We have fought to the Arctic Circle, and you want me to inherit the throne?

Faced with Li Huan's cold rejection, Huo Tao's face showed no fear and remained calm.

He bowed again and said:

"Since Your Highness has not permitted me to retire, I am grateful for your kindness in retaining me."

"However, I, an old minister, do feel that my health is seriously ill and I can no longer support myself."

"I beg Your Highness to allow this old minister to return to his residence to recuperate. As for the affairs of the court... I fear I am no longer able to participate in the decisions."

This is still a disguised withdrawal, but it is just a more euphemistic way of saying it, telling Li Huan that he will not seize power again.

Li Huan's face darkened and he was about to firmly reject it again.

Huo Tao seemed to see through his thoughts and immediately spoke:

"Although I have returned home to recuperate, my son is still serving Your Majesty and Your Highness in the court. The Huo family is a vassal of Daqing and must fulfill their duties."

As soon as these words were spoken, Huo Duanli next to him suddenly became anxious.

He couldn't help but cry out: "Father, I am a righteous man, how can I be with..."

"Shut up!"

Huo Tao tilted his head and growled softly. Although he was short of breath, he still had a sense of authority.

Huo Duanli trembled all over and swallowed the rest of his words. He just clenched his fists tightly and his eyes were red.

The Huo family has very strict rules, and his father's orders are as heavy as a mountain. He dare not disobey in public.

But he really didn't understand why his father would bow to Li Huan.

Huo Duanli had been to Feng State and met Li Che. He knew very well what kind of person His Royal Highness the Prince of Feng was. He was definitely not comparable to a villain like Li Huan.

Once the news from the capital reaches Feng State, His Royal Highness Prince Feng will certainly respond.

If Li Huan rebels and proclaims himself emperor, Your Highness will never sit idly by and will definitely lead his troops south.

If his Huo family surrenders at this moment, wouldn't they become disloyal and unrighteous villains?

Li Huan's attitude was completely the opposite. After hearing what Huo Tao said, his tense expression immediately relaxed a little.

The reason why he forced Huo Tao was not because he really needed this old prime minister to give him advice.

What he wants is an attitude.

It was to let all the court officials see that even the leader of the royal party in the civil service system had to bow down and submit to him.

Huo Taoren stepped down, but left his son in the court, which in itself was a signal of compromise.

It was enough to undermine the will to resist of many neutral parties who were still watching, and even the royalist officials.

The Beijing official system is the real central nervous system of the Daqing Dynasty.

Although the southern aristocratic families have complex connections and control a large number of counties, without the formal recognition and endorsement of the central government, they will not be able to last long.

As for those military heroes of the Fengwang faction in Beijing, such as Zhu Chun and others.

Although they hold a high status, they have no military power in the imperial capital, just like a tiger with its teeth pulled out.

Li Huan has plenty of opportunities to slowly deal with them, it's just a matter of time.

After figuring this out, Li Huan's face once again showed a gentle smile, and he even stepped forward to support Huo Tao:

"Prime Minister Huo has worked so hard for the country that he has become ill from overwork. This pains me deeply."

"In that case, I will follow Prime Minister Huo's instructions and return home to recuperate. If you need me, the imperial physician in the palace can be dispatched at any time."

"The court will need experienced ministers like Prime Minister Huo to take charge and provide guidance in the future."

These high-sounding words gave enough face to the old minister.

Huo Tao bowed to express his gratitude and said no more.

Under the gazes of the crowd, some with complex feelings, some with pity, and some with contempt, he was supported by Huo Duanli and left the center of the vortex step by step.

The remaining officials of the Fengwang Party watched Huo Tao leave, and the last bit of hope in their hearts seemed to be extinguished.

The civil leader has retreated, and the military leader Zhu Chun has not been seen yet, so I'm afraid he is in great danger.

The situation in the imperial capital has completely changed. It is now firmly in the hands of the crown prince and the aristocratic families behind him.

Li Huan watched Huo Tao leave, then slowly turned around and glanced at the ministers who were silent as a mouse.

He did not feel much joy of victory in his heart, as the pleasure of revenge that had been pent up for four years was growing.

This is just the beginning.

He wants to get back the humiliation of imprisonment and the hatred of having his throne taken away, bit by bit, with interest!

Those who had participated in pulling him down from the throne of the crown prince, those who supported Li Che, every one of them will be killed, no one can escape!

"My Lords," Li Huan spoke again, his voice returning to its previous gentleness. "Our state is in dire straits. I need you all to work together and assist me in overcoming these difficulties."

"From now on, normal court sessions will resume, and all memorials will be sent to the Eastern Palace for approval."

"Your Highness's order."

Looking at the crowd of ministers bowing in response below, Li Huan felt a sense of joy in his heart.

The sense of power over everything and the joy of revenge intertwined and surged together, forcing him to keep a straight face and not show too obvious smugness.

He raised his chin slightly, his voice deliberately calm:

"National affairs are difficult, and extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures."

"To stabilize the court, protect the capital, and ensure that the emperor can rest in peace, I have several decrees to be issued immediately."

The ministers held their breath, their hearts hanging high.

"First," Li Huan's gaze swept over the direction of the Ministry of War officials. "Immediately issue an order with the Ministry of War's approval to mobilize the 100,000 elite troops guarding the southern border and the 150,000 troops stationed in the southeast. They will march north to support the king and station outside the capital."

"They must reach the designated defense zone within two weeks and may recruit local militia along the way to bolster their military might."

When this order was issued, officials who were not from aristocratic families were greatly shocked.

The armies in the south and southeast have always had complex relationships with the southern aristocratic families.

The prince's move was clearly to lure various noble families into the capital and completely control the overall situation.

This means that the safety of the entire capital city will be in the hands of the aristocratic families!

"Second," Li Huan continued, his cold gaze turning towards the palace. "The Imperial Guards have been guarding the palace for days, and they've worked very hard."

"From today on, we will exchange guard duties with the capital's garrison troops. The former Imperial Guards will be transferred to the camp outside the city for rest and recuperation. The defense of the nine gates of the capital and the gates of the Imperial City will be handed over to the city defense troops."

"Especially the Hall of Eternal Life, where Father rests, double the number of personnel. We must ensure that no outsiders disturb His Majesty. Anyone who dares to trespass... will be killed without mercy!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the chill in the hearts of the ministers grew even greater.

Removing the imperial guards and replacing them with easier-to-control city defense troops is already forcing the emperor to abdicate.

This move will put His Majesty under house arrest and completely isolate him from the outside world!

Is Li Huan really not afraid of the sharp pen of history that will record his crimes of rebellion?!

"Third." Li Huan's gaze slowly swept across the entire venue, finally landing in the distant north.

"The Emperor's serious illness is a great misfortune for the nation. As the Emperor's flesh and blood, the princes should come to the capital to attend to him."

"Order the Zongzheng Temple to immediately draft an imperial edict and send it to all vassal states, summoning the King of Yan, the King of Qin, the King of Jin, the King of Chu... and..."

He deliberately emphasized his tone:

"Prince Li Che, leave immediately and return to the capital as soon as possible!"

See you in the picture!

Li Huan's ultimate goal was to reveal it in front of all the ministers.

The final outcome of this coup does not depend on the court officials, His Majesty, or even the aristocratic families behind it.

From beginning to end, there was only one person who could influence the coup—

Serve King Li Che!