Jingtai: Making the Ming Dynasty Great Again

When Zhu Qiyu left the Northern Garrison Command, it was already nearly dusk.

He looked up at the setting sun in the west and said to the eunuch beside him, "Go to Renshou Palace."

After an afternoon, Empress Dowager Sun must have already learned everything that had happened in the court.

The news of Yu Qian urging Zhu Qizhen to ascend the throne and Zhu Qizhen calling for the emperor to enter the palace could not possibly have escaped the notice of the Empress Dowager, who had cultivated her power in the inner palace for many years.

"Your Highness, we have arrived at Renshou Palace."

The palace was brightly lit. When Empress Dowager Sun saw Zhu Qiyu enter, she waved away all the palace maids and eunuchs in the palace.

Zhu Qiyu bowed respectfully: "Your subject pays respects to the Empress Dowager."

Empress Dowager Sun nodded: "Please sit down."

Zhu Qiyu sat down to the side.

Seeing that Empress Dowager Sun had dismissed all the other palace maids and eunuchs today, it seemed she wanted to have a real conversation, so he didn't report on today's court assembly.

The hall fell silent for a moment.

After a long silence, Empress Dowager Sun finally spoke: "I've heard about what happened in court today. Yu Qian advised you to ascend the throne?"

Zhu Qiyu frankly replied, "Yes, Minister Yu did say that, but I rejected it on the spot."

Empress Dowager Sun raised an eyebrow: "Oh? Why did you refuse? The Emperor is currently trapped in the enemy's court."

A country cannot be without a ruler for a single day, and the crown prince is still young. Since you are the regent, it is only natural that you would inherit the throne. Isn't this what the people want?

These words were spoken calmly, but Zhu Qiyu sensed a probing undertone in them.

He rose and cupped his hands, saying, "Your Majesty, though my brother is temporarily in disgrace, he is still the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty."

If I were to overstep my bounds at this time, wouldn't that be disloyal and unjust?

Moreover, there is still a Crown Prince in the court, and the laws and regulations are clearly established. I would never dare to do such a rebellious thing.

Empress Dowager Sun stared at him for a long time, then suddenly sighed softly: "Qi Yu, there are no outsiders here. Let's set aside the matter of ruler and subject and just talk about family matters."

Zhu Qiyu felt a chill run down his spine. Empress Dowager Sun had changed her address from "Prince Cheng" to "Qiyu".

Empress Dowager Sun's voice was somewhat ethereal, as if she were lost in memories: "Your elder brother was intelligent from a young age, and the late emperor doted on him when he was alive."

However, he was still young when he ascended the throne, and in recent years... he has indeed done some things improperly.

But no matter what, he is your older brother, and he has treated you well over the years.

"Qi Yu, tell me the truth, if you were in power, would you do everything in your power to bring your elder brother back?"

Zhu Qiyu immediately rose and knelt down: "Empress Dowager, the Emperor is my elder brother, we are blood relatives."

Even if it is fraught with difficulties, I will do my utmost to bring back my imperial brother.

Today in court, I have already ordered the Ministry of Rites to form a delegation to negotiate with the Oirat Mongols, and that is the reason for this.

Zhu Qiyu understood Empress Dowager Sun's meaning; she seemed to also want to relinquish power and urge him to ascend the throne.

"Get up." Empress Dowager Sun gave a bitter smile. "If gold and silver could truly bring back the Emperor, Yang Hong of Xuanfu has already given quite a lot."

I only hope that after receiving this money, Nayyas will treat the Emperor well. Alas…

Zhu Qiyu did not respond, it seems that Empress Dowager Sun has now recovered from her panic.

She also knew that her plan to send gold, silver, and silk was unreliable.

After a moment of silence, Empress Dowager Sun suddenly asked, "What if I let you ascend the throne?"

Zhu Qiyu feigned alarm: "Why does Your Majesty say such a thing? Your Majesty..."

Empress Dowager Sun interrupted him: "Let me finish speaking first. I have thought about it and I believe that what Yu Qian said makes sense."

The capital is in grave danger and needs a monarch who can command the people and inspire the army and the people.

The crown prince is too young to bear this responsibility.

I've seen everything you've done these past two days.

Zhu Qiyu's eyes widened in surprise, and Empress Dowager Sun thought he was shocked by what she had said.

Actually, Zhu Qiyu was thinking about something else:

Is this the power of the Empress Dowager?

He didn't know what Yu Qian said after he left Wenhua Hall, but the Empress Dowager did.

Empress Dowager Sun continued, "If you ascend the throne, you must agree to two conditions."

First, you must not depose or install Crown Prince Zhu Jianshen; after you abdicate, you must return power to him.

Second, after ascending the throne, you must spare no effort to rescue your elder brother.

Zhu Qiyu's heart was filled with turmoil.

Now that Zhu Qizhen has been knocking on the door, replacing the emperor is inevitable.

The key question was who to replace him with, and surprisingly, Empress Dowager Sun did not demand that the Crown Prince ascend the throne in order of succession, but instead took the initiative to let Zhu Qiyu take the throne.

This somewhat overturns Zhu Qiyu's impression of Empress Dowager Sun from his previous life.

Sure enough, she must have some skills to have managed the harem for so many years.

Zhu Qiyu took a deep breath and knelt down again: "I am deeply grateful for the Empress Dowager's kindness, but this matter is absolutely unacceptable!"

If I were to ascend the throne, how would the people of the world view me?

My elder brother is still alive, and the crown prince has been established. If I were to overstep my bounds, it would be tantamount to usurping the throne, and I would forever bear the infamy in history!

Your Majesty, I am willing to assume the role of Regent, take charge of all government affairs, defend the capital, and welcome back my elder brother, the Emperor.

"Once my elder brother returns safely, I will naturally relinquish power and will not cling to the throne."

Empress Dowager Sun stared at Zhu Qiyu kneeling on the ground, her expression complex.

After a long silence, she sighed softly, "Get up."

Zhu Qiyu stood up and noticed that there seemed to be tears glistening in Empress Dowager Sun's eyes.

Empress Dowager Sun's voice choked with emotion: "You and your imperial brother are, after all, brothers."

When the late emperor was alive, he often said that you two should be like brothers and respect each other, and work together to protect the Ming Dynasty.

Who could have imagined that things would come to this...?

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I will do my utmost to ensure the safety of the capital and bring my brother back."

Empress Dowager Sun nodded: "I'm relieved to hear that. I'm tired too, you may go."

"Your subject takes his leave."

When we left Renshou Palace, it was already completely dark.

Zhu Qiyu was still pondering Empress Dowager Sun's intentions today.

Although the Ming Dynasty stipulated that the empress dowager should not interfere in politics, in this special period, Empress Dowager Sun's influence is very great.

The imperial edicts issued now not only need to be approved by the Directorate of Ceremonial, but also need to be stamped with the Empress Dowager's seal.

Although she did not rule from behind the curtain, this was tantamount to controlling a small portion of imperial power.

If Empress Dowager Sun insisted on making Crown Prince Zhu Jianshen the new emperor, although there would be resistance, she could have succeeded.

After much thought, Zhu Qiyu came to a conclusion: Empress Dowager Sun was truly acting in the best interests of the nation!

However, in order to prevent the imperial power from falling into other hands, she made it a condition for Zhu Qiyu to oversee the country that Zhu Jianshen be made crown prince.

Now, it would be more appropriate to uphold the law and etiquette and allow Zhu Jianshen to ascend the throne, which seems contradictory.

Zhu Qiyu suddenly thought of a possibility and turned to look at Xing'an, who had been waiting outside the hall: "Who did the Empress Dowager summon today?"

Xing'an replied, "Your Highness, this afternoon the Empress Dowager summoned Hu Ying, Minister of Rites, Yu Qian, Minister of War, and Wang Zhi, Minister of Personnel..."

Zhu Qiyu interrupted Xing'an; he knew the reason.

Just then, a young eunuch rushed over: "Your Highness, Consort Wu requests your presence at Yongning Palace."

Zhu Qiyu was slightly taken aback. Consort Wu was his birth mother.

In Zhu Qiyu's mind, his birth mother was a coward.

She was originally a maid in the Prince of Han's mansion. During the Xuande era, when Prince Zhu Gaoxu of Han was executed for treason, the women in his mansion were taken into the palace as slaves.

She was later favored by Emperor Xuanzong and gave birth to Zhu Qiyu, after which she was granted the title of Virtuous Consort.

Zhu Qiyu said calmly, "Lead the way."