The ministers present had a glimmer of hope, after all, the emperor was still alive.
But when they heard the emperor personally saying that he didn't have much time left, they immediately lost their composure. Is there really no way to recover?
Ministers such as Xu Guangqi and Song Yingxing, who were deeply favored, were crying bitterly at this moment. They really could not accept this fact.
Naturally, Zhu Youxiao had a clear view of their emotions and attitudes in this short moment.
Then he said:
"I may be about to pass away, but fortunately I still have ministers. I believe you will not let me down."
Listening to the emperor's increasingly weak voice, the ministers responded quickly:
"I will do my best to serve you."
Then Zhu Youxiao waved towards Wang Chaofu, who immediately understood and shouted outside:
"Move."
The guards in armor and swords outside immediately walked in as quickly as possible.
The ministers all had their own thoughts when they heard the sound of armor clashing and rubbing.
After all, at this juncture, the emperor's life is in danger, who knows what he will do.
Fortunately, these elite armored guards just carried the dragon bed closer to them.
Zhu Youxiao's move seemed to be demonstrating his absolute authority.
Even though I'm about to die, as long as I haven't breathed my last, it's still just a matter of words to take your lives.
After the guards gently lowered the dragon bed, Zhu Youxiao continued:
"Next, you must keep every word and every word I say in mind. It is related to our country and the country of the Ming Dynasty."
"Prepare pen and ink for the Chief Assistant. Whatever I say, the Chief Assistant will write down and inform all civil and military officials."
"I obey the decree."
Wang Xiangqian still didn't understand. The emperor was entrusting the affairs of his family, and this was probably a posthumous edict. There was no room for sloppiness.
After everything was ready, Zhu Youxiao closed his eyes and was silent for a long time before saying:
"I am severely poisoned and am no longer able to govern the country. I have ordered King Rui, Chang Hao, to supervise the country on behalf of heaven and temporarily manage the country on my behalf. From now on, all major military and political matters will be reviewed and decided by King Rui."
"In order for King Rui to handle government affairs conveniently, he is allowed to live temporarily in Wenhua Hall."
"The six ministries of the cabinet, the Metropolitan Procuratorate, Dali Temple, Taichang Temple and other ministries will continue to act as usual. There should be no panic, let alone neglect of administration. Violators will be severely punished."
"If I unfortunately die, the person who succeeds me will have Cao Bianjiao read out the imperial edict in front of all the officials. You and other ministers must act in accordance with the imperial edict and do your best to assist him."
"Anyone who dares to disobey or oppose will be charged with treason and will destroy the three tribes."
After Zhu Youxiao finished speaking, he waited for a while, and then asked again:
"First assistant, have you finished writing?"
"Your Majesty, I have recorded everything accurately, word for word."
"Well, Wei Zhongxian and Yang Huan, you two go and see if it is exactly what the chief assistant said."
It can be said that Zhu Youxiao has performed enough tricks. He first explained the aftermath clearly, and then acted like he took it very seriously. He believed that it would not be a problem to hide it from the officials.
After the two men finished their inspection, Zhu Youxiao reiterated again and again that there would be an early morning court meeting at Huangji Hall tomorrow, and King Rui would go on his behalf.
And Wang Xiangqian, the chief minister of the cabinet, was asked to personally read out the handwritten edict he wrote in front of all officials.
Now that the play is over, Zhu Youxiao just needs to wait and see what happens.
We just have to wait until tomorrow after Wang Xiangqian announces the decree to the officials and see their attitudes and reactions.
At this moment, Zhang Ruitu, the Minister of Rites, suddenly said:
"Your Majesty, would you like to issue an order to recall His Royal Highness Prince Guang first? After all, Guangzhou is thousands of miles away from the capital, and the journey is really long."
"Why don't we recall His Royal Highness Prince Guang first so that we can make preparations?"
Zhu Youxiao, who was lying on the bed with his eyes closed, immediately opened his eyes after hearing these words, stared at them for a few seconds and then said:
"This is not something you should worry about. I have my own plan, so step back."
Listening to the emperor's indifferent answer, Zhang Ruitu could only kneel down and bow down before retreating with the others.
"Yang Huan, sent people to keep an eye on him, there should be a surprise."
Yang Huan didn't understand what the emperor meant, so he immediately left the palace to make arrangements.
"Every corner of the capital must be closely watched. If anything happens, report it to me in a timely manner. Don't make your own decisions to alert others."
"According to the decree."
At this time, Zhu Youxiao was still sitting up, and he was speaking very energetically, without looking as weak as before.
…………
…………
next day
Wang Xiangqian, the chief minister of the cabinet, personally read out the emperor's oral decree in front of all civil and military officials.
It immediately caused an uproar.
It is outrageous that the emperor was poisoned and his life was in danger after being assassinated.
Unexpectedly, the emperor personally appointed Ruifan as the supervisor of the country and managed the affairs on behalf of heaven.
After the morning court ended, many courtiers and officials gathered around Wang Xiangqian to ask about the emperor's physical condition and whether he could still avert danger.
Apart from this decree, are there any other arrangements?
They did not question the authenticity of this handwriting.
None of them knew what the emperor's character was and what he was like.
If Wang Xiangqian dared to falsely convey the imperial edict without his instructions, even a hundred heads would not be enough to behead him.
Their only concern was whether the emperor was really, as Wang Xiangqian said, incapable of treatment and was already waiting to die.
Although Wang Xiangqian is the chief assistant, how can he answer their questions?
And precisely because of his avoidance, in the eyes of many people, the emperor had already stepped into the gate of hell and could not come back.
Faced with this result, naturally some people are happy and some are sad.
Of course, they won't show it, let alone discuss it with others.
The factory guards' spies are all over the capital, and they are everywhere. If someone finds out what they really think, they will be dragged to the funeral.
Seeing the officials being so rude, King Rui, who attended the morning court for the first time as a supervisor, was also quite frightened. After a while, he didn't know how many more heads fell to the ground.
Of course, he did not stay in Huangji Palace for a long time. After the morning court, he immediately returned to Qianqing Palace under the guidance of two young eunuchs who were in charge of rituals.
He did not live in the Wenhua Hall, and it was impossible for him to actually handle government affairs. He was just a chess piece used by Zhu Youxiao to conceal the truth./> His role was only to show up in front of the officials and make it easier for them He just wants to believe the illusion that his life is not long.
So for five or six days in a row, King Rui, as the supervisor of the country, held a morning court meeting every day, which made many officials uncomfortable.
After all, the emperor in the palace rarely went to court in the morning, maybe only once or twice a month.
The various institutions of the imperial court were operating as usual, and nothing went wrong.
Many people's thoughts and concerns were placed on the palace. Some people even prayed to gods and Buddhas in the hope that news of the emperor's death would come to the palace as soon as possible.