Chronicles of the Qin Dynasty

Chapter 325, Section 324: The Invitation of Heaven and Earth

The matter of the crown prince is a taboo in the Qin state at present.

If those ministers initially requested the early establishment of a crown prince, it was because they each had a faction to support and a chance to contribute to the succession.

Now, everyone is focused solely on the fate of the Qin Dynasty.

Because of the origins of the two princes, both the states of Chu and Zheng have now disappeared under the iron hooves of Qin.

Conversely, if the Qin state they followed had no future, then all hope was lost.

This is why Zongzheng, despite being a descendant of the Ji clan, still made this suggestion at this time, despite the wrath of the King of Qin.

Ji Heng was fully aware of this.

But in this world, some things cannot be tolerated simply by knowing them.

The Qin Dynasty had no crown prince, and he was more anxious than his ministers. This was Ji Heng's empire, and it had to be passed on to his bloodline.

The more anxious one is, the more one feels like a thousand pieces of firewood are pressing down on a single flame, and the more one must act as if it's insignificant and that one already has a plan.

But that's only if no one touches the fire.

Now that the Queen herself has come to the rescue, all the officials and servants of Zhangtai Palace, though silent, have already pricked up their ears.

The Queen smiled and said:
"As for the matter of the crown prince, let's not even talk about the fact that my Qin state currently has two princes. The eldest prince is brave and the youngest prince is intelligent. There is really no need to worry about their future."

Ministers:...

Even Ji Heng couldn't help but glance at the Queen, who was smiling and talking, wondering how she could say such words so frankly and sincerely.

Why is only half of the evaluation given?
For example, the eldest prince was brave but not very bright.

The Little Prince was intelligent, but physically weak.

But it must be said that her understated and subtle writing style did indeed ease the tense atmosphere in the hall.

Even the originally anxious Zongzheng couldn't help but think:

Yes, even if things go badly, there are still two left! It's not like we'll end up with nothing...

But this was something we had no choice but to do.

This kind of procrastination can't go on forever; we need to establish a leader to reduce disputes.

He was about to cup his hands in greeting and say something more when he saw the Queen smile again:

"However, the matter of establishing a crown prince, though a matter of state, is also a matter of the king's family. The two princes are still young and their minds are not yet settled. If they know too early, there is no chance that treacherous ministers will instigate them to do something unwise."

She looked at Ji Heng with a smile again:

"Therefore, Your Majesty should write a secret decree before setting out and place it behind the plaque of this Zhangtai Palace."

It wouldn't hurt to discuss the secret method of choosing an heir by another emperor thousands of years later.

Qin Shi gently held Ji Heng's hand, his gaze filled with dependence and sincerity:
“I know that Your Majesty will live to be a hundred years old, but with this method, after Your Majesty and I travel to Mount Tai, we can also put the minds of our ministers at ease.”

Ji Heng didn't speak again, but turned his head and looked at the officials below. He only applied a little force to his hand, so that Qin Shi could feel a slight heat.

"Do any of you gentlemen have any objections to the method proposed by the Queen?"

In the blink of an eye, he had already figured out the benefits of doing so.

Firstly, he believed that the future queen would still give birth to children, and if he were to establish a crown prince under pressure from the ministers at this time, it would be too late to undo the damage, and it might even lead to disputes.

after all.

Ji Heng thought with a hint of indifference: His two princes nowadays would probably be no match for the queen's children.

The Qin dynasty's throne needed to be passed on to a capable person, and also to a victor.

Second...

Establishing a crown prince too early, whether for Prince Qian or Prince Chenghu, would only make them define their factions sooner, which would indeed easily lead to trouble.

With such a secret method, the current problem can indeed be solved.

After a brief hesitation, the ministers, seeing Prime Minister Wang Fu rise, immediately followed suit and bowed: "Your Majesty is truly talented! We have no objections."

Only then did the atmosphere inside the Zhangtai Palace completely relax.

Zhou Ju stood respectfully by his side, regretting that he could not have the Queen accompany the King in this Zhangtai Palace every day.

But then he thought again and was glad that the Queen could not do that.

Otherwise, where would he find a place to stay in this vast palace?

Thinking of this, I truly feel a pang of bitterness.

However, what saddened him even more was what Qin Shi said next.

Then the queen continued:

"However, although the secret establishment of the heir has reassured the officials, I know that Your Majesty still wishes to observe carefully and make a careful selection for the future of our Great Qin Dynasty."

Qin Shi called to him softly.

When Ji Heng turned around, her eyes suddenly curved into a smile:
"Has Your Majesty ever considered that the reason why Qin has not yet produced a prince who suits Your Majesty's taste is because Your Majesty's achievements are outstanding and will be praised for thousands of years?"

"In such a prosperous era of unification, the successor ruler must naturally undergo a period of training in order to ensure the eternal stability of the kingdom for Your Majesty."

Although Qin Shi dared not compare himself to Empress Lü in talent, he only hoped that his children would not be like Liu Ying, who deliberately used his mother to gain popularity.

But before that, now that she has ascended to the position of empress, all the necessary groundwork should naturally be laid.

"Perhaps, it is only through sincere prayers and sacrifices to Heaven and Earth by the King and I that we can obtain this opportunity..."

She's already queen, and she has no intention of not having children, so the throne should naturally be inherited by her bloodline.

Coincidentally, she will be pregnant during the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Tai.

However, Ji Heng's eyes lit up.

Yes!

Upon hearing this, not only did Zhou Ju straighten his back slightly, but the ministers below the stage also couldn't help but raise their heads slightly and open their mouths:

what?
Is the Queen so talented that she is even so talented in this area?
How can you so casually pave such a good path for your heir who hasn't even appeared yet?

If you are pregnant, it is the will of heaven and earth.

If you don't conceive right away, it's because the sacrificial rites weren't performed properly...

hiss!
No wonder the rumors in the palace said that the Queen was a messenger of the Kunlun gods; everyone was skeptical at first.

On the one hand, the things the queen brought were indeed rare and unique.

On the other hand, no one has been able to find out her family background or origins to this day, leading to the speculation that her origins are untold and that the king is simply using another identity to conceal her true identity.

But now that we look at them, putting aside their background, it's clear that they are truly capable!

Looking at the king again, he saw that the king also nodded very solemnly, and his expression showed that he believed it without a doubt.

Ok?
This level of trust even surprised Qin Shi:

No, no?

Why does Your Majesty have such a resolute yet thoughtful expression?
Isn't this the thought process of "You know I'm offering you a way out and laying the groundwork, but because I admire people who strive for their rights, I don't dislike them at all, and therefore I accept this opportunity"?
Unexpectedly, Ji Heng's brows relaxed, and the corners of his lips curved slightly. He then spoke in a voice audible only to those nearby:
"Your Majesty's reminder is correct. As the son of the Dragon God, if I have a bloodline to inherit, it is naturally not something that can be obtained easily."

"We must first pray to Heaven and Earth and receive a divine response."

Now, it was Qin Shi's turn to fall silent.

　As you all know, Kangxi secretly designated an heir. He wrote a secret edict in advance and placed it behind the plaque in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

　　Empress Lü was cruel, and Liu Ying was kind and weak—this is the superficial truth that can be discerned from historical records. But in reality, it also involves political struggles. The reason why many people looked down on Liu Ying is because while he appeared kind, he did so by undermining his own mother.

　　The core political ideology is: "Look how cruel my mother is, she's not suitable to follow. Stand with me instead. I have a good temper, a gentle nature, and I'm easy to talk to..."

　　Of course, political struggles don't care about blood ties. It's just that a qualified emperor, in the public's perception, shouldn't only have these methods. (Frankly, people look down on him because he truly lacks ability.)
　　[Important: The above is just one person's opinion. If you disagree, please feel free to discuss it. I don't know much about history; I only have a few bits and pieces of knowledge.]

　　As for Ji Heng—oh dear, superstition is no good!
　　(End of this chapter)