Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

On September 15th, the investiture ceremony was held in the Fengxian Hall.

Although Zhu Qiyu decreed that everything should be simplified, all the necessary ceremonies were still performed.

At the third quarter of the hour of Yin (3:45 AM), Hu Ying, the Minister of Rites, led all the officials to wait outside the palace.

At the beginning of the hour of Chen (7-9 AM), bells and drums sounded in unison, and Zhu Qiyu, dressed in a robe with twelve embroidered symbols, ascended the throne.

Hu Ying, holding the imperial edict, read out the first imperial decree:

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

Empress Dowager Sun, whose virtue matched that of the earth, and whose merits illuminated the nation.

When the nation is in peril, he devises strategies, bestows mandates, and entrusts it with divine authority.

I, along with all my civil and military officials, respectfully present the imperial edict and seal, bestowing upon you the title: Supreme Holy Empress Dowager.

The proclamation was issued both domestically and internationally, so that everyone would be informed.

This was immediately followed by the second imperial edict:

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

Consort Wu, gentle and virtuous, has nurtured me with profound grace.

Now that I have succeeded to the throne, it is fitting that I bestow upon him an honorific title.

By the grace of Your Majesty, I hereby appoint you as Empress Dowager.

The proclamation was issued both domestically and internationally, so that everyone would be informed.

Empress Wu then received the imperial seal and edict with the assistance of female officials.

Today she wore a dark blue pheasant-patterned robe and a crown with nine dragons and four phoenixes, her face showing neither joy nor sorrow.

According to regulations, Empress Dowager Sun should now move to Qingning Palace, and Empress Dowager Wu should take over Renshou Palace.

However, Zhu Qiyu requested that the two empress dowagers remain in their original palaces to "avoid disturbance."

Empress Dowager Sun neither agreed nor disagreed, which can be considered as tacit approval.

The third imperial edict established the empress:

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"

Your surname is Wang, daughter of Wang Ying, the Left Commander of the Imperial Guard. She comes from a distinguished family and is of upright and virtuous character.

Since returning to the feudal lord's residence, he has learned to conquer Xian's female training.

He presided over the management of the household affairs and was in harmony with the women.

By the grace of Your Majesty's command, she is hereby appointed Empress, to manage the affairs of the six palaces.

The proclamation was issued both domestically and internationally, so that everyone would be informed.

Lady Wang, dressed in a dark blue robe and wearing a crown with nine dragons and four phoenixes, entered the hall under the guidance of the female officials in charge of ceremonies.

She was only in her early twenties, and although she tried her best to remain calm, her slightly trembling hands betrayed her inner excitement.

From Princess Consort of Cheng to Empress, this step was not just a leap in title, but a turning point in the fate of the entire family.

She looked up at her husband on the throne, and Zhu Qiyu nodded slightly to her.

Finally, Zhu Qiyu also conferred the title of Consort on Lady Hang, and she resided in Changchun Palace.

The investiture ceremony was completed quickly, without a banquet or music and dance.

Hu Ying sighed inwardly: This new emperor has truly taken "simplicity" to the extreme.

On the same day, in Datongfu Town.

Guo Deng stood behind the battlement, his hand on his sword, squinting at the distant horizon.

A dark mass of cavalry surged in like a tidal wave.

A bright yellow dragon flag was erected in front of the army.

Guo Deng gritted his teeth: "Here we go again."

Half a month ago, Esen forced Zhu Qizhen to call for help for the first time. General Liu An went out of the city to offer money without permission and was dismissed from his post and sent to the capital.

Now Guo Deng is temporarily acting as the commander-in-chief, and the heavy responsibility of defending the city rests entirely on his shoulders.

The Oirat army stopped two miles from the city.

The central army split up, and dozens of riders escorted a man and his horse as they slowly moved forward.

The man on horseback was wearing an apricot-yellow robe with dragon patterns and a winged crown; he was none other than Zhu Qizhen.

He was flanked by two Oirat warriors with knives, and followed by Esen and his brother Bayan Temur.

Zhu Qizhen's face was pale and his eyes were sunken.

The former emperor's majesty has vanished, leaving only dejection and fear.

Esen reined in his horse and shouted in Chinese, "The Emperor of the Great Ming is here! If you do not open the city gates to welcome him, you are disloyal!"

The city walls were deathly silent, and all the guards looked at Guo Deng.

Guo Deng walked to the front of the battlements and said loudly, "Grand Tutor Esen! Since you claim to be returning my emperor, why not first remove the restraints and let my emperor ride alone to approach?"

"You have led a large army to our borders; is this a gesture of farewell?"

Esen laughed loudly: "General Guo, be careful! With the Emperor here, who dares to restrain us?"

He turned his head and said a few words to Zhu Qizhen.

Zhu Qizhen trembled, looked up at the city wall, and after a long while, he finally hissed, "Guo... Guo Deng, open the city gate."

The veins on Guo Deng's hand, gripping the knife, bulged. He knelt on one knee, clasped his hands, and shouted, "Your subject Guo Deng pays respects to His Majesty the Emperor!"

He used "Shanghuang" instead of "Huangshang," which is a subtle but important distinction.

Zhu Qizhen seemed taken aback for a moment, then said with a wry smile, "General Guo, I... I have returned today. Please open the city gates and let me in to rest?"

Guo Deng said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty, it is not that I am unwilling to open the city gates. However, the Oirat army is pressing on our borders. If I open the city gates, I fear that the Ming Dynasty will be in danger. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Zhu Qizhen suddenly raised his voice: "Guo Deng! I am the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty! I order you to open the city gates! Do you intend to disobey my decree?!"

This stern shout caused many soldiers on the city walls to look bewildered.

After all, that was the emperor they had once served.

Guo Deng remained expressionless: "Your Majesty, a new emperor has now ascended the throne in the capital."

Your Majesty has decreed that we guard Datong, and it is my duty to do so. I dare not disobey.

I hope Your Majesty will understand!

Zhu Qizhen's face turned deathly pale, and he staggered back a step: "The new emperor? Is it Qi Yu? He..."

Before he could finish speaking, Bayan Temur stepped forward to support Zhu Qizhen and whispered a few words in his ear.

Zhu Qizhen's expression shifted, finally settling into a long sigh: "General Guo, I...I understand."

However, I spent several months in the enemy camp, where food and clothing were scarce.

Could you send some food and clothing out of the city to relieve my distress?

Guo Deng sneered inwardly; this rhetoric was exactly the same as what he had used in Datong and Xuanfu last time.

First, they need to open the city gates; if that fails, they need provisions.

Guo Deng said loudly, "Your Majesty, the grain and fodder in the city are all for the needs of the defending army, and we dare not move them without an imperial decree."

"I have noted down His Majesty's requirements and will report them to the court for a decision."

That's a perfectly worded statement. You want something?

Yes, but I have to report to Beijing and wait for the new emperor's approval.

As for whether it will be approved or when it will be approved, that's not something I can decide.

Bayan Temur said menacingly from the side, "Your Majesty, your subjects are no longer obeying you."

Zhu Qizhen stared blankly at the city wall, a hint of despair flashing in his eyes.

He suddenly shoved Bayan Temur aside, rushed forward a few steps, and shouted hoarsely, "Guodeng! I order you to open the city gates! This is an imperial edict! Are you rebelling?!"

The soldiers on the city wall began to stir, and Guo Deng said loudly, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for not being able to obey."

If I open the city gates, the Oirat cavalry will enter in an instant, and Datong will surely be massacred.

This is neither my wish nor Your Majesty's wish.

These words pierced Zhu Qizhen's heart like a poisoned needle.

He recalled that a month ago in Xuanfu, Yang Hong had also disobeyed orders in the same way.

Thinking back to the humiliation I suffered in the Oirat camp these past few days.

Esen was outwardly respectful, but in reality he regarded him as a rare commodity.

They took him to "inspect" the various camps every day, forcing him to put on a brave face in front of the Mongol nobles.

He became a living symbol of Esen's power to intimidate the border towns of the Ming Dynasty.

Fueled by rage and shame, Zhu Qizhen's voice suddenly sharpened: "Guo Deng! When I return to court, I will exterminate your entire clan!"

Esen's face darkened.

Bayan Temur spurred his horse forward and said in Mongolian, "Brother, this Guo Deng is impervious to both soft and hard tactics, we should attack him head-on!"

Esen shook his head: "Datong is a fortified city. A direct assault would result in heavy casualties. Our goal is Beijing. There's no need to get bogged down here."

He looked up and shouted to Guo Deng, "Since the general is heartless, this Grand Tutor has no choice but to take the emperor elsewhere!"

After saying this, he waved his hand, and the Oirat army began to slowly retreat.

Zhu Qizhen was caught up in the procession. He looked back at the Datong city wall, his eyes flashing with a complex expression, including anger, despair, and a hint of relief.

Perhaps Zhu Qizhen understood in his heart that if the city gates were opened, even if he could enter the city, he would become a sinner for all time.