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

In the fourth year of Xuanwu, Li Hong, the founding emperor of Daqing, died in Changsheng Palace at the age of fifty-four.

His posthumous title was Emperor Qiyun, Yingwu, Shende, Shenggong, and his temple name was Taizu.

Looking at his life, he joined the army at the age of twenty and traveled around the world when he was thirty. He is a model of young fame.

In terms of military strategy, he successively destroyed separatist regimes such as Jingnan, Northern Qi, Later Shu, and Southern Han, and completed the unification of most of the country.

He also sent capable generals to guard the border, preventing the northern nomadic peoples from moving south, and at the same time deterring the southern ethnic minorities from advancing into the Central Plains.

In his later years, with the help of his fourth son, Prince Yan, and his sixth son, Prince Feng, he conquered the Mohe, destroyed the Liao, destroyed the three kingdoms of Goryeo, destroyed the Shiwei, conquered the four islands of Wa, and established the colony of Daqing overseas.

Just looking at his martial arts skills, he far surpassed all the founding monarchs of previous dynasties.

In terms of civil administration, although he had great ambitions to eliminate bad policies and weaken the aristocratic families, he failed to achieve his full success because he had more courage than strategy.

However, although the people of Daqing under his rule could not live without worries about food and clothing, their living conditions were greatly improved.

This was an iron-blooded emperor, but also an emperor who got things done.

Although his original intention was not for the people of the world, he did end the chaos and did protect the millions of people under his rule.

This founding monarch, whose civil and military skills were impeccable, was highly praised by later generations.

But what is more memorable is that he had a son named 'Li Che'.

. . . . . .

Looking at the familiar figure sitting motionless on the dragon throne, the officials of the aristocratic families were collectively speechless.

When they confirmed that Emperor Qing had indeed passed away, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

Rebelling in front of this person was too much pressure, even if he was already at the end of his rope.

Some court officials, still remembering their old friendship, knelt on the ground and shouted:

"Farewell, Emperor!"

Seeing this, the others also had to kneel down and pay their respects:

"Farewell, Emperor!"

"Farewell, Emperor!!"

"Farewell to our Emperor!!!"

After the ceremony, the court officials stood up in twos and threes, each with a complicated expression.

Li Che also stood up silently and pulled Li Lin, who was already crying.

Emperor Qing is gone, but their mission is far from over. The truly dangerous moment has just begun.

As expected, as soon as Li Che stood still, Qin Huizhi and others began to attack:

"Now that His Majesty has passed away, we must immediately enthrone a new monarch, summon all officials, and hold a grand coronation ceremony."

Li Che frowned slightly. He had long expected that these officials from aristocratic families would not give in easily, but he didn't know what tricks they would play next.

Before he could say anything, another courtier spoke up:

"That's right, we'll go and invite King Zhou out right now!"

Li Lin's tears hadn't dried yet, and when he heard this, he was so angry that he pointed at the man's nose and cursed:

"You traitor! How dare you bark so recklessly? My father clearly said he would pass the throne to Prince Feng. What does this have to do with Prince Zhou?"

The courtier remained calm and composed, instead raising his voice: "What do you mean by 'offering the throne to the king'? We heard it clearly, it was clearly the throne being passed on to the king of Zhou!"

Other officials from noble families also reacted immediately and echoed the sentiment.

When Huang Jin was reading the second half of the imperial edict, Qin Huizhi and others deliberately made a noise in order to create the current chaos.

Li Huan was deposed, as Huang Jin announced it in public. It was a foregone conclusion and could not be reversed.

Now the only vassal king controlled by the aristocratic families is King Zhou.

As Li Huan's brother, King Zhou was timid and cowardly, and his mother's family was just a small family in Jiangnan, making him easier to control.

Then the courtiers began to shout:

"That's right! I heard it clearly, it was King Zhou!"

"I'm close. Your Majesty clearly said to pass the throne to King Zhou. What does it have to do with King Feng?"

"Is His Royal Highness the Prince of Yan forging an imperial edict to gain the throne?!"

Li Lin was so angry that he was shaking all over. He turned to the expressionless Huang Jin and said, "Huang Daban, tell them the imperial edict again!"

Huang Jin shook his head, his tone calm but with a hint of sarcasm:

"Your Highness, why waste your words on them? These traitors are willing to be deaf. What does it matter if I say it ten times?"

Seeing this, Qin Huizhi immediately pointed the finger at Huang Jin: "Eunuch Huang, what do you mean by this? You just read the imperial edict yourself. Are you trying to tamper with it in public?"

Huang Jin looked at him coldly, his tone stern: "His Majesty said that the throne should be passed to a prince with abundant martial virtues. May I ask Minister Qin, what martial arts skills does the King of Zhou have?!"

"Bullshit!" Qin Huizhi acted indignant. "How dare you, a eunuch, tamper with the emperor's will? You deserve to die!"

When Emperor Qing was alive, Huang Jin was the personal eunuch, and even the two prime ministers had to give him some face.

Now that Emperor Qing has passed away, his power and halo have also disappeared, so Qin Huizhi and others are naturally no longer polite to him.

"Minister Qin, what more do you want to say to this eunuch?"

Zhai Yan raised the broadsword in his hand and looked at the bright yellow silk cloth in Huang Jin's hand with a grim grin:

"The will is right there. Once we take a look at it, we can expose their lies!"

As soon as this was said, someone immediately responded: "That's right, please let Eunuch Huang read out the will!"

"Your Majesty's will concerns the entire world. How can we let a mere eunuch control it?"

"Your Highnesses, Prince Feng and Prince Yan, please do not mislead yourselves. Make the edict public immediately!"

After arguing for so long, the truth was finally revealed.

The aristocratic families have troops at their disposal, so why would they care about that imperial edict? As long as they get the imperial edict in their hands, it would be a matter of a word to pass the throne to anyone.

But they did not hear clearly the last sentence of Emperor Qing's edict, and they did not know that Emperor Qing had already made all the preparations.

More than ten copies of the will sealed with the imperial seal had already been sent to various places in Daqing.

As for Lee Hwan...

At this time, he was kneeling on the ground in a daze, with his mouth wide open as if he had lost his soul.

He was just a discarded pawn. Once the decree of his dethronement was announced in public, he was no longer of any use.

The atmosphere was extremely tense, and Zhai Yan's soldiers were holding knives and on the verge of a fight.

Huo Duanxiao and Ren Kuan stood in front of Li Che and Li Lin. The Jinyiwei drew their swords and looked back unwillingly.

Zhai Yan was born as a border general and had a hot temper and an impatient attitude.

He then smashed the sword in his hand to the ground, his eyes wide open with anger as he shouted:

"My men, follow me and take back His Majesty's will!"

Those who could follow Zhai Yan into the palace were all loyal and diehard followers of the Southern Army.

After receiving the order, they did not hesitate at all and rushed to the Hall of Eternal Life from all directions like a tide.

Although Zhai Yan was bold, he was an ancient man after all, and he had a genuine fear of imperial power.

Because he was afraid that Emperor Qing's body would be damaged, he did not order his soldiers to use bows and arrows, but simply ordered the entire army to advance.

Even so, the mere 800 Jinyiwei were no match for the tens of thousands of Southern Army.

Upon seeing this, Huang Jin immediately shouted to Li Che beside him, "Your Highness, please retreat quickly into the palace. His Majesty has left you a way out!"

Li Che didn't say much. He and Li Lin carefully picked up Emperor Qing's body to prevent it from being damaged by the chaotic army, and quickly retreated into the hall.

The Jinyiwei retreated into formation, used the staircase corridor as cover, and fought desperately to resist the incoming Southern Army soldiers.

The sound of swords clashing suddenly filled the night sky.

As soon as Emperor Qing passed away, a bloody battle broke out in the palace.