Royal Gold Medal County Magistrate

Unconscious, Li Ping was taken down from the cross.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard helped him remove his pants, preparing to torture him.

Fang Zheng Yi curiously glanced over, letting out a disdainful snort.

This guy's a little too small... looks like he hasn't developed since he was ten.

No wonder he's always staring at my most virile area to attack!

Maybe it's because I'm too masculine, which aroused his intense jealousy!

Just as the Embroidered Uniform Guard was preparing the funnel of chili oil, a eunuch hurried into the prison.

Stopping in front of Fang Zheng Yi, he respectfully said, "Lord, there is an important matter to report from the palace."

"What is it?"

"Last night, the overseas fleet returned with news that they had found the whereabouts of Prince Wu. The report has been sent to the palace, and His Majesty has specially ordered this servant to make a copy for you."

Prince Wu?!

Fang Zheng Yi was shocked and immediately took the report to read.

After reading it, cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

It was him!?

"Stop the torture!" Fang Zheng Yi immediately stopped the Embroidered Uniform Guard's actions.

Now that Prince Wu had gained a firm foothold overseas, the identities of these assassins were obvious.

Besides him, it was almost impossible for it to be anyone else!

"First, tie his hands and feet, transfer him to a cell, and guard him closely. Notify me when he wakes up!"

......

Inside the warm pavilion.

Emperor Jing lay on the couch, covered with a blanket, his lips pale, looking weak.

Guo Tianyang kept fanning him with a fan, afraid that he would get too hot.

Li Yansong sat beside him, listening to Emperor Jing's words.

"I didn't expect it to be Fourth Brother. Now everything makes sense. There hasn't been a trace of news for so many years. I thought he was dead, but I didn't expect the church to fall into his hands," Emperor Jing said, lifting the blanket to get up.

However, this movement strained the wound, causing him to gasp.

Li Yansong quickly helped him: "Your Majesty, be careful. Try not to move."

Emperor Jing forced a smile: "I'm fine... I'm really old and useless. When I was young, I could recover from such an injury in two days, but I didn't expect to be so useless now."

After speaking, Emperor Jing leaned back on the couch, closed his eyes, and breathed softly.

Li Yansong was silent.

After Emperor Jing leaned for a while, he suddenly chuckled.

Li Yansong quickly asked: "Your Majesty, why are you laughing?"

"Fourth Brother is amazing. Starting from nothing, he can now compete with me. Two assassinations have left me injured. It seems that his skills are indeed impressive, and he hasn't embarrassed the royal family overseas," Emperor Jing sighed.

Li Yansong's face wrinkled: "He is a member of the royal family, but he has established his own power overseas. Such perverse behavior! I suggest sending troops to conquer him immediately!"

Emperor Jing looked up at the ceiling, without saying a word.

Seeing this, Li Yansong was a little puzzled, but he didn't dare to ask.

After a long time, Emperor Jing softly said: "Master Li, help me draft an imperial edict."

"An imperial edict, what is the content?"

"An edict to abdicate the throne."

"This... Please think twice, Your Majesty!" Li Yansong was shocked and knelt down immediately.

Although he knew that this day would come sooner or later, he didn't expect it to be so sudden.

No one was prepared. If it spread outside, the world would be shaken!

Guo Tianyang was still fanning, but two lines of tears flowed from his eyes without warning.

Emperor Jing waved his hand gently: "Get up, just do as I say, write it first."

Li Yansong's legs were shaking, and he staggered to the table, picked up a pen, and began to prepare.

Feeling the wind above his head getting stronger and stronger, Emperor Jing said unhappily: "Stop fanning, do you want to freeze me to death?"

Guo Tianyang quickly stopped and wiped away his tears: "This servant was afraid that Your Majesty would get too hot, this servant deserves to die."

Emperor Jing turned to look at him, helplessly said: "Why are you crying, I'm not dead yet."

"This servant... is confused."

"This day will come sooner or later."

Li Yansong took the newly written edict of abdication and walked to Emperor Jing, dejectedly said: "Your Majesty, it's written."

"Read it."

Li Yansong took the edict of abdication and slowly read it word by word.

But his voice was trembling: "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I have been on the throne for more than forty years, relying on the blessings of heaven and earth and the ancestors. However, I am old, although..."

"The Crown Prince is benevolent and good at assisting. He remembers to be concerned about the worries of the world before enjoying its pleasures, cares for the ministers and the common people, protects the country from danger, and brings order from chaos. He is diligent day and night, striving for the long-term plan of the country. Now I pass the throne to the Crown Prince, who will ascend the throne, and announce it to the world, so that all may know."

Li Yansong's voice was already choked with sobs.

When the words 'By Imperial Decree' were uttered, he was already weeping.

Emperor Jing did not comfort him, his eyes unfocused: "Be concerned about the worries of the world before enjoying its pleasures..."

Li Yansong knelt down on the ground with a thud, sobbing: "This minister is old and frail and can no longer be competent in the affairs of the cabinet. I wish to resign."

Emperor Jing came back to his senses and sighed: "Master Li, I haven't retired yet... Not allowed! Listen to me."

Li Yansong wiped away his tears with his sleeve and stood up.

Emperor Jing firmly said: "The great threat from the West is right in front of us, and I must not sit idly by. Fourth Brother has great ambitions. After the Crown Prince ascends the throne, I have decided to personally lead the army to the West, to flatten the church and clear the obstacles for my Great Jing."

"Fourth Brother and I are from the same generation, and this time we will settle both old and new scores!"

Guo Tianyang suddenly grabbed his sleeve, looking very nervous.

"Your Majesty, you must not! Why personally lead the expedition? Just send troops to conquer them. The church is not a threat to our Great Jing at all!" Li Yansong said in a panic.

Emperor Jing shook his head: "Although firearms are important now, the key factor in war is not just firearms. The West is far away, and the terrain is unfamiliar... Fourth Brother is extremely cunning and may not be without a chance of winning. I must personally lead the expedition to be at ease."

"When my injuries heal, I will prepare the army and set off. I have made up my mind on this matter, and there is no need to discuss it further!"

Li Yansong still wanted to say something, but Emperor Jing spoke first: "Master Li, put the resignation aside for now, and see Yuan Zhao off for another journey."

Li Yansong was extremely moved.

He was no longer able to fulfill his duties, but His Majesty still insisted on retaining him, which was supreme trust and care.

In the important position of the country, how many people in history have accompanied three generations of emperors throughout their lives...

After being moved, Li Yansong slowly said: "This minister... is old and weak, and it is a fact that I can no longer shoulder heavy responsibilities. If the situation in the world had not changed drastically, this minister would have resigned long ago. Since Your Majesty has spoken, this minister dares not refuse, but I hope that Your Majesty will add cabinet ministers to shoulder the heavy responsibility."

"Who do you think is qualified to enter the cabinet?" Emperor Jing asked back.

"Doesn't Your Majesty already have an answer in mind?"

"Hmm... But according to my understanding, he will definitely not agree. Go and talk to him on my behalf."

......