After New Year's Eve, it was the nineteenth year of Jingming.
On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the emperor Liu Zhao and his empress Gu Jiu appeared together in the Golden Palace.
All civil and military officials were surprised.
The royal family was surprised.
The princes and princesses were also surprised.
Everyone looked at each other, their hearts full of questions.
This was the first time in so many years that the Empress officially appeared in the Golden Palace.
Although, behind every major upheaval in the government, every struggle between the emperor and the prime minister, and every major decision, there is the shadow of the Empress.
However, the Queen Mother has always adhered to the minimum bottom line, not appearing in public in front of court officials, and not expressing any public opinions.
What happened today?
Why did the Queen break the bottom line and appear with His Majesty at the morning court, and it was the first grand court meeting of the new year?
What is the purpose?
At some point, a chair appeared next to the dragon throne, side by side with the dragon throne.
The emperor and empress sat down and looked at each other.
Liu Zhao was obviously a little nervous, and his palms were sweating.
Gu Jiu held his hand tightly and whispered, "It's not too late to change your mind now."
Liu Zhao shook his head slightly, his mind made up.
Gu Jiu couldn't help but think of the fifth day of the first lunar month. When she woke up in the morning, Liu Zhao suddenly told her, "I have made a decision. I want to abdicate."
At that time, Gu Jiu was so shocked that he couldn't recover.
After that conversation, she always thought that Liu Zhao would give up abdication and would stay on the throne until the day of his death.
She has decided to forget about the abdication and pretend that nothing happened.
Who would have thought that Liu Zhao would still insist on abdicating.
This decision is so difficult!
It's clearly a test of human nature.
And human nature is the thing that cannot stand the test.
Gu Jiu had said that no matter what decision Liu Zhao made, she would support him. She meant it sincerely.
She understood the difficulties and suffering involved too well.
She never expected that Liu Zhao would make the most difficult decision.
At that time, she couldn't help but ask: "Are you sure? One day you will regret it, but will you still abdicate?"
Liu Zhao said to her at that time: "Whether I abdicate or not, I will inevitably regret it. These past few days, I have been restless and restless, thinking about this issue all the time. Since any decision will lead to regret, it is better to choose a decision that will not bring regrets even if I regret it."
Gu Jiu was speechless. After a long moment, she said, "You don't have to sacrifice for anyone or anything. You should follow your heart on this important matter."
"I just follow my heart. Deep down, I have always longed to take you on a journey of adventure and live a life like a fairy."
Gu Jiu's eyes turned red at that time and tears couldn't stop falling.
She drove Liu Zhao out, closed the door and cried bitterly.
She couldn't explain why she cried that day and cried so hard.
All kinds of emotions were swirling around, making her feel upset.
After crying, my emotions calmed down.
The heart also becomes calm.
She opened the door, pulled Liu Zhao into the room, and asked solemnly for the last time, "Have you decided?"
Liu Zhao nodded heavily, "It's decided!"
"Not changing it anymore?"
"No! To avoid any further complications, I will formally announce this decision at the Grand Court Meeting on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. I am a little panicked, fearing someone might go mad on the spot. You will then accompany me to the Golden Throne Hall. I have already arranged for the Jing Grand Camp to be ready to dispatch troops at any time. The Dragon Cavalry Guard and the Jinwu Guard are on standby at all times."
"you……"
Gu Jiu was choked with sobs and couldn't speak.
She nodded repeatedly and agreed to attend the grand court meeting with him.
So today's scene happened.
Liu Zhao coughed lightly, and the noisy Golden Palace quieted down.
"Today, I have an important announcement! This matter is of great importance. King Qi, please come forward."
King Liu Yuyin of Qi had a premonition, frowned, hesitated for a second, and then walked to the front.
"Today I will appoint Prince Liu Yu of Qi as the crown prince!"
After these words were spoken, the court officials fell silent.
This was something that was expected long ago and is not surprising.
However, the Emperor wanted to appoint the Prince of Qi as the Crown Prince, so there was no need to make it so solemn. There was no need for the Empress to attend the grand court meeting.
"Father..."
King Liu Yu of Qi opened and closed his lips, but he couldn't utter a single word.
Gu Jiu shook his head slightly at him and told him to be patient.
Liu Zhao continued speaking.
"...I have been a soldier since childhood... Now, in my fifties, I have suffered from injuries and pain. I often feel my energy is running low and my thoughts are unclear... Today, I solemnly announce my abdication!"
Rumble!
It was like a thunderclap, blowing everyone's head into pieces.
What?
abdicate?
There must be something wrong with my ears!
must!
"What did your majesty just say? I didn't hear it clearly."
"It sounds like he's going to abdicate."
"impossible!"
"Your Majesty is confused!"
An old minister in his seventies or eighties, who usually did not care about affairs and only appeared at grand court meetings, often pointing at Liu Zhao's nose and cursing the tyrant.
At this moment, he stepped out from the crowd, crying and wailing, "Your Majesty is foolish! Your Majesty was at the peak of his power. He reduced taxes, opened up trade routes, enriched the people and strengthened the army, and expanded the territory. His achievements are comparable to those of Taizu. How can you abdicate? I, an old minister, firmly oppose it!"
"The old ministers are also firmly opposed to it."
More and more ministers stood up to oppose Liu Zhao's abdication.
Almost every one of these people pointed at Liu Zhao's nose and called him a tyrant, always saying that he was messing around and would sooner or later cause chaos.
As the years passed, no chaos broke out. Instead, the Great Zhou Dynasty became visibly better and better, and the people's lives became better and better.
Officials' salaries have increased, and retired officials can receive a monthly pension that is neither too much nor too little on time, allowing them to spend their later years in peace.
Everything is moving in the right direction.
The future is promising!
The Great Zhou Dynasty has entered a prosperous era.
If one were a bit more shameless, one could already call it the Jingming Era of Prosperity, the Jingming Revival...
A prosperous era is to be expected!
At this time, Emperor Jingming Liu Zhao suddenly decided to abdicate, which was shocking.
"Your Majesty, have you been poisoned? Do you no longer want the Great Zhou? Do you not care about us, your subjects? Why are you abdicating?"
"Your Majesty, please revoke your order!"
More and more veteran officials came out in opposition.
The middle-aged and young officials are in an awkward position.
They all supported the King of Qi and hoped that he could ascend the throne and take charge as soon as possible.
It is a good thing for them that His Majesty abdicates and the King of Qi ascends the throne.
However, for the old ministers, a new emperor means new ministers. His Majesty's abdication means that they will also usher in the day of retirement.
There is one position for each person, and they have to give up their positions to make room for young and middle-aged officials.
At this moment, the old ministers were all anxiously asking His Majesty to revoke his order.
Young and middle-aged officials can only follow the trend.
Otherwise, if someone accuses you of harboring evil intentions and hoping that Your Majesty will abdicate, you will be in trouble.
Liu Zhao said loudly, "I have made up my mind. My dear ministers, there is no need to try to stop me."
"Your Majesty, please revoke your order!"
"Your Majesty cannot abdicate! Your Highness the Prince of Qi is so young, how can he take on such a heavy responsibility?"
The implication is that even if he wants to abdicate, he should appoint a regent to assist the new emperor.
Liu Zhao had no intention of appointing a regent.
He had been through the New Emperor stage and knew what it felt like to be questioned and constrained.
If he wasn't strong enough, it would probably take him three to five years to break free. And that was without a regent.
If there were a regent, there would definitely be chaos in the court.
Emperor Chengzong Wende did not appoint a regent in order to reduce the constraints on Liu Zhao.
Liu Zhao thought this decision was right.
So he decided to follow the example of the previous emperor.
Now, he did not appoint a regent, also in order to reduce the constraints on Liu Yu.
He personally examined Liu Yu's ability to handle state affairs and found him fully qualified for the throne.
It is unnecessary to establish a regent.
You're not a ten-year-old kid who needs someone to help you make decisions.
At this moment, Liu Yu was kneeling on the ground with a complicated look in his eyes.
"Please revoke your order, Father!" he said loudly.
Liu Zhao glared at him and said, "You have no right to speak here. Shut up!"
Liu Yu's eyebrows twitched. "I still have many shortcomings and need more experience. I am unable to take on such a big responsibility at the moment. Please revoke your order, father."
"Shut up! I haven't officially abdicated yet, and you dare disobey me?" Liu Zhao looked furious.
Liu Yu opened his mouth and wanted to continue speaking.
Gu Jiu winked at him, signaling him not to speak, and he swallowed all the words that were about to come out of his mouth.
Liu Zhao stood up, feeling dizzy for a moment, and had to hold on to the table to steady himself.
Gu Jiu looked worried. "How does your Majesty feel? Do you want to adjourn the court and return to the palace to rest?"
When the dizziness subsided a little, Liu Zhao waved his hand and said, "I can still hold on."
His face turned pale as he looked at the courtiers. "My health, my dear ministers, is very clear to me. How many years I can live, as the imperial physician says, depends on whether I can rest assured and recuperate, without worrying or overworking myself." However, as an emperor, how can I avoid worry and overwork?
"Let me put it this way: every day I sit in this position shortens my lifespan by ten days. Every year I work, shortens my lifespan by ten years. My health is failing, and I have not much time left. I simply wish to enjoy a few days of ease and comfort in my final days. Are you, my dear ministers, unwilling to grant me such a small wish? Are you truly so cruel to me?"
"His Majesty……"
The ministers burst into tears.
"We all hope that Your Majesty will live a long life. If Your Majesty needs to rest and recuperate, you can follow the example of the past. Your Majesty can go to another courtyard to recuperate and let His Royal Highness the Prince of Qi govern the country. This does not require you to abdicate!"
"Yeah! You don't have to abdicate!"
"Your Majesty, please revoke your order!"
Liu Zhao shook his head repeatedly. "You are all wrong! Back then, I allowed the Prince of Qi to govern because I thought I was still young. Now, I realize I am old, my energy is waning, and my health is failing. I can no longer follow the old ways. The Prince of Qi and you, my beloved ministers, can handle the affairs of state without me. It is time for me to abdicate and allow the Prince of Qi to ascend the throne."
"If your Majesty abdicates, what shall we do?"
Some people lay on the ground, crying bitterly.
Countless old ministers prostrated themselves on the ground, begging the emperor to revoke his decision.
However, Emperor Liu Zhao had made up his mind and directly ordered the Ministry of Rites, "The matter of abdication and enthronement will be handled by the Ministry of Rites. Please come up with a plan as soon as possible and determine the date."
After saying this, Liu Zhao and the Queen withdrew from the court.
…
The court is in chaos!
The courtiers are crazy!
His Majesty the Emperor was going to abdicate and have the Prince of Qi ascend the throne. This news spread throughout the circle in no time after the morning court session ended.
Then the news spread from the circle to the streets and alleys of the capital.
"Why would Your Majesty ever think of abdicating? How foolish!"
"Is your Majesty's health really at the end of its rope?"
"How could someone voluntarily give up the throne? It's unbelievable!"
"Your Majesty, have you done enough incredible things since ascending the throne? It's no surprise that you're now threatening to abdicate."
"Now that you mention it, it's not surprising. After all, Your Majesty has never been one to follow the rules, to follow procedures, or to stick to the old ways. Your Majesty's favorite thing to do is to break the old conventions and do things that others dare not think of or dare to do."
"I have to admire your majesty's courage. Giving up the throne so easily is truly remarkable."
"Maybe it's really because of physical reasons."
"No matter what the reason, your Majesty's decision to abdicate is truly remarkable. If it were you, even if you were half-deadly ill, you wouldn't give up the throne."
"That's true! Your Majesty is indeed not an ordinary person, as he is willing to give up the throne."
Abdication is indeed not something that ordinary people can do.
In Prince Duan's Mansion, Liu Yi sat in front of the window, unable to recover for a long time.
"He actually wants to abdicate?"
After the morning court session ended, he returned to the palace in a daze, his mind in a mess.
He couldn't understand why he would abdicate.
Xiao Qin'er looked at Liu Yi, extremely angry.
"What's so hard to understand? His Majesty is a man who can let go easily. When he feels it's time to rest, he will naturally and decisively give up the throne."
"That's the throne!" Liu Yi roared, "That's the throne that we brothers have fought for our entire lives, dreamed of, and been unwilling to accept! Now that the throne has fallen into his hands, I have nothing to say. But how can he give it up so easily and abdicate like that? Even if he's in poor health, there's no need for him to abdicate!"
"You're not him, so of course you can't understand his actions." Xiao Qin'er snorted coldly and continued, "Your Majesty and the Queen are not ordinary people. Don't use your ordinary mind to speculate about them."
Liu Yi's cheeks flushed. "No, I have to ask him in person why he wants to abdicate. Doesn't he really care about the throne given to him by our father?"
After saying that, Liu Yi ran out.
Xiao Qin'er couldn't stop him.
－－－－－－Digression－－－－－－
We will continue with the finale tomorrow and strive to finish it tomorrow.
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