Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty

From the abdication system to the meritocracy, and then to the selection of legislators and officials, Qian Qianyi was not surprised.

But when the emperor mentioned choosing a new emperor, he became extremely nervous.

This is not only because of the sensitivity of the emperor's position, but also because after Yao, Shun, and Yu, the selection of the emperor and the abdication system mostly brought disaster.

Leaving aside Wang Mang's usurpation of the Han dynasty, the outcomes of accepting abdication during the Cao Wei, Western Jin, and Sui dynasties were not good.

Even the Song Dynasty, which had the longest reign, left behind many problems due to the abdication system.

Qian Qianyi had no intention of becoming emperor, so of course he did not agree with the abdication of the emperor, and said vehemently:
"Your Majesty, the abdication system is a disastrous system for the country and must never be repeated in the world."

“In ancient times, the abdication of emperors was a selection of virtuous men within a family. The abdication of emperors by Wang Mang, Cao Cao, and others was a coercion of the emperor.”

"I believe the former method of abdication is acceptable, but the latter is absolutely unacceptable."

"Your Majesty must not speak of abdication again, lest the people of the world misunderstand."

Regardless of what the emperor thought, as a subject, one must unequivocally express opposition.

He believed that emperors did not welcome abdication; which emperor would willingly give up the throne?
However, Zhu Youjian was not actually that sensitive to the abdication.

He does not agree that the concept of "the world belongs to all" is equivalent to abdication, but that does not mean he does not approve of the abdication system.

After all, the succession of heads of state in later generations was essentially a system of abdication. Although it had many problems, it was able to function smoothly in many countries.

He couldn't predict whether the Ming Dynasty would eventually reach that point. However, if a change of dynasty did occur, he hoped the new dynasty would accept the Ming's abdication.

That way, his descendants would have a way out and wouldn't be completely wiped out.

So he said to Qian Qianyi:
“The selection of virtuous and capable officials will eventually lead to the abdication system, and the emperor should also select virtuous and capable officials.”

"This is the example set by Yao, Shun, and Yu, and the great harmony of the future will surely be realized."

"However, what you said about abdication within a family makes sense. Yao, Shun, and Yu were all descendants of the Yellow Emperor, so they can be considered members of the same clan."

"This kind of abdication can be called internal abdication, which is one of the alternative systems after the primogeniture system can no longer continue in the future."

"The system of abdication within the court was successfully practiced after the reigns of Yao, Shun, and Yu."

After praising the abdication system, Zhu Youjian said:
"The latter type of abdication, where the abdication is forced upon someone of a different surname, can be called an external abdication."

"This should be opposed; it will cause many problems."

Even if everyone becomes a saint in the future world of Great Harmony, we must still be cautious.

"Because even Wang Mang, before he usurped the throne, was once called a sage."

"If an ambitious person emerges after the abdication, or if an ambitious person emerges from his descendants, it may trigger a war and disrupt the continuation of the abdication system."

"The difference between external Zen and internal Zen must be clearly distinguished. Your research is very meaningful."

Qian Qianyi was greatly encouraged by the affirmation of his research on the abdication system.

However, when the emperor was told that the abdication system might replace the primogeniture system, he still dared not agree, saying:

"I believe that the abdication of the emperor should be approached with caution, as this is not the time for Yao, Shun, and Yu."

"King Wuling of Zhao abdicated the throne to his son, but ended up starving to death."

"Moreover, if the next generation inherits the throne according to the eldest son after the abdication, it will cause many problems."

"Within a family, there should not be multiple people qualified to succeed to the throne."

These are all lessons learned from history, and Qian Qianyi believed they were unacceptable.

Zhu Youjian nodded in approval of his concern, then asked in return:
"The system of abdication within the main branch has its flaws, but wouldn't there be problems if we followed the primogeniture system entirely?"

What if a monarch like Emperor Hui of Jin appears?

"Even a person of average appearance can govern a country, but a person of low intelligence cannot."

“What I fear even more is the emergence of a Liu Chengyou. Such a monarch, who is unable to recognize his own abilities, acts recklessly, and is cruel and inhumane, will bring even greater disasters.”

"Tell me, what should we do if the Crown Prince becomes disabled, or commits heinous, cruel, or inhumane acts?"

"What method should be used to change the heir?" The question was so sensitive that Qian Qianyi dared not answer.

He could only say:

"This should be put to public discussion and debated by the ruler, his subjects, and the people."

"I believe that relevant provisions will certainly be formulated in the 'Great Ming Succession Ritual Law'."

Zhu Youjian nodded, somewhat satisfied with Qian Qianyi's acceptance of the rule of law and etiquette.

Although this person is a bit cunning, as long as he doesn't oppose the restoration of rites and music, Zhu Youjian considers him a usable person.

He said to Qian Qianyi:

"This issue should be raised and discussed in Congress."

"My opinion is that abdication is permissible."

"Compared to external meditation, internal meditation has a much lower chance of causing problems."

"Especially during the Southern Song Dynasty, several monarchs abdicated, ensuring the stability of the imperial succession."

"In this way, if the crown prince has a problem, the emperor can choose another successor according to the succession rites and order of succession."

"Then, at the appropriate time, he would take the throne and teach the new emperor how to govern the country."

"As long as the power of the retired emperor and the emperor is properly divided, I believe that abdication is feasible."

“Inheriting the rites and laws, there must be this patch. Subordinate states also use it, and can use it to improve things.”

This system of internal abdication is a supplement to the primogeniture system. The decision of who to pass the throne to still depends on the order of succession, not solely on selecting the most virtuous.

The heirs excluded were the foolish, incompetent, cruel, and inhumane ones. Qian Qianyi, as a subject, welcomed this decision.

He also didn't want a cerebral palsy emperor to suddenly appear, or someone like Liu Chengyou who killed ministers to seize power.

Either way, it would be a disaster for the world. He strongly supports this regulation.

He said to the emperor:

"I believe that provisions can be made for these situations in the laws and regulations governing succession."

"If anyone in the royal family violates the rules, they can be expelled from the royal family and removed from the line of succession."

“If there is an heir who is willing to become Taibo, he should be allowed to go out and take up his fief, and give way to other heirs.”

This is a method of selecting the virtuous. If a successor is far more talented than others, and those ranked ahead feel inferior, they should be allowed to go out like Taibo.

However, Zhu Youjian believed that this was basically impossible.

Under the primogeniture system, a person's right to inherit affects everyone in their branch of the family. Even if someone wants to step down, their wives, concubines, and descendants will not agree.

Unless forced to relinquish one's position.

Zhu Youjian did not want this to happen. He preferred to choose an heir of average appearance rather than have his descendants scheming and fighting for the throne. Therefore, he emphasized:
“The Tabor clause can be written, but the Tabor must be completely voluntary.”

“If the person was coerced, the heirs who are ranked lower in line would be suspected of being unfilial and disrespectful to their elders.”

"Moreover, Taibo abdicated the throne together with Zhongyong, and King Wen did not become the monarch as a result. His father, Jili, was the first to inherit the throne."

"This is still based on succession order, not on Tabor's designation."

"The Taibo clause should clearly state these points: after the succession is passed on to the virtuous, the order of succession should still be determined according to the eldest son's lineage."

This sent a chill down Qian Qianyi's spine; he hadn't expected his suggestion to have such a flaw.

He only thought that Taibo's abdication was a virtue and would help a wise ruler emerge. He forgot that Taibo could not designate an heir; everything depended on the order of succession.

If Zhongyong and Taibo had not yielded the throne to each other, Jili and King Wen would never have had the opportunity to succeed to the throne.

He reviewed his mistakes and then raised another question:
What if an heir performs well but becomes cruel and tyrannical after ascending the throne? (End of Chapter)