A few months later, Adrian Cao issued an abdication edict, passing the throne to Crown Prince Cao Ge, who assumed the era title Martial Emperor.
Inside the imperial palace.
Cao Ge, newly crowned, wore an unmistakable look of joy and pride on his face. At last, he had claimed the throne.
With a new emperor, it was time to form his own faction.
But with the Grand Emperor still around, tradition dictated that the new emperor should maintain the existing order to show respect.
But less than a month after his enthronement, Cao Ge began to move against the cabinet.
But Cao Ge was so callous. Even when others tried to step aside and retire gracefully, he still went out of his way to humiliate them.
Censor Ethan Yu submitted a memorial accusing Chief Cabinet Elder Zachary Cai of forming cliques and seeking private gain, begging the Martial Emperor to strip Zachary Cai of his post.
Ethan Yu was promoted to Censor after Martial Emperor Cao Ge ascended the throne, so all the ministers present understood that the new emperor was targeting Zachary Cai. Still, this approach left many feeling disheartened.
Zachary Cai neither spoke nor defended himself. He had long foreseen this day, but hadn't expected the new emperor to be so eager.
Next, several more officials stepped forward to impeach Zachary Cai, citing various reasons—mostly baseless rumors.
During his years as Chief Cabinet Elder, Zachary Cai had indeed governed the Yan Empire superbly; he was one of its most capable ministers.
"Cabinet Elder Cai, do you have anything to say?"
Cao Ge set the memorial aside, his expression solemn as he looked at Zachary Cai.
Zachary Cai stepped forward and declared loudly, "This old minister feels unwell, so I respectfully request to retire!"
By custom, when a minister requests retirement, the emperor is supposed to decline, then the minister repeats the request, and the emperor declines again—after three rounds, the emperor finally agrees. This way, both sides save face.
But Cao Ge did not follow tradition. He simply smiled and said, "Since Cabinet Elder wishes to retire, I won't force you. Approved!"
"What?"
During Zachary Cai's years as Chief Cabinet Elder, he never deliberately formed cliques for private gain. Still, many officials who shared his philosophy stood by him, treating him as their political leader—a sort of unofficial head of the reformist faction.
With their leader so publicly humiliated by the new emperor, how could they tolerate such an insult? If the new emperor wanted to build his own faction, fine—
"This minister is also in poor health and can no longer serve. I hope Your Majesty will grant me leave to retire to my hometown!"
Once we're gone, let's see how you run the court. We'll watch as you try to govern without the officials who carried you this far.
Suddenly—
Cao Ge's expression changed, but a trace of hostility quickly flashed across his face. "Approved!"
"Your Majesty, this old minister also wishes to retire!"
More and more officials stepped forward to resign. At that moment, a murderous look flashed in Cao Ge's eyes—he wanted nothing more than to slaughter every minister who dared defy him.
Yet Cao Ge was so cold-blooded. Even when people made concessions and requested retirement, he still chose to humiliate them.
An emperor with so little generosity simply wasn't worth following.
A eunuch entered the hall, his voice shrill and formal, as court etiquette demanded: "The Grand Emperor has issued an order—His Majesty is to come to the Taishang Palace for a discussion!"
But he still said coldly, "Approved!"
"Your Majesty, this old minister requests retirement!"
The Minister of Rites also stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, I request retirement!"
The Minister of Personnel also stepped forward.
In an instant, Cao Ge's face turned ashen. Panic crept into his heart. With three Cabinet Elders and two senior ministers resigning, he realized how serious things had become and started to regret his actions.
He'd thought that becoming emperor meant he could do whatever he wanted, but now he saw just how far he was from that.
"Your Majesty, I request retirement!"
Yet another official stepped forward.
In all his years as Chief Cabinet Elder, Zachary Cai never deliberately formed cliques for personal gain, but many officials who shared his ideals still stood by him, treating him as their leader.
With their leader so publicly humiliated by the new emperor, how could they swallow their anger? If the new emperor wanted to build his own faction, so be it.
Then we'll all resign and clear the way for you.
Once we're gone, let's see how you manage the court.
Do you really think being emperor means you can do whatever you want?
"Your Majesty, I request retirement!"
"Your Majesty, I also wish to retire!"
More and more officials stepped forward to resign. In that moment, a murderous look flashed in Cao Ge's eyes—he wanted nothing more than to kill all these ministers.
But he knew that if he really did that, the Grand Emperor would never forgive him.
Just then—
A eunuch entered the hall, shrill-voiced: "The Grand Emperor has an order—His Majesty is to come to the Taishang Palace for a talk!"
"I accept the order!"
Cao Ge hurriedly replied, secretly relieved. He turned to the ministers: "The Grand Emperor has summoned me. That's all for today—court dismissed!"
As Cao Ge strode away, Zachary Cai let out a long sigh.
"Zachary, what will you do now?" Gavin Gao asked.
"The new emperor clearly can't tolerate me. What else can I do but retire and enjoy family life?" Zachary Cai replied with a smile.
"True enough. I'm tired too—I'll retire with you!"
…………
Taishang Palace, the Grand Emperor Adrian Cao's new residence.
After his abdication, he vacated the Qianqing Palace.
At this moment—
Ian Song was sitting with the Grand Emperor Adrian Cao, playing chess.