On May 20th of the first year of Chongzhen, Zhu Youjian led Xin Wangfu Chief Shi to the capital.
Ping Liaohou and other important ministers such as Huang Kezuan, Shi Fenglai, Huang Liji and Ye Xianggao came out of Daming Gate to greet him.
Twenty thousand Kaiyuan troops guarded the nine gates of the capital and controlled the entire city.
Kang Yingqian specially selected a group of soldiers with majestic appearance and sturdy backs to guard Daming Gate.
According to Kang Yingqian's original intention, King Xin entered the capital through the Guangning Gate as the vassal king. Xu Guangpu, the chief historian of King Xin, insisted on entering through the Daming Gate, and cited the example of Emperor Sejong Zhu Houcong entering the city through the Daming Gate when he came to the imperial palace. Kang Yingqian He was rendered speechless by the argument and had no choice but to give in.
After this incident, Kang Yingqian and Xu Guangpu developed a rift.
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Twelve-year-old Xin Wang Zhu Youjian, wearing zhanxu (cui, four sounds, mourning clothes made of linen), accompanied by Chang Shi, met with his officials in front of the Ming Dynasty Gate.
Although the ministers repeatedly urged him to go forward, for Zhu Youjian, the road to the summit was like walking on thin ice.
Although he was only twelve years old and far away in Henan, he saw the so-called Jingnan War very clearly.
The amiable Marquis Pingliao standing in front of him was actually the one who killed his brother. Not only his brother, but also his father who passed away last year was also closely related to this traitor.
When Marquis Pingliao sent guard Lin Yu to Shuntian Mansion to welcome King Xin into the palace, Zhu Youjian was always wary of this burly warrior who was as strong as a bear.
What he never forgot was the secret warning Queen Feng sent to him:
"Don't eat Liu thief's food." (Note 1)
Therefore, from Shuntian Prefecture to arriving in the capital, Zhu Youjian insisted on eating home-made wheat cakes.
He hid the wheat cake in his sleeve and followed the tall and ferocious Liu Zeyinggu in front of him all the way to the Daming Gate of the capital.
In front of the Daming Gate, densely packed soul-calling flags have long been erected, and people are standing from the moat to the urn city.
In addition to the officials of the six ministries and General Kaiyuan, all the princes, princes, princesses, emissaries, and maids in the capital were all present. Everyone wore Zhanfu to welcome King Xin.
King Xin Zhu Youjian looked at the large crowd of people in front of him who were waiting for him to ascend the throne, but he didn't feel any joy.
Imagining the scene of his brother being burned alive by Liu Zhaosun, he couldn't help but feel angry. He glared at the bear-like Lin Yu in front of him and said angrily in a low voice:
"Go and report to Marquis Ping Liao. I have my own guards from the royal palace to protect you. There is no need for Marquis Ping Liao to send anyone. You can go back!"
Lin Yu seemed not to hear him and continued to help Zhu Youjian walk to the city gate.
The guards of Prince Xin's Mansion who were following him on both sides saw the stab wound on Lin Yu's face and his body like a black tower. They were so frightened that they said nothing, let alone stepped forward to "protect" Prince Xin.
Zhu Youjian tried hard to break free from this huge arm, but found that his efforts were in vain. He inadvertently looked up at the Damingmen city wall, but behind the crenellations stood rows of archers in black, all with bows and arrows. He was watching carefully for any disturbance in front of the city gate.
Zhu Youjian gave up his struggle and followed Lin Yu step by step towards Marquis Ping Liao who was standing at the front.
He suppressed the deep hatred for Liu Zhaosun in his heart and faced Marquis Pingliao, with a smile of a superior on his slightly immature face.
Liu Zhaosun wore plain clothes, a black gauze hat, and a black horn belt, and bowed to Zhu Youjian who was walking towards him.
According to the official system of the Ming Dynasty, officials of sixth rank and above did not need to kneel and bow before the vassal king. What's more, Liu Zhaosun is now the prince's young master, the Marquis of Pingliao, and the chief military officer of Liaodong.
Zhu Youjian bowed and returned the gift.
Marquis Ping Liao looked at Ye Xianggao, the first assistant standing next to him. Ye first assistant immediately came out and said to King Xin:
"Emperor Daxing was killed by a traitor. On his deathbed, he entrusted the cabinet of Marquis Ping Liao to assist the successor emperor and abide by the ancestral system."
Before Zhu Youjian could speak, a minister came out from the opposite side and wailed:
"How can a ten-year-old King Xin rule the world?"
Chief Shi Xu Guangpu looked at the man in front of him coldly and shouted loudly:
"Who are you? How can I allow you to comment on the important matters of the Heavenly Family? Someone comes and kills him..."
Xu Guangpu was about to order the palace guards to take this man down when he suddenly saw a large number of imperial officials kneeling on the opposite side. Without even looking at the twelve-year-old Zhu Youjian, they all faced the Qianqing Palace and began to cry. .
"The great emperor must avenge himself!"
"Believe in Wang Chongling Jianzuo, what should the Ming Dynasty do!"
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For a moment, the scene fell into chaos, with civil and military officials expressing their opinions. Finally, the ministers were divided into two groups, all pointing to King Xin Zhu Youjian.
One group said: King Xin was old enough to practice Zuo, and it was difficult to conceal China; the other group pointed out that King Xin was smart, benevolent and filial, and could serve in the Ming army, so he should immediately succeed to the throne and rule in person.
When the two sides were in a stalemate, a minister suddenly squeezed out from the crowd. When he looked carefully, it was Hou Xun, the Minister of Rites.
Hou Xun first bowed to Marquis Pingliao, then bowed to King Xin, and finally turned to look at the ministers, shouting with all his strength:
"Comrades, where are your consciences at peace?! Marquis Pingliao, armed with swords and swords, fought against the Hunhe River in the first battle, defeated the Donglu, and beheaded the old slaves; in the second world war, he went to Dengzhou, pacified the White Lotus Sect, and saved the capital, and now he has joined King Qin of Guan , eradicate evil spirits, have brilliant military exploits, and have contributed to the reconstruction of the country and the country! Without Ping Liaohou, how many people in the world would be kings and emperors! Without Pingliao Hou, the Ming Dynasty would be overturned and all life would be ruined. Without Pingliao Hou, the Ming Dynasty would be overturned. Marquis, how can King Xin enter the capital and inherit the rule? If there is no Marquis of Ping Liao, you can laugh and talk loudly here! What are your intentions in instigating ministers and censuring your achievements? I dare to speak out! Ping Liao The Marquis is the supervisor of the country! Assist the new emperor and follow the story of Sanyang assisting the Yingzong! This will bring blessings to the country and the common people!"
"Shilang Hou, this is a mature suggestion for the country. I second my opinion!"
"I also second the proposal!"
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The ministers immediately agreed, and then a group of civil servants began to utter lotus quotes from scriptures. Each one spoke more eloquently than the other, and only compared Liu Zhaosun to Zhuge Liang and San Yang (Yang Pu, Yang Rong, Yang Shiqi).
Even the officials who had just agreed with King Xin's pro-government immediately changed their tune, especially several censors whose homes had not been confiscated, and swore that Marquis Ping Liao was the pillar of the country. They also cited the example of Liu Zhaosun borrowing money from Qiao Jianjun for his birthday in Kaiyuan to show that Ping Liao Hou had lofty aspirations and unified knowledge and action. He was by no means a powerful minister like Zhang Jiangling (Ju Zheng) or a hypocrite.
In the end, everyone came to the conclusion:
The Ming Dynasty can leave anyone, but it cannot leave Ping Liaohou, otherwise the country will be ruined and the world will be in chaos.
Among hundreds of officials, only Li Banghua, the head of the Ministry of War, and a dozen nobles stood alone, glaring at Liu Zhaosun and others.
Liu Zhaosun knew that this was another big play arranged by Kang Yingqian, Sun Chuanting and others, but it would be too ugly to be so aggressive.
He coughed lightly, and the surroundings suddenly became silent.
"With all my virtues and abilities, how can I dare to compare with Sanyang? I believe that Wang Chong is old and has been practicing Zuo. He is brave and brave. He should succeed to the throne and command the world."
"This matter does not need to be discussed further, and I cannot be roasted on the stove!"
Note:
1. See Volume 2 of Sun Chengze's "Records of the Siling Ceremony".
