"Your Majesty, the defeat in the north is all because of your loss of virtue and unjust rule. Issue an Edict of Self-Blame and abdicate to atone before the people!"
In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, Chen Boyong, the foremost Confucian scholar and head of the upright officials, smashed his forehead against a pillar and led the officials in threatening to die unless the Emperor complied.
Behind layers of pearl curtains, Empress Dowager Xiao, his nominal mother and the power behind the throne, sat coldly and said, "Your Majesty, stamp the seal."
The court was full of "loyal ministers" who were upright and incorruptible in public, yet privately divvied up the national treasury until even the rats would weep.
The harem was filled with "virtuous empresses" who protected the realm and cared for its people, yet had secretly prepared a slow-acting poison for him to swallow before he breathed his last.
Lu Zheng transmigrated into the body of a puppet child emperor. The poison in his body remained uncured, and taking even one step back meant falling into an abyss!
[Ding! Eternal Tyrant System activated!]
[The Host is facing moral blackmail from the entire court. Issuing the ultimate atrocity missions:]
[Atrocity One: Execute Chen Boyong, the foremost upright official and "loyal minister" in the court!]
[Atrocity Two: Tear up the regency agreement and subdue Empress Dowager Xiao, his nominal mother!]
Follow the rules and be a wise ruler, and death is your only path.
Since benevolence and morality are just a fig leaf you made up, I'll tear this mess apart today!
In the great hall, the Son of Heaven drew his sword!
"You old dog, you want to die in protest and leave your name in history? I'll rip off that fake saintly mask you wear to hide your treason and have you hacked to pieces!"
The long sword drank blood, and the Meridian Gate ran red!
Late that night, Lu Zheng strode into the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility with a blade in hand and pinned the peerlessly elegant Empress Dowager Xiao firmly onto the phoenix bed and brocade quilts.
"Empress Dowager, this farce of ruling from behind the curtain ends tonight!"
