A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

In order to consolidate her position and pave the way for future events, Wu Zetian launched a massive purge of the Li clan: all the Li princes with prestige, military power, and popularity, including Prince Yue Li Zhen, Prince Langya Li Chong, Prince Han, Prince Lu, and Prince Huo, were executed.

All that's left are those good-for-nothings, utterly harmless individuals.

Having reached this point, Wu Zetian could finally ascend the throne and become empress with peace of mind.

At Wu Zetian's suggestion, Wu Chengsi led the officials in urging him to ascend the throne.

In the imperial court, Wu Chengsi stepped forward with a petition urging him to ascend the throne, knelt down, and loudly proclaimed:

"Your Majesty, since assuming the throne, you have purged the wicked and corrupt, cleansed the four seas, comforted the people, and brought peace to the vassal states. A precious map has emerged from the Luo River, and auspicious clouds have appeared on the horizon. Now, the fortunes of the Li Tang dynasty have declined, and the imperial clan is weak. All officials in the court and the countryside humbly request Your Majesty to reform the old order, change the dynasty name, and ascend the supreme imperial throne, in accordance with the prophecies of Heaven, and to bring peace to the millions of people! We, your humble servants, are willing to support you to the death!"

All the officials prostrated themselves in unison, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" and "We humbly request Your Majesty to ascend the throne and become Emperor!"

Wu Zetian sat solemnly on the throne in the Mingtang Hall, her eyes gleaming, and slowly waved her hand to decline.

"I am aware of the intentions of my lords. Since ancient times, the throne has been passed down to men, and there has never been a woman who has ruled the world. I was originally from the Li family's harem and was entrusted to assist the young emperor. I only seek to support the country and have absolutely no desire to covet the throne."

"Furthermore, I am of meager virtue and shallow merit. Although I have tried my best to pacify the four directions, I dare not compare myself to the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. How can I be worthy of the supreme throne?"

"The Mandate of Heaven is far-reaching and cannot be acted upon lightly. The request made today is absolutely impossible to grant. All of you, please withdraw immediately and say no more."

The officials refused to rise, prostrating themselves on the ground and pleading repeatedly. Wu Zetian had no choice but to go into the inner palace, and only then did the officials give up.

The three refusals were an ancient custom, which Wu Chengsi was naturally aware of.

However, since her aunt ascended the throne as a woman, it would be better if things were a little different.

With that thought in mind, he drew his sword and went directly to the palace of the new emperor, Li Dan.

Now that the court and the harem are both under Empress Wu's control, Wu Chengsi, as Wu Zetian's nephew, naturally has no one to stop him!

Even the palace guards, who witnessed him entering the palace with a sword, could only pretend they didn't see it.

"Chengsi, what are you doing?"

Li Dan had no influence in the court, and even when such a major event occurred, no one informed him.

He was reading in his room when he heard the sound and looked up to see Wu Chengsi walking towards him with a knife in his hand.

Li Dan was startled and hurriedly retreated, hiding in a corner.

"Your Majesty, I have a request."

Wu Chengsi held the knife to Li Dan's neck and said coldly to Li Dan.

"I agree, I agree to anything. Just put the knife down first, or you might accidentally use too much force."

Li Dan was so frightened that he trembled and nodded repeatedly, shaking like a leaf.

"very good."

"I want you to lead the court officials, the representatives of the three elders, and all the people of the land in seven days to request that you abdicate in favor of my aunt!"

Wu Chengsi said coldly.

Abdication?!

Li Dan felt like there was something wrong with his ears. He, as the son, was going to abdicate in favor of his mother?!

Could his mother, a woman, still become emperor?

"Hmm? What? You don't want to?"

Seeing that Li Dan did not immediately agree, Wu Chengsi pushed the knife forward, pressing it tightly against Li Dan's skin.

Feeling the cold glint on his skin, Li Dan quickly nodded, "I agree, no, I agree, I agree."

Li Dan shouted hurriedly, afraid that if he spoke too late, Wu Chengsi's knife would leave a wound on his neck.

Wu Chengsi nodded in satisfaction, "Remember to dress formally then, but don't wear a dragon robe."

Seven days later, Emperor Li Dan, representatives of the governors of various prefectures, and thousands of elders from Luoyang gathered at the south gate of the imperial palace.

Dressed in plain clothes, Li Dan, holding a joint petition from officials and commoners, led the remaining members of the Li clan to kneel before the palace gates. The people lined up on both sides, their voices of petition resounding through the sky.

Li Dan kowtowed and offered his advice:

"Your Majesty, by ruling as regent, has saved the world from chaos, eliminated internal strife within the imperial clan, and pacified the vast western regions. The people live in peace and prosperity, and the barbarians from all directions bow down in submission. Your son is weak and incompetent, unable to bear the heavy burden of the nation. The Li family's fortune has run out, and we are no longer fit to rule the world."

"The people of the realm have long awaited Your Majesty's ascension to the throne. Your son, on behalf of the imperial clan, humbly submits this petition, requesting Your Majesty to change the dynasty's name and ascend the imperial throne. Your son is willing to become a subject, bestowed the surname Wu, and forever serve the new dynasty!"

The remaining members of the Li clan, fearing they would suffer the same fate as King Yue and King Lu, echoed this sentiment:

"The people of the land have been petitioning for days, saying that only the Holy Mother Divine Emperor can bring peace to the world. If Your Majesty does not ascend the throne, the people will be filled with fear, and chaos will ensue in all directions!"

The people outside the city shouted in unison, "Please let the Divine Emperor ascend the throne!"

Wu Zetian ascended the Chengtianmen city tower, looked down upon the people, and declined the offer for the second time.

"Why should the emperor and the people of the world suffer like this? In the past, I served the late emperor and was entrusted by him to take care of the descendants of the Li family. If I were to take over today and change the Li Tang dynasty, future generations would say that I bullied the orphans and usurped the throne from my husband's family, that I had lost the moral high ground, and that I would be ashamed before the ancestors of the Li family in the Imperial Ancestral Temple."

"I, holding the title of Holy Mother Divine Empress and managing state affairs, have already done enough to bring happiness to the people. Why should I ascend the throne again and bear the criticism of the ages?"

"You should return to your hometowns to appease the people, and there is no need to mention changing the era name and proclaiming yourself emperor again."

After speaking, he turned and returned to the palace, closing the palace gates tightly. The people knelt and worshipped for a long time until the sun set and night fell, at which point the people dispersed one by one.

Looking at the scene before him, Wang Xuance couldn't help but frown.

This is only the second offer and two refusals, yet it has already caused such a huge commotion, involving high-ranking officials from all over the country, civil and military officials of the court, elders of the common people, and even the emperor and his relatives. What will happen if there is a third offer and three refusals?!

That night, while Wang Xuance was pondering this matter, he encountered an unexpected guest, Wu Chengsi.

"Is Lord Wang worried about what to do if the third person declines the offer three times?"

Wu Chengsi smiled as he saw Wang Xuance with his brows furrowed.

Wang Xuance was incredibly clever. Upon hearing Wu Chengsi's meaning and considering Wu Chengsi's arrival, he immediately knew what Wu Chengsi was up to.

"You want me to contact diplomatic missions from various countries and submit a joint petition?"

Wu Chengsi clapped his hands, exclaiming, "As expected of Lord Wang, your words hit the nail on the head!"

"How is it, Lord Wang? This matter shouldn't be difficult for you, right?"

Wang Xuance narrowed his eyes, thinking about which countries he could invite.

"What about the eighteen countries?"

After a moment's thought, Wang Xuance gave a number.

"Wonderful! Absolutely wonderful!"

Wu Chengsi laughed heartily, gaining a clear understanding of Wang Xuance's influence abroad.