Chapter 59 Giving Kangxi a Shock

Emperor Kangxi was taken aback when Jiang Nan asked this question.

His expression immediately turned serious. He pondered for a moment, then nodded solemnly.

"Yes, I care."

Why?

Jiang Nan pressed on, her eyes clear and filled with pure curiosity.

"Aren't they all your sons? Why make such a distinction? Besides, aren't you also born out of wedlock?"

Her question was even bolder, almost touching on Kangxi's background.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Kangxi frowned slightly and glared at her.

But he didn't actually get angry; instead, he sighed and patiently explained.

“Nan Nan, you don’t understand. I have been deeply influenced by the Confucian culture of the Han Dynasty since childhood. I know that in all dynasties, whenever the country was strong and the laws were strict, such as the Han Dynasty, the core of the system was the patriarchal system that distinguished between legitimate and illegitimate children and ordered seniority. This is the cornerstone for maintaining the order of the court and stabilizing people’s hearts.”

He paused, his gaze becoming distant, carrying the worry of an emperor.

"Furthermore, there is only one throne. If there is no clear and universally recognized rule of succession, the struggle among the sons will inevitably lead to political turmoil, fratricide, and the collapse of the nation. If the system of primogeniture is established, the order of succession will be determined early, which will reduce many unnecessary struggles, which will help stabilize the country and win the hearts of the people."

Jiang Nan rolled her eyes inwardly as she listened.

It's clear they've been severely poisoned by Confucianism.

But she looked thoughtful, then shook her head, her tone slightly disapproving.

"Your Majesty, the primogeniture system you mentioned sounds like it can reduce strife, but have you considered what if your legitimate son is born stupid and incompetent, or grows up to be muddle-headed and incapable? If you hand over the empire to him, wouldn't you be harming the people of the world?"

Seeing that Kangxi's brows furrowed even more, she continued to give examples.

"Just like you said about the Han Dynasty, it was fine for Huo Guang to assist Emperor Zhao and Emperor Xuan, but what if he encountered a powerful minister like Sima Yi who held immense power and eventually usurped the Cao Wei throne? Can the eldest son guarantee the stability of the dynasty? Moreover, throughout history, how many emperors have truly ascended the throne smoothly from the position of crown prince? The position of crown prince may seem prestigious, but in reality, it is a sitting duck, the easiest target for open and covert attacks."

These words were utterly treasonous, directly addressing the core contradiction of imperial succession.

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Kangxi's face instantly darkened, and a complex and indescribable emotion flashed in his eyes.

There is anger at not being recognized, and helplessness at deeply agreeing but being unwilling to admit it.

He slammed down his chopsticks, his voice tinged with annoyance.

"Alright, Nan Nan, let's not talk about this anymore. I'm annoyed."

Seeing that he was really angry, Jiang Nan knew that this topic was too sensitive and she couldn't push him too hard.

Her eyes darted around, and she immediately put on a smiling face as if presenting a treasure. She leaned closer and said mysteriously.

"Your Majesty, please don't be angry. I won't talk about that troublesome matter anymore. However, I do have a good solution that can solve the problem once and for all. It can both win over the hearts of the people and stabilize the court, and it can also avoid having to set up a crown prince early on. Furthermore, it can allow you to choose the best son based on their performance. Would you like to hear it?"

Kangxi was taken aback by her sudden turn of events and looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"Oh? What brilliant idea do you have this time? Tell me."

Although he didn't believe that Jiang Nan could really come up with a brilliant solution to this age-old problem.

But I'm still a little curious about her wildly imaginative ideas.

Jiang Nan cleared her throat, sat up straight, a smug expression on her face, and lowered her voice.

"The solution is actually very simple: do not appoint a crown prince."

"Not establishing a crown prince?"

Emperor Kangxi raised an eyebrow.

"Then how can we determine the foundation of the nation? Won't the whole country be in an uproar?"

"Oh dear, please let me finish."

Jiang Nan waved her hand.

"Not publicly designating a crown prince does not mean not designating an heir. You can secretly designate an heir."

"Secretly designating an heir?"

A glint of light flashed in Kangxi's eyes. This idea seemed feasible.

"right."

Jiang Nan nodded vigorously and continued to describe her blueprint.

"When the ministers in the court start clamoring for you to establish a crown prince, you should issue a decree to announce to the world that the Great Qing Dynasty will not establish a crown prince, but the successor to the throne will be personally selected by me."

She became more and more excited as she spoke, gesturing with her hands.

"Then you will inform your ministers that after you have chosen your successor, you will write a decree of succession, listing the name of your preferred prince. This decree will be in duplicate; you will keep one copy with you, and the other copy..."

She deliberately dragged out her words, her gaze sweeping towards the Forbidden City outside the window.

It's as if you can see through the layers of palace walls to the palace that symbolizes supreme power.

"It will be sealed in a golden box and placed... well, for example, behind the 'Upright and Bright' plaque in the Qianqing Palace. It will be heavily guarded and no one may move it without your personal order."

"Wait until... a hundred years from now."

As she spoke, her tone lowered, carrying a hint of solemnity.

"The regent and the princes and nobles will open the golden box in public and read the edict. At that time, the successor will be legitimate, and even if others have ideas, they will have no legitimate reason to act. In this way, we can avoid the princes fighting too early and allow you to make the most appropriate choice based on their talents and character. Isn't that the best of both worlds?"

After Jiang Nan finished speaking, she blinked at Kangxi, her face showing an expression that said, "Please praise me for being smart."

Hehe, I'm telling you in advance how your son, Emperor Yongzheng, will pass the throne. Isn't that generous of me?

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Emperor Kangxi was stunned when he heard this.

His shocked gaze was fixed on Jiang Nan.

Secretly designating an heir... Behind the plaque of uprightness and justice...

She even thought of a place to store the imperial edict.

Behind the "Zhengda Guangming" plaque in the Qianqing Palace lies the most central and solemn symbol of imperial power.

It has great significance to place it there.

He remained silent for a long time, only scrutinizing the woman before him with a shocked and scrutinizing gaze.

An eerie silence fell over the hall.

Jiang Nan felt a little uneasy under Kangxi's gaze and couldn't help but touch her face.

"Your Majesty, why are you looking at me like that? Is there a grain of rice on my face?"

Kangxi then came to his senses, took a deep breath, and suppressed the turmoil in his heart.

Instead of directly commenting on Jiang Nan's ingenious idea, he spoke with a complex tone.

"Enjoy your meal. This matter... concerns the very foundation of the nation and is of utmost importance. Allow me to consider it carefully further."

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The next morning, I reflected on my actions.

Inside the main hall of Kunning Palace, the atmosphere was as oppressive as the calm before a storm.

Jiang Nan was sitting leisurely in the first seat on the left.

He rested his chin on his hand, leisurely observing everything in the hall.

His face showed no sign of tension, but rather an almost leisurely air, as if he were watching a play.

Last night, Lady Daijia was officially made a concubine by imperial decree of Emperor Kangxi, and at this moment she is respectfully serving tea to the Empress.

Empress Hesheli sat upright on her phoenix chair, calmly accepting the tea and taking a small sip without any apparent difficulty.

However, the suppressed excitement and the satisfaction of impending revenge deep in his eyes did not escape Jiang Nan's notice.

Jiang Nan scoffed inwardly, "Tsk, he's losing his temper."

Sure enough, after the routine greetings and a few perfunctory words of instruction, no one reported any matters.

The Empress could no longer contain herself. She cleared her throat, her voice carrying a deliberately crafted air of authority and impatience.

"Bring up the candidate, Wanyan Shi."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Nan's lips curled into a barely perceptible sneer.

She adjusted her posture, still supporting her head with her hand and tilting her head to the side.

His gaze was fixed intently on the direction of the palace gate, as if he were waiting for a grand performance to begin.

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