Simultaneous Transmigration: The Re-merging of 99 Selves

Chapter 79 The New Emperor Ascends the Throne

"The Emperor ascends the throne—!"

The eunuch's high-pitched announcement broke the deathly silence in the Chuigong Hall.

With Wang Huai'an's support, Zhao Kuo slowly walked out from the back hall.

The bluestone slabs inside and outside the main hall had long been washed clean, and not a trace of blood could be found.

The clash of swords at dawn seemed like nothing more than a fleeting nightmare.

But all the officials standing in the hall knew in their hearts that it was not a dream.

From this day forward, the fate of the Great Song Dynasty has changed.

The officials appeared to be paying their respects as usual, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" but their voices were actually quite uneven.

Zhao Kuo's gaze swept blankly across the dark mass of people below the prince, finally settling on Zhao Yu.

Taking a deep breath, he suppressed the surging resentment in his heart and said in a hoarse voice, "I have been on the throne for fifteen years, but I am incompetent and lack virtue, which has led to today's disaster. Han Tuozhou misled the country and recklessly opened up the borders. The army was defeated in the Jianghuai region, and the people perished on the plains. The border affairs are in disarray, the people are suffering, and the ancestral temples are disgraced. All of this is my fault."

The hall was deathly silent; no one answered.

Zhao Kuo paused for a moment, and seeing that no one responded, he had no choice but to continue.

His voice began to tremble uncontrollably: "Since the defeat in the Northern Expedition, I have been filled with worry and shame day and night, unable to eat or sleep, and have fallen ill from worry. I am exhausted and can no longer manage state affairs. My younger brother, Prince Yongjia Yu, is wise, virtuous, filial, brave, and intelligent, and is loved by the people. I hereby submit to the mandate of the ancestral temple and obey the wishes of the millions of people. Today, I pass on the imperial throne to my third brother."

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!" Qian Xiangzu stepped forward, leading dozens of officials behind him in a feigned attempt to persuade him. "Your Majesty is in the prime of your life, a time for diligent governance. How can you so easily abdicate? We beg Your Majesty to reconsider your decision and reassure the people."

"My mind is made up, you need not try to persuade me any further." Zhao Kuo waved his hand, a bitter smile on his face.

Looking at this scene now, Zhao Kuo only felt it was an eyesore.

It was the same when I ascended the throne, and now it's happening again. How ironic.

"Announcement of the abdication edict—!"

Hanlin Academician Zhen Dexiu, holding the imperial edict, slowly walked out from the side of the hall.

"In the past, the powerful and treacherous Han Tuozhou harbored evil intentions, usurped power, deceived my youthful indiscretion, and recklessly opened up border conflicts..."

Zhao Kuo suddenly closed his eyes, his body swaying slightly.

"The annual tribute was increased to 600,000 taels, and the heads of the deceased were sent to the neighboring countries as an apology. The title of uncle and nephew was an insult to the ancestral temple; the tribute of blood and sweat was exhausted by the people. This was all due to my ignorance. Even now, thinking about it, I feel a deep pain in my heart and have nowhere to hide my shame."

Jin Dexiu's voice echoed in the main hall, devoid of any emotion.

The officials lowered their heads, none daring to look up at Zhao Kuo's face.

A few veteran officials secretly wiped away their tears, but dared not utter a sound.

"The empire belongs to Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong, not to me alone. If the nation is entrusted with a secure future and the people have a reliable support, why should I begrudge myself and allow the empire to face danger and peril again?"

"The Emperor's younger brother, Yu, was born with courage and wisdom, and was naturally virtuous and filial. He studied poetry and books from a young age and was well-versed in the principles of governance and chaos. During his later years as a prince, he extended his benevolence to both the military and the people. He humbled himself before scholars, and heroes flocked to his side. He trained the army and made soldiers fight to the death. The hopes of the world have long been placed on him; the hearts of the court and the people are all devoted to him."

"I shall retire to the Shou Kang Palace to enjoy my remaining years, and shall be known as the Retired Emperor. Empress Yang shall be the Retired Empress. All military and state affairs shall be decided by the successor. All civil and military officials shall do their utmost to assist the new ruler, improve governance, restore order, wipe away the shame of our ancestors, and save the people from suffering."

"Proclamation shall be made to the whole world, so that all may know."

After the imperial edict was read aloud, Zhen Dexiu closed it, turned around, walked to Zhao Yu, and presented it with both hands.

Zhao Yu stepped forward to receive the imperial edict, and Qian Xiangzu, who was standing to the side, quickly whispered a reminder.

"Your Majesty, do not forget the etiquette of refusing a toast."

According to the custom of the Song Dynasty, when a new emperor ascended the throne, he would always refuse seven or eight times, making a show of utter helplessness, before finally taking the throne to show humility.

This was the case when Emperor Xiaozong and Emperor Guangzong of Song ascended the throne.

"No need."

Zhao Yu uttered two words indifferently, raised his hand to take the scroll of imperial edict, and casually handed it to the eunuch behind him.

Then, without the slightest hesitation, he bypassed Jin Dexiu and walked straight towards the royal staircase.

One step, two steps, three steps...

Wang Huai'an had already helped Zhao Kuo to his feet and retreated to the side of the imperial steps.

Zhao Kuo watched Zhao Yu walk step by step toward the imperial bed, his eyes filled with an extremely complex expression.

Zhao Yu didn't even glance at him. He walked to the imperial couch and sat down without any ceremony.

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

This time, the officials' voices were finally much more unified.

Now that things have come to this, there is no point in resisting anymore.

Rather than making pointless sacrifices, it's better to accept reality and preserve one's official position and life.

After all, it didn't make much difference to these officials who became emperor, since they were the ones who needed to govern the country anyway.

"Rise, my lords." Zhao Yu raised his hand to signal. "The matter of the Emperor Emeritus's abdication shall be announced to the world immediately. What happened in the palace today shall remain within the palace gates. I do not wish to hear any rumors or gossip outside, nor do I wish to see anyone take this opportunity to cause trouble and disturb the peace of the people. Do you all understand?"

"Your Majesty, we obey!"

Zhao Yu glanced at Xia Zhen in the crowd: "Xia Zhen, listen to my decree."

"Your subject is here!"

"I order you to immediately lead the Imperial Guards of the Palace Guard to confiscate Shi Miyuan's property. All confiscated assets shall be deposited into the national treasury to fund the army."

"I obey your decree."

Upon hearing this, all the officials were startled and lowered their heads, not daring to meet Zhao Yu's gaze.

They all knew that this was the new emperor establishing his authority.

"That's enough for today, court adjourned." Zhao Yu waved his hand. "All ministers, please follow me to the warm pavilion for the meeting. All other officials, return to your posts and perform your duties without negligence."

"Your Majesty, we respectfully see you off."

The officials bowed and watched Zhao Yu leave.

Only after Zhao Yu's figure disappeared from the hall did everyone dare to raise their heads, looking at each other with a mixture of relief and unease at having survived a disaster.

Inside the warm pavilion.

Lei Xiaoyou lay diagonally on the soft couch, his face still as pale as paper, his lips devoid of any color.

He had just been revived by the eunuch and had a bowl of ginseng soup before he could barely recover.

He stared blankly out the window, his eyes empty, as if he had lost his soul.

Just then, Zhao Yu led several people into the room.

Qian Xiangzu stepped forward: "Minister Lei, why don't you rise and pay your respects to the new emperor? His Majesty is magnanimous and will not hold your argument in court today. How can you be so rude?"

Lei Xiaoyou slowly turned his head, looked at Zhao Yu who strode in, his lips moved, but he didn't know what to say.

The external affairs have already been settled, what else can a scholar like him do?

Looking at Lei Xiaoyou's pale face, Zhao Yu said, "Lord Lei, I know you are not feeling well. If you feel disheartened and wish to retire to your hometown to enjoy your old age, I will not stop you."

"only……"

Zhao Yu abruptly changed the subject: "The Jin army will soon march south, and wherever their iron cavalry goes, lives will be lost and people will be displaced. At this critical moment for the nation, as a subject of the Song Dynasty, can you, Lord Lei, truly bear to leave and abandon the fate of the nation?"