Chapter 134

"Senior Grand Secretary Zuo, His Majesty has fainted!"

Hearing this news, Zuo Guangen, who had just finished the court discussion, no longer had the high spirits of beating down the Qingliu faction; his whole body trembled.

If it weren't for the quick-witted young eunuch beside him who supported him in time, it would have been another scene.

For a eunuch, no matter how high his position and power, power ultimately comes from the Son of Heaven.

Don't look at the fierce cursing outside, as if the Eunuch Faction controls the government and has hollowed out the Emperor.

In fact, not a single eunuch in the Great Dayu Dynasty has ever been able to truly control the government.

Even a powerful eunuch like Zuo Guangen can only act according to the Emperor's mood.

"Immediately seal off the news; absolutely do not let people outside know!"

After coming to his senses, Zuo Guangen made a decisive order.

At this moment, his thoughts changed.

It would be fine if the Emperor could wake up; if the Tianyuan Emperor were to pass away just like this, he would also have to consider himself.

The biggest problem at hand is: the Emperor has not established an heir.

In terms of bloodline, in the absence of sons for the Tianyuan Emperor, the full-blooded younger brother, Prince Fu, is the first in line for succession.

For Zuo Guangen, Prince Fu's ascension would be absolutely catastrophic.

A new emperor, a new set of ministers.

With the change of imperial power, the hundred officials might be able to weather the storm, but the eunuchs would definitely be replaced.

Even if he were to go and hug a thigh immediately, he wouldn't be able to catch up with those old people from the Prince's mansion who have been by Prince Fu's side day and night.

Competition in the eunuch world is also very cruel.

Giving up his position in time and requesting to guard the imperial mausoleum might still offer a glimmer of survival.

Holding onto the position without leaving, the moment the new emperor's power is consolidated will be his end.

The problem is that some things are not something one can just step down from because one wants to.

Even if Zuo Guangen could let go, the group of underlings below would not allow him to let go.

To continue his power, the only way is to have a son adopted for the Tianyuan Emperor and support a young emperor to the throne.

Deep in his heart, Zuo Guangen had already secretly calculated which branch of the imperial clan would be suitable to select a young master from.

First, the bloodline must be close; second, the generation must be appropriate; and finally, the age must be young.

It would be best if both parents were dead, so there would be no chance for them to make trouble.

One name after another surfaced in his mind, only to be quickly rejected.

Every candidate had shortcomings to a greater or lesser extent.

Supporting a young emperor is not something he alone can decide.

The hundred officials in the court have even greater speaking power in this regard.

Without the support of the hundred officials, even if the candidate were invited into the palace, they could not be pushed onto the throne.

After hesitating for a moment, Zuo Guangen thought of the Empress.

The treatment the Empress enjoys when her son ascends the throne versus when her brother-in-law ascends is completely different.

In this regard, his interests are consistent with the Empress's.

If the Tianyuan Emperor were to remain ill and unconscious, only by obtaining the Empress's support could he forge an imperial edict.

To establish a legal basis for welcoming a young master to the throne.

Once the line of thought was cleared, he even had specific candidates for the auxiliary ministers after the new emperor's ascension.

The method of selection was very simple: directly adopt the Tianyuan Emperor's perspective to build an auxiliary team that balances each other.

Operating this way is not conducive to him monopolizing power, but it is the most likely to succeed.

Renshou Palace.

"What, the Emperor has fainted?"

Empress Dowager Zheng exclaimed.

"Yes, Empress Dowager, the Qianqing Palace is in chaos.

The Empress has already gone to preside over the overall situation; you must hold on!"

Getting the definite news, Empress Dowager Zheng seemed to have her spirit and energy drained; her whole person was not well.

She naturally knew that the Tianyuan Emperor's health was not good.

However, how bad it specifically was was a secret exclusive to the Emperor, and even she, as his mother, had been kept in the dark.

There are imperial physicians on duty in the palace who check the Emperor's body every day.

If he were not terminally ill, news of the Emperor fainting would absolutely not have spread.

"Quick, I want to go over and see my poor Emperor!"

Empress Dowager Zheng said in a panic.

"Empress Dowager, Eunuch Zuo has ordered the palace to be sealed off.

For such a major event, do you think we should send someone to notify Prince Fu and the Marquis of Wuyang!"

The old eunuch on the side reminded.

There are few in the palace who can make it to the top who are simple.

They have all experienced the change of imperial power and are very clear about how dangerous the current situation is.

If the Tianyuan Emperor can wake up, it would be a false alarm, and nothing would happen.

If the Emperor were to pass away directly, then everything would have to be reshuffled.

The maids and eunuchs who serve before the Empress Dowager have their honor and disgrace deeply tied to Empress Dowager Zheng.

Standing from the Empress Dowager's position, if the eldest son has an accident, she must support the second son's succession.

But what conforms to their interests does not mean it conforms to others' interests.

At such a sensitive moment, neither the Directorate of Ceremonial nor the civil and military officials outside can necessarily be relied upon.

"Xiao Quanzi, take my hand-order, immediately leave the palace from the Xihua Gate, and notify the Marquis of Wuyang and Prince Fu.

Tell them to just be careful and on guard; absolutely avoid taking any action.

If there is no news from the palace for a long time, have the Marquis of Wuyang go to the Duke of Cheng and the Marquis of Zhenyuan to discuss countermeasures.

Issue a gag order to everyone who knows; I hope today's events do not reach Zuo Guangen's ears.

Activate all the secret agents you have in your hands; I want to know every move in the palace at all times."

Empress Dowager Zheng immediately ordered.

Being able to stand out in palace intrigues, she naturally is not a political novice.

She is certainly very sad that her eldest son had an accident, but reason still drove her to make the most rational choice.

Involving the change of imperial power, she dared not pin her hopes on the integrity of the hundred officials.

The lords in the court look like loyal ministers one by one, but that was established while the Tianyuan Emperor was alive.

In the face of interests, human hearts are the least able to withstand testing.

At midnight, the Prince Fu's mansion was brightly lit.

"Your Highness, it is time to rest!"

The middle-aged eunuch stepped forward to advise.

The situation in the palace is unclear, and there is no peace in the Prince's mansion.

But as a feudal prince, at such a time, there is really not much that can be done.

"My Imperial Brother's life or death is unknown; I cannot sleep!"

Ji Ji Zhao Shun said with a frown.

According to normal circumstances, after the grand wedding, he would go to his fiefdom to take up his post.

The throne would have nothing to do with him, and Ji Ji Zhao Shun never had any thoughts about the throne; he was just preparing to be a virtuous prince.

Not causing trouble for his brother, the court, or the people.

However, life is always full of unknowns; having done nothing, the throne was only an inch away from him.

Although not explicitly stated, his mother sending someone to notify him made the intention very clear.

Once the Tianyuan Emperor passes away, he will be supported to the throne.

Unless one is a saint, no one could remain calm when encountering such a thing.

"Your Highness, the more it is this kind of time, the more you cannot be chaotic!

There are quite a few spies from the Embroidered Uniform Guard and Eastern Depot in the mansion, and those subordinate officials below may not be reliable either.

If they were to perceive something and pass the news out, that would be a huge trouble!"

The middle-aged eunuch advised patiently.

As an old man in the palace, Su Haoyu has experienced the change of imperial power.

At this moment, it seems Prince Fu is only one step away from the throne, but as long as he hasn't ascended, it is full of variables.

If one is not careful, even one's life could be lost.

Since ancient times, there have been few smooth transitions of imperial power.

Behind the seemingly calm surface, it is often filled with swords and shadows.

"I know what is important; at such a time, it is better to be still than to move.

As for other things, I think the Empress Dowager has already made arrangements; it's just that I cannot sleep!"

Ji Ji Zhao Shun said helplessly.

In normal times, no matter what he encountered, he could discuss it with the scholars in the mansion.

The situation now is different; except for the eunuchs beside him, everyone must be kept in the dark.

If the news were to leak and be utilized by someone with ulterior motives.

He, the number one candidate for the throne, might be the first to be eliminated.

Regardless of anything else, the Tianyuan Emperor is still alive right now!

As long as that breath hasn't been swallowed, he is the master of the empire, and others must suppress their little thoughts.

"Your Highness, no need to worry.

There is still the Empress Dowager in the palace!

If His Majesty can wake up and appoint you as the Imperial Crown Prince, then no one can stop..."

Su Haoyu said in a low voice.

Succession from brother to brother is not as good as succession by order of descendants.

Without the Tianyuan Emperor's edict, others could use the excuse of ancestral inheritance to select someone from the imperial clan to be adopted by the Tianyuan Emperor.

"Shut up!

Am I..."

After an angry scolding, Ji Ji Zhao Shun suddenly fell silent.

As he is now, he has no choice at all.

If he cannot inherit the throne, he will become a thorn in the new emperor's side.

Even if he isn't killed, he will have to spend the rest of his life living cautiously under surveillance.

In an instant, he thought of his two teachers far away in Jiangnan; if they were in the court, his situation would definitely not be so difficult.

Nanjingcheng.

"My Lady, you rest for a while first.

After I go to the Ministry of War to report, I will accompany you to tour this ancient capital."

Li Mu said to Jing Yaqing.

Local officials cannot leave their posts without authorization; coming to Nanjing this time is naturally for official business.

To rebuild the Yangzhou Water Fortress, besides obtaining support from the local government, one must also strive for support from the Ministry of War.

The current Yangzhou Navy is purely an empty shell.

No ships, no people, no money.

Money can be raised, but the talents and warships of the navy truly cannot do without the court's support.

Li Mu does not believe that he, a landlubber, can cultivate qualified naval generals or build warships that lead the era.

Rather than wasting time on this, it is better to directly reach out to the court.

No matter how rotten the Great Dayu Navy is, there is never a shortage of talent reserves.

"Beheading one pirate will be rewarded with two taels of silver, a small pirate leader ten taels, and a big leader fifty taels."

Hearing his wife's reply, Li Mu looked her over again.

I don't know if it's a woman's innate talent for shopping or if she inherited the good body of her ancestors.

In any case, he didn't find a trace of fatigue on Jing Yaqing.

If he hadn't been pestered to the point of having no choice, he wouldn't have brought his family out this time.

As the most prosperous metropolis in the world, Nanjing naturally has its own characteristics.

Compared to the small Qinhuaihe in Yangzhou, Nanjing's Qinhuaihe is the true wonder of Jiangnan.

But all this is destined to have nothing to do with him.

Knowing he brought his family, no colleague would risk offending the Duke of Cheng's mansion to invite him to go sightseeing on the Qinhuaihe.

For specifics, one can refer to the Yangzhou gentry.

Before he got married, everyone invited him every few days to appreciate the sentiments and customs, and privately even sent "Yangzhou thin horses."

Some merchants simply stuffed their daughters, nieces, sisters, etc., into his mansion.

It's just that Li Mu was too busy at the time and hadn't straightened out the local relationships, so he declined these gifts.

It's different after marriage; even if there is a banquet, it's mostly at regular restaurants.

The gifts sent also changed their style.

(End of chapter)