Chapter 507: Conferring the Crown Prince
The snow was getting more and more urgent.

It seems that God has begun to give the world a warning.

Zhu Zaigui didn't know how he walked out of Wanshou Palace.

In his mind, all he could think of were the words the emperor had said before, about Gao Gong being in charge, Zhang Juzheng and Yan Shaoting being in charge.

He has been a prince for thirty years and Prince Yu for many years.

Zhu Zaigui had thought about sitting on that supreme seat, but that was just meditation when he was bored and alone, unable to speak to outsiders.

just now.

It seems that I am only one step away from that position.

Instead, he became frightened and uneasy.

The Ming Dynasty was too big, with two capitals, thirteen provinces, nine states, and hundreds of millions of people, all weighing on his shoulders all at once. He began to feel a little breathless, and his heart was beating violently.

It is still because the Ming Dynasty is too big, so big that an ordinary person may need a lifetime to travel all of it.

In the blink of an eye, Zhu Zaigui seems to be able to see countless things coming to him every day on this vast land.

Each petition from a local government could affect tens or even hundreds of thousands of people in one place. And the petitions from the central government's ministries and offices would affect everyone in the nine provinces and ten thousand places.

Can I do it myself?

Zhu Zaigui unknowingly walked to the side of Taiye Lake.

In front of us is the frozen Taiye Lake, and there is a snow pile every few meters on the shore.

In the center of the ice surface, several eunuchs and palace maids seemed to be building something with snow.

I figured out the direction.

Zhu Zaigui stopped the palace groom's questioning and started walking towards the imperial city.

And in the inner hall of Wanshou Palace.

There was a violent coughing sound.

Lu Fang hurriedly rolled up the blood-stained handkerchief, quickly threw it into a box in the corner, and then closed the lid.

Return to the Taotai.

Huang Jin had already wiped the emperor's lips clean and let him drink some soup.

The two loyal servants looked at each other, their eyes bloodshot and filled with deep uneasiness.

Jiajing's complexion seemed to have improved a little after he coughed up the blood.

But he just sighed and shook his head.

"This boy is short of wisdom, how can he serve the country?"

Although he had given his son instructions today almost like a will, Jiajing was still completely worried.

He saw clearly.

His son was not a smart man, and it was even more impossible for him to be able to take charge of the court like himself even though he lived in the palace.

He doesn't have that ability.

Now I agree to the new policy, but what if I die?

Can the new emperor still rule the country and maintain the new policies?

Can he withstand the pressure coming from all sides?

Jiajing, who had originally become indifferent to life and death, suddenly felt a desire to live a few more years.

But he was very clear that his body was already at the end of its rope.

Huang Jin lowered his head and kept crying.

Lu Fang's eyes were bloodshot, but he still spoke to comfort him: "Your Majesty has worked hard to govern the country and is determined to make progress. There are already countless wise ministers in the court. When Prince Yu ascends the throne in the future, he will naturally be supported by countless loyal ministers and good generals. Even if he has no ambition to make progress, he will definitely be able to maintain the status quo."

"Can he protect this ancestral land and people?"

Jiajing's eyes widened and his breathing became rapid.

Lu Fang quickly reached out and gently patted the emperor's chest.

After a while of heavy breathing, Jiajing finally calmed down, and his eyes became weaker: "If we can't guard it, he has to guard it... Fortunately, the emperor's grandson has a wise teacher, and he may be able to carry on the legacy."

At this moment, Jiajing only felt a strong sense of powerlessness in his body.

He has no choice!

He had eight sons in his life, but now only Prince Yu is left.

And now there is only the Crown Prince in Prince Yu’s Mansion.

The family line is dying out.

There are still countless things that have not been dealt with in the court, but Jiajing no longer has the energy and time to balance those things.

He was now only thinking about arranging his affairs after his death, ensuring that the Ming Dynasty would remain stable and that his lineage could inherit the legacy of his ancestors.

"Lu Fang."

When Lu Fang was called, he immediately knelt on the ground and said, "I am your servant."

Jiajing pointed to the desk in the inner hall and said, "Go and draft the decree."

Lu Fang looked up at the emperor, waiting for him to tell him what decree to draft.

Jiajing's eyes were filled with reluctance and worry: "I decree that Prince Yu be made the Crown Prince."

In the end, Jiajing chose to bow to fate, but he also launched a final resistance against that damn fate.

Ming dynasty!

No matter what, there must be a crown prince!

Lu Fang shuddered all over. Now that the emperor had appointed Prince Yu as the crown prince, it was almost an announcement to the public that he did not have much time left. By making Prince Yu the crown prince, once the emperor passed away, he could directly take charge of the court power from the East Palace, that is, the throne.

This was the most important decision made by an old emperor at the last moment of his life.

Jiajing glared at Lu Fang.

"go with!"

"I am the Emperor of Ming Dynasty, the Son of Heaven!"

"Fate has not dealt with me, today is an auspicious day, I will enthrone the crown prince, there are no taboos!"

Lu Fang walked to the desk trembling all over, took out the prepared decree and began to write the edict on behalf of the emperor to appoint the crown prince.

After the ink had dried, Lu Fang took the imperial edict to the emperor.

The contents of the imperial edicts that enthrone the crown prince are usually pretty much the same.

Jiajing took a quick look and nodded after finding that there was generally no problem.

Then Lu Fang took the emperor's seal and stamped it firmly on the edict in front of Jiajing.

In this way, the imperial edict to appoint the crown prince was completed.

Jiajing looked at the bright red mark and opened his mouth slightly: "Go, tell Prince Yu to announce it to the world."

Lu Fang took the order, put away the jade seal, and handed the imperial edict to Huang Jin.

He had to guard the emperor to prevent him from dying suddenly, and there was no one in the palace who could make the decisions.

Huang Jin also understood, took the imperial edict and walked out.

When he arrived outside the palace gate, he saw Prince Yu's carriage still parked on the side. Huang Jin glanced at the soldiers guarding the palace gate.

After he received the news that Prince Yu had gone to the imperial city, he ordered the eunuchs and several soldiers serving in the Wanshou Palace to chase in the direction Prince Yu Zhu Zaigui was going.

And in the Wanshou Palace.

Lu Fang felt extremely upset and didn't know what to say for a moment.

Jiajing was lying on the platform, looking at Lu Fang with a smile on his face: "You, my slave, are destined to die. I have been in office for forty-five years. I have implemented the new policy at the end of my life, so I can retire with honor."

Lu Fang's eyes instantly filled with tears: "Long live the master!"

Jiajing smiled and turned his head: "How can the world last forever? Even if there were dynasties, the Zhou Dynasty only lasted 800 years."

Lu Fang choked and lowered her head.

Jiajing suddenly said in a serious tone: "Lv Fang."

"The servant is here."

"If I die, you must keep a close eye on the inner court and don't let any filth invade."

There was murderous intent in Jiajing's tone.

Lü Fang understood and nodded his head. Jiajing added: "After the new emperor ascends the throne, he will certainly appoint his own people. At that time, you old people will find a chance to leave the palace. The imperial mausoleum is a good place now. You can also go to Changping in your spare time. You can always get a decent retirement."

I saw that the emperor had already started arranging things for them to be slaves.

Lu Fang finally burst into tears.

Jiajing did not try to persuade him, but continued, "As the saying goes, a new emperor appoints his own ministers. Prince Yu is kind and benevolent. As long as you do not covet wealth and power, and live a decent life in old age, you do not need to worry about your affairs after death. Keep those little guys who usually call you ancestors in check. My Ming Dynasty can allow eunuchs to take power and compete with the court, but we can also turn the tables and kill them. Now that the court has a new policy, eunuchs everywhere are alert. If they dare to do anything wrong, you old ancestors will be ruthless and kill a group of them to deter them."

Lu Fang nodded repeatedly.

He knew what the emperor was talking about.

The inner court has been cleared out several times now. The emperor is talking about the eunuchs who were sent out of the palace and stationed in local areas.

I saw that Lu Fang kept everything in mind.

Jiajing also breathed a sigh of relief.

He glanced at the table beside him and said, "Go, write three more edicts for me."

Read the error-free version at 69shuba! 6=9+shu_ba is the first to publish this novel.

Lu Fang was stunned for a moment, but still walked to the table loyally.

……

"Your Highness!"

"Your Highness!"

"There is a will!"

When Huang Jin caught up with Prince Yu with the imperial edict, the other party had already passed through Huiji Gate and walked outside Wenyuan Pavilion.

Hearing Huang Jin's call, Zhu Zaigui also stopped and turned around to look at Huang Jin who was rushing over with his men with curiosity.

Zhu Zaigui looked at Wenyuan Pavilion and the Eastern Palace in the northeast again.

He just wanted to take a walk around the palace today, and then leave from Donghua Gate and return to the palace.

At this time, Huang Jin had already arrived and took out the imperial edict, panting.

"Your Majesty's order... for the prince."

Zhu Zaigui frowned and looked towards the West Garden.

Judging from the time Huang Jin came, this decree was basically written by his father shortly after he left Wanshou Palace.

And this time.

Footsteps could be heard from Wenyuan Pavilion.

Gao Gong, Yuan Wei, Li Chunfang and Zhao Zhenji came out together, followed by a group of Zhongshu Sheren who worked in the cabinet.

Zhu Zaigui quickly knelt on the ground.

Gao Gong and others looked curious.

First, it was strange why Prince Yu came here today, and secondly, it was strange why Huang Jin followed him here with the imperial edict.

But now the imperial edict is right in front of us.

Gao Gong and others could only file out and kneel behind Prince Yu Zhu Zaigui.

Huang Jin had also calmed down his breathing. He opened the imperial edict and began to read it.

Everyone present is a shrewd person and well versed in the ways of officialdom.

The Zhongshu Sheren in the Imperial Edict-Drafting Office were responsible for drafting and promulgating various imperial edicts and documents of the court all day long.

When Huang Jin opened his mouth and read only a few words, everyone present knew that this was an imperial edict to appoint Prince Yu as the Crown Prince.

Everyone was shocked at once.

at last!

The Ming Dynasty finally has a crown prince!
But Gao Gong and others frowned again.

True.

The emperor's appointment of a crown prince at this time was undoubtedly a disclosure to the outside world that his health was failing. Now appointing Prince Yu as the crown prince was preparing for the inheritance of the country.

Gao Gong was both happy and worried at this moment.

He was happy that his student was finally canonized as the crown prince of the current dynasty, but he was worried that the emperor's health had finally reached the point where it could no longer support him.

But I have only been the Prime Minister for a few days!

The Jiajing New Deal had just begun, and even the specific matters had not yet been written down. As the Prime Minister, he had to face the situation of the emperor's death and the new emperor's ascension to the throne.

The time wasted in this process is at least half a year.

Gao Gong sighed deeply, forced a smile on his face, stood up and went forward to help Prince Yu Zhu Zaigui up: "Your Highness will be conferred the title today and take the throne of the Eastern Palace. Please accept the decree quickly."

Zhu Zaigui's mind was still blank at this moment.

As soon as he left Wanshou Palace, his father and the queen appointed him as the crown prince in public.

Is it true that my father will not live long?
Hear the sound of Gao Gong.

Zhu Zaiqi couldn't help but look back: "Master Gao..."

Hearing Prince Yu address him like that, Gao Gong's expression softened: "Crown Prince, please accept the order."

Zhu Zaigui finally reacted.

He hurried forward and thanked Huang Jin for his hard work before taking the imperial edict in his hands.

Because the emperor was ill, those present did not express much expression or joy about the appointment of the crown prince.

Rather, it is because of the fluttering snowflakes that everything seems solemn and heavy.

Everyone just gathered outside Wenyuan Pavilion and talked about unimportant things.

If it were in the past, when Prince Yu was named the Crown Prince, people like Gao Gong would certainly have congratulated him and would have brought some gifts to Prince Yu's mansion to ask for a drink.

But these things would seem out of place at the moment.

Yuan Wei, however, looked at the people present and squinted his eyes and said, "According to the rules, the prince has now been canonized as the crown prince and is the Eastern Palace. Shouldn't he also move from Prince Yu's Mansion to the Eastern Palace to live?"

This is very timely.

Especially at a time when everyone knew that the emperor was in poor health and could have problems at any time, it was the most correct choice for Zhu Zaigui, who had been named the crown prince, to move from the palace outside the palace to the East Palace.

The second assistant made this suggestion.

Gao Gong, the chief minister, immediately nodded in agreement: "This is the national etiquette. Since the prince is already the crown prince, he should be promoted to the East Palace to set things right."

The Crown Prince lives in the East Palace and is addressed as "Ben Gong". This is the rule of etiquette and law.

Even Zhu Zaigui thought so in his heart.

If I live in the East Palace, if something happens in the West Garden, I can rush over as soon as I know about it. It is not like living in a palace outside the palace, where it would be troublesome to enter the palace if something happens.

Just when he was about to speak.

Another group of eunuchs walked quickly towards Huiji Gate.

The target is obviously Wenyuan Pavilion.

The eunuchs who rushed over at this time did not hide anything. The first three eunuchs each held an imperial edict in their hands, which was clearly visible to everyone.

Gao Gong and others were immediately surprised.

I just feel that the emperor seemed to have taken too many actions today.

First there was an imperial decree appointing Prince Yu as the Crown Prince.

Now three more edicts of unclear content have been sent to the cabinet.

This seems like he is about to die and needs to make preparations for his funeral.

And that end.

The three eunuchs who rushed to the cabinet from Xiyuan, holding the imperial edict in their hands, spoke one after another.

"Your Majesty has issued an order, and the Cabinet has received it."

"Your Majesty has issued an order, and the Cabinet has received it."

"Your Majesty has issued an order, and the Cabinet has received it."

…………

Monthly PassMonthly Pass
　I went to the hospital for a checkup today. I had a TCD test, which showed that my brain was not getting enough blood. I was prescribed some medicine and am taking Chinese medicine. No wonder I have been feeling dizzy and groggy lately. But the doctor said there is no major problem for the time being.

　　So there is one more chapter today, a little later ha!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)