, whatever happens, you don't need to worry about it. Just arrange for someone to do this..."

After a private conversation, Qiu Ping accepted the imperial edict with both hands and agreed.

"My lord, I obey your order."

"Wei An," Zhao Yu called out again.

Wei An entered from outside the door, and Qiu Ping withdrew.

"Go, secretly summon Gan Qing to the palace."

A hint of surprise flashed across Wei An's face.

Gan Qing? Former Prime Minister?

This old man has not been involved in state affairs for a long time since he was ousted by His Majesty.

But His Majesty saw him quite often.

Although he had many doubts in his heart, he dared not ask a single question and quickly agreed to leave.

"Yes."

As night deepened, a figure, escorted by elite guards from the imperial city, entered the palace and then quietly departed...

……

The next day, at the Golden Palace.

Before dawn, all the civil and military officials had already gathered.

But the atmosphere today is completely different from usual.

The civil officials, led by the Li and Lu families, all stood solemnly, forming a subtle encirclement, and an imposing aura filled the air.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

Zhao Yu strode up the steps and sat down on the dragon throne.

He glanced at the assembled officials below, each with their own distinct expression. Before Wei An could even call out "Attend court," Li Qiang, the Minister of War, was the first to step forward.

"My lord, I have a report to report!"

Li Qiang's voice was loud and clear, with a strong tone.

"Your Majesty, I impeach the Daily Newspaper! Since its inception, the Daily Newspaper has spread heresies and misled the people! Now, the people of all regions have been bewitched by this tabloid, and are frequently defying the authority of court officials! If this continues, the nation will cease to exist!"

He paused, then raised his voice even higher.

"For the sake of the Great Liang dynasty and the well-being of all its people, I humbly request Your Majesty to issue an edict allowing the major clans to govern their own territories and act as regents for the emperor, thus restoring order and clarity!"

These words caused an uproar in the room.

To govern by drawing a line in the sand?

What's the difference between this and simply dividing the world among them? This is blatant robbery!

Prime Minister Wang Zhang was so angry that he trembled all over and pointed his finger at Li Qiang's nose.

"Li Qiang! How dare you! Are you trying to force me to resign?!"

Li Qiang retorted, sticking his neck out.

"Prime Minister Wang, you are mistaken. This humble official is not forcing the emperor to abdicate, but merely concerned for the safety of our Great Liang. Reports from officials across the country are pouring into the capital like snowflakes, and the situation among the people is out of control. Isn't that a fact?"

"You..." Wang Zhang was speechless with anger.

"The Daily News Pavilion was built by His Majesty's personal decree. Do you believe His Majesty's decision was wrong?"

"Your subject dares not," Li Qiang denied verbally, but his expression remained unyielding. "Your subject is merely stating the facts. If you do not believe me, you can ask the other officials."

As soon as he finished speaking, officials from both the Li and Lu factions immediately stood up and offered their corroboration.

"I second that request! In Qingzhou, unruly people have already gathered to cause trouble and stormed the government office!"

"I second that! The merchants of Yangzhou are jointly resisting the government's tax collection because they have been misled by that newspaper!"

On the dragon throne, Zhao Yu listened to this crude excuse and sneered inwardly.

What do you mean by misleading the people? It's simply that the people have awakened, they've seen the true colors of the powerful families, and they've stopped supporting them.

But his face changed to one of slight anger at the failed plan, and he slammed his hand on the armrest of the dragon throne.

"presumptuous!"

The atmosphere in the imperial court froze.

Zhao Yu stared intently at Li Qiang.

"What if I don't agree?"

Li Qiang did not back down at all, but instead took a step closer.

"If Your Majesty does not agree, I fear it will discourage officials throughout the land. If that happens, the Great Liang will fall into turmoil, and no one can bear that responsibility!"

"Fine! What a fine excuse for not being able to shoulder the responsibility!" Zhao Yu feigned anger, rising from his dragon throne and pointing at the officials from the Li and Lu families below the throne. "I refuse to believe that without you two families, I cannot govern this empire! I still have plenty of capable ministers!"

His gaze shifted to Zhang Wenli in the queue.

"Minister Zhang, speak!"

In an instant, everyone's attention was focused on Zhang Wenli.

Everyone knows that the Zhang family has openly pledged allegiance to the emperor during this period, and now is the time for him, as the representative of the Zhang family, to demonstrate his loyalty.

Zhang Wenli stepped forward, but did not speak immediately.

He weighed the options rapidly in his mind.

The eldest brother, Zhang Wenyuan, had been bewitched by the young emperor for some reason, and for his sake, he was willing to let the family go to war with the Li and Lu families, leaving the Zhang family in ruins.

Now that he finally has this opportunity to extricate the Zhang family from this quagmire, he absolutely cannot let the family sink any further.

He raised his head, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect to Zhao Yu, and spoke calmly.

"Your Majesty, I believe that Minister Li's words are reasonable. The major aristocratic families establishing their own territories and protecting the capital can form a natural protective circle for the imperial city. This approach is more beneficial than harmful."

In the imperial court, most people showed expressions of surprise.

The Zhang family... have turned against us?

Zhao Yu's face changed to one of utter shock. He staggered a step and spoke urgently.

"Minister Zhang! I... I will immediately provide the Zhang family with the aid I promised you! You... don't rush to answer, think about it carefully!"

Zhang Wenli shook his head.

"Your Majesty, there's no need for that," he refused decisively. "The Daily News Pavilion is misleading the people and will have endless consequences, as my Zhang family has witnessed firsthand. For the sake of the stability of the Great Liang, I implore Your Majesty to reconsider."

"You...you...you..."

Zhao Yu pointed at Zhang Wenli, trembling with anger, unable to utter a single word.

Those officials from smaller families who were initially observing the situation dared not hesitate any longer when they saw that even the Zhang family had switched sides.

They made their choices immediately and took sides.

"I second that proposal!"

"We, your humble servants, second that request! We humbly request Your Majesty to allow the aristocratic families to govern their own territories!"

The sounds merged into a torrent, impacting the entire Golden Palace.

The military officers all looked ashen-faced, yet they were helpless.

Loyal ministers like Wang and Zhang were ashen-faced, their eyes filled with deep sorrow and indignation.

Zhao Yu seemed to have all his strength drained away, and slumped back onto the dragon throne.

He waved his hand listlessly, his voice filled with helplessness and exhaustion.

"That's enough...that's enough..."

"I... grant your permission."

"I... will issue an edict shortly. Instruct the Daily News Pavilion to give a final report to the people of the land, informing them that from this day forward, the Great Liang Empire will be governed by the various prominent families."

Upon hearing this, Li Qiang's face instantly lit up with excitement, and he was the first to kneel down.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

The other officials from the aristocratic families also knelt down, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" and their faces were filled with the joy of victory.

The farcical court assembly thus came to an end.