Chapter 607
Emperor Chongzhen laid his cards on the table!
"After the New Year and the Crown Prince's wedding, I should... take a good rest."
Emperor Chongzhen paused slightly, as if savoring the words, or perhaps giving the listeners time to process and understand, before continuing. His voice remained steady, yet each word was clear and resonated deeply within everyone's heart:
"I have been on this throne for almost twenty years. Since the day I ascended the throne, I have hardly had a full night's sleep. Internal troubles, external threats, natural disasters, man-made calamities... one after another, one pressing down on another. Sometimes I wonder, were the Taizu Emperor and the Chengzu Emperor just as tired back then?"
He gave a self-deprecating laugh, a laugh tinged with unspeakable weariness:
"Now it's all good. Liaodong is pacified, the Jurchens are destroyed, Korea is taken over, and the world... finally has a semblance of peace. My wish has been fulfilled."
So that's why.
He looked at everyone one last time, his gaze calm and composed, even with a hint of negotiation in his tone.
"Once the Crown Prince gets married, I will completely hand over this responsibility to him. As for me, I will step back and become a leisurely retired emperor, enjoying my grandchildren and a few days of true peace and happiness. I am at ease entrusting this empire to the Crown Prince. You... should also be at ease."
boom--!
If the silence just now was an undercurrent beneath the surface of the water, then this moment is like a thunderclap exploding directly in everyone's mind!
Inside the Wenyuan Pavilion, time seemed to freeze for a moment.
The charcoal fire crackled and popped, producing a soft spark that sounded like thunder at that moment.
The sound of the wind outside the window and the faint footsteps of palace servants in the distance seemed to have disappeared.
Several cabinet ministers froze on the spot as if struck by a spell, their expressions instantly hardening, their pupils contracting sharply as they stared intently at the calm-looking monarch on the throne.
Abdication? Retired Emperor?
These two words, like two massive boulders, crashed into their minds, stirring up a tidal wave!
What did they hear? The emperor, in the prime of his life, having just accomplished unparalleled feats and whose prestige was at its zenith, actually said he would abdicate and hand over the throne to the crown prince?
How...how is this possible?!
Throughout history, unless forced to abdicate, critically ill, or senile, has there ever been a precedent of an emperor voluntarily abdicating at the height of his power and achievements? This is simply unheard of and inconceivable!
Was it a test? A test of the Crown Prince's power? A test of the loyalty of his ministers?
Or... is His Majesty unwell, and using this as an excuse?
In an instant, countless thoughts and speculations swirled in the minds of the key ministers like a tangled mess, eventually converging into a huge, indescribable panic and bewilderment.
This sudden news was completely beyond their political experience and understanding, and overturned their decades-old concept of the hierarchical relationship between ruler and subject.
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty!!"
The first to recover from this immense shock was Grand Secretary Jiang Dejing, who was known for his upright and unyielding character.
His face turned deathly pale instantly, devoid of any color. His body swayed as if he were about to lose his balance, and then with a "thud," he knelt heavily on the cold, hard gold brick floor.
He didn't even have time to adjust his kneeling posture; he remained kneeling upright, raised his head, and looked at Chongzhen. His voice trembled violently with extreme shock and excitement, almost changing its tone:
"Your Majesty...Your Majesty! What...what are you saying?! Your Majesty! Your Majesty...you are in the prime of your life, only...only thirty-nine years old, the perfect time to govern diligently and make great achievements! Our Great Ming has just pacified Liaodong, cleared the world, and the nation's power is growing daily. It is precisely when Your Majesty has the authority to lead the people and create a new era of prosperity like that of Hongwu and Yongle! How could Your Majesty...how could you say 'rest'! Absolutely not! Absolutely not, Your Majesty!"
He was sobbing uncontrollably, and when he got to the point of tears, he even banged his head on the ground, making a dull "thump" sound, and his forehead instantly turned red.
He was really anxious and really scared.
The emperor suddenly abdicated? This would shake the very foundation of the nation; it would be a catastrophe!
Jiang Dejing's tearful remonstrance was like lighting a fuse.
Immediately afterwards, Fan Jingwen also staggered and fell to his knees.
This respected and virtuous old minister, who had served several emperors, was now overcome with tears, which streamed freely down his deep wrinkles. His voice was mournful, and every word was filled with anguish.
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty is wise! Although Liaodong and Korea have been pacified, the people of these newly annexed territories are not yet settled, and everything needs to be rebuilt! The soldiers on the nine borders need Your Majesty's comfort, the people of the world need Your Majesty's compassion, and the affairs of the court are numerous and complex, requiring Your Majesty to sit in the center and oversee the overall situation!"
"Your Highness, though Your Highness is exceptionally gifted, filial, and intelligent, you are, after all, still young. To suddenly shoulder the imperial power and rule the world is perhaps not... perhaps not a blessing for the nation, nor a good fortune for the state! Your Majesty! This old minister has served Your Majesty and the late Emperor for decades. Today, I dare to plead with you, tears streaming down my face, to reconsider this idea! If Your Majesty insists, this old minister... this old minister has no choice but to smash my head against this pillar and die, to repay the late Emperor's kindness and to uphold the duty of a subject to remonstrate!"
Fan Jingwen's words, rich in allusions and combining reason with emotion, laid bare the potential political risks, border instability, and court turmoil that could result from a sudden change of monarch.
As he spoke, he actually pretended to crash into the golden dragon pillar next to him, but Zhang Zhifa, who was terrified, held him back tightly.
Zhang Zhifa had already knelt on the ground, his face equally pale, and cold sweat pouring down his face.
He said in a trembling voice:
"Your Majesty! Grand Secretary Fan's words are heartfelt! Your Majesty has reigned for nearly twenty years, working tirelessly day and night, governing with diligence and love for the people, which is known throughout the land! Now that the world is gradually at peace, it is the time for Your Majesty to realize your grand ambitions, so that our Great Ming Dynasty may have a long reign and a stable empire. How can you so easily retreat? We, your humble servants, beg Your Majesty to reconsider!"
Hong Chengchou also kowtowed repeatedly:
"Your Majesty! His Highness the Crown Prince is indeed wise, but Your Majesty is the ruler of the land, the one to whom all people depend! With Your Majesty here, the people's hearts are at peace, and the nation is secure! If Your Majesty were to abdicate, I fear... I fear the world would be in turmoil, and treacherous officials would proliferate! I beg Your Majesty to consider the well-being of the nation and the hardships endured by our ancestors in establishing this dynasty, and to rescind your decree!"
In an instant, everyone in the Wenyuan Pavilion knelt down, and voices of advice, weeping, and pleading rose and fell, creating utter chaos.
Several usually composed and insightful high-ranking officials were now terrified, as if the sky had fallen and the earth had collapsed, tears streaming down their faces, as if Chongzhen had not uttered a "bailout" but a "national demise".
They quoted classical texts, invoked ancestral laws, and discussed the sentiments of the people. When they were moved to tears, they would beat their chests and stamp their feet, wishing they could die to remonstrate with him.
The heat from the charcoal brazier, mixed with the body heat and sweat emanating from the excited crowd, made the room even more unbearably hot. Fine beads of sweat glistened on the foreheads and noses of several cabinet ministers, shining brightly in the light of the palace lanterns and the charcoal fire.
Emperor Chongzhen silently watched the scene before him. He looked at these old ministers who had followed him for many years and weathered countless storms, yet now they were thrown into disarray and grieving over his words.
The deliberate calm he maintained on his face gradually faded, replaced by a deep weariness.
He didn't get angry or reprimand anyone. He only waited until the crowd's cries of sympathy subsided a little before letting out a long sigh. That sigh seemed to come from the depths of his heart, carrying the relief of having unloaded a heavy burden, as well as a faint loneliness of not being understood.
"Alright, alright, all of you, rise."
Chongzhen's voice was somewhat hoarse, yet unusually gentle, even carrying a hint of soothing.
"I know that you are all loyal and devoted to the Ming Dynasty and to my own good. I understand your good intentions."
He slowly walked to Fan Jingwen, who was still kneeling on the ground and being supported by Zhang Zhifa, bent down, and personally helped the old minister, who was weeping, to his feet. His movements were slow and solemn.
“Mr. Fan, you are a veteran official who has served three emperors and a trusted advisor to me. Every word you say is reasonable.”
Emperor Chongzhen looked into Fan Jingwen's cloudy, tearful eyes and spoke sincerely.
"But what I say today is neither a test nor a joke. You should know my character. A ruler does not speak in jest."
He straightened up, his gaze sweeping over the crowd again, his voice clear and firm:
"I can tell you that two years ago, before I decided to personally lead the expedition to Liaodong, I had already made this agreement with the Crown Prince. After Liaodong is pacified, Korea is recovered, internal and external troubles are somewhat relieved, and the world returns to peace, I will entrust this country to the Crown Prince. I will retire to the position of Emperor Emeritus, no longer concern myself with specific political affairs, and enjoy my old age."
He paused, as if recalling something, or perhaps emphasizing something:
"You have all witnessed the Crown Prince's actions in Liaodong and Korea over the past two years. His abilities, his magnanimity, and his methods are more than enough to shoulder this responsibility. In fact... he has done even better than I did back then. Entrusting this empire to him will only make it more stable and prosperous. I have nothing to worry about."
Finally, he walked up to Xue Guoguan, the Grand Secretary who had been standing silently with a complex expression, gave him a deep look, then patted the old minister's slightly hunched shoulder. His voice was low, but carried an undeniable determination:
"I am truly exhausted. For the past ten years or so, I haven't had a good night's sleep or a peaceful meal. Every day when I open my eyes, I'm greeted by mountains of memorials and reports of disasters and military emergencies from all over the country. My hair has turned white, my wrinkles have deepened, and my heart is weary."
Now, my greatest wish—to recover the lost territories of Liaodong—has been fulfilled, and I have even unexpectedly conquered Korea. I have done right by my ancestors and by the people of the land. The rest of the journey, I will leave to the Crown Prince to lead you all, and to the Ming Dynasty, onward.
"I... only wish to spend the rest of my days watching my grandchildren grow up, talking with the Empress, and basking in the sun. This is my greatest desire right now."
Xue Guoguan's body trembled slightly.
The emperor's hand patted his shoulder; it wasn't heavy, yet it seemed to carry immense force.
When Chongzhen said, "As early as two years ago... we had already made this agreement with the Crown Prince," the last shred of hope and doubt in Xue Guoguan's heart vanished. He understood everything.
That's it!
No wonder! No wonder the emperor trusts the crown prince so much, almost obeying his every word! No wonder the crown prince acts so boldly and decisively, because behind him stands the emperor's unreserved support and a pre-determined succession! This is not a spur-of-the-moment decision, nor is it a "test," but a long-planned and natural transfer of power!
The emperor was determined to abdicate, and the crown prince had already made all the preparations to inherit the throne!
Having figured this out, Xue Guoguan felt not relieved, but rather even more daunted.
But at the same time, an indescribable sense of relief quietly arose.
The day the emperor abdicates will be the best time for this elderly chief minister to retire gracefully and return to his hometown.
He could even imagine that when the crown prince officially ascended the throne, there would inevitably be a new personnel arrangement. He could then retire gracefully, thus preserving his reputation in his later years and enjoying family life in peace. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
However, in a flash, Xue Guoguan's expression quickly shifted from initial shock and realization to the same "heart-wrenching" and "concern for the country and its people" as Jiang Dejing, Fan Jingwen, and others.
As the Grand Secretary and the leader of the civil officials, he had to show the proper demeanor at this time.
And so, the instant Chongzhen finished speaking, Xue Guoguan choked up again and said:
"Your Majesty! How could we not know Your Majesty's heart? Your Majesty works tirelessly for the country, day and night, and we see it all and it pains us deeply! However, Your Majesty! The Son of Heaven has no private matters! Your Majesty's life is tied to the safety of the nation and the well-being of all people! Your Majesty is in the prime of life, with great prestige, and it is the time for you to rule the four seas and extend your might to the eight directions!"
Although His Highness the Crown Prince is virtuous, his sudden ascension to the throne has not yet solidified his authority. All eyes are on him; what if some villains seize the opportunity to cause chaos, or if foreign vassals develop contempt? Your Majesty, for the sake of the eternal stability of the Ming Dynasty and the well-being of all people, I implore you to prioritize the nation's interests and rescind your intention to abdicate!
His words were sincere and heartfelt, showing sympathy for the emperor's "burden," emphasizing the emperor's indispensable importance, and pointing out the potential risks of the power transition. They were comprehensive and perfectly reflected the reaction of a loyal and dedicated old minister.
Xue Guoguan's kneeling and persuasion seemed to give the other cabinet ministers, who were still in shock and offering advice, a shot in the arm.
Look, even the Grand Secretary, who knows the inside story best, is so vehemently opposed, which shows that this matter is indeed dangerous! As a result, the voices of advice rose again.
"Your Majesty! The Grand Secretary is absolutely right! Your Majesty is the pillar of stability, and is indispensable!"
"Your Majesty, please reconsider! Please reconsider!"
"If Your Majesty insists on this course of action, we have no choice but to kneel here forever!"
Inside the Wenyuan Pavilion, the air was once again filled with voices of pleading, admonition, and even sobbing.
Several senior officials surrounded Emperor Chongzhen, each offering their own opinions, citing classical texts and analyzing the pros and cons, as if they wanted to lay their hearts bare for the emperor to see, just to ask him to retract that "terrible" idea.
Surrounded by these loyal yet stubborn old ministers, Emperor Chongzhen was surrounded by a cacophony of advice in his ears and the complex smell of burning coals mixed with sweat. He felt a throbbing pain in his head and his temples throbbing.
He explained and spoke his mind, but these veteran officials seemed completely absorbed in their own worries and the constraints of tradition, and couldn't hear his true feelings of wanting to retire.
His face was filled with helplessness, and even a hint of irritation.
Looking at these ministers who usually handled national affairs in an orderly manner, but now surrounded him like a group of stubborn old scholars, he suddenly felt a little amused and a little tired.
He knew that further discussion was pointless. It seemed the rumors circulating today were doomed to remain unfounded, and he'd only brought shame upon himself. (End of Chapter)