A son who doesn't resemble his father? Love you, old man, see you at Xuanwu Gate!

Chapter 313 Imperial Edict

Yin Qi, Yang Pu, and Du Zhou were dragged out of the Divine Dragon Hall.

They didn't even bother to fabricate charges.

Because of just one crime committed in his life, the three men and their families were doomed.

When one person attains the Tao, the chicken and the dog ascend to heaven.

vice versa.

Chen Mo entered the palace to apologize, saying, "It is my fault for disturbing Your Majesty's enjoyment."

Hearing those words devoid of any remorse or guilt, Liu Che was not angry. "Qu Ni, Qu Ni, the Marquis of Qu Ni, the descendant of Qu Ni, you have quite the style of your ancestor."

"Your Majesty is too kind. I am foolish and clumsy, and it is all thanks to Your Majesty's guidance."

"Am I smart?"

"Your Majesty is the most enlightened ruler."

"Then why would someone as 'wise' and 'gifted' as me be fooled by you, even manipulated by you? You are foolish, so what am I?" Liu Che mocked.

Now that things have come to this, the answer is self-evident.

The Zhou family of Pingqu, the Xiao family of Zan, and the Zhang family of Liu never supported him from beginning to end.

It was all just a scheme by Chen Mo, a descendant of Chen Ping.

To weaken the restoration movement and lead the army to their deaths—how venomous is this heart?
"You have committed a grave offense against Heaven and Earth. Aren't you afraid of retribution?" Liu Che said with a curse.

A single road into the pass was used to massacre hundreds of thousands of restorationists, with countless others falling off cliffs or being devoured by wolves. How could this man be so at ease, seeking out famous teachers, rising to high positions, and restoring his noble status?

"Your Majesty is joking. Since ancient times, rulers have deceived their subjects; how can a subject mock his ruler?"

Chen Mo smiled and said, "Everything has its owner, and everyone has their own destiny. As for life and death, that is fate."

The deaths of the loyalists, private soldiers, and spies of the powerful families, officials, wealthy merchants, and wandering knights and thieves were mostly caused by leaks or by wolves in Zhongshan. Others died under the command of the Grand Marshal Huo Qubing. What does this have to do with him and the Chen family?

Even if there is divine retribution, the retribution will fall on Uncle Zhou Gong and Uncle Xiao Qing. It was Uncle Xiao Qing who found the route, and Uncle Zhou Gong who sent people on their way. He and the Chen family knew nothing about it.

What does it matter to me if the restoration movement is suppressed?

"Poisonous husband!"

Liu Che gritted his teeth and said.

Even if it harms the heavens, we must drag others down with us. Zhou Gong and Xiao Qing will die first, and then Chen Mo.

This is the Chen family, the Marquis of Quni!

Ignoring His Majesty's insults, Chen Mo smiled calmly. Noticing that someone else had arrived, he bowed and took his leave.

Zhonglang Dongfang Shuo came to pay his respects.

"May Your Majesty live a long and prosperous life, and enjoy boundless happiness!"

Unlike his previous comical and humorous style, Dongfang Shuo displayed an unprecedented solemnity in both his attire and etiquette.

This inevitably reminded Liu Che of the scene when he first met his subjects. In the early years of his reign, he issued an edict to summon virtuous, upright, and talented people from all over the country.

Scholars and Confucianists from all over the country submitted their applications for the position, including Dongfang Shuo. However, unlike the others who offered profound and subtle policies, Dongfang Shuo wrote his application on three thousand bamboo slips, a stack that would take two people to carry, and it took him two months to read them all. In his self-recommendation letter, Dongfang Shuo stated that he had lost his parents at a young age and had been raised by his elder brother and sister-in-law.

He began reading at the age of thirteen. After three years of diligent study, he had read enough books to satisfy his needs. At the age of fifteen, he learned fencing, and at the age of sixteen, he studied the Book of Poetry and the Book of Documents. His reading volume reached 220,000 words.

At the age of nineteen, he began to study military strategy and common sense of combat, and learned how to use various weapons, as well as the gongs and drums used by soldiers to advance and retreat in battle. He read 220,000 words of books on this subject, totaling 440,000 words.

I admire Zilu's bold words, so at the age of twenty-two, he was already nine feet three inches tall, with bright, piercing eyes like pearls, teeth as white and even as woven seashells, brave like Meng Ben, quick-witted like Qing Ji, frugal like Bao Shu, and trustworthy like Wei Sheng. Such a person should be a minister of the emperor.

Thanks to this unusual memorial, he was appointed as the Director of the Imperial Carriage. However, Dongfang Shuo was dissatisfied with his meager salary and the fact that he was not summoned to the emperor's court. He boldly frightened the dwarf who was close to the emperor. When the emperor summoned him to question him, Dongfang Shuo used his wit and clever words to make him smile, and was thus promoted to the position of Attendant at the Golden Horse Gate.

Twenty years have passed in the blink of an eye. Dongfang Shuo's highest official position was only Taizhong Dafu, with a salary of one thousand shi (a unit of grain). He was regarded as a sycophantic minister by everyone in the court and the public.

Looking back now, Dongfang Shuo once opposed his construction of the Shanglin Garden, advised him to enforce the law fairly in the case of Zhaoping Jun's murder, and advised him to correct the wrongs in the case of the protagonist. He also wrote a memorial to the emperor about the gains and losses of governance and chaos, and put forward plans for strengthening the country through agriculture and warfare, but he regarded him as just a jester.

His unusual demeanor made Liu Che regret not knowing how to use the talented people around him. His barely suppressed anxiety turned into a bit of annoyance. "What are you doing here?"

"Your Majesty, I have come for fame and fortune," Dongfang Shuo said solemnly.

"You seem to have entered the wrong temple."

Liu Che's face was ashen. "The current Emperor can neither give anyone fame nor any benefit."

"No, I have come to the right place at the right time." Dongfang Shuo said solemnly.

"Then tell me."

Liu Che's face was frosty. "Where is this place, and when is the time you speak of? If you speak well and correctly, I will grant you the fame and fortune you desire."

"This is the Divine Dragon Palace, the place where His Majesty will spend his remaining years. Now is also the time for His Majesty to abdicate."

Dongfang Shuo bowed deeply, knowing the emperor's embarrassment even though he didn't see his face. He continued, "However, Your Majesty's abdication has contributed more to the Han Dynasty than Your Majesty's entire life."

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly became heavy; the mania had disappeared, but the pressure was even greater.

He almost bluntly stated that the emperor's death was a greater contribution to the Han Dynasty than his entire life. Did he think that the emperor was no longer capable of wielding a sword?
When abdicating, the crown prince will still grant him the ability to kill one or two ministers.

"Your Majesty has always been fond of selecting talented individuals, which has led to our dynasty's abundance of capable people. However, this is a one-time opportunity. Your Majesty can now select worthy individuals for the country without any selfish motives or distractions," Dongfang Shuo said calmly and unhurriedly, seemingly unaffected.

Liu Che's murderous intent faltered.

Is this a hymn?
The Han dynasty's acquisition of talent reached its peak during this period, highlighting its merits in seeking out virtuous and filial officials. However, it then claims that the lack of talent is due to the emperor's excessive selfishness and favoritism in promoting virtuous officials based on personal preferences rather than actual ability.

Now that the imperial power has been lost, he can instead be impartial and selfless in selecting virtuous and capable officials for the country.

After a long silence, Liu Che had to admit that Dongfang Shuo was right.

"Even if it fails, it is still Your Majesty's achievement to prevent this pearl from being tarnished," Dongfang Shuo said again.

Among the emperor's cronies are Dongfang Shuo, Bu Shi, Han Shuo, Tang Du, Luo Xia Hong, and many other insightful individuals. If Your Majesty abdicates in this way, when the crown prince ascends the throne and suppresses dissidents, it will be extremely difficult for Your Majesty to display your talents.

Even if it's just once, Your Majesty, please set aside your own thoughts and provide this one opportunity to help the nation's virtuous and talented individuals.

Liu Che had completely calmed down. "In that case, what should I do?"

"Your Majesty, please issue an edict to promote virtuous and talented individuals."

"The last imperial edict of the Han Dynasty?" Liu Che laughed.

(End of this chapter)