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◎Establishing a crown prince◎
Emperor Xingwu, who had just returned to Beijing, was eager to learn about the government affairs of various ministries. He woke up on his own at 3:30 am the next day, earlier than the time he asked the eunuch He Yuanjing to wake him up.
Concubine Li was still sleeping soundly. Emperor Xingwu put away the tent and moved outside the screen. He Yuanjing helped the emperor wash and change his clothes. During the whole process, the master and servant did not talk to each other. There was only the slight sound of water and the rustling of clothes as they moved.
When he left the bedroom, it was still dark outside. Emperor Xingwu looked towards the west wing where the little princess slept and asked, "Did Lin'er cry or make a fuss last night?"
He Yuanjing smiled and said, "I didn't hear any noise. I guess the princess is sleeping soundly."
Emperor Xingwu strode towards the central hall in front. "Let her sleep. If she wakes up early, she will follow Concubine Li's arrangements. If she wakes up late, she will wait to have breakfast with me."
"yes."
The morning court session will begin at the hour of Mao. The ministers outside the front hall should not have arrived yet. Emperor Xingwu sat in the imperial study in the middle hall, eating a simple breakfast while looking through two stacks of memorials sent by the Secretariat. One stack was the memorials that had just been reviewed by the two prime ministers and had not yet been sent out for execution, and the other stack was the memorials that had been executed last month.
When he was not in the capital, paperwork was quite time-consuming. Emperor Xingwu would hand over state affairs that were not too urgent to the two prime ministers and Prince Yong to handle together. The left prime minister Yan Xizheng and the right prime minister Dai Lun were both good ministers, and Prince Yong purely played a supervisory role to prevent the two prime ministers from abusing their power.
However, the two prime ministers' comments did not all agree with Emperor Xingwu's wishes. As he read them, Emperor Xingwu picked up his pen and dipped it in ink to make some changes.
"Your Majesty, the time has come." He Yuanjing came over and reminded.
Emperor Xingwu nodded, ordered two young eunuchs to pick up two stacks of memorials and follow behind him, stretched his muscles, and took the lead.
Yesterday the emperor and his ministers met to celebrate their success. They ate, drank and even joked around. But the atmosphere was different when they met again in court. Civil and military ministers stood respectfully on both sides of the hall. When Emperor Xingwu arrived, all the ministers immediately knelt down and shouted "Long live the emperor". After the ceremony, they all stood up straight and looked up. They saw Emperor Xingwu sitting upright on the dragon throne. His long eyebrows were like swords, his eyes were like cold stars, his thin lips were slightly raised, as if he was smiling gracefully, but his majesty was so awe-inspiring that the ministers dared not look at him for long.
Among the ministers present were meritorious officials who had followed Emperor Xingwu all the way, as well as surrendered officials who stayed from the previous dynasty to continue serving the new emperor. The meritorious officials were somewhat at ease because they were familiar with Emperor Xingwu, while the surrendered officials held their breath, fearing that they would inadvertently offend the majesty of the emperor.
Emperor Xingwu first asked his ministers to report on the matter.
Led by the two prime ministers, officials from various departments reported the tasks at hand in turn, and Emperor Xingwu either agreed or rejected them without saying a word.
After the pending tasks were dealt with, Emperor Xingwu took out a few memorials from last month and asked the relevant officials how their tasks were going, such as whether the case of the Ministry of Justice had been investigated thoroughly and whether the money allocated by the Ministry of Revenue had arrived. It would be fine if the officials answered fluently, but if they stuttered even a little, they would have to endure Emperor Xingwu's hawk-like gaze, and cold sweats would immediately appear.
After most of the court meeting, all the ministers present felt the emperor's power again after more than a year's absence, and put away the slackness that had developed during Emperor Xingwu's long absence from the capital.
Before the end of the court meeting, Emperor Xingwu announced his reappointment of several military generals. Duke Chengguo Lu Guangzu continued to serve as the commander of the East Camp, Duke Dingguo Deng Chong was appointed as the commander of the West Camp, Duke Weiguo Zhang Jie was appointed as the commander of the South Camp, and Prince Yong Qin Pinghai was appointed as the commander of the North Camp.
Fu Daonian, Marquis of Zhennan, was appointed General of Yunzhou and would take up the post after Princess Yongkang married her son Fu Kui.
.
At one o'clock in the morning, Emperor Xingwu returned to the back hall and found that Concubine Li was still asleep. The dark golden brocade quilt set off her beautiful face, which was white with a rosy glow and looked like a fairy.
Taking pity on her for being very tired last night, Emperor Xingwu went to the little princess's west wing room. The imperial kitchen had prepared his breakfast. His beloved concubine and daughter were both in Qianyuan Hall, and Emperor Xingwu didn't want to eat alone.
As soon as I entered the small courtyard where the west wing was located, I heard the wet nurse's loving praise from the window: "Oh, you stretched so much, our princess must be growing taller again."
Emperor Xingwu instantly quickened his pace; he also wanted to see his daughter stretch!
However, upon reaching the inner chamber door, Emperor Xingwu stopped himself when he heard the wet nurse say she wanted to wipe the little princess's body. He sat in the north side of the main hall and waited for about a quarter of an hour. Then, with the sound of light footsteps, the inner chamber curtain was lifted, and his little princess finally revealed her face. She was wearing a soft pink skirt, with two cute little buns tied on her head. Her cheeks were white and tender, and her big eyes were clear and bright.
Emperor Xingwu thought that all of his five children were outstandingly good-looking, but Lin'er would definitely be the most stunning one when he grew up.
"Father!"
Qingyang ran over in surprise. After being picked up by his father, Qingyang looked at his father's handsome face and then at the brand new dragon robe on his father. He said with admiration, "Father, you look so good in this."
Emperor Xingwu smiled and praised his daughter in return: "Lin'er is also very pretty. Did you sleep well last night at your father's side?"
Qingyang: "Xiang, where is mother?"
Emperor Xingwu: "Mother is still sleeping in. Come on, let me take you to breakfast."
The father and daughter went to the central hall. The food was placed in the west side hall, and the father and daughter sat facing each other.
Qingyang was already familiar with using chopsticks and spoons, and she ate everything with great relish. If something accidentally got on her mouth, the clean-loving little princess would immediately grab the damp towel beside her and wipe it carefully before continuing to eat.
After Emperor Xingwu became king, he gradually changed some of his previous words and deeds that were inconsistent with his status as a commoner. Now, looking at his daughter's noble demeanor at a young age, Emperor Xingwu was proud and gratified. Even though he did have the grand ambition to save the people when he started the rebellion, he also had his own selfish desires, which was to become the emperor who controlled the country and let his family enjoy the highest honor in the world, and no one dared to look down on them or bully them.
When the father and daughter were halfway through their meal, Concubine Li woke up, quickly washed up, and came to say goodbye.
Emperor Xingwu: "Let's finish eating before we leave."
The palace maid quickly added a set of bowls and chopsticks for Concubine Li.
Concubine Li asked fearfully, "How long has Lin'er been awake? Did he not disturb the Emperor's morning court?"
Emperor Xingwu: "You've been daydreaming all day long. My son is so well behaved."
The obedient Qingyang said: "Father, what does it mean to attend the morning court?"
Emperor Xingwu explained it briefly.
Qingyang: "I also want to attend the morning court with my father."
Concubine Li: “…”
Emperor Xingwu was amused by his daughter. He was about to say that the court was not open for fun, but suddenly remembered that his second brother had upset his daughter because he refused to take her to the government hall. Emperor Xingwu changed his words and said, "The morning court session is very tiring. We have to get up before dawn. Can Lin'er get up?"
Qingyang looked at the bright yard and shook her head. Every day when she woke up, it was already bright outside.
"Then can I go and see where my father holds his morning court?"
She had been to many places in the palace, but there were some palaces that her mother, wet nurse, and Jie Yu did not allow her to go to. At most, she could only walk around the vicinity. Among them was the most magnificent Qianyuan Hall where her father lived, and the front court blocked by layers of palace gates.
Emperor Xingwu: "Okay, I'll take you there after dinner."
The little princess was delighted, but Concubine Li frowned worriedly, "The court is such an important place, how can the emperor take Lin'er there? You can't be too indulgent with her."
Emperor Xingwu looked at her and smiled: "If you want to go, I will indulge you."
Concubine Li quickly refused. Her daughter was young and a princess. No matter how the emperor indulged her, the ministers would not comment. But if it were her, the ministers would definitely write a memorial to accuse her of being a witch who brought chaos to the monarch. Concubine Li could not bear this.
Of course, Emperor Xingwu was just teasing Concubine Li. Concubine Li didn't want to be a seductive concubine, and he didn't want to be a tyrant emperor either.
After dinner, Emperor Xingwu asked Concubine Li to wait at the back and took his daughter to the front hall.
As his father walked to the center of the hall and stood on the high imperial platform, Qingyang looked down with wide eyes. After turning his head left and right twice, Qingyang finally said, "Father, this place looks like the Taiji Hall."
Emperor Xingwu: "That's about right. Taiji Hall is where major celebrations are held. It's rarely used. For example, Father holds court nine times a month, and they all take place here."
The center of the hall was empty, and Qingyang's attention was quickly drawn to the gorgeous dragon throne in the center. He walked over and stared at the golden dragon carvings and inlaid gems on it, touching them as he looked.
The dragon throne was too big, and the little princess could not reach some parts at all, so Emperor Xingwu lifted his daughter onto the throne and let her touch and play with it as she pleased.
After feeling around, Qingyang sat down in the middle of the dragon throne, patted it left and right, looked at his father and said, "It's so big, I can even sleep on it."
Emperor Xingwu laughed. He didn't know why the emperors before him made the dragon throne so big. When sitting in the middle, he couldn't touch the armrests on both sides at all. He had to move to the side to lean on the armrests. It must have been inappropriate to look at him from below.
After playing with the dragon throne for a while, Qingyang climbed up and down the nine steps of the imperial platform. Emperor Xingwu stood nervously below, preventing his daughter from accidentally falling.
He Yuanjing was in charge of keeping track of the time. After Emperor Xingwu accompanied the little princess around the entire front hall, he said respectfully, "Your Majesty, the lecturer Qian has arrived at the imperial study."
From 6:15 pm to 2:15 pm, Emperor Xingwu set aside half an hour for reading every day, after which he would summon his ministers to review memorials.
Qingyang looked up: "Father, who is Scholar Qian?"
Emperor Xingwu picked up his daughter and walked to the back while saying, "His name is Qian Kongwen. He is here to lecture father on classics, history, and literature. He is similar to the teachers in Chongwen Pavilion."
Qingyang: "Father is already an adult, does he still need to study?"
Emperor Xingwu laughed and said, "Your Excellency doesn't know everything. The less you read when you are young, the more you will need to learn when you grow up. Your Majesty is now in charge of the country. Even if you continue to study until old age, you may not be able to learn everything an emperor should know."
After hearing this, Qingyang hugged his father's neck and said unhappily, "I don't want my father to grow old."
Emperor Xingwu was stunned, then he hugged his daughter tightly and touched her head.
The imperial study was in the middle hall. Scholar Qian, who was in charge of giving lectures today, was waiting respectfully outside the main hall. After Emperor Xingwu exempted him from the formalities, he prepared to hand his daughter in his arms to He Yuanjing. Concubine Li was waiting in the back hall.
Qingyang didn't want to leave, so he whispered, "Father, can I listen with you? I promise not to cause any trouble."
Emperor Xingwu was just curious: "Do you like listening to books?"
A child of this age is at the age when he loves to play, how can he possibly sit still?
Qingyang nodded: "I like to listen, but I always don't understand."
Emperor Xingwu thought about it and asked He Yuanjing to tell Concubine Li that he would carry his daughter into the imperial study. If his daughter felt bored and didn't want to listen, he would send someone to send her back.
The emperor wanted to coax his daughter, and of course, Scholar Qian did not dare to object. Seeing the little princess sitting obediently in Emperor Xingwu's arms, silently looking at him with her big, watery eyes, she really looked like a student eager to learn. Scholar Qian smiled and asked Emperor Xingwu, "Your Majesty, shall I continue with the speech you gave before leaving Beijing?"
Emperor Xingwu looked at He Yuanjing.
He Yuanjing handed a book to Master Qian with both hands: "The emperor has read the whole book. The emperor has highlighted the parts that require your explanation. You can interpret them in order."
Mr. Qian looked through it for a while and then began to interpret it, first reading the original sentence and then explaining the deeper meaning and the historical background involved.
Emperor Xingwu listened attentively.
Qingyang listened very carefully. There were many things she didn't understand. If it were someone else, she would definitely ask, but she promised her father to be a good boy, so Qingyang kept silent. When she didn't understand, she observed Mr. Qian's beard and robes, or looked at her father's dragon robe. When she understood, Qingyang stared at Mr. Qian's face.
During the break, Emperor Xingwu left his chair and walked around the imperial study with his daughter by the hand: "Lin'er, do you like listening?"
Qingyang: “I like it.”
Emperor Xingwu: "Do you understand everything?"
Qingyang shook his head and immediately asked the question that he remembered most clearly.
Emperor Xingwu patiently explained the situation to his daughter, but time was limited, and soon the father and daughter sat in front of Master Qian again.
After the lecture, Emperor Xingwu ordered He Yuanjing to send his daughter back. He asked Scholar Qian, "What do you think of the princess's talent?"
Scholar Qian sighed, "I see that the princess possesses both wisdom and determination, far surpassing those of my nephews and nieces who are only known for their intelligence."
Emperor Xingwu also thought so, and considered arranging for his daughter to study in Chongwen Pavilion in advance, so that a teacher could accompany her and let her learn half by studying and half by playing.
After resting alone for a while, Emperor Xingwu began to review memorials.
"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Yan requests an audience."
"Xuan."
Yan Xizheng was not only the prime minister whom Emperor Xingwu relied on, but also his father-in-law. As soon as he came in, Emperor Xingwu smiled and asked Yan Xizheng to sit opposite him, being very close to him.
Yan Xizheng bowed slightly and declined politely, "I will just stand."
He valued courtesy, so Emperor Xingwu did not force him. He asked, "What does Prime Minister Yan want from me?"
Yan Xizheng looked at the valiant emperor in his prime before him and said solemnly, "Your Majesty has already unified the country. What you need to do next is to consolidate this hegemony. The civil service system can be improved gradually, but the choice of the crown prince should be decided early on to consolidate the foundation of the Great Qi State and completely put an end to disputes among the princes and the chaos caused by the ministers taking their own positions."
Emperor Xingwu pondered for a moment and said, "Minister Yan's words are exactly what I want, but I have three princes, and Minister Yan thinks..."
Yan Xizheng: "Your Majesty, why should you hesitate? The eldest prince is the legitimate son of the Empress. He is already a master of both civil and military skills at such a young age. He is both mature and virtuous. He is the perfect choice for the Crown Prince of Daqi!"
Emperor Xingwu smiled and motioned He Yuanjing to leave. He jokingly whispered, "I thought Prime Minister Yan would nominate the Second Prince."
Yan Xi remained calm and said sternly, "If Your Majesty does not despise me for my stupidity and appoints me as Prime Minister, then I will remain Your Majesty's servant for the rest of my life. Every strategy I offer Your Majesty is for the prosperity of the Great Qi Dynasty and the safety of its people. I will never give in to any personal feelings. Don't even mention that the Second Prince values military power over civil service and refuses to listen to advice. Even if the Second Prince is equally skilled in both civil and military matters, he will never surpass the First Prince in my eyes."
"Alright, alright, I was just joking, there's no need to be like this, Minister Yan."
Emperor Xingwu came over and patted Yan Xizheng's shoulder with one hand to comfort him.
Yan Xizheng: "The matter of appointing a crown prince..."
Emperor Xingwu: "Just as you say, go and help me draft the edict."
【Author’s words】
Don't worry, even though the five brothers and sisters have some conflicts, they will eventually get along well with each other. What Jia Ren writes is about the daily life of the royal family, not the bloody fights of the royal family.
100 little red envelopes, see you tomorrow~
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