Chapter 126: Prince Ding ascends the throne 2
Three thousand troops entered the city, and Empress Dowager Zhou and her entourage were accommodated in the Commander-in-Chief's Office. In the Commander-in-Chief's Hall, Empress Dowager Zhou sat in the center, Prince Ding sat at the front, and Wang Erxi stood behind her. In the absence of pearl curtains, gauze curtains were used instead. The ministers who had accompanied her to Tianjin stood on either side.
Looking at the group of ministers below, Queen Mother Zhou said, "All of you are loyal ministers of my Ming Dynasty! I would like to thank you all here!" After that, Queen Mother Zhou saluted to the ministers.
The ministers knelt down and said, "We are incompetent! We are ashamed of the Ming Dynasty!"
Empress Dowager Zhou finished her greetings and sat back down. "News has arrived from the capital! Li Zicheng has proclaimed himself emperor. He has temporarily buried the late emperor in Concubine Tian's tomb, a gesture of respect! Everyone, what posthumous title should we give the late emperor?"
Zhao Xiaofei then came out and said, "I and the other ministers in the cabinet have drawn up a plan. Please let the Queen Mother decide!"
"Speak!" said Queen Mother Zhou.
"I and the cabinet have given the late emperor the posthumous title of 'Shao Tian Yi Dao Gang Ming Ke Jian Kui Wen Fen Wu Dun Ren Mao Xiao Lie Emperor'!" Zhao Xiaofei said. Actually, he and Li Banghua and Ni Yuanlu had only discussed this before attending court. Zhao Xiaofei didn't know what the new emperor would do before ascending the throne after the emperor's death. It was Ni Yuanlu who reminded him to give the late emperor a posthumous title first. Zhao Xiaofei simply brought out the one chosen by later generations, and everyone was very satisfied. So, the title was decided!
Empress Dowager Zhou nodded and said, "Alright! I'll do as you wish! Next, let's discuss the reign title for the new emperor!"
"I think we should set up a mourning hall at the military training ground, and His Royal Highness Prince Ding should succeed to the throne in front of the coffin. The reign title should be Zhongxing!" said Ni Yuanlu.
When Zhao Xiaofei heard the reign title, he wanted to laugh. ZTE? Why not Huawei?
When Empress Dowager Zhou heard the word "Zhongxing" (revitalization), she said, "Great! Revitalize the Ming Dynasty! Let's call it Zhongxing!" Seeing that no other ministers objected, she added, "Now that the posthumous title has been decided, let's discuss your rewards. Zhao Xiaofei, come forward and receive your title!"
Zhao Xiaofei quickly stepped out of the line and knelt. Empress Dowager Zhou said, "Zhao Xiaofei, the Loyal Marquis, protected the Zhu family bloodline and the Ming officials in times of crisis. He devoted all his energy and wealth to protecting the country. He braved all risks and killed the rebels. He has truly served the country! I confer upon Zhao Xiaofei the title of Duke Kenan, a hereditary title. I appoint you as General Kenan, commanding the troops to guard Tianjin!"
"I bow my head in thanks for the Emperor's grace!" Zhao Xiaofei knelt down and kowtowed. He thought, "I've done such a great service. If I can't be crowned a prince, you can at least make me a duke!" "Mother-in-law, aren't you being too stingy?" "And what do you mean? Guard Tianjin?" "Are you crazy?" "Can Tianjin be defended with such a small force? Even if we can hold off Li Zicheng's attack, there's still the Jianlu!" "Are you getting too cocky?"
"Li Banghua, come forward to receive the title!" said Empress Dowager Zhou.
Li Banghua stepped out of the class and knelt. Empress Dowager Zhou said, "Mr. Li Banghua is a loyal patriot who has shared the nation's hardships and honors with the Ming Dynasty. I hereby grant him the title of Earl of Jingwei!"
"I bow to thank the Emperor for His Grace!" Li Banghua's voice was louder than Zhao Xiaofei's, and tears welled up in his eyes. He had given up dozens of his family members in exchange for this, and he wondered what was happening to his children and grandchildren in the capital.
"Ni Yuanlu, come forward to receive the title!" said Empress Dowager Zhou.
Ni Yuanlu came out and knelt. Empress Dowager Zhou said, "Ni Yuanlu has devoted himself to the country for many years... and is now conferred the title of Earl of Wenchang."
Almost all the remaining civil officials were promoted and given bonuses. This money belonged to Zhao Xiaofei. Li Banghua and Ni Yuanlu said it was a loan. He would slowly pay it back from the treasury when money arose, and he would definitely not be lazy about it. Because if he didn't pay it back, the court would no longer belong to the Zhu family, but to Zhao Xiaofei.
Zhao Xiaofei's elder brother, Zhao Xiaokun, was promoted to the rank of Nanjing Governor, responsible for the defense of the Yangtze River. However, Zhao Xiaokun was still taking care of Zhao Xinhui, Princess Zhaoren, and the injured Concubine Yuan, so he did not attend the court.
After the court was dismissed, Zhao Xiaofei went to the back hall. Prince Ding and Queen Mother Zhou were sitting, while Zhao Xiaofei knelt on the ground. Zhao Xiaofei said, "Queen Mother! I have prepared a large ship, and it will reach Dagukou in the next two days. We can't hold Tianjin!"
"Is there no chance to recapture the capital?" asked Queen Mother Zhou.
"I am incompetent! The soldiers under my command are not well-trained and their weapons are not sophisticated. How can we attack the city without red cannons?" Zhao Xiaofei said.
"What about the prince? The prince is still in the hands of the thief. Can't he be rescued?" asked Queen Mother Zhou.
"I'm incompetent!" Zhao Xiaofei could only say this. He thought, if the Crown Prince is rescued, what will become of Prince Ding? You're the one who gave birth to both of them. Will you watch two brothers kill each other? I should have just killed the Crown Prince when I saved him! You'd better not waste your time here!
Empress Dowager Zhou closed her eyes, tears streaming down her face. Zhao Xiaofei knelt there with his head bowed, saying nothing. He thought to himself, "Why are you crying? I'm still kneeling!"
After crying for a while, Empress Dowager Zhou finally understood: she was simply worried about her son. So she asked, "We have to hold out for at least a month! The coronation ceremony must be completed! We also have to send people everywhere to spread the message and appease the locals! We have to prevent them from being so confused that they might think of joining the rebels or establishing their own regime!"
"Yes! I will do my best! However, when the ship arrives, the Empress Dowager and the Emperor should board the ship to Nanjing first. I will stay here in Tianjin!" said Zhao Xiaofei.
"Am I the kind of person who fears death? Let Prince Ding and other officials go to Nanjing, and bring along Princess Yuan Zhaoren!" Empress Dowager Zhou said. Concubine Yuan was now promoted to the rank of Concubine Dowager.
"Empress Dowager, you want to defend the city with me?" Zhao Xiaofei was stunned.
"What? Is it not possible?" asked Queen Mother Zhou.
"Okay! I'll follow your instructions!" said Zhao Xiaofei.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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