Second-hand time travel: Liu Bei, the big-eared bandit

Chapter 254 Who is wreaking havoc on the world?
At noon, at Deyang Palace.

Deyang Hall is the front hall of the North Palace, and it is the venue for grand court assemblies and important ceremonial events. It is located between the North and South Palaces, on the central axis of Luoyang.

This is the highest-standard and largest main hall of the Han Dynasty, capable of accommodating tens of thousands of people. Its base (steps) is three zhang high, and the altar is made of patterned stone.

The Luo River was diverted to surround the entire hall, and the square outside the hall was planted with countless exotic trees and rare herbs, creating an elegant environment that was completely different from the bare brick and stone squares of later generations.

This day was July 19th, a very ordinary day, not a day for court assemblies.

Although overtime work is not common in the Han Dynasty, it is a popular thing to watch the boss's will. After receiving the notice from the Yellow Gate Office, most of the officials in the capital came to the outside of Deyang Palace.

Some observant officials, upon arriving, noticed that the palace guards had been replaced by a group of soldiers in black armor, and quietly withdrew and left.

But most of the officials waited in the square in front of the palace, discussing the matter noisily.

Logically, when the emperor passed away, Luoyang should have sounded the funeral bells, but the bell towers at both the north and south palace gates remained silent.

Because the funeral has not been held yet.

Liu Bei instructed the Yellow Gate Office to first issue the imperial edict to all officials. Only after the edict was finalized and his status as a "regent entrusted with the care of the young emperor" and "a trusted minister" was confirmed would the formal funeral be held.

After all, the priority is to get as many people on your side as possible. You can't start with a violent confrontation right away, otherwise you might not have many people on your side.

In other words, in the eyes of the officials, Liu Hong was still in a state of serious illness and death, and was not dead in name... or rather, not completely dead.

This is also a psychological consideration.

For officials, if they knew the emperor had already died, it would be difficult to accept a posthumously produced edict. However, if the emperor was still alive, the matter would be much easier.

An imperial edict issued while the emperor is still alive is certainly more effective than one issued after his death.

This is actually the difference between whether a will has been notarized and notarized.

Only by having the imperial court, the notary office, recognize the validity of the will can we prevent other relatives from jumping out to fight for the inheritance.

Normally, by noon, the morning assembly would be almost time to end the workday.

But today's situation is special; the morning assembly has not yet started.

Because Empress Dowager Dong didn't wake up until noon.

The person who carried the imperial edict to announce it to all the officials had to be Empress Dowager Dong.

Only Liu Hong's mother carrying the imperial edict had the highest legitimacy to enter the palace; eunuchs like Zhao Zhong or Jian Shuo carrying the edict had no persuasive power.

However, Empress Dowager Dong was somewhat displeased after reading the new edict that Liu Bei had prepared.

Empress Dowager Dong naturally wanted Liu Xie to ascend the throne. In this matter, she and Liu Bei shared the same interests. The conflict between her and Empress He was irreconcilable. If Liu Bian succeeded to the throne, Empress Dowager Dong would surely die a terrible death.

However, she felt uncomfortable or insecure about letting Liu Bei wield significant power.

Empress Dowager Dong held the imperial edict in the side hall, but did not move an inch.

"What is the Empress Dowager still hesitating about? Does she not want Marquis Dong to succeed to the throne?"

Liu Bei could obviously see what the Empress Dowager was struggling with, and urged her on.

"General Liu, are you planning to don your armor and enter the court? The officials fear you will be seen as a thief who has kidnapped the prince..."

The Empress Dowager asked in a low voice.

Liu Bei is still wearing his blood-stained armor, with Qian Zhao and Zhao Yun standing behind him, fully equipped.

It was certainly inappropriate to enter the court in armor, and the Empress Dowager was right.

But Liu Bei led his troops into the palace and was busy handling affairs there, so he had nowhere to change his clothes.

"What? Does the palace still have clothes that I can wear?"

Liu Bei's tone turned much colder: "Let's not play these tricks. Can't you tell what's important and what's urgent? If I weren't here, do you think you could get the officials to accept His Majesty's edict on your own?"

Zhao Zhong lowered his head and sighed, then took the Empress Dowager's arm and walked into the hall.

The Empress Dowager turned her head and looked around. All the eunuchs had their heads down and no one moved.

Liu Bei and Qian Zhao, one on the left and one on the right, each holding a halberd, walked beside the Empress Dowager like guards.

Zhao Yun stayed in the side hall to protect Liu Xie. "Enter the court..."

At noon, the gates of Deyang Palace finally opened, and a eunuch announced the arrival of guests, followed by the sound of the morning drum.

The officials ceased their discussion and filed into the palace.

……

"I, in my humble position, have inherited this great undertaking and entrusted the affairs of the nation to the people. I am diligent and conscientious, working tirelessly day and night, fearing that I may fail to live up to my responsibilities and thus tarnish the virtuous legacy of my ancestors."

"Now I am terminally ill and fear I will not recover. Heaven has decreed the end of life, and it is the natural course of human existence. Even sages and worthies cannot escape it, let alone someone of meager virtue?"

"The prince is kind, filial, gentle and respectful, and naturally intelligent. He is the right person to succeed to the throne, to uphold the ancestral temple sacrifices and to govern the millions of people."

"Liu Bei, the Left General of the Household, was loyal and diligent in serving the country. He carried out imperial edicts to assist in governance, quelled national crises, and restored order to the state."

"All officials, both civil and military, should fulfill their duties, diligently cultivate their professional skills, and live up to my expectations."

Funeral rites should be simple and frugal, without interfering with civil affairs.

"This edict is proclaimed throughout the land, so that all may know my will..."

The Empress Dowager displayed the imperial edict in the hall, and Zhao Zhong read out the contents of the will.

The officials in the court were all shocked, but they all obeyed the rules and no one made a sound when the imperial edict was issued, since the Yellow Gate Office had already made it clear to them that there was an imperial edict.

But when Liu Bei came out to receive the imperial edict, the court erupted in a commotion.

"There is an order of seniority. Your Majesty's eldest son is still alive. Why is the younger son being supported as the new emperor? And why is the regent appointed as a mere Left General of the Household?"

Cui Lie was the first to object: "This edict is illegal and should be returned!"

Cui Lie had previously been dismissed from his post due to illness, but he did not leave the capital. Now that he has recovered, he has been reinstated as Minister of Justice.

He didn't say anything about it being a forged edict, since it was an edict issued by the Empress Dowager; he only said it was illegal.

Liu Bei did not speak, but he led the summoned man to stand before the officials.

"Cui Tingwei, as the Tingwei, are you unaware of the fundamental principles of justice? Is your eldest son still alive? Where was this so-called eldest son when His Majesty was gravely ill and on his deathbed?"

Qian Zhao stared intently at the officials: "Only the Grand Counselor can rescind the imperial edict, but my master has already died saving the young emperor... Are you planning to disobey the edict?"

Upon seeing the bloodstains on Qian Zhao's armor, Cui Lie hesitated for a moment before speaking again: "Entering the palace in armor is treason..."

Before he could finish speaking, Qian Zhao stepped forward, and Cui Lie immediately shut his mouth, took a few steps back, and sat down on the ground.

"The Left General of the Household has been ordered to quell the rebellion. There are traitors in the country. He must protect the young emperor with armor and weapons to prevent the villains from plotting to assassinate him again..."

Qian Zhao pointed his halberd at Cui Lie: "Cui Lie, as the Minister of Justice, you have not investigated the one who plotted to assassinate the young emperor yesterday, and now you have refused His Majesty's edict. You must have a treasonous heart... Guards! Detain this traitor for questioning!"

Armored cavalrymen entered the hall and headed towards Cui Lie.

"Wait a minute..."

Minister Lu Zhi stepped forward with a frown: "This edict has not yet entered the Ministry of Personnel..."

"Did they really not enter?"

Zhao Zhong retorted, "Yesterday at dawn, the imperial edict was already in the Imperial Secretariat awaiting printing, and Minister Lu must have seen it... But just yesterday, a traitor attempted to assassinate the young emperor! Minister Lu, you'd better give an explanation..."

"...Why is the General not in court?"

Lu Zhi remained silent for a moment, without directly answering Zhao Zhong: "Why are the Empress and the Prince Bian not present for such an important matter?"

“Those who plot to assassinate the young emperor would certainly not dare to come here.”

Liu Bei took the imperial edict from the Empress Dowager and presented it to Lu Zhi: "There are treacherous traitors in the country who plot treason. I wonder if Minister Lu has a loyal and upright heart to assist the country?"

Lu Zhi looked at Liu Bei and frowned: "Xuande, do you intend to bring chaos to the world?"

"I'm causing chaos in the world? Lu Zigan, have you lost your mind? Say it again to the heavens, who is causing chaos in the world?!"

This time, Liu Bei didn't give Lu Zhi any face: "Or rather, you also conspired with the person who plotted to assassinate the young emperor?!"

(End of this chapter)