Heroes of Troubled Times: Chronicles of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms

Li Zhu nodded, knowing that now was not the time to hesitate.

"Let's go and find those loyal ministers who have not been discovered by Zhu Wen." Li Zhu's voice revealed determination.

Under the cover of night, the two quietly left the palace.

"General, we have lost the trace of Zhao Kuangyin and his brothers." A general reported frustratedly.

A cold light flashed in Zhu Wen's eyes: "Continue to search, they can't escape too far."

However, just as Zhu Wen's army was searching everywhere, Zhao Kuangyin and his brothers had safely arrived at a secret hiding place.

It is said that Zhu Wen stood in his mansion, his eyes were like torches, and his heart was full of desire for power. Liu Can, an alert and cunning counselor, was standing in front of him, with a calculating light flashing in his eyes.

"Liu Can, what are your plans?" Zhu Wen's voice was low and powerful.

Liu Can smiled slightly, with a hint of flattery in his voice: "General, I think we should further consolidate your position. I have a proposal that can bring you closer to the throne."

Zhu Wen's eyes flashed with interest: "Tell me about it."

Liu Can approached Zhu Wen and whispered: "We can claim that you have made great military achievements in the difficult expedition and ask the emperor to confer you the title of Prime Minister and Jiedushi. In this way, your power will be greatly enhanced, and you will be one step closer to the throne."

Zhu Wen pondered for a moment, and a sly look flashed in his eyes: "Good idea, let's do it. You should do it as soon as possible."

Liu Can nodded, with a smug light in his eyes: "General, don't worry, I will make this go smoothly."

With Liu Can's actions, Zhu Wen's achievements and the call that he should be conferred the title of Prime Minister and Jiedushi soon spread in the court.

"Your Majesty, the ministers in the court are discussing Zhu Wen's achievements and think that he should be appointed as the prime minister and governor." A eunuch hurriedly reported to Li Zhu.

Li Zhu frowned, his heart was full of anxiety: "Zhu Wen's ambition is obvious, we must be careful."

However, the pressure in the court was increasing, and Li Zhu had to consider this proposal.

"Your Majesty, if you don't appoint Zhu Wen, I'm afraid it will cause his dissatisfaction and may even cause a greater crisis." A loyal minister said worriedly.

Li Zhu sighed, and a trace of helplessness flashed in his eyes: "Okay, then appoint him as the prime minister and governor."

With Li Zhu's edict, Zhu Wen's power was further expanded, and his ambition was even more inflated.

"General, the emperor has appointed you as the prime minister and governor." Liu Can excitedly reported to Zhu Wen.

A hint of satisfaction flashed across Zhu Wen's eyes: "Very good, this way, my position will be more stable."

However, Zhu Wen was not satisfied with this, he had a bigger plan in mind.

"Liu Can, now the time is ripe, we must force the emperor to abdicate as soon as possible." Zhu Wen's voice was filled with a hint of urgency.

Liu Can nodded, his eyes flashing with conspiracy: "General, don't worry, I have a plan."

Zhu Wen's eyes flashed with cunning: "Okay, then leave it to you."

Liu Can stood in front of Zhu Wen, his eyes were cunning, and there was a barely perceptible smile on the corner of his mouth. He knew Zhu Wen's ambitions and knew how to manipulate the desires of this powerful official.

"General, there have been rules for abdication since ancient times." Liu Can spoke slowly, with a hint of cunning in his voice, "First, you should be named the Great King, and then after nine additional titles, you can legitimately ascend the throne."

Zhu Wen frowned, and a hint of impatience flashed in his eyes: "Liu Can, what do you mean? I want the throne, not these empty names!"

Liu Can smiled slightly, with a hint of temptation in his voice: "General, listen to me. First, you should be named the King of Wei, and then you should enter the court nine times without surrendering, and be defeated without knowing why, and you should also be the Grand Marshal of the Army of the World. In this way, your prestige and power will reach the peak, and then the throne will naturally be yours."

Zhu Wen glared, with a hint of anger in his voice : "What use do I have for such an empty title? Just give me the position of emperor!"

A sly flash of Liu Can's eyes: "General, you should know that if the name is not right, the words will not flow. If you directly seize the throne, I am afraid it will cause criticism from the world. But if you follow the rules step by step, then the world will think that you are destined by heaven, and no one dares to object."

Zhu Wen pondered for a moment, and a trace of hesitation flashed in his eyes: "Okay, then follow your plan. But I want to see the results as soon as possible."

Liu Can nodded, and his eyes flashed with a proud light: "General, don't worry, I will make this go smoothly."

As Liu Can's plan began to be implemented, Zhu Wen's power and prestige were indeed increasing. He was named King of Wei, entered the court nine times without surrendering, and was defeated in the war. He was also the Grand Marshal of the Army of the World.

"General, your current status is unmatched." Liu Can excitedly reported to Zhu Wen.

A trace of satisfaction flashed in Zhu Wen's eyes: "Very good, this way, my position will be more stable."

However, Zhu Wen was not satisfied with this, he had a bigger plan in his mind.

"Liu Can, now the time is ripe, we must force the emperor to abdicate as soon as possible." Zhu Wen's voice was anxious.

Liu Can nodded, his eyes flashing with conspiracy: "General, don't worry, I have a plan."

A trace of cunning flashed in Zhu Wen's eyes: "Okay, then leave it to you."

Liu Can's plan was soon implemented. He began to spread rumors in the court, claiming that Emperor Li Zhu was getting weaker and weaker, unable to handle the government affairs, and should abdicate to the more capable Zhu Wen.

"Your Majesty, there are voices in the court asking you to abdicate." A eunuch anxiously reported to Li Zhu.

Li Zhu's face changed: "What? How dare they do this?"

However,The pressure in the court was increasing, and Li Zhu felt that he was in an unprecedented crisis.

"Your Majesty, we must find a way to stop Zhu Wen's conspiracy." A loyal minister said firmly.

Li Zhu nodded, with a firm light in his eyes: "Okay, let's find a way together."

As time went on, Li Zhu and the loyal ministers began to secretly plan to prepare to fight against Zhu Wen's conspiracy.

"General, the emperor has begun to take action." Liu Can reported to Zhu Wen.

A sneer flashed in Zhu Wen's eyes: "It doesn't matter, all their actions are under my control."

Liu Can nodded, with a conspiracy in his eyes: "General, don't worry, I will make this go smoothly."

A sly flash in Zhu Wen's eyes: "Okay, then leave it to you."

Wang Yin, an unknown little man in the court, has unknown ambitions. His relationship with Liu Can is complicated, with both cooperation and suspicion.

"Your Majesty, Liu Can seems loyal on the surface, but he actually has ulterior motives." Wang Yin whispered in front of Zhu Wen.

Zhu Wen frowned and stared at Wang Yin sharply: "What do you mean?"

Wang Yin answered carefully: "Your Majesty, Liu Can's recent actions in the court seem to be working for you, but in fact he is stalling for time and secretly protecting the Tang court."

A trace of doubt flashed in Zhu Wen's eyes: "Do you have any evidence?"

Wang Yin took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Zhu Wen: "Your Majesty, this is the correspondence between Liu Can and the secret envoy of the Tang court, please take a look."

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