Emperor Qingwu was terrified by the contemptuous expressions of the common people and ministers, scared by the inexplicable chill wind. He knelt on the ground holding his head, resembling not an emperor but a stray dog wagging its tail in pity.
Suddenly, someone in the crowd shouted, "Your Majesty, please abdicate!"
Everyone turned to see Zhong Xuanliang's face flushed with anger.
Emperor Qingwu pleaded, "I was wrong, I can issue a decree of repentance!"
In his mind, a decree of repentance was the greatest concession a monarch could make. So many citizens had died, yet all the people under Heaven were his subjects. Could anything be more important than imperial dignity?
Then another voice came, "Your Majesty, please abdicate!"
After hearing this, Emperor Qingwu suddenly became alert. He stood up from the ground and saw Lu Zhong's indifferent and contemptuous eyes.
"Lu Zhong, you!" Emperor Qingwu was shocked that even Lu Zhong would betray him!