Yang Ling rushed to the Eastern Warm Room. The Emperor's close officials had all changed into white clothes.
Seeing Yang Ling rushing over, Zhang Yong hurried over to welcome him. The flogging of the Hongzhi Emperor's caning hit their bodies, but it was real. These people had to lie on the ground for a full half a month before they dared to get up and walk. Now they really hadn't seen Yang Ling for a long time.
Today, after the Hongzhi Emperor took the medicine given by the taiyi, he suddenly had a nosebleed. No matter what method was used, it could not be stopped. The blood soaked more than ten towels and not long after, he suddenly passed away. Zhu Houzhao lay on the body and cried bitterly. No one tried to persuade him. Liu Jin, Zhang Yong and the other close attendants were worried.
In the end, the Empress spoke with tears in her eyes, but the Crown Prince still did not listen. He also insisted that no one was allowed to move the Emperor's body. The eunuchs of the Mixed Hall Department were waiting outside the Palace to clean the Emperor's body, but they did not dare to disobey the Crown Prince. Everyone was in a deadlock.
At this time, seeing Yang Ling, Zhang Yong acted as if he had seen his savior. He quickly picked up a mourning robe and came over. As Yang Ling wore it, he heard Zhang Yong say worriedly: "Sir Yang, His Highness has been crying bitterly for a long time and did not allow the attendants to move the Emperor's body. We are worried for nothing but we cannot think of appropriate words to comfort the Crown Prince. Quickly go and take a look."
Yang Ling tied the mourning belt and handed the sword to the guard beside the Palace door. He quickly walked into the Eastern Warm Room. Zhu Houzhao knelt in front of the bed, still crying silently. Empress Zhang, Yongfu and Yongchun, the two princesses, were all wearing plain mourning clothes. They were like three pear blossoms in the rain, standing behind him.
Seeing the Empress and the two princesses, Yang Ling hurriedly wanted to kneel down. Empress Zhang hurriedly waved her hand and winked at him. She then turned her head to look at the Crown Prince. Sighing faintly, she pulled the two princesses out of the bedroom.
Yang Ling saw the Empress and Princess leave and silently walked to Zhu Houzhao's side. He knelt down next to him. Zhu Houzhao still held Hongzhi's cold hand in a daze, silently sobbing, not even looking at the people around him.
Yang Ling tried to console him in a low voice, but Zhu Houzhao still did not say a single word. Yang Ling saw his absent-minded expression, as if he was turning a blind eye to other people, he thought that it would be better to provoke him. This Little Crown Prince was still young, he would not listen to any words of consolation, it would be better to rouse his spirit a little. Yang Ling thought for a moment and said, "Your Highness, do you remember what the Emperor said in the story that subject told you? The Emperor of a generation is like the sun rising and setting. There will be a day when the Sun will set with the passing of an Emperor, but it will rise with the new Son of Heaven. The deceased Emperor will become the stars in the sky, watching the successor he has chosen, seeing if he will disappoint his great trust. "
"Your Highness, the Emperor is a rare benevolent Emperor, a wise Emperor. You are the Emperor's only son, about to become the Emperor of Ming Destiny, the new Sun. Will you disappoint His Majesty's great hopes?"
Zhu Houzhao's expression changed upon hearing this. He sniffed and gripped Hongzhi's hand tightly. His childish face had an expression as if he was making a vow as he said, "I will definitely not disappoint fuhuang's expectations. I will be like fuhuang, become a virtuous Emperor, a promising Son of Heaven."
Yang Ling said, "This subject believes that in every dynasty, every Crown Prince, when they ascend the throne and sit on the dragon throne, they will all think like this. They will all want to be a good Emperor from the bottom of their hearts, but some of them have achieved this, while others have become mediocre Emperors, or even muddle-headed Emperors, Emperors who have lost their countries."
Zhu Houzhao suddenly turned his head and angrily glared at him. "You doubt my words? You say I can't do it? "
Yang Ling calmly said, "This subject believes that Your Highness's words come from your heart, and that the Crown Prince is not acting on a whim. But having this kind of ambition is not enough. A wise Emperor is not said, it is done. After the death of a benevolent Emperor, all the people of the world are raising their heads to watch the actions of the new Emperor. If he only knows how to cry here, can he become a wise Emperor?"
Hearing this, Zhu Houzhao's face turned green, then red, then green. He was still young and could not stand Yang Ling's provocation. After a long while of anger, he suddenly jumped up and shouted, "Come, clean Father's body and change clothes."
An imperceptible smile appeared on Yang Ling's lips involuntarily.
※ ※ ※
The Internal Officials Bureau set up the mourning hall and arranged the palace. The Mixed Hall Department cleaned the Hongzhi Emperor's body and clothes. The Scarf and Hat Bureau, the Needlework Bureau, and the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau prepared mourning clothes for the nobles, nobles, officials, and officials of various departments.
The soldiers of the Shenji Battalion guarding the palace gates wore white robes over their armor. Even the guns in their hands were wrapped in a layer of white silk. By the time everything was arranged in the palace, it was already night fog. Lanterns were hung high in the palace and the entire palace was shrouded in a gloomy and gloomy fog.
The mourning hall was set up in the main hall of the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Inside the hall, there were white curtains and incense smoke lingering in the air. It was very solemn and solemn. In the middle of the hall, there was a high arched memorial tablet of the Hongzhi Emperor. The Ministry of Rites had already drawn up various ceremonial procedures for the new Emperor when the Emperor was on the verge of death. These procedures sounded simple. They would first dress, then issue a posthumous edict, and then hold a ceremony to ascend to the throne. However, there were all kinds of complicated and miscellaneous rituals that made people dizzy just by listening to them.
Yang Ling did not know anything about the various funeral rituals in the palace. However, he did not have to worry about being disgraced. Although he was favored by the new and old Emperors, he had not even touched the edge of the court's politics. He did not have the right to enter the hall to cry and pay his respects. He only needed to control the various groups of guards outside the hall and maintain the palace's security.
The officials in charge of the various departments and halls stepped into the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Even many of the nobles and high-ranking officials who rarely stepped into the palace showed themselves. Yang Ling stood at the bottom of the steps and saw the Six Ministries, Nine Ministers, and three Grand Scholars coming out of the palace and gazing into the distance. In a flash, two rows of eunuchs escorted a palanquin came over. Someone loudly announced: "The Crown Prince has arrived!"
On the steps, a dozen or so old court officials hurried down the steps and lifted their robes to kneel. Liu Jian wept and said: "Crown Prince, please enter the hall and pay your respects!"
Zhu Houzhao did not understand many of these customs. The two chief eunuchs of the Department of Rites, Wang Yue and Zhang Shou, supported him on his left and right. From time to time, they would whisper a few words in his ear, instructing him how to walk, how to salute, how to speak. Crown Prince Zhu Houzhao's expression was absent-minded. He had completely lost his usual mischievous spirit.
Like a puppet, he did as he was told. Yang Ling waited until they had all entered the hall before he stood up. After a while, there was a sudden burst of wailing. Han Lin walked to Yang Ling's side and sighed softly: "The daren are crying for peace. The officials who are not allowed to enter the palace are gathered outside the Meridian Gate and crying bitterly. At this time of year, there must be no trouble. General should go and patrol."
Han Lin had relied on his martial arts skills and outstanding performance during the martial arts practice to be promoted to the position of Zongzheng. He was a man who abided by the rules. Although in private he addressed Yang Ling as Ling 'er, when it came to official business, he would always meet him as a subordinate and would never overstep his boundaries. Yang Ling tried to persuade him several times, but Han Lin insisted on not obeying.
Afraid that something might go wrong, Yang Ling deployed his most trusted men, father and son, as well as Yang Yiqing and Liu Biao, each leading a hundred armed and saber-wielding personal guards, to surround the Palace of Heavenly Purity. The defense was impenetrable. Hearing his father-in-law's reminder, Yang Ling nodded his head and said in a low voice: "I will have to trouble father-in-law here. Ling 'er will go for a stroll around the four cities."
Inside the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the ceremonial officer of the Chamberlain of Grand Herald came out and sang. Liu Jian, Li Dongyang, and Xie Qian, the three ministers who entrusted Zhu Houzhao to the Imperial Throne made of yellow silk. The hundreds of officials walked like herons and cranes, rushing forward to kneel and pay their respects to the new Emperor. The tsunami-like cries of "Long live our Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" shook the roof tiles.
Yang Ling left the Palace of Heavenly Purity amidst the shouts of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new. Led by two of his personal guards holding lanterns, he went to patrol the palace. He did not know that the traditional and unchanging ritual of reading the posthumous edict of the Former Emperor and then asking the new Emperor to issue a benevolent edict. Unexpectedly, something went wrong for the first time today. He had not even reached the Meridian Gate when the Palace of Heavenly Purity was already as noisy as a wet market.
When Hongzhi felt that it was difficult for his body to recover, he had already made arrangements for his death. At this moment, the eunuch in charge of the Department of Rites, Wang Yue, held back her tears as she presented the posthumous edict of the Hongzhi Emperor. The Grand Secretary Liu Jian, the Grand Secretary, issued the imperial edict of the new Emperor's ascension to the throne. Then, he announced that the new Emperor would grant amnesty to the people and reward the meritorious officials.
This was all originally arranged. The so-called benevolent edict of the new Emperor. Which Crown Prince dared to start studying the next leadership before the death of the late Emperor? In the end, it was the old Emperor's idea in advance. Since ancient times until the ascension of the Crown Prince to the throne, it had always been the same routine.
Liu Jian only knew that the current Crown Prince was rather stubborn and mischievous. He did not expect this friend to be the reincarnation of the founder of the Free Fist Style. He did not follow the usual routine at all. The old official wiped away his tears and first announced the posthumous edict of the Former Emperor and set the next year as the first year of Zhengde. Then, he led the civil and military officials to kneel three times and kowtow nine times to the new Emperor.
After that, he unfolded an imperial edict in the name of the new Emperor. All prisoners who were not awaiting death or trial would be pardoned and released from prison. He also ordered that the farmers who owed taxes for more than three years would be exempted. He also ordered that the fishermen who had not paid fish oil and swim bladders for more than three years would be exempted …
After this imperial edict expressing the new Emperor's benevolent and forgiving administration, the third imperial edict of the new Emperor bestowed titles to the imperial harem and rewarded the officials who supported him. Liu Jian, Xie Qian, and Li Dongyang were bestowed the titles of Grand Preceptor, Grand Tutor, and Pillar of the State. Empress Dowager Ji was promoted to Grand Empress Dowager. Empress Dowager Zhang was promoted to Grand Empress Dowager. Empress Dowager Wang was promoted to Grand Imperial Concubine. Concubine Jin and Concubine Dai were promoted to Grand Imperial Concubine. Concubine Ma and Concubine Chang were also promoted to Grand Imperial Concubine …
Whenever a new Emperor ascended the throne, the senior officials would receive this kind of treatment. The officials were used to it. Even though these positions were honorable, they were only nominal positions with salaries but no power. They wouldn't have any influence on the current distribution of power in the imperial court. As a result, the civil and military officials only listened attentively without making a sound. The hundreds of people in the grand hall were silent.
However, Emperor Zhengde Zhu Houzhao, who had been provoked by Yang Ling and wanted to do a good job, wanted to do a good job. Even though it was only three minutes of enthusiasm, the three minutes hadn't passed yet. He pricked up his ears and listened attentively. In his opinion, since the imperial edict was issued in his name, he should listen carefully.
When he heard that the Marquis Of Shouning and the Marquis of Jianchang were bestowed with thousands of hectares of farmland and double salaries, he immediately jumped down from the dragon chair and shouted angrily, "Grand Scholar Liu, please wait. The salaries of the Marquis of Shouning and the Marquis of Jianchang are already high enough. There is no need to bestow more!"
The Marquis of Shouning and the Marquis of Jianchang knelt down and listened to Zhengde's words. Their faces turned green and then white, showing fear, shame, and anger. All kinds of expressions appeared on their faces, as if they had opened a dye workshop. Stripping the imperial edict in public was a disgrace to them. How could they face others in the future? This young Emperor really didn't leave any room for negotiation.
Grand Scholar Liu was dumbfounded while holding the imperial edict. This Grand Scholar was knowledgeable and had served several emperors, but he had never heard of a new Emperor going back on his word and withdrawing the imperial edict given by someone else when he ascended the throne. How could he withdraw the imperial edict himself? That was like child's play, and it was also disrespectful to the Hongzhi Emperor. If he, the Grand Scholar, refused the new Emperor's first oral edict, what would happen to the Emperor's face then?
Seeing him standing there in a daze, Li Dongyang hurriedly took a step forward and said, "The Marquis of Shouning and Marquis of Jianchang are the Emperor's maternal uncles and the Emperor's closest relatives. The Emperor is generous to others and is willing to set an example. How dare the officials not agree? Today is a big day. Since the imperial edict has been issued, it is inappropriate to withdraw it now. In my opinion, the two Marquises should submit a petition to withdraw the imperial edict. "
The two brothers, Zhang Heling and Zhang Yanling, were secretly resentful. They had been humiliated by the new Emperor in public, and they had to take the initiative to withdraw the imperial edict to express their gratitude. The Emperor had a good reputation of being lenient to others and strict to himself. Li Dongyang was too good at flattering the Emperor. However, the two brothers had no other choice but to agree repeatedly.
Zhengde respected and loved his father Hongzhi the most. Seeing his two uncles not sad at all by his dying father's side and playing with the imperial crown, he had a feeling that they had betrayed and deceived the people closest to him, which made him hate them bitterly. As a result, he couldn't restrain himself from stripping them of their rewards in court.
Hearing the arrangement of Grand Secretary Li, Zhengde didn't care too much about other things as long as they didn't take advantage of him. As such, he nodded in agreement and sat back on the dragon chair. The officials kneeling on the ground were surprised to see the new Emperor act so strangely. Emperor Zhengde didn't think it was inappropriate to do so. What was the point of having a golden mouth and jade teeth? An emperor's words should not be taken lightly. If he felt it was wrong, he should correct it. How could the royal family be dignified by putting on airs at their own cost?
Grand Scholar Liu saw this new emperor, who had done some amazing things at times, return to the dragon chair, and continued reading the names nervously. The civil and military officials were all alert this time, but they didn't know whom the Zhengde Emperor would punish this time. Fortunately, the little Zhengde Emperor didn't object when he heard the names being read one by one.
After Liu Jian finished reading the imperial edict, he lifted his sleeve to wipe the cold sweat on his forehead surreptitiously. As soon as he felt relieved, Emperor Zhengde spoke again. He furrowed his eyebrows and asked curiously, "Grand Secretary Liu, did I miss someone?"
Liu Jian's heart skipped a beat, and he became nervous again. He hurriedly unfolded the imperial edict and glanced through it. Then he turned his head to the two eunuchs of the Department of Rites, Wang Yue and Zhang Shou, who were supervising the reading of the imperial edict. Finally, he said with relief, "Your Majesty, I didn't miss anyone."
Hearing this, Zhengde felt strange. He remembered that his father had said that Yang Ling could be his right-hand man, and that he should be the one to bestow the favor. Why didn't Yang Ling's name be mentioned in the imperial edict issued in his name?
If the poor Hongzhi Emperor could see him from Heaven, he would regret that he didn't specify the specific time of execution of each task when he gave instructions to his son's funeral. After some thought, Zhengde said, "No, one person was indeed missed. He was the former Reading Assistant of the Eastern Palace and now the General of the Shenji Battalion, Yang Ling. He is young and promising, and can be considered a pillar of the country. Well … since the imperial edict was missed, I'll make up for it later. Let's call him … hmm … let him be an assistant minister in the Ministry of Appointments."
When Liu Jian heard Zheng De's words, he almost tripped and fell from the stairs. A mere military officer, a Tong Jinshi who was not even twenty years old, wanted to become the first assistant minister of the six ministries? Liu Jian hurriedly knelt down and shouted, "Your Majesty, you must not!"
Xie Qian and Li Dongyang, the two Grand Scholars, Hangul of the Ministry of Revenue, Wang Qiong of the Ministry of Rites, Liu Daxia, Ma Wensheng and the other ministers all knelt down together. The Minister of Appointments, Ma Wensheng, anxiously said, "Your Majesty, since ancient times, there have been many ways to promote an official, such as hereditary inheritance, military merit, recommendation, official selection, grace, and imperial examinations. No matter which one it is, General Yang does not have enough virtue, ability, and experience. How can he suddenly be promoted to the position of assistant minister? Your Majesty, please reconsider."
The Left Assistant Minister Wang Yan, Zhan Shi Yang Fang, and the other ministers who had fought with Liu Jin a few days ago did not have a good impression of Yang Ling. Hearing that he was going to enter the Ministry of Appointments at such a young age and take a position second only to the Minister of Appointments, they immediately objected. The other officials also had their own opinions.
In the end, Zhengde had just become the Emperor. Seeing more than half of the officials kneeling before him, he was somewhat flustered. However, if he were to take back his words like this, he would not be able to live with his face. Emperor Zhengde had no choice but to say with an unsightly expression, "If that's the case, I … I will take back this decree and give Yang Ling the title of Wei Wu Count instead."
Hearing that the Emperor was not going to promote Yang Ling's official rank, but instead promote him to nobility, how could Liu Jian be willing to agree? He knelt on the ground with the other officials and repeatedly kowtowed. That Official Wang Wang Qiong, with his well-developed lacrimal glands, began to wail again. He beat his chest and stamped his feet, saying that the Son of Heaven had given too many rewards, which would cause the people to be agitated and the officials to be dissatisfied.
Emperor Zhengde consciously took a step back. Seeing that the officials were still unwilling to let him go, he was also angry. He jumped off the throne and said, "Is this Emperor me or you? This won't do, that won't do. I might as well not be the Emperor."
As he said this, Zhu Houzhao tore off his jade belt and was about to take off his imperial robe. The two chief eunuchs, Old Wang Yue and Zhang Shou, hurriedly rushed forward and hugged him. The civil and military officials were crying and making a fuss. Zhengde's actions had really frightened them.
Seeing this, Li Dongyang thought anxiously. Yang Ling was still young, and his ability and character also needed to be observed. If he became a military general, he wouldn't be a threat to the court, and it wouldn't be a big deal if he was of a higher rank. But if he was to hold an important position in the Ministry of Appointments and participate in government affairs, how could his virtue convince the officials?
As for the title of nobility, although it was a little hasty, it didn't violate the ancestral system. So Li Dongyang hastily said in a loud voice, "Yes, this official obeys. This official thinks that General Yang can be conferred the title of Wu Bo, the peerless Wu Bo. Does Your Majesty agree?"
Hearing that a competent official had agreed, Zhengde hurriedly said, "Yes, yes. Just let Grand Secretary Li draft the edict."
Hearing Li Dongyang's words, the officials immediately understood his meaning and immediately stopped raising their voices in opposition. Only Wang Qiong was sobbing and couldn't stop for a while.
It turned out that Ming Destiny's title of nobility could be hereditary, military merits, favor, or relatives. Yang Ling belonged to the category of favor. Just now, when Li Dongyang shouted that Yang Ling would be conferred the title of Wu Bo, the peerless Wu Bo, and the peerless Wu Bo, it was to tell everyone that Yang Ling wouldn't be conferred the title of nobility that was hereditary, and only the peerless Wu Bo would be conferred the title of nobility, not a certificate. It was just a nice-sounding title of nobility and a few more loads of salary. For this reason, it wasn't worthwhile to go against the Emperor, so the voices of opposition were greatly reduced.
Liu Jian's heart really couldn't stand the torment of this Emperor Zhengde. Fortunately, the ceremony that should be held was almost completed. So Liu Jian hastily arranged for the civil and military officials to keep vigil in the Palace of Heavenly Purity. He reckoned that they would only kneel there and burn incense, so there definitely wouldn't be any more trouble.
Seeing that the matter of the new Emperor's ascension to the throne had been settled, internal official Wang Yue also sent people to the Kunning Palace to invite the Empress Dowager and the two princesses to come to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to keep vigil together.
At this time, Yang Ling still didn't know that in this short period of time, he had inexplicably gone to the Ministry of Appointments and had become a Bo. After he leisurely inspected the palace gates, he casually ate a meal with the officers and soldiers in the palace to fill his stomach. At this time, it was almost the third watch of the night.
Walking around such a large Imperial City, Yang Ling's heels were hurting terribly, but he couldn't ride a horse inside the Imperial City. With great difficulty, he walked back to the Palace of Heavenly Purity step by step, his legs were almost broken from exhaustion. At this time, he saw that the Eastern Warm Pavilion where the Hongzhi Emperor had passed away was deserted without a shadow. He sent away the two personal guards and went around to the hall to sit down. He took off his boots and rubbed his feet.
Yang Ling had rubbed the blood vessels in his feet. He had just picked up his boots and was about to put them on when suddenly his shoulder was patted by someone. In the middle of the night, although the lights in the Palace were still on, it was still really frightening. Yang Ling quick-wittedly turned around. As soon as he saw that person, Yang Ling was even more shocked and could not help but cry out.
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