CHAPTER 551: CHAPTER 533: DECLARING ONESELF EMPEROR

"Marquis An Yuan, you remnants of the Marquis Mansions colluding together, do you truly have no selfish motives? Of course, you all hope for Xie Xun to ascend the throne. After all, you would be credited for supporting the dragon, and your gains would be similar. Xie Xun holds military power and financial control, but so what? The etiquette of the world won’t pardon him. Who could forgive his violation of ethics and loyalty? Even if he becomes emperor, who would truly submit to him? Today he seizes the throne through treachery—what about tomorrow? Will another general, with armies in hand, not follow his example and raise troops to rebel? Xie Xun, you claim to act for the people, shouldering eternal infamy, spurring endless wars—are you really doing it for the people?" Mr. Wu, having past grievances with Xie Xun, was naturally unwilling to see him ascend the throne.

Xie Xun paid no heed to the clans’ opposition. "As it stands now, within the Imperial City, both the Forbidden Army and the Kyoto Capital Guard are under my command. The borders and the twelve provinces have long sworn allegiance to Ningzhou. I hold military power, financial power, and half of Yanyang’s lands. If I don’t become emperor, then who will? Whoever dares to claim the throne, I will crush them. The Ningzhou Iron Cavalry shall sooner or later flatten the Capital City."

"Xie Xun, you arrogant whelp! Where has all that you learned from the books of sages gone? Why must you usurp the throne and bear eternal infamy? Even if you desire to become a Regent King..."

Before Grandmaster Zhang could finish, Xie Xun interrupted coldly, "Enough! Silence! I am not here to deliberate with you all; I am here to inform you. From this moment, the one seated upon the throne is me. Those willing to pledge allegiance to me, I shall not hold grudges. But for those who refuse—I will not stop you from resigning and returning to the countryside. The choice is yours!"

Grandmaster Zhang was so furious he almost fainted. Xie Xun’s blatant seizure of the throne showed he cared nothing for others’ opinions.

Prince Duan spoke in a deep voice, "Xie Xun, do not forget—this is the Imperial City, the domain of the clans and the Imperial Family. Apart from the Kyoto Capital Guard and parts of the Forbidden Army, who would follow you? Gentlemen, do not be swayed by his words. This rebel committing treason must be punished; everyone has the duty to strike him down! Kill him and do not let him walk out of the Capital alive."

Xie Xun’s lips curled into a cold smirk as he gazed at Prince Duan. Over the past few years, Yuwen Jing’s oppressive presence had allowed Prince Duan to live a carefree, indifferent life, making him truly believe the prince had no imperial ambitions. In truth, it was only that he had hidden his desires and ambitions, clinging to mere survival.

Elder Li and others began to stir; this was indeed a tempting idea. After all, this was the Capital. As long as Xie Xun was killed, everything would be over. The world would still belong to the Yuwen family, and the clans would still be able to overshadow the Imperial Family. Nothing would change.

Otherwise, under an emperor who controlled military, governmental, and financial power all at once, who could possibly restrain him?

Grand Scholar Gu Jiaming spoke softly, "Gentlemen, please maintain your composure. If we kill Xie Xun, and the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry rebels, won’t it still lead to rivers of blood? We..."

"And what is your meaning, then? Could it be that Mr. Gu also supports Xie Xun’s ascension?" Mr. Wu exploded in anger, "He is just one man here in the Capital—what are you afraid of? General Gao’s fifty thousand troops are stationed just outside the city. He cannot escape even with wings!"

Even if Xie Xun were unmatched in valor, two fists cannot fight four hands. With fifty thousand troops besieging the city, how would Xie Xun escape? He was undoubtedly doomed. Holding an army, why fear Xie Xun?

If Xie Xun died, gradually subduing the Ningzhou Iron Cavalry would not be difficult!

"You may try it, and we’ll see who dies first!" Xie Xun threatened coldly.

"What, are you planning a massacre? Then how would you be any different from Yuwen Jing? If you slaughter indiscriminately, even if you kill all the courtiers, we will never submit to you."

Marquis An Yuan sneered, "Who would kill you? If you are unwilling, just resign. Now you dance so gaily, but don’t forget—Ningzhou abounds in talents, both civil and military. In the future, Xie Zhixu will have no shortage of people to employ. As for the Kyoto clans, they too should see a change of bloodline. A hundred years from now, who will remember any of you? For the enduring prosperity of your families, it is better to adapt to the circumstances—do not be foolish."

At those words, everyone fell silent. For now, they resisted Xie Xun solely out of pride, bound together in solidarity in the hopes of preventing his ascent. But if that could not be stopped, Xie Xun would certainly settle the score once he became emperor.

They were not like Grandmaster Zhang, a man of integrity, who defended orthodoxy not for personal gain. Zhang had educated generations of crowned princes, caring only for preserving the Yuwen family’s legitimacy. The others, however, had different motivations. Prince Duan absolutely could not accept Xie Xun’s ascension; if Xie Xun became emperor, even his title of "Prince Duan" would be stripped, reducing him to a commoner. The Yuwen family would be entirely purged.

Zhang Boju pulled his indignant grandfather, Grandmaster Zhang. "Grandfather, adapt to the times. The Yuwen family’s luck has truly run out. Even for the sake of the common people, Xie Xun is more suitable than Prince Duan or the Crown Prince."

"You..." Grandmaster Zhang had thought his legitimate grandson shared his convictions, only to find him defecting. Not only Zhang Boju but nearly all younger officials from the clans appeared ready to defect. From beginning to end, they had remained silent.

The previous top scholar, Liu An, who came from humble origins, along with officials of similar background, also hoped for Xie Xun’s ascension. It was evident to sharp-eyed individuals that the clans would inevitably face a reckoning. Having dominated the court for so many years, the clans controlled the vast majority of land, resources, and wealth, all intricately linked. Neither the Crown Prince nor Prince Duan had the strength to dismantle the monolith of the clans. Only Xie Xun had the resolve to alter the political landscape.

The younger generations of clan leaders almost unanimously saw this clearly. They wished neither to resist Xie Xun alongside their elders nor to persist in futile defiance. Adapting might instead secure some lasting legacy of goodwill, extending their families’ fortunes for centuries. As the Marquis An Yuan had said, a century from now, the Kyoto clans would have long been replaced if they clung obstinately to their ways.

A new reign brings new ministers.

The civil and military officials of Ningzhou would undoubtedly receive greater favor from Xie Xun than they would.

"What is the meaning of this? Zhang Boju, Gu Jiaming, Liu An—do you all support this illegitimate rebel becoming emperor?" Prince Duan was as restless as an ant on a hot griddle, struggling to maintain his composure.

When he arrived at the Jinluan Palace, he had been utterly confident. Even if he could not become emperor himself, the Crown Prince’s ascension was acceptable. It was certainly better than Xie Xun; under the Crown Prince, the world would still belong to the Yuwen family.

At least, he would remain part of royalty.

Grandmaster Zhang growled in fury, "Xie Xun, if you are determined to persist, this old man will bash his head against the steps of the Jinluan Palace, laying down his life to denounce you. I will never accept the Xie family ascending the throne!"

"Grandfather!" Zhang Boju furrowed his brow and hurriedly attempted to dissuade him, only to be brushed aside by Grandmaster Zhang. "Silence, you rebellious child!"

Xie Xun sneered, "This king has witnessed countless deaths—if not a hundred thousand, at least eighty thousand. One more or one less makes no difference; who would care? Go on, then! Smash your head, spill your blood—your loved ones will grieve, while your enemies rejoice. Who could you possibly threaten?"

The crowd remained silent. Indeed, as father and son of the Marquis Zhenbei Mansion, stained with blood and reeking of death, how could they fear a courtier’s plea for death?

Grandmaster Zhang suddenly found himself on the spot, caught in an impossible situation, and Zhang Boju held him tightly, preventing him from truly smashing his head. Just then, Lin Helin arrived.

Having spent the entire night confronting General Gao’s fifty-thousand-strong force at the gates, Lin Helin was utterly exhausted. Now that the inner palace had settled, he knew a final clash was inevitable. If he did not appear, bloodshed was likely in the Jinluan Palace as well.

"University Scholar Lin, you’ve come just in time. Xie Xun seeks to usurp the throne; the officials are trying to dissuade him. As his cousin and a Cabinet Scholar, you must urge him to relent, avoid defying heaven’s mandate, and avert eternal infamy."

Lin Helin, having held the gates throughout the night, was utterly drained. He glanced at Xie Xun, seated openly on the dragon throne. This scene was no surprise; Xie Xun’s ambition to claim the empire was evident ever since his armies marched across the twelve provinces.

Xie Xun also looked to Lin Helin. If the clans wished to bow down, someone had to step forward to acknowledge his legitimacy.

Although he and Lin Helin shared an understanding that this throne was non-negotiable, the situation had now shifted. Abao held Yuwen Jing’s edict, giving her rightful claims to legitimacy. Lin, as the cousin and potential Regent, might rethink his stance.

Power and orthodoxy, deeply ingrained in this group well-versed in the classics, were not easily overturned overnight.

Even Prince Duan regarded Lin Helin as a savior, casting a triumphant look toward Xie Xun on the throne. With Lin Helin’s regency, Abao could be the emperor. Xie Xun would lose his advantage.

The Forbidden Army, though seemingly loyal to Xie Xun, was effectively under Lin Helin’s control.

If the Forbidden Army were to revolt, with General Gao’s fifty-thousand-strong troops surrounding the city, Xie Xun had no escape.

He was doomed to die!

"I... the entire Lin family, pledge to serve the new Emperor Xie Xun." Lin Helin clasped his hands together, knelt, and bowed solemnly, his tone calm, "Long live the Emperor!"