Chapter 223 Infighting (2/2)

If she is this smart at this age, I believe she will be an extraordinary figure like the previous great Emperors. So I asked the dragon about her if my thought is correct, and it nodded in acknowledgment.

The dragon also warned me with another prophecy. It was shocking and frustrating to the point that even my hands are shaking as I am writing this edict.

It is likely that I will die in this war!

To prepare for such a scenario if the prophecy comes true, I am giving a decree in advance. If I were to die in this war, Diao Chan must succeed the throne without fail! Even if I return, Diao Chan will still be the next Empress!

Do not let other Liu Clan members take the throne or the country will be in chaos for another one hundred years!

This is my will! I will leave everything to Wang Yun and Diao Chan from now on. Everybody must attend to them as you have listened to me.

Signed – Liu Ping]

…

Everyone stared at Wang Yun in shock and disbelief. This decree was fishy in many ways.

”Accept the mandate of the Emperor!” Shouted Wang Yun.

”Wait! I want to confirm the authenticity of the edict!” Liu Yu, the Minister of the Imperial Liu Clan, protested.

This minister was also the true governor of Ganling Commandery City, southeast of Julu. He held two positions in the government at the same time.

Because of his dual positions, he entrusted his governing duties to his subordinates and stationed himself in Luo Yang. Unfortunately, his city was raided and taken over by Zhang Yan and a mysterious sorcerer, and ultimately fell under the control of Sun Jian.

Initially, he was a good and honest governor who cared about his city and his citizens. He had worked hard under Emperor Ling for years and never missed the annual tributes.

Emperor Ling noticed his loyalty and his deeds. Thus, Liu Yu was rewarded with the position of the Minister of the Imperial Liu Clan.

This position had a significant underlying as an unofficial candidate to the throne! Had the royal family lost all of their successors, Liu Yu would have the right to claim it as the head of the Liu Clan!

He had already lost his influenced city, and he was about to lose the title as the Imperial Clan head. The throne was rightfully his if Liu Ping died so giving the throne to an outsider was unacceptable to Liu Yu.

Wang Yun peered at Liu Yu and snorted. The old fox revealed the content of the scroll to the public, showing the red stamp of the Imperial Seal.

The seal was unique ancient characters which had a meaning; ”Accept the Mandate of the Heaven, May the Emperor Live a Prosperous and a Long Life.” These letters were carved into the jade seal which had been passed down since the foundation of the Qin Dynasty.

These red characters could not be forged in this era as the only ones who knew about this ancient writing were the Emperors. No commoner or nobles were allowed to practice writing these series of characters, or their entire family could be executed for committing treasons.

”Do you question the authenticity of this seal!?” Roared Wang Yun.

Liu Yu stared at the seal in shock. He had seen the seal many times before when he was serving the previous Emperor. He could not deny the red characters in the stamp.

Gritting his teeth, Liu Yu stepped down and knelt, ”May the Emperor live a long and prosperous life.”

Wang Yun was elated. He darted his eyes around in the throne room to see if there was any other official who objected this decree. Everybody in the room had already knelt and accepted the edict, but dissatisfaction still showed on their expression.

”By order of the Emperor, Diao Chan will be crown as the Empress of Han! However, because we are at war with the Xiongnu, we shall postpone the coronation ceremony and all other rituals until we confirm the result of the war!”

All officials bowed in acknowledgment, yet they glanced around to check the others reaction. Some of them gritted their teeth, and some of them cursed Wang Yun in silent. Everybody did not like this kind of development as they thought that Wang Yun attempted to steal the throne.

…

Later that day, Wang Yun returned with Diao Chan to her inner palace. His back soaked with sweat as it was nerve-wracking trying to suppress the nobles in the throne room.

”You are doing great, father.” Medusa in Diao Chan's form calmed her foster father.

”This will bring us a lot of troubles! Little girl, are you sure this is the decree of His Majesty?”

”Yes. Do you think I'm capable of writing such a complicate edict you read? Don't overestimate your daughter, father.”

Wang Yun scratched his head in helplessness. He also did know anything about the dragon in the edict or how he returned to Luo Yang. For some reason, he miraculously arrived in Diao Chan's inner palace after meeting the monster in the forest.

Though he was glad that he was not captured by the Xiongnu, he still could not get rid of his fear toward the mysterious snake monster.

”For now, let's wait for the news about the Emperor and sabotage the strength of Liu Clan. You should get close to their clan supporters and make them turn against each other. That way, you can secure your political power.”

Wang Yun gave Diao Chan a wry smile. He had been a loyal minister under Liu Clan for decades. Now, he had to fight against them in a political struggle as the supporter of the new Empress.

”Little girl, what about Dong Zhuo? You said that his army is in Henei at the moment. I think he will return to Luo Yang soon. Do you have a plan for them?”

The infighting between ministers and Liu Yu had begun, but Wang Yun had not forgotten about the cruel Prime Minister, Dong Zhuo. He had heard about Dong Zhuo's retreat and his location from both his subordinates and Diao Chan. The returning of Dong Zhuo would cause many complications in the Court again.

Diao Chan nodded, ”Yes. I've made a pact with the monster that rescued you. She will help us fending off Dong Zhuo. Father doesn't have to worry about it.”

”She rescued me?”

”Yes. She's a servant of the dragon in the edict. Everything is real.”

Wang Yun gulped. Even though he had been getting a bad vibe from this little girl, he could not come up with another explanation of the recent events around him.

Giving up thinking, Wang Yun patted his daughter's head.

”I'll arrange more guards around you. I don't think that Liu Yu will give up because of an edict. He will send scouts and spies to confirm the status of His Majesty Ping, then he will come back to bite us soon. You should be careful.”

”I know. He won't be able to do anything.”

Diao Chan gave her father a bright smile. No matter what Dong Zhuo had prepared for them, she could destroy his army with a single snap of her fingers.