Dugong

Chapter 68 The Death of Emperor Wude
Qinzheng Hall.

The lights were still on at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM).

Zhao Zhe frowned, looking at the two memorials with difficulty.

General Changxing of the Pingxi Army submitted a memorial stating that the people of Dayuezhi in Zilou County had gathered to rebel. He led troops to suppress the rebellion and beheaded more than a thousand rebels.

Another letter was a secret report from the Zhenfu Division, stating that Changxing led his soldiers to seize land on horseback, and the people of Dayuezhi gathered at the county government office, beating drums to appeal for justice, only to be met with a bloody suppression.

The two memorials, one positive and one negative, were both well-reasoned and supported by evidence.

After pondering for a long time, Zhao Zhe wrote on the first letter: "Minister Chang has rendered meritorious service in quelling the rebellion, and is hereby promoted to Vice Prefect of Xinyue Prefecture."

Xinyue Prefecture was originally part of the territory of the Great Yue Kingdom. It was destroyed by the Pingxi Army in the 36th year of the Wude era, and its territory expanded by thousands of miles. The imperial court established prefectures and counties thereafter.

Zhao Zhe also wrote at the end of the secret memorial from the Zhenfu Division: "Collect evidence of Changxing's embezzlement."

Once Changxing loses his military power, he can be dismissed on charges of embezzlement. This would be a reasonable, legal, and compliant approach that would not affect the Pingxi Army's deterrent power in the three northwestern prefectures, while also winning over the Yuezhi people.

"After more than thirty years of war, the power of the imperial court and local military generals has grown too great. Civil officials in the border prefectures and counties have become mere figureheads. Changxing slaughtered civilians at the gate of the yamen, and the county magistrate didn't even dare to utter a sound..."

Zhao Zhe had already discovered this problem when he was reviewing memorials in the Wendiao Hall, but he couldn't come up with a solution. In fact, his ability to secure his position as regent was inseparable from the support of the Ministry of War.

In the summer of the 47th year of the Wude era, the princes completed their six-month observation of the government, and officials from the six ministries gave their evaluations, with Zhao Zhe ranking first.

Not only did the Ministry of War offer its full support, but officials from the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Ministry of Rites also praised Zhao Zhe for having the appearance of a "benevolent ruler."

Emperor Wude was very satisfied with the assessment results and ordered Zhao Zhe to move to the Eastern Palace to oversee the country as the Crown Prince.

For the next six months, no more officials in the court were imprisoned, exiled, or beheaded. Even those who were dismissed from their posts for crimes such as embezzlement or dereliction of duty were at most sent back to their hometowns to live out their retirement.

His name is praised by both the court and the people for his benevolence.

Zhao Zhe reviewed several more memorials. Even those that were just flattering officials with nothing to say, he would only write a few words of encouragement. If it were Emperor Wude, he would have simply thrown them into the incense burner and burned them.

At this time.

The Grand Eunuch Leng, the Chief Eunuch of the Palace Attendants Bureau and the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial, who had been the patriarch of eunuchs in recent years, hurriedly entered the palace with a sorrowful expression and knelt down to report.

"Your Highness, His Majesty commands you to come over."

Zhao Zhe's heart skipped a beat. Since he became regent, his father had been recuperating in the Wentiao Palace and had never summoned him in the middle of the night.

"Lead the way."

He rushed to the Wendiao Hall and saw four noblemen kneeling to receive orders.

Zhao Zhe rushed to the dragon bed, looking at the emaciated Emperor Wude, and couldn't help but burst into tears: "Father, your son..."

Emperor Wude spoke weakly: "After you become emperor, even if you encounter the greatest difficulties, you are not allowed to cry!"

Zhao Zhe wiped his tears back and forth, but he couldn't stop them no matter what he did.

For the first twenty years of his life, he did not have a deep impression of Emperor Wude, and influenced by his mother's experiences, he even harbored some resentment.

Since catching the eye of her father, she has enjoyed his kind care and earnest teachings, and has devoted herself to paving the way for her future.

They had barely enjoyed themselves when they were to be separated by life and death.

Emperor Wude pointed to the four noblemen and said, "These are the regents I have chosen for you. From now on, the nation will be governed by you, my ministers and your ministers."

Zhao Zhe suppressed his grief and bowed, saying, "Greetings to Prince Cheng, Grand Secretary Yuan, Minister Zhang, and Minister Lu."

"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you."

The four men bowed respectfully in unison. They were civil officials in the same court and quite familiar with each other, but they were fundamentally incompatible.

Prince Cheng was one of the few remaining princes from the previous emperor's reign, commanding the Beijing Garrison and overseeing the Imperial Clan Court. Grand Secretary Yuan was the Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, a rare figure who rose from humble beginnings and was a leader among the literati of the Yongle era.

The Minister of War, Zhang Xiang, has a name that reveals his background. Similarly, the Minister of Rites, Lu Hongbo, comes from a family with one military background and the other civil background, one a newly risen noble family and the other a family with a thousand-year history.

They could maintain their composure in front of Emperor Wude, but in private, they would inevitably exchange a few words of contempt and ridicule.

Emperor Wude waved his hand: "Go down, I have something to say to the Crown Prince."

"My minister retire."

The four men performed three kowtows and nine prostrations before bowing and exiting the hall.

Emperor Wude beckoned Zhao Zhe to sit on the edge of the bed and approached him, saying, "What do you think of these four, Your Highness?"

Zhao Zhe said, "Father Emperor has thought things through carefully and taken into account the balance of power among all parties in the court."

“Indeed, the word ‘balance’ encapsulates the art of power politics throughout history.” Emperor Wude then asked, “Once the throne is secure, how should these four be rotated?”

After careful consideration for a moment, Zhao Zhe replied, "After Prince Cheng passes away, a close member of the imperial clan will be chosen to command the capital garrison. Grand Secretary Yuan can return to his hometown in glory and serve as a model for all officials. When the time is right, Minister Cui will be promoted to replace Minister Lu. As for Minister Zhang, it depends on the Empress Dowager's decision."

"I have indeed made the right choice. The Crown Prince has such insight, I do not need to give any further instructions."

Emperor Wude praised her a few times, then changed the subject: "Consort Yuan is nothing. Once we have power, we can keep her under control. Don't make any rash moves against the Prince of Zhenbei."

Zhao Zhe asked doubtfully, "Could it be that the Prince of Zhenbei has some backup plan?"

Emperor Wude's eyes showed satisfaction, and he said in a deep voice: "Back then, Mr. Wei sneaked into the northern frontier but failed to find any trace of the barbarian Grand Master. It is said that he died in the chaos of the army. I guess he submitted to the Prince of Zhenbei."

Zhao Zhe asked, "Could it be that the Grand Master is a Primordial Master?"

Emperor Wude nodded and said, "Among the surrounding barbarian and small countries, few can last for a hundred years. Only the Golden Wolf King's Tent has stood for hundreds of years, which means it has an innate inheritance."

Zhao Zhe said, "They will all perish at the hands of my father."

"Hahaha……"

Emperor Wude laughed heartily. Whether later generations called him cruel or ruthless, they could not deny his achievements in sweeping across the northern frontier.

Zhao Zhe asked, "I have heard rumors that the Prince of Zhenbei is besieging the barbarians without attacking, taking the opportunity to request a fiefdom. Why doesn't Father Emperor replace him with a different general?"

"There are many brave and skilled generals in the court, but only the Prince of Zhenbei can annihilate the barbarians."

Emperor Wude said quietly, "I have never regretted enfeoffing princes of different surnames. Even if the Prince of Zhenbei rebelled and marched south, it would still be a civil war in the Central Plains, a hundred times better than the barbarian plundering..."

I will personally behead the Wolf King to appease my fifth brother's spirit in heaven...

My achievements will still be admired even after thousands of years…

Emperor Wude spoke in an increasingly low voice, and Zhao Zhe had to put his ear close to barely hear him.

"I have nurtured the Crown Prince for thirty years, but all my efforts have been in vain. I don't have the energy to lay the groundwork for you... The Crown Prince has the blood of the Cui family, which can help win over the powerful clans... You are still young, so take it slow and steady, outlast those old fogies, and you will naturally be able to control the court..."

Seeing that Emperor Wude's pupils were beginning to dilate, Zhao Zhe mustered his courage and asked.

"Father, was Mother's death related to you?"

Emperor Wude murmured, "If Consort Shu hadn't died of illness, the Zhang family wouldn't have given their full support... For example, the Prince of Chu would have been a good choice."

Zhao Zhe understood the implication in the words: his father knew that Consort Yuan was coercing him, but chose to remain indifferent.

With Consort Shu's death, the threat of powerful maternal relatives was eliminated, which fueled Zhao Zhe's ruthless hatred and completely erased the Zhang family's contribution to the rise of the new emperor.

"Did my mother really die at the hands of Consort Yuan?"

Zhao Zhe didn't know the answer, but he didn't press the matter further. He held Emperor Wude's hand tightly and waited for the breath to dissipate.

"Your subject respectfully bids farewell to Your Majesty!"

A sound was heard outside the hall.

The ministers entrusted with the care of the young emperor, eunuchs, palace maids, imperial guards, and concubines, princes, and princesses who rushed to the scene all knelt down and shouted in unison.

"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"

……

Cold palace.

The moonlight was as white as frost, and the ground was covered with silver light.

Grandpa Chu slumped in the rocking chair, his eyes turned completely milky white, his limbs were swollen and numb, and only his ears could still hear some sounds.

suddenly.

The sound of bells rang in my ears.

Eunuch Chu's throat bobbed, and he squeezed out a few words: "Little Anzi, how many times did the Jingyang Bell ring?"

Li Ping'an counted carefully: "Forty-five sounds."

"..."

After a long silence, Li Ping'an noticed something was wrong and reached out to check his breath, only to find that he was already dead.

(End of this chapter)