Dark Sand: My Players Are All Actors
Chapter 453 - 256: Requesting Your Majesty to Embrace Death! (8600 characters for monthly ticket)_3

Chapter 453: Chapter 256: Requesting Your Majesty to Embrace Death! (8600 characters for monthly ticket)_3

Emperor Gaozong of Qi’s expression changed instantly, somewhat reluctantly saying, "Abdicate the throne?"

These words, coming from Li Hao’s mouth, who wielded immense power over the court and the countryside, always seemed to give an impression of a palace coup.

Jingping quickly explained, "Your Majesty misunderstands; abdicating now is actually the best timing."

Emperor Gaozong of Qi appeared puzzled, "Why?"

Jingping continued, "Firstly, an emperor is a revered being, not to be lightly absent from the capital. But once you become Supreme Emperor, Your Majesty can leave at any time without anyone having a reason to stop you.

"Secondly, the current Crown Prince is so virtuously inclined that he moves heaven itself, truly a rare find for an heir in a thousand years. After Your Majesty abdicates, there’s no need to worry about the reoccurrence of past issues seen in previous emperors.

"Thirdly, abdication allows for favor to be granted to the Crown Prince. If it were a normal ascension, this effect of granting favor wouldn’t be achievable!

"Fourthly, since Your Majesty has already decided to pass the throne along the line of Emperor Taizong, it would be prudent to plan ahead to prevent future problems.

"Thus, this servant believes that now is the best time."

After this explanation, the initially skeptical expression on Emperor Gaozong of Qi’s face gradually turned to one of realization and agreement.

Was there any flaw in Jingping’s words? Absolutely not!

In fact, by this time, Emperor Gaozong of Qi had long been weary of the responsibility that ruling as emperor entailed.

According to the normal course of history, not long after Wanyan Hailing attacked, and after Zhao Binfu won the battle at Niu Zhu Pier and stabilized the situation, Emperor Gaozong of Qi had been eager to abdicate in favor of the Crown Prince.

Who then became Emperor Xiaozong.

So, Emperor Gaozong of Qi had indeed long been tired of the responsibilities of being an emperor and already harbored thoughts of abdication.

And Emperor Xiaozong, truly living up to the "filial piety" his title suggested, as one of the greatest of Qi Dynasty’s rulers, had exonerated General Han Fuyue and throughout his life had remained deeply devoted to Emperor Gaozong of Qi.

This, Emperor Gaozong of Qi certainly felt clearly.

Therefore, Emperor Gaozong was not overly worried about repeating the unfortunate scenario of father-son conflict that occurred after Emperor Qihui abdicated to Emperor Yingzong of Qi.

At this point, the Crown Prince was already in his twenties. If Emperor Gaozong were to die and then the prince to succeed normally, how could any favor be shown?

It had to be an abdication while Emperor Gaozong was alive to let the Crown Prince remember his kindness.

Another crucial point was that Emperor Gaozong had resolutely decided to pass the throne along Emperor Taizong’s lineage.

This was not because Emperor Gaozong was a fan of Emperor Taizong but because he very much feared his other siblings.

During the years Emperor Gaozong ruled, the Jin typically tried to send back some of his abducted siblings during the Jingping turmoil. Emperor Gaozong rejected them all, leading directly to many of his elder brothers and sisters dying tragically in foreign lands.

Being a person both fearful and power-hungry, even if those elder brothers and sisters posed no threat to his throne upon their return, he disregarded familial ties and was uncompromising in his refusal.

Because of this, Emperor Gaozong faced much criticism within Emperor Taizong’s lineage.

He, having no biological sons, thought it over and decided to simply pass the throne to Emperor Taizong’s lineage to avoid potential rebuke and retaliation from his kin after his death.

Thus, upon such analysis, abdication indeed appeared to be the best choice at the moment.

As for escaping by sea...

That was even more aligned with what Emperor Gaozong of Qi wanted.

After all, this was not his first time doing so.

Previously, Wanyan Sheng had declared "Search the mountains, scour the seas" because Emperor Gaozong of Qi frequently fled to sea by boat to avoid the Jin troops.

In Emperor Gaozong of Qi’s view, regardless of where one escapes on land, safety isn’t guaranteed; the sea is the safest.

Therefore, this suggestion of abdicating before fleeing to sea was exactly what Emperor Gaozong of Qi wished for.

Even if there remained some hesitations, these hesitations quickly dissipated under Jingping’s persuasion.

"Good, what Minister Li says is extremely true!

"Given the urgency, please Minister Li immediately arrange the abdication and prepare the sea vessels!"

Emperor Gaozong of Qi was very pleased, holding Jingping’s hand tightly, seemingly reigniting his trust.

And Jingping revealed a meaningful smile, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, this servant has already arranged everything properly!"

...

Although the entire process of abdication was much simplified compared to historical occurrences, the touching scenes were largely similar.

When Emperor Xiaozong was summoned to the palace to hear the decision of abdication, he refused multiple times, even attempting to return to his previous residence, only accepting after repeated persuasions by Gaozong.

On the day of receiving the mandate, Emperor Xiaozong stood beside the throne, reluctant to sit for a long time.

After the ceremony ended, Emperor Xiaozong braved the pouring rain to personally help the palanquin, escorting the Supreme Emperor back to Deshou Palace.

Emperor Gaozong of Qi, moved, said, "I have entrusted well, I have no regrets!"

Of course, it would have been even more touching if he hadn’t boarded a sea vessel to flee just one day later.

However, as Jin troops could attack at any moment, for Emperor Gaozong of Qi, now established as Supreme Emperor, there was no need to fuss over the tedious formalities—it was better to flee immediately.

Emperor Gaozong of Qi was very satisfied with this sea vessel.

The vessel was massively formidable, fully stocked with supplies, adequate for spending months at sea.

Especially considering the vessel was equipped with then-common maritime weaponry such as cannons and blunderbusses, providing substantial firepower to the large ship.

The naval forces of the Jin were inferior and stood no chance of capturing him from the sea.