Huangming

Chapter 20: The imperial edict urged him to ascend the throne, and he reluctantly complied.

Grand Secretary Zhu Guozuo of the Dongge Pavilion was completely flustered.

Two emperors of the Ming Dynasty died in one month. Now, is the crown prince going to die as well?

"Summon the imperial physician! Summon the imperial physician immediately!"

He rushed forward, hugged Zhu Youxiao, and pinched his philtrum hard.

A moment later, Zhu Youxiao felt pain and had to open his eyes.

Ok!

I'm dizzy.

I pretended.

This is the self-cultivation of an actor.

Zhu Youxiao knew that everything needed a breaking point.

It's normal for you to cry your heart out during a funeral.

But you cried so hard you fainted.

That would show you to be very filial.

Now that Zhu Youxiao has performed this act in front of all the officials, from the perspective of Confucian filial piety, Zhu Youxiao is a perfect new emperor who is loyal and filial.

Seeing that Zhu Youxiao was alright, Zhu Guozuo quickly knelt down and loudly advised, "Your Highness the Crown Prince's sincere filial piety is known throughout the land. However, the late Emperor has abruptly abandoned his subjects and passed away. Your Highness must not cause further grief to your subjects. Our Great Ming Dynasty can no longer bear such pain."

"I earnestly hope that Your Highness will take good care of your health!"

Zhu Guozuo took the lead, and the other kneeling and weeping officials also shouted, "We earnestly hope that Your Highness will take care of your health!"

In an instant, the roar was deafening, and even outside the Qianqing Palace, it could be heard clearly.

Zhu Youxiao coughed, slowly stood up, and said to the assembled officials, "I am well, so you need not worry. However, I have suddenly suffered a great loss, and my heart is breaking. My liver and intestines are being pounded."

At this moment, Zhu Guozuo stepped forward and said, "Your Highness is still young. According to the rules, princes and nobles can mourn on your behalf, and eunuchs can kneel on your behalf. Your Highness's filial piety is commendable, but for the sake of the people, you must take good care of your health."

If someone cries five times a day, even the healthiest person can't withstand it.

Zhu Youxiao repeatedly declined, but all the officials refused. Finally, "forced by circumstances," he ordered the princes and princes to mourn on his behalf, and the eunuchs to kneel in his place.

of course
The fact that someone else cried and knelt on Zhu Youxiao's behalf did not mean that Zhu Youxiao did not need to come.

He still needed to come to the coffin three times a day, leading his officials in mourning attire to the coffin, to bow four times, offer silk, read the prayer, bow four more times, express his grief, burn the silk, and offer another prayer before the ceremony was complete.

Although there were people who cried and knelt on behalf of others, nothing that was supposed to happen was omitted.

Three days in a row.

This is true for all of them.

It was the fifth day of the ninth month of the forty-eighth year of the Wanli reign.

Zhu Youxiao went to the Qianqing Palace to keep vigil as always, but today was clearly different from the past.

All the cabinet ministers were in the hall, and the ministers of various ministries and departments were kneeling on both sides.

More people came today than ever before.

The cabinet, through Wei Chao's advance warning, already knew what Zhu Youxiao was to do today.

He first led his ministers in completing the mourning ceremony at Chenshi (7-9 AM). After that, Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe stepped forward with a bright yellow imperial edict in his hand.

"Read aloud the late emperor's last edict."

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao knelt before the coffin, and the officials shouted, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" With the formalities completed, Fang Congzhe immediately read aloud the imperial edict drafted by the cabinet:

"I, with my meager virtue, have succeeded to the throne and continue the great legacy."
The eldest son of the Emperor, Youxiao, is naturally benevolent and filial, and possesses early wisdom; he is suitable to succeed to the throne.
All of you ministers, listen respectfully to my command and work together to achieve great peace. Then, even though I am gone, it will feel like I have lived for many years.

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

Zhu Youxiao received the imperial edict and was already in tears.

"Alas! Our late father has suddenly abandoned his subjects and passed away on his imperial journey."
I lost my parents at a young age and was raised with their kindness. Before I could repay even a fraction of their kindness, I was suddenly struck by danger. My heart is pierced by a thousand arrows, and my soul is broken.

Now, in accordance with the will of the late emperor, I will succeed to the throne and continue the legacy.

After speaking, Zhu Youxiao slowly stood up.

Fang Congzhe hurriedly stepped back before the officials and said loudly:

"We humbly acknowledge the passing of the late Emperor, leaving the imperial regalia without a master. His Highness the Crown Prince is exceptionally intelligent and filial, a gift from Heaven to carry on the family line."

"At present, the flames of war in Liaodong have not yet subsided, and disasters frequently occur in the Central Plains. The people yearn for a new emperor like parched seedlings await rain; the enemy lurks in the capital like owls peering through windows. If the throne is delayed, it will inevitably lead to disunity within and without the court, and treacherous officials will rise up. In the past, Emperor Suzong of Tang ascended the throne in Lingwu and restored the Tang dynasty; Emperor Gaozong of Song received the mandate of heaven and continued the Zhao dynasty. These were all acts of saving the dynasty from peril and shining brightly in history."

Your Highness, as the eldest son of the late Emperor, is destined to succeed to the throne. Furthermore, you have received the late Emperor's edict, clearly entrusting the throne to you. We, your subjects, respectfully abide by the "Imperial Ancestral Instructions of the Ming Dynasty," and jointly urge you to ascend the throne. We humbly beseech Your Highness to consider the hopes of the people and the hardships endured by our ancestors, to suppress your grief, and to quickly assume the throne.”

The Vice Premier of the Cabinet, Liu Yi-jing, also stepped forward and respectfully said, "We, your humble servants, risk our lives to report this, and respectfully present this memorial urging you to ascend the throne."

Upon hearing Liu Yiju's words, all the officials in the hall cheered.

"Your humble servants risk their lives to report this, and respectfully submit this memorial urging you to ascend the throne."

The voices of the assembled officials resounded throughout the world, echoing endlessly.

He declined three times.

The conditions had already been met.

Zhu Youxiao knew this, and it was time for him to succeed to the throne.

It would be impolite not to succeed to the throne soon.

So he took out the edict urging the court officials to ascend the throne, which Sun Ruyou had prepared in advance, and read it aloud in front of all the civil and military officials.

"I, in my youth, have encountered this great misfortune. Thanks to your meritorious service in civil and military affairs, you have supported the dynasty and turned the tide. Now, having read your words urging me to ascend the throne, though I am deeply saddened by your filial piety, I am mindful that the imperial regalia cannot remain vacant for long, and the foundation of the nation cannot be neglected even for a moment. Therefore, I reluctantly follow the advice of the people and accept the great responsibility of succeeding you."

After the funeral rites are completed, I will hold court at the Wenhua Gate. All officials, both inside and outside the court, shall fulfill their duties and work together to achieve good governance. Those who harbor selfish motives, harm the country, form cliques, or corrupt the people, are subject to the laws and precedents of our ancestors; I dare not pardon them!
The proclamation was issued far and wide, so that all may know.

As soon as Zhu Youxiao finished speaking, the courtiers immediately shouted: "The Holy Dynasty has been continued, and the Ming Dynasty is very fortunate."

The third attempt to persuade him to marry into the family concluded the ceremony.

Although Zhu Youxiao's reply to the memorial urging him to ascend the throne was drafted by the Ministry of Rites, he made few modifications to it.

This letter of recommendation also represents his governing platform for the foreseeable future.

Regarding the court's major policies, Zhu Youxiao still followed the policies implemented during the reign of Emperor Taichang.

As for why they said they wouldn't change it.
nonsense.

You haven't even settled into your position yet, and you're already thinking about reforms.

Do you not know the story of Zhu Yunwen?

Since he had not yet fully grasped power, Zhu Youxiao should first cultivate his character and temperament.

These officials went their separate ways to fight, and he took back power from them. Once the situation was stabilized, it would be time for him to show his true colors.

(End of this chapter)