Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World.

Chapter 161. Rest in Peace!

Bianjing, the Imperial Study.

In the main seat, a young man of about twenty-six or twenty-seven years old held a vermilion brush and read the memorials.

This person was Zhao Ceying, who had entered the palace to attend to the ailing patient.

Recently, the Emperor's health has been deteriorating, and most of the memorials submitted to the palace are now being reviewed by him.

After about an incense stick's time, Zhao Ceying frowned and put down the memorial.

Since the Emperor fell seriously ill, it was announced that memorials to the throne would be discussed by the Cabinet and the regular court, and if there were no objections, they could be issued and implemented.

Therefore, the vast majority of memorials did not need to be presented to the palace.

Conversely, once a memorial is submitted to the palace, it is highly likely to be met with considerable controversy.

Approving memorials is a truly excellent thing.

The problem is, he's a little unsure.

All the memorials submitted were presented with conflicting arguments, each side claiming to have its own reasons, as if any choice was acceptable.

Conversely, it seems that no matter which option you choose, it won't work.

"Ugh!"

With a long sigh, Zhao Ceying shook his head.

Being an emperor isn't easy!

Unable to make a decision on one of the memorials, Zhao Ceying simply put it aside and took out the next one.

Ok?
Zhao Ceying glanced at the name and was slightly surprised.

Jiang Zhao!

[Your humble servants, Jiang Zhao, the eldest grandson of Jiang Zhi of Huaizuo, respectfully submit this memorial:]

In order to earnestly request the Emperor's grace to posthumously grant my grandfather an official title and a posthumous name, the Emperor granted permission for the inscription on his spirit tablet.

Your servant has heard that the greatest duty of a son is to be filial; and the most important principle of state is to honor and reward.

My grandfather, Jiang Zhi, unfortunately passed away peacefully on the seventh day of the third month of the third year of the Zhiping era, at the age of seventy-five. With the passing of my grandfather, the whole family is deeply saddened, and the entire clan mourns.

I humbly recall that my ancestor Jiang Zhi was a man of integrity and uprightness throughout his life, a true paragon of virtue.

First, his voice is that of a pillar of strength; second, his reputation as an official is outstanding; third, his virtuous example is renowned.

My grandfather was upright and kind-hearted.
In this time of sorrow for the passing of a star, I humbly beseech Your Majesty to show compassion for my grief over the passing of this venerable elder.

May my grandfather rest in peace with a smile; may all my descendants forever be grateful for the Emperor's grace!
Your humble servant, filled with filial piety and deep remorse, kowtows with utmost sincerity, overwhelmed with trembling and overwhelming emotion.

I would like to read this memorial and wait for the edict! 】

A memorial to the throne, approximately a thousand words long.

Zhao Ceying suddenly realized.

This memorial was mainly to request the court to posthumously confer titles and posthumous honors, as well as to grant permission to repair the stele.

This memorial was presented to the palace not because there was any controversy.

In fact, civil officials have always been more lenient when it comes to posthumous honors for the deceased.

If the deceased was of the third rank or above, there would be almost no questioning if their descendants petitioned for posthumous conferment of titles.

Moreover, since both the grandfather and grandson of the Jiang family of Huaizuo were wearing purple robes, there is even less reason to question it.

The memorial was submitted to the palace, mainly concerning the issue of noble titles.

[He may be posthumously granted the title of Grand Tutor, or posthumously granted the title of Duke. Respectfully submitted by Grand Secretary Han Zhang and others!]

Even the posthumous conferment of titles, including honorary titles, required the emperor's personal approval.

Emperor Zhao Zhen granted the cabinet the power to approve and issue memorials, but the conferment of noble titles was clearly not included in this power.

Otherwise, if all civil officials were granted the titles of marquis or duke, it would probably infuriate the military generals.

Grand Tutor?

Duke?

Zhao Ceying pondered for a moment.

Grand Tutor is not a viable option!

Generally speaking, those posthumously granted the title of Grand Tutor are Grand Secretaries of the Inner Cabinet.

Alternatively, their descendants may become accomplished, and their ancestors may be posthumously honored as Grand Tutors.

Jiang Zhi, however, is clearly not included in this category.

Perhaps one day, Jiang Zhao will rule the world and posthumously honor his ancestors.

But clearly not now.

That was to posthumously grant him the title of Duke.

Compared to the title of Grand Tutor, the title of Duke is considerably less prestigious.

Zhao Ceying did not hesitate and wrote down his instructions.

[Approved! The Court of Imperial Sacrifices is hereby ordered to draft the posthumous title of Duke of Wu. A funeral gift of one thousand taels of silver and three hundred bolts of silk is to be bestowed, and the Left Censor-in-Chief is to compose the epitaph for the spirit path.]

After a few words, Zhao Ceying pulled out a page of yellow paper and began to read.

[To Zichuan Taijian:

I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my grandfather.

My grandfather was a censor of the Qingliu clan, outspoken and highly respected, a true role model for his subjects.

The deceased's exemplary conduct endures, while the living shoulder heavy responsibilities. You were a pillar of the Jiang family; your ancestor passed away peacefully, blessed with longevity and happiness! I recall your past as the pacification of Xihe and your lectures at the palace, where your pronouncements of "a great emperor for all ages" often influenced me.
We urge you to take care of yourself and find solace in your grief. May you carry on the family legacy and comfort our departed souls with your noble aspirations. Our hearts are filled with sorrow; we humbly request your continued care.

Respectfully submitted by Zhao Ceying!

"Zhao Ceying, respectfully presented!"

Jiang Zhao held the letter in his hand, reading it as he paced back and forth.

really!

For an aging emperor without children, what he cares about most is his posthumous reputation.

During the thirty years of recuperation and restoration that the old emperor underwent, there were many humiliating acts of compromise and appeasement.

If nothing unexpected happens, this person's historical evaluation will certainly not be very high.

At the very least, it doesn't reach the top level.

However, during the expansion of the Xihe border, Zhao Zhen's "incompetence" was transformed into that of a monarch who endured humiliation and prioritized the overall situation.

Judging from the evaluation alone, he suddenly went from being an ordinary person to a virtuous ruler.

Having tasted some success, Zhao Zhen naturally hoped that the next emperor would expand the territory.

After all, the country and its people have already been given away; they can't take it with them.

The only thing that can possibly be taken with you is your name for posterity!

Once the next ruler is full of martial virtue and demonstrates the spirit of the Great Zhou Dynasty, then it will be a golden age with two rulers ruling the country.

Even at the very least, it should be some kind of "governing system".

With such temptation, Zhao Zhen naturally favored Zhao Ceying, who was full of martial virtue, even disregarding the fact that Zhao Ceying was a descendant of Emperor Taizu.

Zhao Ceying is the "good grandson"!
Jiang Zhao put down the letter in his hand and slowly picked up the imperial edict.

In addition to the letters, the posthumous official titles, posthumous names, and spirit tablets were also sent.

He was posthumously granted the title of Duke of Wu, with the posthumous name "Qingsu". A spirit path stele was carved from white marble, and two pairs each of cattle, sheep and pigs were erected along with the inscription.

Pine and cypress trees are permitted to be planted on both sides of the sacred path, symbolizing "eternal greenery".

Such an honor is undeniably generous.

Since the imperial edict and Zhao Ceying's letter were delivered together, it means that Zhao Ceying definitely put in a lot of effort.

It might even be a memorial he approved.

Jiang Zhao sat down, picked up his pen, and replied:

Thank you!

May 11th.

The rooster crows at dawn, and a thin mist shrouds the light.

The fluttering white banners added a touch of melancholy.

The porters wore black cloth headscarves and had solemn expressions.

Led by Jiang Zhong, the clan elders and Jiang family members all wore mourning clothes.

As the eldest son, Jiang Zhong was the chief mourner, holding the memorial tablet and positioned directly in front of the coffin.

The eldest grandson, Jiang Zhao, was second only to the chief mourner, holding a mourning stick and standing a few steps behind his father.

The remaining clan elders and Jiang family members stood either on the sides or behind the coffin, depending on their blood ties.

In addition, there were people scattering paper money, emcees, and drummers, all positioned on the side of the coffin to create a solemn atmosphere.

"Awakening——"

With a long shout, the sixty-four porters rose to carry the coffin.

Funeral music played, and paper money was scattered.

Several hundred people made their way to the funeral, proceeding slowly.

Along the way, many locals watched with surprise on their faces.

The scale of the burial of a second-rank official was truly eye-opening.

At 3:45 AM, the coffin arrived at the cemetery.

The elder, skilled in feng shui, held a compass and continued to calculate.

After about two incense sticks' worth of time, he called out, "Ding Xiang, the auspicious time has arrived!"

Sixty-four men, carrying loads, all took down the hemp rope.

"fall--"

"burial--"

The coffin was buried deep in the earth.

The tomb was sealed with yellow earth, and the dust was swept away with a new broom. Some grains were then laid on top, symbolizing a bountiful harvest.

Everything was proceeding in an orderly manner.

Jiang Zhao wiped away his sweat and let out a long sigh of relief.

After the burial, the descendants should mourn and pay their respects, and live a low-key life.

For him, it was a year-long vacation!

……

(End of this chapter)