Of course, abdication does not mean relinquishing power. Prime Minister Blake Smith, Vice Minister Richard Lee, Ethan Brooks of the Royal Palace, and other chief ministers tightly controlled the government. In addition, Samuel Todd, George Hall, Franklin Lane, and others held military power.

With both civil and military affairs out of his hands, William Harris, the emperor, was nothing more than a figurehead, a puppet on strings, unable to make any decisions at all.

Since accepting the abdication last twelfth month, the biggest thing William Harris had done was to receive the court officials’ New Year’s greetings on the first day of the lunar year, which at least secured his seat on the throne—he wouldn’t be replaced easily, for now.

But the problem was that the situation outside was getting even worse... In just ten days, the Jin army swept through like a storm, advancing with overwhelming momentum all the way to the Yellow River, even more astonishing than a blitzkrieg.

Even Charles Harris, no matter how foolish, knew things were dire. He sent his trusted eunuch Franklin Lane to lead seven thousand cavalry, along with the veteran general Henry Howard commanding twenty thousand infantry, north to resist the enemy.

If Charles Harris had chosen them, their abilities went without saying!

But before even seeing the Jin troops, Franklin Lane fled, and soon after, the veteran Henry Howard couldn’t hold out either and ran as well.

The natural barrier of the Yellow River was handed over to the Jin without a fight!

“Franklin Lane has been defeated, and Kaifeng doesn’t even have any troops left to resist the enemy. We’re at the brink of life and death, hanging by a thread... We can’t let the retired emperor call the shots anymore. Let’s go to Longde Palace. It’s time for us father and son to have a proper talk.” William Harris’s voice was not loud, but his tone was resolute—he would not hesitate, even if it meant a falling out between father and son.

David Carter took a deep breath. Ever since William Harris ascended the throne, he had remained taciturn, but it was clear he was no longer the same as before. The old William Harris was timid and cowardly, but now he seemed to act only after careful planning. For example, even though the situation was critical, he didn’t act immediately, but waited until Franklin Lane’s defeat—truly the perfect timing.

Still, David Carter was uneasy. After all, Charles Harris had been emperor for over twenty years and was surrounded by loyal followers. Could the young sovereign really handle it?

“How about waiting until daybreak? It wouldn’t be good to disturb the retired emperor’s rest in the middle of the night,” David Carter tried to delay.

William Harris sneered, “The retired emperor isn’t so heartless as to be sleeping soundly at a time like this. I have to hurry—who knows what tricks they’ll pull next!”

With that, William Harris strode off, and David Carter, startled, remembered the recent palace rumors and hurried to catch up...

Just after the third watch, William Harris and David Carter arrived outside Longde Palace.

Surprisingly, at such a time, there was actually a minister arriving late at night.

William Harris stopped, glanced over, and recognized the man as Grand Preceptor Cai’s eldest son, Ethan Brooks. Ethan Brooks, not yet fifty, was elegant and refined, highly favored by Charles Harris. Last year, he was appointed Deputy Director of Longde Palace, and soon after replaced Richard Lee as Director of Longde Palace.

Longde Palace was where Charles Harris resided after his abdication. In a way, Ethan Brooks was now like Heshen after Qianlong’s abdication—the closest confidant.

William Harris took one look and turned to David Carter, saying, “See? You were worried we wouldn’t be able to see the retired emperor, but Minister Brooks is here. If he can see the retired emperor, there’s no reason I, the emperor, should be less than a minister, right?”

William Harris didn’t lower his voice at all, clearly speaking for Ethan Brooks to hear.

Ethan Brooks, who had hurried over and was sweating from his forehead, hadn’t expected to run into William Harris and was quite startled. Hearing the emperor’s words, his face changed dramatically.

“Your subject Ethan Brooks greets Your Majesty!”

William Harris nodded, “Minister Brooks, seeing how hard you’re working, busy even in the middle of the night, it’s thanks to loyal ministers like you that I can sleep soundly and the realm is at peace! You truly are a loyal subject!”

Already frightened by the military reports, Ethan Brooks was now flustered by William Harris’s sarcasm. He didn’t have time to make up a lie and could only say, “To answer Your Majesty, Franklin Lane’s army has collapsed, and the Jin are about to cross the river. I—I came to report military affairs to the retired emperor.”

“Oh! So that’s it.” William Harris’s expression suddenly changed, his voice rising, “This is a matter of national importance—no room for carelessness. Minister Brooks, it makes sense for you to report to the retired emperor first. But I am the emperor, after all—I can’t just play deaf, can I? I don’t ask for much; when you report to the retired emperor, I’ll just listen in. You don’t mind, do you?”

Ethan Brooks was embarrassed. As a minister, how could he dare stop the emperor? He was no Wang Mang or Cao Cao! But the problem was, he had come to see Charles Harris to discuss other matters—something of utmost importance that absolutely couldn’t involve William Harris.

Normally, he might have been able to block William Harris, but today, the emperor’s words were full of hidden barbs, completely different from his usual meek self.

What to do now?

While Ethan Brooks was still dumbfounded, William Harris was already striding into Longde Palace.

The eunuchs on duty tried to stop him, but William Harris glared at them fiercely.

“You servants dare block me from fulfilling my filial duty? Get out of my way!”

The young eunuchs shrank back in fear, quickly retreating into the darkness. This was certainly a unique way to show filial piety.

William Harris stepped into Longde Palace, where Charles Harris was anxiously waiting. But when he saw William Harris, he was stunned and blurted out, “Why are you here?”

Chapter 2: Forcing Charles Harris to Abdicate

The meeting between father and son was rather abrupt.