The civil and military officials fell utterly silent.

Among them were certainly men of principle, but An Wuyang's identity and bloodline gave him a natural, overwhelming advantage. In terms of sentiment and propriety, the position of Crown Prince was indisputably his. Moreover, he held the title of Filial Prince. In the feudal context of antiquity, the virtues of loyalty and filial piety were paramount, towering above the heavens themselves.

Those principled men naturally would not step forward to oppose An Wuyang.

As for the remaining officials, the fence-sitters and those with private agendas...

While they might not be swayed by the 'sentiment' of An Wuyang's status and lineage, they absolutely had to consider the 'logic' represented by Lu Ding—this unrestrained, arrogant figure who possessed both formidable background and terrifying personal power.

Lu Ding swept his gaze across the hall. "No one is stepping forward, is that it?"

"Then I'll take that as your silent consent."

"No need for any written pledges. I remember each and every one of you. If, from this day forth, anyone dares to jump out and utter a single word of opposition..."

"Those who break faith and go back on their word will undoubtedly be hacked to death beneath a storm of blades. Any objections, gentlemen?"

Lu Ding's words were not some baseless oath.

They were a simple, straightforward statement of fact.

With Prime Minister Wen Siyuan's recent fate serving as a stark warning right there before them, everyone understood perfectly.

Today, you either stood up fearlessly, or you agreed with no possibility of later recanting.

Anyone who reneged would have their entire family slaughtered!!

While Lu Ding rarely wiped out entire families, it wasn't something he had never done before.

Once was a novelty, twice made it familiar.

Seeing that still no one dared to stand forward, Lu Ding stepped back to the side.

He shot a glare at Wen Siyuan, who was still prostrate beneath the Dragon Throne.

*'You just wait, motherfucker. Not long, just a little while.'*

He then looked towards Fu Xinghe, his eyes conveying a silent message.

The tacit understanding between the two instantly told Fu Xinghe what he needed to do.

He immediately retreated, quietly beginning his own task.

At the front, Lu Ding bowed respectfully towards the Jing Emperor. "Your Majesty, I have only just broken through to God Ascension today. My energy is still somewhat chaotic, and my Inner Demons have not yet fully departed. Please, do not stoop to arguing with me."

Jing Emperor: "......"

*Hmm, perhaps they haven't fully departed. You know the truth in your own heart.*

*Trying to pass off two ounces as half a pound.*

However, since Lu Ding had proactively offered this way out, the Emperor couldn't very well refuse to step down. Maintaining his majestic, Son-of-Heaven demeanor, he said, "Indeed, Special Envoy Lu. If you are unwell, you should rest first. Attendants! Bring a seat."

A chair was brought forth, complete with a side table for tea.

While others stood, Lu Ding sat. While others watched, Lu Ding drank.

Though he had withdrawn from the center of the grand hall, he remained the absolute focus of everyone's attention.

From upon the Dragon Throne, the Jing Emperor proclaimed, "Since none of my ministers hold any objection to Wuyang inheriting the position of Crown Prince, We hereby decree: From this day forth, An Wuyang is the future Crown Prince of Great Jing. Furthermore, let it be proclaimed throughout the land that construction of an Eastern Palace shall commence immediately."

The civil and military officials bowed in unison. "Your Majesty is supremely wise."

Lu Ding was satisfied. *That's more like it. Being obedient is so much better. You can't resist anyway, so don't force this non-violent non-cooperation. It just makes everyone look bad.*

Afterwards, as the eunuch announced the end of the court session, the civil and military officials began filing out.

It wasn't that they didn't want to curry favor with Lu Ding; it was mainly fear.

After all, everyone knew Lu Ding had a terrible temper.

Who knew if approaching him might result not in a successful ass-kissing, but in getting kicked by the horse instead.

Besides, buttering up An Wuyang in the future would achieve the same goal.

An Wuyang walked out alongside Lu Ding. "Stay and enjoy yourselves for a few more days this time."

Lu Ding sighed helplessly. "Can't. I have to rush back today. There's still so much to do in the new city. I'm afraid I won't make it in time."

"Leaving today?"

Though his face showed little change, the note of disappointment in An Wuyang's voice was impossible to conceal.

He had thought Lu Ding would at least stay to witness his Crown Prince inauguration ceremony, to see him in his moment of glory.

He hadn't expected Lu Ding would have to return so quickly.

Though becoming Crown Prince granted him far more freedom than his previous title of Filial Prince, his sphere of activity was still confined to Great Jing.

And Lu Ding was in Great Han.

They still wouldn't see each other.

With the many matters ahead—the turbulent situation in the new city, the reforms needed in Great Jing—their next meeting seemed distant, a reunion easy to promise but difficult to achieve. It was impossible to know when they would meet again.

Thinking of Lu Ding's astonishing rate of advancement, An Wuyang suddenly smiled. A wind swept across the world, blowing against them as they walked side-by-side, ruffling their hair. An Wuyang said, "Next time, your *name* will probably arrive before you do." 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Lu Ding grinned. "Definitely."

"The trade winds will carry my name across the world, blowing it to every old acquaintance, telling them just how formidable Lu Ding is now."

"Though no feast under heaven lasts forever, mountains and rivers always bring reunions. I am forever climbing towards higher peaks, one mountain after another. Every landscape I encounter is an experience. Life is fleeting, and the journey never stops. No one remains number one forever, but I, Lu Ding, will forever *become* number one."

"Every later climber striving upwards will hear my name."

"'Where the sea ends, the sky becomes the shore; when the mountain peaks, I am the summit.'"

Lu Ding looked at An Wuyang. "Don't be saddened by parting. Look forward to the next meeting instead. Like two flowers blooming on separate branches, we will each excel, achieving greatness and lifting each other up."

"The meaning of life lies in constantly moving forward. As our journeys begin, may we forever be on the road. When we meet again at the summit one day, we shall continue sharing wine and laughter. Let us each strive diligently on our own paths, for though separated by a thousand miles, we are moved by the same wind."

An Wuyang stopped in his tracks, just as he would remain in Great Jing.

Lu Ding strode forward, symbolizing not just his departure from Great Jing, but the commencement of a new journey, the continuation of his glory.

He left behind one final sentence: "If you need me, call. I'll come. I will always come."

An Wuyang said nothing more, simply smiling and waving. "Farewell."

Lu Ding didn't look back, his voice carrying a laugh. "It's 'bye-bye'."

As Fu Xinghe caught up, he handed An Wuyang a document he had just prepared. "Your Highness, you can present this to His Majesty later."

After speaking, Fu Xinghe hurried to catch up with Lu Ding's pace.

An Wuyang remained where he was, opening the file.

**[On the Harm the Prime Minister System Inflicts Upon the State]**

**[The Benefits of Abolishing the Prime Minister Position]**

**[Alternative Solutions Following the Prime Minister's Abolition]**

This was the final gift Lu Ding gave to An Wuyang, a congratulatory present celebrating his ascension to Crown Prince.

Namely, the complete eradication of Wen Siyuan—this piece of rat dropping who held the title of Prime Minister but was in reality the ringleader of the aristocratic families.

Since he dared to take the lead in scheming and making underhanded moves...

Lu Ding certainly wouldn't indulge him. Even though his schemes had failed, attempted murder was still a crime. The root of the issue wasn't whether he succeeded in killing anyone or not.

He had to be crushed utterly!!!

To prevent him from stirring up more trouble after Lu Ding's departure.

As for how to deal with the remaining members of the Wen family afterwards, Lu Ding believed that An Wuyang, with the assistance of Prince Zhao, would certainly handle it appropriately.

Meanwhile...

Wen Siyuan, who had just exited the imperial palace, hadn't managed to take more than a few steps. His mind was busy calculating—once he returned, he would summon the heads of the aristocratic families to jointly discuss their next strategy.

Right at that moment...

A deafening dragon's roar erupted.

*'ROOOOOOAR!!!!!'*

Wen Siyuan whirled around. A dragon carriage pulled by eight dragons came charging forth, accompanied by earth-shattering extraordinary phenomena and peerless might, radiating a blinding golden light. With a thunderous rumble, it rolled directly over Wen Siyuan without the slightest tremor.

*Crunch... crunch...*

Upon the carriage, Lu Ding shook the reins, driving the dragon carriage. "Oh? Did we hit a speed bump?"