Chương 478: The Late Emperor's Last Edict

A few days later, in the council hall of the Prince of Yan's residence.

Liu Ce sat in the main seat, holding a cup of freshly brewed Longjing tea. He slowly blew on the steam and said to Fang Xuanling beside him:

"Xuanling, go and summon all the old officials who are still serving in the court, including Huang Wan, Zhao Qian, Ma Ridi, Yang Biao, Wang Yun, Zhang Wen, and Han Rong. Tell them I have important matters to discuss with them."

Fang Xuanling was taken aback for a moment, then immediately understood, and smiled as he cupped his hands in greeting:

"Your subject obeys."

He turned around and went out to make the arrangements.

Liu Ce put down his teacup, a slight smile playing on his lips.

These old officials, ever since they resigned last time, have been staying at home every day drinking tea and walking their birds...

This time, we've called them over; it's time to let them see the "Last Emperor's Edict." We're not discussing it with them, but informing them.

Before long, Huang Wan, Zhao Qian, Ma Ridi, Yang Biao, Wang Yun, Zhang Wen, Han Rong, and others arrived at the council hall of the Prince of Yan's residence, trembling with fear.

These old men stood ramrod straight, but their eyes were full of trepidation, as if they were about to meet the King of Hell.

"Please, everyone," Fang Xuanling said with a smile, standing at the door and gesturing for them to enter.

They then went inside and stood in the council chamber, looking at each other, neither daring to speak first.

Wang Yun asked Yang Biao in a low voice, "Wenxian, why did His Highness the Prince of Yan summon us here? Is he going to scold us again?"

Yang Biao wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his voice trembling: "No... no way? We haven't caused any trouble since we resigned. We've been drinking tea at home every day, haven't even left the house, so we can't get a chance to scold us."

Ma Ridi sighed from behind, "Let them scold us, it's not the first time anyway. As long as they don't exile us to the south, it's fine."

As the group was whispering among themselves, footsteps sounded at the entrance of the council chamber.

Liu Ce walked in from outside, dressed casually in everyday clothes, but his imposing aura made the old men afraid to even breathe.

"Your subjects pay their respects to Your Highness Prince Yan!" The crowd bowed in unison, their voices as synchronized as if they had rehearsed.

"No need for formalities, please sit down," Liu Ce waved his hand, walked to the head seat, and sat down, smiling as he spoke.

"I called you all here today for nothing important. There's something I'd like to show you."

The crowd exchanged bewildered glances, wondering what Liu Ce was up to.

Liu Ce nodded to Fang Xuanling.

Fang Xuanling took out a scroll wrapped in layers of bright yellow silk from his sleeve, held it with both hands, and walked to the crowd.

"Gentlemen, this is the late emperor's last edict." Fang Xuanling's voice was not loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly.

"What? The late emperor's edict?"

The crowd immediately stirred, their eyes widening in surprise.

Wang Yun even stood up abruptly from his chair, his hands trembling.

Fang Xuanling handed the imperial edict to Wang Yun.

Wang Yun quickly caught it with both hands and carefully untied the silk.

Inside was a yellowed imperial edict, beginning with the bright red Imperial Seal of the State and ending with the handwritten signature and seal of the late Emperor Liu Hong. The ink was clear and there was no trace of forgery.

Wang Yun's hands began to tremble.

He took a deep breath, unfolded the imperial edict, and began to read it word by word.

The imperial edict was short, but every word carried immense weight. Wang Yun gasped, his expression shifting from confusion to shock, then to fear, and finally to a complex mix of emotions he couldn't quite define.

"This... this is..." Wang Yun's lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a complete sentence for a long time.

"Read it aloud," Liu Ce said calmly.

Wang Yun swallowed hard, suppressing the turmoil in his heart, and read aloud:

"... Having reigned for over twenty years, I am keenly aware of the long-standing problems plaguing the Han Dynasty... I hereby issue this edict: If Liu Bian and Liu Xie are deemed unfit to rule, a virtuous and capable member of the imperial clan may be chosen to succeed them. Liu Ce, the Prince of Yan, my younger brother... is fit to inherit the throne and restore the might of the Han Dynasty..."

The entire council chamber fell silent instantly; you could hear a pin drop.

Huang Wan's eyes widened, and his mustache stood on end.

Yang Biao's mouth was agape, and he couldn't close it for a long time.

Zhang Wen's face turned deathly pale, and his lips trembled.

Han Rong lowered his head, seemingly lost in thought.

silence......

A deathly silence...

They never expected that the late emperor had already left a will, and it was written so clearly, directly passing the throne to Liu Ce!

A good dozen breaths passed before Wang Yun was the first to react.

He took a deep breath, respectfully placed the imperial edict back on the table, straightened his court robes, and knelt deeply before Liu Ce, his forehead touching the ground. His voice was so loud that it shook the dust off the roof.

"The late Emperor was wise! His Highness Prince Yan's achievements are unparalleled in his time, and his succession to the throne is truly well-deserved! Your subject, Wang Yun, respectfully requests that His Highness Prince Yan ascend the throne! Your subject, Wang Yun, pays respects to Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

Then...

Huang Wan, Yang Biao, Ma Ridi, Zhang Wen, Han Rong... all the veteran officials knelt down in unison, their voices rising and falling, each louder than the last:

"Your Majesty, we respectfully request that you, Prince Yan, ascend the throne and become Emperor!"

"Your Majesty, we pay our respects! Long live the Emperor!"

Looking at the group of old men kneeling below, Liu Ce couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

These old guys change their tune faster than turning the pages of a book.

Just a moment ago they were addressing him respectfully as "Your Highness Prince Yan," but now they're shouting "Long live Your Majesty!" at the top of their lungs.

He waved his hand and said calmly, "Get up, all of you."

He then glanced at the elderly ministers kneeling on the ground and smiled:

"I obtained the late emperor's edict when I was in Hejian. It has not been made public all these years because the time was not right. Now that the country is unified and the people are living in peace and prosperity, it is time to make it public."

Wang Yun wiped away his tears and choked out, "Your Majesty, if the late Emperor were alive, he would be pleased to see how well you have governed the Han Dynasty."

Liu Ce nodded and said, "You have all seen the late emperor's edict. I'm not here to discuss anything with you, just to inform you. On the first day of the first lunar month, I will ascend the throne. You know what to do then."

"We understand! We obey your decree!" the people replied in unison, their voices full of respect, not daring to even raise their heads.

Liu Ce stood up, brushed off non-existent dust from his robe, and said with a smile, "Alright, everyone disperse. Go back and prepare well; don't embarrass me at the coronation ceremony."

"We take our leave!"

Everyone felt as if they had been granted a pardon, and bowed as they left the council hall, their steps much lighter than when they arrived.

Stepping out of the Prince of Yan's residence, Wang Yun wiped the cold sweat from his brow, let out a long sigh of relief, and said to Yang Biao beside him:

"Brother Wenxian, do you think this late emperor's edict is real or fake?"