Chapter 810: Abdication (Part One)
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The Chongzheng Hall was brightly lit. Little Emperor Yuwen Guang, who had already gone to bed, was dragged from his dragon bed. He was just a child who needed ample sleep and playtime, but the busy political affairs and complex situation deprived him of good sleep and filled his belly with grievances and anger.
After hearing the chief eunuch Jiang Youyuan succinctly explain the situation, he couldn’t control his outburst anymore. “They want me dead! They wish for my death! It’s not enough for them to let me die; they want me to become an unfilial descendant who loses the Great Xia’s territory!”
Jiang Youyuan quickly covered his mouth and pleaded in a low voice, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please don’t say that.” Whether this remark reached the ears of the Great Empress Dowager or the Regent and was then misinterpreted, it could take on a different meaning.
Yuwen Guang burst into angry tears and tried to run outside, but the people from the two factions, who were originally arguing vehemently, rushed over to him, clamoring, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty…”
Public opinion was divided, and the noise was deafening. Yuwen Guang ignored them all and ran directly to Yuwen Chu, crying out in distress, “Sixth Uncle!” then burst into loud sobs.
The clamor suddenly disappeared, and Yuwen Chu was stunned for a moment before smiling. “What’s wrong with Your Majesty?”
Yuwen Guang directly threw himself into his embrace, sobbing loudly, “I don’t know anything about this imperial edict! I never issued such an order! How can these people be so wicked? With external enemies at our gates, instead of planning how to defeat them, they engage in internal strife with great enthusiasm! Talk of murdering ministers and suppressing dissent is utter nonsense! Is Sixth Uncle that stupid? Is Sixth Aunt that foolish? This is clearly an attempt to sow discord. And if we’re talking about the Fu family, it’s not just Sixth Aunt! There are many people with malicious intentions and narrow-minded views!”
“Your Majesty is speaking childishly again.” Yuwen Chu hadn’t expected Yuwen Guang to make such a clear statement in front of so many people. Seeing the child clinging to him, though he knew much of it was an act, he was still pleased by Yuwen Guang’s unequivocal support. The Great Empress Dowager had been waving the banner of protecting the rightful order, but now the young emperor she had pushed forward refused to side with her. Instead, he directly accused her of internal strife, sowing discord, and having malicious intentions and a narrow perspective. It was a stinging slap in her face.
Yuwen Guang said, “I’m not talking like a child. I’m genuinely furious. With our ancestors and ancestors above, knowing about this today also needs to wake them up. If you’re sick, just be sick, focus on recuperating, everyone will miss you, must you stir up trouble and disrupt the peace above and below? Can’t we just focus on fighting the war properly?”
The orthodox faction was shocked. “Your Majesty!” How could there be such an immature child? Who is the Great Empress Dowager doing this for? Whose territory is this? It was passed down by the late emperor, and since Emperor Zhenqian has a son, it should be his son who inherits. Why is it said that Zhongshan Wang is a rebel? Because he thought about things he shouldn’t have, by the same reasoning, the Regent is the same! So many people sacrificing their lives and shedding blood, who is it for?
Peng Liang, who was suppressed on the ground, cried out in pain, “Your Majesty, how could you do this? Old servant is doing this for you!”
With him leading the way, many people followed suit, some sneaked out quietly, preparing to go to Changxin Palace to deliver the news. Mei Yusi prepared to intercept them, but Yuwen Chu signaled for him not to bother. Let’s see who can endure it better when they meet face to face. Anyway, he was young and strong, not really sick, and his tolerance wasn’t so narrow.
Yuwen Guang was annoyed, “Why are you crying? I’m not dead yet! Do you know why the Weishui Line was breached? It’s because people like you, who receive the emperor’s salary but are not loyal to the emperor, are dragging their feet! Every day, it’s all about scheming and plotting, always thinking about how to manipulate others. Can’t you put half of that effort into fighting the war? Have you read so many years of books, only to let it go to waste? People are displaced, countless young men in the army are dead and injured, don’t you see it? You should have a conscience, aren’t you afraid of retribution? I am!”
The Chongzheng Hall fell silent, with occasional sobbing sounds, but it wasn’t as pronounced as before. Some people even frowned, beginning to think about another matter — whether this internal strife was worth it, whether it was necessary, whether it would succeed, and what to do next.
Some people watched coldly, indifferent to the affairs of the world. To heck with the world’s affairs, with legitimacy and usurpers, whoever wins is the boss. After studying for so many years, finally reaching today, with a whole family to support, they must take care of themselves!
Yuwen Chu cleared his throat, “Gentlemen, you all heard it clearly just now. Peng Liang falsified the decree, deceiving the emperor. There is conclusive evidence for this. He harbored malicious intentions, so other matters lack credibility. However, I will still handle it fairly. The three ministries will review it, not wronging any innocent person, nor letting any evildoer go.” He looked around and said calmly, “I believe that justice is clear, and righteousness lies in the hearts of the people.”
Peng Liang sneered, “Regent, with your manipulation and control over the young emperor, can you really talk about justice being clear and righteousness lying in the hearts of the people?!”
With these words, many people wanted to rush up and shut his mouth, but Yuwen Chu stopped them. It wasn’t possible to keep Peng Liang silent forever; if he wanted to speak, let him speak.
Peng Liang shouted hoarsely, “Regent! If you are loyal to the emperor and the country, dare you swear in front of heaven and earth, the ancestors and the emperor, and all officials, that you will never covet the throne and will always be loyal to the emperor?”
The Chongzheng Hall fell into dead silence. This was a deadlock. Yuwen Chu, who usually emphasized integrity, faced a dilemma. If he swore today, and then overturned his oath in the future, what would be left of his integrity? And if he didn’t swear, his rebellious intentions would be even more apparent. Throughout history, rebellion was a serious crime, intolerable by the world. If he dared to admit it, he would be in the same boat as Zhongshan Wang, and everyone could call for his arrest.
Yuwen Chu’s supporters, fearing that he might swear a poisonous oath, immediately refuted Peng Liang, shouting, “Nonsense! Mad dog! Crazy Peng!”
The orthodox faction clamored, “Regent, if your loyalty is as clear as the moon, why fear making such an oath?”
Yuwen Chu’s faction retorted loudly, “This is too much! It’s disheartening! Does everything have to be about plotting rebellion?”
Yuwen Guang looked around nervously, pressing his lips together tightly.
Yuwen Chu had been prepared for this moment ever since he had Peng Liang brought here. Compared to the previous assassination and framing attempts, this was the main event. He smiled slightly, “This oath, I’m not afraid to swear it. Listen carefully…”
“Wait!” Yuwen Guang suddenly shouted sternly, “I willingly abdicate the throne to my Sixth Uncle!”
A buzz of astonishment erupted in the hall.
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