The Legend of Zhen Huan: Year after year, we share the spring breeze

On August 23, the 13th year of Yongzheng's reign, Yongzheng died in the Qinzheng Hall of the Old Summer Palace at the age of 58.

That night, Shen Zishan led 300 guards to escort the coffin back to the palace and placed it in the main hall of the Qianqing Palace. The tablet read: The spirit tablet of the Emperor Jingtian Changyun Jianzhong Biaozheng Wenwu Wise Mingkuanren Xinyiruisheng Daxiao Zhichengxian.

This long string is the posthumous title (a title summarizing the emperor's life, deeds, and moral character, with an emphasis on moral evaluation). Emperor Shizong of Qing is the temple name (a title used for commemorating the emperor after his death when a room is set up in the Taimiao for worship and sacrifice), and Yongzheng is the reign title (used to record years).

Under the auspices of Prince Guo Yunli and Prince Zhuang Yunlu, the Grand Councillors, the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet, and the Ministers of the Six Ministries and Nine Officials gathered in the Qianqing Palace.

The chief steward of the Imperial Household Department climbed up a ladder and took down the gilded secret box behind the plaque "Zhengda Guangming" and took out the edict of succession written by Yongzheng himself.

Su Peisheng took out another imperial edict that Yongzheng had kept.

The contents of the two documents are exactly the same, confirming that the Sixth Prince Hongxu will inherit the throne.

Since Hongxu was still young, the ministers requested that the new emperor's mother, Shen Meizhuang, take charge of government affairs.

On the grounds that "the harem should not interfere in politics", Shen Meizhuang asked Prince Guo, Prince Zhuang, Grand Secretary Zhang Tingyu, and Grand Councilor Ortai to assist in governing the country. At the same time, she appointed Prince Lu Yunlu, who was familiar with the rules and regulations, to oversee the funeral ceremonies of the late emperor. The Imperial Astronomical Observatory selected an auspicious date, and the Ministry of Rites drafted the funeral regulations.

On the third day of September, the coronation ceremony was held.

The night before the ceremony.

Hongxu stood in the hall wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, and the twelve-chapter pattern shone brightly in the candlelight.

Shen Meizhuang raised her hand to adjust the imperial beads around his neck, a hint of relief in her eyes: "Hongxu, from now on, this vast land and billions of people will be handed over to you. You must govern well and don't let down the spirits of our ancestors in heaven."

"Don't worry, mother. I'll remember this!" Hongxu bowed solemnly and looked at An Lingrong. "Godmother, do you have anything to tell me?"

An Lingrong walked slowly to the bookshelf, ran her fingers across rows of ancient books, and finally stopped at a thread-bound book with a blue cloth cover. She took the book out, turned around and handed it to Hongxu.

"Salt and Iron Discussions?" Hongxu took the book and raised his eyebrows slightly.

An Lingrong smiled, but her eyes were full of meaning: "I believe you have read this book."

Hongxu nodded: "Yes, I have read it carefully."

"Then let's talk about it."

Hongxu flipped open the book and pondered, "Sang Hongyang's three questions seem to discuss the pros and cons of state-run salt and iron ore, but in reality, they are asking which is more important: national prosperity or the strengthening of the people."

An Lingrong tapped the table with her fingertips: "What do you think?"

Hongxu thought for a moment, "When the country is strong, the people will change; when the people are strong, the country will be in chaos.

"Then, in your opinion, how can we balance this age-old problem?"

Hongxu took a deep breath, a solemnity that belied his age. He stood up and walked to the window, gazing at the white banners fluttering in the direction of the Qianqing Palace. He said in a low voice, "My son is dull, please teach me, godmother."

From Guan Zhong to Shang Yang, from Sang Hongyang to Zhang Juzheng, many capable ministers and good officials have failed to give a perfect answer to this question.

An Lingrong's eyes were sharp as a torch: "The most important issues for a country are nothing more than money and power. There is nothing wrong with a country taking money. The key lies in—"

She paused, then spoke word by word, "What's the use of it?"

Hongxu fell into deep thought.

An Lingrong continued, “The trap in Sang Hongyang’s question is that Sang Hongyang used the monarch’s improper need for wealth as his purpose, finding ways to profit from the people, resulting in a rich treasury but poor livelihoods for the people.

To escape the trap of Sang Hongyang's question, we must ultimately get rid of the monarch's improper demand for wealth and ensure that the country's fiscal expenditures are truly taken from the people and used for the people, using the country's wealth to achieve the people's prosperity."

Hongxu was stunned when he heard this. He looked into An Lingrong's kind and deep eyes, and suddenly understood the deep meaning of An Lingrong's conversation today.

He quickly stepped forward and knelt solemnly before An Lingrong. "Godmother, I understand! I promise you that I will answer your question today with my lifelong experience in governing the country."

"Your mother and I believe in you!"

Hongxu held her slightly trembling hand and said, "I will not let you and mother down. I will protect this country and these people."

Outside the window, the east is already bright.

The first ray of morning light penetrated the clouds and sprinkled on the golden tiles of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

An Lingrong looked at the high-spirited young emperor before her, finally revealing a relieved smile. She patted his shoulder and said, "Go! The entire court, both civil and military officials, are waiting for their new emperor in the Hall of Supreme Harmony."

Hongxu took a deep breath and turned around. His steps were firm and powerful, and the corners of his robe embroidered with golden dragons fluttered in the morning breeze.

An Lingrong looked at his receding figure, then walked over to Shen Meizhuang and rested her head on her shoulder: "Sister, look, our child has grown up."

Shen Meizhuang put one arm around her shoulders and held her hand with the other: "Yes!"

On the first day of the new emperor's accession to the throne, he issued an edict to honor his biological mother, Concubine Hui, as the Empress Dowager, and added the title "Hui Yi". At the same time, he honored Zhen Huan as the Imperial Noble Concubine Dowager and An Lingrong as the Wenrong Noble Concubine Dowager. They lived together with the Empress Dowager in the Cining Palace, and all their food, clothing and expenses were allocated according to the Empress Dowager's share.

During the enthronement ceremony, the three of them sat together on the Phoenix Throne to accept the great gifts from the new emperor, the princes of the royal family, and the civil and military ministers.

Wanchun Pavilion on Jingshan Hill is the highest point in the Forbidden City. From here you can overlook the entire Forbidden City.

The wind in early winter was already a bit chilly, but fortunately the sun was shining brightly, covering the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City with golden light. From afar, the entire imperial city seemed to be floating in a halo, glorious and distant.

A woman in gorgeous clothes walked up the white marble steps one by one. The sound of ceremonial music came from a distant direction, solemn and joyous.

Finally reaching the last step, she walked into the pavilion, holding the railing and looking into the distance.

In the distance, the golden tiles of the Forbidden City shimmered in the sunlight. The Qianqing Palace, Kunning Palace, the six palaces in the east and west... those palace paths that she had walked countless times, those palaces that some of her were familiar with and some were unfamiliar to her, were now all lying at her feet.

She raised her hand to block out the glaring sunlight and squinted her eyes at the horizon. A few wild geese were flying in a V-shaped formation across the azure sky.

"An Lingrong..."

She whispered the name softly, as if calling someone she hadn't seen for a long time.

The wind gently caressed the loose hair on her temples. Looking at the thousands of palaces in the Forbidden City, she suddenly smiled.

"Does this count as living an upright life?"

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[End of the palace fight]