Chapter 710: Surrender (2)
Listening to the grand chancellor’s words, the other ministers and generals nodded in agreement.
Seeing that everyone shared his view, the Liang Emperor said, "Very well. Since all of you share the same thought as Zhen, then—"
He turned to the grand secretary and instructed, "Grand Secretary, draft the surrender letter immediately."
The grand secretary stepped forward from his position, then bowed and said, "This subject accepts the order."
After he stepped back, the Liang Emperor looked at his eldest son and said, "Crown Prince, from now on, you are the special envoy of our Liang Empire. After the grand secretary drafts the surrender letter, you will deliver it to Xiqiang City."
The crown prince took two steps forward, clasped his hands, and responded, "This son accepts the order."
Turning to the great general, the Liang Emperor said, "Great General, you will lead five thousand elite soldiers to escort the Crown Prince and the envoys to Xiqiang City. The crown prince’s safety is your priority."
The great general clasped his fists and knelt before the Liang Emperor. "This subject accepts the order!"
After delegating the tasks, the Liang Emperor stood up from the dragon throne and said, "Let us end the morning court here."
Seeing the emperor leave the hall, the chief eunuch announced, "The morning court is adjourned."
Kneeling down, the crown prince, imperial princes, ministers, generals, and imperial guards said in unison, "Respectfully sending off the Emperor."
News that the Han Empire and Liang Empire had decided to surrender to the Feng Army soon leaked to the ten kingdoms.
The moment they received the information, the kings could only grit their teeth and reluctantly draft surrender letters, sending envoys to Xiqiang City.
Meanwhile, far away in the Zhou Empire, the atmosphere was heavy, and the common people lived in fear.
As the mastermind behind the Wen Clan, the Zhou Emperor knew that once Feng Xiyan learned the truth, he would suffer a fate worse than that of the Jin Emperor.
Clenching his fists, he made a swift decision. "Zhen will abdicate and pass the throne to the Crown Prince."
At his sudden announcement, the other imperial princes were shocked.
Coming back to his senses, the second prince stepped forward, clasped his hands, and urgently said, "Imperial Father, please reconsider! You are still in your prime. How can you abdicate?"
Raising his hand, the Zhou Emperor silenced him. After the hall fell into silence, he looked at his sons and ministers.
"Zhen knows what must be done. Only by abdicating can Zhen protect this empire."
Some high-ranking ministers who knew his secret remained silent, while those who did not were left stunned by the sudden decision.
Amid the heavy atmosphere, the crown prince stepped forward, knelt before the Zhou Emperor, and calmly said, "This son will do his utmost to protect the people and this empire."
Hearing this, the Zhou Emperor knew that the crown prince was also aware of his secret dealings with the Wen Clan.
For the first time since hearing of the Jin Empire’s destruction, the Zhou Emperor smiled.
Looking at the crown prince with satisfaction, he said, "Good. Crown Prince, from this day onward, Zhen entrusts this empire to you. You must protect our Zhou family’s lands and legacy."
The crown prince kowtowed three times, then solemnly vowed, "This son will protect this empire with his life."
Satisfied with his answer, the Zhou Emperor glanced at the chief eunuch and said, "Read the abdication decree."
The chief eunuch looked at him with sorrow but still responded, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Turning to face the court, the chief eunuch opened the imperial decree and read aloud: "By the will of Heaven, the Emperor decrees—!"
"Zhen is already in my old years, and my health is no longer as it once was. Thinking of the suffering of my people, Zhen is deeply grieved. From today on, Zhen will abdicate and hand over the throne to the next generation."
"The Crown Prince is benevolent, wise, and capable. From this day onward, he shall ascend the throne as the twelfth emperor of the Zhou Empire. All ministers and generals shall support the new emperor in governing the realm!"
"Accept the decree!"
After finishing reading the imperial decree, the chief eunuch stepped down the stairs and approached the still-kneeling crown prince below.
Bowing respectfully, he said, "Your Majesty, please accept the imperial decree."
The crown prince froze at the change in title, but quickly regained his composure. Taking a deep breath, he reached out to accept the imperial decree. "Zhen accepts the decree."
Holding the imperial decree, he stood and walked up the steps toward the dragon throne.
Standing up, the Zhou Emperor reached out to his eldest son. "From now on, this empire belongs to you. Do not disappoint me."
The new emperor clenched the imperial decree and nodded firmly. "Yes, Imperial Father."
With the Zhou Emperor personally escorting him to the dragon throne, the imperial princes, ministers, and generals said in unison, "Long live the Emperor for tens of thousands of years!"
After ascending the throne, the new emperor looked at the kneeling officials below and said calmly, "Beloved subjects, you may rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
While the Zhou Empire welcomed its new emperor, more and more people fled their homes and moved toward Xiqiang City.
Three days later, news that the Liang Empire, the Han Empire, and the Zhou Empire had all sent envoys with surrender letters to Xiqiang City finally reached the Yu Empire.
Inside the Hall of Righteousness, Wen Kang was in the middle of discussing who would fill the vacant positions in the imperial court when a messenger in armor suddenly rushed into the hall.
"Report!"
Hearing this, Wen Kang and the officials immediately fell silent.
Looking at the messenger, Wen Kang calmly ordered, "Speak."
The messenger knelt before Wen Kang, clasped his fists, and reported, "Report! The Han Empire, Liang Empire, Zhou Empire, and the ten kingdoms have all sent surrender letters to Xiqiang City!"
As his voice echoed through the Hall of Righteousness, everyone present gasped in shock.
Sitting on the dragon throne, Wen Kang’s expression darkened, his face as black as ink.