The Red Mansions

Chapter 1499: Discussion of Temple Name and Posthumous Name

Chapter 1499: Discussion of temple name and posthumous title...

Palace Garden, Hanyuan Hall, Inner Study

In the winter of the 19th year of Chongping—

After spending several months in bed, the fourth emperor of the Han Dynasty finally passed away in the twentieth spring of the Chongping period.

Just like that, accompanied by wailing sounds throughout the palace, looking from the sky, one could see white spirit flags hung up in the Daming Palace, swaying in the wind. The biting cold wind whistled through the tiles of the palace, and bursts of humming sounds were heard, as if mourning the fate of the emperor.

Beside the pillars of the double-eaved palace, one could see guards and female officials changing into white mourning cloth, wearing hemp clothes, and crying sounds could be heard everywhere.

Jia Heng, on his side, looked at Li Zan intently and said, "Lord Li, should we discuss together the temple name and posthumous title for the emperor?"

Li Zan's face was extremely sad, and his voice seemed to be choked with sobs for unknown reasons. He said, "I and my colleagues in the cabinet will go to Hanyuan Hall to discuss the temple name and posthumous title."

Gao Zhongping also suppressed his sadness for the time being and said, "Prime Minister, the most urgent task now is to take care of the late emperor's funeral."

Qi Kun took over the conversation and said, "The country cannot be without a king for a day, and it is also urgent to welcome a new king."

Lin Ruhai looked solemn and said, "The late emperor's mausoleum has not yet been completed. We need to send people to speed up the construction and cannot delay it until next summer."

The emperor's mausoleum was built during his lifetime, and Emperor Chongping had previously selected a site. However, due to frequent border wars in recent years, the political life of the Han Dynasty was mainly focused on warfare, and Emperor Chongping ordered the suspension of mausoleum construction twice.

The mausoleum had to be built preliminarily, so after the death of Emperor Chongping, the mausoleum needed to be built in a hurry, and the late emperor's coffin could be placed in the palace.

This is not a problem at all, it makes it convenient to offer condolences in front of the spirit.

At this moment, Lu Jiang's expression changed slightly, and he opened his mouth slightly, wanting to say something, but when the words came to his lips, he did not say them.

At this time, everyone tacitly did not mention the two vassals of King Wei and King Liang, because the emperor had already given a will on how to deal with the two vassals, demoting them to commoners and banishing them from the city.

Queen Song was the mother of the country. Although she was involved in the affairs of the kings of Wei and Liang, she would most likely be dealt with by the new monarch.

While Jia Heng was speaking, he quickly left the inner study. At this moment, the King of Wei was kneeling on the ground in front of the Hanyuan Hall. Behind him, many civil and military officials in the hall were kneeling in a black mass. There were old officials with white hair and white beards, as well as young officials with thick black hair.

Looking up, you can see the winter sunlight shining on the white marble square in front of the temple. On the roof that winds and undulates like a blue dragon, a thin layer of white snow can be seen covering the green bricks and black tiles, and a bleak and tragic atmosphere spreads.

Jia Heng's expression paused slightly, and he looked at the King of Wei intently, meeting his eyes which were red from crying. After staring at each other for a moment, he asked, "Your Highness the King of Wei, please accept my condolences."

The King of Wei raised his head and stared at the young man in the python robe, his eyes full of resentment.

Jia Ziyu, a heartless and ruthless person!

You still have the nerve to see him?!

The King of Liang, who was kneeling beside the King of Wei, looked up, his calm face was covered with hostility, his eyes were filled with surging anger, and he shouted: "Jia Ziyu, you are a beast! My fifth sister married you, and this is how you treat her? How many things did my third brother do for you, and you don't care about our old friendship at all?"

Jia Heng's face was stern, his eyes flashed fiercely, and he questioned: "King Liang, what you said is wrong. Now you are forcing your father to rebel against the will of the emperor. Do you want me to join the rebellion? I have received great grace from the emperor and was selected from a humble background. How can I abandon public affairs because of my own selfish desires?"

After saying this, Jia Heng glanced at the ministers on the corridor eaves and the jade steps, but did not see the figure in the scarlet dress.

I thought to myself, where is Tianniuer? But Tianniuer is nowhere to be seen.

I guess he must be very angry right now.

However, he really had no way to help her. If he joined the Wei and Liang clans in rebellion and failed to gain the support of the people, both sides would be doomed and the situation could only be remedied later.

In fact, the mere ascension of the King of Chu to the throne did not mean the end of the story, but rather the beginning of the story.

Zhen Qing will not tolerate the King of Chu staying in that position for a long time, and the turmoil of the succession to the throne is still not over.

Only repeated turmoil in the imperial power could completely shake the sacredness of the Chen Han royal family in the eyes of the people in the capital and help disenchant the literati.

As Tanchun said, "You know, if such a big family is attacked from outside, it will not be killed immediately... Only if they commit suicide can they be completely defeated!"

Now, a coup d'état is about to take place to bid farewell to Emperor Chongping.

During this process, Jia Heng was loyal and faithful, and could plan important matters... Well, this was a wrong quote, meaning Prince Wei was a well-tested guardian of the imperial power.

Just like that, after a while, as the palace servants helped Emperor Chongping to arrange his will and remains, all the Han cabinet ministers came out from the inner study, expressionless, solemnly and sadly walking quickly towards the main hall of Hanyuan Hall, ready to discuss the funeral arrangements for Emperor Chongping.

Jia Heng didn't say anything else and entered the hall with several cabinet ministers.

At this moment, it was early in the winter morning. The ground dragons in the spacious palace were burning silently, and the atmosphere was warm. However, the minds of the Han officials suddenly fell into an icy cave, and they discussed together the funeral arrangements for Emperor Chongping.

Li Zan said: "The cabinet has sent people to issue an imperial edict in the past few days and spread it to all provinces, prefectures, states and counties, announcing to the world that all officials and civilians in the world should mourn for the emperor."

Gao Zhongping thought for a moment and said, "In the capital city of Shen, marriage and entertainment are prohibited. After 49 days, everything will resume as normal."

This is also customary.

Lu Jiang thought for a moment, and said righteously, "Your Majesty has lived a frugal life, so the funeral should be kept simple."

Today, the cabinet's military affairs commented on the late emperor, which will be recorded in the daily records in the future. In the future, his name, Lu Jiang, should be recorded in the book.

Li Zan raised his thin eyebrows and said in a gentle voice, "As for the temple name, since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has been determined to reform and sweep away the accumulated evils. He has the ambition to revive the country, so the temple name can be Xianzong."

Xianzong was a man of extensive knowledge and ability. It is undoubtedly a bit low to evaluate Emperor Chongping, the emperor who conquered Liaodong, by using Emperor Xianzong as an example in history.

"Your Majesty, at this time of turmoil, you have worked hard to govern the country, pacify Liaodong, and expand the territory. You can choose one from the Taigao generations." Lin Ruhai thought for a moment and spoke.

After all, he was born into a family of Lanting officials who were well-read in poetry and literature.

Among all the temple names, Taigao Shizhong can be regarded as the first one, followed by Renxiao Shengxian, and then Suxuan Shenxian...

Therefore, Gaozong also has a beautiful posthumous title.

Jia Heng raised his eyebrows and his eyes flashed.

However, because of his title as Emperor Gaozong of the Southern Song Dynasty, Gaozong has been somewhat stigmatized among netizens in later generations. Of course, at that time, it was considered a relatively good temple name.

Because in the eyes of the Southern Song Dynasty scholars, Zhao Gou was the one who preserved the vitality of the Han Dynasty by settling in a safe place in the south when the country was in turmoil. Gaozong was not wrong, but he was despised by later generations because he did a lot of cowardly things.

Qi Kun showed a thoughtful look on his face, and said: "Lord, the ancestors have merits and the ancestors have virtues. Based on the achievements of Your Majesty in pacifying the northwest and Liaodong, the temple name can be determined as the ancestor. Is this the reason why you are determining the temple name?"

Although the achievements in the Northwest and Liaodong were all made by Jia Heng, they were achieved during the reign of Emperor Chongping, which seemed to have met the conditions for establishing the title of ancestor.

Xianzong was more of a king who restored the country, rectified discipline and implemented reforms.

Li Zan frowned and said, "The temple name is based on the ancestor? Isn't this... a bit too much?"

Obviously, in the eyes of this cabinet chief minister with a scholarly character, calling him the ancestor was a bit exaggerated and not a good thing.

In fact, if you overpraise an emperor, it is very easy to create the effect of praising in name only and criticizing in reality.

Well, it does sound a bit weird.

Moreover, if it is passed down to later generations, it will only make people laugh.

Especially if Emperor Chongping had recovered Dzungar and Khoshut, conquered Tibet and the Western Regions during his tenure, he would have been more worthy of the title as our ancestor.

Gao Zhongping frowned and looked deeply, and for a moment he didn't know what to do.

At this moment, Li Zan looked at Jia Heng who was calm and composed, and asked, "What does Prince Wei think?"

"There has never been a greater achievement in the restoration of the country than this one. In my opinion, Your Majesty can be given the title of Emperor Shizong." Jia Heng said after a moment of silence.

The four characters "Tai Gao Shi Zhong" can be regarded as the vanguard among the clans, while the two clans of Ren Xiao, which also have beautiful meanings, may not be in line with the ruling style of Emperor Chongping.

Although the meaning of Zhongzong being treated badly because of the weak emperor Li Xian, in fact, the meaning of reviving the country and prospering the country is also quite good.

The titles of Taizong and Gaozong had already been used by the second and third emperors of the Chen Han Dynasty. In his opinion, Zhongzong might be a bit disparaging to Emperor Chongping, so only Shizong was left.

"Sejong?" Li Zan pondered over the word and felt it was just right.

As for the so-called merits and demerits of an emperor, when he was alive, everyone dared to be angry but not to speak out, but after his death, the civil officials evaluated him mercilessly.

The word "Shi" actually does not mean a deviation in the lineage, otherwise, Taizong, Zhongzong and Gaozong would have ascended the throne without being the legitimate heir.

Of course, because Emperor Chongping was born out of wedlock and fought for the throne, future generations would probably have some associations with this.

Jia Heng nodded and said, "As for the posthumous title, I think it can be Emperor Dingxian."

"Xian" as a temple name insults Emperor Chongping, but as a posthumous name, it undoubtedly perfectly fits Emperor Chongping's life. Xian is a man of extensive knowledge and ability.

This is also Yongzheng's temple name and posthumous title, which almost perfectly encompasses Yongzheng's life.

After hearing this, Li Zan hesitated for a moment and said loudly, "What Prince Wei said is almost right."

Gao Zhongping nodded, pondered a few words, and murmured, "Emperor Shizong Xian."

Seeing that all the ministers in the palace seemed to have no objection, Jia Heng said, "Lord Li, after you draft the edict, report it directly to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

At this moment, because Jia Heng and the cabinet were both important ministers of state, the King of Chu would have to look more at the opinions of the two ministers of state. Of course, he could also reject them and demand a re-discussion of the temple name and posthumous title.

But Emperor Sejong Heon's posthumous titles were all beautiful, although not perfect.

If it were an emperor like Jiajing, he would probably use the issue of his father's posthumous title to stir up trouble and fight for power.

After the most important temple name and posthumous title were decided, the next thing to do was to build the mausoleum. Qi Kun was personally appointed as the cabinet's supervisor of the construction of the imperial mausoleum, with Lu Jiang as the deputy supervisor.

Li Zan and Gao Zhongping, as two cabinet ministers, helped the new emperor preside over the funeral.

After Jia Heng decided on the posthumous title with the cabinet ministers in the hall, he felt a little hungry. While talking, he walked out of the hall and walked quickly to the outside.

At this moment, all the civil and military officials outside the palace were crying loudly for a long time.

While Jia Heng was speaking, he said, "Everyone, the late emperor's body will be kept in the Hanyuan Hall to receive tributes from all officials."

Afterwards, Li Zan and Gao Zhongping also came out of the hall, their resolute and calm faces also shrouded in sadness.

At this moment, an eunuch outside the palace came running over, out of breath, and said, "Prince Wei, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has entered the palace in a carriage."

After hearing this, Jia Heng looked at Li Zan standing beside him and said, "Lord Li, can you come with me to the outside of the palace gate to welcome His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?"

Li Zan nodded, then he, Gao Zhongping and Jia Heng walked towards the palace gate.

At this moment, it was mid-afternoon in winter, and the cold white sunlight shone in the courtyard. Then, outside two vermilion palace doors covered with copper nails and gold paint, a large number of Jinyifu guards surrounded a carriage.

Jia Heng actually knew the leader, it was Qiu Liang.

It turned out that when Jia Heng led the Beijing camp troops to attack the city, Qiu Liang sent the Jinyi Guards to wait near the palace gate to check the direction of the coup in the palace.

After the shocking change occurred in the palace, King Chen Qin of Chu ordered the Ningguo Mansion to prepare carriages and horses, and Chen Xiao also mobilized the Jinyi Guards to enter the palace with the King of Chu.

King Chen Qin of Chu sat in a carriage with curtains all around, escorted by several palace guards. Many of his injuries had been treated, and he also changed into a brand new prince's dragon robe. However, the injury on his leg had not yet healed, and he still needed someone to support him.

Jia Heng took a few quick steps, bowed his hands, and said respectfully, "I greet His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

If nothing unexpected happens, the King of Chu will be the next emperor, with the temple name Guangzong or Muzong?

Li Zan and Gao Zhongping both looked solemn, and they also walked a few steps quickly, clasped their fists and bowed, saying, "Your humble servant greets His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."

The King of Chu, Chen Qin, looked extremely solemn and asked with concern, "Zi Yu, Lord Li, Lord Gao, no need to be polite, where is my father?"

In fact, when the crying sounded in front of the palace, King Chen Qin of Chu had already learned of the death of Emperor Chongping.

Jia Heng was silent for a moment, then with a hint of sadness in his voice, he choked up and said, "Your Highness, the late emperor has passed away."

Upon hearing this, King Chen Qin of Chu was struck by lightning and asked in surprise, "Father, he..."

Immediately, the King of Chu burst into tears, crying out: "Father, Father..."

Jia Heng: "..."

Didn’t know along the way? Well, maybe this wave of emotional release was brewing along the way.

The King of Chu might not be very sad, because Emperor Chongping had never shown much tenderness to him during his lifetime, and his fatherly love was like a mudslide.

The King of Chu ignored the support of several followers and limped towards the main hall. He stumbled and almost fell down in front of the jade steps of Hanyuan Hall. Not far from the King of Wei and the King of Liang, he knelt down in the direction of the inner study, his eyes full of tears, and he called out: "Father, Father..."

King Chen Qin of Chu was now crying almost to the point of breaking his heart and was in great grief. For a moment, the sound of wailing from all around the palace even drowned out the cries of the ministers in the palace, whose voices were gradually becoming hoarse because they had not eaten lunch.

In this era when filial piety is more important than anything else, the King of Chu's excessive expression of sorrow was undoubtedly praised by the literati and public opinion.

Jia Heng came forward and, as he spoke, he gently supported the King of Chu's arm and said, "Your Highness, please accept my condolences. By the way, please go to the inner study to see the emperor for the last time."

Upon hearing this, King Chen Qin of Chu followed Jia Heng and Li Zan to the inner study in the side hall.

At this moment in Hanyuan Hall, the inner study was already filled with deafening cries, and the side rooms seemed to be shrouded in an atmosphere of extreme mourning.

The body of Emperor Chongping was placed on a bed behind a curtain in the inner room. Several eunuchs were placing various spices and exquisite jade ornaments, such as rings and jade wares around it.

At this moment, Concubine Duanrong also led the Eighth Prince Chen Ze and other palace concubines to kneel around the bed of Emperor Chongping, almost crying and wiping tears.

At this moment, the eunuchs were helping Emperor Chongping to prepare his remains and memorial. The emperor seemed to be asleep, and his majesty and indifference in his lifetime seemed to have gradually dissipated.

"Father, Father..." The King of Chu walked into the study, and when he saw the body, he undoubtedly burst into tears, almost beating his chest and stamping his feet, wailing uncontrollably.

At this moment, Jia Heng saw the body of Emperor Chongping, and the crying of the King of Chu was undoubtedly more sincere.

Although he did not receive complete fatherly love from Emperor Chongping during his lifetime, after Emperor Chongping determined the crown prince, he paved the way for the King of Chu to succeed to the throne and showed all his fatherly love.

Jia Heng raised his eyebrows, his eyes flickered, and he looked at the King of Chu who was crying bitterly, feeling a little emotional in his heart.

Emperor Chongping was indeed a qualified emperor, and the King of Chu who was chosen was indeed carved in the same mold as him.

But compared with Emperor Chongping, the King of Chu was harsh and suspicious, and lacked political strategy and ability.

Jia Heng listened to the crying, walked up to the King of Chu, supported the King of Chu's arm, looked at the King of Chu, and said comfortingly: "Your Highness, please accept my condolences. The late emperor's body will be moved to the front hall."

The body of Emperor Chongping could not be kept in the inner study room forever. It needed to be placed in a coffin to receive worship from the ministers.

At this moment, the eunuchs in mourning clothes outside were obviously here to help with the burial of Emperor Chongping, and the Jingyang Bell also began to ring.

Empress Dowager Feng was sitting on a bamboo couch covered with a soft mattress not far away, wiping her tears with a handkerchief, and she was clearly in great grief.

Jia Heng, on his side, quickly walked out of the inner study, looking deeply at the young man in the python robe.

Then, just as he was standing under the eaves of the side hall of Hanyuan Palace, he heard an eunuch hurriedly say, "Princess Jinyang and the Crown Princess are here."

As the news of Emperor Chongping's death spread in the palace and the situation in the capital began to stabilize, Princess Jinyang, accompanied by a group of female officials, quickly came to the palace.

As for Zhen Qing, she was inexplicably worried at first, but after she inquired about the news and confirmed that the King of Chu had entered the palace, she also went to the palace to mourn for the eunuch Emperor Chongping.