Chapter 132

Chapter 132

For fourteen or fifteen years, Qin Hong had been the Crown Prince. During this time, whether answering his father’s questions or responding to ministers’ requests, he would meticulously deliberate in his mind, ensuring his words would neither displease his father nor lead to a misguided decision. Over time, he became known to both the Emperor and his court as a timid and indecisive Crown Prince.

Even in his youth, Qin Hong rarely exuded confidence. When Master Wen, his tutor, asked for his interpretation, he feared misunderstanding and disappointing his teacher or inviting ridicule from Qin Liang. When Master Wu asked him to spar with Qin Liang, Qin Hong was torn between holding back for fear of injuring Qin Liang and worrying that holding back would lead to his own defeat. Only when it came to questions requiring rote memorization or skills like martial arts and archery, which could be mastered through diligent practice, did Qin Hong feel truly assured.

Today was the day he was to read his statement of self-criticism before the civil and military officials. In everyone’s eyes, the Crown Prince ought to have appeared ashamed and humiliated. Yet, it was on this very day that Qin Hong felt the most confident he had ever been in his life. He was certain this was what his father wanted him to do, and he was convinced it was for the good of himself, his father, and Great Qi.

So, with his father’s permission, Qin Hong rose and turned to face the assembled officials.

Though the Crown Prince had grown much thinner, he still stood over eight feet tall. Gone was the usual weariness and sorrow from his face, replaced by a long-unseen composure and dignity. He stood upright, his gaze sweeping calmly over the ministers, without any trace of his former hesitation or apprehension.

Just by his demeanor and bearing, who could question his fitness as the legitimate eldest son and Crown Prince?

Qin Ren, who had been worried about his elder brother’s potential embarrassment, now felt both a pang of sympathy and immense admiration. To act with such courage and integrity—this was truly his elder brother!

Cheng Duke Lü Zan felt immensely relieved seeing his son-in-law, the Crown Prince, like this. A true man owns up to his mistakes; admitting them and being able to correct them still makes him a good son.

Left Chancellor Yan Xizheng lowered his gaze, unable to bear looking any longer at the Crown Prince he had once staunchly supported. He knew the Crown Prince’s nature all too well: as long as the Crown Prince saw governing the country as his duty, no matter how tired or afraid he was, he would continue to shoulder the responsibilities of his position with trepidation. Only by completely abandoning it would the Crown Prince find peace, as if relieved of a thousand-pound burden.

Under the astonished and complex gazes of the civil and military officials, Qin Hong set down his document and began to read the statement of self-criticism he had personally written and memorized, his eyes sweeping over the assembled court.

"As Crown Prince, I, Hong, am guilty of seven offenses."

"First, unfilial. Since my youth, my father has taught me to study broadly and emulate the sages. I knew well that court appointments must be fair, yet I used my position as Crown Prince to pressure the Minister of Personnel into recommending incompetent officials. I failed to heed my father’s teachings—this is unfilial."

"Second, disloyalty. My father is the ruler, and I am his subject. To use public office for private gain and deceive the ruler is disloyalty."

"Third, lack of benevolence. I employed corrupt officials who squeezed wealth from the people. The suffering of the people is because of me—this is lack of benevolence."

"Fourth, lack of worthiness. After years in court, I have achieved nothing of merit. Internally, I failed to admonish my elder sister to rein herself in before disaster; externally, I did not heed the advice of virtuous ministers to cultivate myself and exercise self-restraint—this is lack of worthiness."

"Fifth, foolishness. When participating in governance, I knowingly acted against laws and established precedents, willfully persisting on my own path without discerning right from wrong—this is foolishness."

"Sixth, cowardice. Before my father’s southern tour, he entrusted me with overseeing the state and all matters of governance. Yet I feared difficulty and danger, shirking every crisis or military conflict onto the Central Secretariat for decision—this is cowardice."

"Seventh, failure as an elder brother. As the eldest brother, I have failed in both conduct and virtue, unable to lead by example. I am ashamed before my siblings—this is a failure as an elder brother."

The Crown Prince’s words resonated with conviction, and the officials listened with heads lowered, unable to refute a single point.

Those who supported the Crown Prince felt he had been overly frank—some charges could have been omitted. But since the Crown Prince had listed them all himself, there was little they could do to defend him or soften the impact.

Qin Hong did not need their defense. He turned and knelt once more before his father on the throne. "Father, I have long been aware of these seven crimes. Each time I think of them, I am filled with shame, regret, and torment. But I have been cowardly for so long that I did not dare to confess my faults to you. Now that my crimes have been exposed, you still could not bear to punish me severely. I am overwhelmed with gratitude, but I am unworthy of remaining Crown Prince. I beg you to grant my request and depose me!"

Like a stone thrown into calm water, the court, which had been silent except for the Crown Prince’s voice, erupted into chaos. Shock and discussion spread everywhere.

Qin Ren was the first to kneel beside his elder brother. Qin Hong turned his head, his gaze stern and his voice severe. "Third Brother, if you still acknowledge me as your elder brother, then listen patiently to what I have to say to Father. Do not interfere recklessly."

Qin Ren was stunned. Since childhood, this was the first time his elder brother had looked at him this way.

Emperor Xingwu raised his hand, waiting for the ministers to quiet down. He first ordered his third son back to his place, then frowned at the Crown Prince. "Last time I tried to punish you and Yongkang, you used these words to threaten me. Today, I ask you to read your statement of self-criticism, and you threaten me again? Is the position of Crown Prince of Great Qi just a toy in your eyes, to be taken up or discarded as you please?"

The last time the Crown Prince knelt here, tears had streamed down his face. Now, he lifted his head with nothing but calm and resolve. "Father, I dare not take the position of Crown Prince lightly. Since youth, I have deeply understood the difficulty of founding our dynasty and how you value the well-being of the people more than your own life. Thus, I long ago made a vow to be a good Crown Prince of Great Qi and to share your burdens to the best of my ability."

"But though I had lofty aspirations, I lacked the talent to handle affairs of state with ease and the courage to face natural disasters and wars. From the day I entered the court, I have trod as if on thin ice, afraid that a single misstep would ruin the peace and prosperity you worked so hard to build. For over a decade, I have not only failed to help you but have repeatedly caused trouble for the court. Most laughably, my anxiety has led to an incurable chronic headache."

"Father, the burden of this realm is too heavy. I truly lack the strength to carry it any longer. I am also afraid—afraid that frequent headaches will shorten my lifespan."

"Whether you blame me for cowardice and incompetence or for fearing death and clinging to life, I truly do not wish to become the one who ruins the foundation of Great Qi. Every word I speak today is true and not an impulsive threat born of resentment for your punishment. I beg you to grant my request!"

Having said this, Qin Hong kowtowed deeply and remained prostrate on the ground.

Emperor Xingwu stared fixedly at the Crown Prince below, so angry that the veins throbbed at his temples.

With the Emperor in such a state, the court fell silent. No official dared to speak without permission or rashly urge the Emperor to calm down.

Suddenly, Emperor Xingwu moved with startling speed, striding down the steps and kicking the Crown Prince. "Back in the day, I faced life and death on the battlefield without fear. Now that the world is at peace, I handed the Crown Prince position to you and arranged capable ministers to advise you. Yet just overseeing the state for a short time gave you chronic headaches? How could the Qin family have spawned such a useless coward!"

"Father, Father!"

As Emperor Xingwu prepared to kick the Crown Prince again, Qin Ren rushed forward and desperately clung to his father’s arm and waist from behind. So afraid that his elder brother might be seriously injured, Qin Ren forgot everything else. His motion was so forceful that the sleeves of his robe flew up, and from them fell two objects the size of a baby’s fist.

Emperor Xingwu didn’t see them, nor did the ministers who rushed over to intervene. But the objects made a sound when they hit the ground—two thuds, followed by several bouncing noises—drawing everyone’s attention.

Emperor Xingwu stared in disbelief at the two small hot-water bottles leaking water, then looked around at the circle of ministers as if seeing ghosts. What were these? Whose were they?

Qin Hong, who had been kicked to the ground by his father, closed his eyes.

Qin Ren’s face turned pale. But after glancing at his fallen elder brother, he knelt and lowered his head. "Father, I am afraid of the cold. Those are hot-water bottles I hid in my sleeves to warm my hands."

Emperor Xingwu turned his head stiffly like wood, his gaze shifting between the hot-water bottles and his third son. Suddenly, he delivered another fierce kick, this time to Qin Ren’s chest.

Qin Ren howled and collapsed beside his elder brother.

Emperor Xingwu wanted to pursue them, but before Lü Zan and Zhang Jie could stop him, he swayed and fell backward, fortunately caught by two generals.

Instantly, cries of "Your Majesty!" and "Father!" filled the hall, and chaos erupted.

Soon, Emperor Xingwu was carried back to Qianyuan Hall. Before the imperial physicians could arrive, he woke up. Remembering what had happened, he called for Fan Zhong and ordered him to take the Crown Prince and Prince Xian away and give each twenty lashes. "Thrash them within an inch of their lives! Thrash them both within an inch of their lives! I have no such useless sons!"

Fan Zhong knelt and begged the Emperor to calm down.

Without him having to intervene, Left Chancellor Yan Xizheng, Yang Zhimin, and other civil officials dropped to their knees in a wave, pleading for the Emperor to restrain his anger.

Unable to reach his two sons, who were shielded by the officials, Emperor Xingwu beat his chest in frustration before finally expelling the two troublesome figures.

Qin Hong and Qin Ren knelt together outside Qianyuan Hall.

After a while, Qin Ren grumbled under his breath to the person beside him, "It’s all your fault, Elder Brother. If you hadn’t said those things, Father wouldn’t have gotten angry, and I wouldn’t have been exposed and beaten."

Qin Hong looked at his third brother, who was rubbing his chest, and smiled. "Third Brother, what I envy most about you is that you don’t overthink things and don’t have to do much."

Qin Ren replied, "...That’s because you’ve been bearing the weight of state affairs, Elder Brother. That’s why I can live carefree and indulge without a worry."

Qin Hong said, "But I’m tired, Elder Brother. I truly can’t carry it anymore. Resigning from the Crown Prince position is something I’m serious about."

Qin Ren stared blankly, his gaze wandering over his elder brother’s face, which had actually improved in complexion lately.

Qin Hong continued smiling. "Just thinking about how, after resigning as Crown Prince, I can be as carefree as you, these past few days I’ve been eating well and sleeping well. Of course my complexion is better than before."

Qin Ren: "..."

Inside the hall, after Emperor Xingwu drank medicine and rested, the ministers who had withdrawn came out to persuade the Crown Prince to retract his resignation.

Qin Hong appeared with detached serenity, as if he had seen through worldly affairs. "I lack the virtue and ability to remain Crown Prince. Rather than forcing it and eventually destroying Father’s legacy, I would rather anger him now. There’s no need to persuade me. If Father does not agree, I will remain kneeling here until he does."

This was the Crown Prince, the future ruler. If the Crown Prince didn’t want to continue, could the ministers easily accept it?

Thus, a group of civil officials knelt down in a group, begging the Crown Prince to change his mind. Even those who knew it was futile, like Yan Xizheng, had to kneel along with them.

He Yuanjing hurried inside to report to the emperor.

About half an hour later, Emperor Xingwu emerged wearing a cloak. After scanning the pale-faced kneeling ministers, he said to the Crown Prince, "Are you truly unwilling to remain the Crown Prince of Great Qi?"

Qin Hong replied, "Yes. If I had a choice, I would never have wanted to bear such an immense burden from the start."

Emperor Xingwu scoffed coldly and addressed the ministers, "Listen to this! It seems I forced him into an impossible position—I shoved the Crown Prince title onto him and even caused his headaches!"

Qin Hong kowtowed, "I do not blame my father at all—"

Emperor Xingwu interrupted by kicking him again, "Just shut up! If you don’t want it, you don’t have to have it! Have it your way! Someone, draft the edict!"

***

On the thirteenth day of the eleventh lunar month in the eighteenth year of Xingwu’s reign, Emperor Xingwu deposed his eldest son Qin Hong as Crown Prince and instead made him Prince An.

Because Qin Hong had provoked the emperor’s fury, Emperor Xingwu ordered the eldest son and his family to immediately move out of the palace and stay out of his sight.

Yan Xizheng finally pleaded on behalf of the eldest son, asking the emperor to at least grant Prince An and his family some time to wait until a princely mansion was built before moving.

Emperor Xingwu snapped, "He can wait, but I’m afraid I might die of anger before then! If he wants a mansion, give him the princess’s residence that hasn’t even been occupied by Liner yet—just change the plaque!"

The sixty-five-year-old Left Chancellor was so horrified his eyes widened in shock!