A thousand-year-old family begins with one fighting against ten thousand.

Spring of the fourth year of Emperor Hui of Han.

Emperor Hui suddenly fell ill and fell into a coma, causing chaos in the court.

More importantly, Emperor Hui of this world has no son!

Even in the previous history, Emperor Hui's son was born in the sixth year of Emperor Hui's reign, which is now the fifth year of Emperor Hui's reign.

In other words, if Emperor Hui were to die, the vast Han Dynasty would have no heir!

Upon receiving the news, Wei Ping immediately ordered the Imperial Guards to seal off the palace and summoned the Three Dukes to Changle Palace to jointly investigate Emperor Hui.

Wei Ping and the Three Dukes, preoccupied with Emperor Hui's health, failed to notice that a eunuch had secretly left the palace and arrived at the residence of Lü Chan of the Lü clan.

"What's wrong with His Majesty?!"

Wei Ping asked the imperial physician.

"His Majesty was greatly angered by the incident involving Consort Qi two years ago, which damaged his health and left him with chronic illnesses. He often coughed up blood and was physically weak."

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

"His Majesty has been in good health these past two years, with a rosy complexion. We often discuss state affairs with him, and we have never seen him cough up blood!"

Cao Shen rebuked him angrily.

Wei Ping remained silent, thinking of one person: Cao Cao's son, Cao Pi.

He was diagnosed with tuberculosis at the age of 13.

He never coughed once in public until he died at the age of 40!

At this point, the imperial physician would not lie.

Does Liu Ying, this mama's boy, actually have such patience?

Come to think of it, Emperor Hui, Liu Ying, was ultimately the son of Liu Bang, a master of Machiavellian tactics, and Empress Lü, the cunning and ruthless ruler; he possessed such genes and potential.

Two different experiences in two lifetimes shaped Liu Ying into a different person.

"His Majesty endured it for the sake of maintaining stability in the court."

"His Majesty's health suddenly deteriorated, and he fell into a coma. It seems... it seems..."

The imperial physician hesitated somewhat.

"Oh, hurry up and tell me! You're driving me crazy!"

Zhou Bo wanted nothing more than to punch him.

"His Majesty appears to have been poisoned!"

Poison!

Everyone present was extremely surprised!

Someone actually poisoned the emperor!

This is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations of one's family!

Moreover, the emperor's diet is of utmost importance, with multiple security checks in place. How could anyone possibly poison His Majesty so easily!

Wei Ping went through all the recent events in his mind, and the transfer of several generals caught his attention.

Several members of the Lü family joined the Northern Army.

This was originally a very normal thing. Since Lü Chan controlled the Northern Army, he would naturally fill it with his own people.

But considering Emperor Hui's poisoning, could it be that...

"not good!"

Wei Ping shouted loudly.

"Zhou Bo, go and mobilize the Southern Army immediately!"

"I suspect the Lü family is plotting a rebellion!"

The Lü clan is plotting a rebellion? Emperor Hui has been poisoned! It's Empress Lü!

Only two people could bypass the imperial chefs and poison Emperor Hui: his mother, Empress Lü Zhi, and his empress, Empress Zhang Yan.

Both of these people had an inseparable relationship with the Lü family.

It should be noted that the capital's military forces consisted of three parts: the Northern Army, the Southern Army, and the Imperial Guards of the palace.

The Northern Army was the best and largest of the three forces, outnumbering the Southern Army and the Imperial Guards combined.

"no."

Cao Shen stopped him.

"If it really was the Lü clan who caused the rebellion, we would be trapped here now."

Wei Ping, Han Xin, and Zhou Bo were not fools; once Cao Can reminded them, they naturally realized this immediately.

Although Wei Ping was confident he could repel the rebels with the help of the 1,500 Imperial Guards, the infighting within the Imperial Guards had a significant impact on the Han Dynasty.

This would cause many emperors in later generations to doubt the Imperial Guards and lead to a loss of national strength for the Han Dynasty.

After all, they were the most elite troops of the Han Dynasty, each one representing the very foundation of the Han.

"Cough cough."

Just then, Emperor Hui, Liu Ying, woke up.

Wei Ping and the others quickly stepped aside to allow the imperial physician to examine them.

After taking Liu Ying's pulse, the imperial physician examined his eyelids and mouth. His face turned deathly pale, and he knelt down on the ground, unable to get up.

Wei Ping and the others felt a chill in their hearts; it seemed that Emperor Hui's days were numbered.

"Cough cough."

Emperor Hui frowned deeply and coughed up a pool of black blood.

Being poisoned to death by her own mother filled Liu Ying with despair.

He no longer has any attachment to this world.

However, the Han Dynasty was the empire that Liu Bang passed down to him, and the Han Dynasty cannot perish!

He had to make arrangements for everything before he died.

From the moment he learned that he had been poisoned, he anticipated what Lady Lü would do.

"master."

Liu Ying took out a scroll of imperial edict and half of a tiger tally from under his pillow.

"Wang Liang, the military commander of the Northern Army, is my trusted confidant. You can use the tiger tally to subdue him and quell the rebellion."

"The Lü clan, except for the Empress Dowager, shall be exterminated!"

"This imperial edict appoints you as a lieutenant, and you are hereby tasked with ensuring the stability of the capital after my passing."

"Prime Minister".

Liu Ying produced another imperial edict: "After my death, welcome Prince Liu Heng of Dai to the throne."

"The Grand General and the Grand Commandant witnessed this together."

"After my death, keep everything simple. Publicly announce that I died from exhaustion and do not mention the poisoning."

After Liu Ying finished explaining everything with great difficulty, she coughed up a mouthful of black blood, her face turning an unnatural red, and she felt much better.

This is a final burst of energy before death.

"master."

Liu Ying stood up and took out a precious sword from beside him—Chixiao.

"Fourth brother is a capable man, and he will surely be able to govern the Han Dynasty well."

"However, his foundation is shallow. Although I have made arrangements, I still need you to keep the court in check for him."

"This is the Crimson Sky Sword passed down from my father. Today, I bestow it upon you. You are entitled to execute officials of two thousand shi (a unit of grain measure) without prior approval!"

The pupils of the four people present contracted, this trust...

too heavy!

That's a bit too heavy!

It's a curse, not a blessing!

After the Prince of Dai ascends the throne, the Han Dynasty cannot have two different engines. Even if Wei Ping is willing to give up power, will the new emperor believe him?

Will this threat remain?

That's probably difficult!

That will lead to another civil war!

However, the Han Dynasty is currently in crisis, and only Wei Ping can quickly quell the chaos and control the court.

No one else could do it.

In times of chaos, harsh measures are necessary, and from this perspective, Liu Ying did the right thing.

"I obey your decree."

"Your subject will dedicate himself to the cause of the Han Dynasty until his dying breath."

"Today, Your Majesty, together with the Chancellor, the Grand Commandant, and the General-in-Chief, will witness that five years from now, once the new emperor has stabilized the court, I will return the Chixiao Palace to the new emperor, remove it from all military duties, relinquish my position as Grand Tutor, and retain only the position of Grand Minister of Agriculture."

"May Heaven, Earth, and the spirits bear witness!"

Wei Ping accepted the Crimson Sky without hesitation and then swore an oath.

Liu Ying nodded in satisfaction and then passed away peacefully.

Wei Ping bowed respectfully to Liu Ying three times, then, holding the Chixiao and Tiger Tally, strode away from Chang Le Palace.

"Where are the Imperial Guards? They must protect the Emperor!"

The sound of armor clashing echoed as Wei Ping gathered most of the men together.

The palace is too large; if we send out troops, they will be defeated one by one.

Wei Ping is preparing to take the initiative.

They directly routed the enemy forces.