xymnovel Chapter 99 Prince Duan is frivolous and unfit to rule the world.
Chapter 99 Prince Duan is frivolous and unfit to rule the world.
Chapter 99 Prince Duan is frivolous and unfit to rule the world.
The third day of the first month of the third year of Yuanfu.
The inner palace, the Funing Hall.
After several days in a coma, Zhao Xu finally woke up and briefly opened his eyes.
However, his eyes were empty and unfocused, devoid of any spirit. He just stared blankly at the top of the tent, his lips moving slightly, but he couldn't utter any clear sound.
The imperial physician and his attendants rushed to the bedside, calling out with hopeful longing.
"Your Majesty—Your Majesty—"
The calls seemed to have no effect.
The light in Zhao Xu's eyes flickered like a candle in the wind before quickly dimming.
On the third day of the first month of the third year of Yuanfu, Zhao Xu, the seventh emperor of the Song Dynasty, passed away.
This young emperor, who was determined to reform but died young, did not even leave a complete last word. He passed away at the age of twenty-four, carrying with him unfulfilled ambitions and the pain of losing his son.
"The Emperor has passed away!"
The eunuchs' cries of grief and the sound of their hurried footsteps instantly shattered the deathly silence of dawn in the Funing Palace.
When Empress Dowager Xiang received the news of her brother at Baoci Palace, she closed her eyes for a long time. When she opened them again, there were no tears in her eyes, only a kind of cold-blooded determination and heaviness.
It's time to come, it's coming.
She swiftly issued an order: keep the death a secret and summon the core ministers first.
Soon, Chancellor Zhang Dun, Privy Councilor Zeng Bu, Hanlin Academician Cai Jing, Vice Minister of the Chancellery Xu Jiang, and Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel Huang Lü were appointed.
These five ministers were secretly summoned to a side hall of the Funing Palace in the most urgent manner.
What they saw was the body of the late emperor, already dressed in his burial clothes, lying quietly on the dragon bed, and Empress Dowager Xiang sitting to the side, her face frosty and her gaze iron-like.
"Your humble servants pay their respects to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!"
Several people knelt down, their voices choked with sobs.
Despite being mentally prepared, seeing Zhao Xu's remains still brought immense grief and bewilderment.
A country cannot be without a ruler for a single day, especially at a time when it is beset by internal and external troubles and the crown prince has died young.
"Rise, all of you." Empress Dowager Xiang's voice was somewhat hoarse. "The late Emperor has passed away, and the nation has suffered such a great loss. My heart is broken beyond words."
"However, matters of state are of utmost importance. The most urgent task at present is to determine an heir and bring peace to the realm. You are all pillars of the court, and I have summoned you here today for this very reason. We must reach a decision as soon as possible to reassure the people and stabilize the court."
The moment has finally arrived.
Several pairs of eyes darted through the air. Zhang Dun's face was solemn and his gaze sharp; Zeng Bu's expression was sorrowful and heavy; Cai Jing lowered his head and looked around, but his peripheral vision was observing; Xu Jiang and Huang Lü also had tense expressions.
The five men first performed the mourning ceremony according to etiquette. Facing the body of the late emperor, the high-ranking officials prostrated themselves and wept bitterly, each harboring their own thoughts.
As the crying subsided, the Empress Dowager gestured for everyone to move to a slightly more distant warm pavilion, where a gauze curtain had been drawn. The Empress Dowager then sat down behind the curtain.
The Empress Dowager's voice came through the gauze curtain.
"There are no outsiders here. The late Emperor has passed away suddenly without leaving a will. The succession is a matter of national importance and must be decided immediately. Gentlemen, do you have any suggestions?"
After a brief silence, everyone's gaze, whether open or hidden, focused on Zhang Dun and Zeng Bu.
Zhang Dun took a deep breath, stepped forward first, bowed to the curtain, and spoke in a loud voice.
"Your Majesty, the country cannot be without a ruler for a single day. At this critical juncture, the successor should be someone of close kinship and virtue. I believe that Prince Jian, Zhao Si, is the late Emperor's younger brother by the same mother, the closest of blood relatives, and he is also of a calm and steady nature, making him suitable to inherit the throne. Establishing him as heir would be in accordance with the proper order of things, and would also comfort Consort Zhu and bring peace to the inner palace."
Zhang Dun directly proposed his preferred candidate, giving a plausible and respectable reason.
Empress Dowager Xiang, behind the curtain, remained silent for a moment before speaking slowly.
"Although Prince Jian is the late Emperor's younger brother, he is not the eldest in terms of age, and in my opinion, he is not the best candidate in terms of talent. This proposal is inappropriate."
Zhang Dun frowned and immediately added.
"If we consider age order, then Prince Shen, Zhao Bi, is the eldest. Prince Shen was the ninth son of Emperor Shenzong, and was older than Prince Duan."
Zhang Dun, as a second-best option, attempted to suppress potential rivals who might support Prince Duan by "establishing the eldest son as heir".
Before the Empress Dowager could speak, Xu Jiang, who was standing next to Zeng Bu, spoke up.
"Lord Zhang, it is common knowledge that His Highness Prince Shen suffers from an eye ailment. How can someone with an eye ailment rule the world, review memorials, and examine officials? This suggestion is even more inappropriate."
Xu will express his attitude.
Empress Dowager Xiang's voice rang out at the opportune moment, "Minister Xu's words are absolutely correct. Prince Shen suffers from an eye ailment; how can he be the ruler of the realm? This proposal is also inappropriate."
After refuting two arguments, Zhang Dun's expression turned somewhat grim. He knew that the most crucial moment had arrived.
As expected, Empress Dowager Xiang, behind the gauze curtain, did not wait for his suggestion and spoke firmly.
"The late Emperor had no sons. According to ancestral tradition, succession should be made by younger brothers upon the death of an elder brother. Among Emperor Shenzong's sons, considering their benevolence, filial piety, talent, virtue, and proper order of birth, I believe that Prince Duan, Zhao Ji, is capable of undertaking this great responsibility."
Despite having a premonition, when the Empress Dowager uttered the words "Prince Duan, Zhao Ji," Zhang Dun still felt a surge of heat rush to his head.
He could no longer contain himself, and suddenly took a step forward, disregarding etiquette, staring directly at the gauze curtain, his voice suddenly rising in pitch.
"Your Majesty! I believe that Prince Duan is frivolous and unfit to rule the world!"
Upon hearing this, the warm pavilion fell completely silent.
The word "frivolous" struck like a thunderclap in everyone's ears.
This is an extremely harsh and even sarcastic assessment of a prince, especially one who might become emperor.
The Empress Dowager's voice suddenly turned cold.
"Zhang Qing! How dare you slander a prince like this!"
Zhang Dun went all out, suddenly slamming his hand on the vermilion pillar beside him with a loud "bang," his beard and hair standing on end as he shouted sternly.
"I am not slandering you, but stating the facts!"
How could the Empress Dowager not know about Prince Duan's usual conduct? He indulges in calligraphy and painting, plays excessively, and associates with frivolous people. How can someone with such a temperament shoulder the heavy responsibility of the state?
If Prince Duan is established as heir, it will not be a blessing for our Great Song Dynasty, but a worry for the entire nation! Empress Dowager, please reconsider!
Zhang Dun slammed his fist on the pillar and shouted fiercely, trying to salvage the situation with his momentum and honest advice.
"Zhang Zihou!"
Zeng Bu finally moved. He took a step forward and stood between Zhang Dun and the gauze curtain. His voice was equally loud, "Your words are truly outrageous! To roar at a pillar in front of the Empress Dowager, what kind of behavior is this! Prince Duan is benevolent and filial, and the whole world knows this."
The Empress Dowager has raised Prince Duan for many years and has a clear understanding of his character and virtue. How dare you make unfounded speculations and spread alarmist rumors! You claim to be acting for the country, yet you are obstructing the Empress Dowager's decision-making. What are your true intentions? Do you think the Empress Dowager is incapable of deciding on the successor, or do you, Zhang Zihou, want to emulate Huo Guang and Yi Yin by deposing and installing emperors?!
"Zeng Zixuan! You're slandering me!"
Enraged by Zeng Bu's scathing remarks, Zhang Dun trembled with rage. Pointing his finger at Zeng Bu, he shouted, "My integrity is as clear as day! But you, who flatter the Empress Dowager at every turn and champion Prince Duan, could it be that you've already secretly colluded with Prince Duan's household, hoping to gain favor by supporting his ascension to the throne and secure your future wealth and power?!"
The two instantly broke off their mask, accusing each other of harboring selfish motives. The intensity of their words and the sharpness of their accusations made Cai Jing, Xu Jiang, and others watching on the sidelines tremble with fear.
This is a direct clash between the prime minister and the privy councilor, two important ministers of the empire, and it concerns not only the selection of the successor, but also the absolute control over the future political situation.
Cai Jing's eyes flashed, and he stepped forward, bowing respectfully.
"Your Majesty, although what Minister Zhang said was a bit harsh, his heart is indeed for the country. His Highness Prince Duan—his daily conduct may have been somewhat careless. Minister Zhang's concerns are not entirely unreasonable. The selection of a successor must be done with utmost care."
Cai Jing appeared to be supporting Zhang Dun, but in reality, his tone was tactful, and he did not vehemently deny Prince Duan like Zhang Dun did, leaving himself room to maneuver.
Xu will immediately refute Cai Jing.
"Cai Chengzhi is mistaken! His Highness Prince Duan is intelligent and benevolent, and the Empress Dowager has already made a wise decision. To describe Chancellor Zhang's words as 'frivolous' is a breach of the proper conduct of a subject. Chancellor Zeng's words are precisely to uphold the Empress Dowager's authority and to establish the foundation of the nation! At this critical juncture, to not set the record straight and instead create dissent is hardly the behavior of a loyal minister."
Zeng Bu stopped arguing with Zhang Dun about the details. He turned around, bowed deeply to the gauze curtain, and spoke in a clear, resonant voice that echoed throughout the warm pavilion.
"Your Majesty, the late Emperor has just passed away, and the throne is vacant. The whole country is anxious and people are restless! At this moment, the most important thing is to make a decision and to bring peace to the country!"
The Empress Dowager is wise and decisive. Since she has chosen Prince Duan, she must have thought it through carefully and found him to be benevolent, filial and trustworthy!
"Zhang Dun, as Prime Minister, fails to understand the Empress Dowager's will. Instead, he roars in the palace, spreading alarmist rumors and swaying the people's hearts. His intentions are despicable! Your subject, Zeng Bu, is willing to stake the lives of my entire family on upholding the Empress Dowager's decree and supporting Prince Duan! If I harbor any disloyalty, may Heaven and Earth condemn me!"
Zeng Bu's last sentence was resounding, both expressing his loyalty to the Empress Dowager and firmly pinning the label of "opposing the Empress Dowager" on Zhang Dun.
At the same time, Zeng Bu swore an oath with the lives of his entire family, completely binding himself to the chariot of Prince Duan and the Empress Dowager, showing a resolute attitude and leaving himself no way out.
The warm pavilion fell silent once again. Zeng Bu's statement had completely blocked any other possibilities.
Huang Lu silently stood beside Zeng Bu, making his stance clear, and Xu Jiang did the same.
Cai Jing's eyes darted around quickly. He glanced at Zhang Dun, whose face was ashen and whose chest was heaving violently, and then looked at the silent Empress Dowager Xiang behind the curtain. In an instant, he made a choice.
He quietly took half a step back, lowered his eyelids, and said nothing more.
Zhang Dun was isolated.
He looked around; Zeng Bu, Xu Jiang, Huang Lü—
Even Cai Jing, who had just spoken up for him, was now avoiding his gaze.
He realized that the situation was hopeless.
The Empress Dowager had made up her mind, and Zeng Bu and others were giving her their full support, leaving her with no hope of turning the tide.
A surge of immense sorrow and anger welled up within him. He seemed to see everything he had painstakingly built up over decades of political ups and downs and diligent governance vanish with the ascension of Prince Duan to the throne.
"Empress Dowager—!"
Zhang Dun wanted to argue further, but his voice was already hoarse.
"Zhang Qing!" Empress Dowager Xiang shouted coldly.
"My mind is made up. Prince Duan, Zhao Ji, is benevolent, filial, and intelligent; he is fit to inherit the throne. This matter needs no further discussion! Draft an edict immediately to announce this throughout the land, welcoming Prince Duan into the palace to succeed to the throne! Do any of you have any objections?"
Zhang Dun opened his mouth, looking at the cold, hard gauze curtain, then at his silent colleagues around him.
In the end, all the words turned into a sigh of powerlessness and indignation squeezed out from the depths of his chest.
Zhang Dun abruptly flicked his sleeves, turned to face the direction of Zhao Xu's coffin, no longer looking at the Empress Dowager and Zeng Bu, and refused to kneel to receive the decree.
He stood there like an old pine tree in the wilderness, about to wither and die, stubbornly resisting the overwhelming force that was about to crush him.
Zeng Bu stopped looking at Zhang Dun, straightened his clothes, faced the gauze curtain, lifted his robe and sash, and bowed deeply in the most standard and respectful posture.
"Your subject Zeng Bu respectfully obeys the Empress Dowager's decree! Congratulations to the Empress Dowager on choosing a wise ruler; may the Song Dynasty's rule be forever secure!"
Xu Jiang and Huang Lü followed closely behind, bowing deeply.
"Your Majesty, we respectfully obey your decree!"
Cai Jing was only a beat slower, and he also quickly knelt down and prostrated himself.
"Your Majesty is wise! Your subject will obey your decree!"
Zhang Dun still did not bow down. His isolated figure stood out starkly and somewhat tragically amidst the unanimous kneeling of the crowd.
But in the end, he didn't make a sound again.
The dust has settled.
The group left the side hall of Funing Hall and went to the corridor outside the hall.
Cai Jing immediately moved closer to Zeng Bu, his face plastered with a respectful and even somewhat obsequious smile, and whispered.
"Prime Minister Zeng has turned the tide today and devised a strategy to secure the country. This is truly a blessing for the nation, and I admire him greatly."
Zeng Bu glanced at Cai Jing indifferently, already disgusted by the man's behavior, and simply replied casually.
"Cai Chengzhi's praise is excessive; it is all the Empress Dowager's wise judgment."
After saying that, Zeng Bu said no more and strode forward.
Cai Jing was met with a rebuff. His smile remained unchanged, but his eyes darkened, and he wisely stepped back a little.
Zeng Bu took a few steps and found that Zhang Dun had not left immediately, but was standing alone by the pillar, his back looking desolate.
He hesitated for a moment, then walked over to Zhang Dun.
Two high-ranking officials who had fought each other for half their lives, sometimes enemies, sometimes friends, sometimes cooperating, sometimes antagonizing each other, now faced each other alone, the atmosphere complex and hard to describe.
"Zihou," Zeng Bu spoke first, his tone calm.
Zhang Dun did not turn around; his voice was hoarse and low.
"Zixuan, you've won. I should be congratulating you. Your merit in supporting the Zeng family is enough to make your clan prominent for another thirty years."
.
Zeng Bu was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Zihou, it's not about winning or losing, nor about merit. I'm just following the Empress Dowager's wishes, following—perhaps it's destiny."
"Destiny?"
Zhang Dun suddenly turned around, his eyes slightly red, staring intently at Zeng Bu.
"Do you truly believe that placing such a frivolous person in that position is destiny? Destiny for the Song Dynasty?"
Zhang Dun became agitated. "Zixuan! We have worked together for many years. Although we have had disagreements, ask yourselves honestly, have you ever not thought of the court and the world for a single day?"
Look at Zhao Ji! What does he know about governing a country? What does he know about border troubles and people's worries? Look at the kind of people he surrounds with.
It's that eunuch Liang Shicheng, that hanger-on Gao Qiu, and your good disciple Zhao Mingcheng!
Yes, Zhao Mingcheng is indeed capable, and his contributions to the Hehuang region are undeniable. However, at such a young age, he is already adept at scheming and has close ties with the royal court, eunuchs, and border generals. What is he after? Nothing more than climbing the social ladder and seeking immense wealth and power!
With such people surrounding the new emperor, what will become of this court, this world?! You and I will both be sinners of the Song Dynasty! Sinners for all eternity!
Zhang Dun's question struck Zeng Bu's heart like a heavy hammer.
Zeng Bu knew that Zhang Dun's words were not entirely unreasonable; he was not completely unaware of Zhao Ji's temperament and Zhao Mingcheng's actions.
But having come this far, there was no turning back, nor could he turn back.
Zeng Bu met Zhang Dun's intense gaze and spoke slowly.
"Zihou, I understand your concerns. But things have come to this point, the Empress Dowager's decree has been issued, and the overall situation is settled. Prince Duan may be young and his mind may not be settled, but that is precisely why he needs us old ministers to assist and correct him."
As for Mingcheng—I know what I'm doing. The most important thing now is to ensure the new emperor's smooth ascension to the throne, stabilize the court and the country, and avoid turmoil. As for other matters, we can deal with them gradually.
Looking at Zeng Bu's calm yet resolute expression, Zhang Dun knew that further words would be of no use.
The excitement in his eyes gradually cooled, turning into a deep sense of defeat and understanding.
He exhaled a long, long breath, as if trying to expel all his resentment and bitterness.
"Very well, a well-intentioned but slow approach." Zhang Dun smiled bitterly and shook his head. "Zixuan, I hope you won't regret your decision today. I'm old and tired. The fate of the Song Dynasty, the storms to come—I entrust them to you."
After saying this, Zhang Dun stopped looking at Zeng Bu, turned around, straightened his already hunched back, and walked step by step towards the direction outside the palace gate.
The winter wind blew his gray beard and hair and his purple prime minister's robes, and his back view had a touch of the desolation of a hero's end.
Zeng Bu stood there, watching his old rival's departing figure, motionless for a long time.
An era has come to an end with the passing of Zhao Xu and the retirement of Zhang Dun.