A group of officials wearing filial piety were all in the room at this moment, and there were more than twenty people in total.
These are all officials of the East Palace and can be regarded as the prince's retainers.
Since they are the prince's retainers, they have to be more united than other ministers.
Now that the prince is dead, they are heartbroken, but they have to consider more important things and choose a new spokesperson.
Sitting on the main seat, Zhan Shi Huang Zhicheng said: "Today, the emperor has issued a decree to be presented to the distinguished officials in Beijing to recommend the candidate for the crown prince!"
"Everyone here can recommend you. What do you think?"
Although Huang Zhicheng has the highest official rank, he still has to discuss such important matters with the people below him.
"I wonder how Mr. Huang makes noise?"
Huang Zhicheng glanced outside the door. The official near the door understood immediately. After taking a look outside, he closed the door directly.
"The prince passed away. The emperor wants to appoint a prince, but there are only so many princes who can be elected!"
"But what does these princes have to do with us?"
"We people have been the prince's subjects for many years. Don't we think more about the prince?"
Hearing this, someone couldn't help but ask: "Master Huang, if you have something to say, just say it!"
"What I mean is that the crown prince does not have to be the prince, he can also be the prince's grandson!"
After saying this, Huang Zhicheng looked at everyone present, wanting to hear the approval of his colleagues.
"This is naturally excellent, but... the position of crown prince has always been reserved for princes. There are very few emperors and grandsons who can occupy this position. I'm afraid this will be difficult to achieve!"
The first sentence he heard was objection. Huang Zhicheng was not surprised. After all, this matter was indeed new.
"Although it's rare, it's not without precedent. As long as we lobby our fellow students from the same hometown and school more, we may not have a chance of success!"
"Master Huang, the merits of supporting Li are no small matter, I'm afraid this matter won't be that easy!"
The rate of return from taking the trouble to recommend the emperor's grandson who already has subordinates is actually not high. Why should people waste this effort?
If something is destined to fail, then why do we need to work hard?
At this moment, the East Palace officials are not united in their thinking. This is the first problem that Huang Zhicheng must solve.
At the other end, in front of the mourning hall of the late prince Zhao Yanjun, Li Suxin listened to the maid's report before burning it again.
The content of the report was naturally the actions of Huang Zhicheng and others.
Knowing that these people were already discussing who to support made Li Suxin extremely nervous. Now the most critical moment had come.
After waving away the maid, Li Suxin looked back outside the mourning hall, but still didn't see the person who was supposed to come.
"Heng'er, go out and take a look. If your uncle comes, bring him directly to see your mother!"
Zhao Weiheng, who was kneeling beside him, took the order and left. Only half an hour later, he brought in a middle-aged man from outside. This man was Li Suxin's brother Li Cheng'an.
Li Cheng'an was also wearing mourning clothes at this moment. He carefully knelt down in front of Zhao Yanjun's soul and kowtowed respectfully to Zhao Yanjun's soul.
Although there were many people guarding the mourning hall, Li Suxin now dominated the east palace and drove the other concubines and the prince's children to the side halls on both sides of the mourning hall.
So at this moment, there were only Li Suxin and the eunuchs and maids serving inside for two days.
"Dad, has he entered the palace?"
"No, your sister-in-law went there!" Li Cheng'an replied solemnly.
"Auntie, what did she say?" Li Suxin asked quickly.
"Auntie said she will fully support Weiheng!"
Hearing this, Li Suxin felt relieved.
As the mother of a country, the Queen's strength cannot be underestimated.
Over the years, I have become friends with countless destined women, who can also influence their husbands and fathers.
Only the queen herself knows how big this net is.
Together, these people will be a powerful voice, enough to make their son stand out.
"By the way, these ministers in the East Palace are also discussing the matter of recommendation at this moment!"
Having said this, Li Suxin straightened her sleeves, and then said calmly: "Go and tell them that the Queen has chosen my son, so that they can make a decision easily!"
Li Chengan nodded, then saluted and kowtowed to Zhao Yanjun, and then slowly walked out of the mourning hall.
Looking at her son kneeling next to her, Li Suxin whispered: "Heng'er, my mother will help you take over your position as crown prince!"
After a long time of acceptance, Zhao Weiheng has seen the reality clearly, so he understands his mother's good intentions.
“Everything is up to my mother!”
…………
In the side hall on the other side, Huang Zhicheng worked hard and persuaded everyone present that there was a high chance of success in electing the emperor's grandson.
So next, we must abandon the most practical things and find high-sounding reasons for everyone to really participate.
"Yu Gong, the eldest king of the country, the two grandsons are both older than the two princes..."
"In private... you and I are the prince's subordinates. We have been favored by the prince for many years. Now is the time to repay the favor!"
"In both public and private matters, we should all recommend the emperor's grandson!"
Everyone nodded one after another, showing that Huang Zhicheng had convinced them.
Just as Huang Zhicheng was about to continue speaking, he heard a voice suddenly coming from outside the door: "You are loyal, and you will truly live up to His Royal Highness and treat us with sincerity!"
There was someone outside the house, and everyone was immediately startled. Before the conversation, they had ordered someone to look out for the wind. Logically speaking, no one should show up.
"who?"
Immediately afterwards, the door was opened and Li Chengan was seen walking in from the outside. Everyone present knew him.
"My lords, since you have decided to nominate the grandson of the emperor, then... it is time to decide which grandson to nominate!"
Everyone looked at each other and said nothing.
Seeing that everyone was silent, Li Chengan then said: "Master Wei Heng, the emperor is intelligent, benevolent and virtuous, and is the right candidate for the heir apparent... What do you think?"
The officials still didn't say anything, but they were actually scolding them in their hearts.
Who are you, Li Chengan, to dare to talk nonsense here? None of the gentlemen present are wiser than you and need your guidance.
Of course, everyone here was well-educated, so they didn't scold him, but just looked at Li Cheng'an like a fool.
These civil servants are not arrogant for a day or two, so Li Chengan didn't take it seriously, but said bluntly: "Everyone, the Queen has already said that she will fully support Mr. Weiheng!"
"You are all people who are aware of current affairs. You should know which of the two emperors and grandsons is more likely to succeed!"
This last sentence moved everyone present.
No matter who you elect, it's still a gamble, so why not choose someone who is more likely to win?
At this time, an official said: "This proposal is quite pertinent. What do you think?"
As soon as this statement came out, one person seconded it and then more followed.
At this time, even if someone favored Zhao Weilong, the eldest grandson of the emperor, they could only follow the trend and agree.
Huang Zhicheng was very aggrieved at the moment. He actually wanted to recommend Zhao Weilong, but he didn't expect to be led astray by Li Cheng'an.
Huang Zhicheng was able to convince everyone just now, but now he is not sure to change everyone's minds.
With the support of the Queen, Zhao Weiheng has a better chance of winning than Zhao Weilong. Normal people know how to choose.
