After all, the imperial examination has not come yet.
On the afternoon of March 14, news of the emperor's death reached the palace, cabinet and six yamen, which finally broke the relative balance in the capital.
The person who came to the cabinet to convey the message was Wei Bin, the eunuch and eunuch in charge of the ceremony, who had been serving as a bridge between the Empress Dowager Zhang and the civil servants recently.
Wei Bin was considered an old-school figure among eunuchs. It was he who first discovered the news of the emperor's death and promptly informed Empress Dowager Zhang, who then informed the cabinet.
Wei Bin and Jiang Bin are related by marriage and have always been recognized by Jiang Bin as one of their own.
Jiang Bin controlled the military power of the capital, but he could not control the communication between the palace and the emperor. Wei Bin was not only considered trustworthy by Jiang Bin, but also a eunuch trusted by the emperor. Previously, Wei Bin was worried about Zhu Houzhao's condition, and together with other eunuchs
Donating 10,000 guan of money and recruiting famous doctors from the private sector, it was a pity that the emperor's life was still not saved.
As soon as the emperor died, Wei Bin immediately switched sides and chose to draw a clear line with Jiang Bin.
As an old-school eunuch, Wei Bin did not side with Jiang Bin. He was only loyal to Empress Dowager Zhang. As for coming to the cabinet to deliver messages, it was all under the instruction of Empress Dowager Zhang.
"Does your Majesty have any edicts to issue?" Yang Tinghe asked.
Wei Bin said: "Yes!"
Yang Tinghe took a breath. Under the control of Jiang Bin, Zhu Houzhao actually issued a posthumous edict before his death? If the edict involves appointing someone to ascend the throne, and this person is controlled by Jiang Bin, then all the previous preparations will be in vain.
"The imperial edict is in Pinglubo's hands. Our family has not seen it in person, or it will be made public today," Wei Bin said.
Yang Tinghe said: "Does the Queen Mother know about this matter?"
Wei Bin said: "The Queen Mother knew it well, and she was also afraid that Jiang Bin would mess up, so she asked Mr. Yang Ge to make the decision."
When Yang Tinghe heard that Empress Dowager Zhang had asked him to preside over the overall situation, he knew it in his heart. He immediately took out an imperial edict that had been drafted long ago from his arms and said, "This is the imperial edict!"
"ah?"
Wei Bin was shocked.
You, Yang Ting, and Dai Tianzi issued the imperial edict. Isn’t this chaos in the country?
Yang Tinghe said: "This edict can only be made public by the Queen Mother. If the Queen Mother agrees, it can be made public. Doesn't Eunuch Wei think it is inappropriate?"
When Wei Bin heard this, things seemed to become more reasonable again.
He was a smart man, and since he knew that Jiang Bin had the so-called suicide edict, he might use it to make a big fuss, so the Queen Mother would announce the edict faster than him.
With Empress Dowager Zhang and Yang Tinghe joining forces to attack, Jiang Bin would not be able to cause trouble.
"Can."
Wei Bin did not mean that the edict could be executed, but that he could present it to Empress Dowager Zhang on his behalf.
Seeing that Wei Bin believed him, Yang Tinghe immediately made another request: "Without delay, we should summon the princes, nobles, civil and military ministers in the court to go to the palace to meet the Queen Mother, and decide the successor in public. The country cannot be left without a master for a day, otherwise it will easily become a misfortune.
Take advantage of it."
Wei Bin nodded: "That's what I mean, we will go to the palace to see the Queen Mother. Could you please Mr. Yang Ge to inform the ministers and ministers in Beijing that we should go first."
…
…
Wei Bin became the bridge between the palace and the cabinet.
Not only did they communicate in a timely manner, but also because Yang Tinghe had been prepared in advance, Yang Tinghe's countermeasures were carried out smoothly.
Although Jiang Bin controlled the army, he had no time to make public the emperor's "edict" at hand. He was arranging the emperor's funeral affairs in the Leopard Room when he heard that Yang Tinghe and other cabinet ministers, together with Jiuqing, Gonghou Bo, Prince Consort and others, were in Jingbu Hall.
Entering the palace to meet Queen Mother Zhang.
Jiang Bin belatedly realized that he should control the cabinet ministers and ministers when major events occurred. Now unless he led troops to directly attack the palace, it seemed that the initiative had been given away.
But with the edict in hand, he felt confident that someone would notify him and ask him to attend the meeting together.
I don't think this Ming Dynasty's top meeting has anything to do with Jiang Bin.
Inside the palace.
Empress Dowager Zhang was sitting on the phoenix table outside Fengtian Hall. In front of her were dozens of powerful figures in the capital, including Anbian Bo Xu Tai, who had a close relationship with Jiang Bin.
Xu Tai was summoned to the palace, which was also an important reason why Jiang Bin believed that people in the court did not dare to attack him. With Xu Tai here, at least he could know what happened in this meeting at the first time.
In addition to nobles, cabinet ministers, ministers, and eunuchs from various positions in the palace, many people attended the meeting.
The meeting held in front of Fengtian Palace did not even enter the threshold. Everyone in the long and narrow passage was anxious. After Empress Dowager Zhang took her seat, before Empress Dowager Zhang and Wei Bin could say a word, Yang Tinghe stepped forward and took out a
He handed over the things and said: "The Queen Mother is here. Your Majesty is visiting heaven now. The whole country is in mourning. We should decide on the successor as soon as possible."
Let’s not mention the matter of mourning or arranging ministers to attend to the funeral. Let’s talk about the candidates for the emperor’s succession.
Empress Dowager Zhang's eyes were red and swollen, and her face was full of sadness, but she quickly calmed down and said: "Your Majesty has no heirs. Regarding the selection of heirs, the Yang Qing family is the prime minister and assistant. If you have any opinions, it is okay to say so."
Yang Tinghe didn't waste any time. He turned around and unfolded the things in his hands. It turned out to be a copied version of "Huang Ming's Ancestral Instructions". He said loudly: "Taizu's Instructions, when the emperor's heirs are vacant, the elder brother will eventually be replaced by the younger brother. Everyone can
Have any objections?"
As soon as these words came out, the princes, nobles and senior ministers in the court were all curious.
Your so-called "older brother will eventually succeed younger brother" sounds very reasonable, but the problem is that the current emperor's only younger brother died long ago. Does that mean that the successor must be found from Xiaozong's younger brother?
Now that King Xing is dead, King Yi should succeed him.
Empress Dowager Zhang asked: "In the Yang Qing family, what is the definition of brother after brother? There are no other heirs in the Ai family. Is it possible to adopt a child to your majesty from a branch of the royal family?"
Empress Dowager Zhang does not want Zhu Houzhao's uncle or cousin to succeed her, but wants to give her son an adopted son, her grandson. Even if her husband's line is not cut off, she will become the "Tai Huang" in terms of etiquette and law.
The Queen Mother" continued to exist as the mistress of the palace.
Yang Tinghe said: "As soon as the elder brother comes to the younger brother's position, who can be disrespectful? The eldest son of King Xingxian is the grandson of Xianzong, the follower of Xiaozong, and the follower of Emperor Daxing. The order should be established."
After saying this, Queen Mother Zhang immediately understood that she was not giving herself a grandson, but an adopted son. Although it was not perfect, it sounded like there was not much difference. In the future, her "adopted son" would become the emperor, and she would still be the Queen Mother.
.
Wang Qiong came out and said: "In the Ming Dynasty etiquette, the eldest son cannot succeed."
The implication is that Wang Qiong does not support King Xing's succession. He wants to succeed King Yi or find King Yi's son to adopt the throne under Xiaozong's name.
Yang Tinghe turned around and glared at Wang Qiong. He did not answer directly, but asked for instructions: "Please make the decision as soon as possible to save the Ming Dynasty."
The implication is that I have decided that Prince Xing will inherit the throne. It seems that I am asking your opinion, but in fact I am just asking politely. The final decision lies with the Empress Dowager Zhang. At this time, the Empress Dowager Zhang has been coerced by me, and there is Jiang outside.
Bin Zuoran, do you really think you have time to sit down and talk in detail?
If you want to decide, just be decisive!
Empress Dowager Zhang said: "What the Yang Qing family said is in line with the style of the Ming Dynasty, so I drafted the imperial edict based on what the Yang Qing family said."
Yang Tinghe immediately took out another edict that had been drafted long ago and asked for instructions: "I have a draft. I ask the Queen Mother to declare it to the world according to your Majesty's edict."
"ah?"
Empress Dowager Zhang did not expect that Yang Tinghe would be so direct.
Previously, a "posthumous edict" was presented to the palace for her to read, and now another one is here.
The two copies were actually different. The first one was sent to the palace to discuss how to quickly stabilize the situation in the capital, while the second one dealt with the issue of who would succeed the throne.
Although all the princes and ministers present felt that Yang Tinghe's actions were overstepping their bounds, they all understood the principle of obeying authority in urgent matters. The emperor's body was not in the palace at the moment, so who knew what could happen if the matter was delayed overnight.
Yang Tinghe was not arrogant, but wanted to quickly calm people's hearts by using the emperor's decree.
Empress Dowager Zhang only asked Wei Bin to take the imperial edict over, and after a brief look, she nodded: "Very good."
agreed.
But there was no immediate decision.
Empress Dowager Zhang chose to trust Yang Tinghe at this time, mainly because Yang Tinghe's seemingly transgressive behavior was not mixed with selfish motives.
But she is not without worries.
The biggest concern is that if I just ask someone to succeed me, how can I ensure the interests of my royal family and the Zhang family’s relatives? Even if I have to make a decision now, should I discuss all the matters first?
Is the escape route arranged properly?
Not only did Queen Mother Zhang have this concern, but also the dignitaries and officials present were worried, mainly because they lacked understanding of Xiaoxing Prince Zhu Si.
What kind of person is this?
God suddenly gave him the throne and he became the master of the Ming Dynasty in the blink of an eye?
Wei Bin immediately read out the contents of the two wills. Since the other one had not been announced publicly, everyone thought it was really the contents of Zhu Houzhao's will.
The first posthumous edict was to eunuch Zhang Yong, Wuding Hou Guo Xun, Anbian Bo Xu Tai, and the new Minister of War Wang Xian each lead a group of troops to guard the four gates of the imperial city, the nine gates of the capital and various key points, and then dismissed the regiment and camp.
The regiment camp returned to various places in Jiubian, dismissed Huangzhuang, dismissed the monks, Taoists, Taoists and female relatives in Baofang, dismissed the people in Huangdian, and at the same time took back the money in Baofang and other places to the court, etc.
The content of this edict did not mention Jiang Bin, but it showed everywhere the suppression of Baofang and Jiang Bin's forces.
The second posthumous edict was taken out by Yang Tinghe in public, in order for King Xing to inherit the throne.
After Wei Bin read out, he looked back at Empress Dowager Zhang and respectfully asked for instructions, waiting for her approval to be implemented again. However, Empress Dowager Zhang had doubts and asked: "Yang Qing's family, Prince Xing's Mansion is located in Anlu, which is far away from the capital.
If King Xing succeeds to the throne, may I ask what the capital should do?"
At this time, what Empress Dowager Zhang was most worried about was not Jiang Bin, but that King Xiaoxing would take action against her and the Zhang family after he succeeded to the throne.
The most noble woman in the Ming Dynasty now showed her indecisive side.
Yang Tinghe said: "We should send Shouninghou, Dingguo Gong, the eldest princess's husband-in-law, the Minister of Rites, the cabinet, and the chief officials as special envoys to go to Anlu to welcome Luan."
He deliberately mentioned "Shou Ning Hou" first because he understood what Empress Dowager Zhang was thinking. If your brother is involved in this matter of supporting the king, not only will you decide the throne of this adopted son, but also
If your brother has established his support, the status of your Zhang family will not be shaken in the future.
After hearing this, Empress Dowager Zhang finally fully agreed: "Everything will be carried out according to the Yang Qing family's instructions, and the people of the world will be settled as soon as possible."