4th Year of Zhengyong, February 2nd, Dragon Raises Its Head.
At the beginning of the new year, Prime Minister Yang Xugan submitted a memorial to Your Majesty, suggesting holding a grand ceremony to worship the heavens!
"Since His Majesty's ascension, governance has been clear, the seas and rivers are calm, the weather is favorable, and the people live in peace and contentment. The invasion of Wu Country was repelled by Your Majesty, who also expanded the territory."
In the Imperial Court, Yang Xugan said in a deep voice: "His Majesty's virtue surpasses the Three Sovereigns, and his achievements exceed the Five Emperors. It is fitting to worship heaven and earth to affirm the orthodoxy of our Great Yu World!"
"We all support!"
In the Imperial Court, at least seventy percent of the officials knelt, echoing Prime Minister Yang's proposal.
On the Dragon Throne, Emperor Zhengyong felt a pain in his liver from anger, instinctively looking at the few who were still standing.
But these individuals remained silent, only standing.
"This matter... will be discussed further!"
After the court session, inside the Prime Minister's Mansion, Yang Xugan and several advisors were in discussion.
"Prime Minister Yang, why insist on having His Majesty hold a ceremony to worship the heavens? Though diligent, His Majesty has not reached the stage of warranting such a ceremony..."
"What do you know?"
Yang Kang said: "This move allows us to secretly mobilize troops and military equipment for future use, while undermining his authority and losing the people's support."
He 'swish' opened a folding fan and said: "Throughout history, those emperors who have the qualification to worship the heavens are none other than founding emperors or those who have once more created the world."
"His Majesty... is still a little short."
"Prime Minister Yang's wisdom!"
"As expected of Prime Minister Yang!"
"Currently, Consort Shuu is four months pregnant, and within no more than half a year, she will give birth to a Dragon Child."
"Once Consort Shuu gives birth to a Dragon Child, he will be the Crown Prince of our Great Yu!"
"But isn't there the Empress..."
"The Empress? Ha ha ha, how can the Empress compare to the grandson of Prime Minister Yang?"
The people below chimed in, and Prime Minister Yang also felt extremely pleased.
"This strategy has another benefit. Once His Majesty nods his head in agreement, then..."
"Prime Minister! Prime Minister!"
Suddenly, a subordinate rushed in quickly, disregarding the strange looks from several advisors in the hall, and hastily approached Prime Minister Yang.
Prime Minister Yang frowned slightly, but knowing the subordinate to interrupt in such circumstances indicates something important.
With thoughts pressed down, he curiously asked: "What matter is at hand?"
"Prime Minister... Consort Duann is pregnant."
"What?!"
Yang Xugan abruptly stood up, gritting his teeth: "Is this true?"
The subordinate replied: "Prime Minister, at the end of the year due to the Wu Country assassin incident, His Majesty cleaned the Harem, killing many of our spies, but a few remain deeply hidden."
"Early this morning, they went to great lengths to get this news out... it's absolutely true, no fabrication!"
"Father, what happened?"
Yang Kang asked curiously, as Yang Xugan was a bit farther away from them, so he hadn't heard clearly.
Yang Xugan signaled his subordinate to leave and said: "Consort Duann is pregnant."
"Hmm?"
"What?"
"Consort Duann is pregnant?"
"Xu Mujun has an heir?"
The people discussed fervently, and immediately someone said: "Prime Minister, whether male or female, Consort Duann being pregnant is bad news for us!"
"Indeed."
Another advisor said: "In the current situation, Xu Mujun is trapped in Datong Prefecture, unable to return to the Capital, watching us fight."
"But if Consort Duann is pregnant, Xu Mujun is very likely to return to the Capital."
"Xu Mujun is a soldier; would he dare abandon tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Datong Prefecture?"
"Brother Chen is wrong; if Xu Mujun wants to return, no one can stop him..."
"Now it's like an arrow on the bowstring, we must act, Prime Minister..."
"Enough, stop arguing!"
Yang Xugan spoke: "The urgent matter is to rally the officials to petition His Majesty to worship the heavens!"
"Chen Yongzhi."
"Prime Minister, I'm here."
"You're in charge of the Guang'er Forbidden Army, get them back to the Capital as fast as possible."
"Yes!"
"Wang Guang."
"Prime Minister, I'm here!"
"Contact each Martial Arts Hall in the Capital, have them muster people and resources at my command."
"Yes! Prime Minister!"
"Kang'er."
"Father."
"Tell the Celestial Destiny Sect that if they wish to establish themselves in Great Yu, they must produce one... no, two Grandmaster-level experts! Otherwise, don't come looking for me."
"Yes! Father!"
"Zhai Fang!"
"Prime Minister Yang."
A man noticeably unlike a native of the Central Plains, short in stature and dark-skinned, stood up.
"Are you sure your Gu Insects are effective?"
"Heh heh heh..."
Zhai Fang sneered: "My Gu Insects are certainly effective. Once placed in the food His Majesty consumes, they will slowly drain his strength. Within three months, he will die suddenly, with no one able to determine the cause!"
"According to my decision, let's give him the most intense Gu Insect, ensuring he dies almost instantly!"
"No!"
Prime Minister Yang frowned and said: "In the short term, Emperor Zhengyong cannot die. I still need him to abdicate, hahaha..."
Under Yang Xugan's arrangements, the advisors present bid their farewells and left.
Meanwhile, inside the Imperial Palace, Emperor Zhengyong was extremely excited.
"Imperial Physician Liang, is what you said true, Consort Duann is pregnant?"
The old Imperial Physician knelt and said: "Your Majesty, without a doubt!"
"Consort Duann is already one month pregnant, I stake my life on it!"
"Good, good... cough, cough, cough..."
Emperor Zhengyong suddenly began to cough, instinctively clutching his chest, almost unable to breathe.
Imperial Physician Liang hastily came forward to support Emperor Zhengyong: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty?"
"I am fine!"
"Oh..."
Imperial Physician Liang happened to press Emperor Zhengyong's wrist and curiously said: "Your Majesty, your pulse is quite strange. This..."
"What is it?"
Emperor Zhengyong frowned, letting Imperial Physician Liang continue feeling his pulse.
After a few breaths, Imperial Physician Liang knelt and said: "Your Majesty, have you felt fatigued lately, with excessive sleepiness, dizziness, blurred vision, and palpitations?"
"How do you know?"
"Your Majesty, you have indeed been overworked recently, you should rest more."
"I understand, prescribe me a tonic, then you may leave."
"This... yes, Your Majesty!"
Imperial Physician Liang withdrew, and Emperor Zhengyong exhaled deeply.
"Consort Duann being pregnant, this is excellent news!"
"Yang Xugan... let me see what tricks you have left, hahaha...!"
4th Year of Zhengyong, February 3rd.
Thirteen officials from the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Revenue submitted a petition stating that His Majesty's virtue surpasses the Three Sovereigns and his achievements exceed the Five Emperors, thus he should worship the heavens.
Emperor Zhengyong did not agree.
4th Year of Zhengyong, February 8th.
Thirty-two officials from the Ministry of Justice submitted a petition for His Majesty to worship the heavens.
Emperor Zhengyong did not agree.
4th Year of Zhengyong, February 15th.
Seventy-six professors from the Imperial College jointly submitted a petition for His Majesty to worship the heavens.
Emperor Zhengyong did not agree.
At the same time, more than two hundred students from the Imperial College gathered to oppose Emperor Zhengyong's worship of the heavens, and were dispersed by the Imperial Guard.
4th Year of Zhengyong, February 28th.
All officials submitted a petition for His Majesty to worship the heavens.
An old scholar rammed himself against a pillar and died, that night a heavy snowstorm descended, covering the land in silver white.
4th Year of Zhengyong, March 2nd.
Emperor Zhengyong issued a decree to worship the heavens!
That night, some Imperial Guard secretly opened the city gates, and innumerable soldiers rushed in.
Martial artists also emerged from the shadows, taking the lead in slaughtering the Imperial Army guards.
Prime Minister Yang shouted: "The Emperor is blinded by traitors!"
"I have been entrusted by the late emperor to assist His Majesty."
"But now Wang Zhongyi and other members of the Eunuch Faction deceive the Emperor, discussing worshiping the heavens, which is an extreme disrespect."
"Clear the court of traitors, eliminate the Eunuch Faction!"
"Clear the court of traitors, eliminate the Eunuch Faction!"
"Clear the court of traitors, eliminate the Eunuch Faction!"
Amid continuous shouts, countless Imperial Guard soldiers surged in from the Meridian Gate, storming towards Jiaotai Hall!