Ministers Begging Me to Ascend the Throne
Chapter 100: Ninety-Nine - s on Repairing History

Chapter 100: Ninety-Nine Chapters on Repairing History

At the hour of Mao, the Emperor woke up on time. Just as he was getting up, Sun Kui and Sun Doudou entered, bowing their backs.

Sun Kui and Sun Doudou first saluted the Emperor and immediately inquired with concern, "Your Majesty, did you sleep well last night?"

The Emperor stood by the Dragon Bed, spreading his arms for Sun Kui to dress him. At this moment, Sun Doudou held up a cup of tea to the Emperor’s lips. The Emperor lowered his head and drank a few sips of tea, rinsing his mouth.

"Slept quite well."

Sun Kui changed the Emperor’s upper garments, while Sun Doudou knelt on the ground to change his trousers.

"Your Majesty, every time you go to Kunde Hall, you always sleep well, even if you don’t actually sleep there," Sun Kui said. "Your appetite improved quite a bit last night too; the Noble Consort indeed has her skills."

The Emperor replied softly, "The dishes she prepares suit my taste."

"Your Majesty, if you eat well and sleep well at Kunde Hall, why don’t you go there more often?" Sun Kui, as the Emperor’s close eunuch, naturally hoped that the Emperor could eat and sleep well every day.

The Emperor also wished to visit every day, but he couldn’t.

"Am I that idle?"

Hearing the change in the Emperor’s tone, Sun Kui felt a shiver in his heart and immediately raised his hand to slap himself, "This servant spoke too much; please forgive me, Your Majesty."

"Alright, I’m not blaming you." The Emperor, having changed into the dragon robe, then went to the adjacent side hall to freshen up.

By the time the Emperor was done freshening up, breakfast was already set in the dining hall.

The Emperor’s breakfast was quite simple, consisting of porridge, baked cakes, and steamed buns, typical everyday food.

After finishing breakfast, it was nearly the Chen hour, and only then did the Emperor leisurely head towards Chengguang Hall.

As the Emperor walked, he stretched and said, "Having the morning court at the Chen hour is still a bit early; it should be postponed slightly to the fourth quarter of the Chen hour."

Walking behind the Emperor, Sun Kui said, "Your Majesty, if you really postpone the morning court to the fourth quarter of Chen hour, the ministers will definitely criticize you again."

The Emperor scoffed, "Do I fear their words? Haven’t I heard enough from them?" Even back when he was the Crown Prince, ministers often censured him. Once he became Emperor, the complaints didn’t cease. He was like a dead pig unafraid of boiling water, indifferent to the ministers’ remarks. "By postponing the morning court to the fourth quarter of the Chen hour, I am actually doing them a favor, allowing them a bit more rest. I’m considerate of their welfare."

Sun Kui silently thought to himself: Your Majesty, you just want to sleep in a bit more.

"Your Majesty, do you really want to change the morning court time to the fourth quarter of Chen hour?" If it indeed changed to the fourth quarter of Chen hour, they, as servants, could also get more sleep, but it would mean a delay in the Emperor reviewing memorials. "Your Majesty, wouldn’t that mean you won’t sleep until after the Zi hour?"

"Alas, then forget it." The Emperor sighed wistfully, "If only my elder brother were still alive." If his elder brother were alive, he wouldn’t have to be burdened with being Emperor, waking early and toiling all day.

Upon hearing this, Sun Kui knew the Emperor was once again lamenting his role as Emperor.

Alas, the Crown Prince and Prince Dai both vied for it... yet the Emperor himself did not want to be Emperor.

Truly, the Emperor was the world’s first person who didn’t wish to be Emperor.

"Your Majesty, as Prince Yi Yong is no longer here, it’s best not to dwell on it."

The Emperor kicked Sun Kui on the rear, scolding, "I just want to think about it, can you stop me?"

Sun Kui grinned apologetically, "How dare this servant meddle in your affairs, Your Majesty."

The Emperor said no more, hands in sleeves, leisurely walking into Chengguang Hall like an old gentleman.

Inside the hall, civil and military officials were already lined up and standing in formation.

When the Emperor sat on the dragon throne, the ministers immediately knelt to pay their respects: "Greetings to Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live ten thousand years!"

The Emperor casually lifted his hand and then yawned, saying, "Rise, all of you."

The ministers were accustomed to the Emperor’s nonchalant demeanor; should he act seriously one day, the ministers would actually find it odd.

"If there are matters to address, speak up." No sooner had the Emperor sat down than he slouched on the dragon throne.

The ministers with matters to present stepped forward one after another to speak. Every morning court session, both major and minor matters were presented. Of course, confidential matters were never discussed at the morning court.

After the ministers finished presenting their matters, the Emperor straightened up, and with a concerned look, addressed Prime Minister He: "Prime Minister He, I heard you fainted yesterday, is your health all right?"

At the thought of yesterday’s events, the complexion of Prime Minister He darkened instantly. He gritted his teeth and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty, I am fine!" Prime Minister He was convinced that the incident of the Tenth Prince sneaking into Lanyuan Pavilion to steal his Silver Edge Royal yesterday was orchestrated by the Emperor.

"You fainted and claim to be fine?" The Emperor feigned concern, "Prime Minister He, you must take care of yourself; if something happens to you, what am I to do?"

Prime Minister He replied with a deadpan expression, "Rest assured, Your Majesty, I am perfectly well!" As long as the Emperor didn’t vex him, he could live quite healthily.

"Since you say so, I am relieved." The Emperor said, standing up and moving to the front, looking at the ministers below and asking, "Do any of my beloved ministers enjoy reading history books?"

This abrupt question left all the civil and military officials baffled for a moment, but they immediately responded that they did enjoy reading history books.

"Historian."

Suddenly called by the Emperor, the Historian was taken aback and quickly stepped forward, "This subject is present."

In court, the Historian had always lacked presence, and being suddenly called out today, with everyone focusing on him, he couldn’t help but feel tense, his body turning rigid.

"How many historical records from the previous dynasty and the Zheng Dynasty do we have?"

This question puzzled all the ministers present, making them wonder what the Emperor intended with it.

The Historian respectfully replied, "In response to Your Majesty, the previous dynasty left five thousand three hundred nineteen volumes of historical records, while the Zheng Dynasty left only one hundred twenty-three volumes."

The Emperor asked again, "Are the historical records from the previous dynasty complete?"

The Historian answered, "Not entirely. During Emperor Xia Ling’s time, a great fire in the palace burned many records. Moreover, when the rebels invaded the Imperial Palace, numerous records were also destroyed."

The Emperor nodded and asked, "How much of the Chen Dynasty’s historical records remain?"

The Historian answered, "Less than one hundred volumes."

"And what about the records from before the Chen Dynasty?"

The Historian said, "Very few."

"Very few?" The Emperor lamented, "Truly a tragedy."

The Historian felt the same sorrow as the Emperor. As a Historian, what he cared about most was the historical materials.

"My beloved ministers, did you not proclaim a passion for history just now? What are your thoughts upon hearing the Historian’s report?"

"Regrettable."

"Sorrowful."

"Heartbreaking."

"Ministers, you must understand the importance of historical records?" The Emperor said, "Since the Chen Dynasty, the number of preserved historical records has decreased significantly. Why do you think this is the case?"

"In response to Your Majesty, it is due to the chaos of war."

"Indeed, in the late Chen Dynasty, rampant warfare destroyed many historical records and books."

"The same was true for the Zheng Dynasty."

Over the past four or five hundred years, wars frequently occurred, with particularly many during the Chen and Zheng Dynasties. The previous dynasty fared somewhat better, despite constant conflicts under Emperor Xia Ling. At least, no one destroyed the historical records.

"Warfare is one reason, but the most important reason is that no one took the time to compile these historical materials into books, ensuring their legacy."

Upon hearing this, Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu immediately understood the Emperor’s intention.

"I have an idea to organize the historical materials and compile them into books, so they may be passed down from generation to generation, preventing any disjunction in history." The Emperor looked at the ministers, "What do you think, my dear ministers?"

The Historian said with much excitement, "Your Majesty is wise!"

Then, Prime Minister He and Grandmaster Liu stepped forward to support, "Your Majesty is insightful!"

Seeing that Prime Minister He and others agreed, the other ministers naturally did not oppose. They all understood that compiling historical records was a beneficial endeavor for the country and its people, and an act that would etch one’s name in history.

"Since all ministers agree to compile history, who do you think is suitable to oversee it?"

The ministers supporting the Fourth Prince immediately suggested that the Li Family was the most suitable. During the previous Emperor’s reign, the Li Family oversaw the compilation of ceremonial and musical regulations. Therefore, they had ample experience, making them the perfect choice for compiling history.

Those supporting Prince Dai naturally recommended Kong Taichang to be responsible for overseeing the compilation of history.

Kong Taichang and his son felt their opportunity had arrived. The two exchanged a glance and then nodded at each other.

Without hesitation, Kong Taichang stepped forward and volunteered to oversee the historical compilation. Following him, Kong Yuan also stepped out, expressing his willingness to assist.

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the Junior Minister also stepped forward, expressing their desire to participate in the historical compilation.

Whoever oversees this historical compilation will see their name immortalized.

The Emperor looked over at Kong Taichang and the others, then at the Minister of the Ministry of Rites and the Junior Minister. He finally glanced at Grandmaster Liu standing in the front.

"Grandmaster Liu."

"At your service, Your Majesty."

"You will be the chief overseer of this historical compilation. As for the other participants, arrange them as you see fit."

Grandmaster Liu: "..." He knew the Emperor tossed this "mess" at him again.

While compiling history might be a prestigious and advantageous task, it was also a troublesome one. Grandmaster Liu never cared about his reputation, nor concerned himself with whether he would be remembered in history.

"I obey the order."

Whether they were supporters of the Crown Prince, Prince Dai, or other princes, they all wanted to have a stake in this historical compilation.

For Grandmaster Liu, peaceful days would become scarce.

Seeing no more matters to address, the Emperor allowed Sun Kui to announce the end of court.

After the court session, Prime Minister He, Grandmaster Liu, and the Historian went to the Imperial Study.

Compiling history is a significant undertaking, requiring preliminary discussions on how to proceed, where to start, and how far back to trace.

The Emperor’s suggestion was to begin with the most recent dynasties, complete them first, and then work backwards.

Prime Minister He and the others naturally agreed.

After deliberating on the methods for historical compilation, Prime Minister He curiously asked, "Your Majesty, what prompted you to suddenly think of compiling history?"

"It was brought up by the Tenth Prince. He enjoys reading historical books and, seeing how few records from the Zheng Dynasty survived, he wondered why the materials weren’t organized and compiled into books." The Emperor smiled, "I thought he was right, thus I recalled the matter of compiling history."

Unexpectedly, the suggestion for compiling history came from the Tenth Prince, a revelation that truly surprised Prime Minister He and others.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yao, who was studying in Wende Hall, sneezed several times in succession.