The chief minister of the cabinet, Qiu Yu, took a step forward slowly, bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I think it is too early to discuss the late emperor's temple name at this time."
"Oh? What does Elder Qiu mean?"
"The ancients said that no one is without faults. I think the most urgent task is to discuss the merits and demerits of the late emperor, and then discuss the temple name and posthumous title based on the merits and demerits."
The ministers present all cupped their hands and said, "I second the motion."
"I second this motion."
These people are more shrewd than each other and know how to judge people by their abilities.
If Zhu Cixiong did not show any dissatisfaction or emotion when talking about Chongzhen, they would recommend commendatory temple names and posthumous titles.
On the contrary, some posthumous titles and temple names with mixed reviews will be recommended.
Zhu Cijiong nodded: "Mr. Qiu is absolutely right."
So everyone discussed Chongzhen's merits and demerits.
It is easy to talk about merits, but difficult to discuss faults.
After all, Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty.
This alone can cover up countless mistakes.
Everyone symbolically discussed Chongzhen's merits and demerits for a while, and then began to recall the temple names and posthumous titles of emperors of the Ming Dynasty to avoid repetition.
The temple names and posthumous titles that have been used include Taizu Zhu Yuanzhang, and posthumous title Gaohuangdi.
Xingzong Zhu Biao, posthumously named Emperor Kang.
(Zhu Biao's temple name and posthumous title were both honored by Zhu Yunwen. Although they were cancelled after Zhu Di ascended the throne, they could not be reused.)
Zhu Yunwen's whereabouts are unknown, and he has no temple name or posthumous title.
Emperor Chengzu Zhu Di, posthumously named Emperor Wen.
(Zhu Di's original temple name was Taizong, which was later changed to Chengzu by Emperor Jiajing.)
Renzong Zhu Gaochi, posthumously named Emperor Zhao.
Emperor Xuanzong Zhu Zhanji, posthumously named Emperor Zhang.
Emperor Yingzong Zhu Qizhen, posthumously named Emperor Rui.
Zhu Qiyu had no temple name, only posthumous title of Emperor Jing.
Emperor Xianzong Zhu Jianshen, posthumously named Emperor Chun.
Emperor Xiaozong Zhu Youtang, posthumously named Emperor Jing.
Emperor Wuzong Zhu Houzhao, posthumously named Emperor Yi.
Emperor Shizong Zhu Houzhao, posthumously named Emperor Su.
(Zhu Houcong posthumously honored his father Zhu Youju as Ruizong and gave him the posthumous title of Emperor Xian.)
Emperor Muzong Zhu Zaigui, posthumously named Emperor Zhuang.
Emperor Shenzong Zhu Yijun, posthumously named Emperor Xian.
Emperor Guangzong Zhu Changluo, posthumously named Emperor Zhen.
Xizong Zhu Youjiao, posthumously named Emperor Xi.
After recalling for a long time, no one dared to be the first to give Chongzhen a temple name.
After all, no one wants to be the first to stand out.
Looking at everyone's performance, Zhu Cijiong was not anxious at all.
In front of everyone, he ordered the eunuchs in the Imperial Kitchen: "Prepare vegetarian food for the ministers, so that they won't starve."
Everyone looked at each other, knowing that no one could leave unless they reached a conclusion today.
Then Shi Kefa, the chief academician of the Imperial Academy, was the first to speak: "Your Majesty, during the reign of the late emperor, he was frugal, pacified internal troubles, expelled external threats, strengthened the military, disciplined the court, reduced corvée labor, reformed the tax law, improved the administration of officials, reduced the number of vassal states, and turned the tide when the situation was about to collapse.
"He became one of the few leaders of the revival in history."
"I have counted the temple names of the rulers who restored the dynasties throughout history, and compared them with the temple names used in our dynasty. I think the temple name of Emperor Dezong is more appropriate."
Zhu Cijiong blinked and said to himself, "Emperor Dezong?"
Shi Kefa nodded and explained: "To appease the people is called virtue, to be firm and honest is called virtue. The last Emperor Dezong was Emperor Dezong of Tang, Li Shi (kuò). During his reign, he appointed virtuous officials, changed the tax law, reduced the number of local governors, and attacked Tubo, laying the foundation for the later Yuanhe Restoration."
(The Yuanhe Restoration refers to the restoration situation that occurred during the reign of Emperor Xianzong Li Chun of the Tang Dynasty. Since the Ming Dynasty already had the temple name of Emperor Xianzong, we can only refer to Emperor Dezong of the Tang Dynasty who laid the foundation for the Yuanhe Restoration.)
After listening to the explanation.
Zhu Cixiong neither expressed approval nor disapproval.
Instead, look at other people.
Except for a few people who nodded in agreement, everyone else showed expressions of opposition.
A minister stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I think the temple name of Emperor Dezong is inappropriate. During the reign of Emperor Dezong Li Shi, he tried to reduce the power of the vassal states by using the vassal states to suppress the vassal states. As a result, the Four Garrisons Rebellion and the Jingyuan Mutiny occurred, and Emperor Dezong was forced to abandon the capital and flee to Fengtian."
"I second the motion."
"I second this motion."
The repeaters continue to play their role as always.
Zhu Cijiong nodded and also felt that Dezong’s temple name was inappropriate.
The Minister of Finance Shi Bangyao proposed: "I think the temple name of Zhezong is more appropriate. A person who knows people is called Zhe, and a person who knows how to distinguish things is called Zhe. The last emperor to use the temple name of Zhezong was Song Zhezong Zhao Xu. During his reign, he changed the situation of the Song Dynasty abandoning territory and seeking peace, conquered the Western Xia, employed wise officials, reduced corvée, and changed the tax law. Although he did not revive the Song Dynasty, he was praised by later generations for his talent and wisdom and a capable ruler."
Some people objected, saying, "The choice of characters in the temple name can have positive or negative connotations. Taizu founded the country, Taizong carried forward its achievements, Sejong has the meaning of transferring the lineage, and Cheoljong has the meaning of a king who maintains the status quo. The previous emperor revived the Ming Dynasty, and Cheoljong's temple name cannot compare to the previous emperor's achievements."
"I second the motion."
......
Zhu Cixiong nodded again, denying Zhezong's temple name.
An official proposed: "I think the late emperor's temple name should be Zhaozong. Zhao means virtue and hard work, Zhao means wisdom and knowledge, Zhao means dignity and respect..."
Before the man could finish his words, the Minister of Works Huang Jin, who was standing in front of him, reminded him, "The last emperor to use the temple name Zhaozong was Yuan Zhaozong Ayushiridara. When he was still the crown prince, he monopolized power, fought with his father, and finally lost his country and fled north."
The man smiled and said, "The Yuan Dynasty was a Tartar dynasty. Generally speaking, the temple names of our emperors do not refer to those of the Yuan Dynasty."
Huang Jin also laughed and retorted: "Well, let's not look at the Yuan Dynasty but the Tang and Song Dynasties. There was no Zhaozong in the Song Dynasty, but there was one in the Tang Dynasty. He fled three times during his reign and was finally murdered by the rebel general Zhu Wen. Do you think the late emperor can still use the temple name Zhaozong?"
"This..." The man was suddenly speechless.
Led by Shi Kefa, many people expressed their suggestions.
Someone said: "I think the late emperor's temple name should be Chengzong, which means to stabilize the people and establish a good government, and to be fluent and strong and establish a strong government..."
"I think the late emperor's temple name should be Zhuangzong, and the name for the rapid preparation of weapons is Zhuang, and the name for the successful victory is Zhuang..."
In addition to the above temple names, some people also said the temple names of Ningzong and Lizong.
As he listened, Zhu Cijiong's brows furrowed deeper and deeper.
In his opinion, these temple names are too ordinary and do not give people a bright feeling.
When the court returned to silence, Zhu Cijiong discovered that the cabinet chief Qiu Yu had not spoken from beginning to end.
This is a bit abnormal.
He coughed lightly and asked, "Master Qiu, what do you think?"
Qiu Yu said steadily: "Your Majesty, the previous emperor reigned for thirty-four years. I have looked through history books and have not found a similar emperor. However, there was an emperor in the Tang Dynasty whose situation was completely opposite to that of the previous emperor."
"who?"
Qiu Yu first looked around, then looked up at Zhu Cijiong and said, "Tang Xuanzong."
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