Chapter 21: The Emperor's Demise

  Looking at the sun which was slightly west, Ye Xiang smiled lightly and said to Li Ran beside him: "Go and tidy up the bed, I want to rest for a while." As for Li Jinzhong who was kneeling on the ground, he didn't say anything, not even giving him another glance.

  When the prince left, Li Jinzhong suddenly sat on the ground, his forehead covered with cold sweat. As if he had suddenly thought of something, he quickly got up and ran outwards.

  Humans are forgetful creatures, only appreciating things when they're lost. But those who can regain what's been lost are truly rare. At this moment, Emperor Taichang finally understood the meaning of "losing and regaining". He slowly sat up, rubbed his empty stomach, and ordered the eunuchs outside: "Someone, bring me some food, and let Li Kezhao go back!"

  Tai Chang Di finished speaking, then put on his own shoes and walked slowly in the room. He finally went outside and looked at the slightly western sun, feeling extremely comfortable in his heart. He really didn't expect this red pill to be so effective. He had only eaten one, but now he was much better, not only did he not feel tired, but he also didn't need anyone to support him when walking.

  Soon, the news of Tai Chang Emperor's significant recovery spread quickly, and instantly countless officials were overjoyed to tears. This country had just lost an emperor, if another one died, it would be easy for people's hearts to become unstable.

  Li Keshao was over the moon, thinking that he finally had an opportunity. This time's meritorious service would definitely be rewarded, and he might become the emperor's favorite minister. At that time, he would have everything at his beck and call. With such thoughts in mind, Li Keshao walked out of the palace, but a person walking towards him made his heart sink suddenly - it was Fang Congzhe, the chief assistant of the Grand Council.

  Although he was very dissatisfied with Fang Zhe in his heart, at this time he did not have the right to express his dissatisfaction and could only obediently salute.

  Fang Congzhe was quite displeased with Li Kecuo, but since he had rendered meritorious service in saving the emperor's life, Fang did not go too far and merely said indifferently: "Your medicine is very effective. The Emperor has rewarded you with fifty taels of silver." Having spoken, he turned around and left without paying any further attention to Li Kecuo, who was still in a daze.

  After hearing Fang Congzhe's words, Li Kecuo was stunned and didn't know how to speak. He could only let out a light sigh. He hadn't expected that his achievement would be rewarded with 50 taels of silver by the emperor.

  Li Ke's stunned expression was naturally seen by Fang Congzhe, who flashed a look of disdain in his eyes. Such a person is also worthy of being an official, it's really the sorrow of the Ming Dynasty. Since he just heard that the emperor's condition had improved, he quickly rushed here and also notified other cabinet scholars, six departmental ministers and other important officials. He believed that the emperor would definitely summon them, after all, many military and national affairs have been suppressed for a long time!

  At the time when Fang Zhong was waiting to be summoned, Emperor Taichang in the palace had already picked up a red pill and put it lightly into his mouth. He believed that one red pill could make him recover, and after taking one, he would definitely return to normal. Thinking of the more than ten beautiful women, his heart was extremely hot.

  Six hours later, on the morning of September 1st, a eunuch hastily arrived at the Grand Council and saw that Fang Zhenru and others were all present, and suddenly let out a sigh of relief.

  Before Fang Zhen and others could speak, the eunuch hastily said: "Everyone, please enter the palace to take charge of the situation."

  The ministers who heard this sentence were all stunned, they all knew what it meant, the emperor had passed away. A month after the old emperor's death, the new emperor also passed away.

  After being stunned for a moment, the cabinet suddenly became chaotic, with everyone rushing to one place, which was Tai Chang Emperor's bedroom.

  At this time, there were thirteen people running towards the imperial palace, and these thirteen people were all qualified to participate in such a thing.

  The first to arrive at the imperial palace was someone who shouldn't have come, namely Yang Lian. He had been summoned by Emperor Taichang and was the last person to see him before his death. This identity made everyone dare not underestimate him, for he was a guardian minister. At this time, the ministers arriving at the imperial palace were all anxious in their hearts, as the saying goes: "One day's emperor, one day's official." The emperor's death wasn't just a simple change of person. There were countless things involved here - interests, official positions, power and everything else would change.

  As time passed, several more ministers arrived. They were the Minister of Rites Sun Ruoyu, the Minister of Personnel Zhou Jiamou and the Left Vice Censor-in-Chief Zhang Wendao.

  Looking at Yang Lian who had been waiting here early, the three of them were stunned. They did not expect that there would still be someone who arrived earlier than them, and it was Yang Lian who shouldn't have appeared here.

  Looking at the three people walking in, Yang Lian bowed to the three of them and said: "I've seen you, sirs."

  "What are you doing here?" Minister of Rites Sun Ruoyou looked at Yang Lin, his eyebrows slightly furrowed, without any courtesy, and asked directly.

  "His Excellency, the Emperor has just summoned me. I am waiting for you gentlemen here." Upon hearing Yang Lin's words, the three men's expressions changed slightly. At this moment, Yang Lin was indeed the trusted minister.

  "Your humble servant's words are light, I don't know what plans the several gentlemen have?" Yang Lian felt very depressed in his heart at this time, but he also knew that it was not the time to be polite. After thinking for a moment, he spoke directly.

  The Minister of Rites, Sun Ruoyou's eyebrows were tightly furrowed. He was a member of the Chu Party, while Yang Lian was a member of the Donglin Party. The two had fundamentally different interests, which often led to opposition even when they knew it was wrong.

  After hearing Yang Lian's words, Sun Ruyu's heart slightly relaxed. Although Yang Lian was a member of the Donglin Party, it seemed that he also knew to prioritize the bigger picture. He nodded lightly and said slowly: "Although the emperor's funeral is a national funeral, the three-month mourning period for the previous emperor has not yet passed, so many things can still be used. This matter doesn't need to be worried about too much. Once Lord Fang arrives, he will naturally take charge."

  Sun Ru's words were like oil on the surface, but Yang Lian slightly furrowed his brow, apparently still not believing himself. The harm of court struggles was indeed not shallow! After a brief moment of contemplation, Yang Lian said: "I don't know how you view the issue of imperial succession."

  The succession to the throne was not in doubt, as Crown Prince Zhu Youxiao was the emperor's eldest son and had been designated as the heir apparent by the previous emperor. Although the formal enthronement ceremony had not yet taken place, the crown prince's position was secure. The official's concern was the upbringing of the young prince, who was still in his minority and had lost his birth mother. He suggested that someone be found within the palace to care for him, recommending Li Xuan, a concubine favored by the emperor, as a suitable person to take on this responsibility.

  Collection sought, recommendations sought, all kinds of sought. If you have any opinions, please write them in the book review section, I will check every day.

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