"Power is an aphrodisiac, it drives people crazy and makes them addicted!"
"Empress He wanted to become Empress Lü. In this game of power, is there any room for emotion in order to achieve one's own goals?"
Liu Wei got up and walked to the entrance of the main tent. He looked at the majestic Yinshan Mountains and the vast Wuliangsuhai Lake in the distance and muttered to himself.
The mountains and rivers are magnificent, but the human heart is higher than the mountains and deeper than the sea!
Will I become like that in the future?
Once he ascends to the throne, will he still be able to sit with his advisors and subordinates and discuss matters as easily as he does now?
Or perhaps, he is destined to be all alone, high above and unapproachable.
Perhaps I still want to do this, but these civil and military officials want to use etiquette to elevate me to a high position, like a god!
Can one person break through mental barriers? That's all I can do!
Yao Guangxiao listened to Liu Wei's words and seemed to be thinking about them, but he quickly came to terms with it.
For him, the ultimate goal would be to put Liu Wei on the throne. Then he would give up everything, go to a small, dilapidated temple, and become a monk, indulging in worldly pleasures.
Shen Lian seemed unconcerned about whether he understood Liu Wei's words or not. He understood his position and just needed to be a good sword in his lord's hands.
He would never let anyone or anything that was detrimental to his lord escape his notice.
Xun You and Yang Lian were both members of prominent families of their time, yet their hearts were filled with surging emotions.
When our lord ascends the throne, the Xun and Yang families will be able to rise to great heights!
Xun You even devised the temple name and reign title that Liu Wei would adopt after ascending the throne.
Yes, it must be Emperor Zhongzu of Han, and his reign title would be Kaiyuan!
A silence fell over the tent.
"What does it matter if there are no key witnesses? Many people say it, and if a hundred, a thousand, or ten thousand people are saying it, then it becomes the truth!"
Liu Wei turned around, his eyes fixed intently on the four people in the tent. "Commander Shen, from this moment on, all Jinyiwei and their subordinates in various regions shall spread the word that Empress Dowager He poisoned the Emperor, so that the whole world may know!"
"My lord, please rest assured, we are familiar with this matter. Within a month, everyone from doctors and scholars to peddlers and laborers will know about it!"
Shen Lian patted his chest and assured him.
"Excellent! With such publicity and momentum, the people of the world will surely stand on our side!"
"This is the perfect opportunity to purge the court of corrupt officials and quell the national crisis! Furthermore, with the late emperor's edict in hand, our lord is a righteous army!"
Xun You cupped his hands in congratulations and said, "According to the late emperor's edict, my lord's raising of troops to enter the capital is to act as regent and support the Prince of Chenliu to the throne. If there is also an imperial edict from the Empress Dowager, then our uprising will be even more righteous and impeccable!"
"The will of the people is with you, and the people of the world will surely stand on your side. You will be invincible in every battle and victory in every attack!"
Empress Dowager Dong?
Upon hearing this, Liu Wei frowned.
She hasn't been held accountable for the debts owed to her biological mother and adoptive parents yet!
"Commander Shen, where is Empress Dowager Dong now?"
"According to information we obtained from the Eldest Princess and palace spies, Empress Dowager Dong has been expelled from Yongle Palace and placed under house arrest in the Cold Palace of Beiyuan."
"The Prince of Chenliu is currently under the care of Dong Cheng, and Empress Dowager He has not made things difficult for him!"
Shen Lian replied.
"My younger brother is a smart man; he knows that the only thing to do now is to keep a low profile and hide his shortcomings!"
Liu Wei said calmly, "However, as long as we raise an army and raise the banner of 'purging the court of corrupt officials,' the Empress Dowager will naturally send us an imperial edict!"
"Alright, everything is ready, we just need the final push!"
Who is the genius behind Dongfeng?
Xun You and Yang Lian were completely baffled.
Liu Wei was too lazy to explain, and simply said, "The troops of the two commanders-in-chief are in position and assembled. Hold back for now!"
"Once the imperial decree to strip me of my title arrives in the Hetao region, we will immediately swear an oath and march south! At the same time, troops from Jizhou, Guanzhong, Hexi, and Youzhou will respond!"
"Mr. Xun, how about you and Mr. Cai write a proclamation for me before the imperial messenger arrives?"
Xun You was overjoyed that Liu Wei had given him the opportunity to be recorded in history.
"Your subordinate will certainly not fail in your mission!"
......
June 2nd, the fourth year of Zhongping.
Great fortune! Favorable for the south, suitable for long journeys and military expeditions!
The imperial envoy arrived in Hetao with the imperial edict, announcing the abolition of Liu Wei's titles, including prince, king of Yunzhong, general of chariots and cavalry, protector-general of the northern desert, protector-general of the western regions, and governor of Youzhou. He also reclaimed the fiefdom of Shuofang Wuyuan City and handed over military power in Hexi, Hetao, Henan, Youzhou, and the western regions.
It's unimaginable how stubborn the messenger was to make this one-way trip, nor can it be imagined what his feelings were after reading the imperial edict to Liu Wei!
It is estimated that He Jin gave him a generous settlement allowance and promised to take good care of his wife and children before daring to deliver the imperial decree.
"At the training grounds by the Wuliangsu Lake, an army of 100,000 has assembled and is in position!"
"Please go, my lord!"
Yao Guangxiao snatched the imperial edict and tore it to shreds.
As for the messenger, he would naturally use it for a ritual to help the deceased pass on and to offer sacrifices to the flag!
"Walk!"
Liu Wei was dressed in golden armor, with a white headdress, and his face was ashen.
Wang Fangyi brought Liu Wei a warhorse.
The group set off from the Wuyuan City camp in a grand procession toward the training ground.
Diao Chan, Zhen Mi, Cai Yan, Zou Ling, Liu Yifei, and a group of women, along with Xiao Guizi, Guo Luo, Yang Yi, Sisi, and Shishi, saw them off.
The five hundred households of the fiefdom, along with the people of Wuyuan City, lined the road leading from Wuyuan City to the martial arts arena to watch.
One hundred armed guards escorted Liu Wei toward the training ground.
The vast training ground was filled with fluttering military flags, towering armor, and a forest of swords and spears!
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