My father-in-law Guan Yu, I persuaded Liu Bei to launch a surprise attack on Xiangyang at the beginn

Return the property to its original owner.

The four simple words struck like a bolt of lightning.

Liu Xi was startled and suddenly looked up at his mother, his eyes filled with shock.

He clearly hadn't expected his mother to be so open-minded.

He not only advised him to pass the throne to Liu Bei, but also bluntly stated that the throne should have rightfully belonged to Liu Bei.

He was naturally unaware that Fu Shou had experienced too much before she had come to this realization.

In Luoyang, she witnessed Dong Zhuo enter the capital, depose and kill the young emperor, and seize power and disrupt the government.

In Chang'an, she witnessed firsthand how the two traitors, Guo and Li, treated officials like dirt and the emperor like a plaything.

When she left Chang'an and moved east, she experienced all the hardships, hunger, and destitution along the way.

In Xuchang, she witnessed Cao Cao's bloody and cruel massacre of Dong Cheng and other Han officials.

During his escape that day, he witnessed Emperor Liu Xie being murdered by Cao Pi.

She experienced all the ups and downs of life, the coldness and warmth of human relationships, the indifference of the world, and the separation of life and death.

By this time, Fu Shou had already become indifferent to everything.

She had long ago realized a truth:
The emperor's throne is either occupied by the virtuous or the one with military power.

How can one's own son, who has neither a reputation for benevolence nor military power, sit in this position?

In terms of virtue, Liu Bei was renowned for his benevolence and righteousness, and was admired throughout the land.

In terms of military strategy, Liu Bei dominated the nine provinces and commanded more than 400,000 soldiers.

In terms of lineage, they are also members of the Liu imperial family.

Legally speaking, there is also the late Emperor Liu Xie's edict.

Liu Bei's ascension to the throne as emperor was a well-deserved honor; what reason did his own son have to refuse to relinquish it?
Seeing her son's shocked expression, Fu Shou didn't explain further, but only sighed softly:

“Xi’er, our lives were saved by the King of Chu, and the honor and wealth we have enjoyed over the years are also a gift from the King of Chu.”

"The King of Chu has been kind to my mother and me. We should be grateful and know how to repay his kindness."

"If it were that traitor Cao Cao in today's situation, he would probably have already drawn his sword and rushed into the palace, forcing you to relinquish the throne at the cost of your life."

"But up to now, the King of Chu has not done anything disrespectful to us; he has been more than kind and righteous to us."

"Xi'er, let go. Return this thing that does not belong to you to the King of Chu."

"The Queen Mother believes that, given the King of Chu's benevolence, he will surely preserve all our current wealth and honor for us, except for the empty title of Emperor."

“Wouldn’t it be good for us, mother and son, to enjoy our remaining years in wealth and comfort, and watch as the King of Chu unifies the world, rebuilds the Han Dynasty, and creates a peaceful and prosperous era?”

Liu Xi was startled, and in an instant, as if enlightened, his eyes suddenly became clear.

Then, a slight smile appeared on his lips and a look of relief spread across his face.

"Your Majesty is right. This throne should never have belonged to me. It should indeed be returned to its rightful owner."

Having said that, Liu Xi did not hesitate any longer. He picked up the Imperial Seal and pressed it heavily onto the abdication edict.

Fu Shou breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a great weight lifted from her shoulders.

Just then, the Imperial Guards reported that Grand Tutor Kong Rong had arrived outside the palace and wished to pay his respects to the Emperor.

Fu Shou waved his hand slightly: "Grand Tutor Kong has arrived at the perfect time. Summon him into the palace."

A moment.

Kong Rong entered the main hall and, as a subject, knelt and bowed to Fu Shou and Liu Xi.

After the formalities between ruler and subject were completed, Kong Rong was pondering how to begin his remarks when Fu Shou gave Liu Xi a meaningful glance. Liu Xi understood and then ordered a eunuch to hand Kong Rong the newly issued edict of succession.

Kong Rong accepted it with a blank expression, but after just one glance, his expression changed drastically.

"Your Majesty, this—"

Kong Rong suddenly looked up at Liu Xi, his eyes filled with both surprise and confusion.

Liu Xi remained calm and smiled faintly.
"The King of Chu has the merit of restoring the Han Dynasty. He is the one destined by Heaven and the one whom all people yearn for. He is far more worthy of the throne of the Han Dynasty than I am."

"Now that the ministers have petitioned, I shall obey the will of Heaven and the hearts of the people and abdicate the throne to the King of Chu."

"Grand Tutor Kong, please take this imperial edict and the Imperial Seal to Ye City and ask the King of Chu to ascend the throne as Emperor and inherit the Han dynasty."

Kong Rong was startled again, his eyes changing from surprise to disbelief.

He was originally entrusted by Xiao He and Zhuge Liang to come to Xudu in person to persuade Liu Xi to abdicate.

After all, when they fled back then, it was Kong Rong who risked his life to protect them, so he was kind to them.

Given his position, his persuasion might be more effective.

Kong Rong never expected that all the words of persuasion he had prepared along the way would be completely useless!
Upon meeting, Liu Xi surprisingly issued an edict, offering to abdicate in favor of Liu Bei.

Seeing Kong Rong's shock and disorientation, Fu Shou smiled faintly:
"Grand Tutor Kong, please convey to the King of Chu that he has taken in and saved our lives, and has made great contributions to the restoration of the Han Dynasty. We are always grateful to him."

"Over the years, Xi'er has merely been sitting on the throne in his place. Now it's just a matter of returning it to its rightful owner."

"Please, Your Majesty, do not refuse. Only then can Xi'er be relieved of this heavy burden, and my son and I can live out our remaining years in peace."

Upon hearing Fu Shou's words, Kong Rong finally came to his senses and understood everything.

It's truly a blessing for the Han man, and for the mother and son themselves, that they could see things so clearly...

Kong Rong sighed inwardly.

He then respectfully put away the imperial edict, straightened his clothes, and bowed deeply to Liu Xi and Fu Shou:
"Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager are so wise and understanding, which is a blessing for our Han Dynasty and for all the people under heaven."

"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, the King of Chu has always been benevolent and righteous. I dare to guarantee with my life that after he inherits the throne, Your Majesty and Your Majesty will still enjoy the same honors."

Fu Shou needed Kong Rong to vouch for her, and upon hearing his promise, she naturally felt relieved.

Kong Rong had completed his mission and set off north that very day, rushing back to Ye City without stopping.

three days later.

Kong Rong read the imperial edict of abdication to Liu Bei in the palace.

The courtiers were naturally overjoyed and immediately rose up to urge Liu Bei to accept the imperial edict and succeed to the throne.

Auspicious omens appeared frequently across the land, prompting memorials from court officials, local governors, and scholars throughout the land urging the emperor to ascend the throne…

Now Kong Rong has delivered the emperor's abdication edict.

With the atmosphere built up to this extent and the steps laid so smoothly, Liu Bei's concerns naturally vanished.

Before receiving the imperial edict, Liu Bei sent a clear signal to his ministers that he was willing to ascend to the throne as emperor.

Xiao He and Zhuge Liang naturally understood that Liu Bei was going through the motions of three refusal and three invitations, making sure to put on a good show.

Therefore, Kong Rong had no choice but to return to Xuchang again and obtain Liu Xi's abdication edict once more.

After several rounds of back and forth, the process of three refusals and three requests was finally completed, and Liu Bei no longer declined and formally accepted the imperial edict of abdication.

Everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief, a huge weight lifted from their hearts.

All the officials were overjoyed.

Subsequently, at Liu Bei's insistence, Xiao He and other ministers mobilized manpower to build a high platform for sacrificial rites to Heaven in the southern suburbs of Ye City for the enthronement ceremony. (End of Chapter)