Chapter 2134: Taizong Chronicles 2: The Only Conclusion

Judging from what has already happened or is happening among the upper echelons of Luoyang, there were in fact four options regarding the succession to the imperial throne.

By the time the new year arrived, three proposals had the loudest support within the court: the Prince of Annam, Liu Wenhuan; the Prince of Jing, Liu Wenji; and a proposal put forward by Director of State Affairs Wang Dan before the two princes arrived in the capital — that one exceptionally gifted son be selected from among the imperial nephews, established as heir apparent, and elevated to the throne to continue the late Emperor's legitimate line of succession, with the condition that he must be a descendant of Taizong.

The first two need no elaboration, but the third proposal, ever since it was raised, had gained enormous traction. Whether nobles or bureaucrats, regardless of background, position, or faction, a considerable portion of them seemed able to find common ground and support for it.

Of course, this proposal also had cause for concern. First, the Empress Dowager Murong and the Murong clan behind it made every major faction wary — this Empress Dowager was truly someone who could stir up trouble, yet never stir up anything good. The past eight years provided ample evidence of this.

It had to be said that although it was Wang Dan who raised the "adoption proposal," anyone with discerning eyes could see that it was steeped in the will of Empress Dowager Murong, and that after the adoption, what would likely follow was "ruling from behind the curtain" or "holding court behind a screen."

On this matter, perhaps Empress Yang had more of a say. After all, she was the legitimate Empress, the mother of the realm. The Yang clan was no weaker than the Murong clan in influence and strength, and their reputation was far better. However, whether it was Empress Yang herself or the Yang clan behind her, neither seemed to have any interest in this matter.

As Director of State Affairs and the de facto Chief Chancellor of the Great Han, Wang Dan making such a decision on this major and sensitive matter, and allying with the seemingly unreliable Empress Dowager Murong — his position and reasoning, when examined closely, were actually not complicated.

The legitimate line of Taizong was what he unwaveringly and firmly upheld, but he was not merely an old minister of Taizong — he was also an old minister of the Eastern Palace under Liu Wenpeng, who had pushed him into the position of Chief Chancellor. No matter how unpopular the late Emperor had been in life, or how many negligent acts he had committed, his favor toward Wang Dan was genuine and substantial.

Therefore, beneath Taizong, Wang Dan also had to uphold the late Emperor. Adopting a son from among the imperial nephews to continue Liu Wenpeng's bloodline was a highly feasible solution. Moreover, whether the son of Liu Wenhuan or Liu Wenji was chosen, it would serve as a form of appeasement to both.

Of course, this thinking was somewhat wishful. Even setting aside Empress Dowager Murong's interference in governance, establishing another young Son of Heaven (the sons of Liu Wenhuan and Liu Wenji — the oldest were only around ten years old) had some appeal, but for those truly concerned with the great plans of state, it was highly debatable. The lesson of the late Emperor was simply too profound at present.

Thus, each of the three options had its shortcomings and its critics.

As for the fourth opinion, it came from the Prince of Wu, Liu Hui (who had been elevated to Prince of Wu after Liu Wenpeng's succession). In the eighth year of Pingkang, Liu Hui was already fifty-eight years old, in the twilight of his life. Over the past twenty-odd years, he had played the zither at his Taihe Tower for twenty years and listened to politics for twenty years.

At his core, Liu Hui was a talkative, politically-minded character. So, as he approached the end of his days, he launched another "satellite."

The throne could never come to him, so seeing the state without a sovereign and all parties contending, he was struck by a whim and simply proposed that the Prince of Yan, Liu Zhao, should succeed to the throne.

The Prince of Yan, Liu Zhao, was the tenth son of Emperor Shizu and a legitimate son born of Empress Fu. Of course, the current Prince of Yan was already fifty-six years old. In terms of legal legitimacy, Liu Zhao did indeed hold a relatively high position in the succession order compared to the rest of the imperial clan. Moreover, this proposal actually had supporters — for instance, the Prince of Andong, Liu Wenyuan, who had come early to the Western Capital upon hearing the news to attend the mourning (and watch the show), while fishing in troubled waters.

Regardless of what psychology or considerations lay behind Prince of Wu Liu Hui's proposal, at least Prince of Yan Liu Zhao himself was hopping mad, explicitly refusing and firmly resisting. To avoid any misunderstanding, he even fled to Mount Mang.

It had to be said that among Emperor Shizu's sixteen sons, the one who lived most clearly and most freely was precisely the Prince of Yan, Liu Zhao. He truly did not contend or fight, devoting himself single-mindedly to living his own quiet life behind closed doors (including managing his fief in the South Seas). Even the position of Imperial Clan Chief had been forced upon him by Emperor Taizong back in the day.

When the principal party himself was unwilling, even fleeing to avoid it, that proposal naturally had no room for further discussion. Of course, its success rate was virtually zero.

However, Prince of Wu Liu Hui's proposal also reflected a serious problem. When the eighth year of Pingkang passed and the throne of the Great Han remained vacant and unresolved, with all forces still pulling and wrestling, such a situation was undoubtedly harmful to the Great Han Empire.

When the King of Hell is absent, the little ghosts take charge. Even though Liu Wenpeng had been a rather unreliable King of Hell, he still had considerable power to suppress those below. But with the golden crow fallen and the sun no longer shining, more and more ghosts and petty villains throughout the Great Han Empire were running rampant during this period — such an opportunity was simply too rare.

However, the system of the Great Han Empire determined that such chaos would ultimately be limited. When the high-ranking nobles and the insightful figures at court realized the severity of the problem, a consensus gradually formed — a new sovereign must be "baked" as soon as possible.

In the study of the Prince of Jing's residence, Liu Wenji sat silently, his expression heavy, his face written with solemnity. On the desk lay a sheet of paper — a network diagram of the major forces and powerful nobles of the capital region, drawn by Liu Wenji's own hand.

Imperial clansmen, maternal relatives, nobles, bureaucrats, the military, ministries and bureaus, old retainers... The tangled threads and complex relationships were enough to burst one's head. Yet what troubled Liu Wenji most was that these groups who held the power of speech in the Great Han Empire and wielded significant influence over the throne — no matter how they were categorized — gave him severely insufficient support. Even though his resolve had long been hardened like iron, the current situation still left Liu Wenji feeling uncertain.

In the room besides Liu Wenji was Consort Dowager Xiao, sitting quietly to one side, dignified and graceful, calm and composed.

After studying for a long time without finding relief, Liu Wenji couldn't help but raise his head and say with pointed meaning: "Zheng Daguan sent word that eldest brother went today to pay respects to Fourth Uncle! The Zhao clan's people are also making connections everywhere, actively advocating for eldest brother and seeking support..."

Due to the distance, Liu Wenji had arrived in the capital several days earlier than Liu Wenhuan. After returning, he had kept a low profile. Although many at court were pushing for him — even a chancellor like Kou Zhun — he dared not show the slightest complacency. He merely went about performing memorial rites and keeping vigil, continuing to build a good reputation.

Of course, things were done in the shadows — gathering intelligence, analyzing the situation, observing trends, and winning over those who could truly provide him help.

If one were to speak of the greatest surprise Liu Wenji received after returning to the capital, it was none other than the defection of Zheng Yuan, the Director of Palace Eunuchs. As the head eunuch during Taizong's era, he naturally had to retreat behind the scenes during the Pingkang years, but he still held the high position of Director of Palace Eunuchs. More importantly, he also controlled the late Emperor's final intelligence safeguard — the "Xiao Division."

Within just three days of Liu Wenji's return to the capital, Zheng Yuan had secretly sought him out and explicitly stated his support for Liu Wenji's ascension to the throne. Liu Wenji was stunned at the time. With a cautious mindset, after several bouts of hesitation and inner struggle, he asked one "why."

Then, the aged Zheng Yuan sighed with melancholy and emotionally explained the reason. According to him, in his later years, Emperor Taizong had hesitated several times over the position of heir apparent and had privately expressed recognition of Liu Wenji on multiple occasions. He had even once told Zheng Yuan that the one who could expand the imperial enterprise was the Prince of Linzi. However, the extremely self-disciplined and restrained Emperor Taizong ultimately chose to uphold the safest system of legitimate eldest-son succession.

As Taizong's loyal servant, Zheng Yuan naturally felt a drive to fulfill his old master's long-cherished wish. At the same time, he also held goodwill toward the dignified, modest Liu Wenji. Now that Liu Wenji already possessed the qualifications for succession, Zheng Yuan chose to decisively give him a push.

Moreover, Zheng Yuan frankly told Liu Wenji that had the late Emperor lived long, he would never have dared to entertain such a thought. Zheng Yuan also stated that once success was achieved, he would request to leave the palace and return to his hometown to retire, as proof of his sincerity. In supporting Liu Wenji, Zheng Yuan had considered everything thoroughly and was firmly resolved.

Liu Wenji, having gained the support of Zheng Yuan and his "Xiao" Division, was as if injected with a powerful stimulant. Especially that talk of "Taizong's will" filled Liu Wenji with gratitude and emotion, and greater confidence. It could basically be compared — Taizong's position in Liu Wenji's heart was similar to Shizu's position in Taizong's heart — more reverence than fear.

In the days that followed, no matter how the winds of change blew in the capital region, Liu Wenji could obtain the most critical and vital intelligence support from Zheng Yuan. Of course, during Liu Wenpeng's era, the "Xiao" Division had not received much support for its development — the Palace City Office and the Wude Office were sufficient for his needs.

However, the secrecy and tightness that belonged to the "Xiao" Division also allowed it to play a special role at critical and vital junctures.

Speaking of Zheng Yuan and the "Xiao," one must also mention the Palace City Office and the Wude Office. As the Son of Heaven's hounds and secret police, what they hated most was perhaps precisely this kind of situation — the Emperor's death.

With their master gone, they degenerated from rampant hyenas into drowned dogs — their teeth no longer sharp, and they dared not bark wildly.

During this past period, the two offices had naturally been watching the situation closely and attentively, not daring to rashly involve themselves. But after entering the ninth year of Pingkang, they began to make moves. Commissioner of the Palace City Office Wang Yue's approach was to dance on three eggs — selling favors to all parties and placing bets on each. Meanwhile, Commissioner of the Wude Office Lin Te, who had held the Wude Office twice for a total of eighteen years, chose to silently observe and maintain neutrality.

On Liu Wenji's side, he had naturally received overtures and information from Wang Yue as well. With Zheng Yuan's single-minded devotion in front, Wang Yue's half-heartedness seemed inferior by comparison. Liu Wenji's responses were thus more perfunctory — mere exploitation.

In matters of seizing the throne, compared to the fussing of Empress Dowager Murong's side, what Liu Wenji feared more was his eldest brother Liu Wenhuan. After all, from childhood to adulthood, his eldest brother had always overshadowed him. Had it not been for the affair of Consort Chang, he would never have been able to contend with him.

As for the many voices supporting Liu Wenhuan, Liu Wenji was actually not too afraid of them, including the Zhao clan. This too had historical roots. When Emperor Taizong had established the Crown Prince back then, he had dealt a considerable blow to the Zhao clan, purging quite a few of them both inside and outside the court. This resulted in the Zhao clan maintaining a certain influence in politics and the military, but nowhere near their heyday.

As for the two branches of the Zhao clan, the line of Zhao Kuangyi, after suffering defeat in those years, had long been utterly disappointed. Moreover, times had changed — the shrewd and calculating Zhao Kuangyi could see the situation clearly, and his attention had long since shifted to the continuation of the family line.

Liu Wenpeng's death looked like an opportunity, but honestly speaking, the chances were slim. At the same time, although the voices supporting Liu Wenhuan were not few, they had virtually no cohesion. In comparison, on Liu Wenji's side, there was Kou Zhun — his voice might not carry much weight, but his resolve was firm and his fighting power extremely strong.

Moreover, the truly important supporters were often those who did not speak loudly but quietly watched developments and analyzed the situation. The key was to strike the vital point — Liu Wenhuan's weakness could be squeezed to death with one grip.

But when he heard that Liu Wenhuan had gone to pay respects to the Prince of Zhao, Liu Fang, Liu Wenji could not help but become wary. The Prince of Zhao, Liu Fang — despite having secluded himself for eight years, if he came forward and spoke, his words could carry the weight of nine cauldrons.

"Mother, do you think eldest brother can gain Fourth Uncle's support?" With doubts in his heart, Liu Wenji asked Consort Dowager Xiao.

Hearing the question, Consort Dowager Xiao looked up at Liu Wenji. She actually knew what her son truly worried about. Instead of answering directly, she asked calmly and unhurriedly: "You trap yourself in your own shortcomings, not realizing that these are your strengths?"

Hearing Consort Dowager Xiao say this, Liu Wenji was momentarily stunned. He opened his eyes wide and looked at the Consort Dowager, meeting his mother's calm and wise gaze. After a moment, Liu Wenji's eyes gradually brightened.

Liu Wenji indeed had his shortcomings — Khitan blood, low prestige, weak maternal clan, and so on. But none of these were fatal flaws. And in the current world, at the center of the empire, in matters of seizing the throne, these shortcomings were actually great strengths.

With the lesson of the late Emperor before them, for many powerful nobles, wouldn't an older, steady successor with a weak maternal clan who could barely manage to be legitimate in name be more to their liking?

Consort Dowager Xiao had clearly seen through this long ago. When Liu Wenji also realized this, he looked at his mother, already past sixty, and couldn't help but feel a surge of admiration. This mother's assistance to him far exceeded what outsiders could imagine. He rose and bowed deeply to her.

Consort Dowager Xiao accepted the bow calmly. Seeing that he still bore a hint of worry, she said placidly: "You worry about your Fourth Uncle, but what kind of person is your Fourth Uncle? In all the world today, who can sway his choices and thoughts?"

Hearing this, Liu Wenji fell silent for a moment. After a while, he heard Consort Dowager Xiao speak again in a tone of admonition: "Just do your own duty well!"

Liu Wenji thought for a moment, then bowed again: "Thank you for your teachings, Mother!"

While mother and son were speaking candidly, Xiao Hui came to request an audience, reporting that the Vice Director of the Secretariat had come seeking an audience — dressed in low profile, moving with furtive behavior.

At this, the mother and son immediately became alert. After some instructions, they had Xiao Hui secretly lead him into the residence, where Liu Wenji received him alone.

The meeting was not long — only a quarter of an hour — before Wang Qinruo, with a solemn expression, respectfully took his leave. Liu Wenji then instructed Xiao Hui to escort him out of the residence.

After he left, Liu Wenji sat alone at his desk with a rather interesting expression on his face. Consort Dowager Xiao walked out from behind the screen at this moment, glanced at him, and said flatly: "You see? People like this will only grow more numerous!"

"Your son understands!"

As a favored minister of the late Emperor with shallow seniority, Wang Qingruo's position at court immediately became awkward after his death.

After observing for such a long time, Wang Qimruo had also begun to place his bet, and this visit was precisely to pledge his allegiance and loyalty to Liu Wenji.

Wang Qimruo was clearly a man of some ability, for on the very next day, he demonstrated his capability and loyalty to Liu Wenji through concrete actions.

As a marginal figure of the "adoption faction," Wang Qimruo entered the palace to seek an audience with Empress Dowager Murong. For the first time, he "sincerely" and "thoroughly" laid out the stakes before the Empress Dowager, reviewing the grudges of history, and with a glib tongue, successfully shifted the Empress Dowager's main attention onto Liu Wenhuan.

In Wang Qimruo's arguments, two points particularly moved the Empress Dowager's heart: first, the enmity between her and Consort Zhao and her son could never be resolved—if she did not strike Liu Wenhuan down, she would surely suffer for it later; second, Liu Wenji was "weak in power," so after pushing Liu Wenhuan out, dealing with Liu Wenji would be easier; third, even if the adoption ultimately failed, Liu Wenji was clearly more favorable to Empress Dowager Murong than Liu Wenhuan—she was his legal mother, and there had been the bond of raising him in his youth.

The most direct effect of Wang Qimruo's words was that the situation of the succession struggle changed dramatically, shifting from a three-way standoff to a rapid two-sided joint assault on Liu Wenhuan, and soon the voices supporting Liu Wenhuan were suppressed.

By the twenty-first day of the first month of the ninth year of Pingkang, with Liu Wenpeng having lain in the inner coffin for two months, matters concerning the succession to the throne finally made a breakthrough—the "candidates" had become two, or rather two categories: Prince Jing Liu Wenji, and the son of Prince Jing Liu Wenji.

Although the two sides were still deadlocked, at this point, the result was not far off. Thereupon, Wang Qimruo opportunely offered another suggestion, beginning to vigorously promote "the Empress Dowager ruling behind the curtain" in court to compensate for the problem of the adopted emperor being too young to govern the state.

One can imagine what reaction the powerful magnates who held authority had when such a voice arose.

On the twenty-sixth day of the first month of the ninth year of Pingkang, apparently thoroughly unable to bear the chaos caused by the succession struggle, Prince Zhao emerged from seclusion, returning to the capital from Mount Mang, and strode straight into the court, formally declaring his intervention in the succession to the throne.

Liu Fang did not bring many people to bolster his momentum—only one person accompanied him: Yang Ye, already past eighty years of age.

One with hair white as snow, the other withered as a dried branch, yet these two old men, with slow and halting steps, entered Guangzheng Hall, summoned all the dukes, chancellors, and ministers, and before the assembled crowd spoke the words "the state relies on a mature sovereign"—and with that, the debate over the succession came to an end, and the successor to the Han Empire, after more than two months of "constipation," was finally freshly delivered.

On the first day of the third month of the ninth year of Pingkang, Prince Jing Liu Wenji, supported by the assembled ministers, ascended the throne at Qianyuan Hall, changing the era name to Duangong, at the age of thirty-nine.

PS: After Liu Fang and Yang Ye clearly supported Liu Wenji, the tide turned completely, thoroughly overwhelming the Empress Dowager's side. Seeing that the situation was beyond recovery, Wang Qimruo again went to persuade the Empress Dowager—rather than continuing to create obstacles and provoke hostility and suppression from the new emperor after his accession, it would be better to offer support and secure a measure of dignity.

Empress Dowager Murong was persuaded once again. Thus, although the struggle had been fierce for more than two months, Liu Wenji's throne ultimately received unanimous approval from the entire court, and after even Empress Dowager Murong set aside her grudge and endorsed him, the legitimacy of Liu Wenji's accession reached its peak, difficult for anyone to shake.

Such an outcome was not entirely unexpected, but such a conclusion surprised many. And to have achieved all this—what depth and wisdom lay hidden beneath the gentle visage of the new emperor Liu Wenji—was worthy of note.

However, many people only noticed the accession of a "weak mature sovereign" and were immersed in the joy that the emperor had voluntarily adopted the Duangong era name.