Chapter 1331 - 1272: At the Same Time
The officials kneeling in the hall silently dared not speak, neither daring to agree with Zhao Hanzhang nor to reverse and persuade her to agree.
Thus, the court assembly ended.
At this moment, who remembered to report the bureaucratic affairs?
All government affairs were set aside; nothing was more important than the Little Emperor’s abdication.
The officials exited the main hall and only exchanged glances once back in their respective departments. The world, indeed, was about to change.
Zhao Hanzhang stood before the grand hall, now empty; even the guards at the door had withdrawn.
Yuan Li strode forward with large steps, bowed, and saluted.
Zhao Hanzhang motioned for him to wait in the shade off to the side.
Soon, Eunuch Dong followed behind Zeng Yue with his head lowered, knelt, and kowtowed.
Zhao Hanzhang slightly turned her head to glance at him, then continued to gaze at the empty plaza below the steps, asking, "Were the words spoken by Your Majesty today in the hall taught by Grand Tutor Xun, or were they his own thoughts?"
Eunuch Dong kept his head down and said, "This servant did not hear Grand Tutor Xun giving instructions, only heard him requesting His Majesty to mention the matter of abdication in the hall as he came to deliver the decree."
Zhao Hanzhang said, "Ask the Little Emperor where he would like to live, let him choose a place. And, will you go with him?"
Eunuch Dong immediately prostrated himself, "This, this servant obeys the General’s every order."
Zhao Hanzhang reached out to lift him up, "I give you a choice: if you leave with the Little Emperor, take good care of him. With his disposition, he would also ensure you live in honor for a lifetime; if you stay with me, the inner palace affairs will be entrusted to you to manage."
Eunuch Dong’s heart beat rapidly. Excitement dried his mouth, almost making him immediately agree with Zhao Hanzhang, but thinking of the Little Emperor left him uneasy.
The shadow of the Little Emperor poured over him like cold water, he calmed down, and after a moment’s hesitation said, "I want to think it over before deciding."
Zhao Hanzhang nodded with a smile, "Fine, go, serve His Majesty well."
Eunuch Dong agreed and withdrew with a bow.
Zhao Hanzhang nodded to Zeng Yue, "You may leave as well."
Zeng Yue withdrew.
Only then did Yuan Li step out from the shadows and kneel.
Zhao Hanzhang looked down at him, "You are indeed smart, there are things I don’t need to say aloud, and you understand just by looking. Among all the troops, no one compares to you—Zhao Ju excels in martial arts and strategy, Zeng Yue in loyalty and obedience, and you, in intelligence. Eunuch Dong is no longer entirely loyal to me; why do you think I still favor him?"
Yuan Li replied, "Because you, my lady, are benevolent. He is merely a servant and means no harm; keeping him by the Emperor’s side can serve as a spy and fulfill their master-servant relationship, so why not?"
"If you wanted to kill him, would you ask my opinion?"
Yuan Li bowed his head, "I am at fault, there will be no repeat of the Xun Fan incident."
Zhao Hanzhang said, "Yuan Li, you have contributed significantly to both the nation and me. Do not attempt to guess my thoughts again; this is the last time. Otherwise, regardless of your contributions, merit cancels merit, faults erase faults."
Yuan Li lowered his head and responded, "Yes."
Zhao Hanzhang reached out to lift him up and said in a deep voice, "You were among the aides I brought from the Zhao Family, you are the ones I trust most. Our journey to this day was not easy; naturally, I hope you all can enjoy wealth and honors, having protection for your wives and descendants."
"Yuan Li, I treat you with sincerity, I hope you will not damage the bond between us."
Yuan Li slightly opened his mouth, his recent grievances dissolving, and said with his head bowed, "I understand, before I overstepped, from now on I will not err again."
"Consider this matter settled, later find an excuse to send a gift to Grand Tutor Xun," Zhao Hanzhang withdrew her hand and got to the main subject. "The word of abdication should soon reach Youzhou and Jiangnan, have the secret service keep an eye on Youzhou and Yangzhou, Xuzhou."
Zu Ti has already completed his official duties and returned to Jizhou, she need not worry, Qingzhou and Guangzhou are under Zhao Kuan and Sun Linghui, and Yan State is managed by Zhao Ju, which is also not a concern; Yu State has Zhao Ming, and Sichuan province Li Xiong initially pledged allegiance to her, so there is no need for concern.
In Bingzhou, Beigong Chun is there, and with him watching Tuoba Xianbei, there is nothing to fear, only Shi Le, Liu Kun, and Wang Dao require more attention.
Among these three, Zhao Hanzhang actually trusts Wang Dao the most.
"Liu Kun is prone to impulsiveness, be cautious of his words, while Shi Le tends to act without words, so be wary of his actions."
Yuan Li agreed and asked, "May I request to use Wei Jie?"
Zhao Hanzhang nodded and said, "Use him, contact him via telegraph."
At this time, the radio was entirely controlled by Zhao Hanzhang, so although Shi Le had informants in Luoyang, he could not immediately relay the information back to Youzhou upon receiving it.
They could only send messages by fast horse.
But Luoyang to Youzhou is not close, the message had not yet reached Youzhou when the Little Emperor mentioned abdication again, this time writing the edict himself. Of course, he copied Xun Fan’s draft and invited Xun Fan and Ji Yuan together to persuade Zhao Hanzhang.