Chapter 89: UnbridledChapter 4: Regency

Li Chen's heart sank. He knew that the emperor's test had arrived.

The former emperor's performance was truly lackluster, to the point that even at the last minute, the reigning emperor hesitated to fully entrust him with the weighty burden of governing the empire.

At this moment, his performance could very well determine his fate.

"The greatest difficulty in governing lies not only in external threats but also in internal anxieties."

Li Chen, drawing on the memories of his past life and the historical knowledge he had acquired before his journey through time about the rise and fall of dynasties, said: "The external threats come from the Hu people, the Kunlun people, the Jurchen people, the Xiongnu, and even the remnants of the former Yuan and Mongol empires who have fled to the grasslands, all of whom desire the destruction of my Great Qin and seek their own gain."

"The internal threat lies with the vassal kings' rule. All members of the imperial family and prominent relatives who were granted titles, like kings and marquesses, had exclusive control over taxation and military power in their designated territories. They essentially operated as lawless domains. With troops at their command, these relatives wielded immense power and presented a grave danger to the heart of the empire."

"What's even worse is that corrupt officials run rampant at the local level, and court ministers form cliques to serve their own interests. In their pursuit of power and wealth, they disregard the safety and well-being of the country and its people. Their hearts are consumed by greed and lust for power, they truly deserve to be executed."

"Also, there were continuous natural disasters. In the north, a severe drought turned the land into barren wastelands for thousands of miles. In the south, floods and waterlogged disasters ravaged the land. The people resorted to cannibalism, and countless disaster victims were forced to become bandits. Various cults and rebel armies emerged across the land. Local wealthy landowners took advantage of the chaos, colluding with bandits and cults in secret, plotting to bring down the empire. This led to families being destroyed and the nation crumbling."

Every word that Li Chen spoke was like a gleaming blade, piercing straight into people's hearts.

Before the dragon throne, only the Great Emperor and San Bao, the eunuch who served as the director of the Dongchang, were present. San Bao's expression was extremely complicated. These words, spoken by anyone else, would be considered treasonous and they would immediately be dragged out and beheaded.

But when the Great Emperor heard this, a flush of color appeared on his pale face.

"Great! Excellent!"

The former emperor, who was originally on the verge of death, suddenly shouted.

He looked at Li Chen with great satisfaction and said, "I knew it, I didn't choose the wrong person."

"Three Treasures, proclaim the imperial edict."

San Bao, the eunuch, bowed deeply and took out an imperial edict that seemed to have been prepared long ago. Facing the concubines of the harem, civil and military officials, he proclaimed in a loud voice: "Announce the imperial edict."

A room full of people, each with expressions ranging from joy to sorrow, their complex eyes flickering uncertainly. But all of them knelt facing the imperial decree under the leadership of Zhao Xuanji and Empress Zhao Qinglan.

The Eunuch Sanbao unfurled the imperial decree and proclaimed in a loud voice: “By the Mandate of Heaven, I Emperor [Emperor's name], decree: Since my ascension to the throne, nineteen years have passed under the reign of Da Xing. I have diligently governed the state, day and night tireless, but now my health is failing and my heart and mind weary from national affairs. Nevertheless, the ancestral legacy and the stability of the nation cannot be left without a ruler for even a single day. Fortunately, my second son, Prince Chen, was enthroned as Crown Prince in the fifteenth year of Da Xing. He possesses outstanding virtue, a bright reputation, and extensive experience both within and outside the court. All officials across the land recognize him. It is fitting that he should seize this opportunity, assume the responsibility, and serve as Regent for me. On all matters concerning the army, government, and people of the nation, he shall make all decisions. From the court to the provinces, from military affairs to internal ones, all those who encounter the Regent Crown Prince shall treat him as if I were personally present. Thus it is decreed.”

A single imperial edict decreed that Crown Prince Li Chen would be regent, overseeing the empire while the emperor rested. The great emperor personally handed the highest authority of the empire into the hands of his son.

Li Chen first bowed his head in thanks, "My son accepts the decree and thanks Your Majesty ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand thousand years."

Immediately afterward, willingly or not, all the officials, courtiers, concubines in the inner court, and princes and relatives knelt down to receive the imperial decree.

“We, your loyal subjects, accept your imperial decree. Your Majesty reigns forever and ever! Long live the Emperor!”

After Li Chen received the imperial edict, Emperor Taishang seemed even more frail.

He closed his eyes and muttered, "I am tired. All of you, leave. Leave now."

"The son obeys your command."

After bowing, Li Chen walked out of the Qianqing Palace with the officials and concubines.

Though he was alone, he cried out.

Chen Huizhi roared, "The Emperor must be insane to appoint the Crown Prince as regent! The Crown Prince is so depraved, how can he possibly govern the country I must see the Emperor and bring this matter to his attention. We absolutely cannot allow such a disastrous situation to befall our nation!"

All the officials were silent, their eyes fixed on Li Chen, as if waiting to see how he would react.

Li Chen watched Chen Huai Zhi jumping around, and strode up to him.

Chen Huizhi looked at Li Chen, whose expression was cold and menacing. His confidence wavered slightly, but then he became resolute, convinced that Li Chen had no influence in the court. In contrast, Chen Huizhi was a close confidante of Prime Minister Zhao Xuanji. He believed that even the Prince Regent would not dare to offend him.

Thinking this way, Chen Huaizhi immediately felt proud.

"The Emperor has already entrusted me with the regency. The imperial edict clearly states that all major state affairs, including military, political, and civilian matters, should be brought before me as if I were the Emperor himself. Do you understand what this means" Li Chen said.

Chen Huaizhi's eyelids twitched, his teeth gritted together as he said, "It is because the Emperor is foolish and momentarily blinded by you. Once this old minister sees the Emperor and clearly states the pros and cons, the Emperor will surely dethrone you as Crown Prince and stop your reckless actions of regency..."

Before Chen Huizhi could finish his words, Li Chen suddenly reached out and drew the waist knife from the belt of a Jinyiwei guard standing beside him.

With every ounce of strength and speed he had, his blade sliced through the darkness, a glint of deadly intent. The cold edge flashed like lightning across Chen Huaizhi's neck, leaving a trail of scarlet blood.

Fast, too fast.

No one expected Li Chen to personally take a life, and to do so with such decisiveness and ruthlessness.

Chen Huai Zhi's eyes widened, and when he came to his senses, blood gushed from his throat.

Covering his neck, Chen Huizhi glared at Li Chen with a gnashing of teeth.

He never expected that as a university scholar of Wenyuange and a member of the cabinet, assisting the emperor in governing the country, no one in the court dared to provoke him or disrespect him. Even if the emperor wanted to kill him, he would have to find a solid crime, with irrefutable evidence, and undergo a trial by the Three Departments before his guilt could be established. But here he was, killed directly by Li Chen, bypassing all procedures.

A splash of blood splattered onto the palace gate, onto Li Chen's face and clothes. Chen Huaizhi slumped heavily backward, his body lying on a spreading pool of blood, he was clearly dying.

Li Chen dragged a knife in his hand, the tip gently touching the ground, blood sliding down the blade and pooling into a thick stain on the floor.

This means, Your Highness, that I am Heaven's Mandate. To kill you is as easy as turning my hand.

The blood on his body and the blade, against the backdrop of this night, made him look like a crimson dragon. Clad in his red robe, he seemed both demonic and divine.

His gaze swept over the crowd and met Zhao Xuanji's. Li Chen said slowly, "Grand Councilor Zhao, do you think this man should be killed"

Zhao Xuanji looked at Li Chen, whose handsome and youthful face was still stained with a trace of blood. His lips trembled slightly as he said in a deep voice, "This man defied authority, disregarded rank, questioned the emperor's decree, and assaulted the crown prince. His crimes are heinous and he deserves to be executed."

As fellow cabinet members, Zhao Xuanji was the Chief Minister, while Chen Huaizhi held the position of Grand Scholar of the Wenyuan Pavilion. He was undoubtedly Zhao Xuanji's right-hand man. However, on this seemingly cold but actually perilous night, Li Chen, who had just assumed the regency for a mere moment, ended up killing both of them.

Faced with this sudden turn of events, Zhao Xuanji chose to temporarily retreat.

Li Chen gave a cold smile and said, “Very well, this old man. This palace has long wanted to kill him.”

Having said that, Li Chen's eyes swept over the assembled officials.

Other ministers were each scanned by Li Chen's gaze, feeling a chill down their spines as if the Crown Prince Regent was considering who to behead next.

"Your old servant takes his leave."

Zhao Xuanji bowed respectfully and, leading the courtiers, left the Qianyuan Palace.

Zhao Qinglan gave Li Chen a complicated look, then turned and left with the other concubines and princes.

Outside the Qianyuan Palace, it soon grew quiet.

"Your Highness, please wipe the blood off your body."o be unable to write even a complete answer sheet within the allotted time for the palace examination is like having gold but no substance!""I stand before you, and you stammer and stutter, unable to...