Chapter 3: Establish the eldest or the legitimate? Then let's establish the virtuous

Clatter! Clatter!

Four tall and majestic Jiao-blood horses pulled a luxurious carriage running at a low speed on the street, the horseshoes colliding with the bluestone ground, emitting a crisp and rhythmic sound.

In front, behind, left, and right of the carriage, there was a squad of elite cavalry guarding it.

Yin Qi sat in the carriage, feeling that the carriage was like a room, with demon-sheep skin spread on the floor, and a desk in the middle, on which were placed exquisite tea snacks and fresh spirit fruits.

Two young maidservants knelt before the desk, one peeling spirit fruits and the other brewing spirit tea.

Yin Qi sighed secretly, this life was truly extravagant.

He pushed aside the brocade curtain of the carriage window, looking at the center of this world; on both sides of the street were tall buildings, shops stood in great numbers, banners fluttered, and pedestrians passed by like a weave.

Fortunately, this street was wide enough, over a hundred meters, so his carriage could pass without disturbing the pedestrians.

Soon, the carriage arrived in front of the imperial palace.

The imperial palace of the Great Shang Celestial Dynasty was vast and majestic; the palace wall alone was nearly a hundred meters high, and it was covered with imperial guards.

Without accepting any inspection, the carriage drove straight into the imperial palace.

Only by entering the imperial palace could one feel the majesty of the Great Shang Celestial Dynasty.

The palace construction was extremely luxurious, and even the ground was paved with white jade, engraved with various mysterious runes. These runes connected into one piece, not only as part of the palace protection array but also to prevent people from using various escape techniques to enter the palace.

Passing through layers of palaces, Yin Qi arrived at the Zichen Hall.

He stood outside the hall, waiting for the attendant to go in and report.

Soon, the attendant came out with small, quick steps, pulling his voice and saying respectfully: "Your Highness, the Great King invites you in."

Yin Qi nodded and walked into the hall with big strides.

……

Zichen Hall is where Di Yi works, and he also often summons ministers here to discuss matters.

The weather outside the hall was cold, but inside it was as warm as spring.

Yin Qi walked into the hall and saw Di Yi sitting behind the imperial desk.

Di Yi was an old man with a face full of majesty, his beard and hair all white; he wore a white imperial robe embroidered with a black bird, a golden jade crown on his head, and his eyes opened and closed with the demeanor of someone who could swallow the world.

Yin Qi walked up and bowed respectfully: "Your son pays respects to the Royal Father."

"Rise!"

"Thank you, Royal Father!"

Di Yi said in a gentle voice: "My son, what brings you here?"

The Human Emperor has the majesty and demeanor of a Human Emperor, but in front of Yin Qi, he was still very gentle and kind, because he himself loved this eldest son very much; whether it was talent, ability, or character, he was first-class.

Yin Qi was full of solemnity and said righteously: "Your son comes for the position of Crown Prince."

Di Yi said "Oh," essence flashing in his eyes, but his voice remained gentle: "Have you thought it through and are willing to take the initiative to withdraw?"

Regarding the position of Crown Prince, whether to establish the eldest or the legitimate, the civil and military officials of the court had been arguing for a long time.

He himself was also troubled by this and found it difficult to choose.

The eldest son, Yin Qi, was gentle and elegant, talented and romantic, and his ability was also outstanding, possessing high prestige among the people.

If he inherited the imperial throne, he would inevitably be a promising and benevolent monarch.

And the youngest son, Yin Shou, had outstanding martial arts talent, and at only eighteen, he had already stepped into the Heaven Realm, and he was also well-versed in military strategy and proficient in riding and shooting, making him a very excellent general.

If Yin Shou inherited the imperial throne, perhaps he could save the Great Shang Celestial Dynasty, which was already showing signs of decline.

At yesterday's morning court, the Grand Historian scolded Yin Qi in the hall, scolding Yin Qi until he covered his face and retreated; Di Yi was very worried about this, so he sent someone to visit, only to hear that Yin Qi had drank himself into a stupor.

Therefore, seeing Yin Qi come now, he thought it was to withdraw from the competition for the position of Crown Prince.

After all, with Yin Qi's character and demeanor, it was highly likely that he would be humble.

Yin Qi bowed and said seriously: "No. On the contrary, your son comes for the position of Crown Prince."

The position of Crown Prince is a matter of state, so Di Yi also put away his gentle expression.

He looked deep and said in a deep voice: "Do you want the Great King to establish you as Crown Prince?"

Yin Qi felt his whole body tighten, feeling the pressure coming toward him.

His voice was clanging, and he said righteously: "Royal Father, the position of Human Emperor concerns the country and the people, the billions of commoners; how could your son be willful and demand that the Royal Father establish your son as Crown Prince? It is just that your son feels that since the Royal Father finds it difficult to choose, not knowing whether to establish the eldest or the legitimate, why not change it to establishing the virtuous? In this way, whoever becomes Crown Prince will be a blessing to the country."

"Oh!"

Essence flashed in Di Yi's eyes; he became interested and said: "How to establish the virtuous?"

Yin Qi said loudly: "The Royal Father is the Human Emperor, having held the world for twenty-seven years; I think you know best what abilities are needed to be a good Human Emperor, so your son suggests that the Royal Father can conduct an assessment of us and choose the best. In this way, we can not only select the best successor but also maintain our brotherly affection, and the loser will be convinced."

Di Yi looked at Yin Qi, feeling quite surprised in his heart.

Because such competitiveness was not Yin Qi's character; could it be that someone was pushing him from behind?

However, thinking carefully about Yin Qi's suggestion, it was not a bad idea.

As the Human Emperor, he naturally wanted to select the best successor.

However, he could not agree on the spot and had to discuss it with several ministers, so he nodded slowly and said: "Your suggestion, the Great King has noted it. If there is nothing else, you may go first."

"Yes, your son takes his leave."

Yin Qi bowed and turned to leave very decisively.

He naturally knew that such a major event concerning the foundation of the country could not be determined immediately, but Di Yi would definitely adopt it in the end, because Di Yi was a promising monarch who knew how to choose what was best for the country.

Even if Di Yi loved Yin Shou more, in the face of the country, he would still prioritize rationality.

The seed had been planted, and now it was just a matter of sitting and waiting for it to bloom and bear fruit.

Yin Qi didn't believe that with the heavens as his resource, he would end up losing to Yin Shou.

Just after Yin Qi left, ripples appeared in the light in front of the imperial desk, and three middle-aged men in brocade robes appeared, one of whom even had a vertical mark on his forehead, resembling a closed eye.

These three were the important ministers of the Great Shang: Grand Tutor Wen Zhong, Prime Minister Shang Rong, and Grand Preceptor Bi Gan.

Earlier, the three of them were discussing the Crown Prince matter with Di Yi, and they had already determined to establish Yin Shou as Crown Prince; they didn't expect to hear that Yin Qi had come, and because they guessed Yin Qi's intention, they hid themselves.

They originally thought Yin Qi was here to be humble, but they didn't expect him to be here to compete for the position of Crown Prince.

This behavior was completely contrary to Yin Qi's past character.

Di Yi said in a deep voice: "Three ministers, what do you think of this matter?"

Wen Zhong and the others looked at each other and pondered.

After a long time, Wen Zhong spoke first: "Great King, I think Qi Wang's words are reasonable. Since we don't know whether to establish the eldest or the legitimate, why not establish the virtuous? Whoever can become Crown Prince will depend on ability."

Shang Rong nodded slowly: "I think it is also possible. It is just that Qi Wang's performance today is truly unexpected."

Bi Gan agreed: "Yes, Weizi Qi has always had a virtuous reputation; to compete for the position of Crown Prince so unreservedly shows his firm resolve. I think we can do as he said, select the best, which can also stop the arguments of the officials."

Di Yi nodded slowly and asked again: "Then how should we assess? And should we also include Yan'er in the assessment?"

Bi Gan hurriedly said: "Royal Brother, absolutely not. Weizi Yan is neither the eldest son nor the legitimate son; if he is also included in the assessment, it will not only violate the rites and laws but also plant the seeds of disaster for future generations, after all, this assessment of the virtuous is also a last resort."

Historically, there had been almost no such situation as Yin Qi and Yin Shou.

Born of the same mother, yet there was a distinction between legitimate and concubine-born.

If establishing the virtuous became a common practice, the future struggle for the throne would be extremely cruel.

It would not only cause the human tragedy of brothers killing each other but also cause turmoil in the world, making the common people suffer.

Wen Zhong and Shang Rong nodded one after another, agreeing with what Bi Gan said.

…………

Signing the contract, going through the process, seeking collections and follow-up reading!

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 4 =====