Destined it was, that Cai Zhaoji would be restless today.
As she emerged from the secret chamber, her eyes were glazed over, a stark contrast to the usual "intellectual" aura that emanated from her person.
Her head buzzed incessantly.
Just now... Elder Brother, no... to be precise, she could no longer call King Wei Cao Cao "Elder Brother," but rather... rather...
Cai Zhaoji found it difficult to utter the words...
She bit her red lips hard, so hard that several tooth marks appeared on them.
"Zhaoji, this is a secret! But soon, it will no longer be a secret..."
"The candidate for the heir of Great Wei was decided long ago, and you are the only true heir-consort of Great Wei, the future Queen of Great Wei!"
Cao Cao's words echoed unceasingly in Cai Zhaoji's ears.
"Gulp..."
Swallowing again, even though she had left that secret chamber a long time ago, Cai Zhaoji's emotions remained in turmoil. Thump, thump...
She could almost hear her own heartbeat. Her brother had become her husband...
And then, her elder brother had become her father-in-law?
This... no matter what, Cai Zhaoji still could not accept this established fact.
With her pregnant belly protruding, escorted by Xu Chu... she vaguely walked back to the Marquis of Nan Shu's mansion.
Liu Xue, Xiahou Juan, Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao... and Diao Chan holding Ling Ju...
They were all waiting at the entrance...
Worried about where Sister Zhaoji had been taken, they suddenly saw her disheveled appearance.
The ladies of the household rushed forward.
"Sister Zhaoji..."
"Sister Zhaoji..."
Their calls were filled with concern.
Stopped by the sudden voices, Cai Zhaoji raised her eyes, a glint of sharpness in her gaze. "I... I have a piece of news for you now, try not to be surprised..."
"Just tell us, Sister Zhaoji..."
"The heir of Great Wei... no... it's no one else, it's... it's your husband?"
What? The heir of Great Wei? Husband?
This voice struck them like a thunderbolt. All the women were stunned...
Even Diao Chan was not exempt?
Sister Zhaoji said... the heir of Great Wei was... was Lu Ziyu?
Only Ling Ju, babbling incoherently, seemed not to have understood. She immediately asked in her childish voice, "Aunt, why... why is Brother Ziyu the heir of Great Wei?"
Heh...
Princess Wan Nian Liu Xue was the first to regain her senses, her heart churning the most.
Did her husband... did he go from Hidden Dragon to the heir of Great Wei? As for herself, she could be said to have gone from a Han princess to the Queen of Great Wei!
Blinking her eyes repeatedly, even though she had seen much of the world, her heart was still agitated and surging at this moment!
She had left the imperial harem of the Han court and entered the palace of the Wei court!
...
Wei Palace, outside Sima Gate.
The rebellion and its suppression had entered their final stages. Wu Zhi was dead;
Shi A was dead;
Guo Nuwang's father, Guo Yong, was dead... and even Guo Nuwang had just fallen in a pool of blood.
With the departure of one relative after another, Cao Pi's mood grew heavier.
After all... he had not managed to pass through Sima Gate.
"Lu Ziyu, you... you are ruthless, you... you won."
"Father King, oh Father King, the vast foundation of Great Wei will ultimately fall into the hands of an outsider!"
"Your son is not convinced, your son is not convinced... Father King, open your eyes and see, the hegemony of Great Wei... ultimately, ultimately it has been handed over to others!"
"Why... why!"
The wind was biting cold...
Blood mist billowed...
Cao Pi knelt on the ground like a wax figure, letting the cold air and blood mist hit his face, chilling him to the bone. His kneeling...
Rather than admitting defeat or begging for mercy, it was more like... his lead-like legs...
"Why..."
"Why..."
Cao Pi continued to call out, looking blankly at the "enemies" surrounding him...
Just then.
Numerous armored soldiers parted a narrow path, and Lu Yu walked slowly from within, escorted by Dian Wei. Behind him were many officials...
Xiahou Dun and Xiahou Yuan were both present...
And when they saw Cao Pi, without exception, they shook their heads and sighed. Using troops before the former king's coffin...
This was a great sin, a hundred times more heinous than Cao Zhang! A sin that could not be forgiven!
"Zihuan, quite surprised, aren't you? Why did I know beforehand that you would attack Sima Gate?"
Lu Yu's voice was soft and light, yet it carried a touch of solemnity and gravity!
"Lu... Master Lu..."
Whether it was due to fear or some other reason, when Cao Pi looked up and saw Lu Yu, he instinctively uttered the word "Master."
Once upon a time, he too was a student at the Imperial Academy!
"You still remember I am your teacher?" Lu Yu's expression was indifferent, his gaze on Cao Pi's face carrying more sorrow... "Have you forgotten the eight characters engraved on the stone tablet of the Imperial Academy: 'The Emperor's Aide, the Nation's Pillar'? Have you forgotten the sage's teachings of respecting teachers and valuing morality, and filial piety and righteousness first? Now, is it only the pinnacle of power that can satisfy your inner desires? Is the throne of the King of Wei really that important?"
"Do you still not know who you lost to today? And to whom?"
At this moment, Cao Pi lowered his head, like a child who had made a mistake...
Lu Yu's admonishment, much like a teacher to a student, brought back memories of his time at the Imperial Academy.
In contrast, Lu Yu narrowed his eyes.
"When I lectured at the Imperial Academy, how many times did I mention, 'Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it...' Your loyalists are also common people. They are not foolish. They can feel who is most likely to end this turbulent era of strife, and who has brought them their current good life!"
"Heh heh... you attempted to storm the Great Wei palace and kill everyone inside to erase the mark of your rebellion, not knowing that among your loyalists alone... there were no less than thirty letters of denunciation against you! Not to mention that your father-in-law, Guo Yong, needed weapons, tokens, and imperial edicts to mobilize troops... these things cannot be hidden from others. Why don't you ask Zijian... at the newspaper office, how many people received denunciations against you, detailing your plot to launch the Sima Gate incident? How many letters?"
"Zihuan, oh Zihuan, the hearts of the people, the hearts of the army, the hearts of the world are not with you!"
"If you wanted to be the King of Wei? Why didn't you compete openly? Why didn't you tell me, your teacher? Schemes and calculations might win you temporary advantage, but how can you hide from the eyes of the world?"
Lu Yu's words were filled with regret...
Regretting that Cao Pi, a young master who, despite his "poor character," possessed some talent, had completely blocked his own path.
And yet, he was his student!
"Hahaha..."
"Hahahahaha..."
Suddenly, Cao Pi burst into laughter, a wild, hysterical laugh.
"Master Lu, Lu Ziyu... Lu Yu, haha... stop being so hypocritical..."
"Who you are supporting is your cousin, isn't it? He is younger... and easier for you to control. Your... your purpose in controlling him? Isn't it obvious? Sooner or later, you will become the Wang Mang of Great Wei! That reform you fantasize about, didn't Wang Mang try it during his new dynasty... Great Wei replacing Great Han, this is just another cycle, a mere reincarnation! Ultimately... ultimately... hmph..."
"Hypocritical, feigning benevolence and righteousness, now the entire realm of Great Wei.... all of it, all of it has fallen into your hands, you must be happy.... you are happy!"
Cao Pi supported himself with his hands, forcing himself to stand up.
"Hmph, hmph... Father King's遺詔 (yì zhào - imperial edict) has been burned to ashes, no one will know Father King's true intentions... Even if you support Cousin to ascend the throne, his succession is illegitimate, and you, Lu Yu, will also be illegitimate! Hmph.... hmph.... you are right, the eyes of the world are not blind, history will record your name, your manipulation of the court, your appointment of the King of Wei as a stain on your life!"
Illegitimate succession...
Cao Pi fixated on the words "illegitimate succession."
Xiahou Dun could no longer tolerate it. He took two quick steps and slapped Cao Pi across the face. "Zihuan, how did you become like this? How could your father raise a son like you!"
"Heh heh, Uncle Yuan Rang, don't provoke me... Lu Yu's succession is illegitimate, it is illegitimate!" Cao Pi's gaze was cold. "No matter how you put it, his succession is illegitimate!"
As Cao Pi finished speaking...
Just then, a voice came, "Who said the Marquis of Nan Shu's succession is illegitimate?"
Everyone looked.
Walking step by step from afar... wasn't it Xun Yu, Duke Ling of Xun, who had been seeing no visitors?
The scent of Xun Ling...
Before the person arrived, the fragrance came first!
At this moment, Xun Yu was holding a bamboo slip with both hands... respectfully entering the place.
"Who said the late king's imperial edict was burned to ashes? Duke Ling of Xun also has an imperial edict. Why don't you all go to the late king's coffin? Duke Ling of Xun will announce this imperial edict to the world! Let's all hear how the King of Wei selected the heir!"
Having said that...
Xun Yu, still holding the imperial edict, ignored the inquiries from many people... and strode towards the Wei Palace.
The officials behind Lu Yu were in an uproar.
"Didn't the King of Wei leave only one imperial edict?"
"Could it be... besides the one in the burnt Wei Palace, Duke Ling of Xun also has one?"
"No wonder Duke Ling of Xun has been seeing no visitors lately. It's to protect the Wei King's遺詔 (yì zhào - imperial edict) before the situation became clear!"
"Could it be... there was never more than one imperial edict?"
The more they discussed, the more astonished and frightened the faces of the officials became. No one knew... what the fate of Great Wei would be!
"Zihuan? Didn't you say my teacher's succession is illegitimate?" Lu Yu chuckled. "Why don't we go to the palace and see what your father left behind?"
At this moment, Cao Pi's pupils were wide with disbelief. He bit his lip, wanting to say something, but in the end... he did not speak.
...
The bells and chimes rang out, strong and clear.
As the eunuch loudly shouted – "Wei King's Imperial Edict..."
Under the gaze of countless eyes, Xun Yu unrolled the bamboo slip and read aloud, "I raised troops to punish the rebels, and for over twenty years, what I conquered was invincible, what I fought was victorious, and I established the nation through hardship... Now, knowing that my head ailment is incurable and my illness is terminal, I must stake everything and break the cauldrons and sink the boats. If successful, I will lead you all to unify the realm and re-establish a unified dynasty. If I fail, I will also reward you all and have you support the new emperor to realize my dying wish."
At this point, Xun Yu looked around at the officials...
Then he continued to read: "I hereby enfeoff Xiahou Dun as Grand General, Xiahou Yuan as General of Chariots and Cavalry, Cao Ren as General of Cavalry and Chariots, Cao Hong as General of the West, Lu Bu as General of the North, Zhang Liao as General of the South, Cao Chun as General of the East... I hereby enfeoff Xun Yu as Central Secretary, Cheng Yu as Censor-in-Chief, Jia Xu as Minister of Personnel, Xun You as Minister of the Imperial Secretariat..."
This enfeoffment, whether civil or military... whether generals of the Dragon Cavalry Camp or generals of Great Wei, almost every important position was assigned to important personnel.
Even Yang Xiu was appointed as Governor of Zuofengyi, and Sima Yi was appointed as Governor of Youfufeng...
Such official positions surprised both of them... but what surprised them more was that Lu Yu was not mentioned in the entire enfeoffment!
If arranged by rank...
Lu Yu's name should rightfully be first, and even if Qiao Pei's merits were superior, he should only be second to Xiahou Dun.
Of course...
Besides Lu Yu, the selection of the heir was also undecided!
Xun Yu continued to read: "After much deliberation, the candidate I have chosen for Crown Prince is..."
Before Xun Yu could finish reading...
"What about the Marquis of Nan Shu? Did the King of Wei not enfeoff him?"
(Chapter unfinished!)
Chapter 681: From Hidden Dragon to the Heir of Great Wei!
"Yes... where is the Marquis of Nan Shu? Did Duke Ling of Xun miss something?"
Yang Xiu and Sima Yi immediately spoke up...
They keenly sensed something was amiss.
The matter had reached the selection of the heir, and Lu Yu's position could not possibly be after the heir?
Then... does this imperial edict from the King of Wei have another meaning? Immediately... a sense of foreboding emerged.
Cheng Yu also repeatedly shook his head: "No, no... the Marquis of Nan Shu was once the Grand Minister of the Censorate of the Han court, that was the Han court... but not the Wei court. The King of Wei would not be so careless! Nor would he mention the Crown Prince first and then the Marquis of Nan Shu!"
Just then...
"Hahahahaha..."
A brazen laugh rang out, attracting everyone's attention.
It was Cao Pi...
He laughed and shouted: "Father King is still far-sighted! Father King predicted that our Great Wei would follow the footsteps of Great Han. Founding a nation is not easy, and defending it is even harder. Father King does not wish to hand over the vast realm of Great Wei to others, haha, Father King is still far-sighted, your son... your son is truly convinced!"
With a thud, Cao Pi's head hit the floor heavily.
The crisp sound was enough to express his agitated emotions.
After all... he had not completely lost!
Heaven had eyes, Father King had eyes. Although it was of no avail, but... but he, Cao Pi, had finally won one round!
"Who is the heir? Duke Ling of Xun... Who is the heir?"
Cao Pi asked in surprise...
Vaguely, a glimmer of hope rekindled in his heart. Since his father had rejected Lu Ziyu, then perhaps... perhaps...
"Cough cough..."
In contrast, Xun Yu coughed lightly and continued to read: "After much deliberation, the candidate I have chosen for Crown Prince is..."
He paused again...
Numerous civil and military officials were cursing, calling Xun Yu... also an honest man, but so suspenseful!
"Duke Ling of Xun, please... please read it!" Xiahou Dun, being impatient, could not help but ask urgently...
Xun Yu calmly waved his hand and then showed the imperial edict.
He then lightly recited: "There is nothing more. The King of Wei's imperial edict only says this much. The position for the Crown Prince is a blank."
This...
The candidate for the Crown Prince? A blank? What did this mean?
Everyone was dumbfounded, looking at the imperial edict in disbelief.
It was indeed the King of Wei's handwriting, the King of Wei's vigorous and grand calligraphy, it was not easy to imitate!
But... this blank after the Crown Prince? What did it mean?
What medicine was the King of Wei selling in this gourd?
"Duke Ling of Xun, what... what does this imperial edict mean? Did my elder brother not mention anything?"
Xiahou Dun asked with great urgency... Huhu...
Xun Yu took a deep breath and said lightly, "The King of Wei did mention something to me..."
"What?" Xiahou Dun quickly asked.
All eyes were fixed on him even more intently...
Xun Yu, as if fully prepared, then spoke meticulously, "The King of Wei left this blank space for Lu Ziyu to fill!"
"Whoever he designates as the heir, that person will be the heir, including... including himself!"
...
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Chapter 681: From Hidden Dragon to the Heir of Great Wei!