During a morning court session half a month later, Xue Beng wore an impatient expression throughout as the ministers hurled all manner of questions at him.
Finally, Xue Beng slammed the desk and roared, "Enough! All of you, shut up!"
The ministers below immediately fell silent.
"I know that in my year as emperor, I've done many ridiculous things. Quite a few of you have been saying behind my back that I'm a foolish ruler... hic!" Xue Beng let out a drunken hiccup, pointed at everyone in the court, and said coldly, "Every last one of you despises me. You despise me for not being a wise and worthy sovereign, don't you?!"
At least he knows himself well.
That was what the ministers thought, but they still looked terrified as they cupped their hands and said, "Please judge fairly, Your Majesty! We harbor no such thoughts!"
"That's exactly what you think! Fine, I've decided. Since you can't stand me, I'll abdicate in favor of someone worthy. I'm done being this damned emperor!" Xue Beng swept his hand forcefully.
"Your Majesty, how could that possibly be acceptable?" Ning Fengzhi rose "anxiously," hurriedly cupping his hands. "Without Your Majesty's wise guidance, the Heaven Dou Empire will surely be destroyed at the hands of the wolf-hearted Yellow Turban Bandits and the Star Luo Empire!"
"My mind is made up," Xue Beng declared firmly. Then he dropped to his knees before Ning Fengzhi with a thud, tears glistening in his eyes. "I... am not a wise sovereign. I've done many ridiculous things and left the people of the Heaven Dou Empire unable to make a living. My heart is full of regret!"
"And now... so that the people of our Heaven Dou Empire will suffer no more, I have decided to abdicate the throne