Chapter 500: At the side of the King
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The treasury had been empty for a long time.
A new funeral required a lot of silver. The more they gave to King of You, the less they would use. They even had to pay for it out of their own pocket. Other matters could still be discussed.
When it came to money, no one was willing to harm their own interests.
Redoing the funeral was also a laborious effort. Logically speaking, it should be done according to the rules of the imperial prince.
But!
First of all, King of You was a good general who had contributed greatly. There had always been a precedent of the Great Zhou Dynasty conferring titles to heroes.
His Highness King of You was already a imperial prince. If he were to be conferred the title of nobility, it would be equivalent to the title of regent. All funerals had to be arranged according to the title of nobility after the conferment.
Secondly, King of You had been wronged. On the basis of the Regent Prince’s rituals, the Imperial Court need to provide an extra burial.
This way, King of You’s funeral was probably going to be on par with a national funeral.
Who would be willing to do this? It was exhausting and not beneficial at all.
Furthermore, Yin Huaixi was an exceptional talent.
The old ministers of the Cabinet had been in high positions for a long time, so they had begun to take advantage of their seniority. They more or less looked down on Yin Huaixi, who was still young and sickly.
However, no one was stupid enough to say these thoughts out loud.
There was no end to this ruckus.
Even though Xia Yansheng was old, mentally weak, and physically weak) he had already worn out his temper. He opened his eyes and said, “All of you argue no matter what the outcome is. Other than arguing, can’t you use your brains?
The cabinet fell silent.
Xia Yansheng looked at Yu Zongshen, who was sitting beside him. “What do you think?”
Yu Zongshen’s hand that was playing with walnuts paused slightly. “You also have to take a look at the timing. You know very well what the situation in the Northern Territory is like. It is very unstable now, and it is imperative to resolve that. The follow-up to King of You’s case cannot be delayed. If the situation in the Northern Territory is disrupted, no one can bear the consequences.”
The courtiers remained silent.
It wasn’t that they didn’t understand this logic. It was just that it involved their own interests, so it was inevitable that they had a lot to say.
Yu Zongshen continued, “The Emperor has long proposed to move King of You’s tomb into the imperial mausoleum. Do you really think that this tomb just has to be interred there? Don’t you need to prepare a funeral ceremony? His Highness King You died an unsightly death. If the funeral rites are not performed magnificently, it will be dishonorable for the royal family. It will damage the Emperors reputation and dignity.”
The old ministers had nothing to say. Usually, no matter how much they fought in the cabinet, no one dared to jump out and object when it involved the emperor’s interests.
Yu Zongshen lowered his eyes. “Yin Huaixi didn’t want King of You to enter the Imperial Mausoleum, so he suggested a new funeral. The funeral would be glorious. It would give the royal family dignity and the emperor’s reputation. It doesn’t matter if he enters the Imperial Mausoleum or not.”
Entering the Imperial Mausoleum was a great honor for the descendants of the royal family.
However, Yin Huaixi only wanted King of You to be buried in You Prefecture.
Xia Yansheng slammed the table. “We’ll do as Yin Huaixi says.”
“Reburials are also in line with the etiquette system. Let the Ministry of Rites prepare sacrificial essays to record the merits of King of You. It’s a good thing to worship the world) inform the people, and decree the descendants to encourage the ministers to assist the country. That’s how it should be.”
“During the mourning period, we will suspend the court for three days to show that King of You was virtuous and contributed to the dynasty. Virtue is worthy of his position. The king, the court officials, and the people will mourn with the entire country.”
“King You and the queen consort have a deep relationship. It’s a good story that the two of them have gone through thick and thin together. It’s only natural that the queen consort is buried in You Prefecture, and King of You returns to be buried with her. I think the emperor can understand and won’t be adamant.”
“After the mourning period, I’ll be the envoy of the imperial tomb, and lead
officials in the capital to prepare for the funeral. Then, the etiquette envoy, the weaponry envoy, the messenger of the bridge, and so on will return to You Prefecture with the tomb of the King of You. They will be in charge of the mausoleum, writing the name of the mausoleum, mourning books, and other burial matters.Tjhis matter must be completed.”
The room was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop—
Xia Yansheng continued, “Double the honor he deserves. There’s no need to get into a fight with Yin Huaixi over a dead man. You’ll be making a fool of yourself in front of the emperor.”
Yu Zongshen also expressed his stance. “It’s been half a year since King of You’s case in June. It’s already November. If we don’t settle this matter as soon as possible, are we going to keep it for the new year?
Li Qiguang’s case was still under trial. It was still unknown how many people would be involved later.
Song Xiuwen’s case would have to go through a lot of trouble.
At that time, the imperial court would be in chaos again.
The Cabinet sped up the time. After a new discussion, the next day, the court meeting was presented to the Emperor.
After the emperor took a look, he showed it to Yin Huaixi.
Yin Huaixi had no objections, and he expressed his gratitude in front of the court.
The matter was settled just like that.
Three days later, the emperor personally issued an edict, announcing to the world, “I, the emperor, have been in the dynasty for more than thirty years. I have inherited the merits of my ancestors and the teachings of Gaozong. I respect the rules of the dynasty and rule the Great Zhou.”
“Cultivate armor, subjugate foreign races, contribute to the country;”
“Recruiting talented people to manage the resurgence of Great Zhou, contributing to the people.”
“Establish the country and strictly abide by the strict authority of the sect’s relatives and contribute to the sect’s ancestors.”
“Punish by suspended sentencing, strictly govern the officials, and pardon the world, so that the grievances can be cleared. The grievances have to be investigated and governed by meritorious officials;”
“Lower taxes, encouragement for farming, reorganization of conscription, relief for disasters and desolation, compassion for the people, meritorious
service for a thousand years;
“I don’t care about lust. I’ve been in power for more than 30 years. I’ve left the harem empty, reduced the silver of the Central Palace, and ruled the world. My merit is in virtue.”
It was a long decree that stated that after the emperor ascended the throne, he was benevolent and virtuous. Only then did it mention the case of King of You.
“However, the use of the country’s resources is vast but insufficient. There were mistakes in my investigation.”
“The ministers in the court formed cliques and protected each other layer by layer. They determined that the King of Dingbei was persecuted by traitors and was wronged. There were lapses in my governance, investigation, and virtues.”
“King of Dingbei, Yin Lixing, was well-versed in virtues, literary arts, martial arts…”
The last chapter was long and detailed, describing the merits of King Dingbei, Yin Lixing, as well as the many large-scale victories he had won in his life. Every word was filled with beauty and righteousness.
“… thereupon, restore Yin Lixing’s ancestral temple and confer Yin Lixing the title of King of Zhouli. He could not share the value of the heavens with me in life. But he can share the country with me in death and stand shoulder to shoulder with me.”
“I hereby announce this to the world to comfort the heroic spirit of King of Zhouli, to exemplify his virtues, to encourage the ministers, to be loyal to the king and rule the country, and to follow the suffering of the people!’
After the decree, which was six feet long (about two meters), was read, it arrived at the Chang’an Gate.
The relevant documents were also distributed through the Imperial Court to the various prefectures and county offices in the country. They ordered the officials of the prefectures and prefectures to announce them to the people of the world.
The emperor immediately issued a decree. “The former Marquis of Wei Ning, the current Marquis of Ningyuan, is in the same boat as the Marquis of Changxing. They deceived everyone above and beneath them, stole the military achievements of King of Zhouli and the heir, Yin Huaixi, and hid the military intelligence. The criminals deceived the emperor.”
Ning Yuanbo knelt on the ground, his body trembling like a leaf, but he did not even dare to breathe loudly..
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