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

Chapter 175 Emperor Gaozong!

March 29th.

Chang Chao.

Civil and military officials stood in orderly rows.

When the late emperor passed away, his subjects used days to observe the national mourning period.

The 27th day has passed, and they have naturally returned to their original attire.

Looking around, one sees the entire court filled with nobles in purple and crimson robes.

On the steps of the imperial palace, the new emperor Zhao Ceying wore a dragon robe with twelve imperial symbols, a crown reaching to the heavens, his hands resting on his knees, looking directly at the officials.

Perhaps waiting for something, he did not rush to have the officials submit their memorials.

About twenty breaths later, all the officials were surprised and looked towards the side gate.

At that moment, a woman entered through the side door. She appeared to be around forty years old and wore a dark blue wide-sleeved jacket with dragon and phoenix patterns, outlined with silver thread, and adorned with gold foil intertwined floral patterns. She looked very elegant and noble.

Your Majesty!
On the steps of the imperial palace, the new emperor Zhao Ceying rose, bowed respectfully, and greeted, "Grandmother."

"Your Majesty need not be so polite." The Empress Dowager smiled kindly and returned the greeting.

After the grandfather and grandson finished their rites, the Empress Dowager looked down and surveyed the officials.

"After the late emperor passed away, I privately devoted myself to mourning and offering sacrifices, and did not pay attention to the state of affairs."

The Empress Dowager said calmly, "Who would have thought that a treacherous minister would sow discord between the grandmother and grandson, saying that I intend to rule from behind the curtain."

As she spoke, the Empress Dowager said solemnly, "This statement is utter nonsense."

"Your Majesty, following the late Emperor's will, has secretly adopted the Prince of Wei as the heir apparent through the established succession law, making him the late Emperor's grandson. He also has the assistance of the Grand Councilors and the Duke of Ying, the old general. With this, the court is stable and the nation is secure. Why would I possibly rule from behind the curtain?"

Fortunately, Minister of Rites Jiang Zhao rectified the situation and cleared up the misunderstanding between the grandfather and grandson.

The Empress Dowager said with an air of authority, "The opinions of the people are endless. I am but a woman in the inner palace, and I have my own grievances that I cannot express. I can only go to the palace to discuss this with the officials."

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Han Zhang, the head of all officials, bowed with his hands clasped.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Civil and military officials followed suit.

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, returned the greetings to the officials, and withdrew through the side gate.

After he left, many court officials looked towards Jiang Zhao.

The officials were well aware of the true nature of the power struggle between the new emperor and the empress dowager.

They were about to fight, but Jiang Zhao managed to mediate and bring peace between the grandfather and grandson.

It's fair to say that there's a reason why some people can rise to high positions at a young age.

On the steps of the imperial palace, Zhao Ceying nodded and smiled.

Jiang Qing, you are truly a pillar of the nation!

A true regent entrusted with the care of the young emperor!
"All departments, both internal and external, may submit their reports," Zhao Ceying said calmly.

Without the interference of Emperor Taizong's lineage and the Empress Dowager, even breathing becomes much easier.

Jiang Zhao glanced at the contents of the inscription on the tablet, stepped forward, and said: "Your subject, Jiang Zhao, Minister of Rites, has something to report."

"The late emperor has passed away. According to the rites, he should have a temple name and a posthumous title. At present, the officials of the Ministry of Rites have proposed three temple names: Zhong, Gao, and Xuan. These can be adopted as the temple names of the late emperor."

After saying this, Jiang Zhao retreated.

All the civil and military officials began to discuss it.

On the steps of the imperial palace, Zhao Ceying raised his eyebrows slightly.

世！
Lately, he has been thinking about this temple name frequently.

The family lineage shift is perfect for him!

Although it's a little difficult, as long as he becomes the greatest emperor of all time, everything will be fine.

"The idea of ​​restoring the dynasty is quite suitable for the late emperor!"

“Using Gaozong as the temple name is absolutely correct!”

"The character '宣' is a bit lacking."

When it came to the imperial decree of temple names, officials expressed their opinions and began to discuss the matter.

Of course, this is only for discussion purposes.

The topic of officially designating temple names for emperors is too high-level for most people to even have a say in.

Those who truly have the power to make decisions are nothing more than a few Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet and the Emperor himself.

Inside the imperial court, the sounds of conversation were incessant. Even the Grand Secretaries of the Cabinet couldn't help but share their opinions.

After a long pause, the Grand Secretaries reached a consensus. Han Zhang, the head of all officials, submitted a memorial, saying, "Your Majesty, we believe that the name 'Zhong' (中) leans more towards the idea of ​​revival. How can we talk about revival when we have not yet experienced decline? 'Xuan' (宣) neglects the expansion of territory. Only 'Gao' (高) is the best temple name."

On his throne, Zhao Ceying nodded in agreement: "That's what I think too."

In fact, the outcome was already decided the moment the character "中" (zhong) began to lean towards the meaning of revival.

After all, compared to "high", "publicity" is indeed much inferior.

With a single word, the temple name was officially appointed.

"All officials, submit a memorial to the Ministry of Rites as soon as possible to determine the posthumous title, so that we can gather opinions from all sides, assess merits and propose a posthumous title, finalize the ancestral tablet, and allow the late emperor to be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple," Zhao Ceying instructed.

One of the core functions of determining posthumous titles and temple names was to write down the ancestral tablets of the late emperors so that they could be enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple and used for ancestral sacrifices.

On the other hand, once the posthumous title and temple name were determined, the Secretariat could also officially begin writing the veritable record of the monarch and compiling history for him.

The officials, having received the admonition, bowed in turn.

"The Minister of Works has submitted a memorial."

Jiying Lane, Sheng Mansion.

Shou'an Hall.

Grandma Sheng, holding a teacup, sat at the head of the table.

Sheng Hong and Wang Ruofu sat at the left and right, respectively, followed by Sheng Changbai, Sheng Changfeng, and Hai Shi.

"Emperor Gaozong?"

Grandma Sheng was taken aback.

This evaluation is exceptionally high.

Emperor Gaozong of Shang, Wu Ding, initiated the "Wu Ding Restoration"; Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, initiated the "Yonghui Era," which brought the Tang Dynasty's territory to its peak.

Now, the late emperor is none other than the third emperor in history, Emperor Gaozong.

The high praise speaks volumes.

"The late emperor spent nearly forty years recuperating and developing the country, and in his later years he expanded the territory and made a name for himself." Sheng Hong waved his hand, not finding it strange: "It is only natural to have such a temple name."

Expanding territory by two thousand li would be an extraordinary achievement in any dynasty.

Moreover, the late emperor's long period of recuperation added a touch of legend to the territorial expansion.

To endure humiliation and bear heavy burdens—that's true forbearance!
"The late emperor was truly blessed!" Old Madam Sheng couldn't help but sigh.

Who would have thought that an elderly emperor without children could gain the merit of expanding his territory for free, thus elevating his reputation?

Is this a matter of strength?
No, it was pure luck!

With Zhao Ge'er's abilities, he could have expanded the territory just as much during the reigns of Emperor Taizong and Emperor Zhenzong.

The problem is that neither Emperor Taizong nor Emperor Zhenzong had a minister who was hailed as a "junior grand secretary".

For what?

Sheng Hong stroked his beard, smiled but said nothing.

Anyway, with a son-in-law like this, he'll never have to worry about anything in his life!

The Duke's Mansion of Qi.

Young Master Qi Heng held a book, looking very serious.

Nearby, his wife, Shen, brought him a bowl of porridge, and he sighed inwardly.

I wonder what it is about Sheng Minglan that makes her so charming?
The illegitimate daughter of a mere fifth-rank official not only captivated the young master's heart, but also, amidst rumors and scandals, managed to marry the newly appointed Marquis of Ningyuan, Gu Tingye.

The key point is that even knowing Sheng Minglan had already married someone else, the husband still missed her.

Occasionally, he would fall into a deep sleep and utter things like, "If I had known, I would have worked hard to pass the imperial examination and live up to my promise."

In other words, the official studied diligently purely for the sake of a woman.

Logically speaking, as a wife, she should be pleased that her husband is studying hard.

The problem is, she really can't be happy at all!
"Officer."

Shen approached slowly and gently reminded her, "Studying is hard work, but you should also take a break. Have a bowl of porridge."

Qi Heng shook his head, still staring at the book.

"When Emperor Gaozong passed away and a new emperor ascended the throne, it was only right that a special imperial examination should be held."

Qi Heng's eyes darkened slightly: "You still need power. If she weren't the aunt of the Junior Grand Secretary, Gu Tingye would never have married the illegitimate daughter of a fifth-rank official."

As he spoke, his words unconsciously became much more intense.

Shen sighed and said nothing more.

The discussions held at the regular court sessions spread throughout the land.

From this point on, the late Emperor Zhao Zhen became Emperor Gaozong of Zhou!
(End of this chapter)