The Xuan Emperor wrote more than a dozen proclamations, one after another.

Only a reigning emperor's decree was called an imperial edict, and it stood for supreme power.

The Xuan Emperor was now the Emperor Emeritus, and the decrees he issued were called proclamations.

"Quan Sheng, have the Shadow Guard carry this emperor's proclamations to every prefecture and county." As he spoke, he picked up another proclamation and added, "This one must be delivered into Ning Chen's own hands."

To Eunuch Quan, those dozen-odd proclamations felt as heavy as a mountain.

"E-Emperor Emeritus, do you really mean to do this?"

A shadow of sorrow crossed the Xuan Emperor's eyes. He sighed deeply, but the next moment his gaze was firm again.

"The realm of the Great Xuan and its people matter more... As for that chair, let the most capable man have it.

If this is done, this emperor wrongs only the ancestors. If it isn't, this emperor would wrong not only the realm the ancestors won, but every common person under Heaven.

The mistake was this emperor's own, so it falls to him to set right what has gone wrong, and to give the people of the Great Xuan a clean sky over their heads and an age of peace... And when the time comes to go below, if the ancestors lay blame, this emperor will bear it alone."

Eunuch Quan wavered. "Emperor Emeritus, once these proclamations reach the prefectures and counties, and His Majesty learns of them, he's bound to fly into a towering rage... I'm afraid he'll lose his head and do something to harm you, Emperor Emeritus."

The Xuan Emperor sighed. "The realm of the Great Xuan is teetering on the brink, and the people are in fire and flood, with no way to live... All the people under Heaven matter more than this emperor.

Go. This emperor's mind is made up!"

Eunuch Quan set his jaw. "This old servant obeys!"

A month later, officialdom in every prefecture and county of the Great Xuan was shaken.

Every official had received the Emperor Emeritus's proclamation.

What it…