If you want to find fault, you can always find a pretext!

The point is to stir up trouble and create conflict between the two factions; the more intense the conflict, the better!

Previously, it was a political struggle involving mutual slander and attacks.

Liu Wei certainly hopes that the later stages will involve a direct martial arts performance.

It should be soon. Yuan Shao soon advised He Jin to send local warlords to the capital, including Dong Zhuo!

Upon hearing Liu Wei's words, He Jin, Yuan Shao, and others naturally scoffed at them.

This is simply assigning false accusations and misleading the public.

There is no fundamental conflict between establishing a crown prince and succeeding to the throne.

The two exchanged a glance and were about to argue and refute each other.

However, Liu Hong's eyes lit up immediately upon hearing this.

Liu Wei's statement inadvertently gave him a new idea for confronting these ministers!

"Yes, yes, are you all being so aggressive because you want me to abdicate?"

Liu Hong stood up angrily, and before He Jin and Yuan Shao could speak, he looked furious and said, "I'm just sick, not dying!"

Seeing Liu Hong erupt in anger in court, Zhang Rang seized the opportunity to speak up: "Fine, you curse His Majesty, what is your punishment?"

Qiao Xuan and Wang Lang seized the opportunity to speak:

"Let's be fair! You've really gone too far. If you're going to appoint a crown prince, then appoint one. Why force His Majesty to abdicate?"

"Your intentions are indeed misunderstood as impure!"

They had received favors from Empress Dowager Dong, so they had to say a few nice words to her.

The current government is dominated by the three Grand Commandant, Minister of Works, and Minister of Agriculture, along with a group of civil officials from the Secretariat.

There was also He Jin, the Grand General, who held the positions of Commander-in-Chief of all military affairs, both inside and outside the capital, and Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

The Secretariat, where the two men worked, was a mere formality, existing in name only but without real power.

This is also why the two decided to choose Mrs. Dong for their later opportunistic purposes.

Unexpectedly, Liu Wei's fabricated statement gave Liu Hong an opportunity to seize upon and amplify it.

Furthermore, it exposed someone who appeared to be neutral but was actually speaking on behalf of the King of Chenliu.

He Jin and Yuan Shao frowned, their resentment towards Liu Wei deepening.

The situation was going well, and it seemed that Liu Hong was about to issue the decree, but Liu Wei suddenly appeared and ruined their plans.

"Your Majesty, do not listen to his nonsense!"

“Listen to what he’s saying. Every word he says is evasive and misleading His Majesty.”

"We are utterly loyal and have no disloyal intentions. We request Your Majesty to establish an heir, for the sake of long-term stability and the continuation of the dynasty."

"If asking Your Majesty to establish a crown prince is tantamount to forcing Your Majesty to abdicate, then wouldn't the previous emperors have established heirs shortly after their ascension to the throne have lost their legitimacy?"

He Jin immediately spoke up, and Yuan Shao chimed in, glaring menacingly at Qiao Xuan and Wang Lang: "Don't try to muddy the waters. I know exactly what you're up to! Do you really have to tear off the mask and say it out loud?"

Meanwhile, the civil and military officials on their side immediately began to curse:

"Nonsense, utter nonsense!"

"You are the ones with impure intentions. You won't even establish the eldest son as heir. What are you trying to do?"

"Wang Lang and Qiao Xuan, you two must have received a lot of benefits from the King of Yunzhong, and you've colluded to deliberately disrupt the court."

"That's right! King Yunzhong, you're deliberately obstructing the establishment of a crown prince because you want to seize the throne yourself!"

“A prince born out of wedlock should not be allowed to lead troops and wield power. He should just stay in his fiefdom and live a good life.”

"He shouldn't have come to the capital!"

"......"

Without exception, when it comes to verbal sparring, Liu Wei is no match for them!

Even with a few seemingly allied allies, Liu Wei's words alone are enough to withstand a collective attack.

This is no longer a grand court assembly; it's more like a bustling market.

"Silence! Silence!"

Liu Hong shouted, "Aren't you all forcing me to submit to this?"

"Fine, fine, then I will abdicate the throne now, so that your wishes may be fulfilled!"

"We dare not!"

Hearing Liu Hong repeatedly use the pretext of rebellion to justify his actions, even the powerful He Jin and Yuan Shao had to consider the implications.

If this misinformation spreads and gets known to the world, wouldn't it damage one's reputation?

Liu Hong was overjoyed to see He Jin and the others temporarily back down. He hadn't expected that Liu Wei's actions would actually work.

What a talented person!

"It seems there are still many objections in the court regarding the matter of choosing an heir!"

Taking advantage of the situation, Liu Hong said, "It is not advisable to rush things now. Let's discuss it later. My dear ministers, let's discuss other matters first!"

"Your Majesty, since there are objections, let's bring them up for discussion. All the ministers are here today; if a decision isn't reached in this court meeting, when will it ever be made?"

He Jin was furious. His plans, which had been in the works for half a month, had now backfired at the grand court assembly.

Liu Hong promised to give the results at the grand assembly, but Liu Wei jumped out and stirred things up.

However, more than half of the people in the court were his confidants and allies. No matter how much Liu Hong tried to shirk responsibility, He Jin and Yuan Shao would not let Liu Hong get away with it so easily.

"Moreover, His Majesty has already promised the world that he will announce the selection of the Crown Prince today."

"Your word is law, you wouldn't go back on your word, would you?"

If you're trying to renege on your debt, don't even think about it.

"When...when did I say such a thing?"

Liu Hong sounded somewhat unsure of himself when he said this.

He said this just a month ago, when his illness had just improved, and there were several ministers present at the time!

"Your Majesty, the historians and the imperial scribes are all here. We can simply retrieve the daily records to find out the truth," He Jin said with a sneer.

Liu Hong was speechless!

This thing records the emperor's daily activities and words and deeds.

He even knew exactly which concubine he favored, when, how long it lasted, and how the concubine reacted.

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