"I am old and have decided to abdicate and pass the throne to the crown prince. I will allow the Ministry of Rites to choose an auspicious day to hold the coronation ceremony." Emperor Jingdi sat on the dragon throne, silently observing the unusual expressions of the officials.
Li Yuanzhao felt like he was in a dream and was in a state of confusion.
When he went to court today, such a huge bombshell was dropped at the very beginning, which really made him unable to react.
After a while, Emperor Jing continued, "I have one last order before I retire. Please listen to my order, Crown Prince."
Li Yuanzhao came to his senses and quickly knelt down in front of him: "Your son is here."
"After I abdicate, you must not initiate a war with the church within two years. Dajing still needs time to prepare. After the preparations are complete, you will lead the army in person to crush the church and enhance the prestige of Dajing."
"Son...Son, I accept your order."
"Your Majesty, please think twice about this! We can just send troops to conquer the small Western countries. Why take such a risk?"
The ministers were in an uproar, and were shocked by the second piece of news thrown out by Emperor Jing.
Li Yansong, who had remained calm, became extremely shocked.
He knew about the news of the succession, and there was nothing to say about it.
But... why did His Majesty change his mind when he was originally planning to lead the army? What kind of magic potion did Fang Zhengyi give His Majesty?
Fang Zheng looked calm and composed.
Emperor Jing had already communicated with him about today's situation.
He had just visited Taoyuan County yesterday and made the plan on the spot. He even decided to abdicate before his injury healed.
Let the Crown Prince take full charge of state affairs as soon as possible.
I guess...it was somewhat stimulating.
Li Yuanzhao was in a daze, and the ministers were still giving advice to Emperor Jing. Emperor Jing waved his hand helplessly and said, "Stop talking, everyone go out, Fang Zhengyi stay."
The emperor spoke, and all officials had no choice but to retreat.
Before leaving, Li Yuanzhao quietly patted Fang Zhengyi on the shoulder and whispered, "I'll wait for you outside."
Fang Zheng nodded.
Only Emperor Jing and Fang Zheng were left in the main hall.
Fang Zheng clasped his fists and said, "What instructions does Your Majesty have?"
Emperor Jing was a little absent-minded: "I have never been afraid of anything in my life, but yesterday... you really scared me."
"How many secrets do you have that I don't know?"
After Emperor Jing finished speaking, he turned his gaze to Fang Zhengyi.
Fang Zhengyi hesitated and said, "I do have some personal secrets, but I have always been clear in my conscience towards my country and my family, and I have been completely open with my father and my family. I have not revealed some things because the time is not right yet."
Fang Zhengyi started playing the family card without hesitation.
"Then you should have informed me when you were secretly researching weapons!" Emperor Jing said loudly, "If such a weapon falls into the hands of an unscrupulous person, it will be a disaster for the world!"
Fang Zheng was silent for a moment and said, "I have committed the crime of deceiving the emperor. I deserve to die."
"Yes, it is indeed deceiving the emperor! And this is not the first time." Emperor Jing said with a stern face, "If it were someone else, I don't know how many times he would have died. The torture I gave him was considered light."
"If your Majesty wishes to sentence me to death, I will gladly accept it," Fang Zheng said calmly.
"Oh, there's really nothing I can do about you." Emperor Jing looked at him and shook his head helplessly. Then he changed the subject and said in a gentle tone, "Zhengyi, build me a temporary palace. It's in Taoyuan County. It doesn't have to be too big."
Are you worried about me and want to go to Taoyuan County to look after me in person?
Fang Zhengyi nodded on the surface, muttering to himself.
"Father..."
"It's not that I don't trust you. I know you very well. I just like Taoyuan County." Emperor Jing closed his eyes and seemed to sigh, "When I first met you, Taoyuan County opened my eyes. But when I went there again yesterday, I felt that it was still the same. At that moment, it was just like yesterday..."
After he said this, Fang Zhengyi was deeply moved.
Back then he was just a slacker, but now he is involved in plotting to conquer the whole world. Time is really amazing.
Emperor Jing was silent for a while, then said, "Zhengyi, you are a person who can create miracles. Yuanzhao will be entrusted to you from now on. He cannot be a mediocre emperor and must surpass me. Can you help him do it?"
"able."
"I feel relieved when you say this. You can go back first. I still need a few days to heal my wound." Emperor Jing slowly waved his hand to send him off.
Fang Zhengyi also turned and left, but just as he stepped out of the door, a hand pulled him aside.
"Lao Fang, what's the situation with our father? I'm not prepared at all. Why doesn't anyone inform me?" Li Yuanzhao asked hurriedly.
Fang Zhengyi said meaningfully: "Your Highness, fate never gives people time to prepare. It is your turn to carry the banner."
"I know! But I don't understand what my father said. This is not his style at all!" Li Yuanzhao frowned, "It would be fine if you let me succeed to the throne, but why did you wait two years before attacking the church? And why did you let me go to the battle myself?"
"Two years. They already knew that King Wu controlled the church and that they could attack at any time, but they delayed it for two years."
"I would love to be allowed to lead the troops to war, but when has my father ever trusted me so much?"
"Old Fang, my father trusts you more than me. Do you know something? Please don't hide it from me!"
Fang Zhengyi said honestly, "I did discuss this matter with Your Majesty, and we did it yesterday. As for the church... King Wu doesn't dare to act rashly, and we can use the Brotherhood to spread false information to hold him back. We also need more ironclad ships and weapons and equipment, which can be prepared in two years."
"As for why he decided to let you go in person, you don't know that His Majesty is very proud of you. He was drunk yesterday and said that you are a master of war and that you were able to behead Wutu alone. This bravery is far beyond what he could do when he was young. However, he refused to say it out of respect for his father."
"As long as we are fully prepared, coupled with your highness's military talent, wouldn't it be easy for us to defeat the foreigners in a war?"
"That's right." Li Yuanzhao seemed to be thinking about something, "But my father passed on the throne too suddenly after all, and I am not ready yet."
I see you're already prepared!
Fang Zheng glanced at him with extreme contempt.
"Your Majesty, the most urgent thing is to go to the Ministry of Rites to ask about etiquette and make preparations early, so as not to make a fool of yourself during the coronation ceremony."
"A joke? Ridiculous! Who dares to laugh at me? Laugh at me and let me see."
"Your Majesty is indeed very courageous."
As the two were standing at the door singing in unison, a cough was heard from behind.
"Cough!" Guo Tianyang coughed.
They both looked up at the same time, and Jingdi's face, which was mixed with blue and red, suddenly appeared in their eyes, with blue veins spreading from his neck to his forehead.
"I'm not dead yet, and you two beasts are ready to rebel? Get in here and close the door!!!"
......
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