The prince is more stable

Chapter 798 Discussion on Electing a New Emperor

Zhang Dun didn't know how to describe Zhao Xiaoqian.

At such a critical and life-threatening moment, he remained as calm as a rock and even had the mood to joke.

Was he holding a strong trump card, or was he simply heartless?

"My assessment of Zhao Ji over the years has been correct, but I still underestimated his despicable nature. He dared to plot against the young prince; his crime is simply unforgivable. If this succeeds, Zi'an must severely punish Zhao Ji to comfort the spirit of the late Emperor in heaven." Zhang Dun's face showed anger.

"However, I still want to ask, when His Majesty was alive, you had already found out that Zhao Ji was the real culprit who murdered the young prince, so why didn't you report it to His Majesty?"

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled bitterly and said, "If I were to report this, there would be too many variables. It might backfire. It involves the palace and the crown prince. Anyone involved will not have a good ending. After the young prince's death, the emperor's temperament changed drastically. He is capricious and unpredictable. If you were me, would you dare to report this?"

Zhang Dun was speechless for a moment.

After the young prince's death, the emperor's temperament did indeed change drastically, and Zhang Dun, as the prime minister, naturally felt this deeply.

In that situation, if Zhao Xiaoqian had actually reported the matter to the emperor, he might not have received praise from the emperor, but rather a reckoning.

During that period, the official's emotions and judgment of right and wrong were no longer those of a normal person.

"Fine, I'll assume you only recently discovered this. Hide all the witnesses and evidence, and wait for the final blow against Zhao Ji."

After chatting for a long time, Zhang Dun finally took his leave.

Watching Zhang Dun carefully put on black clothes, cover his face with a black veil, and put on a bamboo hat, his body half-hunched over as he stealthily walked towards the back gate of the Prince's Mansion, Zhao Xiaoqian followed behind him and clicked his tongue.

Looking like that, who would believe he wasn't stealing manure?
It would be best to avoid encountering Kaifeng Prefecture constables on patrol. Walking down the streets of Bianjing late at night with this conspicuous appearance, it would be strange if the constables didn't suspect anything.

"Farewell, Minister Zhang. Goodbye." Zhao Xiaoqian stood inside the back door, smiling as he bowed to Zhang Dun.

The back door had just closed when Zhao Xiaoqian inside suddenly shouted, "Someone has come to the Chu Prince's mansion to steal manure!"

Outside the door, Zhang Dun was furious and instinctively pushed the door open, wanting to go in to escape and condemn the situation. However, the back door of the Prince's Mansion was already bolted. Without saying a word, Zhang Dun turned and ran. Despite his age, he ran very fast and disappeared in a flash.

Zhao Xiaoqian smiled maliciously from inside the back door.

A man is a boy until he dies; living too steadily and uneventfully is so boring.

Since Zhang Xiangong met him, his ordinary life has become much more colorful.

…………

The next morning, someone came from the palace and the Empress Dowager summoned him.

Knowing that he was going to the palace today to discuss important matters, Zhao Xiaoqian dared not delay. He hurriedly put on his official robes, still wearing mourning clothes on the outside, and went out to get into his carriage.

Today's meeting will take place in the main hall of Yanfu Palace, the Daqing Hall.

It is the place where the emperor and his ministers hold court on weekdays, and it has been called the "Golden Palace" in ancient stories.

Upon arriving at the palace gate, Zhao Xiaoqian was greeted by a young, unfamiliar eunuch. Looking at this eunuch, Zhao Xiaoqian inexplicably thought of someone.

Zheng Chunhe.

After Zhao Xu's death, Zhao Xiaoqian was busy with the funeral rites and also had to outwit Zhao Ji, Zhao Si, and Zhang Dun, and for a time he really forgot about Zheng Chunhe.

Grabbing the young eunuch, Zhao Xiaoqian asked about Zheng Chunhe.

As the emperor's personal attendant, everyone in the palace naturally knew Zheng Chunhe. The young eunuch sighed sadly and told Zhao Xiaoqian that since the late emperor's funeral, Attendant Zheng had remained in the Funing Palace, kneeling beside the emperor's coffin. He had fainted several times from grief, but the imperial physician had saved him.

After the coffin was taken out of the city and buried in the imperial mausoleum, Zheng Chunhe remained in the Funing Palace and refused to move. The Empress Dowager sent people to persuade him, but Zheng Chunhe still wouldn't listen.

The Empress Dowager had no choice but to let him be, but she did issue an imperial edict ordering palace servants to deliver three meals and other necessities to him every day.

Zhao Xiaoqian's heart stirred, and he temporarily suppressed his desire to see Zheng Chunhe, heading straight for the Daqing Hall.

The Daqing Hall was already filled with people, all of whom were important officials of the court who had been summoned. In fact, most of them were officials from the Council of State Affairs and the Privy Council, as well as officials from the Three Departments, the Six Ministries, the Nine Courts and the Nine Ministers, including Zhao Zongsheng, the former head of the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs.

Zhao Xiaoqian looked around and realized that everyone who was supposed to be there had arrived, and he seemed to be... late?

He looked a little embarrassed, but still walked in with his head held high.

As soon as he stepped into the hall, all eyes turned to him, and countless people nodded to him, which Zhao Xiaoqian humbly responded to one by one.

When Empress Dowager Xiang, who was seated at the head of the table, saw Zhao Xiaoqian, she immediately showed a look of satisfaction and gestured for him to stand at the front of the court.

Although the court officials were surprised, no one objected.

Given Zhao Xiaoqian's status and achievements, he deserves this position.

The Empress Dowager looked at Zhao Xiaoqian and became more and more pleased.

She had heard about what had happened a few days ago: Zhao Xiaoqian had suddenly intervened and brought down Prince Jian. This made the Empress Dowager extremely pleased, as she had initially had some concerns, after all, Prince Duan, Zhao Ji's rival, Zhao Si, was a formidable opponent.

He is the late emperor's own brother. This identity alone is enough to qualify him to compete for the throne. Even if Prince Duan has the support of the Empress Dowager, he may not be able to guarantee success.

Just a few days ago, Zhao Si made a foolish move by setting fire to the Chu Prince's residence. Zhao Xiaoqian, as expected, did not waste this golden opportunity and immediately crippled Zhao Si, spreading his evil deeds. In the end, Zhao Si was imprisoned by the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs.

It can be said that Zhao Si, Zhao Xiaoqian, has been eliminated by Zhao Xiaoqian alone. Prince Duan, Zhao Ji, has no more competitors. Today, the discussion of the new emperor is almost a foregone conclusion.

The Empress Dowager was especially pleased, feeling that the agreement she made with Zhao Hao and his son at the Qingshou Hall was indeed wise. With the help of Zhao Hao and Zhao Xiaoqian, things were much easier.

Zhao Xiaoqian used this incident to prove his worth and abilities to the Empress Dowager and Emperor Huizong. The difficult negotiations and the harsh conditions now seem to have been worthwhile.

Zhao Xiaoqian stepped forward without hesitation to the front of the court and bowed deeply to the Empress Dowager.

"Your subject Zhao Xiaoqian pays his respects to the Empress Dowager and begs for forgiveness for his lateness."

The Empress Dowager nodded. During the period of national mourning, she naturally could not laugh casually, nor could she laugh out of courtesy. She simply nodded with a straight face and said, "Your Highness, you have worked hard."

Next, Zhang Dun stepped forward and, following procedure, convened a meeting of officials today. Unlike the usual court meetings, today's meeting was about matters of great importance concerning the fate and stability of the Song Dynasty.

The first thing to discuss was the temple name of the deceased emperor.

The court officials present pondered deeply, and many learned scholars stepped forward to propose various temple names, but they were all refuted by their more learned colleagues.

Finally, the Privy Councilor Zeng Bu gave him a temple name, "Zhe".

Everyone in the hall fell silent, including the Empress Dowager, as they all pondered whether the word was appropriate.

Zeng Bu calmly explained, “‘Zhe’ means one who knows people well and is good at employing them, and who is eloquent and capable. The ancients said of Emperor Yao, ‘Knowing people is wisdom,’ and they also said of Emperor Shun, ‘He is profoundly wise and civilized.’”

"Throughout the life of the late Emperor, after assuming personal rule, he vigorously promoted new policies, appointed virtuous and talented individuals, and placed great importance on Prince Cheng. He eliminated malpractices, expanded military affairs, and the Song Dynasty reversed its century of weakness, gradually turning the tide of the nation and achieving the prosperous era we enjoy today."

"Domestically, new policies benefit the people and increase tax revenue; externally, good generals are appointed and territories are expanded. Is this not 'wise'?"

His reasoning was sound and well-founded, and the Empress Dowager and the court officials immediately nodded in approval.

After waiting for a long time, the Empress Dowager saw that no one came forward to object, so she said, "In that case, let us follow what Mr. Zixuan said. The temple name of the late emperor can be 'Zhe', that is, Emperor Zhezong of the Great Song Dynasty. The State Council shall take this as fact, proclaim it to the world, and have it engraved on the Yongtai Mausoleum Stele. The historians shall record it as a reference for future generations."

The courtiers bowed and responded enthusiastically.

After the courtiers in the hall whispered about some trivial matters, the Empress Dowager gradually sat up straight and began to speak about the most important matter of the day.

"Gentlemen, the late Emperor has passed away without an heir. However, a country cannot be without a ruler for even a day. Today, I have summoned you all here and request that you, in accordance with ancestral laws and regulations, elect a virtuous and capable person from among the princes of the imperial family to succeed to the throne as the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty, whose virtue will extend throughout the land and whose power will subdue the four seas."

The hall fell silent instantly. Everyone stood respectfully with their hands at their sides, but no one uttered a sound.

The Empress Dowager frowned slightly. She was quite dissatisfied with the reaction of the officials. Shouldn't everyone be eager to step forward and unanimously recommend Prince Duan, Zhao Ji, at this time?
Who else could it be but Prince Duan?
This is a divinely granted merit of supporting the emperor. Whoever speaks first has an undeniable value. After Prince Duan ascends the throne, will he not remember your kindness?

Now, no one uttered a word, a reaction that truly baffled the Empress Dowager.

The atmosphere was a bit awkward. In the court, anything that could be brought to the table was basically already decided. Discussing it on the table was more like going through the motions. One person made a suggestion, and everyone unanimously agreed to pass it, and that was it.

Seeing that no one spoke for a long time, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but say, "Gentlemen, there is no need to worry. None of the princes are present today. You may speak freely about who you think should be the new emperor."

The ministers remained silent.

Empress Dowager Xiang then looked at Zhang Dun and said, "Master Zihou, you are the prime minister. As for the selection of the new emperor, who is your preferred candidate?"

This was a tricky question, and all the ministers turned their gazes toward Zhang Dun.

As we all know, Zhang Dun was firmly opposed to Prince Duan's ascension to the throne. However, as everyone knows, the recent events in Bianjing have also occurred. Prince Jian, the only one who could compete with Prince Duan, was overthrown by Zhao Xiaoqian. In other words, Prince Duan's ascension to the throne is now a foregone conclusion.

Now the Empress Dowager is asking Zhang Dun first, and it has to be said that this question is truly veiled in barbs and has no good intentions.

Zhang Dun's expression remained unchanged. He stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Everything will be as the Empress Dowager and the gentlemen have chosen. I have no objection."

With a simple Tai Chi push, the question was easily deflected.

The Empress Dowager looked at him expressionlessly. As expected of an old fox, she was truly shrewd in her words and actions.

Then, the Privy Councilor Zeng Bu stepped forward, bowed, and said, "I believe that Prince Duan Ji is of noble character and outstanding talent, and is the best among all the princes. In terms of status, he is the eldest brother of the late Emperor. According to the ancestral system of the Great Song Dynasty, Prince Duan Ji can ascend the throne."

Zeng Bu's words immediately enlivened the atmosphere in the hall.

Once someone takes the lead, the others naturally become more active.

Besides, there really wasn't a second choice. The late emperor had two younger brothers, but they weren't the eldest or the legitimate son, so no one bothered to mention them.

(End of this chapter)