Chapter 346 With a great general like you here, what am I afraid of?
Zhao Yunci clasped her hands together, a look of struggle in her eyes: "Monks are pure and untainted by the mundane world. I..."
Just as the court was at a stalemate, footsteps were heard outside the hall.
Prince Yong, dressed in plain clothes, entered the hall. He saluted Zhao Yunci and turned to face the entire court.
"My Lords, please allow me to speak." King Yong's voice was not loud, but every word was sonorous.
"Our Eastern Jin Dynasty is currently plagued by internal and external troubles. The late emperor has just passed away, and the people are uneasy. Without a wise ruler to rule, I'm afraid the country will be in turmoil."
He turned to Zhao Yunci with an earnest tone.
"Third Prince, although you have studied Buddhism since childhood, Buddhism emphasizes the salvation of all sentient beings. Now, the people of the world need your guidance. Isn't this exactly the way that the Buddha hoped for, to save all sentient beings?"
A gleam of light flashed in Zhao Yunci's eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Prince Yong's words make sense." The Minister of Rites immediately agreed.
"Third Prince, the late emperor entrusted the country to you before his death. This is a heavy responsibility, and it is also destiny. If you refuse, you are truly unfilial!"
"Yes, Third Prince, for the sake of the people of the world, please accept the throne!"
"Third Prince, please put the country first!"
All the ministers pleaded in unison, their voices echoing throughout the hall.
Zhao Yunci looked at the kneeling court officials, and a hint of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.
He sighed softly and nodded helplessly.
"Since you are so sincere, for the stability of the Great Zhou and the well-being of the people of the world, I... am willing to accept this important task."
As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous cheers erupted in the hall.
"Your Majesty, I congratulate you!"
"Long live our emperor, long live our emperor, long live our emperor!"
Zhao Yunci stood in the hall, glanced at everyone, and finally a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth.
The Minister of Rites struck while the iron was hot: "Since the Third Prince has decided to ascend the throne, it would be better to choose an auspicious day and hold the coronation ceremony as soon as possible to reassure the people."
Prince Yong stepped forward and said, "The late emperor has not yet been buried. I'm afraid..."
Zhao Yunci interrupted, "Uncle Prince Yong is right. My father's body is still warm. If I were to ascend the throne hastily, I'd be considered unfilial. It wouldn't be too late to hold the coronation ceremony after my father's burial."
The ministers agreed and began to discuss the funeral arrangements.
Outside the hall, Gu Junze stood in the corridor, listening to the sounds inside the hall, a sneer appeared on the corner of his mouth.
Everything was going according to their plan, except that the Third Prince was being a bit too much in his excuses.
Three days later, all the civil and military officials gathered in the court again.
Zhao Yunci had changed into the imperial robes and sat on the dragon throne. He announced his first decree after ascending the throne - a general amnesty.
"The late emperor has passed away, and heaven and earth mourn together. As successor to the throne, I wish to share this difficult time with all my subjects. From this day forward, a general amnesty will be declared. With the exception of the ten most heinous crimes, all prisoners will have their sentences commuted by three levels."
Zhao Yunci's voice was not loud, but every word was clear and could be heard in every corner of the hall.
"Also, I wish to appoint Gu Junze as the Grand General of the Nation, commanding the three armies."
As soon as these words were spoken, there was an uproar in the hall.
Although everyone knew that Gu Junze had made great contributions in the Pingzhou war, such an important task still made many people feel skeptical.
"Your Majesty, General Gu is still young and may not be able to take on this important task..." The Minister of War spoke cautiously.
Zhao Yunci's eyes turned cold. "General Gu is loyal to his country. More importantly, he exposed the case of Prince Su and eliminated a major hidden danger for our Eastern Jin Dynasty."
"My move is to reward people based on their merits. Do you have any objections, my dear ministers?"
Seeing the emperor's firm attitude, the ministers all nodded in agreement.
Gu Junze stepped forward and bowed in thanks: "I thank your Majesty for your grace. I will do my utmost to protect our territory."
In the imperial study, Zhao Yunci took off her court robes and changed into light casual clothes.
He stood in front of the window, looking at the scenery of the palace outside.
"Your Majesty, General Gu requests to see you." The young eunuch reported softly outside the door.
"Let him in." Zhao Yunci said without turning his head.
Gu Junze walked into the imperial study and bowed to Zhao Yunci: "Your Majesty."
"No need to be so polite, there are no outsiders here." Zhao Yunci turned around and motioned Gu Junze to sit down.
"You acted so well in this play that even I almost believed it." Gu Junze smiled slightly and sat down opposite Zhao Yunci.
Zhao Yunci chuckled: "It has to be done with a legitimate reason!"
"Look at this."
Zhao Yunci took out a golden scroll from the desk drawer and handed it to Gu Junze.
Gu Junze took the scroll, opened it and raised his brows slightly.
It was clearly written on it that the imperial edict conferred the title of Consort Chu Ruohan, with a bright red seal and neat handwriting.
"You are quite generous." Gu Junze closed the imperial edict, his tone was flat, but a smile flashed in his eyes.
Zhao Yunci picked up the teacup and took a sip slowly.
"Don't want it? If you don't want it, I'll take it away."
"Who said I don't want it anymore." Gu Junze carefully put away the imperial edict, with a hint of tenderness in his eyes.
"If Han'er knew this news, she would be delighted."
Zhao Yunci put down the teacup and looked at Gu Junze subtly.
"You still remember the agreement between you and me, right?"
"Of course I remember."
Gu Junze's expression grew colder. "The case of Prince Su has been solved, and you have ascended the throne. Now, it's time to fulfill our agreement."
Zhao Yunci stood up and walked to the window, with her back to Gu Junze, her eyes cast towards the palace wall in the distance.
"Do you think I would be a good emperor?"
"It depends on you." Gu Junze's voice was low and firm.
"But as long as you govern according to our agreement, reduce taxes, enforce minimal levies, and love your people like your own children, you will not be a bad emperor."
Zhao Yunci was silent for a moment, then suddenly turned around and said, "To be honest, I never thought that I would be in this position one day."
"Fate plays tricks on us." Gu Junze stood up and stood beside Zhao Yunci. "When you were cultivating in Buddhism, did you ever imagine that this day would come?"
"Perhaps this is the Buddha's arrangement."
A relieved smile appeared on Zhao Yunci's face. "Entering the world to save people is more effective than leaving the world to practice cultivation to save all living beings."
Gu Junze remained silent and said, "The late emperor has just been buried, and the various factions in the court will surely be ready to take action."
A sharp glint flashed in Gu Junze's eyes, "You have to be careful."
Zhao Yunci chuckled: "With a great general like you here, what should I be afraid of?"
"Don't rely on me too much." Gu Junze warned, "After all, you are the only one sitting on the throne."
Zhao Yunci nodded, her expression becoming serious again. "Before the late emperor died, did he really see... my aunt?"
Gu Junze's eyes darkened as he recalled the scene of the emperor's death.
"Perhaps it's an illusion, or perhaps... there must be some divine will."
The two of them fell silent at the same time, and the only sound in the hall was the flickering candlelight.
"Your mother's revenge has been taken. What are your plans next?" Zhao Yunci broke the silence, staring at Gu Junze.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
