Chapter 6

According to the regulations of the Great Shang Celestial Dynasty, the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month are for Grand Court Meetings, while all other times are for Small Court Meetings.

The first and fifteenth days of the lunar month are the first and fifteenth days of every month.

The Grand Court Meeting is the scene of the imperial audience depicted in television dramas; at that time, all officials in the capital must be present. It is usually more formal than practically significant, though, of course, major decisions are also promulgated.

The Small Court Meeting is the place where government affairs are truly handled.

The Human Emperor summons relevant civil and military ministers to discuss specific matters and form final solutions.

September 15th.

The sky was slightly bright, and hundreds of officials had gathered in front of the tall palace gates.

They chatted in low voices in groups of three or five, waiting for the palace gates to open.

"Prince Shou is here!"

Someone shouted, and everyone turned their heads in unison.

A team of elite cavalry approached at a low speed, all riding Jiao Blood Horses, and the leader was the spirited Yin Shou.

The officials consciously made way for the cavalry to pass.

"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Shou."

Wherever he passed, the officials bowed one after another.

But Yin Shou only gave a faint grunt and did not pay much attention.

"Prince Qi is here!"

Someone outside the crowd shouted again, and a luxurious carriage was seen driving slowly.

Although the officials made way, few bowed, forming a sharp contrast with Yin Shou earlier, because it had already spread throughout Zhaoge that the Human Emperor intended to make Yin Shou the Crown Prince.

Following Yin Qi, Yin Yan also arrived.

He also came by carriage, and even fewer people bowed to him.

"Royal Brother!"

"Second Royal Brother!"

"Third Royal Brother!"

Yin Qi, Yin Yan, and Yin Shou greeted each other and then stood still, having no desire to continue chatting.

Because of the struggle for the Crown Prince position, Yin Qi and Yin Shou were like strangers.

As for Yin Yan, he was purely depressed in his heart.

As time passed, the civil and military officials arrived one after another.

"Greetings, Grand Tutor!"

"Greetings, Prime Minister!"

"Greetings, Grand Preceptor!"

Wen Zhong, Shang Rong, and Bi Gan arrived almost exactly on time, and the officials stepped forward to pay their respects one after another.

Not long after, the palace gates opened wide.

Guided by the Forbidden Guards, everyone consciously lined up according to their civil or military status and rank, walked into the imperial palace, crossed the large square, stepped onto the Heavenly Ladder, and finally arrived at the Golden Throne Hall.

The Golden Throne Hall was tall and majestic, filled with auspicious clouds and surrounded by auspicious light, resembling a heavenly palace.

Although the Golden Throne Hall was tall and majestic and could accommodate a thousand people inside, there were far more than a thousand civil and military officials in Zhaoge, so the vast majority of people could only stand outside the hall until the Grand Court Meeting ended.

The Golden Throne Hall had gold bricks and a white jade floor, and two rows of thirty-six Coiled Dragon Pillars shone with golden light.

A beautifully carved golden dragon throne was placed on the high jade steps.

"Enter the ranks!"

As the attendant shouted loudly, the civil and military officials entered the hall in sequence.

Di Yi wore a white Xuan Bird imperial robe, a twelve-tassel crown on his head, and sat on the dragon throne with a face full of majesty.

"Greetings, Great King!"

"Ministers, rise!"

"Thank you, Great King!"

Although there was a kneeling ceremony during this period, it was generally only performed during sacrifices.

Even at the Grand Court Meeting, officials only needed to bow.

The reporting of affairs at the Grand Court Meeting generally followed a procedure.

First, the number of officials present was reported, including who had come and who had not.

Then, major military and political affairs were handled; in fact, these had already been decided, and they were just reported here to let the civil and military officials know about them.

Finally, it was the most important part of the morning court, which was the reporting of affairs.

According to custom, every official had to cough preventively before reporting to indicate "I am about to speak," or rather, "I am about to report," to avoid the embarrassment of two people stepping out of the ranks at the same time.

"Ahem!"

An old man with a white beard coughed, stepped out of the ranks first, and bowed: "Great King, your subject Chen Xu has a matter to report."

When Chen Xu stepped out, the expressions of all the officials became solemn.

Because this Chen Xu was the Grand Historian, and although his official position was not high, he held a pivotal position in the court because he was in charge of sacrifices, divination, ceremonies, and records.

He was also the main person defending the "Code of Law" and supporting Yin Shou.

In the struggle for the Crown Prince, ministers like Wen Zhong, Bi Gan, and Shang Rong basically would not get involved.

Anyway, no matter who became the Human Emperor, they would still be treated with courtesy.

Di Yi was expressionless: "Granted!"

Chen Xu said loudly: "Great King, the position of Crown Prince concerns the foundation of the country, so please make the appointment as soon as possible to stabilize the hearts of the people. Your humble subject believes that Prince Shou is the legitimate son, and he is wise, martial, brave, and resolute; he is the only candidate for Crown Prince."

"Great King, your humble subject agrees!"

"Great King, your humble subject seconds the motion!"

As Chen Xu finished speaking, dozens or hundreds of civil and military officials echoed him one after another.

"Great King, your humble subject believes this is not allowed."

At this time, an official stood out and shouted: "Prince Qi is the legitimate eldest son, and his reputation for kindness and virtue is known to all eight hundred vassals. If a Crown Prince is to be established, it should be Prince Qi."

"Great King, your humble subject agrees!"

"Great King, your humble subject seconds the motion!"

Although many people echoed, there were only a dozen or so.

It was completely incomparable to the officials who supported Yin Shou.

Many people sighed secretly, it seemed that this struggle for the Crown Prince was about to come to an end.

Everyone looked at Yin Qi and Yin Shou standing in front.

Yin Shou stood with his head held high, his back majestic, giving a feeling of standing out from the crowd, while Yin Qi also stood straight, his expression calm, showing no signs of being at a disadvantage.

Many people sighed secretly, truly worthy of being Prince Qi.

Such demeanor is rare in the world!

Di Yi sat high on the dragon throne, watching the two groups of people who were about to quarrel again, and he hurriedly shouted: "Quiet! Regarding the position of Crown Prince, I have already made a decision."

The officials looked solemn, waiting for Di Yi's announcement.

Yin Qi couldn't help but glance at Yin Shou, only to see Yin Shou's eyes like torches, with a momentum of "who else but me."

Seeing this, he couldn't help but smile faintly.

Di Yi said loudly: "The position of Human Emperor concerns the country and the billions of people, so the appointment of the Crown Prince must be cautious. After many days of thinking, I have decided not to establish the eldest, nor the legitimate, but to establish the wise.

This is a special case, and future generations must not restart it.

As for establishing the wise, I will prepare three examination questions for Yin Qi and Yin Shou to complete, and I, along with Grand Tutor Wen Zhong, Prime Minister Shang Rong, and Grand Preceptor Bi Gan, will judge them and choose the best.

Whoever completes them best will be the Crown Prince."

Wow!

As Di Yi finished speaking, the officials were in an uproar.

Grand Historian Chen Xu and others all changed their expressions.

And those who originally supported Yin Qi but were disappointed were overjoyed.

Yin Shou's breath stagnated, and as his brows sank, even the surrounding atmosphere sank.

It could be seen that Yin Shou could not accept this result.

However, he was then full of fighting spirit, turned his head to look at Yin Qi, his eyes burning, full of fighting spirit.

Yin Qi just smiled gently, but his heart was settled.

Sure enough, Di Yi did not disappoint him.

Yin Yan stood between Yin Qi and Yin Shou and could feel the secret confrontation between his eldest brother and third brother, but he was very calm, because no matter what method was used to establish the position, it would not be his turn anyway.

Chen Xu stood out, his voice impassioned: "Great King, absolutely not. According to our Great Shang Code, the position of Crown Prince has always been inherited by the legitimate son. If it is changed at will today, it will definitely be the source of future disaster."

Just after Chen Xu finished speaking, someone jumped out to oppose: "Hmph, the Grand Historian's words are absurd. Prince Qi is also the son of the Empress, and he is the legitimate eldest son, which is more in line with the Code."

"Enough!"

Chen Xu was about to say more, but Di Yi waved his sleeve to interrupt: "This matter is settled, no need to say more. Today's Grand Court Meeting, besides announcing this matter, is about the first assessment."

(End of chapter)