King Xiang of the Red Chamber

Chapter 776: Rejection
While Zhu Jinghong and his companions were chatting in the Hongde Hall, some people were extremely busy, especially the officials from the Ministry of Rites who were in charge of the funeral ceremonies.

Today they have a very important thing to do. They have to organize officials, soldiers and civilians to "persuade" Zhu Jinghong to ascend the throne, gather all the people and provide etiquette training, and at the same time make proper arrangements in the Wenhua Hall. These are all very energy-consuming tasks.

They were obviously going to be busy all night, and after Zhu Jinghong and his wife chatted for a while, they took a short rest in the Hongde Hall.

It's not that they are lazy, but now all matters, big or small, have to be handled by them, so they must maintain enough energy, which is also their responsibility to the world.

I didn't sleep all night, and after a short nap, an hour had passed.

When the two opened their eyes again, it was already light outside. Zhu Jinghong asked the eunuch and found out that it was already seven o'clock in the morning.

At this time, there were great changes outside the hall. Hundreds of monks and Taoists appeared and sat down in rows to chant scriptures and pray for blessings.

There will be a memorial service in another hour, and the officials from the Ministry of Rites are now telling him the details.

What Zhu Jinghong had to do was very simple. He just had to kneel down to express his grief and kowtow to the late emperor at the corresponding points. The rest would be done by the ritual officials and monks.

Walking out of Hongde Hall, there were more than a dozen eunuchs at the door, real eunuchs, the heads of the 24 yamen of the inner court, who appeared in front of Zhu Jinghong on this new day.

There was no one standing in front of Zhu Jinghong, only Baochai was following behind him.

As he walked out of the hall, monks, Taoist priests, civil officials, military officers, and royal family members along the way all knelt on the ground, not daring to move, for fear of offending the new emperor Zhu Jinghong.

After entering the main hall, Zhu Jinghong came to the altar and kowtowed at the instruction of the ceremonial officer, and everyone in the hall followed suit.

The monks and Taoists chanted and prayed, and after a lot of effort, half an hour passed quickly.

After the ceremony, Zhu Jinghong was still kneeling on the mat, while the others were crying. No one dared not to cry out loud.

Even Baochai was sobbing at this moment. After all, she was no worse than others.

During this period, the important officials outside the palace have gradually left as they have other important matters to attend to.

About ten minutes later, Lü Tong, the seal holder of the Imperial Household Department, entered the hall, knelt behind Zhu Jinghong and reported: "Your Highness, the cabinet, the six ministries, the five military offices, and the military and civilian elders of the capital have all come to the Wenhua Hall to see you!"

This is persuasion... Zhu Jinghong understood it.

He could go to the Wenhua Hall or stay in the Qianqing Palace and have a conversation remotely, but to show his modesty he decided to stay here.

Staring at the altar in front of him, Zhu Jinghong said in a cold voice: "The late emperor passed away. I am heartbroken. I don't have anyone to help me. If they have something to say, they can report it to me!"

"Yes!"

There was precedent for him responding this way, so when Lu Tong passed the message on, the hundreds of people who were preparing to persuade the emperor to ascend the throne took out a joint memorial.

Afterwards, Lu Tong brought the memorial back to the Qianqing Palace and read it in public.

"I believe that the ancient sages and philosophers all followed the teachings of the Yuanzi. The people of the world cannot be without a master for a day. This is the norm of the state and is of vital importance to the country..."

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, is of the right rank and noble character, and has inherited the teachings of the Holy Spirit. His virtues are enough to probe the heart of the emperor, and his deeds are enough to inherit the rule of the gods. His filial piety and sincerity are highly praised by the imperial court, and his virtues are known throughout the country..."

"The throne cannot be left vacant for long. The subjects at home and abroad are looking up to it. I hope Your Highness will follow the wishes of your ancestors, be less sad, think about the difficulties of the founding emperors, and take into account the importance of today's succession. Please ascend the throne early and consolidate the imperial plan forever..."

"We, the ministers, prostrate ourselves in the imperial court, and make joint speeches to persuade the emperor to ascend the throne. We see six dragons rising like the sun in the sky, and wish that the longevity tripod will last as long as the heavens. We, the ministers, are overwhelmed with admiration and are extremely excited to serve you!"

Lu Tong read the memorial aloud, then lowered his head to listen to instructions.

Zhu Jinghong had to admit that the officials were indeed good at writing these fancy articles.

After a few breaths of silence, Zhu Jinghong replied: "I have read your letter and can see that you are deeply concerned about the country. I am deeply saddened. How can I bear to hear about the succession so suddenly? I will not approve your request!"

These words were naturally decided in advance, so after receiving this, Lu Tong stood up and walked out to explain them clearly to those who were trying to persuade him to take the throne.

This concludes the persuasion process, and the next one will be the day after tomorrow.

A few minutes later, Cheng Ying, the eunuch in charge of writing in the Imperial Household Department, entered the hall and reported that the cabinet had submitted draft memorials from today and yesterday, and Zhu Jinghong needed to go and deal with them.

The memorials he reviewed early this morning were drafts that had been submitted the day before yesterday. Zhu Xianming stayed up all night last night but was unable to finish reviewing them, and then died of a sudden illness due to overwork.

Zhu Jinghong then stood up and walked towards the entrance of the main hall, but this time he did not go out, but walked to the right towards the aisle, which also leads to the Hongde Hall.

As for the officials who had persuaded the emperor to ascend the throne, they all returned to their offices. After all, they all had things to do and had to ensure the smooth operation of the huge Ming empire.

Zhu Jinghong entered the Hongde Hall from the side door and happened to meet the attendant who was sorting out manuscripts.

The man on duty today is no more than 30 years old. He was one of the top two candidates in this year's imperial examination. He had just been retained by the Hanlin Academy as a Shujishi and was responsible for the job of recording the daily records.

Today is July 29th, the first day after the emperor's death and the first day that Zhu Jinghong became emperor.

In other words, the content of today's daily records will be in the first volume of Zhu Jinghong's "Veritable Records".

"Your Highness!"

Picking up the manuscript paper, Zhu Jinghong flipped through today's records.

"Kuisi, 2:00 a.m., the Ministry of Rites led 300 monks and Taoists into the Forbidden City..."

"At the exact moment, the Crown Prince performed a sacrificial ceremony..."

"At 2:00 am on the 1st day of the 4th month, civil and military officials, military and civilian elders, and other senior officials sent a letter to urge the emperor to take office. The words read..."

But because the record was so detailed, Zhu Jinghong remembered what happened last night, so he asked, "Where is the record of yesterday?"

"Reporting to Your Highness, yesterday's records are below. I have sorted them out and am just waiting for someone from the Imperial Academy to come and get them!"

Ignoring the attendant on the ground, Zhu Jinghong found them himself. After a rough count, he found that there were more than ten pieces of paper.

After looking through it, I found that yesterday's record was completely true, but a little too true.

For example, it records the affairs of Zhu Jingyuan and the words he should not have said.

Putting down the record, Zhu Jinghong said calmly: "Delete everything about Prince Gongshun!"

"The minister obeys the order!"

Although Zhu Jinghong was not yet the emperor, his words were imperial decrees. How could a mere Hanlin Academy scholar dare to say no?

Following Zhu Jinghong at this moment are three senior eunuchs from the Imperial Household Department. They will naturally pay close attention to this matter. If this little Hanlin dares to be perfunctory, they will definitely give him a severe beating.

Here, Zhu Jinghong began to review the memorials, while on the other side, in the main hall of the Qianqing Palace, Baochai, who had been kneeling for a while, stood up and went to the warm room nearby.

It was a good thing for others that she went away to take a nap, otherwise no one would be able to rest if she was around.

When Baochai stood up, Princess Xu of Qingyang and Princess Zhao of Jinghai followed her, and after hesitating for a moment, Concubine Jia also followed.

The west warm room had been redecorated. Baochai was sitting on the couch, with Xu and Zhao waiting in front of her.

"You guys should sit down too. You've been kneeling for most of the day!"

Xu and Zhao replied, "Thank you, sister-in-law!"

The two of them sat down immediately. They were very familiar with Baochai, so they were not too restrained.

They had just said a few words when Concubine Jia came in from outside. Xu and Zhao, who had just sat down, stood up again. This was the etiquette that the younger generation should follow.

What's more, at this time, even Baochai stood up.

"The imperial concubine is here, come and sit down!"

Baochai personally led Concubine Jia to the couch, and Concubine Jia sat down after expressing her gratitude.

Afterwards, several people started chatting, but the main topic was about how the emperor's death had shaken people's hearts, and how the world would have to rely on the prince to support it in the future...

Everyone chatted for more than ten minutes, and then two more people came into the warm room. They were Zhu Yunsheng and Princess Yuanchun of Zhangdao.

As for Chen Zhi, she accompanied Zhu Jingyuan back home after he "fainted" last night.

The two of them entered the hall, and Baochai looked for seats again. The atmosphere of the conversation was still very good.

About half an hour later, it was time to mourn again, and everyone got up and walked out of the house one after another. "Sister-in-law... Sixth brother fainted last night, and I'm afraid he's recovered today. Can you send him to the Qianqing Palace to pay his respects to the late emperor!"

Hearing this, everyone around was a little worried. After all, it was inappropriate to mention Lao Liu at this time.

Zhu Yunsheng knew this too, of course, but she still chose to say it, simply because she hoped that all family members could be present at her father's funeral, and Zhu Jingyuan, as the legitimate son of the emperor, should also be present.

Baochai had been through many storms, and controlling her emotions had become her instinct. Even though she was uncomfortable at the moment, she still replied calmly: "He is not in good health, so it is fine for him to be filial at home. The emperor is so kind, and I think he would not want to see Prince Gongshun suffer!"

Zhu Yunsheng was very disappointed, but he didn't say anything more. After all, his previous behavior was already out of line.

At this time, Baochai left first, and Concubine Jia followed after sighing. Xu and Zhao wanted to say something, but in the end they left without saying a word.

Only Yuanchun stayed. She had a noble status and posed no threat to Zhu Jinghong, so she was more relaxed than others.

So she didn't have so many taboos. She stayed just to comfort Zhu Yunsheng, because if Zhu Jingyuan was still alive, she believed that Zhu Yunsheng would also speak for her fourth brother.

"Third sister, why are you doing this?" Yuanchun sighed. She didn't think Zhu Yunsheng was stupid, so she felt very pity for her.

"I'm going to find Brother Thirteen!"

Seeing that Zhu Yunsheng was really going to go, Yuanchun quickly reached out and held her back. At this moment, her eyes were full of anxiety, and at the same time, she felt a little disappointed with her child.

"If you go to the prince about this matter, won't it make your sixth brother's life even more miserable? Listen to my sister-in-law's advice. It's not a good thing for your sixth brother to fail. Don't bother with this matter anymore!"

"Also, if there is nothing urgent in the future, don't go to your Thirteenth Brother. He is the emperor... the father of all people!"

"From now on...it's the right thing to do to spend more time with your Thirteenth Sister-in-law!"

Yuanchun was not the first person to say similar things to Zhu Yunsheng, and the latter actually understood these principles.

But she just couldn't accept that her brother, who grew up with the same mother, would be so estranged from her.

No matter what, thinking that Yuanchun was doing this for his own good, Zhu Yunsheng still replied: "Thank you, Fourth Sister-in-law!"

"When we get to the main hall, go and apologize to the Crown Princess and tell her that it was my fault. She won't take it to heart!"

Although Zhu Yunsheng was reluctant, he nodded in agreement.

After a while, Zhu Yunsheng appeared beside Baochai and admitted his mistake briefly and sincerely.

Baochai knelt on the cushion, looking at the altar in front of her, and said slowly: "Third sister, you are already a parent now, so you should be more calm in doing things in the future. If you know that many things cannot be done, don't waste your time!"

Kneeling behind Baochai, Zhu Yunsheng could only see the profile of Baochai. Although they were only a foot apart, it felt like a thousand miles apart.

"Yes, I understand!" Zhu Yunsheng agreed.

She has gradually felt the changes after her father's death, and she, the legitimate princess of the royal family, now has to step aside.

These were actually just minor episodes. In the blink of an eye, another five days had passed and it was the third day of August.

On the first day of August, the ministers tried to persuade Zhu Jinghong to ascend the throne for the second time. This time, Zhu Jinghong went to Wenhua Hall, but still said that his grief was growing and his request was not granted.

Then on the third day of the Lunar New Year, the third round of persuasion began.

In the Wenhua Hall, Zhu Jinghong had already taken his seat, followed by royal nobles, officials, and military and civilian elders. At this moment, Chief Minister Zhao Yushan was leading the presentation.

"The filial piety of the emperor is different from that of the common people. Although he has feelings of sympathy and admiration, he is more concerned about continuing the legacy, and he must choose what is important and what is not..."

"Your Highness, the Crown Prince, is filial, friendly, wise, upright, benevolent, virtuous, and has accomplished a lot in education. He has succeeded the throne and I have written down his last words..."

"Even though the grief is deep, how can the succession be delayed? We, the ministers, have submitted petitions to persuade him to ascend the throne, but he has not heard your voice. The people are in a state of panic and do not know what to do!"

"I hope Your Highness will suppress his emotions and follow the rules, obey the will of the people, and make the three spirits and hundreds of gods have someone to rely on, and all the nations in the four directions can rely on you!"

"This is truly a major plan for the country and a great celebration for the people!"

Zhao Yushan's speech was sincere and it boosted the atmosphere very well.

After he finished speaking, everyone in the hall kowtowed and said in unison: "We hope Your Highness will suppress your emotions and follow the rules, obey your parents' wishes, and ascend the throne of emperor!"

Everyone at the scene was earnest, and the show of persuading him to marry was about to end.

Zhu Jinghong replied with great pain, following the prepared words: "You have made your request again and again, and it is sincere and earnest. The position of heaven is so important that it cannot be left vacant for long..."

"Besides, I have received your will, so I dare not refuse and will do as you ask!"

Hearing this, Zhao Yushan said loudly: "The throne has been determined, the divine weapon has a master, and I, Zhao Yushan, the Grand Secretary of Wenhua Palace, kowtow to Your Majesty... Long live the emperor!"

Afterwards, all the ministers kowtowed one after another, and the way they addressed Zhu Jinghong changed from "Your Highness" to "Your Majesty", and the shouts of "Long live the emperor" were heard incessantly.

At this moment, Zhu Jinghong felt very satisfied and he felt that he was the happiest person in the world.

But at the same time, some strange thoughts popped up in his mind. For example, at this moment he was wondering whether the old man would have felt the same as he did now when he succeeded to the throne.

After persuading the emperor to ascend the throne, Zhu Jinghong left and returned to the Qianqing Palace from the Wenhua Hall.

Because he was busy persuading the emperor to ascend the throne, he had not yet read the memorial sent in the morning, so he still had a lot of work to do next.

Of course, before getting down to business, he still had to return to the main hall of the Qianqing Palace and tell the late emperor that he was now emperor.

However, before he kowtowed to the late emperor, all the royal family members in the hall kowtowed one after another: "Your Majesty, we kowtow to you. Long live the emperor!"

Baochai was also among those who were bowing, but she was closest to Zhu Jinghong.

After finishing the matter here, Zhu Jinghong returned to Honghongde Hall, and Lu Tong took out a draft edict, which was the first decree that Zhu Jinghong was going to issue.

The document was written by a scholar from the Hanlin Academy, and its content mainly urged the Ministry of Rites to draft the posthumous title and temple name of the late emperor, and of course, also to determine his reign title.

At the same time, the decree also ordered the Ministry of Rites to work with the Imperial Observatory to set the date for his enthronement ceremony.

Zhu Jinghong did not see any problem with the ornate words in the edict, so he asked Lu Tongdao: "Have you read it all?"

"Your Majesty, I have read it!"

Putting down the draft edict, Zhu Jinghong picked up the memorial beside him and said, "If there is no mistake, then let it be so!"

Zhu Jinghong was not very good at things like quoting from classics, and he was also worried that someone in the Hanlin Academy was playing tricks, so he asked Lu Tong to help make decisions.

Lü Tong, the seal holder of the Imperial Household Department, was known as the "Prime Minister" by the world. Naturally, he had solid knowledge, otherwise he would not have been able to hold this position.

In fact, apart from their physical defects, the eunuchs of the Imperial Household Department were not much inferior to the Hanlin in terms of knowledge.

Because the eunuchs who grew up in the Imperial Household Department were taught by Hanlin scholars since childhood, and they were absolutely focused on studying and furthering their studies. Those with less talent would have gone to work in the wine, vinegar and noodle bureau.

"Your Majesty, I dare not speak nonsense!"

"Just say whatever you want to say. Since the late emperor trusted you, I naturally trust you too!"

These were not simple words. Lu Tong felt relieved after hearing them. He had been under a lot of pressure recently. After all, it was a common practice that a new emperor would appoint new ministers.

"Your Majesty, you trust me so much that I burst into tears of gratitude!" Lu Tong knelt down and kowtowed.

"Okay, if this edict is correct, take it and use the seal!"

"I obey your order!" Lu Tong replied.

If there really was a problem, he would naturally inform in advance instead of waiting for Zhu Jinghong to ask, so the edict was finalized.

"Go!"

"Yes!"

After Lu Tong left, Zhu Jinghong opened the memorial and began today's official task.

(End of this chapter)