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

Faced with Jia Xu's earnest request, Cao Pi was filled with mixed emotions, but ultimately dared not easily agree.

It wasn't that he had no desire for the supreme throne.

Back then, when the State of Wei still dominated the lands of the two rivers and stood proudly above the world with its invincible presence, Cao Pi had already quietly planted the seed of his dream to become the emperor of Wei.

Back then, whenever the night was quiet, he would fantasize about himself wearing a dragon robe, sitting on the throne in the Golden Palace, receiving the worship of all people.

That is why he spared no effort to engage in the struggle for the throne.

He outwitted and outmaneuvered the brilliant Cao Zhi.

He secretly competed with the exceptionally intelligent Cao Chong.

After overcoming countless hardships and obstacles, he finally emerged victorious in this silent battle for the throne and won the hard-won position of Crown Prince.

During those countless sleepless nights, Cao Pi must have fantasized about how he would inherit the throne and rule the world when Cao Cao passed away.

However, while Cao Cao was still alive, all of this could only be a fantasy in his mind.

If Cao Cao had indeed passed away, the throne would have seemed to be within his grasp.

The problem is that Cao Cao was not actually dead at this time; he was merely in a coma, and his fate was unknown.

He couldn't imagine the fury Cao Cao would unleash if he suddenly awoke one day and discovered that he had "usurped the throne."

At that time, how would I bear Cao Cao's raging anger and severe punishment?

Thinking about all this, Cao Pi felt extremely panicked.

Jia Xu was incredibly astute; he saw through Cao Pi's worries and concerns at a glance.

So he slowly stepped forward and said in a deep voice, trying to comfort her:

"Your Highness, please rest assured. The reason Your Highness made this decision is entirely for the safety and well-being of our Great Wei. It was only out of expediency that you had to inherit the throne."

"I firmly believe that even if His Majesty were to awaken one day, he would be able to deeply understand Your Highness's helplessness and would never blame Your Highness for it."

"Besides, by then, the throne will be set and the situation will be irreversible. We have all pledged our loyalty to Your Highness and vowed to follow you to the death. Even if His Majesty has some complaints about you, why should Your Highness care too much?"

"After all, this world already belongs to Your Highness, and these subjects are now Your Highness's subjects."

Upon hearing this, Cao Pi's eyes flickered slightly, as if he had been touched.

He understood Jia Xu's implication perfectly.

In other words, once you inherit the throne and hold great power, everyone in Cao Wei will be your people. Even if your father wakes up, what can he do?
Do you think we, the ministers who supported you, would force you to abdicate and reinstate Cao Cao to the throne?

Wouldn't that be courting death?

Just then, Xu Huang also stepped forward, his expression solemn, and he echoed in a firm tone:

"Your Highness, Grand Commandant Jia is absolutely right; every word he says makes perfect sense!"

"If Your Highness can inherit the throne and lead us, your subjects, to defend this corner of Liangzhou and the last vestige of the Great Wei dynasty, then you will be supported by all the people and be the hope of all."

Even if His Majesty awakens, he can only be the Retired Emperor!

Upon hearing Xu Huang's words, the panic on Cao Pi's face gradually subsided.

Now that Zhang He has betrayed his country and defected to the enemy, Xu Huang has become the only remaining famous general in Wei who can stand alone and shoulder great responsibilities.

It can be said that Xu Huang's opinion largely represented the attitude of the army.

Xu Huang's clear statement was undoubtedly telling Cao Pi: Even if Cao Cao wakes up, we will only support you, Cao Pi, as emperor, and there will be no more back and forth.

These words were undoubtedly a reassurance to Cao Pi at that moment, finally calming his anxious heart.

With Jia Xu and Xu Huang, two important ministers who were both civil and military officials, taking the lead in expressing their opinions, the other ministers also knelt down and unanimously requested Cao Pi to succeed to the throne as emperor.

Cao Pi fell silent, his gaze slowly sweeping across the faces of his ministers, a glimmer of excitement gradually igniting in his eyes.

The Emperor's Throne, the supreme ruler!
This was something he had been dreaming of and longing for day and night!
Now, at this critical juncture when the State of Wei is teetering on the brink of collapse, the throne has finally become vacant and is beckoning to him.

Moreover, the strategists and generals have clearly stated that they will fully support him as the new emperor.

Furthermore, Xu Huang was right.

Cao Cao is currently in a coma. Even if he wakes up, he will be a cripple and unable to lead troops into battle as he once did.

Without the emperor personally leading the expedition, who will command the remaining Wei army?
Who will defend this corner of Liangzhou?
This important task naturally fell to Cao Pi.

His ascension to the throne was for the sake of the safety and long-term development of the Great Wei Dynasty, not merely to satisfy his own selfish desire to be emperor.

Since that's the case, and the steps have already been taken, what reason does he have to refuse?
Thinking of this, Cao Pi took a deep breath, slowly stood up, and gradually exuded the aura of an emperor, making people dare not look directly at him.

After glancing around at the assembled officials, he asked in a deep voice:
"Have you all thought this through? Do you truly wish to enthrone me as emperor?"

"This is no child's play; once a decision is made, there is no going back!"

Jia Xu and Xu Huang exchanged a glance, secretly pleased. They knew that Cao Pi had finally relented.

Therefore, the two readily stated:

"We, your humble servants, are willing to support Your Highness as Emperor, and we are willing to go through fire and water for Your Highness without hesitation!"

The other ministers, upon hearing their words, all echoed them in unison.

Cao Pi already felt confident and assured.

He once again surveyed the assembled officials, and then proclaimed in a loud voice:
“I am not someone who covets the throne. It is only because our Great Wei has reached such a critical moment of survival that my father is unable to attend to affairs. As the Crown Prince, I have no choice but to shoulder the heavy responsibility of protecting Great Wei and saving the people!”

"If that is so, I will grant your request, inherit the throne, and honor my father as the Retired Emperor!"

"May you all join me in our efforts to overcome these difficult times and protect our Great Wei!"

All the ministers were overjoyed.

Jia Xu was the first to kneel down, bowing his head and calling out:

"Your subject Jia Xu pays respects to His Majesty the Emperor of Great Wei!"

Xu Huang also knelt down and kowtowed, saying:

"Your subject Xu Huang pays respects to His Majesty the Emperor of Great Wei!"

The other officials also knelt down with a bang, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" and paying their respects to the new emperor.

Cao Pi stood with his hands behind his back, quietly listening to the shouts and homage of his ministers who were bowing to the ground, a smug smile quietly appearing on his lips.

Just then, he inadvertently glanced back at Cao Cao, who was lying unconscious on the bed.

A barely perceptible hint of resentment flashed in his eyes.

"Father, you old fool! If you had passed the throne to me earlier, how could my Great Wei have fallen to such a state today..." (End of Chapter)