“Your Majesty, is there really no other way?” Charles Harris’s tone was almost pleading.

“No!” William Harris still spoke in a deep voice: “The Jurchens are coming to kill us. If we refuse to be slaves, then we must rise up and fight back, staking everything we have! And we must be united from top to bottom, face death head-on, and fight for a way out with our very lives.”

Charles Harris shivered instinctively. The more he listened, the more terrifying these words sounded!

“Your Majesty, what exactly are you planning?” Charles Harris pressed further.

William Harris said, “I want to ask the Retired Emperor to issue an edict, to swear to all the officials and people of the realm that he is willing to defend Kaifeng to the death with me, to live and die with the ancestral state. That’s the first thing.”

Is there a second?

Charles Harris perked up his ears.

“As for the second, I want all the chief ministers to take turns on duty at the Wende Hall, and I will personally preside over state affairs there. Also, all the troops inside and outside the capital, every soldier, must follow my command... All the military, civilians, money, and grain, everything must be under my control. Only with all this can I focus all my strength and fight the Jurchens to the end.” William Harris glanced at the gloomy-faced Charles Harris and added, “If the Retired Emperor is willing to personally lead the army and take charge of resisting the Jurchens, I am willing to lead his horse and serve as a mere foot soldier at the front.”

“Brothers fight tigers together, fathers and sons go to war side by side. Let’s fight the Jurchen bandits! Even if we are cut to pieces, even if we shed the last drop of blood, we will be worthy of our ancestors!” William Harris was once again filled with heroic fervor.

Charles Harris’s old face turned pale. He hurriedly waved his hands—stop talking, I’m scared!

If he had that kind of courage, why would he have abdicated in the first place?

It was just too distressing...

Chapter 3: The Colluding Monarch and Minister

No matter how troubled he was, he had to come up with a solution. After much thought, Charles Harris realized that having him lead the resistance against the Jurchens was absolutely impossible.

He had managed to live to such an old age; he wasn’t about to risk his life now... Since that was the case, he could only let William Harris take the lead. The problem was, this unfilial son William Harris was too overbearing, actually forcing his father to hand over power—was there no filial piety left?

Charles Harris pondered for a long time, then suddenly said, “Since Your Majesty is so confident, why not have you lead the people and troops of Kaifeng in defending the city? As your father, I will go to Yingtian to offer incense and pray for the Song dynasty’s fortune?”

As expected, William Harris sneered, “Since the Retired Emperor insists on leaving, I won’t stop you. I’ll just pass the throne to my third brother, retire to the Longde Palace, and then look for a chance to escape south!”

“Don’t you dare!” Charles Harris was so angry his eyebrows stood up. This unfilial son really had a new trick every time—one moment talking about fighting to the death, the next about running away. What was he really planning? Charles Harris was completely flustered.

William Harris looked at the furious Charles Harris and said quietly, “I’m only repeating what the Retired Emperor has done.”

“You—!”

Charles Harris didn’t even know how many times he’d been left speechless by this. He’d never realized before just how sharp-tongued this unfilial son William Harris could be.

It was like a knife, showing no mercy at all.

Charles Harris gnashed his teeth, but didn’t dare truly fall out with William Harris. He was still a rational man, not about to stoop to a madman’s level!

“Your Majesty, you bear the hopes of the whole realm. The ancestors are watching from above—you must not act recklessly!!”

Facing his father’s earnest admonition, William Harris suddenly said, “So, does the Retired Emperor mean that this country is now mine?”

“Of—of course!” Charles Harris blurted out.

William Harris burst out laughing. He turned to Ethan Brooks, “You heard the Retired Emperor’s words. It’s almost dawn. Go and deliver my order: have all the chief ministers go to the Chui Gong Hall. I have things to instruct them!”

Ethan Brooks was stunned. He instinctively looked at Charles Harris, thinking, Retired Emperor, are we really giving up so easily?

Charles Harris was also at a loss. As a creature of power, of course he was unwilling. But he was also afraid—afraid that William Harris would push him to the front lines, force him to resist the Jurchens... After a moment’s hesitation, Charles Harris could only wave his hand helplessly and let Ethan Brooks carry out the order!

At this moment, the contest between father and son was decided!

Ethan Brooks stumbled as he left the Longde Palace, his legs trembling, almost falling.

He felt as if the sky had collapsed. Could it be that from now on, the emperor would be in charge, and the change of dynasty had come so quickly?

Ethan Brooks sighed, while William Harris finally breathed a little easier. After all, this time he could count it as a complete victory.

With only the two of them left in the Longde Palace, William Harris took a deep breath and glanced at Charles Harris. The Retired Emperor’s face kept changing, his fists clenched, still looking furious.

But William Harris didn’t care much anymore. He smiled and said, “I still need to go to the Chui Gong Hall to arrange the resistance against the Jurchens. I hope the Retired Emperor can rest and enjoy his retirement. Even if you can’t help, at least don’t hold us back. I’ll arrange for someone to take care of you—there will be no shortage of food and drink!”

With that, William Harris strode away, leaving Charles Harris glaring after him in fury!

What an unfilial son!

He wanted to drag William Harris back, but in the end lacked the courage, and could only vent his anger on the furnishings.

Crash, bang—there was the sound of porcelain and treasures shattering. Not just porcelain, but calligraphy, bronzes, his favorite coral, rare stones, jade... nothing escaped his wrath. Even a rhinoceros-horn brush was snapped in two!

Outrageous!

This unfilial son was completely mad!

He seized power, and now wants to put his own father under house arrest?

How could I have been so blind as to pass the throne to you?

I’d have been better off giving it to a dog!

Heartless, rebellious, unfilial wretch!