Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

Chapter 134 My Son Also Betrayed His Country?!

Yu Qian sighed: "If Your Majesty insists on changing it, I am willing to propose a posthumous title for Your Majesty."

Zhu Qiyu looked at him: "What posthumous title should be proposed for Junior Guardian Yu?"

Yu Qian: "I believe the character '灵' is appropriate."

Zhu Qiyu asked, "Spiritual?"

Yu Qian said: "Ling" means disorder without harm.

The late emperor's favoritism towards Wang Zhen led to chaos in the court, which was the first instance of disorder.

A hasty personal campaign led to the annihilation of the army; this is the second instance of chaos.

Being taken prisoner and endangering the state is the third form of chaos.

With all three disordered elements present, the character "灵" (spirit/spirit) fits the description perfectly.

Zhu Qiyu nodded: "The character 'Ling' is good. Anything else?"

Yu Qian said: "厉" is also acceptable.

The character “厉” means to kill the innocent.

Although the late emperor did not kill anyone with his own hands, his favoritism towards Wang Zhen and his tolerance of border generals' smuggling indirectly led to the deaths of countless people at the hands of the Oirat Mongols.

This is tantamount to killing the innocent.

Zhu Qiyu said, "The character '厉' is heavier than '灵'. Is there anything else?"

Yu Qian said: "幽" is also acceptable.

The character "幽" signifies disorder in movement and stillness.

The late emperor acted erratically and rashly led military campaigns, plunging the country into chaos. This is what is meant by "erratic and disorderly conduct."

Zhu Qiyu said, "These three words are all good. I need to think about them carefully."

After the group left the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Qiyu sat alone in the hall.

He picked up a pen and wrote a few words on the paper: 灵, 厉, 幽, 炀, 荒, 丑.

Yang was fond of internal affairs and distant from etiquette, and he distanced himself from etiquette and the masses.

The emperor was dissolute, indulged in pleasure and neglected governance, leading to chaos both internally and externally.

Ugly, he abuses his power and acts recklessly, indulging in chaos and disorder.

These are the worst of the worst posthumous titles.

Zhu Qiyu looked at these words and pondered silently.

Use "炀"?

Emperor Yang of Sui was named "Yang".

Is Zhu Qizhen comparable to Emperor Yang of Sui?

Although Emperor Yang of Sui was tyrannical, he at least accomplished a few major feats, such as building the Grand Canal and conquering Goguryeo.

What did Zhu Qizhen do?

He did nothing but squander money.

Use "desert"?

Was Zhu Qizhen happy?

He doesn't seem to be very happy.

Was he neglecting his duties?

He didn't seem to neglect his duties; he simply delegated political affairs to Wang Zhen.

Using "ugly"?

Did Zhu Qizhen abuse his power and act recklessly?

He doesn't seem to have any either.

He was simply being led by the nose by Wang Zhen.

After much thought, I still think the words Yu Qian said were the most appropriate.

Spirit, fierce, and secluded.

Just then, Xing'an rushed in: "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager Sun has sent someone to request that Your Majesty go to Qingning Palace immediately."

A bitter smile appeared on Zhu Qiyu's lips.

After all, it should come.

Qingning Palace.

"His Majesty has arrived!"

As the eunuch announced his arrival, Zhu Qiyu stepped into the hall.

Empress Dowager Sun looked up at Zhu Qiyu.

Zhu Qiyu walked up to her, bowed, and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

Empress Dowager Sun said coldly, "Your Majesty, there's no need for such formalities. Please sit down."

Zhu Qiyu sat down on the chair next to him.

Silence fell over the hall for a moment.

Empress Dowager Sun spoke up: "Your Majesty, I heard you intend to change the late Emperor's posthumous title?"

Zhu Qiyu: "Yes."

Empress Dowager Sun: "Why?"

Zhu Qiyu: "Mother, have you heard about the case involving the Duke of Cheng's mansion?"

Empress Dowager Sun: "I've heard about it. But you can't believe Zhu Zheng's words. What wouldn't he make up to save his life?"

Zhu Qiyu took out a copy from his sleeve and handed it to Empress Dowager Sun: "Not only Zhu Zheng, but Wang Zhen's secret files also record this account."

This copy is the very secret document that Zhu Qiyu publicly "burned" back then.

To be precise, this is different from other classified documents.

This is a bill, a list of the items that Wang Zhen "presented" to Zhu Qizhen.

Several of the records indicate that the valuables came from "the Duke".

It was only after this case that Zhu Qiyu connected this "Duke" with Zhu Yong.

Empress Dowager Sun took it and looked down at it.

As she watched, her hands began to tremble.

Every stroke is shocking.

After reading the secret document, Empress Dowager Sun put it down and closed her eyes.

After a long while, she opened her eyes: "So what if the late emperor accepted this money?"

He's the emperor, the whole country belongs to him, what's wrong with him taking a little money?

Zhu Qiyu: "Mother, that silver was obtained by selling out the country."

The Duke of Cheng's mansion sold gunpowder to the Oirat Mongols, and how many Ming soldiers were killed by that gunpowder?

Those silver coins are stained with the blood of Ming soldiers!

Empress Dowager Sun angrily retorted, "That's a matter concerning the Duke of Cheng's household; what does it have to do with the late Emperor?!"

Zhu Qiyu: "The late emperor accepted those silver coins, so he was an accomplice!"

Empress Dowager Sun suddenly raised her head: "Your Majesty! He is your elder brother!"

Zhu Qiyu also looked at Empress Dowager Sun: "I know he is my elder brother, but he is also the emperor of the Ming Dynasty!"

He accepted money obtained through selling out his country; this is treason and collusion with the enemy!

Empress Dowager Sun abruptly stood up: "Treason?! Zhen'er was the late emperor of the Ming Dynasty! How dare you accuse him of treason?!"

Zhu Qiyu also stood up and looked at Empress Dowager Sun: "Mother, I know that you loved the late Emperor."

But I am also the emperor, and I must live up to the reputation of the Ming Dynasty and its people.

He needs to be accounted for what he did.

Empress Dowager Sun sighed: "He's already dead, what more do you want?!"

Zhu Qiyu: "Therefore, I, your son, wish to change his posthumous title."

"You!" Before she could finish speaking, she swayed and almost fell over.

Zhu Qiyu stepped forward to support her: "Mother!"

Empress Dowager Sun pushed him away and staggered back to sit on the couch.

She gasped for breath, tears welling in her eyes: "My town—my town—"

Zhu Qiyu stood in front of her, silent.

After a long silence, Empress Dowager Sun raised her head, her eyes filled with resentment and venom: "Your Majesty, did you already plan this all along? Did you already want the late Emperor dead?"

Zhu Qiyu asked, "Mother, what did you say?"

Empress Dowager Sun said, "The late emperor has just been buried in the imperial mausoleum, and you want to change his posthumous title."

"Didn't you already know what it was?!"

Zhu Qiyu took a deep breath, suppressing his anger: "Mother, the late Emperor's death was an avalanche, a natural disaster. What does it have to do with me?"

Empress Dowager Sun gritted her teeth and said, "You make it sound so nice! Why did the avalanche happen precisely when he was passing by? Why was it Yue Qian who escorted him back?"

Zhu Qiyu: "Does Mother mean that I instructed Yue Qian to kill Zhu Qizhen?"

Empress Dowager Sun stared at Zhu Qiyu without saying a word.

Zhu Qiyu laughed: "Mother, if I wanted to harm him, why would I send Yue Qian?"

Yue Qian was the Minister of Rites, a high-ranking official in the imperial court.

Why should he listen to me?

Isn't he afraid of being torn to pieces after the incident comes to light?

Empress Dowager Sun: "Perhaps you have something on him."

Zhu Qiyu: "Mother, you're overthinking it."

I have no leverage over Yue Qian.

I did not instruct him to kill anyone.

The death of the late emperor was a natural disaster.

If you don't believe me, you can ask the Three Judicial Offices.

They questioned Yue Qian, examined all the evidence, and concluded that it was a natural disaster.

Empress Dowager Sun remained silent.

Zhu Qiyu continued, "Mother, I am not here today to argue with you about how the late Emperor died."

Your son has come to tell you that he wants to change his posthumous title.

This isn't a discussion, it's an announcement.

Empress Dowager Sun abruptly raised her head: "You!"

Zhu Qiyu said, "Mother, I respect you because you are the Empress Dowager."

But I am also the emperor.

The Ming Dynasty's land, its people, and its laws are all more important than my respect for you.

The late emperor's actions must be accounted for.