Chapter 213: Ascension (Second Update)

Chapter 213: Ascension (Second Update)

Grand Tutor Yan had lost his mind with rage. Earlier, he hesitated to act out of consideration for the Crown Prince's past brilliance and the fact that he had personally tutored him, feeling a pang of sorrow. However, he never imagined that the one he had taught was actually Lu Yan, the impostor emperor, not Zhao Kang!

In Grand Tutor Yan’s heart, this tyrant before him had lost all redeeming qualities. Without any hesitation, he raised the royal whip and began to beat him mercilessly. One was frail from illness, the other old and infirm; they were evenly matched in their struggle.

The ministers watching this scene dared not intervene. Most of their gazes fell on Lu Yan, who knelt straight on the ground, each with their own thoughts swirling.

It was truly unbelievable that there could be such a striking resemblance between two people.

Over the years, although the emperor occasionally showed signs of incompetence, he often implemented benevolent policies, balancing his faults with his merits. He had a good reputation among the officials. Now, upon reflection, it seemed there were many hidden truths behind these actions.

Wei Hong’s next move confirmed this suspicion. He looked at Lu Yan, gritted his teeth, and suddenly knelt heavily before him, his eyes red as he said, "Master Lu, thank you for your great kindness and righteousness, saving my Wei family. If not for you, I would have been executed long ago. I was blinded by foolishness when I tried to assassinate you. Please accept these three bows!"

He then bowed deeply three times, and when he lifted his head, blood was visible on his forehead. Lu Yan, kneeling before the corpses, remained silent. The sunlight outside the hall cast a hazy glow over his handsome face, making it somewhat indistinct yet still gloomy, reminiscent of those years of anonymity and darkness.

Zhao Kang, who had been fleeing in disarray under Grand Tutor Yan’s beating, suddenly regained his senses and rushed forward, snarling, "It was you! It was you! You orchestrated everything today, didn’t you?!"

Huo Lang grabbed his wrist and sneered, "Your Majesty wants to settle accounts? Just come to me. Today’s performance was quite lively, wasn’t it?"

He was unafraid of the slanderous name. Even if he admitted to orchestrating today’s events, what could Zhao Kang do?

Zhao Kang violently broke free from his grip, his expression deranged, as if possessed: "I am the emperor! I am the emperor! Who will kill Huo Lang for me? I’ll grant you a marquis title, reward you with gold, make you chancellor or minister—just go and kill him!"

Zhao Kang wandered among the officials, grabbing their collars and questioning them wildly, but no one responded. The Wei family, known for their loyalty for centuries, had met such an end. Who would dare risk their lives for Zhao Kang now?

Zhao Kang, in a state of madness, finally grabbed Huo Lang’s collar: "Don’t you want to be the emperor? I’ll give it to you! I’ll give it to you, alright?!"

Huo Lang kicked him away forcefully, his lowered brows filled with malice: "Worthless! If I wanted something, I’d take it myself. Why would I need you to give it to me?!"

With that, he suddenly drew his sword, its cold gleam almost blinding everyone. The ceremonial swords worn by officials during court sessions were usually dull to prevent assassination attempts, but Huo Lang’s sword was sharp enough to cut through iron, having tasted the blood of a hundred men.

"If the ruler treats his subjects like limbs, they will treat him like their heart. If the ruler treats his subjects like weeds, they will treat him like an enemy!"

Huo Lang spoke with the authority of a commander, his voice stern and unyielding. He raised his sword high, his dark gaze piercing through hearts:

"From what Gongsun said, the late emperor was unvirtuous, and the current one is incompetent. How can such an unrighteous ruler lead our nation and ensure its prosperity? Yet, Prince Jingyang was executed for delaying supplies, and Prince Linan for abusing his concubine. There are no capable members left in the imperial family. Today, I, Huo Lang, defy the world’s expectations and humbly request His Majesty to abdicate in favor of a virtuous successor. Anyone who disagrees, step forward!"

His sword moved slowly across the crowd, causing the officials to retreat, creating a vacuum around him. They cursed inwardly:

Huo Lang, you bastard, if you’re going to usurp the throne, why pretend to be so righteous?

Chen Shangshu could guarantee that anyone who stepped forward would have their head chopped off like a melon. Everyone had families to consider; no one wanted to provoke him.

Huo Lang asked sternly, "No one?!"

The officials neither shook nor nodded their heads, pretending to be mute.

Huo Lang laughed coldly: "If that’s the case, I assume everyone agrees. From today onward, His Majesty voluntarily abdicates in favor of a virtuous successor, and everyone here is a witness!"

He sheathed his sword and walked calmly to Lu Yan’s side, then knelt down, holding his hands in a respectful gesture: "A true ruler must possess both virtue and talent. Grand Tutor Yan praised Master Lu’s wisdom and strategic acumen, deeming him exceptionally talented. Master Lu also saved the Wei family, demonstrating his virtue. Today, I, Huo Lang, humbly request Master Lu to ascend the throne and save our people from suffering!"

He bowed and did not rise. Wei Hong followed suit: "Please ascend the throne. Although the Wei family has declined, we still have men ready to fight. With your command, we will return to serve the nation!"

The officials remained silent, exchanging glances. Such a bizarre situation had never occurred in history. Finally, Hou Bo Wang Huo Bi led a group of military officials to kneel, declaring loudly:

"Please ascend the throne, Master Lu!"

Another group of minor officials followed suit: "Please ascend the throne, Master Lu!"

Half the civil officials also knelt: "Please ascend the throne, Master Lu!"

The remaining few dozen officials finally realized the situation and knelt down: "Please ascend the throne, Master Lu!"

Good heavens, what was Huo Lang up to? After all this effort, he wasn’t trying to become emperor himself but to install an impostor on the throne. Was it a hallucination, or had Huo Lang lost his mind?!

Lu Yan closed his eyes and remained silent until only Grand Tutor Yan was left standing. Then, he slowly opened his eyes and stood up, swaying slightly from kneeling too long. He steadied himself and addressed the officials calmly:

"The Lu family has always been doctors, dedicated to saving lives, with no desire for power. I faced great calamity in my youth and served as the emperor’s substitute, but I never harbored ambitions for political control. My sole purpose was to clear my parents’ names. Having achieved this, how could I even dream of the throne? I wish only to retire to Ruzhou and live a simple life."

Despite his calm demeanor, his years of experience made the officials wary, even more so than before.

Huo Lang declared loudly: "Although Master Lu was a substitute, he has been well-versed in state affairs, treated loyal officials kindly, improved irrigation, and distributed grain. His actions have earned widespread praise. While there are many virtuous people, few understand state affairs. While there are many talented individuals, few possess virtue. If anyone embodies both, it is Master Lu. If you refuse, no one else would dare claim this position!"

Upon hearing this, the ministers understood that the beneficial policies of recent years were all due to the “impostor emperor.” Though he lacked imperial blood, his strategic acumen was undeniable. Besides, who said nobility was hereditary? At this point, lineage mattered little.

Some quick-witted officials bowed deeply: "Please ascend the throne, Master Lu, or we will kneel forever!"

The officials repeatedly petitioned, and Lu Yan repeatedly refused. After several rounds, Lu Yan finally agreed. He first helped the elderly officials to their feet and then lifted Huo Lang from the ground, grasping his hand through his sleeve and sighing:

"If you insist, refusing further would be petty. I hope to govern together with all of you, ensuring peace and prosperity for our people, free from famine and war."

"If I ascend the throne, I will not indulge in luxury. To show my sincerity, I will abolish the imperial harem, taking no concubines or empress. Princess Linan’s wife, Huo Yan, is pregnant with Zhao family blood. When the child grows up, they will be brought into the palace for upbringing, ensuring the throne is not vacant. What do you think of this arrangement?"

Huo Lang was stunned by Lu Yan’s decision to abolish the harem, looking deeply into his eyes before bowing his head silently. His expression softened, and he vowed solemnly:

"I will serve Your Majesty faithfully, without hesitation!"

Seeing Lu Yan’s clear and noble intentions, the officials admired his character and declared in unison:

"Your Majesty is wise! Long live, long live, long may you reign!"

Only Zhao Kang sat on the ground, dazed and lost, like a madman.