The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 175 Passing the Throne to a Wise Man
The next day, the sun rose.

Soon after, the imperial edict promoting her to the rank of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites, a third-rank official, arrived at the princess's residence. Even Princess Lin'an looked at it with surprise from all angles.

If this were during the Hongwu era, Li Xianmu's rapid rise in rank would not have been remarkable. In that era, it was common for people to become a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) in one year, a Shilang (vice minister) in two years, and a Shangshu (minister) in three years. However, it was also common for officials to die in the fourth year.

It can be said that there are absolutely no procedures or systems in place.

After the Yongle era, the large-scale massacres of officials disappeared, and the promotion of officials became a fixed system. As a result, Li Xianmu, a nineteen-year-old Right Vice Minister, suddenly cherished this opportunity.

Li Fang clicked her tongue in amazement and said, "At this rate of promotion, Third Brother will be promoted to a ministerial position by the age of twenty-five at the latest."

The Ming Dynasty was not like those bizarre and fantastical female-oriented worlds, where regents, princes of the north, and dukes of the state, commanding hundreds of thousands of troops, emerged one after another, and prime ministers with immense power were as numerous as melon seeds.

The six ministers appeared to be mere underlings.

Even during the Yongle reign, when the power of nobles was at its peak, no one, from princes to dukes, dared to ignore a minister, a truly important official standing at the pinnacle of power.

Li Mao smiled and pointed at the imperial edict, saying, "Why would His Majesty need to appoint my third brother as Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet before he turned twenty-five? This is to make him, like a Minister, oversee the Ministry of Rites."

It seems His Majesty is quite dissatisfied with the current Minister of Rites, Hu Ying.

Everyone knows that the Vice Minister of Rites, who is also a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, is even above the Minister of Rites. How could the Emperor not know this? This is to make the two of them fight.

"Our Li family has once again produced a top minister of the Ming Dynasty."

Li Fang felt quite triumphant. "That Hu Ying attacked my third brother years ago, trying to kill him. Now that my third brother is standing in front of him again, let's see what he does!"

Upon hearing this, everyone in the room burst into laughter, even Princess Lin'an laughed heartily.

Everyone knew that Li Xianmu had a bright future and unlimited potential, but his potential ultimately failed to translate into real strength.

Li Xianmu has now risen to the rank of Grand Minister of the Ninth Court.

Since the Song Dynasty's imperial examination system became widely implemented, apart from the Hongwu reign, it was extremely rare to find a civil official like Li Xianmu who dominated the country in just five short years—almost the shortest time ever!

How could the Li family not be proud?
Seeing his family members were overjoyed, Li Xianmu did not interrupt. After everyone had stopped, he slowly said to them, "Today is a joyous occasion, but as a son and brother, I must spoil the fun. On such days, we should keep a low profile."

The Vice Minister of Rites is nothing compared to the Minister of Rites, and even higher positions. To fulfill his father's dying wish, he is still far from being able to do so.

Elder brother, you are the patriarch of the Li clan, and your younger brother hopes to…”

"Third brother."

As if she had suddenly made up her mind, Li Fang interrupted Li Xianmu's words. Everyone, including Li Xianmu, looked over in surprise. They saw Li Fang with a solemn expression, kneeling down directly before her mother, Princess Lin'an. "Mother, today is my third brother's big day. I have something I've been holding back for many years that I want to say."

This sudden turn of events left everyone stunned. Only Princess Lin'an sighed, her face filled with a gentle pity, and reached out to gently touch Li Fang, "You're such a grown woman, why can't you get over this hurdle in your heart?"

Li Fang remained solemn, her eyes already brimming with tears. "I dare not expect anything from Father's teachings."

"Well, since that's the case, and your second and third brothers are here now, just say what you have to say."

Li Fang paused for a moment, then said with a hint of nostalgia, "After my third brother was born, Father established the thirty generations of the Li family. My third brother was the first generation of the Xian generation. Everyone could see Father's favoritism towards my third brother. For a time, I didn't understand why my third brother received all the favoritism, even though we were both Father's sons."

He paused here, and the others immediately dared not speak, secretly glancing at the Third Young Master out of the corner of their eyes. Li Mao looked at his elder brother in confusion, but Li Xianmu remained calm. He understood his elder brother. Li Qi was also watching from above, looking calm. He had taught Li Fang and Li Mao for ten years and had enough confidence.

"Later, the son understood that his father did not show favoritism, in fact..." Li Fang's face showed a few traces of shame, "Father did favor his son and second brother. He gave us all the wealth and honor, but did not make any demands, and put all the pressure on the third brother."

Third brother…

Li Fang choked up a little, and Li Mao also covered his face and sobbed. But the atmosphere in the room suddenly changed from stagnation. "My third brother has had the wisdom of a saint since he was a child. Although he has never experienced the hardship of studying, he has studied far more hard than others. He entered officialdom at the age of fifteen. Now, before he has reached adulthood, he has become a third-rank official, and his name is above ten thousand people. He has supported the face and backbone of the Li family."

The son, however, was incompetent. He had only obtained a sinecure through the favors of his mother and father, and his abilities were unremarkable. He knew he had no future, yet he held the position of clan chief due to his age. The son truly felt…”

Li Xianmu already knew what Li Fang was going to say, and said loudly, "Elder brother, the eldest son is chosen as heir, not the most virtuous; the son of noble birth is chosen, not the eldest. You are the eldest son, this is what you deserve. Your younger brother has no interest in the position of clan leader." "Third brother!" This was the first time Li Fang had spoken so loudly to Li Xianmu, "But there is also the concept of abdication in the succession to the throne. The Li family has been built up by your own hands. You have the ability to lead the entire family to greater heights and further progress."

As the clan leader, the Li clan will be viewed with greater respect.

How could I, as the elder brother, occupy this position because of my own selfish desires?
When Father gave you the right to perform the sacrificial rites, I, as your elder brother, already knew of Father's choice. However, he ultimately couldn't bear to see me, the eldest son, criticized by others, so he passed the clan leadership to me.

At that time, my third brother, you were still young and had no reputation. As your elder brother, I did not want to let the world's slander affect you.

Now that you are about to come of age and reach adulthood, your elder brother should step down and give way to a worthy successor, thus creating a beautiful story for the Li family. Isn't that a good thing?
Look at your nephews and nieces, aren't they all looked up to because of you?
Even your earlier statement that if the Li family were to regain its title, it would inevitably fall to the eldest son's branch of the family, is already the greatest benefit.

All the children in the house stood beside their mother, watching their third uncle.

"As my elder brother said, Father already showed favoritism by giving the right of sacrifice to my lineage. As for the title, it should have been inherited by the eldest son."

For Li Xianmu, having the right to perform sacrifices and being able to contact his father was the most important thing; nothing else mattered.

To put it bluntly, five hundred years from now, perhaps all the families will have long since dispersed, but one branch of his descendants will always be able to contact their father, this true god, and ascend to the throne.

Of course, it would be even better if one could serve as the clan chief, as it would make it easier to educate and arrange the children of the clan.

"But there's never been a case in this world where the younger brother makes contributions and brings glory to the family, only for the older brother to ultimately take all the benefits!"

Li Fang uttered a single, decisive sentence, then kowtowed once more at her mother Princess Lin'an's feet, "Mother!"

Even Li Xianmu was speechless.

Ultimately, the position of clan chief is different from the throne, noble titles, and hereditary official positions.

The latter three are clearly stipulated by the imperial court's laws, and they must fall on the eldest son of the legitimate wife, and even the second and third sons of the legitimate wife are clearly arranged.

However, the position of clan leader is elected by the clan itself. According to the clan law and Confucian traditions, the eldest son should naturally be the clan leader, but in reality, the imperial court does not interfere in this matter.

Princess Lin'an realized that her eldest son was determined, so she turned to her younger son and said, "Mu'er, your elder brother is right. You have just been promoted to vice minister, so there is still time."

If you achieve great merit in the future, there will inevitably be gossip and rumors circulating, saying that he "enjoys the empire built by his younger brother while shamelessly occupying a high position." At that time, it will be difficult to relinquish the position, and it will also be difficult to refuse it.

"Who dares?" Li Xianmu suddenly shouted, "They have the audacity to slander my brotherhood!"

Li Fang was moved and quickly comforted him, saying, "Third brother, justice resides in the hearts of the people. Even if other families had such a thing, we would still talk about it. It's just human nature. You can't blame others. It's just that I'm too mediocre and have dragged you down."

Li Fang's words really hit the nail on the head. Generally, there is no such concern in clans. Many clan leaders are elders, and even if the younger generation rises to great heights, it is due to the elders' upbringing and education.

However, Li Fang and Li Xianmu were of the same generation, and Li Fang's promotions were often due to Li Xianmu's favor, which naturally created an awkward situation.

Having said all that, Li Xianmu had nothing more to say and knelt before Princess Lin'an, saying, "It is entirely up to Mother to decide."

Today, the Li family can be considered a high-end version of the Jia family in Dream of the Red Chamber. They have an ancestor who is a princess, surpassing even the matriarch, Grandmother Jia. They also have three brothers, with the youngest, Li Xianmu, holding a high position as one of the Nine Ministers. Except for not having a hereditary title, they are far superior to the Jia family in every aspect.

Princess Lin'an looked at her two sons kneeling before her, her voice filled with joy, "It is often said that harmony in the family brings prosperity in all things, and now it seems that this is indeed true."

The elder brother is willing to step down and give way to a more capable one, and the younger brother also respects and loves his elder brother. The brothers love each other, which makes their mother very happy.

My Li family now has few connections. From the time you three brothers begin to have children, Mother will summon relatives and friends the next day to bear witness, and then she will perform this service for you two brothers.”

Li Fang breathed a deep sigh of relief, feeling as if a huge weight had been lifted from her heart after many years. The two brothers exchanged a smile and then kowtowed in unison, saying, "We will obey Mother's command."

The unexpected turn of events ended in celebration, and the house immediately became noisy again. Li Fang and Li Mao's wives had no complaints. Everyone knew that the future of the Li family depended on Li Xianmu, and the clan leader was just an empty title.

Especially Li Fang's wife, she was hoping that her brother-in-law would continue to be favored and that he could restore the Li family's title in the future. That would be the title of Duke, and she would be the Duchess of the State, the first-class title among the nine ranks of women of noble birth, the pinnacle for a non-royal woman!
(End of this chapter)