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

Chapter 167 From a humble peasant in the morning to a high-ranking official in the evening!
Zhao Ceying!
really!

All the officials turned their attention to the past.

During the last rites to commemorate the adopted grandson of the emperor, the emperor specifically mentioned things like "legacy" and "martial virtue," almost suggesting that a new emperor who would expand the territory should be chosen.

Of all the members of the imperial clan, Zhao Ceying was indeed the most martial and virtuous.

As for the bloodline of the founding emperor?
The selection of the crown prince will ultimately depend on the late emperor's will.

If the late emperor did not care about the issue of bloodline, then there would be no difference between the bloodline of the founding emperor and the bloodline of the founding emperor!

"The imperial edict that the emperor possessed has been handed over to Han."

As he spoke, Han Zhang took out an imperial edict from his sleeve, the same type as the one stored in the wooden box.

All officials watched with bated breath, and there was no objection.

Han Zhang nodded, held up the two imperial edicts, and solemnly announced: "The late Emperor's edict is here, establishing the Imperial Grandson Zhao Ceying as the Crown Prince!"

Once the words were spoken, Han Zhang decisively took the lead in bowing: "Your humble servant Han Zhang pays respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Your humble servants pay their respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Your humble servants pay their respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!"

"Your humble servants pay their respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Apart from Empress Dowager Cao, all the civil and military officials, imperial guards, eunuchs, and palace maids bowed down.

With the crown prince newly established, this ceremony is destined to have a different meaning.

"You are all pillars of the nation, there is no need for such formalities. I have been entrusted with this important task by my grandfather, the Emperor, and I will work together with you to govern the country and safeguard its peace." Zhao Ceying blushed and quickly waved his hand, signaling the officials to rise.

The civil and military officials rose one after another.

At that moment, Han Zhang bowed deeply and said, "As the saying goes, a country cannot be without a ruler for a single day. Now, Your Highness has carried on the late Emperor's legacy and has been established as the Crown Prince. We, your subjects, respectfully request Your Highness to ascend the throne to secure the nation and comfort the people!"

For ordinary people, if an elder passes away, their primary responsibility is to announce the death and observe mourning and filial piety.

However, the royal family is different; they usually announce the national mourning only after a new emperor ascends the throne.

The primary purpose, of course, is to ensure the stability of the country and society, and to prevent a power vacuum from causing turmoil.

In feudal times, the absence of a monarch could truly lead to chaos.

"Your Highness, we respectfully request that you ascend the throne!"

All the civil and military officials immediately bowed and urged him to ascend the throne.

"No, my grandfather has only been dead for one day. How can I ascend the throne?"

Zhao Ceying stopped repeatedly and burst into tears.

As she cried, she became so unsteady on her feet that she crouched down and sobbed.

The phrase "so grief-stricken that he collapsed and could not rise" describes this situation.

"Your Highness, the world has just suffered a loss, and the people are filled with anxiety. Only by quickly assuming the throne can we pacify the world and calm the people's hearts."

The second person to be persuaded was the Duke of Ying, the foremost military general.

“No, my grandfather has just passed away. If I were to ascend the throne now, wouldn’t that be unfilial?” Zhao Ceying refused.

As a result, all the officials looked towards Empress Dowager Cao.

The three refusals and three concessions were essentially ministers urging the new emperor to accept the throne, while the new emperor feigned refusal.

It was both an opportunity for the officials to show their loyalty to the new emperor and for the new emperor to demonstrate his humility and benevolence.

At this point, he had already declined twice.

One of them was Han Zhang, the head of the civil officials, who urged him to ascend the throne.

Secondly, Zhang Fu, the foremost military general, urged him to ascend the throne.

The three attempts to persuade him to ascend the throne were either made by the late emperor's widow or by members of the imperial clan.

Of the two options, the Empress Dowager's suggestion to ascend the throne is the best choice, as it can demonstrate the legitimacy of the new emperor.

However, in the main hall, Empress Dowager Cao looked at the officials but did not rush to urge them to ascend the throne.

An unspeakable silence filled the hall.

The Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet were startled and exchanged glances.

What is Cao Shi trying to do?
Han Zhang's expression changed slightly, and he gave a wink to several members of the imperial clan.

Several members of the imperial clan understood the implication and were about to urge the emperor to ascend the throne, but the Empress Dowager spoke up instead:

"The late emperor, who ruled the empire day and night with great concern, entrusted the imperial regalia to his grandson on his deathbed. This was a testament to the deep affection between grandfather and grandson, and also a matter of paramount importance to the foundation of the nation."

The Crown Prince is benevolent, filial, respectful, and upright; he will surely follow the late Emperor's instructions and carry on the ancestral legacy. We hope the Crown Prince will ascend the throne soon to fulfill the late Emperor's will!

Several Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet breathed a sigh of relief.

Regardless of Cao's thoughts, nothing unexpected happened during his ascension to the throne.

After three attempts and two refusals, Han Zhang declared, "Your Highness, we respectfully request that you ascend the throne!"

"Your Highness, we respectfully request that you ascend the throne!" the officials shouted in unison.

As the crying subsided, Zhao Ceying rose and bowed to the Empress Dowager and the officials.

Immediately, he slowly walked towards the steps of the imperial palace.

Ascend the throne and you will be on the throne!
"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"

Led by Han Zhang, all the officials bowed in unison.

"Gentlemen, there is no need for such formalities."

Zhao Ceying raised his hand and then bowed deeply to the Empress Dowager, performing the respect due to a close relative.

After about three breaths, the Empress Dowager did not react, and Zhao Ceying's expression changed slightly.

Logically speaking, when a new emperor ascends the throne, there is usually a process where the Empress Dowager bestows blessings upon him as an "elder".

With a silent sigh, Zhao Ceying wiped away her tears and straightened her body.

On his deathbed, the late emperor worried about the Grand Chancellor's autocracy and instructed him to rely on the Empress Dowager, allowing her to rule from behind the curtain and thus check the power of the Grand Chancellor.

Unexpectedly, instead of the Grand Chancellor showing any signs of separatist rule, the Empress Dowager suddenly appeared.

Difficult to handle!

I fear that she might become another Empress Dowager Zhangxian!
Empress Dowager Zhangxian, the wife of Emperor Zhenzong, once ruled as regent. During her regency, she even summoned Zhao Yunchu, a member of the imperial clan, to the capital and installed him as the "successor to the throne."

It's not hard to guess what they intend to do.

The late emperor ascended the throne at the age of twelve, but did not truly take power until he was twenty-four. He fought for twelve long years, finally gaining power when Empress Dowager Zhangxian fell seriously ill.

It should be noted that the late emperor was raised by Empress Dowager Zhangxian, yet he still struggled to seize power.

he?
He is a descendant of the founding emperor!
"The news of the late Emperor's passing can now be announced to the world! All funeral rites shall be conducted in accordance with ancestral customs."

Zhao Ceying surveyed the officials and issued his first edict since ascending the throne: "Grand Chancellor Han Zhang is appointed as the Imperial Mausoleum Commissioner, Minister of Rites Sun Bian as the Ceremonial Commissioner, Vice Privy Councilor Zhang Fu as the Imperial Ceremonial Commissioner, and Minister of Works Yu Jing as the Imperial Bridge and Road Transport Commissioner."

When an emperor was buried, a "funeral commissioner" was required to handle all related matters.

There were more than ten people, of all ages.

Zhao Ceying only arranged a few key candidates.

The Commissioner of the Imperial Mausoleum was in charge of all funeral affairs and had always been the head of all officials.

The Minister of Rites was in charge of funeral rites and determined posthumous titles and temple names. He was either the Minister of Rites or the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices.

The chief official in charge of the funeral procession was either the Minister of War or the head of a military general.

The person in charge of repairs and maintenance of bridges and roads was responsible for ensuring the smooth passage of the burial procession by repairing the roads and bridges along the route. This was often the position of Minister of Works.

Besides the main funeral attendants, there are still many positions that have not yet been filled.

There was no other way; the new emperor had ascended the throne without any foundation, and Zhao Ceying had no one else he could rely on.

Therefore, the only option was to leave the remaining positions to Grand Chancellor Han Zhang.

"The construction of the imperial mausoleum and the specifications for burial goods were discussed jointly by the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Revenue," Zhao Ceying added.

"I will receive the order."

Several high-ranking officials whose names were called stepped forward and bowed.

"I have inherited the late emperor's will and have now ascended the throne. Therefore, I hereby grant a general amnesty to the world."

Zhao Ceying continued, "Proclaim to the world that from top to bottom, the whole country should mourn and wear mourning clothes. To show compassion for the people, the days will be replaced by months, and music, sacrifices, weddings, and other religious activities will be prohibited for twenty-seven days."

The late emperor passed away, and the new emperor ascended the throne.

Funerals and weddings are often held together, which has been the norm for almost all of history.

After several imperial edicts were issued, the necessary arrangements had been made.

Zhao Ceying's eyes flickered slightly, and he slowly said, "I hereby summon Wen Yanbo, the Vice Prefect of Henan Prefecture and the Garrison Commander of Xijing, to the capital, and Jiang Zhao, the Duke of Lu, to the capital."

The new emperor faced numerous difficulties upon ascending the throne, and he desperately sought out loyal followers.

Duke Jiang Zhao of Lu is a true minister entrusted with the care of the young emperor, and should be given important responsibilities.

Wen Yanbo, the garrison commander of Xijing, was a former high-ranking official who was demoted and sent out of the capital due to being implicated by his cronies.

At the age of sixty-one, he was still of some use.

After issuing several imperial edicts, Zhao Ceying waved his hand, ready to adjourn the court session.

With the late emperor gone and the new emperor ascending the throne, there are many things to be done, and there is no need to waste time on court meetings.

Unexpectedly, a minor official of the fifth rank walked out.

"Your subject, the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court, has something to report."

"Please tell me everything." Although it was somewhat inappropriate, Zhao Ceying chose to listen.

"Your Majesty, now that the late Emperor has passed away, the court is unstable and the people are filled with anxiety. In order to appease the people and restore the nation, I humbly request that the Empress Dowager rule from behind the curtain!"

As soon as the words were spoken, Zhao Ceying's face darkened by seventy percent.

After glancing at the silent Empress Dowager, Zhao Ceying couldn't help but fall silent as well.

"Retreat—"

Huaizuo.

On a flat field, Jiang Zhao held a hoe, occasionally digging a few times and throwing in some rice seeds.

"Planting beans south of the mountain, the weeds are lush but the bean sprouts are sparse."

After digging for a while, sweat beaded on his forehead. Jiang Zhao, leaning on his hoe, shook his head repeatedly.

Tao Yuanming was clearly lazy; otherwise, how could the grass be lush and the bean sprouts sparse?

However, how can someone who can't even farm properly be expected to be a good official?
That's difficult!

Just then, a figure in gray approached quickly.

"Big brother!"

"What's wrong?" Jiang Zhao asked calmly.

The visitor was the second brother, Jiang Xiao.

"The imperial court has issued an edict." Jiang Xiao quickly stepped forward and presented an edict.

"edict?"

"Open it up," Jiang Zhao ordered.

Jiang Xiao quickly removed the seal and showed it to her elder brother.

Jiang Zhao looked over.

The content is nothing special; it mainly tells the story of the old emperor's death, the new emperor's grief, and his subsequent ascension to the throne.

The most crucial point can be summed up in just one sentence:

[Zichuan is truly a pillar of the nation, and a pillar of my support. He is hereby ordered to come to the capital immediately for a discussion.]

A simple sentence, yet it possesses an indescribable charm.

Jiang Zhao laughed heartily, put down the hoe, and washed his hands and feet.

"In the morning a peasant, in the evening a high-ranking official—"

"The Emperor's Hall!"

With a long howl, he turned back home, bathed and burned incense, and boarded a boat to the capital!

(End of this chapter)