Zhu Cijiong murmured to himself: "Tang Xuanzong..."
Qiu Yu continued, "Tang Xuanzong worked hard in the first half of his life and created the Tang Dynasty's prosperity. In the second half of his life, his faults outweighed his merits, and the Tang Dynasty declined because of this. The merits and demerits of the first seventeen years of the late emperor's reign are difficult to judge, but his merits in the last seventeen years will go down in history, and our Ming Dynasty also went from decline to prosperity because of this."
"So...I think the late emperor's temple name can be Xuanzong."
Zhu Cijiong repeated in a low voice: "Xuanzong..."
An official from the Ministry of Rites immediately said loudly, "I think this is inappropriate! Xuan means to be tolerant and without desire. Generally, temple names are positive. But the word Xuan is usually considered to have both positive and negative connotations. Strictly speaking, it is even considered to be positive but also negative."
Qiu Yu snorted coldly: "Whether the word "Xuan" is a compliment or a derogatory meaning is not determined by the word itself, but by the person who reads it. During the reign of the late emperor, the late emperor recovered Liaodong and wiped out the Jiannu, which was considered a derogatory meaning in the eyes of the remnants of the Jiannu. The late emperor exempted the people of the country from taxes several times, which was a compliment in the hearts of the people."
At this point, Qiu Yu paused, his eyes gradually turned cold: "I think Xuan is a positive word, why do you think it is a negative word? Are you a remnant of the Jian Nu?"
The official immediately became speechless and retreated with gritted teeth.
Qiu Yu looked at Zhu Cijiong and said, "Your Majesty, as for the meaning of the word 'Xuan', I have another explanation. 'Xuan' means profound and unfathomable. The wisdom of the late emperor was profound and unfathomable. I have been in the cabinet for seventeen years. If we talk about wisdom, the late emperor can be said to be at the top of the mountain, overlooking all the other mountains."
"So I think the late emperor's temple name should be Xuanzong."
Zhu Cijiong lowered his head and kept repeating: "Xuanzong, Xuanzong..."
Looking at Zhu Cijiong's appearance, the ministers present began to discuss in a low voice.
Some people said: "Lord Qiu is so bold that he dared to give the late emperor the temple name of Xuanzong."
"Yes, although Emperor Xuanzong of Tang created the Kaiyuan Era of Prosperity, his stupidity in his later years led to the Anshi Rebellion, which caused the Tang Dynasty to go downhill. Aren't you afraid of angering Your Majesty by giving the late emperor the temple name Xuanzong?"
"I'm afraid Mr. Qiu will be expelled from the cabinet..."
At this point, everyone looked at Qiu Yu, hoping that the less they saw her, the better.
Qiu Yu stood there as steady as an old dog.
Why did he dare to give Chongzhen the temple name of Xuanzong?
First of all, this is an act of command.
Before Chongzhen's death, he summoned him alone and told him about the first and second half of his life.
Others may not understand Chongzhen’s thoughts, but Qiu Yu, as the chief minister of the cabinet, understood that Chongzhen wanted the temple name of Xuanzong.
As a subject, he didn't dare to ask and didn't want to ask the reason, he just had to do it.
in addition...
Before recommending the temple name, everyone discussed Chongzhen's merits and demerits.
From beginning to end, Qiu Yu's eyes never left Zhu Cijiong's face.
What is Cabinet Chief Minister Qiu Yu good at?
Guess the Holy Will.
Although Chongzhen passed the throne to Zhu Cijiong, Zhu Cijiong still had complaints.
Why?
Because of Chongzhen's manipulation, the whereabouts of the former crown prince Zhu Cilang was unknown.
What is Zhu Cijiong, who has just ascended the throne, afraid of?
Internal trouble? External enemy?
Neither.
He was afraid that Zhu Cilang would suddenly appear one day and compete with him for the throne.
So based on this point alone, Qiu Yu was certain that Zhu Cijiong had grievances against Chongzhen.
Since there are complaints, it is impossible to give a very good temple name.
but...
Chongzhen revived the Ming Dynasty, so it would not be acceptable to give him a bad temple name.
Therefore, Qiu Yu believed that Zhu Cixiong would give Chongzhen a controversial temple name to express his dissatisfaction with the previous emperor.
Considering the above two points, Qiu Yu dared to say Xuanzong's temple name in public.
The court was quiet and no one spoke.
After a long time, Zhu Cijiong raised his head and asked everyone: "What do you think of Xuanzong's temple name?"
No one dared to speak, they just looked at Qiu Yu.
Qiu Yu took a half step forward slowly and said, "Your Majesty, the first seventeen years of the late emperor's reign were completely different from the last seventeen years. I think this is very consistent with the meaning of the word Xuan itself."
With him taking the lead, other ministers also began to express their opinions.
Some people objected, while others agreed.
Zhu Cijiong hesitated for a while, then decided: "In this case, let's follow Elder Qiu's suggestion and honor our father as Emperor Xuanzong."
"Your Highness obeys your order."
After the temple name was determined, the posthumous name was discussed.
After a long discussion, the posthumous title was decided as Emperor Shaotian Shidaogangmingjinggongkuiwenfenwurendezhixiaoxiang.
To conquer the land with virtue is called Xiang, to wear armor with hard work is called Xiang, to hold one's heart and overcome one's weakness is called Xiang, to conquer the distant with power and virtue is called Xiang...
At this point, Chongzhen's temple name and posthumous title were determined.
Next, let’s discuss the new era name.
The reign title was a way used by feudal dynasties to indicate the year.
The first emperor to use a reign title was Emperor Wu of Han, Liu Che.
Before Ming Dynasty.
When encountering internal or external troubles, or major events, the reign title needs to be changed.
(The emperors who used the most reign titles were Emperor Gaozong of Tang, Li Zhi, and his wife. He used fourteen reign titles himself, and Wu Zetian also used fourteen reign titles after she ascended the throne.)
After the Ming Dynasty.
Most emperors only used one reign title.
in addition.
Generally speaking, the reign title will not be changed in the year when the previous emperor dies.
The successor would not change the reign title until the following year to show respect for the previous emperor.
Just like when Chongzhen ascended the throne, the ministers recommended four reign titles.
They are Xinghe, Yongping, Taichu and Tiance.
(The reign titles recommended when Chongzhen ascended the throne were Gansheng, Xingfu, Xianjia and Chongzhen.)
The cabinet chief Qiu Yu explained the meaning of the four era names: "Xinghe means the prosperity of the country and the harmony between the monarch and his subjects. Yongping means long-term governance and internal and external stability. Taichu means the beginning of all things and the beginning of a prosperous era."
Just when everyone thought Qiu Yu would explain the meaning of Tian Ce, Qiu Yu stopped.
Tiance has two meanings.
First of all, Tiance is the name of a star, also known as Fu Yue Star.
Fu Yue is the name of a person. Together with Wu Ding, Emperor Gaozong of Shang, he founded the Wu Ding Restoration and was known as a sage.
Secondly, Tian Ce is the name of an official position.
In the fourth year of Wude in the Tang Dynasty, Qin Wang Li Shimin was named General Tiance by Li Yuan for defeating Dou Jiande and Wang Shichong. He was ranked above the princes and was allowed to appoint his own officials.
During the Tang Dynasty, only Li Shimin served as the General of Tiance.
During the subsequent Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms and Song Dynasty, only six people served as the General of Tiance.
After thinking for a while, Zhu Cixiong first ruled out the two era names of Yongping and Taichu.
The only available reign titles were Xinghe and Tiance.
Which one should I choose?
Zhu Cijiong was in a dilemma.
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