Sun Yuliang, holding the imperial edict, excitedly arrived at the grand hall. As soon as the assembled crowd saw him, everyone unconsciously took two steps back, with civil and military officials lining up.
Chen Yuliang glanced at the crowd with a smile, then looked at Zhu Ziming, the Minister of Rites.
"Minister Zhu, could you please ascend and read the imperial edict?"
Zhu Ziming had no choice but to brace himself and step forward. He kowtowed to the edict first, then respectfully received it.
Upon opening the edict, Zhu Ziming's expression drastically changed.
An abdication edict.
The few large characters almost made him faint.
But looking at the handwriting, it was indeed written by Emperor Xiao An.
Seeing that he had opened the edict, all the civil and military officials, including the Imperial Guards, knelt down.
Zhu Ziming hesitated for a moment, then finally began to read.
"By the grace of Heaven, We, the Emperor, decree: We are old and infirm, unable to attend court and manage state affairs. From this day forth, We abdicate the throne to Sun Yuliang. We implore all loyal ministers to diligently assist him and collectively ensure the eternal prosperity of the Great Cang Dynasty. This is our decree."
After reading the edict, everyone present was stunned.
Even the old Prime Minister Fang Zheng did not expect Sun Yuliang to make such a move. He had thought that at most, a decree would be issued to authorize Sun Yuliang to act on behalf of the court. He never expected this fellow to directly ascend to the throne himself.
But now he couldn't say anything. His life was in the other man's hands. Fang Zheng could only lead the chant, "Long live Your Majesty, long live, long live!"
Seeing him speak, Liu Xiangnan beside him instantly understood.
Liu Xiangnan secretly felt fortunate that Liu Rumei and the Crown Prince were still outside, and that he had let Liu Kai take away all the manpower. Thus, there was still a chance for a comeback.
Guoshi Sun Yuliang shed his official robes, and with a flick of his hand, two waiting guards brought forth the dragon robe. They helped him put it on.
Sun Yuliang spread his arms and spun around a few times before slowly approaching the dragon throne. He lifted the dragon robe and sat down.
Sitting on the dragon throne, Sun Yuliang's grin stretched to the back of his ears. After a foolish chuckle, he looked up and saw everyone still kneeling on the ground. He then imitated Xiao An, raising his hand, "Alright, rise, all loyal ministers."
Fang Zheng and Liu Xiangnan led the way, and after three cheers of "Long live!" they stood up.
The crowd lowered their heads, looking at their feet, and said nothing.
Sun Yuliang did not care. After all, all officials of the third rank and above were gathered here, and at least half of them had already sided with him.
Therefore, it was only a matter of time before he controlled the situation. As long as these people waited here patiently, he would capture the two cubs of the Xiao family.
Then, he could systematically eliminate his opponents.
With this thought, he slowly spoke, "My dear ministers, you will have to trouble yourselves to stay here for a few days. Once Marshal Zhu Meng has quelled the rebellion at Qingniu Mountain, you will be able to return home."
They knew that Zhu Meng was going to Qingniu Mountain, but hearing these words from Sun Yuliang's mouth felt different.
Liu Xiangnan and Fang Zheng exchanged glances.
They saw the chill in each other's eyes.
This was a move to exterminate them completely.
But now they were at the mercy of the butcher's knife, with no recourse but to obey.
Fang Zheng now regretted not having his family leave the capital earlier.
As dusk fell, a carrier pigeon landed at the Liu residence in Qingniu County.
Liu Rumei's heart tightened as she read the letter from her father.
She immediately handed the letter to Crown Prince Xiao Jingyun, "Your Highness, Zhu Meng is leading thirty thousand troops to Qingniu County. He is coming for you."
Xiao Jingyun, however, frowned. "Why would Sun Yuliang make a move so suddenly?"
Liu Rumei pondered for a long while before slowly saying, "Could it be that the Princess has made some new moves?"
Xiao Jingyun stood up and paced back and forth with a troubled expression. After a long while, he looked up at Liu Rumei. "It must be. She must have made some move. Sun Yuliang feels threatened and believes he cannot wait any longer."
With that, Xiao Jingyun sighed heavily. "Alas, my sister is too hasty."
"If you wish to rule the world, we must first deal with Sun Yuliang before we can discuss it."
Actually, Liu Rumei knew that there was no room for discussion in such matters. The Crown Prince was merely sighing in lament.
"Your Highness, perhaps we should quickly detour back to the capital. Once we return, there might still be a turn of events."
Xiao Jingyun shook his head slightly. "Since they dare to send thirty thousand troops, Sun Yuliang must have made arrangements in the capital as well. If we return, won't we be walking into a trap?"
"Then what should we do?" Liu Rumei also hesitated.
Xiao Jingyun slammed the table, his expression becoming resolute. "To the mountain! Ascend Qingniu Mountain. Immediately send people to rally troops from all over the realm to defend the capital."
Liu Rumei supported the idea of rallying troops from all over the realm. However, ascending the mountain presented some difficulties. So many people on the mountain would also pose a significant problem for food and drink.
"It's not much of a problem for Your Highness to go up the mountain. But it's almost winter now, and it will be cold on the mountain. It might be difficult to gather enough warm clothing, and with so many of us on the mountain, we will need a large amount of supplies."
Xiao Jingyun smiled and shook his head. "These are trivial matters. As long as we can hold on for a month, and the armies from all over arrive, what are thirty thousand of Zhu Meng's troops to worry about?"
Indeed, the Great Cang Dynasty boasted a million soldiers, and Zhu Meng directly commanded only three hundred thousand.
So, as long as some of the remaining armies arrived, there was still a chance.
Therefore, following this line of thought, they needed to transport supplies to last at least a month up the mountain.
Liu Rumei's mind immediately recalled Chen Xiaobei. It would be best to have the villagers help transport the supplies.
With this thought, she immediately said to Xiao Jingyun, "Your Highness, I have an idea. Let's rush to Hetou Village immediately and ask Chen Xiaobei to gather the villagers. We'll start stockpiling supplies on the mountain now, to be prepared for any eventuality."
Xiao Jingyun nodded. "Good. Gather everyone and have them transport supplies up the mountain with Chen Xiaobei."
Chen Xiaobei was about to fall asleep when he was woken up by a knock on the door from a village guard.
"Village Chief Xiaobei, Miss Liu Rumei is here. She said she has something urgent to discuss with you."
Chen Xiaobei looked up at the bright moon in the sky. "It's almost the third watch."
But there was no choice. He had to go, even at the third watch.
Liu Rumei paced back and forth under the large locust tree, appearing very anxious. Chen Xiaobei understood at a glance that she had encountered an emergency.
As expected, as soon as she saw Chen Xiaobei, without any pleasantries, Liu Rumei grabbed his arm. "Brother Xiaobei, I need your help with something."
Chen Xiaobei nodded, then gently pulled away Liu Rumei's hand.
Liu Rumei then realized she had been a bit too forward, and her face flushed red.
"Brother Xiaobei, I want to transport some supplies up the mountain. I need your help."