Chapter 678: Forced Abdication (3)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
In this strange atmosphere, Xiao Shoufu, who had been standing quietly for a long time, moved.
He gently stroked his wrinkleless sleeve and slowly walked forward. Under countless gazes behind him, he walked to Pei Wenrui’s side.
He also bowed and sighed faintly. “Your Majesty, Lord Pei is bold and loyal. Every word is for Your Majesty and for our Great Jin Dynasty! However, Your Majesty isn’t willing to listen to the loyal ministers’ advice. I’m really disappointed!”
When Xiao Shoufu spat out the word “disappointed”, the eyes of the other civil and military officials behind instantly widened, and their expressions changed.
Most people’s hearts sank even more. Even cold sweat began to seep out of their foreheads and backs.
The wind blew and dried their cold sweat. Everyone’s bodies were cold.
Compared to everyone’s tenseness, Xiao Shoufu, who was in front, looked relaxed.
He shook his head and placed his hands behind his back. His back was straight, as if he didn’t think much of the Emperor’s actions. He said loudly again, “It’s been more than a year since Your A/lajesty ascended the throne last year. We’ve assisted with all our might. We only hope for a stable court and the peace of the people.”
“However, Your Majesty is muddle-headed, violent, incompetent, and disrespectful to the previous Emperor. In the past year, natural disasters and man-made disasters have been continuous. The Danyang City was in flames, the Liaodong faced a snow disaster, the Huaibei had a massive flood, and the Western Region was in chaos… All of these are ominous signs. It can be seen that Your Majesty is immoral and angered the heavens.”
“The first reason for this sacrifice is to worship the ancestors, and the second is to worship the heavens. The Son of Heaven should have used this to apologize to the heavens and the ancestors, but Your Majesty, you have no intention of reflecting. The ancestors’ punishment will implicate the Eldest Princess Feng Yang as a warning!”
Xiao Shoufu’s voice was high and clear, ringing clearly near Long’en Gate. Even the officials standing outside Long’en Gate heard what he said intermittently.
The cold sweat on the foreheads of many officials became even denser, and their hearts felt heavy.
This was what it meant to not hesitate to frame someone!
The so-called disasters Xiao Shoufu mentioned were all the truth. However, there were scattered natural and man-made disasters like floods, droughts, and snow disasters every year. As long as the imperial court sent disaster relief appropriately and settled the affected citizens, and as long as this didn’t cause the local citizens to be displaced and the people to suffer, it was controllable.
However, Xiao Shoufu blamed these on the Emperor. His sinister thoughts were obvious.
Many officials felt their mouths go dry and subconsciously swallowed their saliva. Their complicated gazes moved from Xiao Shoufu to the Emperor in the hall.
The candles in the hall had just been extinguished by the mountain wind, and the light inside was much dimmer. White smoke curled up from the few incense sticks inserted in the incense burner.
The Emperor’s facial features and expression were slightly blurry as he stood there quietly.
The hall was dark, and the outside was bright.
Just through the threshold, it seemed like two worlds separated by Yin and Yang.
The officials froze on the spot. Shock was written on their faces. Their bodies tensed up, and their feet froze on the spot as if they had been poured cement.
Even those princesses and princess consorts who didn’t understand politics clearly realized something…
Xiao Shoufu, Pei Wenrui, and the others were clearly forcing the Emperor to abdicate!
This thought flashed across everyone’s hearts like lightning.
Many women trembled slightly and swayed, but they tried their best to hold on.
At this moment, no one dared to move rashly, afraid that they would attract some unnecessary attention and become an example to others.
The Emperor’s gaze locked onto Xiao Shoufu’s gaze tightly. He called him by his name and questioned him.
“Xiao Shoufu, are you forcing me to abdicate?”
The Emperor’s voice was low and sharp, stabbing into the hearts of many people like a sharp arrow, as if an invisible layer of window paper had suddenly been pierced.
The surroundings became even quieter.
At this moment, time seemed to have frozen.
Grand Secretary Xiao Shoufu chuckled and shook his head again. Then, he restrained his smile and said seriously, “Your Majesty is wrong!”
“This isn’t forced abdication, it’s justice!”
“Meng Zi said that the one who gains the Dao will receive more help, and the one who loses the Dao will receive less help. When there’s little help, the relatives will turn against them. When there’s more help, all will follow.”
“In order to protect our empire for thousands of years, please abdicate and give up your position, Your Majesty!”
After he finished speaking, the Minister of Revenue, Wang Kangyin, also stood out resolutely and echoed loudly, “With virtue rising, the world will go smoothly. The ancestors of the Chu family can rest in peace in heaven.”
“Your Majesty, please abdicate!”
More and more officials stood out of the queue outside the hall and shouted in unison, “Your Majesty, please abdicate and give up your position.”
These voices gradually gathered together and resounded in unison, as if everyone was united. Even the air trembled..