Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors
Chapter 440 - 253: Deposition and Installation_2

Chapter 440: Chapter 253: Deposition and Installation_2

Tang Qin raged, "How impudent! How dare you address His Majesty in such a manner!

"The Emperor already made a visit to the Jin camp half a month ago and, having been courteously treated for two days, returned. Yet now, it has been three days and he has not returned. If it were not for the sudden arrival of the Western Army that forced the Jin to relocate their camp, how else would you explain it?"

Fan Cun glanced at him, "Just because the Jin released someone last time, does it mean they will definitely release someone this time?

"Once you enter the Jin Camp, it’s like a sheep entering the tiger’s mouth; whether the tiger eats the sheep is solely dependent on its own mood, not the sheep’s etiquette.

"Minister Tang, you’re not unlike my elder brother, muddled in your thinking!"

Tang Qin’s face changed yet again. This Prince Yun had repeatedly failed to address the Emperor with due respect, and this was a grave act of irreverence.

But at this moment, the Supreme Emperor spoke up, "Alas, Prince Yun has a point. I strongly advised the Emperor against going before he departed, but he wouldn’t listen..."

Originally, the Supreme Emperor had been reduced to a mere figurehead by the Emperor.

He was barred from attending most court sessions.

However, on this occasion, given the Emperor’s absence and Prince Yun’s return, he was allowed to access the court.

At this time, Tang Qin faintly sensed that something had changed.

The Supreme Emperor... seemed to have other motives in mind.

Fan Cun felt an understanding dawn within him.

Indeed, the situation in court was as Emperor Taizu of Sheng had predicted!

In that case, it should be easy to handle.

He stepped forward and declared loudly, "Father Emperor!

"The Emperor has ventured deep into the Jin camp and is in imminent danger. Should anything untoward occur, what would become of the ancestral temples? I beseech you, Father Emperor, to prioritize the well-being of the state. Set a strategy early to ensure the stability of the realm and comfort the people, then all under heaven will be fortunate!"

At this moment, Emperor Yingzong of Qi hadn’t fully grasped the situation, "Set a strategy early?"

Fan Cun continued, "How can the nation endure without a sovereign for long?"

Before he could finish, Tang Qin, already infuriated, exclaimed, "Presumptuous!

"Your Highness Prince Yun, although the Emperor is in the Jin camp, he remains unharmed. Yet you dare to speak of dethronement and succession... Are you, perchance, plotting rebellion?"

By now, everyone at court fully understood Prince Yun’s purpose in coming.

Prince Yun had traversed a thousand miles under the pretense of aiding the Emperor, but the first thing he did upon arrival was not to launch an attack on the Jin to rescue the Emperor, but to come to the court and meet with the Supreme Emperor and the civil and military officials.

This revealed that his intention from the start was to advocate for dethronement and succession!

Furthermore, the justification he offered was compelling.

Now that the Emperor was deep within the Jin camp, in peril every moment, any misfortune would leave the dragon throne headless. Surely, the entire court and the capital would be thrown into chaos.

Thus, in such a situation, appointing a new sovereign to temporarily take charge of the government would be sensible, wouldn’t it?

Once the Emperor was rescued, the throne could be returned to him.

Such a provisional plan was indeed quite necessary at this time.

Tang Qin wanted to say more, but Fan Cun completely ignored him, continuing to address the Supreme Emperor, Emperor Qihui, "Father Emperor, please establish a plan promptly, to comfort the people!"

A glimmer seemed to pass through the clouded eyes of Emperor Qihui, who said, "Prince Yun speaks wisely!

"A country cannot be without its ruler for even a day. The Crown Prince is too young to hastily handle all affairs. Prince Yun, as my older son, is suitable to inherit the great throne and ensure the stability of the nation!"

Tang Qin stamped his foot in anger, "How could this be permissible!"

The assembled ministers at court also burst into an uproar, seemingly ready to pounce and beat the rebellious traitor to a pulp.

Yet Fan Cun remained unmoved.

He observed everyone’s reactions with a detached calm, resembling someone serenely waiting for a fish to bite.

The situation in court was indeed as Emperor Taizu had analyzed before.

The conflict between Emperor Qihui and Emperor Yingzong had reached an irreconcilable point.

Initially, Emperor Qihui intended to wash his hands of responsibility, leaving everything to Emperor Yingzong and walking away unburdened. However, he soon felt a sense of loss at his lack of power, which led to thoughts of establishing a new center of command.

The reason he had returned to the capital after the first withdrawal of the Jin forces was, of course, with this intent in mind.

If Emperor Qihui truly wished to detach completely, focusing solely on his spiritual pursuits and pleasure, why would he return to such a dangerous place as the capital?

Emperor Yingzong was clearly aware of this and, as a result, not only placed Emperor Qihui under house arrest and purged the court of his supporters but even his own entry into the Jin Camp was somewhat related.

Originally, the Jin intended to invite the Supreme Emperor for "peace talks."

But Emperor Yingzong, cunning as he was, immediately saw through their scheme, thinking, ’You think to bypass me and establish a new center of power? You’re underestimating my intelligence! If anyone is going, then I shall go myself!’

And so the cunning Emperor Yingzong went to the Jin Camp in place of Emperor Qihui.

In a nutshell, Emperor Qihui was regretting his earlier decision. Whether it was renouncing the throne or returning to the capital, his conflict with Emperor Yingzong had almost reached a point beyond reconciliation.

And at this moment, Prince Yun had afforded him an excellent opportunity.

That was to establish a new sovereign!

In legal terms, Emperor Qihui had the authority to do so.

With the Emperor absent from the palace and uncertain when he might return, both the royal family and the ministers could then contemplate a new succession.

Naturally, amongst the royal family, the Supreme Emperor’s standing was paramount. As long as the Supreme Emperor initiated the matter, and the majority of the ministers concurred, it could be enacted.

However, although the Supreme Emperor did agree, these ministers were not so easily swayed.

The ministers, led by Tang Qin, were nearly ready to literally blow the roof off the Golden Throne Hall in their adamant disagreement.

The reason was simple: they had all been promoted by Emperor Yingzong!

Take Tang Qin, for example, he was of the conciliatory faction and had been heavily utilized under Emperor Yingzong.

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