The Later Three Kingdoms: Slaying Deng Ai, and Reviving the Han Dynasty

Chapter 147 Battle in the Imperial Court (Second Update, Requesting Full Subscription and Monthly Tickets)

Liu Chen's words sent a chill down the spines of Qiao Zhou's and Huang Hao's factions. Imperial Censor Jiang Yu looked up at Qiao Zhou, a bitter smile on his face, his heart filled with deep regret.

But he chose this path himself, so there was nothing that could be done about it.

The one who replaced the Han dynasty was Gao of Dangtu. That statement really got him killed.

Perhaps the one to replace the Han dynasty will truly be the state of Wei. However, he and Qiao Zhou probably won't live to see that day.

Liu Chen, the Prince of the North… Jiang Yu raised his head to look at the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, but dared not meet Liu Chen's gaze, only looking at the lower half of his face. A chill rose from his heart like a spring, chilling him to the bone.

The imperial physician was urgently summoned and, after a series of emergency treatments, successfully brought Qiao Zhou back to life. However, the physician also said that Qiao Zhou was old, had caught a cold, and was frightened, so his condition was very unstable and he could die at any moment.

Liu Chen didn't care; as long as Qiao Zhou lived to see his just death, that was enough. Liu Chen ordered the imperial physician to stay in a room next to the main hall, ready to treat Qiao Zhou at any time.

After being rescued, Qiao Zhou looked bewildered. He then realized where he was and what had happened. His lips were purple, his face was pale and he looked old and pitiful.

But no one spoke up to plead for him.

When the tree falls, the chaos dissipates. His accomplices are also in dire straits, barely able to save themselves, and can no longer control him.

Li Qiu, the Imperial Censor and General of the Feathered Forest Guard, looked at all the officials.

The officials fell silent once more, awaiting Liu Chen's words. They expected him to speak, but to their surprise, Liu Chen remained vacant, simply sitting beside the throne in a daze.

He seemed to be spacing out.

Many officials are like death row inmates, tormented on the eve of their execution. They desperately want to speak, yet dare not; their throats are blocked, and a heavy stone seems to weigh on their chests.

The old ministers and loyal officials were also baffled as to what Liu Chen was trying to do, and they began to feel uneasy.

"Good riddance."

"Good riddance!!!!"

Suddenly, a clamor arose. The voices of over ten thousand people could be heard throughout the city, including the main hall.

The overwhelming public opinion, like the surging waves of the ocean, is coming straight at us.

This is the cry of living beings.

This reflects the people's anger and joy.

This tore a hole in the gloomy sky, allowing the sunlight to fall, dispelling the cold and darkness, and warming people's hearts.

This is also the beginning of the counterattack.

The will of the people cannot be reversed; if the will of the people is defied, the dynasty will perish.

The officials suddenly understood why Liu Chen had been sitting still; he was waiting for that voice to be heard.

The loyal and virtuous officials also breathed a sigh of relief. Huang Hao had monopolized power, and evil had triumphed over good in the court; they had been under immense pressure. In the end, they could only lie down and give up. Little did they know that before the country perished, they would witness Huang Hao's execution, causing a public outcry.

Zhongshan and the old minister looked at each other with smiles on their faces, and then looked up at the Crown Prince and the Prime Minister with much more respect in their eyes.

Huang Hao and his faction were utterly terrified, trembling and filled with fear at the sound of that voice. They had all bought their positions, and after gaining power, they had become extremely arrogant, as if they were invincible. Now, everyone regretted their past actions.

Qiao Zhou's faction was not to be outdone.

Qiao Zhou swayed precariously once again, seemingly about to faint again.

Under surveillance and guard, Liu Shan returned to his palace in a royal palanquin. He sat on his throne with a relaxed smile on his face.

Liu Chen promised not to kill him, and there was no sign of him being killed.

He was very pleased. Soon, public opinion surged. Liu Shan's expression changed, and he was stunned for a long time before covering his face and weeping.

He was terrified, he was afraid, he was sad, he regretted.

He was the emperor deep in the palace, and he really didn't know that Huang Hao would actually... And now Deng Ai had invaded Bashu, and it was uncertain whether the country could still be saved.

"I am a tyrannical ruler!" Liu Shan cried out in anguish.

Inside the main hall.

Liu Chen, who had been as still as a clay sculpture, suddenly sighed softly and said, "Is it beautiful? Yes, it is. Is it tragic? Yes, it is."

The Han Dynasty perished because the Ten Attendants killed He Jin. My own Han Dynasty, ruled by Emperor Zhaolie, nearly perished because Huang Hao wanted to kill Jiang Ziya. It is said that lessons from the past should guide the future. Therefore, historical records praise loyal ministers and condemn treacherous officials. But the only lesson later generations learn from history is that they learn absolutely nothing from it.

The officials remained silent.

This is yet another slap in the face to Liu Shan. It was Liu Shan who, by favoring Huang Hao, allowed Huang Hao to act recklessly.

The emperor still needs to maintain his dignity; only Liu Chen dared to say this.

However, the only lesson later generations learned from Liu Chen's words in history books is that they learned nothing from them.

They were moved by it.

After a moment of reflection, Liu Chen continued, "Huang Hao's death is certainly gratifying and has restored some of the country's reputation. But that's not enough. So there's still much for me to do today."

Liu Chen then looked at Qiao Zhou and laughed, "Lord Qiao, please hold on a little longer, don't die right away."

Qiao Zhou gritted his teeth, his face ashen, and remained silent, wishing he could die immediately, but he couldn't.

A person can truly speak with murderous intent while smiling. The officials realized once again that Liu Chen was different from Liu Shan.

This is a person who has the power of the emperor and can use all of the emperor's power.

It's not like Liu Shan, a dough ball that could only use a portion of the emperor's power.

Just when the officials thought Liu Chen was about to kill Qiao Zhou, Liu Chen once again remained motionless, returning to a dazed state.

The hall was eerily quiet once again, sending chills down one's spine.

"This is a true emperor. His majesty is sharper than any cold blade or frost-covered sword." Liu Zan, sitting below, looked up at Liu Chen and secretly praised him.

After a long while, hurried footsteps sounded.

An attendant entered from outside, announcing the arrival of Prince Fu Huang of the North. Liu Chen spoke, inviting him in.

Huang Chong rode his horse at breakneck speed, arriving at the main hall breathless. He stood for a moment before entering, where he saw Liu Chen already seated on the throne. He took a deep breath, a genuine smile on his face, and bowed respectfully to Liu Chen.

"Huang Qing, is Huang Hao dead?" Liu Chen asked.

"Reporting to Your Highness, he shall be executed by being cut in half at the waist and his body displayed in the marketplace," Huang Chong said, beaming with delight.

Liu Chen nodded slightly, gesturing for Huang Chong to sit down. Then, looking at Qiao Zhou, he said softly, "Lord Qiao, it's your turn."

He paused, then said, "I can tell you plainly that your whole family is doomed. So don't bother pretending to be dead here."

"I ask you, what does it mean that the one who replaced the Han dynasty was Dangtu Gao?"

Liu Chen suddenly changed from kneeling to sitting cross-legged, his gaze sharp as he looked at Qiao Zhou, like the eyes of an eagle.

The one who will replace the Han dynasty is Gao of Dangtu!

Most of the officials shuddered, staring at Liu Chen in astonishment. Was he going to debate with Qiao Zhou?

Why not just execute him outright?

Even Zhuge Zhan and the others were surprised, and even a little anxious. "You say you'll kill him, so why bother arguing with him?"

He is a great Confucian scholar from Yizhou. Can you out-argue him?

The one who replaced the Han dynasty was Gao of Dangtu. This saying has been passed down for a long time, but this is the first time it has been put into public view and displayed in this grand hall.

There are many interpretations of "Tu Gao".

Emperor Guangwu said it was "Emperor Xuan of Han," meaning the prophecy had come true.

Yuan Shu believed it was himself.

The great Confucian scholar Zhou Shu believed it to be Wei.

Essentially, it's impossible to reach a conclusion regarding what Tu Gao's interpretation actually refers to. Only after the Han Dynasty has truly made a final judgment can we draw a conclusion.

But Qiao Zhou used this prophecy to undermine the morale of the people of Sichuan and Chongqing.

Faith has been eroded.

This caused the great man to lose his soul.

Although Zhuge Zhan and others wished they could immediately execute Qiao Zhou to prevent Liu Chen from losing the debate.

But Liu Chen had already spoken, and they could only anxiously wait, unable to interrupt him.

Qiao Zhou was dying, and he did indeed harbor a sliver of hope. He knew he was doomed, and might not even save his son, but he wanted to save his grandson. But now Liu Chen had spoken, threatening to kill his entire family.

He then came back to life.

Qiao Zhou glared at Liu Chen and said, "You ask the obvious. Tu Gao is from Wei. This is the will of Heaven."

""

With a loud "boom".

It sounded like thunder, and the people in the hall felt deafened, and almost everyone turned pale.