novelraw Chapter 486 - 254, A dispute about grand ceremony, a son of an enemy_2
Chapter 486 - 254, A dispute about grand ceremony, a son of an enemy_2
In a moment, they considered many possibilities, such as returning to their mansions after leaving the palace and immediately ordering a rebellion; they might still have a fighting chance.
Before entering the palace, Huan Shideng had also worried this might be a trap and had made thorough preparations.
Once there was any change in the palace, the Huan faction would immediately launch a rebellion.
However, just as cold sweat broke out on their backs, drenching their official robes, Emperor Xiaochang spoke again, as if he had seen through their thoughts.
"Retainer Wang and Meng Aiqing need not worry. Huan Shideng’s rebellion does not mean that you two also intend to rebel or that you are of one mind with Huan Xiang..."
Emperor Xiaochang glanced at Wang Min and Meng Du, a smile playing on his lips. "Although Huan Shideng acted autocratically and intended to usurp the throne, there are still those loyal to the country among his followers."
"If that were not so, his family being merely from the countryside, how could so many talents gather under his banner, becoming his wings and claws?"
With just a few words, he set the tone for this rebellion crisis, which spanned from the Central Axis to the local regions: it was only Huan Shideng’s personal intention to rebel and had nothing to do with the Huan faction.
Quite clever... Xu Xing thought, nodding slightly. A sense of approval for Emperor Xiaochang grew within him.
Huan Shideng had been in power for over a decade, and his followers were countless. If they were all truly held accountable, the country would likely descend into turmoil in no time. Pull one hair, and the whole body moves. The malpractices of the dynasty’s middle and later stages would emerge one by one. The problems were deeply rooted and difficult to reverse. By then, even with a cultivator like him helping Emperor Xiaochang eliminate the rebellious powers, he probably couldn’t resist the overwhelming momentum of the "Xu Dynasty’s demise." At most, it would only prolong the state for several decades. Moreover, he couldn’t possibly invest so much effort into this single matter.
"Your Majesty is wise. The reason we worked under Huan Shideng is... is to endure for the sake of the country..."
"If Huan Xiang rebels, we swear to die for the state."
Minister of the Ministry of Rites Meng Du was the first to speak. Kneeling and performing a deep kowtow to Emperor Xiaochang, he said this.
Then, Deputy Wang Min repeated the words of the Minister of the Ministry of Rites Meng Du.
"You two retainers, please rise."
"With Huan Shideng having lost power and the Imperial Court in turmoil, I still need your utmost assistance. The position of Chief Counselor, according to... sequence, should be assumed by Retainer Wang..." Emperor Xiaochang said with a smile.
"Your minister obeys the decree."
Upon hearing this, Deputy Wang Min’s face lit up with joy. He quickly bowed and replied.
Although this position of Chief Counselor might only be a transitional one for him, it would take Emperor Xiaochang at least several years to cultivate an official suitable to take over as Chief Counselor. Even if he were merely a figurehead Senior Official... he would still be a Zaifu, second only to one and above tens of thousands!
***
Inquisition, dismissal, removal, promotion.
Emperor Xiaochang handled this series of processes very smoothly, not like an emperor who had not yet personally governed, but more like a seasoned veteran.
"Imperial Son, Huan Xiang has been removed from office..."
"That is as it should be."
"But can we grant him a dignified way out, allow him to resign and return to his hometown to live out his days?" Empress Dowager Li asked. She had seen Huan Shideng being led away from the hall by eunuchs, and an anxious expression had crossed her face. She turned to Emperor Xiaochang, a pleading look in her eyes.
Once Huan Shideng was executed, it would be hard to know how long the prestige of her faction could last.
"Empress Dowager, Huan Xiang’s matter is a minor issue; the Three Law Divisions will naturally conduct a trial."
"What’s more important now is the fate of our dynasty, whether the Fengling tomb should be moved or not..." Minister of the Ministry of Rites Meng Du, seeing Emperor Xiaochang in a difficult position, immediately spoke up, using this excuse to silence Empress Dowager Li.
"Indeed."
"The fate of the nation is more important."
"Imperial Sister-in-law, you should focus on discussing this matter," several members of the Xu Royal Family chimed in to help. The decline of the Empress Dowager’s faction was also advantageous to them; on this point, their stance aligned with that of the two civil official leaders, Wang Min and Meng Du.
"I have limited time and cannot stay in the Mortal World for long. I hope you all can come up with a specific plan: will the graves be relocated or not?" Xu Xing also spoke up, lending his support.
In Fengxi Country, Huan Shideng was a powerful minister, but in his eyes, merely a mortal who could be casually wiped out; he wasn’t overly concerned. He naturally didn’t want to waste time on such trivial matters. The debate on relocating the graves was just a "Great Rites Debate" he deliberately promoted. Through this, he could select a group of filial princes and imperial grandsons from the Xu Royal Family to accompany him to the East Huangzhou Northern Wilderness and establish another kingdom...
Emperor Xiaochang, although he has the makings of an enlightened ruler... what I want isn’t a qualified emperor, but qualified descendants... An emperor’s political maneuvering is not worth mentioning to me. Faced with this dilemma, I wonder how you will choose?
As Xu Xing hid his face with his sleeve and tilted his head back to drink his wine, his eyes flickered several times, glancing at Emperor Xiaochang on the Dragon Chair and the other members of the Xu Royal Family.
The one setting this test is he, the Grand Ancestor. Other abilities don’t matter; the crucial thing is "filial piety." Of course, merely adhering to "filial piety" doesn’t guarantee true filial devotion, but if one even defies the final edict of Empress Dowager Xiao Zhang... then even a shred of filial piety is lost.
Hearing this, Empress Dowager Li had to back down, no longer mentioning Huan Shideng’s matter.
"Regarding the relocation of the graves, what do my imperial uncles think? How should it be handled?" The power to preside over the situation had passed from Empress Dowager Li to Emperor Xiaochang. Emperor Xiaochang did not stand on ceremony; after a moment’s deliberation, he began to discuss the matter with the Three Princes of the Royal Family.
"It cannot be moved!"
"Since Empress Dowager Xiao Zhang left a final edict, if we were to presumptuously move the graves, how could we still be considered imperial descendants...?"
The opinions of the Three Princes were the same as before; they remained united in refusing the tomb relocation.
"This matter concerns the fate of the nation. Since Your Majesty has the determination to execute Huan Xiang, you must have a definite plan to handle this issue of grave relocation..."