Rise of a Lonely City: From Exiled Prince to Ruler of the Nine Provinces

The deposed emperor Xiao Jie was "respectably" welcomed back to the capital and lived in seclusion in the Anwang Mansion, which was surrounded by high walls and deep courtyards. He was like an antique from the previous dynasty that had been carefully wiped clean and properly stored. Although it was very valuable, it had no practical use anymore.

The capital city and the entire north quickly adapted to the new situation where there was no "emperor" holding court, yet order was maintained and even becoming increasingly stable.

The will of the Prince of Jingbei was transmitted smoothly to all prefectures and counties through imperial edicts bearing the royal seal, far more efficient than the imperial decrees of the past that often could not even leave the capital.

However, the uncertainty surrounding their official status remained a source of anxiety.

For ordinary people and low-level officials, they listen to whoever can bring peace and a way to make a living, and they are not very sensitive to "status".

However, for those generals who held local power and commanded troops, for the old officials in the court with their own agendas, for the warlords of Wu, Chu, and Shu in the south who were eyeing the country covetously, and even for some potential ambitious individuals in the north, the title of Prince Jingbei was sufficient for military operations such as "purging the court of corrupt officials and eliminating the traitor Zhao," but during the peaceful period of "pacifying the world and governing the country," it seemed somewhat "unworthy of his position and his achievements."

The world needs a clear, higher authority that can govern all parties.

The Jingbei Prince's Mansion, the council hall.

The fire in the stove was blazing, dispelling the chill of spring. Xiao Chen sat high in the main seat, flanked by civil officials and strategists led by Han Lie, military generals and nobles led by Wang Dashan and Chen Dao, and Murong Xue, who had just returned from the south and was in charge of intelligence and special affairs.

The atmosphere was solemn, and all eyes were focused on Xiao Chen, awaiting his decision.

"Your Highness," Han Lie spoke first. He was the head of the civil officials and the most powerful advocate for "rectification of names." "Since Your Majesty raised an army to quell the rebellion, eliminated the treacherous officials, established the capital, pacified the false dynasty in the west, and welcomed back the deposed emperor, your achievements are unparalleled and your virtue benefits all the people."

However, the young emperor is now living in seclusion and does not participate in court affairs; the world is not yet at peace and all sides are watching and waiting.

As a prince of a vassal state, Your Majesty manages all affairs of state. Although you work tirelessly day and night, your official position is not yet fully established, so the authority of your policies may not be fully manifested; and if your rank and title are not high enough, the hearts of the people will inevitably be filled with doubt.

For the long-term stability of the nation and the preservation of the empire, we, your humble servants, believe that we should follow the will of Heaven and the will of the people, elevate your rank and bestow upon you greater honor, thereby establishing the proper relationship between ruler and subject and bringing peace to the hearts of the people.

Chen Dao interjected, his voice resounding: "Even a warrior like myself, whose name is not upright, cannot speak properly."

Your Highness drove out the traitors, saved our Great Liang from peril, and rescued the people from suffering. Such unparalleled achievements cannot be repaid by an ordinary title of prince. Now the north has submitted, Guanzhong is pacified, the soldiers are fighting bravely, and the people support you.

"We must establish official titles and ranks early to eliminate any thoughts of treachery or betrayal, and to encourage the soldiers' courage and determination!"

Wang Dashan was even more direct, saying in a gruff voice, "Your Highness, what's there to discuss? If you ask me, just have that little brat from the Prince An's mansion write an abdication edict, and Your Highness can ascend the throne and rule the world! Wouldn't that be much more straightforward? Why bother with all those roundabout ways!"

Murong Xue's cold gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Xiao Chen's face, and she slowly said, "The southern lords, such as Wu, Chu, and Shu, although they have not dared to openly offend us, all consider themselves 'warlords' and have shown much disrespect to our northern lands."

They were all princes, or held titles such as "Grand Commander" or "Grand Steward".

If a prince were to remain in the position of "Prince of Jingbei" for an extended period, in terms of rank and status, he would be on par with them, or even... slightly inferior.

Advancing one's rank and bestowing honors is not merely a nominal honor, but a necessary measure to subdue all rivals and establish a clear hierarchy of superiors and inferiors.

The people below the hall were all talking at once, but the core message was clear: Xiao Chen must be given a higher, more official title that would allow him to rule over all sides.

While directly declaring himself emperor is the ultimate goal, the current deposed emperor has just been "retired for care," and taking his place directly would inevitably seem too hasty and unseemly, potentially giving the southern warlords and "loyal" people in the land ammunition for criticism.

A transitional, expedient title is needed, yet one that possesses sufficient authority and legitimacy.

Xiao Chen listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping the sandalwood armrest, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

He only spoke slowly after the murmurs had subsided:

"What you gentlemen have said is all for the sake of the country, and I know it in my heart."

His voice was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger. "However, the throne cannot be easily seized, nor can the imperial power be forcibly obtained. The deposed emperor has just returned, still shaken; the world is ravaged and urgently needs healing. If we were to hastily ascend the throne at this time, it would not be a foolproof plan."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the crowd: "However, a country cannot be without a ruler for a single day, nor can it be without a regent. The deposed emperor is young and has already endured many hardships; he is neither fit nor suitable to personally manage all affairs of state. For the sake of our ancestors and the nation, and for the sake of all the people, there must be someone to temporarily take charge of the government and exercise the power of the monarch, until the young emperor comes of age, and to observe the opportune moment and the harmony of the people."

The moment the eight words "temporarily assuming state affairs and exercising monarchical power" were uttered, everyone understood immediately.

The prince is going down the path of becoming a "regency"! This is both a compromise and a brilliant strategy.

"Your Highness, please see the truth!"

Han Lie immediately chimed in, his face showing admiration, "The position of regent is rightfully held by the late emperor, ensuring peace and prosperity for the people. It is legitimate and carries great power and prestige!"

He could manage state affairs, command officials, and deploy troops, exercising the real power of an emperor, without having to immediately abdicate and ascend the throne, thus avoiding much public debate and disturbance.

Moreover, the term "regency" implies assisting the young ruler and temporarily taking over his duties, which can appease the old officials to the greatest extent and silence the dissent of the southern lords!

Once Your Highness has completely quelled the rebellious rebellions, brought peace to the land, and won the hearts of the people, then when things have naturally progressed, your actions will be in accordance with the will of Heaven and the will of the people. In that case, your actions will be true to your word, and no one will be able to criticize you!

"This plan is excellent!"

Chen Dao nodded in agreement. "The Regent, above all princes and officials, has the authority to establish his own government and staff, and oversee all military and state affairs. With this title, the King's command over the realm will be even more legitimate!"

"However," Murong Xue raised a point, "who bestowed the title of Regent? If it is elected by the court officials or issued by the edict from the Prince of An's residence, it seems to carry a little less weight and is prone to complications."

Xiao Chen's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile: "This matter naturally requires a grand ceremony and widespread publicity. Han Lie."

"Your subject is here."

"You shall take the lead in uniting civil and military officials of the third rank or above in the capital, elders of the imperial clan, and respected governors and commanders from various regions who have submitted to you, to jointly submit a memorial."

The memorial should detail the king's merits in pacifying the rebellion and bringing peace to the people, lament the danger of a country without a mature ruler and a young and uncertain government, and earnestly request the king, as the emperor's uncle and the one with the greatest merit, to consider the well-being of the country and the people, and to reluctantly accept the position of regent and assume the reins of government!

"A joint petition?"

Han Lie's eyes lit up. "This is the will of the people, the sentiment of the masses! Its momentum is immense, enough to quell any dissent!"

"At the same time," Xiao Chen added, "a decree was issued in the name of Prince An."

The Emperor, citing his own health issues and the hardships he has endured, deeply feels the weight of the ancestral legacy and feels ashamed of his youth and lack of virtue, incapable of handling the complexities of state affairs. Therefore, he hereby issues an edict, earnestly requesting that his elder brother, Prince Jingbei, Xiao Chen, as the senior member of the imperial family and a pillar of the state, assume overall control of all military and political affairs, be promoted to Regent, and be granted the authority to receive the Yellow Axe, the Nine Bestowments, and the privilege of not having to name his elder brother during audiences, not having to hasten his steps when entering the court, and being allowed to wear a sword and shoes in the imperial palace!

This was almost the highest honor and authority a subject could imagine, bringing him to the level of an emperor.

"Excellent!" Everyone exclaimed in admiration.

With the combined efforts of "public recommendation by the ministers" and "earnest request from the young emperor," the position of "regency" gained undeniable legitimacy and justification. It was a responsibility that was "forced" upon him, rather than something he actively sought.

"Once the memorials and edicts are drafted," a cold glint flashed in Xiao Chen's eyes, "we must announce them to the world in a grand and public manner! Not only must everyone in the capital know, but we must also send proclamations to all the prefectures and counties, and inform the southern lords! I want to see who dares to utter a single word of dissent!"

"We obey!" The crowd responded in unison, their spirits high.

They knew that once Xiao Chen ascended to the position of "Regent," he would truly be acting as the emperor and the ruler of the world. The final step was only a thin layer of paper, which could be torn at any moment.

And these meritorious officials who followed the emperor will also rise in rank.

The plan was quickly put into action.

Han Lie and others drafted a memorial overnight and lobbied officials.

As expected, given the Jingbei Prince's current immense power and the allure of its clear future prospects, almost no one dared or was willing to oppose this "recommendation to ascend the throne."

In just a few days, a joint petition urging Xiao Chen to ascend the throne, densely covered with the seals of high-ranking officials in the capital, generals who had submitted to him, local officials, and some members of the imperial family, was prepared. The petition was earnest and practically praised Xiao Chen to the skies.

Meanwhile, inside the Prince An's residence, under the "persuasion" of the newly appointed, absolutely reliable eunuch personally selected by Murong Xue, Xiao Yan, with trembling hands, stamped the old seal symbolizing his status as a deposed emperor on the already drafted, ornately worded edict filled with "self-reproach" and "pleading."

Throughout the entire process, Xiao Jie didn't even have the courage to read the entire edict.

In the third year of Shenwu, in early summer.

Shenjing, the Imperial City, the square outside Chengtianmen Gate.

A grand and solemn ceremony for "urging the emperor to ascend the throne" and "receiving the mandate" was held here.

On the square, civil and military officials, members of the imperial family and nobles, and envoys from various prefectures and counties knelt in a dense mass.

A temporary platform for receiving gifts was set up on the tall Chengtianmen gate tower.

First, Han Lie, representing all the officials, loudly read aloud the lengthy "Public Recommendation of Prince Jingbei for the Title of Regent" under the watchful eyes of the crowd. His voice was so loud that it echoed throughout the square.

After the memorial was read, the officials shouted, "The affairs of the state are in dire straits, and only the Regent can resolve them! We earnestly request Your Highness to consider the well-being of the nation and its people, to ascend to the position of Regent, and to take control of the court!" The shouts were like a tidal wave, shaking the palace.

Immediately afterwards, a palace eunuch ascended the city wall, unrolled the edict issued in the name of "Prince An, Xiao Jie," and read it aloud in a shrill voice.

In the imperial edict, Xiao Jie "blamed himself for his incompetence" and entrusted the "ancestral foundation and the people of the world" to his elder brother, Prince Jingbei Xiao Chen, who was "of unparalleled merit and virtue." He formally appointed Xiao Chen as "Regent," in charge of all military and state affairs, bestowed upon him the Yellow Axe, the Nine Bestowments, the privilege of not having to name himself when being worshipped, not having to hasten his steps when entering the court, and being allowed to wear a sword and shoes in the palace. He also "earnestly hoped" that the Regent "would not refuse again."

After the two documents were read aloud, under the watchful eyes of countless people, Xiao Chen, dressed in a black robe embroidered with gold pythons, slowly ascended the Chengtian Gate tower, surrounded by his trusted ministers such as Han Lie, Chen Dao, Wang Dashan, and Murong Xue.

His face was calm as he glanced at the kneeling officials below and the onlookers in the distance, finally stopping in front of the platform where the "Regent" golden seal and the Nine Bestowments were displayed.

He did not refuse too much, symbolically expressing that he was "lacking in talent and virtue and fearing that he would fail to live up to the high expectations of the officials," and after the officials "repeatedly pleaded with him."

Finally, amidst the thunderous shouts of "Long live the Regent! Long live the Regent!", he accepted the heavy golden seal of "Regent" that symbolized supreme power!

At that moment, the sunlight broke through the clouds and shone directly on the Chengtian Gate tower, making Xiao Chen's figure and the golden seal in his hand shine brightly, like a deity.

The people below the city looked up in awe, their hearts filled with profound emotion.

They knew that from this moment on, the world of Daliang had completely changed.

That young king, who rose from the cold abyss of the north, after being baptized in blood and fire, finally seized power and ruled the world as the "Regent"!

The contents of the imperial edict and memorials were quickly disseminated throughout the country in the form of official gazettes and proclamations.

The world was shaken and speechless.

When the southern lords received the news, their reactions varied: some were shocked and angry, some remained silent, and some secretly increased their vigilance. However, no one dared to openly question the position of "Regent," which was "universally respected."

Because everyone understands that this is not just a change of name, but the formal establishment of an era and the birth of an undisputed northern hegemon.

And the next step of this "Regent" will be the most watched and most feared thing in the world.