Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 849 - 846: Difficulty

In the eighteenth year of Xuanjia, on the third day of the fifth month, the scout sent by Left Prime Minister Li Mao’s mansion to Daliang to inquire about the military movements returned to Dadu City. He reported to Li Mingrui that Princess of Zhen and Liu Hong were leading the army back to the country at great speed, and that the people and officials along the way were already aware of King Liang’s treacherous plot, causing a heated discussion.

Li Mingrui clenched his fists tightly, knowing he could not delay any longer. He requested King Liang to order Fan Yuhuai to attack the Imperial City with full force immediately, to force the Emperor to issue an edict passing the throne to King Liang.

Just as Fan Yuhuai gave the order to attack the Imperial City, the gates of Wude Gate suddenly opened on their own...

Xie Yuchang and Fu Ruoxi came out from within Wude Gate. Xie Yuchang’s face was extremely grim, and he said, "His Majesty has commanded, please request King Liang to enter the palace."

Yesterday, the Imperial Palace had already run out of food, which was not a big issue. However, the saltpeter the Emperor used for alchemy was running out and needed to be transported from outside the palace. So, the Emperor ordered Xie Yuchang to convey the command to invite King Liang to the palace.

Prime Minister Lu, the Minister of War, and Xie Yuchang had all argued with the Emperor on this issue, but it was to no avail. The Emperor, infatuated and deluded, ordered Xie Yuchang to detain Prime Minister Lu and the Minister of War, among others. Prime Minister Lu, who was usually so astute, was furious and cursed the Emperor as a fatuous ruler.

Taking advantage of the situation, the Emperor stripped Prime Minister Lu of his position as Prime Minister and questioned Xie Yuchang whether he only obeyed the Crown Prince and not him, the Emperor, accusing him of disobeying the imperial decree... and not allowing defiance of the orders.

A heavy burden fell upon Xie Yuchang, and it was Fu Ruoxi who stopped him from dying while remonstrating. He accepted the command and accompanied Xie Yuchang to the city gate to invite King Liang.

From the bottom of their hearts, neither Fu Ruoxi nor even Xie Yuchang had any hopes left for this Emperor and this dynasty. They did not want the soldiers to sacrifice their lives for such an Emperor, so they went to invite King Liang as per the Emperor’s request. ƒгeewebnovёl_com

Although the Crown Prince was not considered a wise ruler, at least he was not like King Liang who was cunning, deceitful, and skilled in disguise. Sometimes, he could still listen to the ministers’ advice.

But if King Liang were to ascend the throne, who knows what the Jin Kingdom would become.

King Liang was cautious by nature. He had heard the Emperor’s invitation to enter the palace and feared it might be a trap. He first had Fan Yuhuai send men to take over several gates of the Imperial City, then arrested Xie Yuchang and Fu Ruoxi, and only then did he enter the palace with heavy guards, leaving Fan Yuhuai outside the palace to fortify defenses.

The Emperor sat on the throne in the grand hall, watching King Liang, who entered with heavy guards and knelt before him, paying respects. The Emperor tapped the armrest of the Dragon Throne and said, "You led the army to force the palace this time, all for this Dragon Throne?"

King Liang showed a respectful attitude towards the Emperor at this time, but all the previous anxiety and fear were gone. After prostrating himself, he said, "I request that Father Emperor abdicate..."

"Good! Very good..." The Emperor looked at King Liang with muddled eyes. He really did not expect that he had been so wrong about this son. "King Liang is indeed a good son of mine. The timid and obedient manner on usual days, it was all an act!"

King Liang remained motionless in his kneeling posture, adopting a humble stance, allowing the Emperor to vent his anger.

"It is not impossible for you to want this throne! I have conditions..."

Upon hearing the Emperor’s words, King Liang showed joy and quickly said, "Father Emperor, rest assured, this son will not make things difficult for the Crown Prince brother!"

The Emperor shook his head and said, "What I am referring to is not the Crown Prince, but my Nine-tiered Platform! The Nine-tiered Platform... must be built, no matter what! So... the state governance you want, I can decree now to let you take charge of, but as for the throne... when you finish building the Nine-tiered Platform and bring me a thousand boys and girls, then I’ll abdicate and let you become the Emperor!"

King Liang initially thought the Emperor was going to plead for the Crown Prince, but unexpectedly, the Emperor was most concerned about his pursuit of immortality through the Nine-tiered Platform!

He couldn’t help but feel a tinge of pity for the Crown Prince, realizing that in Father’s eyes, the Crown Prince wasn’t particularly special. He was someone who could be discarded at any time.

Seeing that King Liang didn’t respond, the Emperor continued, "If you are unwilling, then... kill me, this Emperor, and then you seize the throne! However... I have already sent a secret decree out of the palace, giving the Crown Prince the power to command the garrison troops from all over to rush to aid! In that case... your name as a traitor and usurper will never be washed away."

King Liang did not entirely believe the Emperor’s words, thinking they were a bluff. The Crown Prince had escaped for more than a month already. If he really had a decree to summon troops, they would have arrived in Dadu long ago.

Kneeling behind King Liang, Li Mingrui believed the Crown Prince might really have the secret decree. Since the reinforcements had not arrived yet, there was a possibility the Crown Prince was still within Dadu City!

Li Mingrui’s heart skipped a beat. He looked up at King Liang and immediately had a private thought. He wanted to send his own men from the Li Mansion to secretly search for the Crown Prince. If he could obtain the secret decree, then once King Liang ascended the throne, this decree would be the most powerful leverage the Li family had to control King Liang!

Li Mingrui calculated the travel time of Bai Qingyan’s army in his mind and, lowering his voice, spoke to King Liang, "Your Highness... as long as His Majesty is still alive, the world will consider your ascension to the throne as legitimate. Otherwise, if the Crown Prince is not captured yet and the Emperor dies... Your Highness’s throne will seem illegitimate, and those who still have thoughts of loyalty to the Crown Prince, such as Princess of Zhen, will have enough excuse to rebel against Your Highness!"

King Liang pressed his lips together in silence. However, the Nine-tiered Platform would need more than a month to complete. If Princess of Zhen returned promptly within that month...

King Liang looked up at the Emperor.

By then, his and the Emperor’s positions would have reversed. At that time, he would be the one under the Emperor’s control.

Li Mingrui appeared to understand King Liang’s concerns and whispered, "Your Highness, if the Ministry of Works increases the pace, the Nine-tiered Platform can be completed within twenty days!"

King Liang knew the Minister of Works was one of Li Mao’s people. Since Li Mingrui had conspired with him, if they failed, it would mean annihilation for their families. If it couldn’t be completed within twenty days, he wouldn’t dare make such a promise.

"Your Highness might as well agree to the Emperor’s conditions, to lend a sense of legitimacy! The Nine-tiered Platform and a thousand boys and girls are not difficult tasks!" Li Mingrui advised again.

Upon hearing this, King Liang looked towards the Emperor once more and prostrated himself again, "I request Father Emperor to issue an edict to capture the treacherous Crown Prince. This son will ensure the completion of the Nine-tiered Platform and the thousand boys and girls within twenty days!"

The Emperor’s eyes were cold and stern, "Within ten days!"

King Liang gritted his teeth, slightly turning his head to look at Li Mingrui behind him.

Li Mingrui calculated in his mind. If they could recruit more commoners to join the construction, it might be possible to complete the Nine-tiered Platform within ten days by working day and night.

The most challenging task was gathering a thousand boys and girls. Li Mingrui had heard from the Heavenly Master before that they needed boys and girls aged five to ten, and their families must be of decent standing. Not to mention the rumors that the Emperor wanted to use these thousand children’s lives for alchemy. Gathering them within ten days indeed posed a significant challenge.

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