The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 308 True Dragon (End of Volume)
The lights in the hall flickered, casting large shadows behind the pillars, the candlelight swaying in the breeze, sometimes bright and sometimes dim.

The light shone on Zhu Zhanji's eyes, outlining his deep-set pupils, with subtle grooves that seemed to hang heavy in the air.

The emperor's regretful voice, emanating from the depths of his heart, echoed in his ears.

Li Xianmu was suddenly overcome with grief and even felt as if he were about to shed tears.

His short first half of life was filled with many experiences. In the more than sixty years since the founding of the Ming Dynasty, five emperors had either passed away or were on their deathbeds. And now, he was witnessing the scene of the fourth emperor's death.

In the entire Ming Dynasty, this was a unique honor?
At least in the present Ming Dynasty, only Li Xianmu had seen the late Emperor Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang on his deathbed.

He had an extraordinary relationship with each of these four emperors.

He had his maternal grandfather, the Taizu Emperor, who personally raised him in the palace.

He had an uncle, Emperor Taizong, who felt great pity for him after he lost his father at a young age.

For twenty years, he had overcome hardships together with his cousin, who was both a brother and a confidant, Emperor Renzong.

And his nephew, with whom he had devoted over a decade of teaching and shared a deep teacher-student bond.

The bond between him and the four emperors of the Ming Dynasty was so deep that no other minister could imagine it.

Even his father Li Qi's connections with the Ming imperial family were far inferior to his. Li Xianmu truly had half Zhu family blood flowing through his veins!

He witnessed the passing of the four emperors and heard their dying words. Although the words were the same, the meaning behind them was exactly the same.

Before his death, the only thing his maternal grandfather couldn't let go of was the fate of the Ming Dynasty: "Having toiled for half his life, he still doesn't know what the future holds for the world."

On his deathbed, in Yumu River, on that torrential rainy night, the imperial uncle gazed at the pitch-black night and uttered only one sentence: "This vast land is like a painting, truly captivating and unforgettable."

Before Emperor Renzong passed away, he said, "Mingda, help me watch over the Ming Dynasty. Your ambitions are for the Crown Prince to carry out."

Now, the emperor has uttered these words again. The emperor is in his prime, yet Heaven has not even granted him thirty years, leaving behind an orphan and a widow. How can he be content with this?
History seems to be composed of one regret after another.

The hall fell silent for a moment.

"The Empress Dowager and His Highness the Crown Prince have arrived."

No sooner had the words left her lips than Empress Dowager Zhang led the Crown Prince in, both of them looking deeply sorrowful.

"emperor."

"Father."

Zhu Qizhen, with his chubby face and energetic features, ran over and rushed towards him, sobbing, "Father, what's wrong?"

Li Xianmu and the others quickly bowed to Empress Dowager Zhang and the Crown Prince.

When Zhu Zhanji saw Zhu Qizhen, a smile finally appeared on his face, with a hint of doting. He pointed to Li Xianmu and the others, saying, "My son, from now on these ministers will assist you. Take a good look at them. If you don't understand something in the future, ask your grandmother, mother, and these four ministers."

Zhu Qizhen burst into tears. Although he grew up in the palace and was more mature than his peers due to his upbringing, he only had one brother living outside the palace. He was no different from the emperor's only son and had never experienced any setbacks since childhood.

Emperor Ming of the Eastern Han Dynasty often dreamed of his father, Liu Xiu, and his mother, Yin Lihua, and the happy life the family of three had in his youth. He would even shed tears in his dreams.

Zhu Qizhen was similar to this one.

Unable to contain his grief, Li Xianmu was moved by the natural bond between father and son.

When the emperor died in the tenth year of the Xuande reign, he had made preparations for it for a long time. When the time actually came, he felt as if he had lived through another world.

Seeing Zhu Qizhen crying uncontrollably, Zhu Zhanji felt both happy and sad. He hadn't even truly begun to teach his son, and now he was already running out of time.

"My son, come here."

Zhu Zhanji gave Empress Sun a wink, and only then did Empress Sun speak to comfort Zhu Qizhen. He stopped crying, only sobbing slightly, and looked at his father with teary eyes. Zhu Zhanji pointed at Li Xianmu and said, "Come and pay your respects to your great-uncle."

Zhu Qizhen looked somewhat thin and frail. Although he was a little afraid, he still slowly bowed to Li Xianmu and said, "Greetings, Grand Uncle."

"Your Highness, there's no need for such formalities," Li Xianmu returned the greeting to Zhu Qizhen.

Zhu Zhanji took a deep breath and solemnly instructed, "Your great-uncle is trusted by four emperors and is a highly respected figure in the clan. He assisted three emperors in maintaining peace and stability in the country and is a key minister among key ministers, shouldering the responsibility of the nation while keeping a watchful eye on those who are like wolves and flies. If you have any questions about politics in the future, ask him."

Zhu Qizhen replied timidly but clearly, "Your Majesty, I understand."

Zhu Zhanji then looked at Li Xianmu, his previous regretful expression gone. "Teacher, you are the elder of the clan. Emperor Taizu said you are the Qilin of the Ming Dynasty, and the dynasty will prosper because of you. Emperor Taizong named you the top scholar and praised you for bringing peace to the Ming Dynasty. By the time of the late emperor and me, what Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong said had come true."

From the twenty-fourth year of the Yongle reign to the ninth year of the Xuande reign, a period of eleven years, the Ming Dynasty enjoyed peace and tranquility. You deserve half the credit for this!

Even compared to the so-called famous prime ministers of ancient times, he is no less capable.

Now that I am about to pass away, and the successor is still young, how could I possibly entrust him with the heavy responsibility of governing the country if the world is in turmoil?

How could I not worry about this vast and beautiful land, this mighty Ming dynasty, and the heavy responsibilities entrusted to me by our ancestors?

Zhu Zhanji became more and more agitated as he spoke, and by the end he was so engrossed in his speech that he could hardly breathe, and even coughed heavily, with blood spilling from his lips and teeth.

The crowd was so startled that they immediately tried to rush over, and gasps of surprise echoed throughout the hall.

"Your Majesty, please stop." Empress Sun sobbed as she stepped forward and embraced the emperor. "Please stop."

Zhu Zhanji patted Empress Sun's arm, then slowly pushed her away, saying, "I must speak now, or I'll never have another chance."

All I can say is, thank goodness I have you.

Teacher, thank goodness you're here!

Zhu Zhanji stared intently at Li Xianmu, his eyes bloodshot, his face pale, and his voice weak, yet his words still carried a firm resolve.

"There's a saying in the military: 'An army is raised for a thousand days, but used for only one.'"

Perhaps when Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong praised their teacher, they never imagined that in just over thirty years, a young emperor would ascend the throne in our Great Ming Dynasty.

Since ancient times, when a young emperor ascends the throne, the country is always unstable. The princes of our Great Ming are guarding the borders, and their power is considerable. Who will protect the central government?

In my opinion—my mother, the Empress Dowager, and my uncle, Xianmu.

Uncle, teacher, after my death, the vast empire and the young emperor will be under my care. Please watch over it and prevent it from falling into ruin.

"Help me watch over the Emperor, so that he can sit securely on the throne. My heir should remain in the ancestral temple."

A strong wind reveals the strength of the grass; national turmoil reveals the loyalty of the minister.

At this critical moment for the Ming Dynasty, besides Empress Dowager Zhang and Empress Sun, Zhu Zhanji trusted Li Xianmu the most.

Of the four regents, Li Xianmu was undoubtedly the foremost. After these words were spoken, the expressions of the people in the hall varied. The emperor's words at the beginning were all words of trust and respect, addressed to the regents, but the last sentence was quite different.

The emperor was worried that if Emperor Renzong's sons became emperors in the future, and something happened to the crown prince, or if there were any talk of "the country relies on a long-lived ruler," then he would be an emperor without an heir, and the incense in the ancestral temple would be extinguished in the future.

It can be said to be the most tragic thing for an emperor.

He did not want to end up in such a place, so he hoped that no matter what happened in the future, Li Xianmu would stand firmly on the side of the Crown Prince.

Li Xianmu is the most important minister in the current dynasty. Once the crown prince ascends the throne, he will be the chief regent and a veteran minister of four reigns. He is also the Grand Master of the Imperial Clan and the maternal grandson of Emperor Taizu. This status is quite prestigious, and the vast majority of the current royal family members are his juniors.

With Li Xianmu's strong protection, as long as Zhu Qizhen's life was not in danger, those who said "the country depends on a long-lived ruler" would not gain any traction.

Upon hearing this, Li Xianmu's expression turned solemn. He slowly knelt on the ground, bowed deeply to Zhu Zhanji, and then firmly said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, your lineage will be forever enshrined in the Ming Dynasty's ancestral temple, and no one can shake it. I will watch over the Ming Dynasty together with the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and all the regents until the Crown Prince is able to assume personal rule."

Decades ago, I made such an oath before Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong, and now I make the same oath before Your Majesty.

Even if Mount Tai is ground into pebbles, even if the Yellow River becomes as thin as a belt, I will still forever guard the Ming Dynasty, day after day, night after night, until the end of time and life, devoting myself to the utmost. That is all!

Every word and sentence was spoken with unwavering resolve.

The people in the hall remained silent, looking at Li Xianmu with complicated expressions.

Most people have never seen Li Xianmu in such a solemn and dignified manner. A few people have seen him in the daily records of Emperor Taizu or in front of Emperor Taizong.

Li Xianmu's voice wasn't particularly loud, not as loud as a pair of swallows flying in broad daylight or thunder roaring atop Mount Tai, but it was extremely powerful.

The power of words.

Like a tidal wave sweeping everything, like the overwhelming force of Mount Tai pressing down, you can tell how heavy his promise is just by listening to it, you can tell how golden his vow is just by looking at it, you can see only unwavering determination in his eyes, and you can see steel in his face!

Zhu Zhanji laughed. He didn't have much strength, but everyone could feel that he was laughing loudly.

The emperor was overjoyed.

Then the emperor waved his hand and said in a tone that was mixed with joy, "My dear ministers, leave the palace. It's getting late. Go home early, and tomorrow will be another sunny day."

No one moved.

Li Xianmu, Yang Shiqi, Yang Rong, and Yang Pu all clenched their fists tightly, occasionally loosening and then curling them up again, their eyes red-rimmed.

"Let's go."

Zhu Zhanji's face grew increasingly pale, and his lips were bloodless. He slowly sat up on the edge of the bed, with golden gauze curtains hanging on both sides and a bed frame carved with dragons and phoenixes. His figure was somewhat hunched, but his aura was magnificent.

The sickbed resembled a dragon throne.

An imposing aura emanated from within him; he remained the supreme emperor who reigned over the world, his imperial power unfathomable and unpredictable!
"Since you gentlemen are unwilling to leave, then please pay your last respects to me before you depart. We, ruler and subject, will never meet again in this life."

The four men knelt down in unison. Yang Rong and Yang Pu could not hold back their tears and cried out in unison, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"It is difficult for me to live ten thousand years, but perhaps it is possible for the Ming Dynasty to live ten thousand years!" Zhu Zhanji sighed. "All of you, rise and leave."

The four of them slowly got up, took a few steps back, and with heavy hearts, turned to leave. Just then, they heard the emperor speaking softly but heavily from the sickbed.

"My lords, do not worry, let us continue on our journey."

The four men suddenly stood still and turned to look at the emperor.

The hanging gauze curtains blocked some of the light.

The emperor remained seated on his sickbed, his body no longer hunched over. His eyes, hidden in the shadows, were as deep as an abyss. Though seemingly casual, they were like a true dragon, and the aura he had concealed was awe-inspiring and extraordinary.

His face was expressionless, but his eyes seemed to hold a smile as he softly said, "The sun, moon, mountains, and rivers remain; the Ming Dynasty will endure forever!"

"It is with the emperor, with me, and with all my ministers!"

After saying that, he slowly closed his eyes. None of the four showed much emotion. At this point in the day, they no longer knew what to say.

The hall was quiet and dim, with flickering lamplight.

……

On the third day of the first month of the tenth year of the Xuande reign, Emperor Zhu Zhanji, the Xuande Emperor, passed away while ill, and the palace bells tolled loudly.

In accordance with Emperor Xuanzong's last wishes, the funeral should be simple, and he should be buried in the imperial mausoleum. The entire court should mourn for nine days, while the common people should only observe a one-month mourning period and should not delay weddings or funerals.

The funeral committee was once again led by Grand Secretary Li Xianmu, marking the third time Li Xianmu had overseen the emperor's funeral, a situation that evoked sighs of regret.

The court deliberated and bestowed upon the late emperor the temple name "Xuanzong," and also granted him a posthumous title, praising his merits and virtues and spreading them far and wide.

The emperor's sudden death shocked the entire court, and officials in the provinces were caught off guard, as the emperor had been attending court and governing normally just moments before.

The world was astonished.

A new emperor brings a new court; I never imagined the emperor would change so quickly.

The world is in turmoil, with undercurrents surging.

In ten years, two emperors came and went. Crown Prince Zhu Qizhen, who was only an eight-year-old child, was thrust into the most turbulent moment in the world.

Rumors soon began to circulate.

As expected, the rumors were true; the idea of ​​a young emperor sitting on the throne was indeed popular, as many people could not accept an eight-year-old prince.

In the capital, news spread everywhere that Empress Dowager Zhang wanted to establish Emperor Renzong's eldest son as emperor.

Li Xianmu ignored these messages and proceeded with Zhu Zhanji's funeral arrangements in an orderly manner, which was the last thing he could do to send Zhu Zhanji off on his final journey.

One sun has set over the Ming Dynasty, and another will rise, ushering in a new emperor.

Tens of millions of people looked up at it with trepidation.

It's in the capital city.

Emperor Xuanzong of Ming was enshrined in the temple and died during the Xuande era.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The emperor was intelligent from a young age, much like Emperor Taizong. During the Yongle reign, he stood out among the imperial grandsons. When Emperor Renzong was the crown prince, he lost favor with Emperor Chengyi. His situation was in danger but he was restored to safety. He valued Emperor Xianmu the most, and the crown prince also played a role in this.

Emperor Renzong reigned for a short time, and Emperor Xuanzong ascended the throne. Since his accession, Emperor Xuanzong has personally practiced the righteous path, punished the corrupt and tyrannical within the country, and defended against the northern barbarians without. The government was peaceful and the laws were well-established. The granaries were full and all industries were prosperous. The Ming Dynasty had been established for more than sixty years, so the fall of the Yuan Dynasty was long gone. There was a clear sign of peace and prosperity. Emperor Xuanzong's brilliant strategy and martial prowess were similar to that of Emperor Taizong. Among the rulers who maintained the status quo since the Han and Tang Dynasties, Emperor Xuanzong was comparable to him.
However, the calamity caused by eunuchs was Emperor Xuanzong's fault. The author of this book dares not deny his contribution, nor can he conceal his mistakes. — *History of Ming Dynasty, Annals of Emperor Xuanzong*

(End of this chapter)