Chapter 305 Dai Zhou Dies, Court Suspended for Three Days
"Your Majesty, something terrible has happened."
Just as he was lecherously planning to grope her, Wang De rushed in...
Emperor Shimin was furious!
"Wang De, if you don't give a proper explanation today, you might as well prepare to empty the chamber pots?"
Wang De was dumbfounded.
It seems the eccentric scholar has arrived at an inopportune time.
but……
"Your Majesty, news has just arrived from the Dai residence."
Wang De said anxiously, "Minister Dai has just passed away!"
What?
Li Shimin was startled and stood up.
Dai Zhou (courtesy name Xuan Yin)
Left Minister Xiao Yu was dismissed from office, and Right Minister Feng Deyi died of illness.
Dai Zhou was appointed as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel during a time of crisis, and he took on the responsibilities of the Ministry of Personnel.
He was hailed as the most competent Left Vice Minister since the founding of the nation!
In the third year of the Zhenguan era, he was appointed Minister of Civil Affairs.
Before his death, Du Ruhui requested that he be appointed Minister of Personnel!
A mere official, simultaneously holding the positions of two high-ranking ministers!
This can be described as setting a precedent in history!
"Prepare the carriage...heading to the Dai residence!"
Li Shimin immediately lost his mood and quickly turned back: "Guanyinbi, I'll go to the Dai residence first."
"Your Majesty, state affairs are of utmost importance."
Empress Zhangsun smiled understandingly.
at the same time.
The news of Dai Zhou's death swept through Chang'an like a hurricane.
A sense of sorrow enveloped the entire city of Chang'an.
Many officials flocked to the Dai residence.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
As soon as Li Shimin stepped into the Dai residence, many officials bowed to him.
Li Shimin ignored it.
With a gloomy face, he walked straight into the inner room.
Among them were officials such as Wei Zheng and Fang Xuanling.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
Wei Zheng and the others bowed again.
Li Shimin still ignored him, looking at the deceased Dai Zhou, his eyes slightly red.
"Minister Dai..."
Li Shimin called out softly.
“Kemin is gone, Fenglun is gone, and now Minister Dai is gone too.”
Li Shimin was a little sad.
As one minister after another passed away, it would be a lie to say he wasn't saddened.
He was afraid too.
I'm afraid that one day I'll be like that too.
"His Majesty!"
Wei Zheng bowed to Li Shimin and said, "Xuan Yin has passed away. Your Majesty, I humbly request that you posthumously confer titles upon him!"
"well."
Li Shimin sighed, "I really dislike posthumous titles. Once a title is bestowed, it means that another official has passed away."
"Birth, aging, sickness, and death; the cycle of nature."
Fang Xuanling bowed and said, "Xuan Yin has lived a life without shame before Heaven and Earth, and his life is already complete."
Li Shimin glanced at his ministers, and finally fixed his gaze on Dai Zhou's relatives.
Dai Zhou had only one daughter.
They don't even have a son.
However, he had an adopted son, who was the son of Dai Zhou's elder brother.
"Minister Dai has devoted himself to the Tang Dynasty with all his heart and soul. As his son, you should be proud of your lineage..." Li Shimin said to Dai Zhide.
"Your subject will certainly carry on my father's legacy and dedicate myself to the Tang Dynasty until my dying breath!"
Dai Zhide, dressed in mourning clothes, bowed respectfully.
"Um."
Li Shimin nodded: "Xuan Yin is in charge of a busy and demanding administration, handling all affairs with ease. He is of a straightforward and honest nature, and when it comes to matters that need to be addressed, he does not shy away from anything..."
"In recognition of Xuan Yin's loyalty, he was posthumously awarded the title of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, posthumously enfeoffed as Duke of Dao, and given the posthumous title of Zhong (忠, meaning loyal)."
As Li Shimin finished speaking, Dai Zhide bowed again.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
The advantage of posthumous conferment is that descendants can inherit the posthumously conferred title.
For example, Dai Zhou was a Duke of a Commandery, and according to the rules, he should have inherited a title one rank lower.
If Dai Zhicheng were to inherit the title, he would become the county magistrate.
However, after being posthumously granted the title, Dai Zhou became a Duke, while Dai Zhide inherited the title of Duke of the Commandery.
This can be considered another form of reward for meritorious individuals.
"Minister Dai lived a life of poverty..."
Li Shimin looked at the house and saw that it was so simple that there wasn't even a place for sacrifices.
“Xuanling”.
"Your subject is here!"
"Issue an imperial decree ordering the Ministry of Works to expedite the construction of a temple for Minister Dai's worship."
"promise."
Fang Xuanling went out to make arrangements.
Li Shimin stayed in the inner hall for a long time, only leaving when curfew was approaching.
But before leaving...
Li Shimin issued another decree.
The court was closed for three days.
The night passed in silence.
The next day arrived in the blink of an eye.
The Imperial Study.
Li Shimin was not in a good mood and was genuinely not in the mood to handle state affairs.
"Xuanling, has everything been arranged?" Li Shimin asked.
"Your Majesty, everything has been arranged."
Fang Xuanling bowed and replied, "Xuanyin lived a life of hardship; I will ensure he departs in glory!"
"good."
Li Shimin once again appeared dejected.
"His Majesty……"
Seeing that Li Shimin was not in high spirits, the quick-witted Cheng Yaojin stepped forward again: "Since court has been suspended for three days, why don't we go and relax?"
Relax?
Li Shimin's face showed anger: "Xuan Yin has just passed away, how could you say such a thing?"
"That's not what I meant."
Cheng Yaojin's eyes darted around: "Your Majesty cares for his subjects; we are deeply moved."
"But Your Majesty's eyes are red and swollen, and your face is haggard..."
"Your Majesty only hopes that you can recover from your grief as soon as possible."
Li Shimin remained silent.
"If Your Majesty is depressed, it will only make your ministers uneasy."
"The court still needs His Majesty, and the people still need His Majesty."
Seeing that his words were effective, Cheng Yaojin continued, "I believe that no one will say anything if Your Majesty goes out for a stroll to relax."
Li Shimin nodded.
"no."
Li Shimin once again refused decisively: "If I were to leave the palace immediately after the death of my subject, wouldn't that make me appear heartless and ungrateful?"
"Not to mention the people would curse me, even the court officials would not agree."
The subject refuses?
You mean Wei Zheng, right?
Cheng Yaojin silently complained to himself.
"His Majesty."
Cheng Yaojin replied with a serious expression, "Xuanyin has passed away, and there is no elder in the family to take charge."
"It just so happens that Wei Zheng and Xuan Yin had a good relationship."
"I suggest that Wei Zheng, as an elder, help look after them."
Um?
Li Shimin squinted.
"It still doesn't work!"
Li Shimin refused again, saying, "I am the ruler of a country; how can I indulge in trivial pursuits and lose my ambition!"
"His Majesty."
Cheng Yaojin said seriously, "This is not about losing one's will to live; it's about balancing work and rest."
"No, no..."
Li Shimin shook his head repeatedly: "Xuan Yin has just passed away, I cannot do this!"
"Your Majesty, your eyes are red and swollen, and your face looks haggard. If you don't rest, I'm worried about your health."
"For the sake of the Tang Dynasty."
"For the sake of His Majesty's health."
"Your Majesty, I humbly request once again that you relax a little!"
"If anyone dares to speak ill of me, I am willing to bear the consequences!"
Seeing that Cheng Yaojin's attitude was resolute.
Li Shimin was tempted.
Dai Zhou made contributions to the Tang Dynasty, but the fact that Li Shimin personally visited him was already an act of great imperial grace.
There's nothing to do even after three days of suspension of court...
"What does Xuanling think?" Li Shimin turned to look at Fang Xuanling.
"..."
Fang Xuanling was speechless.
There were only the three of us in the Imperial Study, plus Wang De.
Do you two really have to be so righteous and awe-inspiring?
"Your subject has no objection," Fang Xuanling bowed.
Um?
Li Shimin revealed his displeasure through a nasal tone.
"I believe that Zhijie's words are reasonable."
Fang Xuanling said against his will, "Your Majesty is deeply saddened by the loss of your beloved minister and is in low spirits..."
"Your Majesty, I humbly request that you temporarily set aside state affairs and calm your mind."
Um.
Li Shimin nodded in satisfaction.
"Since both of you ministers have offered your advice, then I should indeed heed it."
"Cough cough..."
Li Shimin coughed and asked, "Does Zhijie have any plans?"
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