xymnovel Chapter 38 The Empress Dowager's Order to Depose the Emperor
Chapter 38 The Empress Dowager's Order to Depose the Emperor
Gao Xingzhou and Fu Yanqing strolled leisurely, with Gao Huaide following closely behind. Their conversation drifted right into his ears.
"Why didn't you bring your son this time?"
"I, Fu, have been ordered to build a fort at the Wulun Pass north of Fangqu to recruit Dangxiang people. During these few days away, Zhaoxu and Zhaoxin have been supervising the construction in my place. I have also appointed Li Huaizhong, the military commander of Cangzhou, to lead the garrison troops to assist me, which is a good opportunity for them to gain experience." (Note 1)
"Indeed, my two nephews are young and promising, and capable of shouldering heavy responsibilities."
Gao Xingzhou glanced back at his son, his meaning clear.
Gao Huaide was secretly unconvinced. What was so great about it? Everyone had worked on construction sites before.
Fangqu has a powerful clan with over 5,000 households in the eastern and western regions, all gathered in the mountains and valleys, forming a protective barrier around Qingzhou. If we can obtain the assistance of this clan, not only will Qingzhou be secure, but we can also plot against Youzhou, similar to the strategic role of Qingjian City.
"Upon receiving your letter, I was puzzled as to how you, Brother Gao, a newcomer to this prefecture, could know the geography of this region better than I, the prefect who took office two years earlier, and how your knowledge even coincides with the imperial court's instructions. I happened to be sending my second sister home and brought my sister-in-law and two girls along, so I could ask you for your guidance in person."
Gao Xingzhou didn't go into details about the extraordinary person Chen Tuan in the tower, as it was too absurd and bizarre. Fu Yanqing would probably find it hard to believe if he heard it so suddenly. He gave a thumbs up and pointed behind him: "That kid was lucky to have received guidance from a master."
"I see. Your son is a blessed man."
Fu Yanqing suddenly stopped, and Gao Huaide almost bumped into him. Then, he felt uncomfortable under Fu Yanqing's scrutinizing gaze. He thought to himself, "What are you looking at? Do you want to recruit me as your son-in-law? I don't want your naughty daughter."
Fortunately, Fu Yanqing did not delve into the matter further, nor did he utter any bizarre remarks such as "I will betroth my daughter to you." Instead, he asked Gao Xingzhou another question in a deep voice:
"Now that the situation has changed so drastically, Brother Gao, do you intend to continue obeying the imperial decree and fighting against the Dingnan Army?"
The results of the battle in Fengxiang Prefecture had already reached Qingzhou, four hundred miles away. Fu Yanqing’s question went straight to the heart of the matter: Li Conghou is about to lose his throne, so is it still necessary to follow his orders?
"With the current emperor still alive and a new ruler yet to be established, those who serve as ministers should continue to be loyal and dutiful."
Compared to Fu Yanqing, who is more than ten years younger, Gao Xingzhou's answer was more composed and experienced: "Since we didn't choose to take sides in the first place, it won't make a difference if we wait and see what happens in ten or fifteen days."
Just as Gao Xingzhou had predicted, although Li Congke had won a military victory, the title of emperor still belonged to Li Conghou.
Taking over is not exactly difficult, but it's not exactly easy either.
……
March 30th, the day of Ji Si.
When the Left Vice Minister, Chancellor, and Minister of Works Feng Dao and others entered the court, they crossed the Tianjin Bridge, crossed the Luo River, and reached the Duan Gate. Only then did they learn that the Privy Councilor Zhu Hongzhao and the Minister of the Three Departments Feng Yun had died and that the Emperor had fled north.
Feng Dao and Liu Xu, the Vice Minister of the Chancellery, Chancellor, and Minister of Personnel, immediately intended to return home.
Right Vice Minister and Chancellor Li Yu advised against it, saying, "We did not participate in the Emperor's escape. Now that the Empress Dowager is in the palace, we should go to the Secretariat and send a eunuch to inquire about her whereabouts before returning home. This is the proper duty of a subject."
Feng Dao objected: "The emperor has lost control of the state, and his subjects serve him with utmost loyalty. It would be inappropriate for them to enter the palace without the emperor's knowledge."
"According to what Minister Feng has said, what should be done?"
"You have all seen the Prince of Lu's proclamation, and it must have already reached the palace."
Feng Dao calmly replied, "It would be better to return home and await the Empress Dowager's instructions."
The three ministers turned back and, upon reaching Tiangong Temple, the inspector An Congjin sent a messenger to announce: "The Prince of Lu is coming at double speed; he is about to arrive. All ministers should lead the officials to welcome him."
The three then stopped at the temple and summoned all the officials. At that time, the army was in disarray, and the people were in a state of panic, so no one came to the temple for a while.
Then Lu Dao, a secretary in the Imperial Secretariat, and Zhang Zhaoyuan arrived first, and Feng Dao asked Lu Dao to draft a letter urging him to ascend the throne.
Director Lu flatly refused: "It is acceptable to welcome the Prince of Lu to the capital; but how can one so readily urge him to ascend the throne?"
His view was consistent with Li Yu's: "Both the Prince of Lu and the Emperor are sons of the Empress Dowager. Whether he is deposed or enthroned, he should follow her orders. How can we act rashly without consulting our mother?"
Feng Dao replied, "One should be pragmatic in all matters. What's wrong with urging someone to take the throne?"
The word "pragmatism" was a guiding principle throughout the life of this resilient old man who would be remembered by later generations.
However, everyone has their own set of ideas.
"Now that His Majesty is in exile, he hastily offers a high position to persuade people. If the Prince of Lu upholds the Way and is held accountable for his loyalty and righteousness, what words will he use to respond?"
When Lu Dao was over sixty, he advised his superior, who was sixteen years younger than him, "Why don't you lead your officials to the palace gate and ask the Empress Dowager for permission to enter and leave? That would be the best course of action."
Before Feng Dao could reply, An Congjin sent another messenger to urge him on: "The Prince of Lu has arrived! The Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine have already sent envoys to welcome him. How can the officials not be in proper ranks?"
The crowd abandoned their debate and rushed to greet Li Congke, only to create a misunderstanding.
On that day, the Prince of Lu had not yet arrived.
Feng Dao and the other two ministers rested outside Shangyang Gate. When they saw Lu Dao passing by, they ordered him to draft a letter urging Lu Dao to ascend the throne.
Director Lu answered as before, and Li Yu stood by his side, so the matter was dropped.
Previously, Li Congke listened to his advisors' advice, stationed his troops in Shanzhou for two days, and issued a proclamation to the capital to observe the court's attitude.
When Kang Yicheng came to surrender and plead guilty, Li Congke rebuked him, saying, "The late emperor passed away, and the succession was established in the hands of you gentlemen; now that the emperor is in mourning, state affairs are handled by you gentlemen. How could you have brought my brother to this state?"
Kang Yicheng was terrified and kowtowed, begging for death. Li Congke had always disliked him, but it was inconvenient to execute him at this time, so he pardoned him for the time being and ordered him to leave.
Ma Bu Duyuhou Chang Congjian and Bingma Dujian Wang Jingkan were both captured by their subordinates. If Wang Sitong had not died, along with the deputy commander Yao Yanchou, all the generals of the western expeditionary force that were to attack Fengxiang would have been gathered together at this point.
The first day of the fourth lunar month, Gengwu day.
Li Congke submitted a memorial to the Empress Dowager requesting an imperial decree, and then set off eastward from Shanzhou.
When Meng Hanqiong arrived at the west of Mianchi, he saw the Prince of Lu weeping bitterly. Just as he was about to say something, Li Congke interrupted him, saying, "It is self-evident that everything is beyond words."
When Li Congke lost his post in Hezhong and retired to his private residence, Meng Hanqiong was sent by the Empress Dowager to comfort him several times. Believing that he had done a favor for the Prince of Lu, he got up and joined the ranks of his attendants.
Li Congke could no longer tolerate this clown polluting his vision, so he immediately ordered him to be dragged out and beheaded on the roadside.
The third day of the fourth lunar month, Ren Shen day.
When the Prince of Lu arrived at the western suburbs of the capital, he was greeted by civil and military officials standing in formation on the Jiang Bridge over the Gu River.
The Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that since the coffin had not yet been paid homage to, the emperor could not see him.
Li Congke entered the imperial city and went to the West Palace.
The late emperor's body lay in state here, and the mausoleum was not yet opened. Thinking of the eternal separation between father and son, and the impending never to see each other again, he could not help but kneel before the coffin and weep bitterly.
Just like the emotional outburst on the city wall of Fengxiang Prefecture, the tears that Li Congke shed at this moment were scalding hot and real.
The prime minister and all the officials paid their respects, and Li Congke returned the respects.
He then paid homage to the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine, and met with the officials at the Zhide Palace. At that time, the meritorious officials of the six armies and the generals and officials of the inner court had repeatedly submitted memorials urging him to ascend the throne.
Feng Dao and other high-ranking officials also submitted memorials urging Li Congke to ascend the throne. Li Congke immediately addressed the assembled officials, saying, "My journey here was not out of necessity. I should wait until His Majesty returns to the capital and the ceremonies at the imperial mausoleum are completed before retiring to my fiefdom. Your sudden mention of this is utterly pointless."
On that day, Wang Hongzhi, the governor of Weizhou, reported that the current emperor had arrived in the prefecture on the 29th of the previous month.
The fourth day of the fourth lunar month, Guiyou day.
The Empress Dowager issued an edict to demote the current emperor to Prince of E.
The edict stated: "A young ruler has inherited the throne, but treacherous ministers have usurped power, sowing discord among family members, harboring suspicion and distrust, frequently changing the capital, and hastily raising armies. As a result, the state has been carelessly abandoned, the military and civilians have been greatly disturbed, and the foundation of a great dynasty will crumble to the ground."
"The eldest son of the Emperor, Prince Lu Congke, is the heir apparent. He is of great virtue and youthful vigor, skilled in both martial and literary arts, and loyal and filial. He shall be appointed to oversee military and state affairs on the fourth of this month, and shall be authorized to implement the edicts and seals."
On that day, the emperor was in charge of state affairs, and the prime minister Feng Dao and other officials led the court officials to wait for punishment at the palace gate.
Li Congke stepped out of the courtyard and asked the ministers to return to their posts, after which everyone withdrew.
Now that things have come to this, all the other officials can retreat, but Li Congke can only advance, not retreat.
The fifth day of the fourth lunar month, Jiaxu day.
The Empress Dowager then issued another decree: "Prince E has lightly abandoned the ancestral lineage and is unable to bear the burden. The great foundation of the throne is in grave danger, and an elder ruler must be established. The eldest son of the Emperor, Prince Lu Congke, is increasingly filial and respectful. He is naturally intelligent, possesses both divine martial prowess and benevolent strategic vision, and is suitable to ascend the throne."
The sixth day of the fourth lunar month, the day of Yi Hai.
Li Congke went to the West Palace, paid respects before the late emperor's coffin, and ascended the throne.
The Grand Secretary Li Yu proclaimed the imperial edict, and the new emperor sat on the east pillar of the palace, receiving congratulations from his ministers.
Thus, the dragon throne in the Luoyang Imperial Palace was finally given a new owner.
……
"What kind of edict is this? How can it depose and install an emperor?"
Gao Xingzhou glanced at his eldest son and said that while he was unlearned and incompetent, he was also quite clever, but unfortunately, he lacked ambition.
Each of the following types of documents—制, 诏, 诰, 敕, 旨, 册, 教, 谕, 令, and 檄—has its own format and purpose.
"Even princes and dukes can issue decrees. Empress Liu of the previous dynasty used such a decree to kill Guo Chongtao, the Privy Councilor."
Gao Xingzhou couldn't explain the various complicated formats clearly either: "You just need to remember that the imperial court has its own rules and regulations, that's all."
"Who remembers all those names?"
Gao Huaide muttered to himself. He only remembered one thing—as long as he had the Empress Dowager's decree, he could depose and install emperors.
"Brother Gao, we've been a great bother these past few days. We're leaving now."
Fu Yanqing was busy with official business and had to return to Qingzhou after a few days. The two girls came to say goodbye. During this time, the older sister, Gao Huaixuan, took care of him most of the time. Gao Huaide was too lazy to deal with them and would at most greet them when they met.
A girl's given name is a private matter, only to be addressed by family members. Her future husband's family must also perform the ritual of asking her name before they can know it. Gao Huaide called his gentle six-year-old "Da Fu" and his fierce three-year-old "Xiao Fu." He thought to himself, "If I had another one, wouldn't I have to call her 'Little Xiao Fu'?" (Note 2)
"May you two sisters rest in peace."
Gao Huaide saw the two off with a forced smile.
He was still holding a grudge about what happened the day before, thinking to himself, "Little girl, daring to throw stones at people. If you're so capable, why don't you become Empress Dowager and depose an emperor for me?"