Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

Chapter 133 He doesn't deserve it!

"Emperor Gongren Kangding Jing".

This was the posthumous title that Zhu Qiyu gave to Zhu Qizhen three months ago.

According to the Ministry of Rites, this is a posthumous title of honor.

"恭" means to respect and obey.

"Ren" means to be kind to the people and love all things.

"Kang" means to bring peace and comfort to the people.

"定" means that the action is always correct.

But now it seems, which of these four words is worthy of Zhu Qizhen?

Respectful? Whom does he respect? Does he respect Wang Zhen?

Benevolence? Whom did he show benevolence to? Did he show benevolence to the people who were slaughtered by the Oirats?

Kang? Who did he make comfortable? Did he make the soldiers who died at Tumu Fortress feel at ease?

What did he decide? Did he decide the decline of the Ming Dynasty?

Zhu Qiyu grew increasingly angry, and slammed his fist on the imperial desk: "Xing'an!"

Xing'an hurried in from outside the door: "Your Majesty."

Zhu Qiyu pointed to the edict regarding the posthumous title: "Change this for me."

Xing'an was taken aback: "What does Your Majesty want to change?"

Zhu Qiyu said coldly, "I want to change the posthumous title of the late emperor."

Xing'an's expression changed, and he said cautiously, "Your Majesty—the posthumous title of the late emperor has already been decided."

Now that the coffin has been placed in the mausoleum, if it were to be suddenly changed—"

Zhu Qiyu interrupted him: "I know, I just want to change it."

Xing'an opened his mouth, wanting to offer advice but not daring to.

Zhu Qiyu looked at him and said, "Go and summon Hu Dan, Yu Qian, Chen Xun, and other officials of the third rank or above. I want to discuss this matter with them."

Xing'an bowed and said, "As you command."

Half an hour later, the six senior officials gathered at the Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Qiyu didn't beat around the bush: "I summoned you here today to discuss the matter of the late emperor's posthumous title."

The six people exchanged glances, all of them startled.

Hu Dan stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the late emperor's posthumous title was decided three months ago and has been announced to the world. Changing it now would be inappropriate."

Zhu Qiyu looked at him: "Minister Hu, you're aware of the case involving the Duke of Cheng's mansion, aren't you?"

Hu: "Your subject understands."

Zhu Qiyu angrily retorted, "Then tell me, did the late emperor know where the money came from when he accepted those bribes?"

Hu Dan paused for a moment, then said, "The late emperor—perhaps he didn't know."

Zhu Qiyu sneered, "Don't know? Are you looking down on him?!"

Hu Dan was speechless.

Yu Qian stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I understand Your Majesty's feelings."

When I saw those confessions, I was also furious.

However, the matter of posthumous titles concerns the national system and should not be changed lightly.

Zhu Qiyu looked at Yu Qian: "Why can't it be changed?"

Yu Qian said, "Although the late emperor made mistakes, he was still the late emperor after all."

Moreover, His Majesty has already bestowed a posthumous title upon him, which is known throughout the land.

If the posthumous title were changed at this time, it would likely spark controversy within the court and among the public, damaging the dignity of the imperial court.

Zhu Qiyu said, "The dignity of the court? What dignity did the court have when the late emperor was accepting bribes?"

Yu Qian said, "Your Majesty—"

Zhu Qiyu interrupted him: "Junior Guardian Yu, the late emperor favored Wang Zhen during his fourteen-year reign, which led to the corruption of the court."

His hasty personal campaign led to the annihilation of hundreds of thousands of troops.

He himself was taken prisoner, which nearly led to the fall of the capital.

Which of these things isn't true?

Yu Qian: "All of this is true."

Zhu Qiyu: "Is it true that the late emperor accepted silver from the Duke of Cheng's family, which was obtained through selling out the country?"

Yu Qian: "It's true."

Zhu Qiyu: "Then, if I were to bestow upon him the four characters 'Gong Ren Kang Ding,' would he be worthy?"

Yu Qian remained silent.

Chen Xun stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I dare to offer a word."

"speak."

Chen Xun said, "Although the late emperor made mistakes, he has already passed away. Death is a serious matter; why should Your Majesty pursue the matter further?"

Zhu Qiyu looked at him: "Does Grand Secretary Chen mean that once someone dies, everything can be wiped clean?"

Chen Xun: "That's not what I meant."

Your Majesty, I simply feel that the late Emperor was, after all, Your Majesty's elder brother.

If Your Majesty changes his posthumous title, how will the people of the world view Your Majesty?

Zhu Qiyu asked, "What do people think of me?"

The world will see that I, as the younger brother, will not cover up my elder brother's mistakes.

The world will see that the emperor of the Ming Dynasty will not let personal feelings override public justice.

Chen Xundao: "But—"

Zhu Qiyu interrupted him again: "Grand Secretary Chen, tell me."

If those actions of the late emperor were committed by an ordinary official, what would their punishment be?

Chen Xun was stunned: "This—according to the law—should be executed."

Zhu Qiyu asked, "What about the late emperor? Just because he was the emperor, he not only got pardoned but also received a posthumous title?"

Chen Xun was speechless when asked the question.

Jin Lian stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe this matter should be considered carefully."

Zhu Qiyu said, "Minister Jin, please speak."

As the Minister of Rites, Jin Lian was the most qualified to speak on this matter.

Zhu Qiyu was willing to listen to what he had to say.

Jin Lian said, "The posthumous title system is a major national ceremony, and it is indeed inappropriate to change it easily."

But what Your Majesty said does make sense.

Your subject believes that perhaps one or two characters could be added to the late emperor's posthumous title as a form of punishment?

Zhu Qiyu: "What word should we add?"

Jin Lian thought for a moment and said, "For example—Kong Ren Kang Dingmin?"

The word "愍" means to cause the people to grieve.

This can both express the late emperor's misfortune and show Your Majesty's compassion.

Zhu Qiyu shook his head: "Pity? Not enough."

Yu Shiyue stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that Minister Jin's suggestion is feasible."

Although the character "愍" is not a derogatory posthumous title, it is not a complimentary one either; a compromise can be made.

Zhu Qiyu looked at them and said, "What I want is not a compromise, but a posthumous title worthy of the late emperor."

Xue Xuan suddenly spoke up: "Your Majesty, I have something to say."

Zhu Qiyu said, "Minister Xue, please speak."

Xue Xuan said, "I believe that the matter of posthumous titles does not lie in the words themselves, but in the hearts of the people."

The late emperor's mistakes are now known throughout the land.

Your Majesty bestowed upon him a posthumous title, and the people of the world will only say that Your Majesty is benevolent.

Your Majesty may posthumously convict him of a bad name, but the people of the world may not say that Your Majesty is just.

On the contrary, some might say that His Majesty mistreated his elder brother.

Zhu Qiyu looked at Xue Xuan: "Does Minister Xue mean that I shouldn't change it?"

Xue Xuan said, "I am merely reminding Your Majesty that the matter of changing the posthumous title is equally beneficial."

If Your Majesty insists on making changes, you must carefully consider the consequences.

Zhu Qiyu asked, "What are the consequences?"

Xue Xuan said, "Xun Gui and the clan will use this as an excuse to cause trouble."

They were already dissatisfied with His Majesty's reforms to the military system and his investigation into corruption.

If Your Majesty were to change the late emperor's posthumous title again, they would surely incite public opinion.

They said His Majesty mistreated the late emperor and bullied the young ruler.

Some officials in the court support His Majesty, while others oppose him; in such a time, disputes are bound to arise in the court.

Empress Dowager Sun would never easily allow His Majesty to change the late emperor's posthumous title.

Most importantly, the people of the world are unaware of the truth.

They will only think that His Majesty has no regard for brotherly affection.

Those whose families were destroyed and whose lives were taken by the late emperor naturally knew what crime the late emperor should be punished for.

But most people will only see the story of a younger brother changing his older brother's posthumous title.

Zhu Qiyu remained silent for a long time after listening.

What Xue Xuan said is indeed a problem.

But if he doesn't change, he won't be able to swallow his anger.

It wasn't for his own sake.

It was for those hundreds of thousands of wronged souls.

It was for the people of the border towns who were massacred by the Oirat people.

They died, but Zhu Qizhen received the honorary title of "Emperor Gongren Kangding Jing".

On what grounds?

Zhu Qiyu raised his head, his gaze resolute: "I know all that Minister Xue has said, but I still want to change it!"