Demoness, where are you Fleeing to?
Chapter 796 - 655 Imitating the Story of Guo Ziyi (Seeking guaranteed monthly ticket)_1

Chapter 796: Chapter 655 Imitating the Story of Guo Ziyi (Seeking guaranteed monthly ticket)_1

Regency in court?

The civil and military officials, standing solemnly below the stairs of the Qianqing Palace, erupted in astonished whispers.

They knew the imperial grandson was still a toddler. And when the Emperor uttered the words ’passing away’, they understood the gravity of the situation.

In such a situation, the Emperor would inevitably have to choose a trusted confidant to assist the young ruler.

But the candidate the Emperor proposed today was unacceptable to them.

In ancient times, there has never been a rule that a princess can assume the regency.

But now, the Emperor is going to let Yu Hongshang "regency in court", which they find too overbearing.

"Your Majesty!"

From among the civil and military officials, a ritual officer stepped forward: "Your Majesty, there are still the Empress and Noble Consort in the palace. It would be proper and in accordance with etiquette for them to assist the imperial grandson in managing affairs. Your Majesty, why would you bypass the consorts and let the princess supervise the country? Also, I am worried that when the princess marries in the future, the state of the Jin Dynasty may be in peril."

At this moment, the ministers below the steps were stirred up.

However, just as they were about to plead with him, the Jingtai Emperor waved his sleeves, imposing a vast dragon Qi that silenced the whole scene, making all the civil and military officials feel immense pressure.

This powerful and majestic dragon Qi pressure made them unable to move their bodies or speak.

The face of the Jingtai Emperor turned pale: "All my subjects, I am at the end of my rope and close to death. I just want to take advantage of the little remaining Yuan Qi in my body to arrange for some things after I’m gone. Why, at this moment, are you making a noise and arguing? What are your intentions?"

He rendered the ministers speechless, then turned his eyes to that ritual officer.

The Jingtai Emperor knew that this person’s question had no malice, it was out of his sincere heart, so he did not get angry. He only calmly explained: "Why am I doing this? It’s because, in the inner court of the harem, I only trust Changle."

"The Jin Dynasty is currently surrounded by the eyes of the Mengwu people, and Khan of Vala, Yexian, covets the Central Plains. His ambition has been evident for some time. Not to mention the danger of rebellion within the country. Last night, all the sons of the Zhengtong Emperor led by Prince Yi - Yu Jianshen, the son of Prince Xiang - Yu Qizhen and Princess Changning - Yu Yunhuang have escaped and their whereabouts are unknown. I also know of some vassal kings who have long harbored rebellious intentions."

"This is a truly ’internal and external worries’ situation. The Empress and the Consort are women of the deep palace and do not understand the state affairs. How can they handle it? I think that no one but the Princess can shoulder the responsibility of the court and the country!"

The ritual officer was stunned. He, struggling against the dragon Qi pressure, bowed again and said, "Even if Your Majesty insists on appointing the princess to supervise the state, governing the court should be enough, why deem it necessary to ’regency in court’?"

’Regency in court’ and ’governing in court’, these two phrases may differ by only two words, but their nature and meaning are fundamentally different.

’Governing in court’ means managing state affairs. This includes receiving audiences, hearing major and minor political matters, and managing civil and military officials. However, all imperial orders and pardons still need to be issued in the name of the young emperor. It represents the will of the young ruler and exercises powers on his behalf.

’Regency in court’, on the other hand, is different. It raises Yu Hongshang’s status, authority, and position to the level of the ’Emperor’ since the First Emperor’s era, his orders were known as "Zhi," and his public documents were called "Gao."

Jingtai Emperor smiled calmly: "Because it is unprecedented for a princess to supervise the nation, I must strengthen her authority and elevate her position. Without this, it will not be enough to suppress the officials and intimidate the royal family! As for her future marriage, it will be entirely up to Changle’s wishes. With you loyal and upright ministers, what do I have to worry about?"

He then looked at his officials: "I don’t have much time. These considerations do not need to be spoken about. I just hope that you all can work together, united in heart and purpose, assist the regent, support the imperial grandson, stabilize the court, and safeguard the country!"

Upon hearing this, the officials were silent. The ritual officer who had questioned and admonished twice also stopped speaking.

They all heard the finality and threat in Jingtai Emperor’s words. The emperor made his intentions very clear. If anyone tries to challenge him now, it would mean walking the path to their demise.

At this time, Jingtai Emperor waved his sleeve again, saying: "Further announce, today, ’Marquis of Guanjun, Li Xuan, who is the Central Army Commander, has suppressed the rebel in the battle of Chaobai River, executed Liang Heng, and quelled the rebellion started by Yu Qizhen who attempted to reinstate the former regime. His contribution to the state is unparalleled.

Marquis of Guanjun, Li Xuan, is hereby promoted to ’Taibao, County Prince Fenyang’, taking charge of all military affairs of the Five Army Commanders and Shenji Camp. He is also a Deputy Assistant to the Cabinet and the ’Father Shang’ whom imperial grandson Yu Youlong should respect."

He turned his gaze to Grand Secretary Chen Xun, "The Shenji Camp is expanded to ten brigades with a total of 108,000 troops. This is a permanent arrangement. The Ministry of War and the Ministry of Revenue need to prioritize the allocation of funds, military supplies, and weapons."

When the Jingtai Emperor uttered these words, not only did Li Xuan become momentarily perplexed, but the gathered officials below the steps were also left dumbfounded like wooden chickens.

Firstly, since the establishment of Jin Dynasty, there had never been a precedent of a non-royal king, even the founding general, the King of Zhongshan and Prince Kaiping, were conferred posthumously.

Secondly, Li Xuan, a Wu cultivator, was entrusted with the governance of the country; this had been unheard of before, let alone his single-handed control over the ’Five Armies Dudu’s mansion’, commanding millions of armed forces across the country, and the currently acclaimed strongest army in the world, ’Shenji Camp’ . The weight of his power was terrifying.

As for the term ’Father Shang’, it was even more shocking.

’Father Shang’, also known as ’Shangfu’, was an ancient title used to honor grand officials. It originated from Lv Wang and Jiang Ziya, but in later generations, it was mostly occupied by ambitious ministers.

However, when they wanted to speak out, they found themselves speechless.

After pondering for a while, even the officials of the Ministry of Rites couldn’t utter sentences such as ’this is a chaotic order that we dare not implement’.

The Jingtai Emperor was clearly following the story of Guo Ziyi from the Tang era, intending to entrust the imperial grandson to Marquis of Guanjun, Li Xuan.

That same Guo Ziyi, who was lauded in historical records as ’recreating the royal house, his heroism still revered in these generations, personification of peace and danger for twenty years’, held the title of ’Prince Fenyang’, with the same prestige as a prime minister, was revered as ’Father Shang’ by the De Emperor of Tang.

Without waiting for responses from the officials, Emperor Jingtai continued, "The original Grand Secretary Gao Gu and Xiao Ci are relieved of their positions due to treason. Minister of Personnel Chen Xun will be the Grand Secretary, former Shangshu of the Ministry of Personnel, Wang Wen, and Tongzhengshi Quan Dingtian will join the cabinet. Shaofu Yu Jie will maintain his positions and power, handling all military matters of the Ministry of War and Jingying.

Together with these four individuals, Li Xuan, the County Prince of Fenyang, Yu Shiyue, Minister of Punishments, He Wenyuan, Minister of Personnel, and Minister of Rites, Hu YIng will act as regent ministers, bearing the responsibility of safeguarding the state!

In the future, all appointments and dismissals of officials above the 3rd-rank, deployment of troops exceeding 30,000 men, and expenditure from the national treasury surpassing one million patterned silver, must all be deliberated jointly by the Jianguo Princess and the eight regent ministers, until the imperial grandson ascend to the throne."

Upon hearing this, the civil and military officials let out a sigh of relief.

They all thought that the Emperor was not entirely out of his mind. Despite his absolute trust in Marquis Li Xuan, he had kept Yu Jie as a counterweight.

One controlled the Ministry of War and Jingying, while the other had command over the Five Armies Dudu’s mansion and Shenji Camp, creating a balance of power.

And the existence of the eight ministers, along with the Grand Secretary Chen Xun, would prevent the entire court from being dominated by Li Xuan.

"Now, let’s proceed with my personal matters."

Jingtai Emperor looked at his many concubines, expressing a touch of apology in his eyes, "My inept brother abolished the practice of ceremonial burial when he ascended the throne, and I cannot restart it.

All my concubines, except the Empress and the noble women, may choose to stay in the palace or return home. The Court will provide them with silver and treasures as stipends, and their families may compete for the honor of taking care of them. Until the imperial grandson comes of age, the Forbidden City will be governed by the Jianguo Princess and assisted by Empress Wang."

He grasped Yu Hongchang’s hand tightly, "Hongshang, although these concubines are your elders, they are confined by their backgrounds and are often ignorant. If they make a demand, you can choose to listen or ignore. Always prioritize the state matters above all else.

You must try to awaken your younger brother, Jianji, there’s still hope for him. And remember to take good care of your mother and both of your sisters!"

The one he referred to was Empress Wang, who was theoretically Yu Hongshang’s birth mother.

The Jingtai Emperor thought, the person he regretted the most in his life was Empress Wang.

Yu Hongchang felt the pressure of Jingtai Emperor’s hand suddenly increase. She was about to respond when she noticed the Emperor’s grip on her hand suddenly weakened. The Jingtai Emperor’s head dropped and he nearly fell face first to the ground.

"Father Emperor!"

Yu Hongchang quickly reached out to him. As she realized what had happened, her complexion turned deathly pale and her eyes filled with large droplets of tears.

Empress Wang, who had been watching the Jingtai Emperor with a distant and indifferent expression, felt her eyes redden at the sight of his weakening.

The ministers below the steps fell silent, waiting until they sensed that the Jingtai Emperor’s life force had truly faded and his breath was no more. The authority of the Emperor that had oppressed everyone also disappeared without a trace. All the civil and military officials then collectively fell to the ground in tribute.

They all bore expressions of sorrow, and choking sounds emerged from their throats, "Your humble officials bid Your Majesty journey to heaven!"

Li Xuan knelt with the ministers, he thought about his various encounters with the Jingtai Emperor since entering the capital and also felt a sense of sorrow.