Chapter 22: Ascending the Throne

In the original course of history, Liu Zhiyuan's ascension to the throne had never been this complicated—after a few refusals of the urgings from his officials and soldiers, he had simply gone along with it. But this time, with Liu Chengyou's participation in the planning, the affair had been made into a grand spectacle. After all the surface formalities were completed, an additional scene of "being robed in the yellow robe" was still tacked on.

The yellow robe had already been draped over him, so the eastern expedition to "rescue the Son of Heaven" naturally could not proceed today. Amidst the myriad troops, Liu Zhiyuan's spirits were deflated, his mood gloomy, and he was "escorted" back the way he came, utterly helpless.

"The Son of Heaven has returned to the city! The Son of Heaven has returned to the city!"

Over in Jinyang, the city gates were thrown wide open, and a dozen or so riders galloped straight in, weaving rapidly through the market streets and thoroughfares of the city, loudly repeating the same words over and over, drawing the gaze of everyone they passed.

In these past few days, the entire city's theme had been "petitioning," "urging the throne," and "acclaiming a new ruler." The common folk had been stirred into a state of high sensitivity, and upon hearing this news, the gawking crowds quickly perked up with interest.

Inside a shop, a handful of customers gathered together drinking and chatting. Watching the riders race past, someone looked somewhat bewildered and asked doubtfully: "Weren't they supposed to go rescue the Son of Heaven in Hebei? They only set out at dawn, and it's been less than half a day—could they have already rescued him?"

The streets were never lacking in clever people. Upon hearing this, a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar immediately laughed and answered: "The one returning to the city is probably the new Son of Heaven!"

"The new Son of Heaven? Could it be the Prince of Beiping?" The clever ones were not limited to just one.

"Of course it can only be the Prince of Beiping!" the middle-aged man affirmed, raising his cup and shouting: "Gentlemen, with the Prince of Beiping ascending the throne, the realm is saved! We should toast him—let us all drink a great cup together!"

The "enthusiastic" reaction in that shop was but a microcosm of the entire city of Jinyang. In about the span of an hour, the imperial carriage returned, and a great crowd of commoners gathered at the city gates to "warmly" welcome it.

As the imperial carriage entered the city, every place it passed was filled with the cheers of the city's scholars and commoners. Most of these people had been talked into coming; in their eyes, the new Son of Heaven was someone they had "enthroned." The petition before the Prince of Beiping's residence that day had clearly been very effective.

It proceeded all the way to the Taiyuan Palace, and facing the wide-open palace gates, there was not the slightest pause—only coming to a stop before the main hall.

The Taiyuan Palace, especially the great hall, had clearly been meticulously cleaned; everything that met the eye was completely renewed. Every palace gate had already been secured, and the roads were lined with vigorous, alert guards.

Before the hall, led by Liu Chengxun, with heavyweights such as Liu Chong and Yang Bin in support, a great number of Hedong civil and military officials had long been waiting in reverence. When Liu Zhiyuan descended from his carriage, they all bowed in unison: "Your ministers pay homage to Your Majesty!"

Over Liu Zhiyuan's set of military armor, only that yellow robe was still draped—presumably to reflect his state of being "voluntarily coerced." He swept his gaze over the large crowd kneeling before him. He knew basically all of these people, but his mood at this moment was vastly different.

"All of you... rise!" His emotions were clearly not as calm as his face showed; there was a slight tremor in Liu Zhiyuan's voice as he spoke.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" The assembled civil and military officials shouted in remarkably unison, their voices brimming with excitement.

Without saying anything more, he took a deep breath, and surrounded by the adulation of the crowd, Liu Zhiyuan walked solemnly toward the great hall. Stepping over the high threshold, he went straight for that throne.

Receiving the imperial seal at the Taiyuan Palace, reading the edict, holding the enthronement ceremony, accepting the homage of all the ministers...

This entire series of events was in fact already sufficient proof that Liu Zhiyuan's "robed in the yellow robe" was absolutely not an accident. Yang Bin and the others had prepared far too thoroughly...

Inside and outside the great hall were packed rows of civil and military officials. Liu Chengyou knelt among them, his gaze furtively stealing glances at Liu Zhiyuan on the imperial throne—so tall and imposing, and with the backing of supreme power, his presence seemed even more formidable.

At this very moment, Liu Chengyou could hardly restrain the visions surging in his heart—if he himself sat in that seat, what kind of beautiful scenery would he behold?

His peripheral vision drifted to Liu Chengxun on the left side of the hall. Seeing the barely suppressed excitement on his elder brother's face, his brow involuntarily furrowed. In his fixed way of thinking, this realm was destined to be inherited by him in the future—yet now, no matter how he looked at it or compared it, Liu Chengxun was the first heir.

After all, he was the heir apparent of the Prince of Beiping—both elder and virtuous, favored by Liu Zhiyuan, and respected by the civil and military alike... As for himself, if he wanted to rise to power, unless Liu Chengxun suddenly died of illness as he had in the original history—this too was Liu Chengyou's fixed way of thinking.

But at this moment, he could not help thinking further—what if some "accident" occurred? Although Liu Chengxun's constitution was not strong, he had never suffered any major illness or calamity. What if...

The more he thought, the more a dark little serpent began to gnaw at Liu Chengyou's heart, bit by bit.

Amidst the ministers' cries of "Long live," Liu Chengyou buried his head lower and lower, as if trying to hide his brooding expression, while a flood of complicated thoughts and emotions surged uncontrollably in his heart.

The enthronement ceremony was not particularly long; all the various rites had been simplified to the extreme—one could even call them crude. Among the civil and military officials of Hedong, there were few men of learning, and no one would bother to make the thankless effort of proposing that the ceremony follow the cumbersome "old systems and old rites."

After receiving the homage, Liu Zhiyuan formally took up residence in the Taiyuan Palace. The palace's few palace maids and eunuchs, as well as all the various offices, bustled into activity—tonight, the new emperor would host a banquet for all his ministers.

The ministers dispersed—civil officials to reassure the people, military officers to pacify the troops—all striving to ensure stability and order during this period of the new emperor's accession.

There was no intention of lavishly granting offices and honors at the very first court session. This final act was already somewhat "fantastical" in itself; if even the list of merit rewards had been prepared well in advance, it would have looked far too fake.

However, toward those middle- and lower-ranking officers and soldiers who had vigorously supported him, Liu Zhiyuan was magnanimous in issuing an edict: he had Wang Zhang open the treasury's coffers and granaries on a grand scale, purchase wine and meat, and reward the three armies of Jinyang. He also sent envoys to the other armies under Hedong's command to distribute rewards to the soldiers.

Liu Zhiyuan showed particular regard for the military.

Liu Zhiyuan had become emperor, and the Prince of Beiping's residence automatically upgraded to the "former princely abode." The news of his ascension reached the residence at the very first moment. The household servants naturally erupted in jubilation and excitement—their master had become His Majesty, and they, the true "chickens and dogs," would certainly not lack for benefits.

Compared to the excitement of those below, Lady Li displayed all the bearing of a principal wife—composed and gracious, her joy itself expressed with great calm.

When Liu Chengyou brought his men back to the princely residence, the jubilant commotion within had already subsided under Lady Li's control; everything was as usual. Liu Chengyou found this rather surprising. As he entered under the respectful guidance of a servant, Liu Chenghsun immediately bounded up excitedly: "Second Brother, has Father really become emperor?"

This lad, at this moment, was no longer afraid of Liu Chengyou's stern, grim face.

"Mm." Liu Chengyou nodded gravely without a smile, then calmly fixed his gaze on him and said flatly: "From now on, you too are of imperial lineage. Every move you make should set an example for others—you must restrain your conduct..."

"You sound just like Mother—opening your mouth and lecturing!" The youth was in high spirits and clearly not in the mood to listen, complaining with a small pout.

"Where is Mother?"

"In the main hall."

In the main hall, Lady Li and the household concubines were all waiting quietly, with Lady Geng also seated in a corner.

Liu Chengyou, in his full set of military armor and radiating vigor, strode in with his guards. Lady Li's voice was as gentle as ever: "Second Son."

Meeting Lady Li's gaze, Liu Chengyou bowed first: "Father has ascended the throne as emperor. Your son has come especially to escort Mother into the palace!"

"From now on, you will be the most honored woman in the world, showing kindness to the people and serving as the mother of the realm!" On the road slowly heading toward the Taiyuan Palace, Liu Chengyou drew close to the carriage and, for once, took the initiative to speak to Lady Li.