Chapter 1009

Emperor Jian Shi wants to tamper with the history books and nail the late Emperor to the pillar of shame in history; his determination is so firm that no one's persuasion works.

He took his concubines to the imperial villa to escape the summer heat, living a carefree life every day.

He dumped this troublesome matter onto Xie Changling, forcing Xie Changling to accomplish it for him, ideally reaching a consensus among the court officials and subsequently among the people of the world.

He wants to announce during the next Heaven-worship ceremony, before Heaven and Earth and before the ancestors, that the late Emperor suffered Heaven's wrath and that the Prince of Chu was defeated—this is the rectification of disorder and the return of the Mandate of Heaven!

If the late Emperor had a spirit in Heaven, he would surely flip his coffin lid open, jump out, and beat this unfilial son to death!

Xie Changling has a headache, and his hair is falling out in clumps.

A young, handsome middle-aged man, he is on the verge of becoming bald.

To be saddled with such an Emperor is truly fatal!

The Prince of Chu has just been defeated, and he is already impatiently stirring up trouble, unable to wait even a moment.

How on earth should this be handled?

Yu Zhaoan learned the news halfway and decisively slowed his pace, "This official is in no hurry to return to the capital. If it really comes to it, this official will just fall ill!"

He is determined not to participate in this mess. Let the one surnamed Xie worry about it alone.

Failing to do it will lead to the Emperor's resentment, and succeeding will lead to the world's resentment. This is a thankless task that will leave a bad reputation for ten thousand years. No matter how bad the late Emperor was, he did not deserve to suffer Heaven's wrath and be slandered like this.

The inside story of the altar explosion case from back then cannot withstand any investigation at all.

Everyone is playing dumb while knowing the truth.

This case had a conclusion long ago, and now Emperor Jian Shi is bringing up old matters and even labeling it as Heaven's wrath; it is purely trying to cover up, does he really think the world is stupid?

Even if the world were willing to be stupid, future generations would use a magnifying glass to study this matter over and over, and sooner or later, they would figure out the truth.

"As the Emperor's most trusted official, Xie Changling should naturally share the Emperor's worries. As for this official, I reached the halfway point and fell ill! Hahaha..."

Yu Zhaoan is very smug, preparing to watch the joke.

Xie Changling ran to the imperial villa, attempting to dispel Emperor Jian Shi's idea.

Emperor Jian Shi looked happy, "I have made things difficult for you, my dear official. Recently, I often dream, dreaming of things from when I was still in the Eastern Palace, and I also dreamed of the late Emperor.

In my dream, the late Emperor wept bitterly, regretting the past, blaming himself for his perverse actions in his final years, which caused the people to be displaced, smoke of war to rise everywhere in the north and south, and the Great Ming empire to be on the verge of collapse.

Fortunately, I turned the tide, never having the slightest compromise or fear, finally living up to the ancestors' entrustment and the people's expectations, gathering the strength of the whole country to annihilate the rebel Prince of Chu.

In the dream, I told the late Emperor all of this, hoping he could rest in peace. But the late Emperor said he had committed grave sins and had been whitewashing the peace for a lifetime; he did not want to continue doing so after death.

He felt ashamed before the ancestors and wanted to repent. He wanted to announce to the world through my mouth that the altar explosion case back then was a Heaven's wrath, a punishment from Heaven for him. Only in this way could his determination to sincerely repent be manifested."

This is truly despicable!

Falsely claiming a dream, using the monarch's mouth to replace the late Emperor, saying something about sincere repentance.

It is as if if the court officials object, they are letting down the Great Ming empire, letting down the late Emperor's earnest expectations, and letting down the ancestors!

This kind of trick has no technical content at all, relying entirely on one mouth. However, precisely because it has no technical content, Emperor Jian Shi can make it up however he wants. He is the monarch, the sage, and the words spoken from his mouth are golden words.

Who dares to question?

Who can question?

Even if a court official dares to question, as long as he insists on it, no one can do anything about it.

At this moment, Xie Changling felt helpless! He sighed inwardly.

He still tried his best to persuade: "That Your Majesty can dream of the late Emperor and frequently converse shows that the late Emperor is satisfied with Your Majesty. However, a son should not speak of a father's faults, and the term 'Heaven's wrath' is truly too serious, fearing it might damage Your Majesty's reputation. I implore Your Majesty to think thrice and decide cautiously."

Emperor Jian Shi flicked his sleeve and said in a very firm tone: "No need to think thrice! I have thought it over carefully before making this decision. Moreover, this decision has also received the late Emperor's consent.

There was a revelation in the dream; I dare not act arbitrarily and specifically consulted the late Emperor. The late Emperor told me personally in the dream to be an upright monarch.

He is already dead and does not care about the evaluation of future generations. He hopes I can do for him what he could not do. My dear official, you will help me, help the late Emperor, right?"

Emperor Jian Shi looked forward with earnest expectation, his eyes flashing with light.

Xie Changling was agitated and wanted to persuade further, but Emperor Jian Shi immediately sank his face and said sternly: "No need to persuade further. My mind is made up, and this matter must be accomplished. If Xie, my dear official, considers your ability limited, then let those who are capable take the position. In this vast world and vast court, I believe there will surely be someone to share my worries!"

With things having reached this point, Xie Changling knew clearly that he could not persuade further. Continuing to persuade would only get himself folded in. The current situation is excellent, and it is the time for him to shine, show his ambition, and display his aspirations. At this moment, he absolutely cannot lose Emperor Jian Shi's support.

Consequently, he chose to compromise, "I will respectfully obey Your Majesty's instructions!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Jian Shi's expression changed, and he laughed, "This is very good! I knew that you, my dear official, would surely understand me, comprehend me, and share my worries. Besides the Heaven-worship matter, the Prince of Chu has been defeated; shouldn't the Northwest side be put on the agenda? I hope the Marquis Pingjiang can return to the capital as soon as possible to recuperate and fulfill his filial piety, so as not to bear the reputation of being unfilial. He is a pillar of the state, and his reputation cannot have the slightest damage. Do you understand my painstaking efforts?"

Xie Changling was very sensible and immediately promised: "I understand! I will personally write a letter to persuade the Marquis Pingjiang that state affairs are important, but family affairs are also important. Do not let temporary fame and fortune let down Your Majesty's high expectations and ruin your reputation."

"That is exactly how it should be!" Emperor Jian Shi had a look of self-satisfaction, appearing very excited, as if he had taken medicine.

Consequently, Xie Changling asked casually, "Is Your Majesty still taking the elixir?"

"The elixir presented by the Jade Spring Palace still has very good effects. If you, my dear official, feel unwell, I will reward you with a few pills. After taking them, you will be full of energy, and even if you don't sleep for a day and a night, you will be full of spirit to handle official business. Someone, bestow the elixir."

Before Xie Changling could even refuse, Emperor Jian Shi had already decided to reward him with the elixir.

When the eunuch presented the elixir, Emperor Jian Shi urged excitedly and actively: "My dear official, hurry and take one, and you will know that I am not deceiving you.

Do not hesitate! These elixirs are the same as what I take daily; the effects are excellent, and there are no side effects. Yesterday, the imperial physician diagnosed that Concubine Li in the harem is pregnant. Hahaha... After I took them, I felt like a dragon in its prime. The concubines in the harem being pregnant is the best proof."

Xie Changling had no choice but to take an elixir under Emperor Jian Shi's gaze.

Emperor Jian Shi was extremely satisfied, holding his hand, looking like a monarch and subject having a heart-to-heart talk. It seemed that taking the elixir was the only way to be a true insider.

Xie Changling accompanied him and chatted with patience. Gradually, he felt a dry heat, wanting to strip off his clothes and jump into the pond to swim, feeling as if he had endless energy.

"My dear official, do you feel it? Is your whole body full of strength? Haha, this is the elixir improved by the Jade Spring Palace, and the effect is excellent. I will order the Jade Spring Palace to send a portion of the elixir to your mansion every month from now on."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, I am deeply grateful!"