20demayo Chapter 159 Establishing an Heir Apparent
Chapter 159 Establishing an Heir Apparent
Chapter 159 Establishing an Heir Apparent
"Have the Imperial City Guard investigate thoroughly, just as the Prince of Yong just said," the Emperor instructed.
"yes!"
Eunuch Li acknowledged and withdrew.
The Imperial City Guard, also known as the Martial Virtue Guard, was located inside the Left Chengtian Gate of Bianjing.
It was a branch of the palace guards, and together with the Palace Guards and the Imperial Guards, they were responsible for the palace's defense.
During the reign of Emperor Taizu, he recruited the elite troops from all over the country to form the Imperial Guard. From the more than 200,000 Imperial Guards, he selected tens of thousands of people with clean family backgrounds to guard the palace.
During the reign of Emperor Taizu, the Imperial City Guard was the premier imperial guard, with half of the palace's imperial guards belonging to the Imperial City Guard.
The Palace Guard and the Imperial City Guard are completely incomparable.
Later, Emperor Taizu transferred some imperial guards from the Imperial City Guard to form an intelligence system.
The intention was to monitor the entire world.
However, it was met with fierce opposition from civil and military officials, since no official wanted to see the court have an intelligence agency that could monitor the entire country.
However, Emperor Taizu was very tough and sent spies from the Imperial City Guard to various places to recruit idle people to collect intelligence.
An official arrested the spies from the Imperial City Guard and personally escorted them to Bianjing, which enraged Emperor Taizu.
But that official was also very stubborn, saying that the Emperor Taizu's actions showed a lack of trust in them, his ministers.
Since that's the case, why not just let the Imperial City Guard govern the country?
The emperor was so angry he wanted to kill someone, but the official was completely unafraid.
Officials in the court, who were already opposed to the matter, stood up to oppose it again at that time.
Upon hearing the news, local officials followed suit, arresting the Imperial City Guard's spies sent to the provinces and escorting them back to the capital.
Seeing that this was about to provoke public anger, Emperor Taizu had no choice but to back down and stop the Imperial City Guard from sending spies to the provinces, instead ordering them to only monitor the capital.
In reality, they were turning the Imperial City Guard's spies from overt to covert operations.
After Emperor Taizong ascended the throne, in order to win over the people, he officially abolished the secret agents of the Imperial City Guard, but retained the power to monitor the capital.
The Imperial City Guard was renamed around that time, and as the name suggests, it was confined to the Imperial City.
After Emperor Zhenzong ascended the throne, he paid even less attention to the Imperial City Guard.
After the emperor ascended the throne, he promoted benevolent governance, and the Imperial City Guard became almost a mere formality.
When Yu Xingzhi, the commander of the Imperial City Guard, received the imperial decree conveyed by Eunuch Li, he was extremely excited.
Originally the Imperial City Guard, the first imperial guard unit, has been neglected by successive emperors and now only has four battalions with two thousand men.
Normally, the Commander-in-Chief is in charge of five battalions, totaling 2,500 men.
In other words, Yu Xingzhi, the commander of the Imperial City Guard, did not have his troops at full strength.
There was nothing they could do. The Imperial City Guard was responsible for intelligence gathering, and they were confined to the Imperial City itself, so neither of the two emperors paid much attention to them.
These two emperors reigned for more than fifty years, so their decline was inevitable.
Yu Xingzhi felt this was an opportunity. As long as he did the things the emperor had assigned him well, the emperor would understand the importance of the Imperial City Guard and thus pay more attention to it.
After the Imperial City Guard was reduced in size, even promotions became stagnant.
The highest-ranking official was him, the Commander-in-Chief. He couldn't be promoted any further, and his subordinates couldn't be promoted either.
Only by gaining the attention of the government can he be promoted.
After seeing off Eunuch Li, Yu Xingzhi immediately summoned his four commanders and assigned them tasks.
The Imperial City Guard is no longer valued even by the emperor; it has long been ignored.
Therefore, the Imperial City Guard secretly mobilized, and no one noticed.
The matter was clarified in just two days.
Prince Chong used some leverage to coerce several commanders of the city defense battalion and the five city garrisons.
The women purchased from Jiangnan were also sent out through these people.
Those military officers who received concubines from their superiors were unaware that these women were purchased by the king.
It was clearly impossible to force these people to rebel with just one woman.
Only when the plan was launched would the truth be revealed. Those people were worried that Prince Chong was plotting a rebellion, and that they would be implicated because they had accepted women bought by Prince Chong. So they had no choice but to gamble with Prince Chong.
Yu Xingzhi reported the information he had found to the authorities.
The officials were stunned for a long time after seeing the results of the investigation.
He believed he had treated the king well and worried that the Prince of Yong would turn against the Prince of Chong after ascending the throne. So he kept delaying the investiture, hoping that the Prince of Chong would face reality and submit to the Prince of Yong.
Who would have thought that Prince Chong not only failed to understand his good intentions, but was actually preparing to rebel.
"You may leave," the official said, waving his hand.
Yu Xingzhi thought the emperor would order him to arrest people, but to his surprise, the emperor simply sent him away.
It took him a while to come to his senses, and he bowed and left.
"Go and summon Duke Cao yourself!" the Emperor said.
"yes!"
Eunuch Li acknowledged and withdrew.
Late at night, there were hardly any people left in the Bianjing night market.
At this moment, the side gate of the palace opened, and many imperial guards in armor filed out of it.
After leaving the palace, these imperial guards did not utter a word and, led by Duke Cao, headed straight for the Prince's residence.
Soon, the Imperial Guards arrived outside the Prince Chong's residence and surrounded it.
Duke Cao sat upright on his horse and stopped at the entrance of the Prince of Yan's residence.
After the soldiers reported that the encirclement was complete, he coldly ordered, "Break down the gate!"
The soldiers, who were already prepared, pushed the battering ram forward and broke open the gate of the mansion in no time.
-
Led by their general, the imperial guards stormed into the mansion.
Duke Cao remained seated on his horse, making no move.
The sporadic shouts of battle quickly subsided, and after about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the disheveled Prince Chong was brought out.
"Reporting to Duke Cao, Prince Chong has been captured, and the rest are all under control. No one has escaped!" a general reported, bowing.
Duke Cao glanced at the ashen-faced Prince of Yan and said, "Leave some men to guard him and escort him back to the palace!"
After saying that, he turned his horse around and headed towards the palace.
After entering the palace, he led two soldiers and escorted Prince Chong to the Funing Palace.
"Your Majesty, we report that Prince Chong has been brought here, and his family members have all been detained!" said the Duke of Cao.
The emperor waved his hand, looked at the Prince Chong who was bound hand and foot and remained silent, and said, "Do you have anything to say?"
"There's nothing to say, I just want to die quickly!" the Prince said hoarsely.
"You scoundrel, what have I done to wrong you?"
The emperor roared, "You are my nephew, yet you dare to commit such a treasonous act! Do you feel no remorse at all?"
"remorse?"
Prince Chong laughed loudly, appearing as if he were insane, and said, "Why should I regret it? Since you don't intend to make me the crown prince, why did you choose me as a candidate for crown prince?"
"You caused all of this, and you actually ask me if I feel any remorse?"
"But there can only be one throne!"
The Emperor said, "If I were to choose you, the Prince of Yong would think the same way."
Although I did not choose you, it is not that I did not consider your interests.
The fact that those officials who supported you were left in the palace before was a way of telling you that you had no hope.
As long as you submit to Prince Yong, he naturally won't do anything to you after he ascends the throne!
"Ha ha--"
Prince Yong laughed until tears streamed down his face: "Since ancient times, has anyone ever had a good ending after failing to seize the throne?"
You think I'd be spared if I just gave in to Prince Yong? I think you've gone mad from being emperor.
Once he ascends the throne, my best fate will be to be placed under house arrest for life, and even that is highly unlikely; I will most likely die.
Since I'm going to die either way, why not take a gamble?
"Traitor!"
The emperor roared, "How could the royal family have raised such a traitorous and disloyal person like you!"
"I am a traitor, but you forced me into it."
Prince Chong mocked, "Actually, you've already realized you're wrong, but you're unwilling to admit it."
You had someone bring me here and tell me all this, just so I'd confess and beg for forgiveness. Only then can you seem innocent.
Hahaha, you're dreaming! I'd rather die than let you have your way.
"You caused all of this! After I die, I will tell our ancestors all this, and then you will have no face to meet them!"
"You—you—shut up—"
The emperor's face was pale, and he angrily pointed at Prince Chong, his lips trembling.
"I insist on saying that back then you proposed the reforms and had Fan Da Xiang Gong and others formulate new laws."
But you listened to slander and banished Fan Da Xiangong and others from the capital.
Later you realized you had made a mistake back then, so you transferred Master Fu and others back to the capital.
But you are unwilling to carry out reforms again, because that would be tantamount to admitting that you made a mistake back then.
So when everyone outside said that you were going to carry out reforms again, you disregarded the fact that Prime Minister Fan was in poor health and issued an edict appointing him as the prefect of Yingzhou, in order to tell the world that you had no intention of reforming.
However, because of your transfer order, Lord Fan, despite being ill, went to his post and died on the way.
After Lord Fan died, you felt guilty and personally bestowed upon him the posthumous title of Wenzheng.
Everyone calls you Ren Jun, but in reality, you're just a hypocritical little man who cares too much about saving face.
"You—you—"
The emperor grew angrier and angrier, and before he could catch his breath, he fainted from anger.
"His Majesty!"
Eunuch Li cried out in alarm, steadied the official, and shouted, "Quickly, summon the imperial physician!"
"What did you say?"
Upon hearing Xiaoman's words, Wang You asked incredulously, "You mean the Imperial Guards were mobilized last night and surrounded the Prince of Yan's residence?"
"That's right. The Prince Chong's mansion is now surrounded by layers upon layers of Imperial Guards. We don't know the specifics yet," Xiaoman said.
"I understand, you may leave." Wang You waved his hand.
"Yes."
Xiaoman bowed and withdrew.
"It seems that Prince Yong reported Prince Chong to the Emperor, and Prince Yong must have found evidence that Prince Chong was planning a rebellion," Wang You murmured.
It's now inevitable that Prince Yong will become the crown prince. Hopefully, Prince Yong and Princess Jiacheng will keep their word.
Around noon, a piece of news spread, and the entire city of Bianjing became somewhat quieter.
The Prince of Yan intended to rebel, but the Emperor discovered this and sent the Duke of Cao to arrest him.
However, the emperor was so enraged by the news of Prince Chong's rebellion that he fainted.
Upon waking, he publicly issued an edict appointing the Prince of Yong as Crown Prince and setting a date for the adoption and investiture ceremony.
Due to the Emperor's health condition, Yongjiang temporarily assumed the regency.
With such a major upheaval in the palace, and even a rebellion, the Imperial Guards were arresting people everywhere, and the people of Bianjing were so frightened that they dared not leave their homes, fearing that they would be implicated.
For a time, the people of Bianjing were filled with panic.
"I'm afraid the Emperor is in grave danger this time," Wang Min said gravely.
"Father, it's not that serious, is it?"
Wang You said, "The Prince of Yan is not the Emperor's son. Would the Emperor be so angry that he would fall ill if he plotted a rebellion?"
"What do you know?"
Wang Min said, "If His Majesty's health hadn't been so poor, why would he have allowed the Prince of Yong to oversee the country before even being formally appointed?"
I heard that after Prince Chong was arrested, he was taken to the palace, and the Emperor even met with him. As for what they talked about, I have no idea.
"It must have been something Prince Chong said that angered the Emperor."
Wang You was speechless. What was the Emperor thinking? He actually dared to meet with Chong Wang.
Knowing that he was doomed, what good words could the Prince of Chong possibly utter?
"These are things our family can't worry about."
Wang Min said, "What I'm worried about now is whether the promises he made before will still stand if the Prince of Yong becomes the crown prince."
If he doesn't agree to you taking a concubine, don't be too stubborn. The lives of our whole family are not something to be trifled with!
Wang You said solemnly, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing and won't do anything reckless."
"I hope you remember what you said. I haven't even seen the eldest grandson of the Wang family yet," Wang Min said.
"I understand," Wang You nodded.
"Alas, these are truly turbulent times," Wang Min sighed.
The Prince of Yong, who was serving the Emperor, administered the medicine and, after the Emperor had fallen asleep, went to the outer hall.
"Imperial Physician Chen, tell me the truth, how long will it take for my father to recover?" Prince Yong asked.
Imperial Physician Chen said, "Your Highness, His Majesty's health is severely depleted and he needs to rest. I cannot guarantee how long it will take for him to recover."
"Then what about Father Emperor—"
-
Before the Prince of Yong could ask further questions, a palace attendant hurried in, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, the Grand Chancellor and others are in the Chui Gong Hall, requesting that Your Highness come there for a meeting!"
"understood."
Prince Yong waved his hand and looked at Imperial Physician Xu, saying, "You stay here and keep watch. If anything happens to Father Emperor, send someone to inform me immediately!"
"yes!"
Physician Xu quickly responded.
Prince Yong got up and left the main hall, heading all the way to the Chui Gong Hall.
The eunuch led him up to the imperial platform. The Prince of Yong glanced at the dragon throne with burning eyes, took a deep breath, and sat down in the chair to the left of the dragon throne.
"Your Highness, we pay our respects!" Han Zhang and the others bowed deeply.
"No need for formalities!"
Prince Yong said with a heavy expression, "Didn't I already say that my father is unwell and I have no heart to handle state affairs? You, the Grand Chancellor, will handle them for the time being."
"Your Highness, we can handle ordinary state affairs, but the most urgent task now is to send reinforcements to the north to prevent the Liao Kingdom from learning that the Song Dynasty has a border and sending troops to invade!" Han Zhang bowed and said.
"The Liao Kingdom will send troops to invade the border?" Prince Yong asked in shock.
"We are not certain either, but we have discussed it and believe that there is a high probability that the Liao Kingdom will send troops."
Han Zhang said, "The Liao Kingdom resolved the issue of Yelü Chongyuan two years ago, and now it has no internal troubles."
Once they learn of any changes in the Song Dynasty, even if they don't directly send troops to invade the border, they will still station troops on the border to force the Song Dynasty to increase its annual tribute.
Just in case, we should send reinforcements north to deter the Liao Kingdom.
"But I remember that the Treaty of Chanyuan stipulated that neither Song nor Liao could send more troops to the border."
Prince Yong frowned and said, "If the Liao Kingdom has no intention of sending troops, wouldn't sending reinforcements now just give the Liao Kingdom an excuse to attack?"
The Treaty of Chanyuan stipulated that both sides would reduce their troop presence on the border and would not increase their troops without cause, otherwise it would be considered a provocation.
"Your Highness, there's no time to worry about that now."
Han Zhang said, "Once the news of His Majesty's serious illness reaches the border, the morale of the army will inevitably be affected."
If the Liao Kingdom were to launch a surprise attack at this time, the north would be in grave danger.
Fu Xiangong stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, we can send out troops under the pretext of troop rotation, and then withdraw the troops that were replaced to the rear cities."