Chapter 139

Chapter 139

Among Emperor Xingwu's five children, Princess Qingyang's inherent qualities as a sagacious ruler were beyond dispute. Her descendants, inheriting the imperial surname, would remain legitimate heirs to the throne. Furthermore, Emperor Xingwu's decision was not driven by a desire for the Qin dynasty to endure eternally, but by an unprecedented selflessness aimed at benefiting all people. With these three points, the dozen or so high-ranking ministers found no further grounds for opposition. Even Nie Ao, the Imperial Censor-in-Chief, and Xie Xunwen, the Minister of Rites—both typically rigid upholders of court principles and rituals—knelt alongside them, praising in unison, "Your Majesty is the wisest and most sagely ruler in all of history."

Beyond the ministers' endorsement, the Crown Prince candidate also required the imperial clan's recognition. Though Emperor Xingwu possessed the absolute authority and prestige to make unilateral decisions, by summoning Prince Yong and Prince An today, he extended due respect to the venerable Qin clan.

Qin Hong had supported his younger sister from the outset, kneeling even before the ministers. Thus, only Prince Yong remained standing.

Prince Yong was, naturally, displeased at the prospect of his young niece becoming emperor. This had nothing to do with his son Qin Liang's ambitions; even without a son, he would not endorse his niece as empress. Even if his three nephews proved incapable of being sagacious rulers, and even if their reigns plunged the empire into temporary chaos, the empire would still belong to the Qin family. Their sons might yet produce another sagacious ruler like his elder brother. But to hand it to a niece? Even if her descendants bore the Qin surname, they would still carry the Zhang family's blood!

Yet, his elder brother would not listen. As if bewitched by his young niece, he insisted on appointing her. His elder brother's gaze, sharp as daggers, was fixed on him. Not a single civil or military minister dared to stand with him—all spineless. Prince Yong knew the matter was sealed. If he continued to object, his elder brother would show no mercy. No matter how unyielding his bones, his elder brother could shatter them!

Helpless and seething with indignation, Prince Yong finally knelt.

Emperor Xingwu observed them calmly.

It was all within his expectations. After all, his daughter's strategic and martial prowess could silence these individuals, and as long as he lived, no one would dare openly defy him.

What truly worried and troubled him, what he genuinely wished to help his daughter with but could not, lay entirely in the aftermath of her succession.

"Liner is, in my eyes, the sagacious ruler of the next generation. However, I understand the immense turmoil that appointing a female Crown Prince will cause in court and among the populace. Therefore, I grant you two more days. If, within these two days, you can present reasons why I should not appoint Liner, come and speak with me. If you can persuade me, I will accept your counsel."

"If, within two days, you find no such reasons, or if no one can convince me with sound arguments, it will signify that Liner is indeed the heaven-mandated second-generation sagacious ruler of Great Qi. Then, on the morning of the ninth, I will issue the decree. At that time, you will become the first loyal ministers to defend and support Liner. When Liner is Crown Prince, you must help her silence worldly criticism and scorn. When Liner is emperor, you must assist her in forging a prosperous era for Great Qi, just as you have assisted me."

"Today, I speak to you as old friends, from the bottom of my heart. If, within these two days, other ministers attempt to dissuade me, or if any rumors about this secret discussion spread in court or among the people and compromise your impartiality, I…"

Emperor Xingwu looked at each face before him, his expression tinged with bitterness. "I will be very, very disappointed."

Qin Hong felt an inexplicable urge to weep and kowtowed. "Father, rest assured. Before you issue the decree, your son will maintain absolute secrecy."

Yang Zhimin was genuinely in tears, sobbing as he vowed to speak of it to no outsider.

Yan Xizheng and others offered their assurances one after another. Finally, Emperor Xingwu turned his gaze to his own younger brother.

Prince Yong saw the bloodshot veins in his elder brother's eyes, and the blend of expectation and threat within them. His elder brother was always like this: wanting to use him yet fearing he would botch things up. When he performed well, his elder brother would praise him, smiling with profound satisfaction. If he failed due to his own shortcomings, his elder brother would be furious, his eyes red as he punished him.

His elder brother truly treated him as a younger brother, but when ruthlessness was required, he would never hesitate.

Prince Yong raised his right hand, swearing to heaven that he would keep the secret.

Emperor Xingwu: "Good. All of you, return to your duties."

Yan Xizheng did not leave. Nie Ao did not leave. Yang Zhimin did not leave. Among the military officials, Zhang Jie remained kneeling, unmoving.

Prince Yong paused mid-stride. Emperor Xingwu glared directly at him: "If all you can utter is that nonsense about bloodlines, then get as far away from me as possible!"

Prince Yong: "…"

He curled his lip and departed, his face etched with resentment.

After his footsteps faded into the distance, Emperor Xingwu instructed Yan Xizheng and the other two civil ministers to wait outside the hall.

Once the three had withdrawn, Emperor Xingwu bade Zhang Jie to stand and speak.

Zhang Jie insisted on remaining kneeling. "The foremost principle of the Zhang family's ancestral teachings is loyalty to the throne and service to the country. While Your Majesty reigns, my family is loyal to you. Once Your Majesty chooses a Crown Prince, regardless of who it is, my family will be as loyal to the new sovereign as we are to you. The selection of the Crown Prince itself is not my concern, but thanks to Your Majesty's grace in betrothing my son to Princess Qingyang, and now that Your Majesty favors the princess, though I harbor no rebellious intentions, the thought of the ensuing public gossip fills me with deep apprehension."

Emperor Xingwu leaned back in his chair, gazing at the carved beams and painted rafters above. "I understand. I worry the people will call me senile in my old age for choosing Liner, let alone your Zhang family, who will inevitably be suspected by officials and commoners alike. But I reiterate: Liner is the only suitable candidate for a sagacious ruler. If I change my mind out of fear and appoint someone else, it would be unfair to Liner and even more unfair to the people of Great Qi."

"So, no matter how difficult the battle, it must be fought. No matter how tough the decision, it must be made. I am apprehensive, but I have a clear conscience. Your Zhang family may be apprehensive, but as long as you have a clear conscience, no matter how much the world suspects, it is merely idle gossip not worth heeding. Historians will record your Zhang family's actions. Merit or fault, history will attest, and posterity will deliver its fair judgment."

Zhang Jie understood. He kowtowed. "The Zhang family's ancestral teaching: loyalty to the sovereign and service to the country. Any descendant who violates this, any clansman may execute him. Please rest assured, Your Majesty. The Zhang family has never had a traitor before, and never will in the future."

He was a general who surrendered from the previous dynasty, but not a traitor. Before surrendering, he and his father and brothers had loyally resisted Emperor Xingwu's army on behalf of the court. It was the previous dynasty's tyrannical ruler, believing the slander of treacherous ministers, who blamed the Zhang family for betrayal on the battlefield. It was that tyrant who ordered the execution of over a hundred members of the Zhang family. His father and brothers were killed by new generals sent by the court. Only he, away leading troops, and his wife and children, visiting relatives, survived.

As the emperor said, whether he, Zhang Jie, was a traitor or a criminal would be proven by history.

When Zhang Jie left, He Yuanjing, following the emperor's instruction, led Yan Xizheng, Nie Ao, and Yang Zhimin back into the hall.

The Court Diarist was still there, writing furiously. The sovereign and ministers spoke quickly, and his writing was a bit slower.

Emperor Xingwu looked at the three ministers with their varied expressions and smiled. "I suspect what the three of you have to say is quite similar. Let Nie Ao speak then. Our Imperial Censor-in-Chief has always been upright and unafraid of offending people. Even if the Left Chancellor or Zhongwen spread your blunt words, you wouldn't fear it, right?"

Nie Ao straightened his chest. "If I dare say it, I'm not afraid of others knowing. I didn't speak earlier for fear of implicating others."

Yan Xizheng and Yang Zhimin reiterated that they were not gossipers. Their personal integrity demanded it, and for the reputation of the Founding Meritorious Officials, they had to keep their mouths shut. Otherwise, their place in history would be stained.

Emperor Xingwu drank a few sips of tea to moisten his throat, then told Nie Ao to speak frankly.

Nie Ao: "In terms of talent alone, Princess Qingyang excels in both literary and military arts and is indeed Your Majesty's unparalleled choice for Crown Prince. However, not everyone in the imperial clan shares Your Majesty's boundless magnanimity in allowing Princess Qingyang's line to inherit the throne. After the princess ascends, there remains the risk of the imperial clan criticizing her for 'a hen crowing like a rooster' and contending for power. When the princess passes away and her descendants succeed, there will not only be the risk of the imperial clan seizing the throne but also the risk of maternal clan influence, and even the worry of future new sovereigns plotting to restore the Zhang lineage. For all these concerns, does Your Majesty have a method to prevent them? If not, once the royal family engages in internal strife, treacherous ministers and external enemies will seize the opportunity to exploit the situation for gain, leading to war. In the end, it will be the people who suffer, and Your Majesty will bear the stigma of choosing the wrong Crown Prince."

Yan Xizheng lowered his eyes. Yang Zhimin sighed.

Without long-term worries, there will be immediate troubles. The emperor's three sons are useless. Choosing Princess Qingyang seems wise, but even ordinary wealthy merchants' families see descendants fighting bloody battles over inheritance. The emperor and princess can suppress the current four princes, but the princes will have descendants. Will these self-proclaimed "legitimate bloodline of the old Qin family" willingly let "the bloodline of the old Zhang family" enjoy the empire founded by their ancestor Emperor Xingwu?

Nie Ao's words were too sharp. Said in front of Prince Yong and Prince An, it would be suspicious of sowing discord, but it was a future worry the emperor must consider.

Emperor Xingwu fell silent for a long time, so long that the Court Diarist caught up with the sovereign and ministers' speed and finally had time to lift his sleeve and wipe the sweat from his forehead.

After drinking another sip of tea, Emperor Xingwu countered Nie Ao, "Then who do you think would pose the smallest hidden danger if I appointed them?"

Nie Ao looked left and right. Though straightforward, he was not foolish. Since Yan Xizheng and Yang Zhimin had also stayed, they must have ideas.

Officials at this level were no fools. Understanding Nie Ao's meaning, Yan Xizheng, with drooping eyelids, said, "I believe childbirth is very dangerous for women. Since the princess is Crown Prince and sovereign, rather than risk herself, it would be better to select a worthy candidate from the imperial clan's nephews. This way, during the princess's reign, she can rule in peace and focus on governing. After the princess, the sovereign will still be from the Qin imperial clan, giving others in the clan no reason to disobey."

Emperor Xingwu laughed. "I have only heard of emperors without offspring selecting Crown Princes from the imperial clan. My Liner has practiced martial arts since childhood; her constitution is far superior to ordinary women. My Imperial Medical Institute gathers the most skilled imperial physicians in the world. There is no reason my Liner should face danger in childbirth. If, as the Left Chancellor says, an emperor with his own offspring should select a worthy candidate from among his nephews, then today I might as well pick a nephew from Prince Yong's side, lest the empire eventually be ruined by my disappointing descendants, right?"

Yan Xizheng, Nie Ao, and Yang Zhimin all knelt. "We absolutely did not mean that! We beg Your Majesty to calm your anger!"

Emperor Xingwu tightly gripped his tea bowl. After a long while, he stared at Yang Zhimin and asked, "The Left Chancellor gave me a terrible idea. Yang Zhimin, what good strategy do you have?"

Yang Zhimin pressed his forehead to the ground, apprehensive. "I have no good strategy. I only have this worry. If I see a hidden danger and do not warn Your Majesty, it would be disloyalty!"

Yan Xizheng, with tears streaming down his aged face, said, "I know my words are unfair to the princess, but my strategy could at least ensure the princess's smooth succession and the smooth implementation of policies and decrees during her reign. Otherwise, if the imperial clan all covet the throne, they will definitely try every means to slander and obstruct the policies the princess promotes. I am truly worried for the princess!"

Nie Ao: "The Left Chancellor's worry is also my worry. I hope Your Majesty will think twice."

Emperor Xingwu threw down his tea bowl, rose, and turned his back on the three. "Do you really think I am old and senile? What you can think of, I cannot?"

The three bowed their heads, awaiting the emperor's explanation.

Emperor Xingwu looked at the Great Qi map before him, at this vast empire he had personally conquered. Struggle and determination alternated in his eyes. Finally, he clenched his fists, veins bulging on his forehead. "I also have an imperial clan. I also have rebellious generals and treacherous officials with ulterior motives. Who has tried to seize my throne? Who has actually succeeded in taking my throne from me?"

"Because I have prestige, the imperial clan does not dare to defy me. Because I have ability, rebels have become fallen foes by my hand."

"Again, I will not live that long, nor can I manage that far. I pass the throne to Liner. If she has the ability, she will rule until old age. If she does not, she will be driven down. If any imperial clan member can replace Liner, not only will I not be angry, but I will think highly of him. If any minister has that ability, I will respect him!"

"But I also lay down harsh words upfront: my Liner is not a pushover. If in the future any imperial clan member or minister dies at Liner's hand for treason, no matter who, I will only clap in approval from the netherworld."

Having said this, Emperor Xingwu turned around and earnestly admonished these three ministers who had deeply considered and loyally advised for Great Qi's sake: "I will not underestimate Liner. You had better not underestimate her either."

Worrying for oneself stems from one's own incompetence. Worrying for others sometimes comes from genuine concern, but sometimes it also stems from underestimation.

No emperor likes to be underestimated. Those who wish to be loyal ministers should focus on eliminating treachery and malfeasance for their sovereign, and be willing to go through fire and water.