Emperor Zhengde

Chapter 356: Your Majesty, please do not abdicate!
Seeing that he was approaching the age of 70 and the time had come to discuss the succession in five years, Zhu Houzhao knew that it was time for him to abdicate.

Although all the civil and military officials in the court did not know that their Ming emperor was about to abdicate, Zhu Houzhao was indeed unwilling to spend the last years of his life dealing with paperwork.

Moreover, he no longer has the ambition he had when he was young.

The Ming Empire and China were no longer in the social form of the agricultural civilization period. Industrial civilization had brought the empire into the steam age, and its territory had extended to all parts of the world. It was already an empire on which the sun never set.

Zhu Houzhao had a feeling that his mission had been accomplished.

He did feel a little tired and wanted to take a rest and see the beautiful scenery.

Moreover, Zhu Houzhao did not think that he could handle other problems that would arise in the empire in the era of globalization.

After all, the reason why he led the Ming Empire from agricultural civilization to industrial civilization was because he knew the history of later generations.

But now, the historical trajectory of the Ming Dynasty has changed greatly, and the direction of the industrial civilization of the Ming Empire is no longer something he can control.

Zhu Houzhao is now only doing things that he thinks are right based on the education and knowledge he received in later generations.

Therefore, he still insisted on suppressing the merchant class and allowed the court to control the vast majority of the empire's wealth, thereby ensuring that the people at the bottom would not be exploited too badly.

Therefore, Zhu Houzhao chose to help Xia Yan execute Xu Jin, and still let officials who were not from the merchant class hold power.

Moreover, Zhu Houzhao still did not pursue the global peaceful trade that the merchant class needed, but instead adopted a tough policy of force. Not only did he impose the penalty of beheading ten Western colonists for killing one Ming soldier on the Western colonists who harmed the people of the empire, he also implemented a policy of confiscation on those Ming merchant companies that sold out the interests of the empire in order to protect their own trade interests.

"Brother Emperor, Xiang'er is old," Empress Xia said as she touched her silver hair in front of the mirror. Zhu Houzhao's thoughts were pulled back to reality because of this sentence. Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but smile and said, "I am also old. It's time to give up the throne to my descendants. When the time comes, I will take you to see the world."

Empress Xia was stunned. She stopped halfway through inserting the hairpin and looked at Zhu Houzhao: "Brother Emperor, what did you say?"

"Abdicate, I intend to abdicate! I don't want to leave the rest of my life to this empire!"

Zhu Houzhao walked out of the red gate and told Gao Zhong of the Imperial Household Department, "Call the ministers to discuss government affairs and tell them that I have important matters to ask of you."

After Zhu Houzhao finished speaking, he turned around and saw Empress Xia's surprised expression. He couldn't help but put his hand on her face, which was full of traces of time, and gently stroked it: "I will spend more time with you in the future."

Empress Xia also reached out and grabbed Zhu Houzhao's face, smiling sweetly, revealing her thin mouth with few teeth missing: "But you have more than one person, how can you accompany me? Otherwise, you should accompany this country for the rest of your life, which is better."

"I have made up my mind," Zhu Houzhao said, and then said nothing more. He just stared in a daze at the crabapple flowers that were blooming and reblooming outside the courtyard.

"Okay! Where shall we go first?" Queen Xia stood up quickly, but she almost fell down because she stood up too quickly. Fortunately, the maid behind her supported her. Zhu Houzhao breathed a sigh of relief and took back his hand: "I haven't decided yet, let's take a look first."

Not a moment later.

Two ministers, Xia Yan and Zhang Rong, came to Zhu Houzhao. Xu Jin was executed for a crime, and Jiang Dong was on leave at home because of illness.

Therefore, among the ministers of the Council of State, only Xia Yan and Zhang Rong can still participate in politics.

After Xia Yan and Zhang Rong saluted Zhu Houzhao, Zhu Houzhao said, "I said before that the crown prince would be decided in five years. Now the time has come. I have decided to announce the edict to appoint the crown prince at the court meeting in three days. Moreover, after the crown prince is announced, I have decided to issue an edict to abdicate after the Wanshou Festival! The crown prince will ascend to the throne!"

After Zhu Houzhao said this, he looked at the Cabinet Chief Minister Xia Yan and Duke of England Zhang Rong.

Zhu Houzhao's words were like a bolt from the blue. For a moment, Xia Yan and Zhang Rong were so shocked that they looked at each other, not knowing what to say.

The Emperor is going to announce an edict to appoint a crown prince? !
Not only that, the emperor is also going to abdicate?!

"What? Are you all speechless? Didn't you all say in private that I am old and that it is time to consider appointing a crown prince and think about what will happen after my death? Now that I have given you an answer, why don't you say anything?" Zhu Houzhao couldn't help but ask. For some reason, when he saw Xia Yan and Zhang Rong looking distraught, he felt a little happy.

Xia Yan first stood up and bowed to Zhu Houzhao: "Your Majesty, please forgive me for being so presumptuous. I really didn't expect you to abdicate! Although the Ming Dynasty is already prosperous, the people of the world have long been accustomed to your protection. Now that you suddenly want to abdicate, how can the people of the world deal with it! On behalf of the people of the world, I beg Your Majesty to continue to run the government and not to abdicate lightly!"

"Your Majesty, I think so too. The world still cannot do without you! Although the Portuguese have been eliminated, there are still rebellious countries around us. The Ming Dynasty still needs a sage ruler to govern," Zhang Rong also said hurriedly.

Zhu Houzhao knew that Xia Yan and Zhang Rong must have thought that he was just testing them, so he smiled and said:
"I know you think I am testing you with these words on purpose. I will say it again. I have really decided to abdicate. Moreover, I have no intention of discussing this with you. I am only informing you of my intention. In three days, you two will lead the civil and military officials to the Fengtian Palace! I will announce the edict to establish the crown prince and the edict to abdicate!"

After Zhu Houzhao said this, he stood up and left Xia Yan and Zhang Rong.

Xia Yan and Zhang Rong were stunned for a long while, until Zhu Houzhao had walked a few steps, then they realized: "Farewell, Your Majesty!"

Xia Yan and Zhang Rong remained silent all the way from Hanbi Hall to the gate of the Royal West Garden. They felt even more lost than Zhu Houzhao. After all, they had become accustomed to the Ming Dynasty Zhengde Emperor who had ruled the Ming Dynasty for fifty-six years. Now they suddenly learned that Zhu Houzhao was going to abdicate. For a moment, they had a feeling of witnessing the times, and for a moment, they were at a loss.

Meng Jin, the seal holder of the Imperial Household Department, and Gao Zhong, the eunuch in charge of writing letters and the governor of the Western Factory, were also in a daze for a long time. The emperor was going to abdicate, which undoubtedly meant that for high-ranking eunuchs like them, they would probably have to face a new emperor, and facing a new emperor would undoubtedly mean that they might find changes in their power and status.

"What? Your Majesty is actually going to abdicate?!"

Yan Song also learned the news from Xia Yan at this time. He was so shocked that he was stunned for half a quarter of an hour. He hurriedly said to Xia Yan: "Prime Minister, the crown prince can be appointed, but Your Majesty cannot abdicate! Once Your Majesty abdicates, no one in the Ming Dynasty knows how to govern! Propaganda, industry, money law, medical insurance and price control, except Your Majesty, no one knows what to do when problems arise again. And now there are many social organizations that have sprung up like mushrooms after rain. If they develop into the same Zhongjun Society in the future, how to deal with them, except Your Majesty, we don’t know what to do!"

"I have tried to persuade him, but His Majesty has made up his mind! He left us no room to continue to persuade him."

Xia Yan sighed.

"This, this," Yan Song said with a sigh, not knowing what to say.

Xia Yan just pinched his brows and couldn't help but pull out a tuft of white eyebrows. He didn't know how to respond to the emperor's sudden decision, but he knew that he could only remain silent now.

The news that Zhu Houzhao had decided to abdicate spread quickly throughout the capital. All civil and military officials knew the next day that the emperor was going to appoint a crown prince and abdicate.

Zhu Houzhao also instructed the Huang Ming Daily to announce the news that he was going to appoint a crown prince and abdicate. Soon the news spread throughout the streets and alleys of the capital the next day, and also began to spread to the entire Ming Empire.

Although abdication does not mean giving up all ruling power, for the people of the Ming Dynasty who were accustomed to the rule of Emperor Zhengde, the news of Zhu Houzhao's abdication still made them feel uncomfortable.

Some officials and civilians even cried loudly and ran to the Meridian Gate to beg Emperor Zhu Houzhao to reverse the decision.

Some officials and citizens began to become confused and lost interest in everything.

Some officials and civilians began to speculate who would be the next emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and even set up gambling to place bets.

The eldest son Zhu Zailei and the second son Zhu Zaituo, who were over 50 years old, had mixed feelings at this time, but they were more looking forward to the position of crown prince.

On this day, Xia Yan set out for the Forbidden City early. However, as soon as he went out, he saw a large group of scholars and civilians surrounding his mansion.

Xia Yan couldn't help but ask: "What do you guys have to say?"

"We have the audacity to stop the Prime Minister, and we are forced to do so. We ask the Prime Minister to present the wishes of our people to Your Majesty, and ask Your Majesty not to abdicate. We do not know if the world will still be prosperous if Your Majesty abdicates!"

At this time, an elder knelt down first, and then the others followed suit.

Another elder followed suit and said, "I am from Ruyang, Henan. Before the Zhengde reign, I never had enough food to eat. After the Zhengde reign, I was able to eat minced meat every day and even felt sick of it. I also had the opportunity to learn to read and become a minor official. I am afraid that if the emperor abdicates, I will have to starve again after finally having enough food to eat for half my life!"

"I have been poor since I was young, and I have lived with my father and brother on the small farmland. However, the land in my hometown is barren, and there are constant droughts and floods. The government has been collecting taxes all the time, so I have no choice but to become a refugee, and from time to time I was killed as a rioter. Fortunately, your majesty issued an edict to abolish the travel permit, so I was able to go to Beijing with my father, survive by working, and also study, buy property, and become a Beijing citizen. I am also worried that if your majesty abdicates, we will be driven back to become refugees again!"

At this time, another old man also started crying.

For a moment, all the people, young and old, who were blocking Xia Yan's way started crying. They recounted all the good things that happened during the reign of Emperor Zhengde, and also expressed their concerns about Zhu Houzhao's abdication.

Xia Yan was filled with emotion after hearing this. He himself was also distraught because of the emperor's sudden decision to abdicate. Now seeing the people's distraught look, he could empathize with them and couldn't help but choke up and said, "Don't worry, fellow villagers. I will do as the people ask and ask our emperor to withdraw his intention to abdicate!"

Not only Xia Yan, other officials in Beijing also encountered this scene.

As a result, officials throughout the capital were in a heavy mood.

No one expected that when Emperor Zhu Houzhao decided to abdicate, so many people would feel confused and panicked, so much so that even officials like them felt confused and panicked.

……

Zhu Houzhao did not know at this time that his decision to abdicate would cause such a huge impact in just three days.

At this moment, Zhu Houzhao felt a sense of relief as if he was about to unload a heavy burden, so much so that his mood was much better and his sleep quality was much better.

Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar Qianqing Palace, he felt as if the Ming Dynasty he was in at the moment was still familiar yet unfamiliar, as if he had just come into this world. He could not help but pat Queen Xia's hand, and accompanied by the eunuchs of the Imperial Household Department, he got on the sedan chair and headed for the Fengtian Palace.

At this time, the inside and outside of the Fengtian Hall were already filled with civil and military officials. Except for a few princes who looked at the majestic Fengtian Hall with interest, these civil and military officials just kept their heads down. Even though the emperor had not yet arrived, no one looked around, let alone looked at the gloomy sky above their heads, for fear that their mood would become even heavier.

A large number of upright civil servants fell in the court corruption case. In addition, the execution of Xu Jin and Wen Yuan's performance evaluation system made the Ming Dynasty court, which was headed by the Zhongjun Society, truly a court full of upright officials.

Therefore, at this moment, no official wanted to see that when the empire seemed to be entering its heyday and creating great achievements, their leader, the great emperor in their minds, would announce his abdication at this time.

Zhu Houzhao sat on a high place in the center of the Fengtian Hall. With a wave of his long sleeves, a purple brocade robe covered the ground like a cloud. Suddenly, a loud shout of "Long live the emperor" rang out.

Zhu Houzhao just smiled slightly, said "peace be with you", and then looked at the court officials with joy. He thought that he would never be able to enjoy such a scene of ruling the world again, but he had already enjoyed it for more than fifty years, which was really enough.

Not long after, Zhu Houzhao asked the chief minister of the cabinet, Xia Yan, and Duke of England, Zhang Rong, to come. One of them took the key from Meng Jin, the seal holder of the Imperial Household Department, to open the imperial edict box, and the other took out the imperial eunuch Gao Zhong, who was in charge of writing for the Imperial Household Department, read out the candidates for the crown prince.

The content of the edict was naturally to appoint the eldest son Zhu Zaile as the crown prince, and to announce to the world that Emperor Zhu Houzhao would officially abdicate after the Wanshou Festival.

For a moment, all the ministers were speechless. They were not happy because the emperor finally made the eldest son the crown prince. Instead, they looked panicked. Even the officials from poor families who were able to enter the court thanks to the reforms of the Zhengde Dynasty sobbed and cried.

For some officials who had personally experienced the transition from being treated as worthless to being able to obtain equal rights as commoners, the abdication of the emperor who had changed the world was undoubtedly a feeling of the sky falling.

Moreover, the ideological baptism of the Loyal Emperor Society and the reform achievements in recent years made it impossible for the ministers and the people outside the palace to accept this reality for a while.

Xia Yan held the imperial edict in his hand and walked step by step to the eldest son Zhu Zailei. After handing the imperial edict to Zhu Zailei and paying great respect to him, he suddenly turned around, bowed and knelt:
"Your Majesty, I risk my life to ask you to withdraw your abdication order!"

"Your Majesty, your servant Zhang Rong, risks his life to beg you to withdraw your order of abdication!" Zhang Rong, who was following behind Xia Yan, immediately bowed and knelt.

"Your Majesty, I, Yan Song, risk my life to ask you to withdraw your order to abdicate!"

Yan Song and other court officials also knelt down one after another, their voices were as loud as a bell, and even mixed with the sound of crying. After a while, Yang Jisheng, a doctor in the Ministry of Literature, crawled forward directly, tears streaming down his face:

"Your Majesty, please do not abdicate! I hope Your Majesty will understand the thoughts of your subjects and continue to protect our Ming Dynasty!"

The same is true for other officials.

The prestige Zhu Houzhao gained through more than 50 years of reform in power is evident from this.

(End of this chapter)