Ten years of dormancy: Starting as a martial arts master at the pinnacle

There are 4 days left until the abdication ceremony.

During the morning court session, Crown Prince Li Yuanqian spoke directly: "Your Majesty, I have a matter to report."

"Father, I also have something to say."

The two had never discussed this before, but at this moment they stood together with perfect understanding.

Both the Crown Prince and His Highness the Prince of Qin were well aware that if they didn't fight for it soon, the throne would truly be lost.

Li Zheng frowned, looking at his two legitimate sons below the steps, with a great headache.

This was the first time he had ever seen the Crown Prince and the King of Qin so united.

However, the target they united to deal with was not what Li Zheng wanted.

"Speak your mind, or shut up! I'd like to hear what you two have to say."

"Father, the deans of Wenhua Academy and Imperial Academy are waiting outside the main hall. In addition, the Prime Minister is also present. All three of them are leaders in the literary world. Since Father wishes to establish his nephew Changqing as the new emperor, why not listen to their thoughts?"

The Great Zhou Dynasty was founded on military strength, and its emphasis on scholars was clearly less than what Li Changqing knew about history.

But this absolutely does not mean that they do not value scholars.

Military force can establish a nation, but it cannot govern it.

The Great Zhou court is now largely governed by scholars. Because martial arts are flourishing, many of them are skilled in both.

However, not everyone is suited to learning martial arts.

Therefore, most of these civil officials had low levels of martial arts skill, only at the level of acquired or innate.

Very few people can cultivate to the level of the Carefree Realm like Wang Guodong, the Minister of Justice.

Only some powerful departments, such as the Golden Guard, the Six Doors, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Ministry of War, used martial arts proficiency as the standard for competence.

Given this overall situation, the combined influence of the two academies' deans and a prime minister was undoubtedly terrifying.

Even Emperor Li Zheng of the Great Zhou Dynasty changed his expression.

He looked at the Crown Prince Li Yuanqian from head to toe as if he were seeing his son for the first time.

"I truly underestimated you. You actually managed to persuade them to come and cheer you on? Very well! Please let the two gentlemen in."

The two academy deans, with steady and measured steps, arrived at the Golden Palace.

"This humble subject greets Your Majesty!"

The two spoke in unison.

Unlike ordinary scholars, these two were actually masters of the Great Freedom Realm.

Their demeanor drew the attention of the entire court.

"I wonder why you two gentlemen have come from afar? Is there anything I can do for you?"

Li Zheng asked in a deep voice.

"I've heard that His Majesty is acting unilaterally and intends to abdicate in favor of Prince Yong. Is this true?"

"Yes. My imperial decree has been issued, and a ruler's word is law. Do you two gentlemen wish for me to retract my order?"

Upon hearing Li Zheng's question, the headmaster of the Kyoto Academy bowed and said, "Of course not. A ruler's word is law. Since His Majesty has already issued a decree, abdication is inevitable. However, how this abdication will proceed requires careful discussion."

"His Highness the Crown Prince is not wrong, and His Highness the Prince of Qin is in his prime. Now that his father and uncle are still alive, how can there be any reason to pass the throne to his son or nephew? Throughout history, there has never been such a precedent."

"Your Majesty's actions are certainly based on your considerations. However, the historian's pen is merciless. Once it's recorded and left for posterity to see, what will future generations think?"

"Was it His Majesty's discerning eye that recognized his talent, or was someone with unbridled ambition who murdered his grandfather and imprisoned his father?"

The words of the headmaster of Kyoto Academy were a wake-up call.

The last four words, in particular, point out the biggest problem with this matter.

If Li Changqing didn't have a father, Li Zheng's idea wouldn't be considered outrageous.

The problem now is that he not only has a father, but his father is also a very good one...

If the abdication were to be passed to Li Changqing under these circumstances, who knows how many conspiracies and schemes later historians would have imagined?

At that time, it won't just be the emperor and the royal family who will be disgraced; all the civil and military officials will be disgraced as well, and they will all become treacherous ministers.

Upon realizing this, everyone immediately stepped forward and knelt down again.

"This is against propriety; Your Majesty, please reconsider."

"We beg Your Majesty to rescind your decree!!"

They hadn't put in this much effort when they fought desperately for their respective masters before.

Upon hearing that it might affect their reputation after death, they put in 120% sincerity.

After nodding secretly, Li Zheng turned his gaze to Li Yuanhao.

"And what do you mean by that? Passing the throne to your son instead of you, making our Prince Qin lose face?"

Compared to speaking with the Crown Prince, Li Zheng was noticeably more at ease when speaking with Prince Qin, Li Yuanhao.

This was something that all the officials in the court could hear.

They could clearly sense that their emperor's relationship with the King of Qin was not that of an ordinary ruler and subject.

They have a father-son relationship.

The reason why so many people were willing to pledge allegiance to the King of Qin was not only due to the powerful forces behind the King of Qin's palace and the King of Qin's outstanding abilities.

Another very important reason is the relationship between Li Yuanhao and His Majesty.

Based on these aspects, there is no reason why the King of Qin should not win.

No one expected that his own son would suddenly appear and become an obstacle in his path.

"Your Majesty, I have only one statement! No one may succeed to the throne before I do."

What Li Yuanhao said was perfectly reasonable.

He doesn't give the impression of expressing an opinion, but rather of stating a fact.

"Your elder brother, the Crown Prince, has summoned two deans of the academies, and also our current prime minister..."

At this point, Li Zheng glanced at the middle-aged man standing at the very front of the officials, exuding an air of righteousness.

This man's name was Li Zhun, and he was a distant relative of the Great Zhou royal family.

He entered officialdom through the imperial examinations and won the top five honors in a row.

Moreover, his martial arts talent was also remarkable; before the age of 40, he had already reached the peak of the Grandmaster level.

Although not on par with the prodigies, they are definitely masters.

How could he possibly stand behind Li Yuanqian and become a supporter of the Crown Prince?

Li Zhun remained unfazed, allowing Li Zheng to scrutinize him.

Just as everyone was arguing, a eunuch's voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"His Highness Prince Yong has arrived!"

Instantly, the attention of the entire court was drawn.

Outside the gate, Li Changqing entered with his back to the light.

In the eyes of all the officials, Li Changqing at this moment was like a celestial being, with light emanating from the back of his head.

Li Changqing's gaze was cold, seemingly very dissatisfied with the previous argument.

A strange emotion was about to rise in the hearts of all the civil and military officials.

They suddenly sensed a surge in Li Changqing's aura.

Like the vast ocean, it was a terrifying realm that was unattainable for them.

"A half-step supreme being?"

Although most of the civil and military officials in the court had low levels of martial arts skill, there were still a few who were truly free and unfettered.

Their faces turned pale after sensing Li Changqing's aura.

What does it mean to be a half-step Supreme at the age of seventeen?

They know it better than anyone else.

No wonder His Majesty the Emperor defied the world and abdicated in favor of Li Changqing.

If he succeeds to the throne, the Great Zhou Dynasty will be stable for the next few hundred years, or even longer.

The entire court was stunned by Li Changqing's single glance.

……