Lin'an Never Night

Chapter 924 Enlightenment
The emperor of the Song Dynasty was to visit the former capital, Bianliang, which was a very grand event.

Most importantly, the high-ranking officials all knew the true purpose of the Emperor's trip to the Central Plains.

At this moment, who wouldn't want to go along?

If you miss this opportunity, and you're not the only one close to the Prime Minister, what if he becomes petty later?
So what was originally a peaceful discussion turned into a fierce argument among the ministers over who should accompany the emperor on the journey north.

Qiao Zhen couldn't help but sigh again, and when she got home, her wife inevitably poked her forehead and complained again.

"You, you, wouldn't it have been better if you had just quietly taken care of things all by yourself back then?"

"If you don't have the guts, just bring along two or three ministers who are close to you."

"Now you're reaping what you sowed, aren't you?"

Qiao Zhen smiled apologetically, knowing he was in the wrong.

This journey is crucial to the success of the founding of the dynasty, and even the most humble person will not yield if they aspire to rise higher.

Just like the soldiers fighting on the front lines, they are also determined to defend their positions to the death, refusing to yield an inch.

Finally, Qiao Zhen, overwhelmed with trouble, had no choice but to decide that all six ministries and nine ministers would accompany the emperor on his journey north!
Since the emperor has already left, what does it matter if the entire central government moves forward?
In this way, the big shots were finally appeased.

As for middle and lower-level officials, they can be ignored.

They didn't deal directly with Prime Minister Yang, but rather with the powerful figures around him.

The fact that the big boss they followed went is equivalent to them going.

Before mid-February, Emperor Zhao Dun set off for the north.

Because Emperor Taizu Zhao Kuangyin's birthday is March 21st, and he was born in Jiamaying, Luoyang.

The emperor's trip has conveniently provided him with another pretext.

However, when the emperor's entourage crossed the Huai River and headed north, Master Qiao, who had finally taken a break from balancing the personnel, suddenly thought of something.

After much deliberation, he took Qian Ce with him and went to see the official.

"Your Majesty, after much thought, I believe we cannot go to Luoyang first on this journey north."

"Oh? What makes you say that, Qiao Qing?"

Zhao Dun became anxious upon hearing this.

He was finally able to get rid of that prickly chair he was sitting on, and he felt so much better these past few days.

Even his mental illness hasn't recurred.

Then Qiao Zhen said that they couldn't go to Luoyang anymore?

Qiao Zhen smiled slightly: "Your Majesty, I have thought it over carefully. We should go to Bianliang first!"

Right then and there, Qiao Zhen explained Qian Ce's thoughts in detail.

He pulled Qian Ce along so that he could have a witness.

Qian Ce's niece was a concubine of the Prince of Yan, and Qian Ce was a relative of the Prince of Yan.

Now that Qian Ce knows about this, it's as if the Prince of Yan knows about it too.

Although Qiao Zhen is used to "avoiding cause and effect," since he can't avoid it now, he will still try his best to fight for more for himself.

After hearing this, Zhao Dun and Zhao Kai suddenly realized what was going on.

"Qiao Qing, you're right, that's exactly how it should be done, that's the proper way."

Zhao Dun and Zhao Kai looked at Qiao Zhen with deep gratitude in their hearts.

The idea that Qiao Zhen gave them was not only more beneficial to Yang Yuan, but also to the Zhao family.

To a certain extent, it even preserved Zhao Dun's dignity.

It can be said that Qiao Zhen's strategy took into account all aspects and benefited all parties.

Zhao Dun was extremely grateful and couldn't help but stand up, bow deeply to Qiao Zhen, and say with a choked voice, "Thank you for your guidance, Master Qiao."

"No, no, I am terrified."

Qiao Zhen hurriedly got up from her seat and knelt down before Zhao Dun.

At least for now, Zhao Dun is still the emperor, so how could he dare to accept such a courtesy?

With the unanimous agreement of Zhao Dun, Zhao Kai, Qiao Zhen, and Qian Ce, the emperor's escort team headed straight for Bianliang.

The emperor arrived in Kaifeng on February 28th.

He invited the "divine tablet" that had protected him all the way back to the Imperial Ancestral Temple and solemnly worshipped it.

The news of the Song emperor's return to Bianliang shocked the entire nation.

This matter also greatly helped Yang Yuan militarily.

The Song emperor had already returned to Bianliang. If the Central Plains were unstable, would the Song emperor be able to come?
This shows that the Song Dynasty had completely controlled this area and was confident that it could hold it.

This was yet another heavy blow to the morale of the already precarious Jin Dynasty.

On March 5th, Emperor Zhao Dun of the Song Dynasty suddenly summoned all the civil and military officials accompanying him, the civil and military officials stationed in Kaifeng, and the local gentry and celebrities of Bianliang to announce a major event:
I, with my meager virtue, have succeeded to the great foundation laid by my ancestors, Taizu and Taizong. I have ruled the world with utmost diligence, day and night, fearing only that I would fail to live up to the expectations of the past emperors and be ashamed before the common people.

Recently, I dreamt that Emperor Taizu descended upon the Purple Palace, his countenance solemn, and instructed me that the Mandate of Heaven had been bestowed upon him, and that the imperial regalia was extraordinary and should be entrusted to a worthy person.

I was startled and alarmed. After much deliberation, I realized that the Mandate of Heaven cannot be defied and that destiny is predetermined.

Prime Minister Yang Yuan was intelligent and wise, with a broad mind and profound character. His achievements were outstanding, and his virtue benefited all people.

In the past, during times of hardship, you assisted me and supported the nation; now, the hearts of the people are with you and all nations admire your virtue.

The Emperor Taizu's prediction is exactly what is expected of him. How dare I, out of personal affection, defy public opinion, or, with my limited abilities, go against the will of Heaven?
Following ancient teachings and emulating the precedents of Yao and Shun, the throne was abdicated to Prime Minister Yang Yuan.

When the Great Way prevails, the world is a commonwealth, and the virtuous and capable are chosen; this is the ultimate impartiality of the sage.

I hereby appoint Yang Yuan as Emperor to receive the blessings of Heaven and to secure the stability of the nation. I will retire to a separate palace to enjoy a peaceful and comfortable life, hoping to live out my natural lifespan without any regrets.

Announce it to the world, and the envoys will hear about it.

This is it.

This was actually an abdication edict, the contents of which were drafted by Chen Weiqing, the Minister of Rites.

The benefits shouldn't be enjoyed by you alone.

This idea was initiated by Qiao Zhen and Qian Ce, so the abdication edict will have to be issued by someone else.

The others shouldn't be in a hurry either; they can continue to change people when presiding over the abdication ceremony.

Everyone should benefit equally from the rain and dew.

Emperor Zhao Dun was essentially announcing to the world, even in Yang Yuan's absence, that "I intend to abdicate in favor of Yang Yuan."

The deed is done, and because Yang Yuan is not present, he will appear even more "innocent."

Why did Zhao Dun abdicate?

Because he returned to the old capital to pay homage to his ancestors, the founding emperor appeared to him in a dream.

Emperor Taizu wanted him to abdicate in favor of Yang Yuan. As a descendant, how could he disobey Emperor Taizu's will?
In this way, he also preserved royal dignity to the greatest extent possible.

He wasn't forced into it; rather, he received instructions from his ancestors in a dream.

In this way, Yang Yuan's succession to the throne would be more in line with the law.

More importantly, the majority of the people believe this claim.

The fact that Yang Yuan had previously obtained the Imperial Seal of the State became the most credible prelude to this dream of the succession.

Qiao Zhen's arrangements were truly comprehensive.

The edict was issued, marking the first and last edict issued by the young Emperor Zhao Dun using the Imperial Seal of the State.

Then, he led all the civil and military officials of the city from Bianliang to Luoyang.

The civil and military officials in Luoyang naturally learned of the Emperor's abdication in advance, and were immediately filled with excitement.

What are people who risk their lives for by following their leader?
The higher the leader climbs, the more it pleases them.

Now their leader is as tall and as big as can be, isn't that fantastic news?
When the emperor traveled to Luoyang, Yang Yuan led the civil and military officials of Luoyang to greet him for a full hundred li.

He set up a welcoming pavilion in Yanshi, erected a "dragon shed", prepared his ceremonial guards, swept the roads, wore court robes, knelt three times and kowtowed nine times, and presented a "welcoming memorial", showing unprecedented respect to the young emperor.

Then Yang Yuan firmly declined the emperor's offer to abdicate.

The two of them were pulling and tugging at each other, as if they were fighting over who would pay the bill. They even made a show of declining three times, which made Yang Shou very anxious. He wanted to hit them.

Ultimately, Yang Yuan could not defy "fate" or "the will of Emperor Taizu," and reluctantly agreed.

Therefore, Yang Yuan personally drove the chariot for the emperor and welcomed the young emperor to Luoyang.

Luoyang has palaces, and many of the magnificent buildings from the Tang Dynasty still remain.

During the Song Dynasty, Luoyang was designated as the Western Capital and served as a secondary capital to Kaifeng, the Eastern Capital. As a result, these palaces were utilized and repaired.

Even when the Jurchens entered and ruled the Central Plains, the damage they caused to the palaces in Luoyang was far less than that in Kaifeng.

Today, Luoyang still has Sui and Tang dynasty buildings such as Ziwei City and Shangyang Palace.

Its main buildings, such as the Taiji Hall, the Changsheng Hall, and the Jixian Hall, are also still there.

So the young emperor moved into Luoyang Palace.

On March 21, Emperor Zhao Dun, who was staying in Luoyang, held a ceremony to worship his ancestors in Luoyang, with Prime Minister Yang Yuan presiding over the ceremony.

On March 22, Emperor Zhao Dun formally held the abdication ceremony, passing the throne to Chancellor Yang Yuan.

Yang Yuan entered the palace through the Tianjin Bridge, received the imperial seal, and took the Imperial Seal of the State from Emperor Zhao Dun, who had barely warmed it.

Because the order was received on the battlefield, the abdication ceremony was much simpler.

The grand coronation ceremony will be held on New Year's Day next year, at which time the new dynasty's name, era name, and capital location will be announced.

Then, to reassure the Zhao Song imperial family, Yang Yuan swore an oath by pointing to the Luo River.

When the young emperor heard Yang Yuan swear an oath by pointing to the Luo River, his face turned green.

Since Sima Yi swore an oath by pointing to the Luo River that he would treat the deposed emperor well, he broke his oath and slaughtered the entire Cao family, even the married women were hunted down.

From then on, the credibility of swearing an oath by pointing to the Luo River was ruined!

Unexpectedly, Yang Yuan had more to say:
"In the past, Sima Yi broke his oath and was punished by heaven. His dynasty was short-lived, his bloodline was depleted, and he left behind a name that will be cursed for all time."

Afterwards, anyone who swore an oath by the Luo River and then broke that oath will not have a good outcome.

Deceit and force may prevail for a time, but those who lose credibility will surely lose the world!
"I, Yang Yuan, and all my descendants, who violate this oath, will suffer a hundred times the retribution of the Sima family!"

Upon hearing Yang Yuan swear such a solemn oath, Zhao Dun's expression returned to normal.

From Sima Yi onwards, anyone who swore an oath by pointing to the Luo River, or imitated this oath by pointing to other major rivers, and then broke their oath, never met a good end.

Sima Yuanxian, Liu Yu, Erzhu Rong, An Lushan, Zhu Wen, Li Cunxu...

It may refer to the Luo River, or the Sanggan River, or the Bian River...

Anyone who makes such a vow and then breaks it never ends well.

In the original history, only Emperor Shizong of Jin, Wanyan Yong, made an oath by pointing to the Taizi River, and he never broke his oath throughout his life, thus dying a peaceful death and leaving behind a virtuous reputation.

However, in this timeline, he had already been stabbed to death by that crazy woman Shangguan Mingyue in the name of love, so he had no chance to prove that keeping his vow would bring good fortune.

(End of this chapter)