Ming Dynasty 1627

Chapter 54 Getting Ready to Draw Cards! (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
"How were these rewards distributed to the soldiers of the Nine Garrisons, according to past practice?"

Grand Secretary Huang Liji quickly stepped forward and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, it has always been the Bureau of Imperial Processions that arranges for the processions to escort the people to the various towns."

"Pedestrian Affairs Bureau..."

Zhu Youjian pondered for a moment, then turned to Gao Shiming and instructed him:

"After returning to the palace, present me with the register of officials from the Court of Imperial Sacrifices."

"I will personally select the escorts for this mission, and have them come to the palace for an audience before we set off."

Upon hearing this, Huang Lijie and Shi Fenglai beside him exchanged a glance, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes, before quickly looking away.

The emperor is about to personally intervene in specific personnel matters.

Moreover, it started from an inconspicuous place like the pedestrian service office.

Just how far will he get involved?

Zhu Youjian took in their subtle expressions but pretended not to notice.

He picked up the paper on the imperial desk that listed today's agenda, glanced at it, and looked up, saying, "Let's continue the agenda. My dear minister, it's your turn."

Minister of Rites Lai Zongdao composed himself, stood up and said, "Your Majesty, on my side, there are four matters listed on the paper."

"Firstly, regarding the mausoleum. The location of the late emperor's mausoleum has been selected, in Danyu, Tianshou Mountain, west of Beijing, and everything is ready."

Zhu Youjian nodded, signaling him to continue.

"Secondly, the honorific title. The Ministry of Personnel, together with the officials of the Hanlin Academy, will draft the honorific title, posthumous title, and temple name for the late emperor."

His posthumous title was: Emperor Datian Shoudao Dunwen Xiangwu Jingxiao Qinmin, and his temple name was: Suzong.

The moment the name "Emperor Suzong" was uttered, the atmosphere in the hall became subtle once again.

All the ministers held their breath, secretly observing the young emperor's reaction from the corner of their eyes.

Zhu Youjian's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

Emperor Sukjong? How come he's different from the historical figure?

Shouldn't they have first decided on "僖" and then changed it to "熹" themselves?

He quickly flipped through the original host's memories to see if there was any information related to posthumous titles.

There it is... Gangdeke said solemnly.

This is a very good posthumous title, completely different from the original title of Emperor Xizong.
He glanced at the tense yet expectant faces of his ministers, and in an instant, he understood the key to their understanding.

So that's how it is; the world is not static.

The same task performed by different people can yield completely different results.

To the Donglin Party members who hated Wei Zhongxian, their elder brother, Emperor Tianqi, was undoubtedly a foolish and incompetent emperor.

But to these remnants of the eunuch faction, they were the true "righteous" ones when the Tianqi Emperor was in power.

In that case, wouldn't this emperor be Emperor Suzong?

This temple name was both a pledge of allegiance from these former officials and a test.

They were deeply intertwined with the late emperor.

Whether or not one accepts this temple name, in a sense, also represents whether or not one will purge them and accept this group of old followers.

Interesting... Is this a game of feudal etiquette?
Well, I guess I'll just have to play with you guys for now.

Having figured this out, a perfectly timed sadness instantly appeared on Zhu Youjian's face.

He spoke in a low voice: "When my elder brother was on the throne, he worked tirelessly day and night, which led to his untimely death."

"During his tenure, he achieved three victories in Liaodong and accomplished great feats in the Three Great Palaces. The title 'Suzong' is truly fitting. Let's adopt this title."

Upon hearing this, Huang Lijie, Shi Fenglai, and the others secretly breathed a long sigh of relief, and their tense backs relaxed.

Seeing this, Lai Zongdao quickly continued:

"Thirdly, the investiture of the Empress. Our ministry, together with the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, has selected an auspicious day, which will be the 27th of September, for the investiture ceremony of the Princess Consort of Zhou, to officially place her in the central palace."

Zhu Youjian showed no expression, only nodding slightly to signal him to continue.

Lai Zongdao cleared his throat and said one last thing.

"Fourthly, we respectfully request Your Majesty to posthumously honor Your Majesty's birth mother, the Virtuous and Virtuous Consort of the Guangmiao Temple, with the title: Empress Dowager Xiaochun Gongyi Shumu Zhuangjing Pitian Yusheng." "After consulting with the Imperial Observatory, we have determined an auspicious day, which may be observed on the 21st of the ninth month, to be announced to the suburban temples and the altars of the gods of the land and grain."

After he finished speaking, there was no response from inside the hall for a long time.

Lai Zongdao's heart skipped a beat, and he cautiously raised his head to look at the throne.

He was stunned at first glance.

On the throne, the young emperor, who had just been decisive and awe-inspiring, was now in tears.

Zhu Youjian slowly rose from his throne, tears streaming down his young face, though he seemed oblivious to it.

"I...I am thinking of my birth mother and I am overwhelmed with emotion. Please forgive me, my beloved ministers."

Upon seeing this, all the officials were deeply moved. They rose from their seats, cupped their hands, and said, "Your Majesty is so pure and filial, we are deeply impressed! Please, Your Majesty, take care of your grief!"

Zhu Youjian raised his hand to wipe away his tears, but the tears flowed like beads from a broken string, more and more, and he couldn't stop them.

When he spoke again, his voice was already choked with sobs.

"Today's agenda seems to consist of only two matters: the list of ministers recommended by the three ministers and the list of those to be reinstated."

"My dear ministers, please present the list of candidates later."

"As for the rest, proceed as agreed upon today. Let's conclude this audience here."

Having said that, he could no longer control his emotions. He abruptly flicked his sleeves, turned around, and hurriedly walked into the back hall, leaving the entire court with only a sad and hasty figure.

Inside the hall, the ministers fell silent for a moment.

After a long silence, Li Guopu was the first to break it. He sighed deeply and exclaimed from the bottom of his heart, "Your Majesty, you are truly a filial son!"

Huang Lijie and Shi Fenglai exchanged a glance, both seeing a complex and unfathomable emotion in each other's eyes.

They all touched the petition for their remains hidden in their sleeves, realizing that the matter didn't seem so urgent.

……

Meanwhile, on the palanquin returning to Qianqing Palace, after taking two deep breaths, the tears finally began to subside.

He was now getting a little impatient with the muscular response of this body.

It's fine for casual acting, but you can't expect him to burst into tears whenever someone rushes up to him in the imperial court or on the battlefield and shouts "Liu Shunu".

We should expedite the conferment of the honorific title and see if the aftereffects of the ceremony can subside.

Otherwise, we really couldn't live like this!
"Gao Shiming, a few things."

Zhu Youjian closed his eyes, pondered for a moment, and then uttered a series of commands:

"First, transfer all pedestrian files from the pedestrian department."

"Secondly, send the list of those to be reinstated, along with the lists of ministers from the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Ministry of Justice, to receive them."

"Thirdly, compile all civil and military officials of the seventh rank and above in the country into tables and booklets, and submit them all."

He opened his eyes, turned his head, and looked at Gao Shiming intently.

“All these files must include the applicant’s place of origin, age, and brief background information, understand?”

Gao Shiming followed closely beside the palanquin, bowed in agreement, and then quickly ordered several eunuchs to split up and take action.

Zhu Youjian leaned back and closed his eyes again.

He couldn't contain himself any longer after drawing the SSR card Lu Xiang Sheng today.

He no longer had the patience to wait for those historical talents to slowly emerge.

If it's a large-scale troop deployment, then it's a large-scale troop deployment; if it's a machine gun emplacement, then it's a machine gun emplacement!
Surely it's better to use those who have stood the test of time than these worthless scoundrels in the hall today?

Come on, my memory, let me see where your limits are!

　The Pedestrian Division may be unfamiliar to many.

　　This is an independent institution, just like the Imperial Observatory.

　　The "passengers" mentioned here were actually responsible for tasks such as delivering imperial edicts, awarding prizes, recruiting talented individuals, and providing relief to local areas.

　　Don't be fooled by the seemingly low-ranking job titles; they all required candidates to have passed the imperial examinations.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)