Do you know: I am Qi Heng

"Members of the imperial clan are not permitted to hold substantive positions, and I have no idea of ​​their abilities!"

The Emperor said calmly, "I have a responsibility to the Great Zhou Dynasty and to all its people. Perhaps the Grand Chancellor could tell me who is more suitable, the Prince of Yong or the Prince of Yan, and I would then appoint that one."

Han Zhang fell silent upon hearing this; he could have suggested establishing an heir.

However, it is not possible to say definitively who should be chosen. If the emperor has sons, according to the order of legitimate and illegitimate children and seniority, there is a legal basis for the decision. The ministers can then say who should be chosen.

Now it's an adoption, and it's a choice between two options. If he speaks up, not to mention the trouble that will follow, how will history record him in the future?

"I know this will have some negative consequences, but the crown prince is crucial to the future of the Great Zhou Dynasty and cannot be taken lightly."

Seeing Han Zhang remain silent, the Emperor softened his tone and said, "To minimize the impact, I will only grant them the right to attend court and participate in government affairs, but not any real power. After determining their merits, I will make a decision."

"Your Majesty, is there a time limit for this?" Han Zhang asked.

The emperor pondered for a moment and said, "Within three years!"

"It's been too long!" Han Zhang said.

He knew the Emperor was trying to buy time, but the Emperor was already being forced to involve two members of the imperial clan in politics, so he dared not press the matter further.

Who knows what the officials might do if we continue to pressure them?

Three years is too long. He can make appropriate compromises, but he cannot accept this timeframe.

"Then how long do you think is appropriate, sir?" the official asked in return.

"One year!"

Han Zhang said, "A year is enough to test the abilities of the two princes!"

A year is neither long nor short. The harm and impact are limited, and it can indeed distinguish which of the two is more suitable.

The question of whether to appoint the eldest son or the most virtuous person has been a subject of debate since ancient times.

Strictly speaking, meritocracy is the best approach. However, this is not conducive to long-term stability, since there is no clear standard for what constitutes merit.

Moreover, in order to vie for the throne, the princes would inevitably appear humble and modest, only to reveal their true colors after ascending the throne.

Establishing a long-term strategy can avoid these problems and is the best choice in the long run.

But now that the emperor has no son, there is a basis for establishing a worthy successor.

If a one-year delay could completely dissuade the emperor and allow for the selection of the most suitable person, it wouldn't be unacceptable.

"A year is too short. The imperial family members have never been exposed to politics, and they need time to learn."

The Emperor firmly stated, "Two years. When the time is up, I will definitely establish an heir!"

Han Zhang frowned slightly. He still felt that two years was too long. Although the Emperor said that he would not give the two of them real power, they could participate in court affairs and openly contact the court officials.

Two years is enough time for both of them to each gain some supporters.

However, he sensed the official's resolute tone, hesitated for a moment, and finally agreed.

"Then let's do as Your Majesty wishes!"

"If there's nothing else, you may all leave," the Emperor said, waving his hand.

"We take our leave!" Han Zhang and the others bowed and withdrew.

The Emperor flipped through the memorials, but couldn't concentrate on reading them. He put them down and said, "Prepare the carriage for Funing Palace!"

"yes!"

Eunuch Li responded and immediately had someone make arrangements.

Before long, the Emperor left the palace, boarded a palanquin, and headed towards Funing Palace.

"His Majesty!"

Empress Cao, having received the news, was already waiting outside the palace. Upon seeing the palanquin arrive, she bowed respectfully.

"No need for formalities!"

The Emperor waved his hand, dismounted from the palanquin, and entered the main hall with Empress Cao.

"You may all step back!"

The emperor waved his hand, dismissing all the palace maids and eunuchs who were standing in the hall.

"Is Your Majesty troubled by something?" Empress Cao asked.

The Emperor sighed, "Not long ago, the Grand Chancellor and other important officials came to see me, urging me to adopt an heir. I initially wanted to delay, but the Grand Chancellor pressed me relentlessly, leaving me no choice but to promise that an heir would be established in two years!"

"His Majesty!"

Empress Cao rose and came behind the Emperor, placing her hands on either side of his head and gently kneading them. She said softly, "The Crown Prince is of paramount importance to the nation. The Grand Chancellor and the others are acting in the best interests of the country."

"I know they are doing this for the good of the Great Zhou Dynasty."

The Emperor squinted and said, "If there were no hope, adoption would have been the end of it. But now that I see hope, I am really unwilling to establish an heir."

"Once a crown prince is established, what will I do if I have a son in the future, and which one should I adopt? I cannot be as ruthless as Liu Bei."

"Two years should be enough!"

Empress Cao said, "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven and is protected by your ancestors. If you still have no son after two years, it is the will of Heaven."

"You're right."

The Emperor shook his head and said, "Let's not talk about that. I have been following Old Madam He's advice and have been keeping a regular schedule and eating according to her instructions. I have also been following the prescriptions she gave me."

Now, only a few months have passed, and I do feel much better than before. I'm wondering if it might not take half a year?

"She has already returned to the capital. Why don't we summon her to the palace and have her take His Majesty's pulse?" Empress Cao suggested.

"They're back already?"

The Emperor thought for a moment and said, "Then please do as the Empress says."

…………

After Han Zhang and the others left Longtu Pavilion, they did not have much interaction with each other.

However, not long after, news spread that the Emperor intended to involve the Prince of Yan and the Prince of Yong in court affairs and would choose one of them to be adopted as the Crown Prince within two years.

Qi Heng only learned of this news from his mother when he returned home after school in the afternoon.

"Mother, is this news true?" Qi Heng asked in disbelief.

"Of course it's true!"

Princess Pingning said, "Today, the Grand Chancellor and other officials of the court went to see His Majesty again to discuss the matter of establishing an heir."

Although I don't know the specifics, the fact that the palace hasn't reacted at all after the news has been circulating for so long is enough to prove that the news is true.

Qi Heng frowned, unsure whether to be happy about the good news or worried.

Originally, this deadline was certainly not part of the future trajectory.

The emperor delayed for another six or seven years. When the Prince of Yong's mansion sent people to kidnap Rong Feiyan, it seemed that the candidate had only just been chosen.

It was precisely because they felt the overall situation was settled that the Prince of Yong's mansion dared to act so boldly.

Now that the government has loosened its grip, it has added a time limit. Once the time is up, the officials will not back down.

In other words, the selection of a successor will definitely be brought forward.

This is actually a good thing for Qi Heng.

No matter who the emperor appoints, the Prince of Yan's rebellion will not happen.

The Qi family's main crisis has been resolved.

But this unexpected turn of events also caused him to completely lose control over the future.

History is not all about inevitability; there are also many contingencies.

However, any deviation, whether inevitable or accidental, will be affected.

Most importantly, Qi Heng didn't know what caused this deviation.

However, he quickly came to terms with it. Given his status, he didn't need to worry about wealth and honor, and resolving the crisis was ultimately a good thing.

Before long, it was time for a day off. Early that morning, Qi Heng took a carriage to the Daxiangguo Temple.

At a teahouse not far from Daxiangguo Temple, they met up with He Hongwen and the Sheng siblings. The group of seven, along with their respective attendants, walked to Daxiangguo Temple.