Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

Chapter 135 I'll Teach

The next day at Chenshi (7-9 AM), at Fengtian Gate.

Zhu Qiyu didn't waste any words and went straight to the point: "I have something to announce today."

The posthumous title of the late Emperor Zhu Qizhen shall be changed effective immediately.

The original posthumous title "Emperor Gongren Kangding Jing" is inconsistent with the life of the late emperor and should be abolished.

The new posthumous title was drafted by the Ministry of Rites, and I have approved it.

After saying that, he looked at Xing'an.

Xing'an stepped forward, unfolded the imperial edict, and loudly proclaimed: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

The late emperor reigned for fourteen years, favoring eunuchs and neglecting state affairs. He also rashly led a personal expedition, which resulted in the defeat at Tumu Fortress.

Alas! Having received the blessings of the people, we should think of repaying them.

Those who occupy the highest position should rectify their conduct.

The actions of the late emperor betrayed the ancestors, the people, and the nation.

The new posthumous title is hereby determined to be "Emperor of Chaos and Impoverishment".

The announcement was made to the whole world so that everyone would know.

So be it.

After the imperial edict was read, the hall fell into a deathly silence.

Emperor Ling.

This is clearly a derogatory posthumous title.

After a moment of silence, a man suddenly stepped forward and knelt down: "Your subject, Wang Xuan, a Supervising Secretary of the Ministry of Rites, has a memorial to present!"

Zhu Qiyu looked at him and said, "Speak."

Wang Xuan said, "Your Majesty, I beg you to rescind your decree!"

Although the late emperor had made mistakes, death is a serious matter, and it is inappropriate to add another derogatory posthumous title.

Emperor Renzong once said that if a silver posthumous title were added, it would be better not to have one at all, so that people would not have anything to say about it.

Moreover, His Majesty has already bestowed a posthumous title upon him three months ago, and the whole world knows this.

Changing things at this time would damage the dignity of the imperial court!

Another person stepped forward: "Your subject, Heng Cong, a supervising secretary of the Ministry of Rites, has a memorial to the throne."

I believe that changing the posthumous title is inappropriate.

Although the late emperor had faults, he also had merits.

During his reign, he governed with benevolence and loved the people, and the world was at peace.

Zhu Qiyu sneered: "Benevolent governance and love for the people? Peace throughout the land?"

Heng Cong, have you gone crazy from reading too much?

The late emperor reigned for fourteen years. In the early years, the Three Yangs presided over the government, and things were relatively peaceful.

Afterwards, Wang Zhen seized power, the government became corrupt, and border defenses were neglected. Was this benevolent governance and love for the people?

The Battle of Tumu Fortress resulted in the annihilation of hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Is this what you call peace?

Heng Cong choked so hard his face turned bright red.

Another person stepped forward: "Chen Tai, Left Vice Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate, has a memorial to the throne."

Zhu Qiyu looked at him and said, "Speak."

Chen Tai: "I believe that the late emperor made undeniable mistakes."

However, the matter of changing the posthumous title should be considered carefully.

While the character "灵" (líng) can express its excess, it is perhaps too strong a word.

Your Majesty, I humbly request that you consider this matter.

Zhu Qiyu said, "I think the character '灵' is very good."

If you feel that the word "spirit" is not enough.

There are also the characters “厉”, “幽”, “炀”, “荒”, and “丑”.

"Would you like to choose one?"

Chen Tai's expression changed, and he repeatedly kowtowed, saying, "Your subject dares not! Your subject dares not!"

Suddenly, someone in the train let out a cold laugh.

Everyone looked and saw that it was Marquis Chen Hao of Taining.

Zhu Qiyu looked at him: "What does the Marquis of Taining have to say?"

Chen Hao stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Majesty, it was certainly wrong of the late Emperor to accept bribes."

But did the late emperor personally go to the Duke of Cheng's mansion to ask for that silver?

Wang Zhen was a favorite minister of the late emperor. What was wrong with the late emperor accepting silver offered by Wang Zhen?

Zhu Qiyu stared sharply at Chen Hao: "Are you implying that it was perfectly justified for the late emperor to accept those sums of money?"

Chen Hao said, "That's not what I meant."

I believe the real culprit is Wang Zhen, not the late Emperor.

The late emperor was simply deceived.

Zhu Qiyu laughed: "He is the emperor, the whole world belongs to him."

If he really wanted to know where that silver came from, who could keep it from him?

He didn't ask because he didn't want to.

He didn't want to ask because he didn't care.

All he cared about was getting the money and being able to spend it.

Chen Hao said, "Your Majesty—"

Zhu Qiyu interrupted him: "Marquis of Taining, if a county magistrate accepts silver from a murderer..."

Then he said, "I don't know where that silver came from."

What crime do you think this county magistrate should be punished for?

Chen Hao was taken aback and said, "This—according to the law, should be investigated and punished with dismissal."

Zhu Qiyu: "If a county magistrate is like this, what about an emperor?"

Chen Hao was speechless for a moment.

Zhu Qiyu's gaze swept over the assembled officials: "Is there anyone else who wants to speak?"

Yu Qian stepped forward and said, "Your subject, Yu Qian, Minister of War, seconds Your Majesty's proposal to change the posthumous title."

Hu Dan stepped forward: "Your subject, Hu Dan, Minister of Rites, seconds this motion."

Chen Xun stepped forward: "Your subject, Chen Xun, Grand Secretary of the Hall of Diligent Governance, seconds this motion."

Jin Lian stepped forward: "I, Jin Lian, Minister of Revenue, second the motion."

Yu Shiyue stepped forward: "Your subject, Yu Shiyue, Minister of Justice, seconds this motion."

Xue Xuan stepped forward: "Your subject, Xue Xuan, Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, seconds this motion."

With all six senior officials expressing their support, the voices of opposition in the hall immediately subsided.

But some people are still unwilling to accept this.

One person stepped forward: "Your subject, Liao Zhuang, Right Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, has a memorial to present."

Zhu Qiyu looked at him and said, "Speak."

Liao Zhuang said, "I believe that the matter of changing the posthumous title not only concerns the late emperor, but also the crown prince."

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent once more.

Liao Zhuang continued, "The Crown Prince is the son of the late Emperor."

What will the Crown Prince think if His Majesty gives the late Emperor a derogatory posthumous title?

When the Crown Prince grows up and learns that his father was given a derogatory posthumous title by his uncle, what will he think?

I am acting in the best interests of the nation; the Crown Prince is the heir apparent.

If the Crown Prince harbors resentment, in the future—”

He didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.

After a moment of silence, Zhu Qiyu said, "Minister Liao has indeed reminded me."

"You're right, I do need to consider the Crown Prince's feelings."

Liao Zhuang was overjoyed, thinking that His Majesty had been persuaded.

Zhu Qiyu continued, "Therefore, I have decided that starting tomorrow, the Crown Prince will come to the Qianqing Palace every day for me to personally instruct him."

I will tell him what his father did and why I am changing his father's posthumous title.

I will teach him what fairness and right and wrong truly mean.

Liao Zhuang's expression changed drastically: "Your Majesty—"

Zhu Qiyu looked at him: "What? Does Minister Liao think I can't teach the Crown Prince well?"

Liao Zhuang bowed repeatedly and said, "Your Majesty, I dare not! I only feel—I feel that the Crown Prince is too young and it is not appropriate—"

Zhu Qiyu interrupted him: "Young children need to be taught even more."

If you don't teach him, how will he know right from wrong?

If you don't teach him, how will he know right from wrong?

How can he become a good ruler if he isn't taught?

Liao Zhuang was speechless.

Zhu Qiyu stood up and walked to the edge of the imperial steps, looking down at the assembled officials.

"Alright, let's leave it at that. From this day forward, the late emperor will be Emperor Ling."

Court adjourned!

After saying this, Zhu Qiyu turned and left.

The negative posthumous title bestowed upon Zhu Qizhen was not entirely due to Zhu Qiyu's personal interests.

He also had his own considerations.

Today's scene is proof of that.

Although Zhu Qizhen is dead, the current trend in the Ming Dynasty is that Zhu Qiyu will dominate the court.

But there will always be some people who think they are "smart".

Zhu Qiyu gave Zhu Qizhen a derogatory posthumous title in order to cut off all their confidence.

Another reason was that Zhu Qiyu was about to "go to war" with Empress Dowager Sun.

If Zhu Qiyu wanted to completely control the court, Empress Dowager Sun was an obstacle he couldn't bypass.

He couldn't possibly wait for Empress Dowager Sun to die naturally.

The derogatory posthumous title bestowed upon Zhu Qizhen was his first move.

This also tells everyone that I, the emperor, have the final say in the Ming Dynasty!

As for Zhu Jianshen, this was a signal released by Zhu Qiyu.

After all, the only thing Empress Dowager Sun and those "clever people" cared about was Zhu Jianshen.

Now that the emperor is personally instructing him, he is truly being groomed as the "crown prince."

This is both a gesture of goodwill and a threat: don't push your luck.