On April 21st, the new emperor and his entourage arrived at the outskirts of the capital.
Under the auspices of Yang Tinghe, the situation in the capital has been basically fine. The palace and the Ministry of Rites have made preparations for the new emperor to ascend the throne. Naturally, in terms of etiquette, Zhu Si will be allowed to enter the palace through Donghua Gate as the crown prince.
, first lived in the Wenhua Palace where the prince left the pavilion to study, and stayed there for one day before ascending to the throne.
This shows that Zhu Si was the adoptive successor of the small clan, inherited the throne as the "emperor's younger brother", and regarded the Queen Mother Zhang as his "mother".
But when Yang Tinghe was preparing to send the edict of succession to the emperor, Shi Yue, the Minister of Rites, hurriedly brought a letter from Shangshu Mao Cheng and asked to see Yang Tinghe.
"...Zhongtang, the new emperor seems to be very concerned about his origins. After the envoy arrived in Anlu, he stayed for many days without leaving. He asked about family affairs many times on the way, and even wanted to return on the way. He went north to the capital.
He only travels for four or five hours a day and rests when it gets dark, fearing that he might be slacking off on inheriting the throne..."
Shi Yun can be regarded as a direct descendant of Yang Tinghe, and the most promising candidate in the Ministry of Rites to succeed the Minister of Rites.
His words were just a summary of a series of things that happened to Zhu Si during the reception, and then truthfully told Yang Tinghe.
It's not that Yang Tinghe doesn't know, it's just that he doesn't feel the need to inquire too much about many things. He doesn't believe that there are people who don't covet the throne. I'm afraid that many things are the illusion deliberately created by the new emperor.
Yang Tinghe looked indifferent and waved his hand: "It's okay, maybe it's just a pretense."
Shi Yun said: "From what I see, this may not be the case. Your Lord is as close as the long history Yuan Zhongde. He was also extremely anxious about your Lord's arrival in Beijing on the way. He urged him many times to no avail. Instead, he was repeatedly reprimanded by your Lord. If it is true,
If you want to succeed to the throne, why would you neglect those close to you so much?"
Yang Tinghe frowned when he heard this.
Shi Yun's words are actually a reminder that if the young emperor who is about to ascend the throne is really pretentious, what is his purpose in doing this?
When doing something that is unreasonable, you have to find the starting point for doing it, right?
As the spokesman for the Ministry of Rites when Mao Cheng was away from the capital, Shi Yun participated in formulating the etiquette issues for the new emperor to inherit the throne as prince.
He said: "Could it be that...this noble lord has some doubts about the etiquette of the successor?"
Shi Yun's last sentence was based on Yang Tinghe's intention... Didn't you say that the young emperor was being hypocritical? Then let me analyze it, could it be that he didn't want to adopt the name of Xiaozong and become the emperor?
After Yang Tinghe thought carefully, he shook his head slightly: "The previous edict did not mention this matter. What's more, as a small sect, he succeeded to the big sect as the emperor and controlled the situation of the world. He is no longer a child. How can this be true?
Understand? There are gains and losses. I don’t expect him to do anything unusual. Once he arrives in Beijing, everything will be under our control."
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Yang Tinghe is very confident.
I've given you a dragon chair to sit on, but you still dare to pick and choose with me? I have decided who will be the emperor, so who will take it for granted that it's not my word?
That's what he thought in his heart, but Yang Tinghe definitely would not implement it like this.
After deciding who will be the emperor, it cannot be changed casually. Letting Zhu Si be the emperor is in line with the legal system of the Ming Dynasty. If someone else succeeds the throne, it will mess up the rule. If the name is not correct, the words will not go smoothly. At that time, it will be difficult for Yang Tinghe
Maintaining the image of a loyal and upright minister, and frivolously abolishing the establishment may lead to a lasting infamy.
But Yang Tinghe still underestimated Zhu Si's determination to inherit the throne.
It was also because Zhu Si was a "great filial son".
In addition, he had lived in the shadow of the imperial court for the past few years, which made him feel that becoming an emperor was a matter of danger and opportunity. Even if he wanted to be an emperor in his heart, if he could not suppress the powerful officials in the court, it would be very difficult for him to become the emperor.
May die young...
The sense of crisis that Zhu Hao had planted in him now took effect.
Historically, he was a stubborn little bull, but with Zhu Hao's encouragement, he even lost his temper and no one could pull him back.
On April 22, Shengjia and his party finally arrived at the outskirts of the capital, but did not go any further.
Mao Cheng, the Minister of Rites, returned to the city in a hurry, and the instructions he received were still for Zhu Si to enter the city as the crown prince, enter the palace through Donghua Gate, live in the Wenhua Hall, and choose a day to ascend the throne.
In the afternoon of the same day, the memorial from the Ministry of Rites was approved by Empress Dowager Zhang and sent to Zhu Si. Accompanying Mao Cheng to deliver the imperial edict was Prince Palace Chief Shi Yuan Zonggao.
"...Your Highness, with the Queen Mother's permission, you have succeeded Emperor Daxing Xiaozong as your adopted son and entered the palace as the crown prince to wait for your succession. You should enter the palace through Donghua Gate and stay in Wenhua Hall for at least one day.
This is how etiquette works."
When Mao Cheng said these words, his heart was full of worry.
From the moment he met Zhu Si, he felt that this was a very difficult master. Others would rush to get some benefits when they heard about it, but this one was not even in a hurry to get the throne.
With his deceitful attitude, coupled with the various "filial" behaviors he had shown before, it is difficult to imagine that he would give in easily.
Zhu Si looked at Yuan Zonggao and asked: "Yuan Changshi, is this true?"
Yuan Zonggao was stunned when asked.
What can he say at this time?
Tell Zhu Si, don't be the emperor anymore, let's go back to Anlu?
Or is it that you can't be the crown prince according to the etiquette set by the Ministry of Rites now, and you have to directly enter the palace and become the emperor?
Yuan Zonggao now clearly follows the emperor to serve as an official in the capital as the chief historian of the palace. In the future, he will also serve as ministers in the same palace as Yang Tinghe and other ministers. Naturally, he will not get too entangled in a seemingly trivial etiquette issue.
"yes."
Yuan Zonggao nodded, and then added, "Everything is subject to His Highness's opinion."
Even though he changed his tone, it still hurt Zhu Si's heart.
I am afraid of comparison in everything.
Zhu Hao and Tang Yin worked hard to help him make suggestions on the issue of great gifts, and used this as an opportunity to deal with Yang Tinghe, Empress Dowager Zhang and other old forces in the court. But you, Yuan Zonggao, are now standing together with the Minister of Rites, persuading me to give up my identity as King Xing and adopt the throne.
Going under Xiaozong's name, isn't this betrayal of yours?
However, since Yuan Zonggao had worked hard in Prince Xing's Mansion for many years and was still his nominal husband, Zhu Si would naturally not vent his anger. He now had the palace of the emperor.
Zhu Sidao: "The posthumous decree names my heir as emperor, not a prince."
With just one sentence, Mao Cheng and Yuan Zonggao were choked back.
This involves the previous edict drafted by Yang Tinghe in the tone of the emperor, as well as the edict drafted by the Empress Dowager Zhang, which only mentioned that Zhu Silai would succeed the throne and did not mention his adoption.
To say that Yang Tinghe was far-sighted, this may have been his mistake. He did not consider that much when drafting the edict. It may also be that he was worried that it would be absurd for Zhu Houzhao to find him an "emperor's younger brother" in the form of a edict.
Fourth, his own son is not in harmony with his seniority. How can a son accept a son for his father?
This involves the issue of whether the generation with the character "Zai" or the character with the character "hou" succeeds.
In fact, if Yang Tinghe chooses the descendant of Prince Yi to succeed him, his blood relationship with Zhu Houzhao is not very far away, but in terms of legal tradition, there are two people, Zhu Si and Prince Yi, in the middle, which is a bit biased. If he really chooses to succeed, he
If it were his generation, the edict would be much easier to decide, and he could just adopt him as Zhu Houzhao's son.
But now that he is the adopted son of Xiaozong, there are more troubles.
Perhaps from the beginning, no one would have thought that Zhu Si would be so entangled over a question of status, and would even adopt an indomitable attitude of "If you don't listen to me, I will give up."
Mao Cheng hurriedly persuaded: "Your Highness, everything must be done with state affairs as the top priority. Now that you have arrived in Beijing, the Ministry of Rites has made preparations to welcome you. If everything changes, I am afraid something will happen."
"Oh, that means someone is coming to grab the throne, right? Let them grab it. I have always only wanted to be King Xing, not an emperor... Is being an emperor really that good? Not necessarily! You still have to
Go back and ask, if it really doesn't work, I'll go back to Anlu and you can choose another worthy person to be the emperor! See you off!"
Zhu Si's attitude was so tough that he did not give Mao Cheng any chance to defend himself, leaving Mao Cheng with one head and two heads.
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Yuan Zonggao had no choice but to accompany Mao Cheng out.
Mao Cheng said hurriedly: "Zhongde, please tell me the truth. What on earth is your Highness going to do?"
Yuan Zonggao sighed and said: "Young master is young, but he attaches great importance to filial piety and etiquette. It is because the late king taught him well and he has no intention of striving for fame and profit. If it really doesn't work..."
There were some words that Yuan Zonggao didn't know how to say.
Yuan Zonggao had ten thousand wishes in his heart to make Zhu Si the emperor.
Isn't it also Zhu Youqian's legacy to support the young master to become emperor?
If Zhu Youqi knew that his son did not even want the throne of emperor for the sake of his father-son status, he would probably be so angry that he would jump out of his grave.
But Zhu Si is so stubborn now. Are you, Yuan Zonggao, on the side of Zhu Si or the court?
Yuan Zonggao was now forced to speak for Zhu Si.
"well!"
Mao Cheng sighed heavily and shook his head helplessly. He could only lead his people into the city before dark, inform Yang Tinghe about today's meeting with Zhu Si, and then notify the Queen Mother Zhang.
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"The new emperor does not agree to adopt the title of crown prince?"
Yang Tinghe had already discussed the details of the enthronement ceremony with Liang Chu and Jiang Mian, who had just returned to the city, but Mao Cheng came to summon him in person and informed him that the new emperor was making trouble. Yang Tinghe was immediately annoyed.
Jiang Mian was puzzled: "The new emperor has arrived in the capital. This...an arrow is on the string...why is it like this?"
The problem lies here.
Everything was settled, and people arrived in the capital. The throne had been vacant for more than thirty days. Suddenly, it was said that the new emperor did not even want to be the emperor in order to not be the prince, but wanted to return to Anlu and continue to be his king...
Please, could you please come earlier next time there is trouble?
In this way, we can change the emperor as soon as possible, re-elect the emperor now, and send another edict to ask the court to take back the news that has been released, so that the stable people's hearts will be scattered?
Now almost everyone in the world knows that the successor is King Xiaoxing, and temporary changes are no longer possible.
Liang Chu said: "It's just that you don't enter the palace through Donghua Gate. You can make changes, but you have to ask the Queen Mother for instructions."
Yang Tinghe was extremely annoyed, but he could only follow Liang Chu's suggestion and said: "Immediately notify the Chief of Ceremonies, Duke Wei, and ask him to ask for the Queen Mother's decree overnight!"