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

In the Hall of Eternal Life, the sounds of talking and laughing came to an abrupt end.

Li Che suddenly turned his head and looked out the window. Looking at the signal that illuminated the night sky, the smile on his face froze instantly.

Emperor Qing beside him still had a gentle smile on his face, and he was also looking at the gorgeous fireworks gradually dissipating in the sky outside the window.

A gorgeous but short-lived light is reflected in the turbid eyes.

Li Che took a deep breath and said in a low voice: "Father, I, your son...it's time to go."

"Hmm." Emperor Qing remained motionless, still gazing out the window infatuatedly, muttering, "How beautiful! Is this also made of gunpowder?"

Li Che nodded, his tone complicated: "Yes."

"Or rather, this is the true purpose of gunpowder, but humans tend to use it to kill their own kind."

"yes......"

Emperor Qing let out a long and heavy sigh.

"I only hope that the peaceful world you described to me, one without war and where the people live in peace, will one day truly come to Daqing."

"Let the descendants of the Chinese people, for generations to come, forever and ever, no longer suffer from the pain of fratricide and internecine slaughter."

"Yes." Li Che answered firmly, "That day will definitely come."

Emperor Qing finally turned his head slowly, with a relieved smile on his face, and said softly:

"Go, Cher, open the gate."

"I want to take a good look at these fireworks, and then take a good look at them..."

His gaze turned cold as he glanced at the figures swaying under the torches outside the hall:

"Look at those 'loyal ministers and generals' of Daqing outside!"

Li Che nodded and said no more.

He turned around and walked to the palace gate, then pushed open the two doors with both hands.

squeak-

The heavy sound of the door opening was particularly harsh in the silent night sky.

In an instant, thousands of eyes in the square outside the hall focused on Li Che who appeared at the door.

The light of the torch flickered, illuminating Li Che's calm face.

In the distance was a dark mass of rebel troops, among whom were some familiar faces.

Looking at those faces again, they were all brave soldiers holding bows and crossbows, sharp swords, and wearing armor.

Such a scene is enough to scare anyone, and it is considered brave enough to take a step forward.

Li Che just gave him a cold glance in response, with a hint of sarcastic smile on the corner of his mouth.

Then, he turned his head and whispered to Huang Jin beside him:

"Eunuch Huang, the emperor has something to say to all the ministers in person."

Huang Jin understood and bowed slightly: "This old servant understands. I will serve Your Majesty and wait for him to come to court."

Li Lin, who was standing by, immediately stepped forward and said, "I'll go with you!"

The two of them quickly turned around and entered the hall again.

A moment later, under the astonished and doubtful gazes of everyone outside the hall.

Li Lin and Huang Jin were seen carrying the large dragon throne on the left and right very carefully, moving it out of the hall step by step and calmly.

Sitting upright on the dragon throne was the emperor, wearing a dragon robe, with a thin figure but a straight back!

When Emperor Qing's figure was completely exposed under the light of the torch, it was clearly visible to everyone.

Suddenly, an uncontrollable cry of surprise rang out in the square:

"Your Majesty! It's Your Majesty!"

"How is that possible? Didn't the imperial physician say long ago that His Majesty was already unconscious?"

"How did he..."

"This is going to be difficult."

The expressions of many people from aristocratic families suddenly changed, and they exchanged looks of surprise and doubt.

They had anticipated various situations and even prepared for Emperor Qing's death.

However, they never expected that this emperor, who had been seriously ill for a long time and had long been unable to govern the country, would appear before them in this way!

Although he looked haggard and had messy white hair, he looked terminally ill.

But those eyes that made people dare not look directly at them, and the imperial majesty that emanated from their entire body, made everyone feel a chill in their hearts.

This old emperor...isn't dead yet?!

And judging from the momentum, it seems to be much better than the rumors.

Emperor Qing's deterrent power is too great. Among the ministers, it is inevitable that some of them will want to retreat after seeing this scene.

Among them, Crown Prince Li Huan's reaction was the most unbearable.

When he saw the figure on the dragon throne clearly, he was stunned and unable to move.

Having been imprisoned for four years, with his movements restricted to within half a meter of the dragon throne, his fear of Emperor Qing was ingrained in his bones.

When Emperor Qing's cold gaze swept over him, Li Huan felt his legs go weak and he almost collapsed to his knees on the spot.

Fortunately, Du Fuchen beside him was quick-witted and secretly supported him, so that he could barely maintain his standing posture and did not lose his composure and make a fool of himself in front of everyone.

"Your Majesty has arrived——"

Huang Jin took a deep breath, used his unique sharp voice to gather his strength, and sang loudly.

This shout seemed to have magical power, instantly suppressing all the noise.

The originally bustling square suddenly fell into silence, with only the crackling sound of burning torches as the only sound.

Emperor Qing's gaze slowly swept across the entire audience, passing over everyone's face, taking in all the expressions of fear, awe, or guilt.

He couldn't help but smile coldly, and the emperor's majesty returned to his body again.

Then, he slowly said:

"My Lords, at the dead of night, instead of sleeping peacefully in your own houses, you have gathered outside my chambers, donning armor and armed with swords..."

"Why is that?"

As soon as these words were spoken, all the traitors looked at each other in bewilderment.

You looked at me, I looked at you, and under those gazes, no one dared to speak first in response.

The arrogance that had just been used to force the emperor to abdicate dissipated in an instant.

In the dead silence, Du Fuchen finally straightened his clothes, stepped forward, and bowed:

"Your Majesty, please be advised that we have gathered here because Your Majesty has been ill for a long time and is in a serious condition that is difficult to recover from. We are worried about this."

Although Emperor Qing and Du Fuchen maintained a tacit understanding.

Du Fuchen is a thorn in the side of the aristocratic family. Unless he has been exposed, he will stand against Emperor Qing even now.

But on the surface, the two of them had already torn their faces apart, so naturally they would not treat him well.

He snorted coldly and said, "I'm fine."

Du Fuchen bowed and said, "That's good. I'm very happy."

"However, a country cannot be without a ruler for a day, and government orders cannot be delayed for long."

"We, the ministers, are deeply concerned for the sake of our country and the people..."

"Your Majesty, I humbly ask you to consider the greater good and issue a decree ordering His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to oversee the country and reassure the people!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the people from the aristocratic families felt a little relieved.

Yes, it has come to this, it’s either you die or I die.

If Emperor Qing were allowed to recover from this, who among those present would be able to survive?

Today, the emperor must hand over power to the crown prince, or even abdicate!

Thinking of this, Qin Huizhi gritted his teeth and stood up: "I second the motion. Your Majesty, please order the Crown Prince to govern the country!"

All the officials echoed in unison: "We second the motion. Your Majesty, please order the Crown Prince to govern the country!"