Chapter Six, The Edict of the Clothing Belt
Han Rizi smiled and shook his head, "That won't do. The ministers surrounded the Empress Dowager's palace and the Grand Temple last time, but it didn't seem to have much effect."
The King of Donghai suppressed a laugh, scoffed softly, glanced at the door, and said in a low voice: "This is a tale from the previous dynasty, recorded in the historical texts. The first edict of our current dynasty will be written by you."
After just one demonstration, Han Ruzi had memorized it, but the officials of the Ministry of Rites were still uneasy. They requested that he come to demonstrate it every morning for the next few days, striving for absolute accuracy, even calculating the exact number of steps to take. It is said that all these details are profoundly significant, foreshadowing the future of the emperor
My mother has told me many stories
"Has an emperor ever done this before?" Han Ruzi was quite surprised and became even more interested in this idea
Zuo Ji was satisfied, "Filial piety must come from the heart; one may deceive outsiders with a facade, but cannot deceive oneself, nor the deities in the unseen realm"
It is not easy to write the edict of clothing. Apart from the period of fasting, there were always many people around Han Ruzi, even at night when he slept, someone would be sleeping on the chair or couch in the same room. Sometimes it was a eunuch, sometimes it was a palace maid, and they would wake up at the slightest sound
Han Rizi finally had the opportunity to fall at the feet of the Minister of Rites
Another day passed, and Zuo Ji's vigilance relaxed somewhat. He temporarily left the quiet room, not knowing what he was doing. King Donghai seized the opportunity, pounced beside Han Rizi, and extended his hand, asking, "What is going on? Where is the edict? Why has there been no action for so long?"
Regardless of what Zuo Ji said, Han Ruzi merely responded with uh-huh, as he had nothing to say and did not wish to lie
Things went more smoothly than he had anticipated, and the two eunuchs quickly returned, having found nothing. Han Ruzi drank some water and went to bed, hardly closing his eyes throughout the night
Han Rizi did not respond
The King of Donghai followed behind the eunuch attendants, filled with jealousy and anticipation. From time to time, he would cast a glance, but seeing that Han Rizi did not respond, he could not help but feel anxious and restless
Zuo Ji did not insist, and continued: "The Empress Dowager is Your Majesty's only mother. Apart from the deities and the ancestors, only the Empress Dowager in the world can receive Your Majesty's kneeling. This is not because the Empress Dowager holds a higher status, but because Your Majesty must demonstrate filial piety to the world."
Han Rizi thought he would finally meet the Empress Dowager in person, but instead, he merely bowed once at the bedroom door and, following Zuo Ji's instructions, said, "The child pays respects to the Empress Dowager." A palace maid came out from inside, exchanged a few polite words, and the greeting ceremony came to an end
Filial piety is the foremost of all virtues. As the emperor, one must set an example for the people of the world. Your Majesty, are you willing to show filial piety to your mother?
Han Rizi still had many doubts, but the door opened, and Jing Yao walked in, kneeling at the entrance. There was nothing under his knees, and he remained silent, seemingly prepared to accompany the two to the end.
The King of the East Sea resides next door, but neither of them can move about freely; they can only meet on formal occasions
The dressing in the early morning of the next day and the subsequent bathing were the most troublesome. He had to be completely naked while being attended to by a group of eunuchs and palace maids. The paper package was very small, yet difficult to conceal, with the palms, collar, waistband, and cuffs... Han Ruzi kept shifting this little secret and ultimately managed not to be discovered
The formal occasion this morning was a ceremony conducted by officials of the Ministry of Rites
Yes, it's that kind of thing... I have seen it in a book, it's called a "clothing belt edict." You write the decree on a belt and quietly hand it to Yuan Jiuding, and he will understand it immediately.
In the remaining time of that day, Han Ruzi and King of the East Sea had no opportunity to communicate further, only occasionally exchanging glances. The King of the East Sea grew increasingly resolute, while Han Ruzi's confidence dwindled. However, he was so eager to leave the palace and return to his mother that he was willing to take any risks.
Han Rizi thought for a long time and finally came up with an idea after dinner
I am unable to write, as there is always someone in the room
The King of Donghai continued to follow the retinue, guessing through eye contact that the "Edict of the Robe" had already been written, feeling more anxious than Han Rizi. As the morning ceremony was about to conclude, the King of Donghai stumbled over the threshold and lunged forward, causing the entire procession to scatter in disarray.
Another eunuch also bowed and exited, while Han Ruzi swiftly made some marks on the paper, then quickly tore off a small piece, folded it, and held it in the palm of his left hand
The minister has always supported the emperor and opposed the interference of the inner palace in politics. What is the name of the Minister of Rites... Yuan Jiuding, tomorrow you secretly issue a decree to him, instructing him to rally all the civil officials to rescue the emperor
The attendant Zuoji personally came to receive the Emperor. After the standard kneeling salute, the young eunuch began to reveal his uniqueness. While other eunuchs and palace maids always tried to avoid any interaction with the Emperor, not even exchanging a glance, Zuoji, on the other hand, wore a smile, resembling a kind uncle or older brother, with a tone that carried the amiability and instructive undertone of an elder.
In the afternoon, the two continued to fast in the quiet room, with Jing Yao and Zuo Ji taking turns kneeling at the door to accompany them, while Yang Feng still had not appeared
Abolish the Empress Dowager
Han Rizi nodded slightly, then immediately shook his head, and said in a low voice: "I have only one mother, who is the current Empress Dowager." Yet in his heart, he was still thinking of his biological mother outside the palace
The residence of the Empress Dowager is called Cishun Palace. The Emperor was supposed to reside in Tai'an Palace; however, considering that the new Emperor has not yet married, he has been placed in a small courtyard not far from Cishun Palace. Han Ruzi is not particular about this arrangement, but he feels somewhat lonely and even reminisces about the King of Donghai.
It was likely to counterbalance the officials of the Ministry of Rites that an unusually large number of attendants were dispatched from the palace, with their numbers being twice that of the ministers. Jing Yao and Zuo Ji stood guard on either side of the new emperor, while the senior ministers presiding over the ceremony could only speak to each other from a distance.
Of course not, there must be someone monitoring you nearby, a secret order must be issued
My mother is ... ... the Empress Dowager. Han Ruzi truly found it impossible to utter the words "Your Majesty"
What to write
I cannot do it
Well
The difficult problem was left to Han Rizi, who certainly had a few servants. His mother, Wang Meiren, had always been polite to these servants and had never made any strange requests. Therefore, what was a very easy task for the King of Donghai became somewhat challenging for Han Rizi
Until the early hours of the next day, Han Rizi still did not find an opportunity to write on his belt.
On the way to escort the Emperor back to his residence, Zuo Ji explained: "In recent days, the Empress Dowager has been overly burdened with worries and is not in good health. His Majesty is about to officially ascend the throne, and the Empress Dowager does not wish to affect His Majesty's mood at this time"
"Hush, speak softly, the palace is filled with the ears of the Empress Dowager." Footsteps were heard approaching outside, and the King of Donghai returned to his mat, hissing, "Tonight you will draft the edict of abdication, and tomorrow hand it over to Yuan Jiuding. At most, within three days, the ministers will be able to accomplish this, and then you will abdicate the throne to me. If you dare to go back on your word, I will have the Cui family kill you. Furthermore, it must be written on the Emperor's exclusive garments to gain trust; paper will not suffice." Hissing, he continued, "Tonight you will draft the edict of abdication, and tomorrow hand it over to Yuan Jiuding. At most, within three days, the ministers will be able to accomplish this, and then you will abdicate the throne to me. If you dare to go back on your word, I will have the Cui family kill you. Furthermore, it must be written on the Emperor's exclusive garments to gain trust; paper will not suffice."
"Anyone other than the Empress Dowager, regardless of age or seniority, is a subject of His Majesty and must never be on equal footing with Him, including the Imperial Concubine Shangguan and the King of Donghai."
Zuo Ji knelt at the door, not asking any questions. King Donghai let out a sigh of relief and behaved himself throughout the entire afternoon
Who is Your Majesty's mother
"Hmm." Han Rizi replied
I shouldn't have to teach you everything, just write that you are under house arrest, demand the ministers to depose the Empress Dowager, and immediately rescue you from the palace
The eunuch Zuo Ji entered quietly and said with a smile: "King of the East Sea, it is inappropriate for you to appear like this in the presence of the ancestral garments and crown."
On the eleventh day of fasting, Han Ruzi's daily routine included an additional step: after getting up, he had to pay his respects to the Empress Dowager.
After the East Sea King rose, he repeatedly apologized. For the officials attending the ceremony and the numerous eunuchs, this was quite an incident. No one dared to blame the East Sea King. A group of people knelt on the ground to plead guilty, and then they discussed solutions to prevent any unforeseen events during the official coronation.
Zuo Ji waited for a moment and smiled, saying: "Your Majesty's mother is the current Empress Dowager, with the double surname Shangguan. Your Majesty may refer to her as 'Mother Empress' or 'Empress Dowager'"
Heavens! The King of the East Sea pounded his head twice, "Have you never had servants by your side? You are the master, give them orders to catch fish in the river during winter, to catch fireflies in summer, to go to the kitchen at midnight to find food... This is what they are for. Could it be that servants also need to sleep until dawn? You..."
Being an emperor can be quite easy; Han Ruzi does nothing, and it does not affect the operation of the court or the stability of the realm. However, being an emperor can also be very cumbersome, as every action can directly impact a few people or even tens of thousands. Ascending the throne is a rare and significant event, with particularly notable effects, as thousands of people are busy and bustling for this purpose, and the Ministry of Rites is one of the most important executors in this process
In the afternoon of the fast, the King of the East Sea eagerly asked as soon as he saw an opportunity: "Did it succeed?"
Secret edict
The Minister of Rites will personally explain the ceremonial system for the ascension to the Emperor, and the adventurous plan of the King of Donghai is about to be applied to this individual
Han Rizi truly wishes to inquire what mistakes his father and elder brother made during their ascension to the throne
The major event has been accomplished, just wait, we will soon be able to escape the Empress Dowager's control. The King of the East Sea confidently proclaimed this prophecy
Your Majesty should rest... The eunuch hesitated somewhat
There was not enough paper in the room to waste, and as the paper was about to run out, a eunuch went out to fetch more paper. Han Ruzi casually said to another eunuch, "Bring me a cup of tea."
How to... obtain the imperial edict? Should I speak directly to the Minister of Rites? Han Ruzai felt a bit tempted
In less than four years, the Great Chu has seen two emperors ascend the throne, and Han Ruzi will be the third. The officials of the Ministry of Rites have extensive experience in this regard, striving to alleviate the burden on the new emperor as much as possible. Essentially, what Han Ruzi needs to do is don the heavy court robes, depart from the Grand Ancestral Temple, pass through two palaces, and finally sit on the Dragon Throne to receive the homage of civil and military officials.
What can't be done? Are you really that foolish, unable to pretend to trip or something?
Han Rizi nodded, having already tucked the paper package into the waist belt of the Minister of Rites. Yuan Jiuding must have sensed something at that moment, yet he revealed nothing, which seemed to be a good omen
Then it was handed over to Yuan Jiuding, the Minister of Rites. This step was exceedingly difficult, as Han Ruzi was always separated from the ministers by at least two eunuchs, leaving no opportunity for direct contact
"A glass of plain water will suffice, I am thirsty." Han Ruzi tried his best to imitate the tone of the King of the East Sea.
Willing. Han Ruzi constantly thinks of his biological mother, who is isolated outside the palace.
Even if Han Rizi wrote the Edict of the Belt, he would have no way to convey it to any official
Every piece of clothing in the room is under the care of a designated person, and Han Ruzi truly has no way to write anything like the "Clothing Belt Edict"
The Minister of Rites, Yuan Jiuding, is a distinguished elder in his sixties, tall and somewhat overweight, which adds to his dignified presence. He is accompanied by two assistants and ten doctoral candidates from the Imperial Academy, who will explain and demonstrate the various stages of the enthronement ceremony.
The King of Donghai awkwardly returned to the mat, "It may be because I didn't eat breakfast this morning that I felt a bit dizzy just now, which is why I knelt down. I have heard that the founding emperor is very kind to his descendants and will forgive me, right?"
Do you only learn to write and not to read books
He first claimed that he wanted to practice calligraphy. The two eunuchs in the room were quite obedient, immediately laying out paper and grinding ink. Han Rizi's handwriting was not very neat; he wrote one sheet and discarded another, and for those he was particularly dissatisfied with, he simply tore them into pieces. The two eunuchs picked up every single piece without leaving any behind
That is different. Last time, the ministers acted spontaneously without an imperial decree, so no one took the lead. As a result, several hundred people only dared to voice their opinions but did not dare to take action. With your decree, opposing the Empress Dowager's actions will be justified.
Does Your Majesty have any other mothers