Rebirth: The Journey of an Heiress-Chapter 896 - 893: Cannot Assist

Murong Yan looked at Murong Ping and Murong Li, who were both solemn-faced, and was amused by their childishness, his eyes quietly filled with a hint of a smile.

He shook his head, then seriously said to the two, "To unify the world, a slow and gradual approach will not work. We must use sharp and unconventional means to advance the pace of unification. This task requires someone to undertake it... but it must definitely not be the future emperor who will unite the world! The people of a unified world, hoping for peace across the land, expect a king who is benevolent and wise, a virtuous ruler who governs for the nation and the people!"

Murong Ping and Murong Li, one older and one younger, knelt quietly opposite Murong Yan, listening earnestly to his teachings.

"Uncle Nine... is willing to be that unscrupulous, all-powerful minister of Yan Kingdom, advancing the steps toward unification for Yan Kingdom. However, Yan Kingdom must have a benevolent king, adored by the masses!" Murong Yan glanced at Murong Ping, then at Murong Li, and continued, "When the world is stabilized, and the day Yan Kingdom achieves success arrives, the wise and virtuous ruler will execute the powerful minister to soothe the people’s hearts with kindness and generosity, surely winning their allegiance to Yan Kingdom."

"Uncle Nine!" Murong Ping was startled and straightened his back, "Uncle Nine, what are you saying! We’re family, how can..."

Murong Yan waved his hand, signaling Murong Ping not to worry: "It’s a facade for outsiders to see. By then... when peace reigns across the land, you will all have grown and become pillars of the state, so Uncle Nine can hand over Yan Kingdom to you all, and finally live his own life. Besides, as your second brother said, you’re all still young... None of you are suitable to be that all-powerful person yet."

"Yan Kingdom struggled to get here. Whether your father wants to hand the throne to me or I want to pass it to one of you two, it’s all for the great cause of Yan Kingdom! It’s not about choosing who sits on that throne, but selecting the best and most stable path for Yan Kingdom."

Murong Li understood Murong Yan’s words, and Murong Ping did too. Both were silent.

"Uncle Nine, I’m a general, not suitable for being emperor!" Murong Ping turned his head towards Murong Li, "Even though Ah Li is young, he is the most outstanding among us brothers! Initially... I was supposed to go to Jin Kingdom as an envoy, but Ah Li replaced me. It was because Ah Li, being of noble birth, went to Jin Kingdom that Jin Kingdom was less wary of Yan Kingdom. In terms of wisdom and strategy, Ah Li surpasses us brothers by far. I think... Ah Li is the most suitable!"

Murong Ping’s ambition was to make achievements on the battlefield. He was self-aware... he might be a good general, but would absolutely not make a good emperor.

Ah Li was different. Ah Li was not only of noble birth but was also intelligent, farsighted, and brave enough despite his young age—these are the basic qualities needed to be an emperor, and Ah Li possesses them all.

"Ah Li, what do you think?" Murong Yan looked at Murong Li again and asked.

From behind Murong Yan, a thirty-two headed lotus lamp, its flames flickered with the summer breeze,

Murong Li possesses the qualities of an emperor, but in terms of ambition, at least for now... Murong Yan has not seen it in Murong Li, which is why he must ask...

If Murong Li does not have this desire, Murong Yan would rather not force him and choose Murong Ping instead.

After a while, the young Murong Li remained silent for a long moment before raising his eyes to Murong Yan, his gaze determined and unwavering, with a hint of wet redness: "Ah Li is willing to become the monarch of Yan Kingdom. If Uncle Nine dares to entrust Yan Kingdom to Ah Li, Ah Li will certainly be of one heart and mind with Uncle Nine, striving with all his might to unify the world for Yan Kingdom, and fulfilling the last wishes of father and grandmother together with Uncle Nine and all brothers!" freewёbnoνel-com

Murong Yan, hearing Murong Li mention his mother and elder brother, slightly parted his lips, a sudden sourness in his eyes, after a long pause, he smiled and raised his hand to touch the top of Murong Li’s head, taking a last look at the edict, then turned to gaze at the flickering flames of the lotus lamp, placing the edict in the fire.

The swaying flame touched the embroidered edict with black birds and green sparrows, making a very faint sizzling sound, the tongues of fire winding around the edge of the edict...

Murong Yan’s deep and dark eyes reflected the gradually igniting edict in the ghostly blue flames, seemingly endless.

Since he had already decided not to ascend the throne, keeping the edict would only cause trouble, better to burn it, ensuring peace for Yan Kingdom.

"Uncle Nine..." Murong Li knew well the painful intention behind Uncle Nine’s burning of the edict, after all, it’s the last thing left by father in life, but Uncle Nine, for the stability of Yan Kingdom and his secure throne, burnt it anyway.

"Today, we can announce the mourning news, outwardly declare... the edict names Prince Li as the successor, because Prince Li is young, he appoints Ninth Prince Murong Yan as regent overseeing the nation..." Murong Yan turned to look at Murong Li, "From now on, Uncle Nine will be a minister with power over the court. Everything he does... has nothing to do with you. All you need to do is wait... wait for the unification of the world, find a suitable opportunity to hold Ninth Prince accountable, and govern the people with benevolence."

Murong Li’s eyes grew hot, tears falling irresistibly. He hurriedly wiped them with his sleeve, not wanting Uncle Nine to see, remembering Uncle Nine hated seeing his nephews cry, for a real man bleeds but does not cry.

Murong Yan held the already ignited edict in his hand, his wrist hanging down to guide the flames as half of the edict was already ablaze, the increasingly fierce flames further deepening Murong Yan’s stern features, yet even this golden fiery light failed to add an extra warmth to his face compared to usual, making it appear sharper and more authoritative.

Murong Ping wisely stood up to fetch a copper basin, placing it beside Murong Yan’s leg, then neatly knelt back down.

Until the edict was almost completely consumed by the flames, Murong Yan finally dropped it into the copper basin brought by Murong Ping.

"Uncle Nine..." Murong Li spoke, his voice hoarse.

"Originally, Yan Kingdom seized Wei Kingdom, standing as the leader among nations, but Jin Kingdom moved too quickly, after capturing Liang Kingdom... ending Yan Kingdom’s brief advantage. To rescue Yan’s soldiers detained by Rong, I signed an agreement with the ghost-faced prince of Rong for Yan Kingdom, ensuring Rong and Xiliang would not engage in or assist in any hostilities within three years." Murong Yan looked at Murong Li, "Counting the days, Yan’s envoy should have already entered Xiliang territory, and the Empress of Xiliang should also know about the treaty between Yan Kingdom and Rong."

Murong Yan sent an envoy to Xiliang, telling the Empress of Xiliang about Yan Kingdom’s forced agreement with Rong not to intervene in Rong’s attacks on Xiliang within three years for the sake of saving imprisoned soldiers, hoping the Empress would prepare in advance against Beirong.

"Uncle Nine, could this push Xiliang towards Jin Kingdom..." Murong Li recalled Bai Qingyan’s intention to proclaim himself emperor, and changed his words, "Jin Kingdom is already Zhou now, could this push Xiliang towards Zhou?"

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