Chapter 36 There is a consensus
Not only Xu Yun, but everyone else also looked surprised.
But considering Princess Shunde's own abilities and experience in assisting government, Yu Qian's words did not seem surprising.
These words may sound like flattery at this moment, but if you think about it carefully, you will know that Princess Shunde is indeed the best candidate at this moment.
As for whether Yu Qian had colluded with Princess Shunde? Although the princess had recommended Yu Qian, given Yu Qian's personality, it was impossible for him to form a clique with the princess.
More importantly, if the emperor could really come back, letting Princess Shunde take charge of the situation would at least not involve the suspicion of "arbitrarily appointing a crown prince" and would not offend the emperor.
Yu Qian sensed the gazes of the crowd, but without the slightest fear or hesitation, he simply continued, "The Oirat Mongols have advanced south, and we urgently need someone with high prestige and a legitimate position to take charge of the court. Your Highness is extremely popular among the people, fighting against the rebels and offering sacrifices to our ancestors. You also have the support of Empress Chengxiao, and have assisted the government for two years. Your Majesty has repeatedly placed the eldest princess in important positions. It is only natural for Your Highness to take charge of the overall situation at this time, and it will live up to the emperor's wishes."
From the moment he started court, Yu Qian had been paying attention to what was happening in the court, and naturally he saw the scene of Prince Qing sitting next to him without saying a word.
Prince Qing was the one who should have been in charge of the situation, yet he remained silent, perhaps out of consideration for the presence of Empress Dowager Cihui and Princess Shunde. However, as a vassal prince entrusted with the task of overseeing the country, acting in this manner was truly cowardly and lacking in courage.
Even if the Prince of Qing were to handle government affairs in a logical manner, it might not be a good thing for the Ming Dynasty. If the situation became critical and the Prince of Qing hesitated, it would only put the country in a more disadvantageous position.
In this case, it is only natural that those who are capable should be given the position.
Since the Minister of War Kuang Ye was not there, Yu Qian was the head of the Ministry of War. Naturally, there was no reason for him to remain silent at this time.
That's why he spoke like this in the court.
Yu Qian raised his eyes slightly and looked behind the pearl curtain, only to see Hu Shanxiang still sitting on the throne, with only a palace maid beside her, but no sign of Princess Shunde.
Hu Shanxiang naturally noticed Yu Qian's gaze, and she couldn't help but sigh in her heart that her daughter's guess was correct.
The first person to speak would be Yu Qian, not even Xu Yun, whose interests were tied to Zhu Yuhuan.
Xu Yun's reaction was not slow, and he immediately agreed, "Minister Yu is right. Your Highness has been appointed by Empress Chengxiao to assist in the administration, and has also received guidance from the late emperor. You are extremely talented. In such a critical moment, Your Highness should shoulder the heavy responsibility. Only in this way can you protect our ancestors and the country and reassure the people."
With Yu Qian and Xu Yun leading the charge, everyone except Hu Yi and Zhang Fu began to chime in. Even Jin Ying, who was now temporarily acting as the eunuch in the Imperial Household Department, spoke up, "You two are absolutely right. Please, Madam Empress, carefully consider this..."
Regardless of the considerations of these officials in recommending Zhu Yuhuan, the eldest princess, to be regent, at least the potential trend of migration to the south was suppressed, so as to avoid becoming a laughing stock for future generations.
Moving the national capital south, isn't this just repeating the fate of the Song Dynasty?
Before he could finish his words, Empress Dowager Sun, who had fainted, slowly regained consciousness. She heard clearly the officials' recommendation of Zhu Yuhuan and immediately objected, "The Princess's appointment as regent is already an extraordinary move, and now she wants you to be regent as well. Where do you put our ancestral family rules?"
Although these people did not speak openly, Empress Dowager Sun already understood their intentions. They simply felt that Emperor Zhu Qizhen would not return, so they planned to find someone to replace him. However, Zhu Yuhuan's female body meant that she could not ascend the throne, and Zhu Yuhuan would never allow Zhu Qizhen's son to ascend the throne. Wu Miaosu had a close relationship with Hu Shanxiang, so Zhu Qiyu was Zhu Yuhuan's "best candidate."
Upon hearing this, everyone looked at each other and then at Hu Shanxiang, obviously waiting for her opinion.
Hu Shanxiang looked at Empress Dowager Sun and asked, "Does the Empress Dowager have a more suitable candidate?"
Empress Dowager Sun clenched her fists and said, "Since the Emperor's life or death is uncertain, the most important thing now is to find out. If possible, we must find a way to bring the Emperor back. Until the Emperor returns, it would be most reasonable for the Crown Prince to govern the country. How can you ignore the Crown Prince and order the Princess to assist in governing? The late Emperor would never approve of your actions. It is simply outrageous!"
Once the lineage shifts, not only will Concubine Wu be on equal footing with her, it will be hard to say whether she can continue to sit on the position of Empress Dowager. How could Empress Dowager Sun sit idly by?
Hearing Empress Dowager Sun's attack, everyone fell silent.
Hu Shanxiang exchanged glances with her and asked, "The country has no crown prince, so why does the Empress Dowager say this?"
Empress Dowager Sun noticed that everyone's eyes were on her, and she couldn't help feeling a little nervous, but what made her most uneasy was the look of Hu Shanxiang next to her. She was still as calm as ever, but this time her eyes were even colder.
Hu Shanxiang had looked at her like this before, but at that time she had not understood the meaning of that look. But today, she finally understood.
This look was not a gaze or a scrutiny, but a look that showed her being imprisoned and struggling desperately but to no avail.
mercy.
Empress Dowager Sun gnashed her teeth and emphasized, "Since the Emperor has an eldest son, it is only natural to make him the Crown Prince according to the rules."
Only when the eldest son becomes the crown prince can she serve as regent as the empress dowager. Only in this way can she control the country and have the opportunity to bring her son back.
No matter what trouble Zhu Qizhen had caused outside, he was still her and the late emperor's son, and the legitimate emperor of the Ming Dynasty. How could she be as cold-blooded as these people and abandon him?
This statement is not entirely without reason, but in this situation, it is really too stupid.
If the emperor was still alive, he would most likely have been captured. The Oirat were no fools, knowing that the emperor could be exchanged for more benefits. If they followed Empress Dowager Sun's instructions, it would only encourage the Oirat's greed. A hamstrung emperor is like a rotten sore; if you don't remove it, it will only make the condition worse.
If everyone was still a little hesitant before Empress Dowager Sun spoke, they had already made up their minds after she spoke.
The person who governs the country must be Princess Shunde! It has to be her!
If the eldest son was to be made the crown prince, someone had to assist the crown prince who spoke awkwardly. The best candidate was Zhu Jianshen's grandmother, Empress Dowager Sun.
However, Empress Dowager Sun's remarks have proven everything. She is definitely not a suitable leader to deal with the Oirat Mongols or even to govern the country.
If the emperor were alive, I am afraid that as soon as the Oirat Mongols opened their mouths, Empress Dowager Sun would quickly agree to any of their conditions. Seeing this situation, the Oirat Mongols would not send the emperor back.
Wouldn’t the Ming Dynasty become the punching bag of the Oirat Mongols by then?
Empress Dowager Sun's words have proved that her purpose has always been her own interests. If the emperor died, Zhu Jianshen would only become Empress Dowager Sun's puppet.
The Empress Dowager Sun's nepotism will definitely promote her own family. When the time comes, the foreign relatives will be in power, and the situation of these ministers will not be any better than it is now.
Everyone knows clearly that the Sun family was driven back to their hometown by the late emperor.
Amidst the silence, Yu Qian finally spoke up, "Does the Empress Dowager know about government affairs and military affairs?"
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