Chapter 1053: The Desire of the People

"Hahaha, excellent! Since that is the case, I shall draft the abdication edict now and announce it to all the ministers." Zhao Heng suddenly stood up, his face full of smiles; he was even happier than when the various nations of the Southern Region submitted to Da Song.

In truth, just as Empress Mi had said, he was now single-mindedly wishing to abdicate.

After all, the power of Da Song now rested entirely in the hands of Zhao Xu; he, the Emperor, had only the title, and there was no difference whether he held the position or not.

Furthermore, there was another very important reason.

Although Zhao Xu was not in a hurry to ascend the throne as Emperor, the generals and officials under his command were gradually losing patience.

Out of the human ethics of father and son, Zhao Xu could still maintain a harmonious appearance with him on the surface.

But these officials and generals were not so polite to him in private.

According to some old ministers who came from Jinling, many officials of the Yanzhou Faction had once proposed advising the Yan Wang to force the palace.

And as the Northern Di were defeated in Yongzhou, the great threat in the North Territory was removed, and the interior of Da Song was peaceful and flourishing, the desire of these officials grew ever stronger.

During Zhao Xu's trip south, there were even officials who no longer held back, even discussing it openly.

Although he considered himself incompetent, he had long experienced the field of power struggles and knew in his heart that this was done deliberately by the generals and officials under the Yan Wang, just to give him a reminder.

Now, if he abdicated himself, he could still save face.

But if he still clung stubbornly to the throne, he feared that this group of people under the Yan Wang would truly submit a petition to force the palace.

"Thank you, Imperial Father, for your great grace." Zhao Xu no longer prevaricated at this moment; this thanks was his acceptance.

In fact, he was also clear on the reason Zhao Heng was busy abdicating; it was just that both sides understood without speaking.

He was crystal clear about the court of Da Song; Xu Ke had told him everything about what people like Liu Fu and Chang Wei were doing.

The group of people under his command did not have a shred of good feeling toward Zhao Heng.

That they could still call Zhao Heng 'Emperor' was because he had forcibly pressed their heads down.

They remembered clearly how Zhao Heng had once been harsh toward Yanzhou.

Since they did not want to endure Zhao Heng any longer, and he also felt the time had come, then he would just accept this throne.

As for Zhao Heng, even if he abdicated, he could still spend his remaining years in Yancheng; this was doing all that was humanly possible for him.

After saying some more domestic pleasantries with the two, Zhao Xu returned to the Prince's Mansion.

It seemed to be at Zhao Heng's instruction, as the news of the abdication spread from the palace like a gale, instantly sweeping through the entire Yancheng.

"His Highness agreed?"

In the outer city of Wuji Palace, inside the Du Hall where the Prime Minister worked.

Because of his excitement, Liu Fu used too much force with the pencil in his hand, and the tip snapped.

But he could not care about that, instead grabbing the collar of the little eunuch tightly.

"It is absolutely true; Chief Steward Liang said it himself." The little eunuch giggled.

When Liang Cheng released this news, the palace was in an uproar.

Once the old Emperor abdicated and the New Emperor ascended the throne, this Wuji Palace would change masters.

Zhao Heng and Empress Mi would both have to move out, and the Yan Wang and the Princess Consort would naturally move in.

At that time, they, these eunuchs and palace maids, would effectively have changed masters as well.

Some shrewd ones, like him, naturally could not help but run out ahead of time to leak the news, hoping to get a good start after the New Emperor ascended the throne.

"His Highness has finally agreed! Hahaha, wonderful! It should have been like this long ago; the people of the world have been waiting for this day until their eyes went straight." Liu Fu laughed loudly.

Then, he put away his smile and left the Du Hall like the wind, heading toward the Prince's Mansion.

At this moment, the little eunuch said, "My lord, I am called Xiao Guizi; please do not forget to put in a good word for me before His Highness."

Liu Fu nodded while walking outward.

Just as he left the Du Hall, he saw ministers like Chang Wei, Yang Feng, and Yang He.

They were all beaming with joy, one rushing after another to walk out, fearing they would be left behind.

Seeing this, he immediately joined the crowd.

Arriving in front of the Prince's Mansion, they scrambled to squeeze into the mansion, nearly coming to blows.

And at this time, Zhao Xu was already waiting in the Council Hall.

He knew very well that from now until the end of the Abdication Ceremony, he could forget about having any leisure.

"Congratulations, Your Highness. Your Highness inheriting the great throne is the desire of the people; only with Your Highness governing the land can the hearts of the people be settled."

Chang Wei had the best stamina and was the first to enter the Council Hall.

Seeing Zhao Xu, he hurriedly offered his congratulations in a loud voice.

Liu Fu entered second; although he was a civil official and his stamina was not as good as Chang Wei's, he was young and strong, so he could still keep up.

Panting a few deep breaths, he bowed and said, "Congratulations, Your Highness. Grass and trees flourish when they meet spring, fish and shrimp live when they get water, birds and beasts thrive when they have forests; Your Highness ascending the throne is like the arrival of spring, the coming of water, and the flourishing of forests. Da Song will surely flourish..."

Speaking to the end, Liu Fu shouted out loud.

"Alright, alright, say less." Zhao Xu had goosebumps from Liu Fu's flattery.

Seeing that Liu Fu had the posture to continue, he hurriedly called a stop.

This Chang Wei was a rough man with no literary talent, and his words of congratulation were simple and plain.

He really could not stand the sour words Liu Fu cooked up.

As his voice fell, ministers like Yang Feng, Dong An, Yang He, and Zou Rong arrived one after another.

For a time, sounds of congratulations in the Council Hall were continuous.

Zhao Xu accepted them all, one by one.

Things had reached this point, so there was nothing left that needed to be covered up.

After the important ministers had all arrived, Zhao Xu said, "The Abdication Ceremony should not be extravagant or wasteful; everything should be simplified. This matter will be handed to the Ministry of Rites to handle."

"Yes, Your Highness." Zhu Tuo responded in the affirmative.

He was currently serving as the Minister of Rites.

As the first Commandery Governor of Yan Commandery, after the unification of the Great Song, he naturally rose rapidly in his career.

Zhao Xu looked toward Zou Rong again, "Your Ministry of Works is responsible for renovating the Prince's Mansion; from now on, this place will be the temporary palace for the Empress Dowager and the Retired Emperor."

After ascending the throne, according to the rites, he could no longer live in the Prince's Mansion.

Zhao Heng and Mi Huanghou also had to move out.

In Yancheng, apart from Wuji Palace, his Prince's Mansion was the most luxurious; they could simply swap places, with no need for further construction.

This was also the wish of Mi Huanghou and Zhao Heng.

"Lastly, regarding an auspicious date, you all choose one; I can only wait for you to make the preparations, then I will invite the Emperor to hold the abdication ceremony," Zhao Xu said in conclusion.

"Yes, Your Highness," the group bowed in unison.

As they lifted their heads, joy was visible on every face.

Since Yan Wang had said so, the abdication ceremony was effectively set.

The matter they had hoped for in their hearts for many years had finally been fulfilled.

After discussing for a while longer and settling the matters of appointing Yang Susu as Empress, Luan'er as Virtuous Imperial Concubine, Feng'er as Moral Imperial Concubine, and the Dragon Robe, Zhao Xu, unable to bear the ministers' fussing any longer, shooed everyone away.

As the ministers left the Prince's Mansion, the news that Zhao Xu was about to ascend the throne immediately spread among the common people.

That night, in every household in Yancheng, people were excitedly discussing it over tea and meals.

At the Jinlin Huoguodian on the west bank of the Golden Scale Pond.

Four workers who had just finished their shift at the Steel Workshop sat down at the hot pot restaurant, ordered their food, and couldn't help but gossip.

One said, "If you ask me, the Emperor should have abdicated to Yan Wang long ago; our Yan Wang represents the will of the people."

"Indeed, once the news of Yan Wang's upcoming ascension arrived, it was like taking a reassurance pill; from now on, our lives will surely get better and better," another said.

"That goes without saying; in the past, we couldn't even afford pants, unlike now where we can come here to eat hot pot every few days," the man sitting opposite the two said.

Immediately, the four of them laughed together; there was bitterness, but more than that, it was satisfaction with their current lives.

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