The emperor faked his death? Never mind, I will ascend the throne directly!

Qi Daokun moved closer to Cheng Qitian and said in a low voice, "How about I let this humble official be the emperor?"

"Your Majesty, you are a member of the royal family and a prince who commands a large army. With just a wave of your hand, you can clear the court, kill the tyrant, and establish a new emperor."

"In this way, Your Highness will be recognized as a meritorious official who has helped support the country, while also avoiding the accusation of usurping the throne. Isn't that the best of both worlds?"

After hearing this, Cheng Qitian sneered in his heart.

Qi Daokun was so exhausted that the abacus beads were about to fall off his face. He had worked so hard to start a rebellion, only to have to hand over the throne to him?

He was about to refuse, but Qi Daokun continued speaking.

"Your Highness, think about it. Li Chengfeng is now at the end of his rope. The new policies he implemented have affected the interests of too many people, and there has long been resentment within the court."

"And you have a large army at your disposal. You only need to use a little trick to take them down."

"When the time comes, I will ascend the throne and become the emperor. I will certainly be grateful to you, Your Highness, and will make you a king of a different surname, allowing you to enjoy all the glory and wealth. Your good name will also be passed down through the ages!"

A trace of contempt flashed in Cheng Qitian's eyes. What he despised most was a calculating villain like Qi Daokun.

Besides, Qi Daokun's power has been shattered by Li Chengfeng. What use is it now?

"Master Qi, you think too highly of yourself."

Cheng Qitian sneered, "Who do you think you are? Are you worthy of being an emperor?"

"I tell you, I am determined to obtain this throne!"

Qi Daokun remained unmoved, still smiling as he said, "Prince, don't forget that you were personally appointed by the late emperor. If you ascend the throne, you would be committing treason and attempting to usurp the throne. This infamy will live on forever!"

"But I am different. I was originally a minister. My ascension to the throne is simply in compliance with Heaven's will, and the people will support me."

"When the time comes, I will make Li Chengfeng's crimes public, saying he is a tyrant and a fool who murders loyal and good people."

"The people will naturally be grateful to you, Your Majesty, and praise you as the savior. Your good name will be passed down through the ages!"

Although Cheng Qitian was disdainful in his heart, Qi Daokun's words forced him to consider it seriously.

He really cared about his reputation. If he was branded as a usurper of the throne, he would not be able to face his ancestors after his death.

"Your Majesty, please think again. If you ascend the throne, what will those loyal ministers of the late emperor think?"

"Will they obey you? Will they willingly submit to a traitor who seeks to usurp the throne?"

Qi Daokun continued to persuade, "If I ascend the throne, I can silence the gossips, and those old ministers will also be convinced. After all, I am the rightful successor."

Cheng Qitian was silent. He had to admit that what Qi Daokun said made sense.

Although he had military power, it would be difficult for him to sit firmly on the throne without the support of the ministers in the court.

"Master Qi."

Cheng Qitian pondered for a moment and said, "I will consider your proposal."

Qi Daokun was delighted, he knew that Cheng Qitian was moved.

He lowered his voice again and said, "Your Highness, this opportunity is fleeting!"

Although Cheng Qitian appeared calm on the surface, his heart was already in turmoil.

He gripped the teacup tightly, his knuckles whitening as if he were about to crush it. "Master Qi, are you sure Li Chengfeng is trapped now?"

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. Li Chengfeng is busy with his new policies right now and has no time to take care of other things."

"Besides, the generals of the five major camps have long been dissatisfied with him. This time, they will definitely give their all!"

"Hmph, those old stubborn guys from the Five Camps, besides being able to wield swords and guns, what else can they do? I'm worried they might do something bad!"

Cheng Qitian really had this ominous premonition.

"Your Highness, you're worrying too much. The Five Battalions may be dull, but they have the advantage of being strong and powerful. With them surrounding us from the outside, Li Chengfeng won't be able to escape even if he has wings!"

"Besides, my followers will be waiting for us inside the palace. As long as His Majesty gives the order, we can work together inside and outside to capture Li Chengfeng in one fell swoop!"

Qi Daokun had already made up his mind and no longer worried about anything else.

Just then, a soldier ran in, "Report... Report to the prince, the five major battalions... have already mobilized... and set off!"

"Hahaha! God help me too!"

Cheng Qitian laughed out loud, the timing was perfect.

"Master Qi, there is no time to lose, let's set off now!"

Qi Daokun was also delighted. He quickly stood up and bowed deeply to Cheng Qitian, "Your Highness, I will make arrangements right away and ensure everything goes well!"

……

At the city gate, He Sheng was directing the soldiers to strengthen the city's defenses.

He frowned and looked at the army gradually approaching in the distance. Li Chengfeng had already made all the arrangements. Now he just wanted to see Cheng Qitian's head with his own hands.

"General, Cheng Qitian's army is getting closer!"

A soldier pointed to a dark mass in the distance and reported in a trembling voice.

He Sheng took a deep breath and tried to calm the fighting spirit in his heart.

"Pass the order down, all soldiers, prepare for battle! The vanguard troops will report to His Majesty immediately!"

"Yes!"

The soldiers took the order and left.

……

In front of the imperial study, Li Chengfeng stood with his hands behind his back, looking indifferent.

In front of him, the ministers who usually bowed and scraped to him and wanted to lick the soles of his shoes were kneeling on the ground, now with sad faces, as if their parents had died.

"Your Majesty, the rebels are at the gates of the city, and the capital is in imminent danger!"

"For now, the only way to preserve the foundation of our Qian Dynasty is to move the capital!"

A fat-headed guy was crying with tears and snot. He was the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue and Qian Youliang's lackey.

"Yes, Your Majesty, as long as there is green mountain, there is no fear of running out of firewood!"

"As long as Your Majesty is healthy, there is still hope for our Qian Dynasty!"

Another old fellow who usually liked to be sarcastic also agreed. Li Chengfeng glanced at him and thought, hmm, Qi Daokun's confidant.

He sneered in his heart. These people were fence-sitters. They usually flattered others, but now that they saw that the situation was not right, they immediately became cowardly.

Move the capital? That sounds nice, but it's clear they're trying to trick me out of the palace so that Cheng Qitian, that old bastard, can catch me in a trap!

Do you really think you are a fool?

"I have considered what you said, my dear ministers."

Li Chengfeng's tone was filled with anger, like a king on the verge of collapse. "But the capital is the foundation of our Qian Dynasty. How can we give it up so easily?"

"Besides, I believe that the soldiers of my Qian Dynasty will be able to repel the rebels and defend the capital!"

"But Your Majesty..."

The fat man wanted to persuade him again, but was frightened by Li Chengfeng's look and shrank back.

"I have made up my mind, no need to say more!"

Li Chengfeng's expression changed, his previous panic gone. "My dear ministers, please think about how to help the country!"

"Don't wait until I've even moved the capital and you guys run away!"

These words were profound and meaningful, and the officials present broke out in cold sweats. They all heard the warning in Li Chengfeng's words, and no one dared to mention the issue of moving the capital again.

At this moment, the soldier who was delivering the message for He Sheng ran over and said, "Report... Report to His Majesty!"

"General He... General He asked me to report that the rebels... the rebels are approaching the city gates!"

"Understood, let's go down."

Li Chengfeng waved his hand lightly, his face still without a trace of panic.

He turned to look at the ministers, as if wanting to see if they had anything else to say. "My dear ministers, what are your thoughts now?"

Everyone looked at each other, not daring to breathe.

The guys who were clamoring to move the capital just now are now silent, fearing that Li Chengfeng will take revenge on them later.

Li Chengfeng ignored this group of rubbish and went straight up to the city wall.

On the city wall, the wind was howling.

Looking around, there was a dark mass outside the city gate, all of them were Cheng Qitian's rebels.

They had flags flying, swords and guns in hand, and looked very imposing.

Li Chengfeng narrowed his eyes, but there was no ripple in his heart.