Chapter 455: Celestial Phenomenon Warning, the New King Loses Virtue
Xiao Yanlin gave an order in a cold voice, asking the armored guards to replace the sixteen pallbearers, and only then was the coffin successfully lifted up.
The funeral procession set out again, and everything proceeded according to the ceremony, as if nothing had changed. However, after the incident just now, everyone had all kinds of thoughts in their minds.
Xiao Yanlin's original expression of grief could hardly be maintained, and was replaced by a gloomy and dark look.
Who is behind this?
Even if he continued to play tricks, what would it matter? My father was already dead, completely dead, and I was the new emperor of the Great Qi Dynasty. Anyone who dared to plot against the dynasty and usurp the throne was a traitor!
The coffin was finally carried to the imperial mausoleum and lowered into the underground palace. Just as it was about to be covered with earth, a horse's hoof trampled the silence of the imperial mausoleum.
The person who came was Prince Rui. He was covered in dust and staggered towards the Xuan Palace which had not yet been sealed.
"Royal brother——"
He knelt in front of the coffin, his ten fingers tightly gripping the edge of the coffin, leaving several bloody scratches on the golden nanmu wood.
His eyes were red, and his voice was hoarse as if it was torn silk. "Brother, why did you leave? I didn't even have the chance to see you!"
Xiao Yanlin lowered his head, his eyes filled with sorrow.
"Uncle, my father has passed away. Please accept my condolences."
Prince Rui still held on to the coffin tightly. "Last year, my brother was clearly in good health. How come in just one year, he..."
Xiao Yanlin's voice was hoarse. "So many things happened this year. First, there were the constant floods, and then my seventh brother... Father was so worried about this that his health gradually collapsed."
Upon hearing this, Prince Rui's face became even more sorrowful.
"I want to see my royal brother. I'm late, and I need to at least see him once to feel at ease."
Xiao Yanlin hesitated, but the Minister of Rites took the initiative to speak, "Your Majesty's passing is destiny. You are... afraid of disturbing the Holy Spirit!"
Xiao Yanlin also said, "It has been over ten days since my father passed away. Although it is the middle of winter, the cold cannot stop the changes in the body's constitution. I am afraid that the emperor's body has changed slightly. If the coffin is opened, it will be inappropriate."
Prince Rui was heartbroken, his face covered with tears. He repeatedly begged for the coffin to be opened, just wanting to take a look, but was dissuaded by all the ministers and finally had to give up with regret.
With the completion of the sealing of the last diamond wall, the ceremony was finally completed.
Led by Xiao Yanlin, everyone knelt on the ground and kowtowed to bid farewell to the late emperor.
After the long funeral, all the ministers were exhausted both physically and mentally.
When Xiao Yanlin returned to the palace, his face immediately darkened.
I'm afraid that today's events will lead to countless rumors, especially for myself, the new king, whose reputation will definitely be criticized. Xiao Yanlin's original good mood has disappeared.
"Investigate thoroughly for me. Was it an accident, or was someone behind this?"
The confidant quickly responded.
This incident indeed caused quite a stir.
The coffin suddenly fell to the ground. So many people present witnessed it and it was impossible to suppress it.
Xiao Baozhu vividly described the situation to Lu Zhiran, "You don't know, Eighth Prince's face turned black at that time, and everyone present changed their expressions."
A hint of coldness appeared in Lu Zhiran's eyes.
"Now we can start planning the next step."
Soon, rumors began to spread among the people, saying that "the dragon is not yet on the throne and the emperor is regretful", and some even said that the celestial phenomena were warnings and that the new emperor had lost his virtue.
When Xiao Yanlin learned about these rumors, his face became even gloomier. He could only send people to arrest a few people who were the leaders of spreading the rumors in order to deter them.
Although no one dared to talk about this crackdown openly, people still talked about it in private.
In order to suppress the rumors, Xiao Yanlin waved his hand and reduced taxes for the people by 10%.
This decree indeed caused a huge uproar. People on the streets and alleys were talking about this matter, but no one mentioned the coffin falling to the ground again.
The new king Xiao Yanlin was also known as a wise ruler and was praised by the people.
The only one who was unhappy was probably the Ministry of Revenue.
If taxes are reduced by 10%, the amount of tax silver received by the Ministry of Revenue next year will be greatly reduced.
The national treasury was originally very full due to the gold mine excavated on the Helian Mountains, but due to the disasters that had occurred in various places before and the successive dispatch of troops to southern Yunnan, the national treasury was greatly depleted.
Immediately afterwards, two major events were held: the enthronement of the new emperor and the funeral of the previous emperor. Each of these events cost money like water, and the national treasury is almost empty.
If taxes are reduced by another 10% next year, the treasury will certainly be even tighter.
When Xiao Yanlin decided to reduce taxes, the Minister of Revenue repeatedly cried poor, but was rejected by Xiao Yanlin.
Even if the imperial court was short of money, it wouldn't miss this little bit, and he really needed to reverse public opinion and gain a good reputation.
This move was indeed effective, and Xiao Yanlin's frown finally relaxed.
While Xiao Yanlin was dealing with the aftermath of the incident, the second and third princes stayed obediently in the palace, without even a little social interaction.
Prince Rui rarely went out. The only time he went out was to the Ninth Princess's Mansion, where he had a meal and then left.
Everything was as usual, nothing unusual.
The end of the year is getting closer.
At this time of year in previous years, the capital was filled with the festive atmosphere, and the streets and alleys were bustling with activity.
But this year Emperor Defeng had just passed away, and all business and entertainment were banned. The capital was much quieter and there was not a trace of the New Year atmosphere.
The rebellion in southern Yunnan had not yet been quelled, so Xiao Yanlin ordered martial law in the capital. Anyone entering the city had to be checked to prevent scoundrels from taking the opportunity to sneak into the city.
Xiao Yanlin could not relax until he received the news of Xiao Yanci's death.
A trusted minister said, "Your Majesty, don't worry. The imperial army has already been dispatched to southern Yunnan. Prince Jin is a traitor. He has lost his way and has few supporters. He will be brought to justice sooner or later. Your Majesty, just wait for good news."
Another minister said, "Southern Yunnan is a remote and barbaric land. Even if the King of Southern Yunnan and the King of Jin declare themselves kings, they are but tiny states, not worth mentioning. The soldiers of our Great Qi Dynasty are valiant and unparalleled, and we will surely crush them in one fell swoop."
The others also echoed and criticized the Diannan Prefecture and Xiao Yanci, and Xiao Yanlin's worries faded away for the most part.
What is there to be afraid of about a small southern Yunnan prefecture?
The capital has increased its security. If that villain Xiao Yanci dares to come, I can catch him in the trap.
In a blink of an eye, it was the 29th day of the twelfth lunar month.
Prince An Xiao Yanheng finally rushed back to the capital.
After being in his fiefdom for more than half a year, his health was still poor and there was no improvement. He looked even worse than before.
The reason why I am late this time is because of my physical condition.
He immediately went to the palace to pay his respects to the new emperor and burst into tears, "It's all because of my useless body that I couldn't even personally see my father off on his final journey."
Because he was too excited, he covered his chest and coughed painfully several times, and his fair face turned a bright red.
Xiao Yanlin personally stepped forward and helped him up from the ground. "Fifth Brother, don't blame yourself. Your health is like this, and it wasn't intentional delay. If the Emperor knew, he wouldn't blame you."
Xiao Yanheng stood up, but he was still filled with remorse. Finally, he suggested going to the imperial mausoleum to burn a stick of incense for Emperor Defeng.
This was what should be done, so Xiao Yanlin naturally agreed.
Xiao Yanheng thanked her and left without going to see Concubine Hui.
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