Chapter 39: Before the Dragon Throne, Who Shall Rule?

In the Imperial Palace's main hall, the Dragon Throne hung empty.

On the tenth day after the Great Yin Emperor's death, the ministers gathered in Zichen Hall for the first time.

This time, however, there were no eunuchs from the inner court shouting announcements outside, nor an Emperor looking down on the ministers from above.

Jiang Che stood in the hall but did not sit on the Dragon Throne.

Chen Shanhe, Xie Tingxue, Xie Wuya, Gu Chongming, Shen Wanjin, the representative from Luo'an, the Old Soldiers of Cold State, and the people's representative elected by the People of the Capital were all inside the hall.

This was the first time since the founding of Great Yin that ordinary people had stood in Zichen Hall.

An old charcoal seller stood below the jade steps, so nervous he didn't know where to put his hands.

Beside him was the Luo'an Scholar Zhou Wen, holding a thick stack of case files.

Gu Chongming spoke first:

"The Emperor is dead, and the evidence of the Old Dynasty's crimes is conclusive. Now the Capital City must settle the succession, or chaos will surely spread across the land."

Many in the hall nodded.

The royal titles in Dongling, Xichuan, and Nanyue have been extinguished, yet the local armies and administrations still require nominal unification.

Although the Northern Border Sword Vein has awakened, the world's grain routes, taxes, laws, and official systems cannot be solved by a single sword.

Gu Chongming looked at Jiang Che.

"Young Master Jiang, the hearts of the world have already turned to you."

"If you ascend the throne, you can bring peace to the four directions."

Silence fell over the hall.

Chen Shanhe said nothing.

He was the one who most wanted Jiang Che to be safe, yet he also understood Jiang Che best.

Xie Tingxue looked at Jiang Che, her expression calm.

Shen Wanjin muttered quietly, "Ascension would be good; the tenfold silver he owes me can finally be repaid..."

Jiang Che looked at that Dragon Throne.

The Dragon Throne was high.

It shone with golden brilliance, carved with nine dragons.

The person who once sat there could decide the life or death of a city with a single word, and a secret order on a piece of paper could wipe out the entire Jiang Family.

Jiang Che walked up the jade steps.

The breathing of everyone in the hall tightened.

He stood before the Dragon Throne and reached out to gently rest his hand on the armrest.

Cold.

Heavy.

And tempting.

If he sat, the world would have a new monarch.

If he did not sit, the world would remain in turmoil.

Gu Chongming spoke again: "Young Master, this old minister knows you do not crave power, but at present..."

Jiang Che turned around.

"If I sit upon it, will my words also become Heavenly Fate?"

Gu Chongming was stunned.

Jiang Che continued asking, "If one day I am wrong, who will stop me?"

No one in the hall answered immediately.

After a long while, Gu Chongming said, "We can establish a Remonstrance Bureau, keep historians, and divide the authority of the Six Ministries."

Jiang Che shook his head.

"The Old Dynasty also had remonstrance officials, also had historians, also had the Six Ministries."

"Luo'an still became an Altar."

Gu Chongming fell silent.

Jiang Che walked down the jade steps.

"I will not ascend the throne."

At these words, a murmur of shock erupted in the hall.

A young official cried out urgently, "Young Master! The nation cannot be without a ruler!"

Jiang Che said, "Then let us change it."

Everyone was stunned.

Jiang Che looked at Gu Chongming.

"Lord Gu, you are well-versed in history and should know that the world does not have only one way to live under an Emperor."

Gu Chongming's eyes trembled slightly: "Young Master's meaning is..."

Jiang Che spoke slowly:

"Establish the Human Assembly Hall."

"Cold State, Luo'an, the Capital City, and all prefectures shall elect representatives to come to the Capital to discuss governance."

"Military power, financial power, and laws shall no longer be held solely by one person."

"Establish the Three Ruling Seats, with a term of three years, renewable once, elected jointly by the Council Hall."

"I shall temporarily hold the position of Guardian of the Nation Sword Master, wielding authority only over the war at the Heavenly Gate and the protection of the Northern Border Sword Vein."

A deathly silence filled Zichen Hall.

This is not a change of dynasty.

This is smashing the Dragon Throne.

Gu Chongming's expression shifted, and finally he let out a long breath.

"Does Young Master know that this act is harder than ascending the throne?"

Jiang Che nodded.

"I know."

Gu Chongming said, "Countless people will oppose it."

"Then let them come to Zichen Hall to speak."

Jiang Che looked at the crowd.

"You may argue, you may curse, you may contend."

"But from this day on, no one may sit high and say the common people deserve to die."

The old charcoal seller suddenly knelt, then hastily remembered Jiang Che had said kneeling was forbidden.

He was at a loss, and finally, with red eyes, said, "I, a commoner, do not understand this Council Hall."

"I, a commoner, only wish to ask one question."

"With the Emperor gone, will anyone still seize us to sacrifice to Heaven?"

Jiang Che looked at him.

"Who dares sacrifice the people."

"All under Heaven shall jointly punish them."

Many hearts in the hall trembled.

Gu Chongming slowly bowed.

"This old minister is willing to draft the New System for the Human Assembly Hall."

Xie Wuya smiled: "Sword Pavilion is willing to protect the establishment of the New System."

Chen Shanhe pressed his sword: "The Northern Garrison Army is willing to protect Young Master."

Shen Wanjin sighed: "Then the Wan Tong Merchant Association... is willing to lend money first."

The originally heavy atmosphere in the hall was lightened several degrees by his words.

Jiang Che finally smiled.

He turned back to glance at the Dragon Throne.

Then, the Green Bamboo Sword left its sheath.

One sword strike severed it.

The Dragon Throne split in two.

The entire hall was shocked.

Jiang Che sheathed his sword.

"The Old Dynasty ends here."