NABC Chapter 461 Edict
Chapter 461 Edict
Emperor Qi Xiao sat alone in the palace for the entire night, and even Cheng Hai was driven out and not allowed to stay by his side.
After a night.
Emperor Qi Xiao did not attend court.
He personally wrote a "self-reproach edict" and announced it in the court, which caused an uproar among the Left and Right Chancellors!
No one expected that Emperor Qi Xiao would admit his mistake and even accept the challenge from the State of Chu.
"I have thought this matter through carefully, and it is indeed my fault. I should not have held this grand carving event and agreed to let them come and observe without properly protecting the safety of the Chu Emperor."
"Moreover, the mistake of the Golden Feather Guard is my mistake. I feel guilty about the disappearance of the Chu Emperor, and even more guilty towards the people of Daqi. It is very possible that because of my negligence, the people will be dragged into war again, causing great suffering."
……
After Emperor Qi Xiao issued a formal "edict of self-reproach" in Cheng Huan, he sincerely lamented, "I not only want to apologize to all my beloved ministers, but also to the people of Great Qi."
He instructed Cheng Hai to make 10,000 copies of this "edict of self-reproach" and post them throughout the streets and alleys. "In addition, I also have something to announce."
Cheng Hai and his Golden Feather Guards plastered the streets and alleys of the capital.
"Remove Qin Mushuo from his position as Crown Prince and demote him to Prince Shuo."
"The Court of Imperial Sacrifices under the Crown Prince shall be placed under the management of Duke Yuan Cuo. From this day forward, Yuan Cuo shall oversee the state and govern the country on my behalf."
"I am indeed getting old..."
After saying this, Emperor Qi Xiao got up and left.
Cheng Hai swept his whisk and dismissed the court, not even bothering to consider whether the officials liked or disliked the two decisions, nor caring whether they agreed or not.
The Left and Right Chancellors exchanged a glance and both saw the panic in each other's eyes.
The two men, along with several ministers, discussed the matter and all believed that Emperor Qi Xiao would rather die than admit his mistake. However, to their surprise, he not only admitted it but also issued an edict of self-reproach and even handed over all the power of the Eastern Palace to Yuan Cuo.
So what exactly was Yuan Cuo's identity?
It wasn't mentioned at all in Emperor Qi Xiao's decree.
They simply demoted Qin Mushuo to a prince and gave Yuan Cuo the power of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices and the State Regent.
However, Yuancuo still retained the surname Yuan and was never incorporated into the imperial family, nor was he ever given the surname Qin.
Moreover, Emperor Qi Xiao did not officially announce that Yuan Cuo was his biological son. This sounds utterly absurd, but it is indeed a solution that no one would have thought of and that can solve the current predicament.
However, despite Emperor Qi Xiao issuing this decree, Yuan Cuo did not attend court today.
This Duke of Baoguo has abandoned court affairs for many days, focusing solely on finding his wife. Now that Emperor Qixiao has appointed him to oversee the country and take charge of court affairs, will this ancestor be willing to accept the position?
Then another bizarre scene unfolded in the imperial court: several ministers discussed whether to go to the Duke of Baoguo's residence together to ask Yuan Cuo for his opinion.
If this person refuses to attend court, does that mean everyone will have to go to the Duke's mansion to report things from now on?
Moreover, the Imperial Household Department had been abandoned for a long time, and all those with any ability had left, leaving only a bunch of good-for-nothings.
Now, who would dare to ask them to go find Yuan Cuo?
With everyone offering their opinions, they eventually asked Vice Minister Li to discuss the matter of taking over with him, since Vice Minister Li and Li Chengyue had a close relationship with Yuan Cuo.
Li Chengyue had been busy with the affairs of the Chu Emperor and Liu Yuechu these days, and when he heard his father tell this news, he did not have high expectations.
“I don’t think he will necessarily agree.” Li Chengyue knew all too well how heartbroken Yuan Cuo was about Liu Yuechu’s disappearance.
He has been searching frantically these days, and has not even had time to take care of his two children. Instead, Liu Musheng and Huang Wanwan have moved to the Duke's mansion and have been helping him take care of the children.
"Whether they agree or not, we have to give it a try." Minister Li looked at Li Chengyue. "You should also say a few words in their defense. This matter is very important to the Great Qi!"
Because no matter who takes over, except for Yuan Cuo, the Great Qi will be disintegrated and may even be divided up by the states of Chu, Meng, and Yan.
"Ha, now you think of him? Where were you before? If the Ministry of Revenue hadn't held the silver back from the military funds, and if His Majesty hadn't insisted on putting those two under pressure and forcing Yue Niang to raise 200,000 taels, would we be in this mess today?" Li Chengyue was very dissatisfied with Emperor Qi Xiao. He had been keeping detailed records of these accounts.
"What's the use of saying this now?"
"Will it work if I don't say anything?"
……
"Alright, alright, if I can't persuade you, then I'll go myself!" Minister Li understood that his son's words made sense, but he naturally had to consider the bigger picture.
If Yuan Cuo also refuses to take over, Qin Muyan will definitely take advantage of the situation. And that other one has long been a pawn, lacking both the ability and the magnanimity to govern the Great Qi.
Seeing his father's unsteady gait, Li Chengyue could only follow.
When the two arrived at the Duke of Baoguo's residence, Yuan Cuo was looking at the "edict of self-reproach" sent by Hou Lai, and he found every word on it utterly ridiculous.
"Everyone is waiting for their master to come out of seclusion, so will you accept this decree?" Although Hou Lai had followed him for so many years, this was the first time he had never guessed Yuan Cuo's decision.
He had never seen Yuan Cuo so flustered and helpless, even knowing that he was not the biological son of the Yuan couple, even though he was driven to the brink of death by various forces.
But because of Liu Yuechu's disappearance, he seemed to have lost his soul.
As Yuan Cuo himself said, her disappearance was like removing the bones that supported him, causing him to fall apart completely.
"Master, Vice Minister Li and Brother Li have arrived." Hou Lai's ears twitched, and he naturally heard the gatekeeper's greeting when Vice Minister Li entered.
Yuan Cuo naturally knew why they had come.
"I'll take over, but I have only one request: go to war with the State of Chu."
"If the court officials agree, then I will accept His Majesty's decree and devote myself to the well-being of the Great Qi."
If you disagree, then do whatever you want.
Yuan Cuo's indifference left Vice Minister Li speechless. "Actually, there's no need for them to make the decision. You can decide directly."
"You are the Vice Minister of Rites, yet you don't even abide by the laws and regulations of the court?" Yuan Cuo was unusually kind to the father and son.
Li Shilang was already satisfied to get a cup of tea. "To hell with laws and regulations! These things are just used by those old geezers to deceive the world. Those two deserve to die the most!"
He was naturally cursing the Left Chancellor and the Right Chancellor.
“I agree to your decision to go to war with Chu.” Vice Minister Li secretly handed over the Minister of Revenue’s private message, “Take him down first, and the Left and Right Chancellors will immediately side with you.”
"As for that Third Prince who was cheering and shouting, let's not let him return to the capital."
"..."
Li Chengyue was dumbfounded; it was the first time he had witnessed his father's decisiveness and sharpness.
He was even wondering how his father had become the Vice Minister of Rites.
He started swearing and even came up with some dirty tricks.
"Regardless of whether we fight or not, I'll go find the Minister of Revenue right now and get the military funds back. We absolutely can't let him embezzle them!"