I am Emperor Wanli

Chapter 492 Fengxian Palace

In the main hall of Fengxian Hall, the coffin of Emperor Longqing was placed in the middle, surrounded by a white curtain. In front, on the shrine was the tablet of Emperor Longqing.

"The throne of the emperor."

The ministers were still discussing the temple name and posthumous title of Emperor Longqing. After the discussion, a minister of high moral character and prestige would write it and choose an auspicious day to welcome it into the Fengxian Hall and the Taimiao.

Now the tablet of Emperor Longqing can only be temporarily replaced by the "late emperor's tablet". In front of the tablet are white candles and offerings. Under the long table where the offerings are placed, there is a long-burning lamp, the bean-sized light flickers dimly.

Zhu Yijun was dressed in mourning clothes and kneeling in front of the ancestral tablet.

At this time of the night, it was quiet and lonely. The monks and Taoists in the side halls on both sides were performing water and land rituals and ceremonies for the salvation of the dead. The buzzing sound of their chanting was particularly loud in the silence.

The ministers were keeping vigil in the outer hall, and only Feng Bao and Qi Yan were with Zhu Yijun.

The three of them knelt on the mats in silence, looking at the light of the eternal lamp swaying.

"Feng Bao, is it calm outside?"

Zhu Yijun asked softly.

"Your Highness, it's not peaceful outside. Some people say that Your Highness shouldn't have chosen a good day for the wedding. Others say that on the day of Your Highness's wedding, there will be a white rainbow through the sun, and the sky will be ominous, which is very unlucky."

"They mean that they have brought disaster upon our father? Haha, the celestial phenomena are ominous, and they understand the celestial phenomena? The Imperial Astronomical Observatory did not say anything, but they have become celestial masters who are proficient in celestial phenomena?"

Feng Bao didn't dare to answer.

Your Highness, the Imperial Observatory has been under your control for several years. How dare they say anything?

"Qi Yan, has the Imperial Household Department issued my second edict?"

"Your Highness, the Imperial Household Department has already sent it out."

According to the rules, the crown prince must ascend the throne three times and give up his throne three times.

The first step forward and the first step back was actually to announce the death of the late emperor to the world.

The second step is to announce to the world who the legitimate successor to Dabao is.

He reluctantly agreed on the third attempt and chose an auspicious day to officially ascend the throne.

Prime Minister Li Chunfang and Chief Military Officer Hu Zongxian, along with all the civil and military officials, submitted two petitions to persuade Zhu Yijun to ascend the throne, but Zhu Yijun humbly declined both times.

I am of little virtue and ability, and I am afraid that I may fail to live up to the expectations of the people, so I dare not accept your kindness.

In Zhu Yijun's opinion, these three advances and three concessions were the highest manifestation of Confucian hypocrisy.

He was the only candidate for the throne, and anyone else who dared to have the slightest idea would be killed immediately. Yet he was forced to decline twice with great trepidation, and finally accepted it "reluctantly" and ascended the throne "unwillingly".

I really didn't feel reluctant at all. I had already prepared myself to take on the heavy responsibility of the Ming Dynasty.

But you have to adapt to the local customs!

Second, the imperial edict will be issued tomorrow, and then the ministers will submit the third petition for the throne.

There is no need to worry about anyone playing tricks on this matter.

You can confront the emperor and the prince on other matters and gain some fame.

If you dare to mess around in this matter, you will have crossed the red line. Not only will the prince punish you after he ascends the throne, but all the civil and military officials, as well as the people in and out of the court will also despise you.

"Has the Supervisory Office received any urgent military reports?"

"Your Highness, winter has arrived. The Eastern Expedition, the Qinghai Expedition, and the Northern Desert Strategy have all stopped. News has come from Datong that Altan Khan has fallen ill in the royal tent and has been in a coma for four days. The people on the right wing of Mongolia are in turmoil, and there is no new intelligence to report for the time being."

The news from Altan Khan's camp did not reach Datong through formal channels and took two to three days.

It takes three to four days to travel from Datong to the capital, a distance of 600 miles by express train.

He was in a coma for four days, which was at least six days ago. He should have been in a coma for more than ten days today.

"Mr. Wang's plan should have succeeded. Let the arrow fly for a while. By spring, the truth about Dabansheng should be revealed. We are also ready. We will see the truth then."

"Your Highness is wise."

"What about the South Sea?"

"To reply to your Highness, there is no news from the South China Sea yet."

"Well," Zhu Yijun recalled something, "Li Chao led the Qinglong Navy to the east to attack Gen and Xun continents. They have been sailing for four or five months. I don't know if they have arrived yet.

Gen and Xun are so far away from us that it takes a year to go back and forth. The world is so big that it is beyond our imagination. "

Feng Bao and Qi Yan replied: "Your Highness is a man of great talent and strategy. With the world as his chessboard, you will surely be able to determine the fate of the world and allow the Ming Dynasty to dominate the world."

A eunuch came into the hall and whispered something in Feng Bao's ear.

Feng Bao waved his hand, signaling the eunuchs to withdraw, and then he knelt down and moved to Zhu Yijun and whispered, "Your Highness, Meng Chong is here and wants to kowtow to the late emperor."

Zhu Yijun's eyes flashed, "Let him in, and all of you go down."

"Yes."

Meng Chong staggered in, knelt behind Zhu Yijun, and kowtowed respectfully to the ancestral tablet and the coffin.

The forehead hit the terrazzo floor, making a crisp sound.

Zhu Yijun stood up and glanced at Meng Chong who was kneeling on the ground, "Follow me."

Meng Chong followed Zhu Yijun out of the main hall and walked into a room in the side hall, which was where Zhu Yijun rested while keeping vigil.

Zhu Yijun sat down and asked directly, "Did Grandpa Emperor ask you to do this?"

Meng Chong was stunned, then knelt down, "Your Highness is wise and perceptive."

"You are the eunuch of the Imperial Kitchen. You are in charge of everything that comes into the palace and the Western Garden. The Emperor is very cautious. He must trust you very much to let you take charge of the Imperial Kitchen.

But you just pretended to be unruly and disdainful in front of me. The cats in the Forbidden City have twelve minds, but you are so ignorant of the current situation? "

Meng Chong lowered his head and said nothing.

"That day on the Xiyuan pleasure boat, I took the opportunity to throw you into the lake. I knew that the clothes you were wearing would swell when they came into contact with water, dragging you down. No matter how good a swimmer you were, it would be difficult for you to survive without someone to rescue you.

You happened to swim to the lakeside, who saved you?"

Meng Chong was silent for a while, then replied in a low voice: "Eunuch Huang asked someone to rescue me quietly."

"After this incident, I have a clear idea in my mind. What did the Emperor tell you to do when he kept you here?"

"The late Emperor of the Temple instructed me to act quickly when the situation requires it, and to act slowly when the situation requires it."

Zhu Yijun understood that the emperor had told Meng Chong that if his father was anxious to drive him out of the Western Garden and take back power, he should not hesitate and act as soon as possible.

If my father is willing to be a bee in the Forbidden City and ignore state affairs, then I can take my time.

This delay will only last three years.

"Your assistant is the Taoist priest Duan Chaoyong who worked as a bell doctor."

"Your Highness is wise. When I was in the Imperial Kitchen, I worked in the Imperial Pharmacy for fifteen years and helped Emperor Shimiao refine elixirs for ten years. I improved the medicine used by the Duan Dynasty and removed a lot of toxicity.

I originally thought that if we could take care of him every day, the late emperor could probably hold out for five to six years. But the late emperor knew that his father was lustful, drunk, and gluttonous. With your "magic medicine", he could hold out for three years before his death, so he was in good shape.

"Meng Chong, how should I deal with you and Duan Chaoyong?"

Meng Chong kowtowed and replied, "Since the late Emperor Shimiao told me about this matter, I have been determined to die. Please don't make it difficult for me, Your Highness, just grant me death.

Duan Chaoyong, I have already secretly poisoned him and have dealt with the aftermath. Your Highness, don't worry."

Zhu Yijun looked at Meng Chong's back and sighed in his heart.

The Emperor was not only shrewd and calculating, but he also truly loved me. Not only did he support me during my lifetime, he also planted chess pieces to protect me secretly after my death.

The safest approach is to let Meng Chong remain dead and never speak again.

It was an open secret inside and outside the palace that my father had been secretly using poisonous drugs, so everyone felt sorry but not surprised at his untimely death.

It would be a surprise if nothing happened after using so many powerful drugs.

But offering the tiger and wolf medicine to my father was another matter. If someone found out, even though it was a secret order from my grandfather, I couldn't explain it.

Many times, Zhu Yijun was on the verge of ordering Meng Chong to commit suicide, but he just couldn't say it.

His grandfather, Emperor Jiajing, might be his only weakness.

Meng Chong was someone secretly arranged by Grandfather Huang. To be able to carry out such a mission, he must be the person he trusts the most. I really can't bear to kill him.

"Meng Chong, does Mr. Huang know about the mission that Grandfather Emperor gave you?"

Meng Chong answered without hesitation: "Mr. Huang doesn't know."

You answered so quickly and without thinking, so Huang Jin must know the inside story.

Without him, the ancestor of the Forbidden City, to protect you, you would have died countless times just because of your rebellious personality in front of me.

Zhu Yijun thought for a moment and said, "I will call Yang Jinshui later and tell him to do something. When you go back, stay here and wait for an opportunity to die of a sudden illness."

Since then, Meng Chong has died. You can just find a young eunuch's name to replace him, follow the eunuchs who were released from the palace, go to Fulingyuan, accompany Mr. Huang, and enjoy your old age."

Meng Chong raised his head suddenly, unable to believe what Zhu Yijun said.

Zhu Yijun looked at him and reminded him again, "Tell Mr. Huang about this matter and keep it to yourself. If I hear any rumors in the future, you can go and report it to Grandpa Huang."

Meng Chong kowtowed repeatedly, making the floor bang bang.

Meng Chong understood the meaning of Zhu Yijun's words.

For the sake of Emperor Jiajing, Meng Chong was spared the death penalty and was required to keep his identity and secret. In addition, Meng Chong also knew that the Crown Prince had used him to convey a message to Huang Jin.

In the future, he will use Yang Jinshui, just like Emperor Jiajing used you Huang Jin. You will enjoy your old age in peace and security with a lot of secrets in your belly.

After Meng Chong left, Zhu Yijun sat in his chair, somewhat dazed.

For the sake of himself and the Ming Dynasty, the Emperor was so deliberate and cruel that he even dared to sacrifice his own son.

Now the heavy responsibility of the Ming Dynasty has been placed on his shoulders. If he wants to make the Ming ship look brand new, sail back into a new course, and allow the Chinese nation to break free from the fate of historical cycles and continue to stand at the top of the world, it will require not only his own efforts in this lifetime, but also the efforts of two, three, or even hundreds of years.

I must think of a solution and not let the government perish with my death.

Zhang Juzheng's reforms will not end up in a regrettable way as in history.

But after his death, would the deep-rooted conservative forces make a comeback, overturn all his new policies, and return to the old path of following ancestral rules and emphasizing moral governance?

A country can rise because of one person, and it can also fall because of one person.

Zhu Yijun thought silently for a while, picked up the teacup, drank a few sips of the already cold tea, and ate two pieces of plain pastries to fill his stomach.

Exit the side hall and walk towards the main hall.

He met Wanfu on the road and waved to stop him.

"Hail."

"The servant is here."

"Ministers who are standing guard in the front hall, have you prepared the hot water and pastries?"

"If you want to reply to your Highness, everything is ready."

"Many ministers are old, and staying up all night to keep vigil is already very tiring. Hot water and pastries must be prepared. Don't let them get cold, hungry, or thirsty. Don't let them ruin their health."

"This slave will remember it."

Walking onto the platform surrounding the main hall, Feng Bao came hurriedly over.

"Your Highness, the Supervisory Office has just received an urgent report from Datong that Altan Khan is dead."

"No, when did it happen?"

"Five days ago."

"Altan Khan was a hero and the last hero of the Mongols. The court sent an envoy to express condolences to Datong Huoji in the name of the court."

"As you command."

Zhu Yijun felt a chill on his face, and when he looked up, he saw the dark sky and gray-white snowflakes falling down, looming in the dim light of the white lanterns.

"Snowing."

Back in the main hall, Zhu Yijun knelt down on the cushion, kowtowed three times to the spirit tablet of Emperor Longqing, then knelt on the cushion and continued to keep vigil.

In the second half of the night, the monks and Taoists who had been chanting sutras all day and all night took a break. There was silence inside and outside the Fengxian Hall, so quiet that everything in the world seemed to be asleep.

Zhu Yijun, who was kneeling on the mat, suddenly felt his heart beating wildly for no reason. He opened his eyes abruptly, but did not notice anything unusual.

He took a hand out of his sleeve, supported himself on the ground, and felt a slight tremor in the palm of his hand.

Zhu Yijun was shocked. No way! An earthquake!

He stood up suddenly, and as soon as he stood up straight, the ground shook violently, as if the whole earth was coughing violently and the ground was shaking along with it.

The beams and pillars of the Fengxian Hall made creaking sounds, telling everyone that they were suffering great pain.

The tablet of Emperor Longqing was shaking violently, so Zhu Yijun stepped forward and protected the tablet.

The coffin of Emperor Longqing was placed on a wooden platform, which began to sway violently from side to side.

Zhu Yijun shouted, "Qi Yan, protect the Lord. Feng Bao, help!"

He threw himself on the coffin of Emperor Longqing. Feng Bao and Qi Yan rushed in from the side. Hearing the call, Qi Yan hurried to hold the spirit tablet, while Feng Bao rushed to the other side and supported the coffin that was swaying from side to side.

Upon hearing the news, the ministers in the front hall rushed into the main hall.

Gao Gong was leading the way. When he saw Zhu Yijun and Feng Bao holding the shaking coffin of Emperor Longqing on the left and right, he rushed forward with his sleeves rolled up without saying a word.

Next came Hu Zongxian and Zhang Juzheng, then Zhao Zhenji and Li Chunfang. After they supported the coffin, the others reacted and gathered in a circle, reaching out to support the coffin.

On the evening of December 29th, the third year of the Longqing reign, five days after Emperor Longqing passed away, a major earthquake occurred near the capital.

(End of this chapter)