Even emperors have it tough, so don't be too picky about the entries.

Seeing their troubled expressions, Han Cao became even more furious.

He suppressed his anger and said earnestly:

"My colleagues, don't you understand?"

"All our power and status come from the Emperor Emeritus. If anything were to happen to him, the world would collapse."

"The Emperor Emeritus is our only pillar of strength."

"If the pillar falls, we will be nothing more than fish on Chen Shao's chopping block."

"At our mercy!"

His gaze swept across everyone's faces one by one.

"Gentlemen, those who wish to save the world from collapse, please rise!"

The officials looked at each other in bewilderment.

This is practically a miracle...

This is called Optimus Prime.

Even if Han Cao's words are eloquent, the bottom line cannot be crossed.

Everyone remained unmoved and deaf to the commotion.

He just kept his head down and remained silent.

Han Cao closed his eyes in despair.

"You bunch of spineless cowards! You can't even make this much sacrifice, what are you talking about in terms of restoring the monarchy! What are you talking about in terms of setting things right and bringing benefits to the people!"

"Idiots! A bunch of short-sighted idiots!"

"You really think I've humiliated you? Let me tell you, this is a tremendous act of merit in supporting the dragon!"

"Don't you all use your brains? If someone saves the Emperor Emeritus, wouldn't they rise rapidly through the ranks and be appointed to high positions once he regains the throne?"

"It's just a matter of one bite!"

"You don't want this monumental achievement, but I will!"

After saying that, he made a gesture as if to bend down.

"Lord Xiangguo, wait!"

An old minister suddenly rushed over and blocked Han Cao's way.

If you had said that earlier, wouldn't everyone have understood?

Talking about loyalty to the emperor and serving the country is useless.

Let's get down to business.

Who wouldn't want such a meritorious service as a follower of a powerful leader?

It's just a matter of holding your nose and going black out.

Endure it for a while.

"The Prime Minister is right. It is the duty of a subject to share the emperor's burdens. How can we back down from such a task?"

"Prime Minister, I am willing to avert the collapse of the dynasty!"

"Though this old minister is advanced in years, he is known as having an iron will, and his loyalty to the emperor remains undiminished. He is willing to do his utmost to serve the Emperor Emeritus!"

"When it comes to loyalty to the emperor, how could I dare to lag behind! The Emperor Emeritus is our sovereign and father. How can we, as his subjects, stand idly by when he is ill? Let alone detoxification, even if it meant cutting off flesh and gouging out one's heart, I would not flinch!"

"Being able to share the Emperor Emeritus's burdens is a blessing we have accumulated over many lifetimes."

"Your Majesty, I regret that I cannot transform into a dragon's body to suffer in my father's place..."

"Gentlemen, please do not rush. According to seniority, I am the youngest, and it is only right that I go first!"

Then another question arises.

Who would be willing to give up such a meritorious service in supporting the emperor?

The officials argued back and forth, and it almost escalated into a full-blown brawl.

Fortunately, the old doctor said in the end not to disturb the imperial procession, and that everyone should just line up and take turns.

This poison is extremely stubborn and cannot be cured by one person alone.

That would be fair.

Everyone was overjoyed upon hearing this.

Soon, a long queue formed in front of the bed.

Just then, a rough voice rang out, accompanied by the sound of servants falling to the ground with a series of thuds.

"You surnamed Han, you're doing something so important, and you didn't even tell this general?"

Han Cao frowned and hurriedly ordered someone to hold the gate shut.

But it was too late.

The general pushed open the door and entered, then froze in place upon seeing the scene before him.

for a long time...

He suddenly flew into a rage:

"Damn it, I, the general, also want the credit for following the emperor!"

......

The next morning.

Shen Qingci then barged into Chen Shao's bedroom in a flurry of activity.

As the emperor's tutor, she enjoyed Chen Shao's deep trust, and being a woman, she moved freely within the palace.

She abruptly overturned Chen Shao's cup:

"What time is it? Still sleeping!"

"Hey! You, you sleep without clothes on?"

Chen Shao sat up groggily.

He muttered something:

"Do people still sleep with their clothes on?"

Shen Qingci turned her back.

"It seems like she wasn't wearing... never mind, something happened."

Chen Shao asked while yawning as he dressed:

"What happened?"

"Han Cao should make his move now."

"He rebelled?" Chen Shao wasn't too panicked.

The saying goes, "A scholar's rebellion will never succeed in ten years."

They are masters of scheming and manipulating power, but they are not quite as adept at forcing abdication or staging a coup.

"Rumors have begun to circulate within the city that His Majesty's rituals performed on the city walls are witchcraft that will bring disaster to the country."

"They even refused to open the city gates, deliberately trying to put the retired emperor to death."

"To publicly humiliate a retired minister who has left the court from the city walls is a sign of a tyrant."

Shen Qingci said in a deep voice:

"Can't you smell a conspiracy? This is all part of building momentum for Chen Yuan's restoration."

"Ruin your reputation, and once public opinion has fermented enough, have all the officials jointly petition for the retired emperor to return to the throne."

"At that time, a small palace coup could drag you down without you having to bear any moral pressure."

"This old silver coin." Chen Shao was already dressed.

"Mr. Shen, you came in such a hurry, do you already have a plan?"

"Oh."

Shen Qingci proudly raised her head.

"You're quite knowledgeable; you seem to understand my capabilities quite well."

"I, Shen Qingci, am quite prestigious among scholars. Public opinion warfare, hehe, that's my specialty."

"The Mid-Autumn Festival is in a few days. I plan to hold a literary gathering at Luming Academy and invite all the famous writers in the capital to attend."

"Isn't Han Cao going to discuss loyalty and filial piety? Then let's have a proper discussion about it."

"What is loyalty? What is filial piety? What is the duty between ruler and subject? What is the importance of the nation?"

Literary gathering?

Chen Shao was a little startled when he heard those two words.

This road is the path to fame for countless predecessors who have traversed it.

He was thoroughly familiar with everything from the study of things to the philosophy of mind and reason.

The problem is, I don't know how.

"Mr. Shen's idea is good, but I'm afraid I can't engage in a debate with a group of scholars."

"At most, only two scholars..." Chen Shao thought to himself.

"You're really trying to flatter yourself. With your limited knowledge, you couldn't possibly debate with a group of scholars, let alone two of them."

Chen Shao was shocked. Could this woman have mind-reading abilities?

But it doesn't seem like it. If someone could really read minds and know the filthy thoughts in their heart, they would probably be drawing their swords by now.

"If it's not me, then who is it?"

"Who in the whole world is capable of doing this?" Shen Qingci sneered.

Chen Shao feigned surprise: "Then it can only be Yu Qi'an!"

"Hmph! Yu Qi'an's good at fighting, but when it comes to talking, I'm ten times his size!"

"No one but me, Shen Qingci, is capable of doing this!"

She suddenly turned around, leaned close to Chen Shao, and whispered:

"At the meeting, I will first arrange for a few shills to present their arguments, which are, in other words, slanders against you."

"Then I'll let the students debate it, but they'll obviously fail, and then I'll step in myself."

"Leave them speechless."

"Arrange for a few more people to ask questions freely, so that those with ulterior motives don't have a chance to speak."

"I'll take care of them one by one!"

Shen Qingci straightened her back, raised her head, and smiled faintly:

"Thus, the die is cast, and the great undertaking can be accomplished!"

(Thank you to Qiu Tianhua, who loves braised pork knuckle, for the generous update; Zhanzhu and He Ju, who loves potato buns, for the update reminders; and thank you to all the other authors for your support.)