Do You Know?: Rule the World

Hai Ning suddenly came back to his senses, sighed softly, and said lightly: "When I saw you just now, I couldn't help but think of an old friend."

"When he was young, his features were about 60% similar to yours, but he worked hard all day and suffered a series of severe injuries."

"He's barely over fifty years old, and his physique isn't even as good as mine.

"Every time I look at him, I feel really bad!"

Zhao Han didn't think much of it, just thinking it was just a normal sigh. He smiled and said, "Master Hai, you are wrong."

"I see you have white hair and youthful features, and you are full of vigor. Not to mention a man in his fifties, I'm afraid even a man in his thirties can't compare to you."

Haining shook his head and smiled bitterly.

The old friend he was talking about was currently sitting on the dragon throne in the Wenhua Palace, reviewing memorials.

After listening to Haining's brief instructions, Zhao Han went to the main hall and started writing with his colleagues.

Normal Hanlin officials can leave the academy at 3:00 p.m. after completing their work for the day.

As a newcomer to the Hanlin Academy, Zhao Han did not set out on his journey home until three quarters past three in the evening today.

On the way, Chang Qing frowned and asked with a puzzled look on his face: "Brother, why do I feel that you seem to be much quieter today?"

"Could it be that the senior officials in the Hanlin Academy are difficult to get along with?"

Zhao Han raised his hand and frowned, "I'm just too tired. I'll be fine after a few days of getting used to it."

It was not until this moment that he finally understood how strong Haining's body was and how wronged the officials he had scolded today were.

"Brother, go back and have a good rest. You have to go to court early tomorrow morning." Changqing reminded in a low voice.

—

The next day, at four quarters past the hour of Yin, a layer of blue-gray mist still covered the city of Bianjing.

Zhao Han was already dressed and headed straight for Donghua Gate.

When he arrived, there was a long queue in front of the waiting courtyard, and the imperial guards on duty were verifying the identities of everyone.

Just then, Sheng Hong got off the carriage.

After seeing Zhao Han's figure, he walked straight over, raised his hand and patted his shoulder, and said with a soft smile: "This official uniform looks much more handsome on you than it did when I was young."

Seeing that it was Sheng Hong, Zhao Han quickly took a half step back and bowed, "Father-in-law."

Sheng Hong stroked his beard and smiled, whispering, "Today is your first time attending court, so you must be careful at all times."

"Don't let the censors at the Imperial Censorate catch any mistakes or omissions, especially this imperial sceptre must be held firmly."

Zhao Han nodded and said, "I understand, son-in-law."

Soon, all the officials lined up in two rows according to their official ranks, holding court tablets, walked along the bluestone imperial road, passed through the numerous palace gates, and headed straight for the Chuigong Hall.

With Zhao Han's current official rank, he is naturally at the bottom of the civil service ranks.

Looking at the important officials in the front wearing purple robes and holding jade scepters, a hint of envy flashed across his face.

In the Chuigong Hall, after all the officials finished their ceremony, the emperor sat upright on the dragon throne, wearing a ochre-yellow dragon robe, solemn and majestic.

"Your Majesty's complexion seems to be getting healthier day by day."

"Yes, I don't know which imperial physician treated him, but he is truly a miracle worker."

"..."

Several fifth-rank officials standing in front of Zhao Han were whispering to each other.

The successive pains of losing his sons made the official's health worse day by day.

But in the past half month, when they attended court, they found that the emperor's complexion had become rosy, and even the depressed mood between his brows had dissipated a lot.

Sitting on the dragon throne, Zhao Zhen suppressed the joy in his heart and maintained the dignity of an official on his face.

His gaze involuntarily passed through the palace full of people and looked at Zhao Han who was at the farthest point.

After a moment, he withdrew his thoughts and listened to the reports from various ministers as usual.

Before I knew it, it was almost noon.

Just as Zhao Zhen was about to announce the end of the court session, the Minister of Rites, Han Zhang, said loudly, "Your Majesty, I have something to report!"

Hearing Han Zhang's voice, Zhao Zhen couldn't help but frown, "It's getting late, don't make trouble."

"If it's something behind the scenes, you can come to Wenhua Palace and tell me about it."

Xue Pu, the Minister of Personnel, holding a jade tablet, said, "Your Majesty, this old minister has requested to see Your Majesty in the Wenhua Palace several times."

"Your Majesty is either discussing ancient history with me or discussing painting with me. Lord Han and I have no regard for our dignity today."

"It takes ten years to grow a tree, and a hundred years to cultivate a person. I, your Majesty, earnestly request that you adopt a son of the royal family as soon as possible."

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole hall fell silent.

Zhao Zhen changed his usual outburst of anger and scolding, and just stared at the two of them with deep eyes.

He has heard such words so many times over the years that his ears are almost callused.

"Your Majesty, leaving the crown prince's position undecided is truly destabilizing to the foundation of the nation."

"For the sake of the Great Zhou, this old minister has no choice but to risk his own life today and implore Your Majesty to adopt a member of the royal family and examine his character!"

After saying this, Han Zhang raised the imperial tablet high in both hands, knelt on the ground and kowtowed heavily.

Upon seeing this, all the civil and military officials in the hall knelt on the ground.

Among them were some ministers who remained neutral and were not very concerned about the issue of the crown prince.

After all, at this juncture, if you just stand by and watch, it will easily make people hate you.

Zhao Zhen simply said, "Although you gentlemen have a heart of remonstration, the Spring and Autumn Annals says, 'A great official should not accomplish anything.' Are you trying to force the emperor to abdicate today?"

"I dare not!" Han Zhang and Xue Pu said in unison.

"Forget it, both of you are well-educated people. I won't argue with you." Now that he already has his own children, Zhao Zhen is full of confidence. After sneering, he directly threw the question to them.

"Which member of the royal family do you think I should adopt?"

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Chapter 47 God Bless Your Majesty

"Today I will discuss with you the matter of appointing a crown prince."

Zhao Zhen's voice was neither fast nor slow, but it stirred up an invisible wave in the Chuigong Hall.

Han Zhang and Xue Pu looked at each other, and a hint of surprise flashed across their faces at the same time.

In the past, Your Majesty would either make excuses and talk about other things, or become furious and walk away.

But today, I have to discuss it with them!

Several old ministers lowered their eyes and kept thinking in their hearts - could it be that His Majesty is testing them?

"Mr. Xue, in your opinion, among the many descendants of the royal family, who is capable of taking on this important task?"

Zhao Zhen's expression was calm as he stared straight at Xue Pu.

Xue Pu was startled, the jade tablet in his hand trembling slightly, "Such an important matter should be decided by Your Majesty."

"Han Qing, what do you think we should do?"

Han Zhang caught a glimpse of Duke Yingguo Zhang Fu quietly shaking his head at him. He replied cautiously, "An old minister only knows how to be loyal to the emperor and to eat his salary."

"Your Majesty is a wise and wise man. No matter which virtuous member of the royal family you choose as the Crown Prince, I, this old minister, will serve you loyally and assist you!"

"No matter what, I hope Your Majesty will appoint a crown prince as soon as possible to stabilize the country's foundation!"

"What a dictatorial mind! What a loyalty to the sovereign!"

"You have repeatedly urged me to appoint a crown prince. Now I ask you who you want to appoint."

"You are all so good, none of you can name a specific candidate!" Zhao Zhen stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes like knives, slowly sweeping over the ministers in the hall.

At this time, the Minister of Works, Liu Xingzhi, looked around respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, in the past, the First Emperor of Qin deposed his eldest son, Fusu, and enthroned Hu Hai, which led to the demise of the Qin Dynasty in its second generation."

"Throughout history, countless dynasties have been replaced by the dethronement of the eldest son and the enthronement of the youngest."

"Prince Yong is the oldest and most virtuous of all the royal relatives. I believe he should be adopted as the crown prince!"

After these words came out, many ministers who had already stood on the side of Prince Yong looked uncertain.

Wu Yong, commander of the Five Cities Army, glared at him with disdain.

"Lord Liu, you are wrong. Emperor Taizong of Tang was not the eldest son, but he still created a prosperous era."

"Your Majesty, I believe that Prince Yan should be enthroned. Prince Yan is exceptionally talented and has made many contributions to the court over the years!"

Under his wide sleeves, Zhao Zhen clenched his fists, his expression remaining calm.

"Do you have any other talents to recommend? Feel free to ask."

All the ministers in the hall were silent, looking at each other, and no one dared to speak.

Sheng Hong kept glancing at Zhao Han out of the corner of his eyes, his heart pounding, he was so scared!

Zhao Zhen looked at everyone coldly.

Suddenly, he grabbed the teacup placed aside and threw it to the ground.

The teacup shattered into pieces with a snap, and several ministers nearby felt a chill down their spines.

"A bunch of ungrateful bastards! I haven't even breathed my last, and you already have someone in mind!"

"How can the emperor's family affairs be interfered with by outsiders?"

"If I follow your advice and appoint a crown prince today, there's no guarantee that powerful officials in the future won't use the name of appointing a crown prince to threaten the emperor."

"If you dare to discuss the matter of adopting a crown prince again in the court, you will be charged with treason!"

Han Zhang, Xue Pu, Zhang Fu and other important officials in the court all looked up at Zhao Zhen at the same time, with surprise, shock and confusion in their eyes.

"Retreat!"

Zhao Zhen flicked his long sleeves and left the Chuigong Hall without waiting for the officials to finish their ceremony.

Zhao Han looked at the bright yellow figure that was moving further and further away with suspicion. The old emperor's rage today was completely different from the kind-hearted style he knew in the past, and he even said such decisive words.