Tiantang Splendid

Chapter 5544 Perfect Teamwork

Chapter 5544 Perfect Teamwork

With the ascension of a new emperor and the change of era name, numerous and complex affairs arose, leaving one overwhelmed with tasks. The primary task was to arrange the funeral for the deceased emperor, while simultaneously deciding on the new emperor's era name, as well as the temple name and posthumous title of the late emperor.

A posthumous title is an evaluation of a person's merits and demerits throughout their life; a temple name is a place in ancestral temple sacrifices.

Before the founding of the Tang Dynasty, deceased emperors were mostly referred to by their posthumous titles, which were typically only one or two characters long, such as Emperor Wen of Han, Emperor Wu of Han, and Emperor Wen of Sui. However, this tradition changed repeatedly after the establishment of the Tang Dynasty. Emperor Gaozu's initial posthumous title was "Emperor Taiwu," but after Li Chengqian ascended the throne, he added the characters "Shenyao" to emphasize his filial piety. Emperor Taizong's posthumous title was "Emperor Wen," but Li Chengqian changed it to "Emperor Wenwu Sheng"...

Thus, adding characters to the posthumous titles of the previous emperor became a means for the succeeding ruler to demonstrate filial piety and enhance his own presence. In the future, it is possible that more characters will be added to the posthumous titles of emperors such as "Emperor Shenyao Taiwu" and "Emperor Wenwu Sheng"...

……

The Left and Right Jinwu Guards were all deployed into Taiji Palace, while the Left and Right Lingjun Guards completely sealed off the Imperial City and the Palace City. The other guards gathered outside the city to suppress the capital region and stabilize the situation.

The late emperor's remains have been placed in a coffin and are kept in the Taiji Hall. His mausoleum, which began construction when he ascended the throne, is located on Jiuzong Mountain, not far from Zhaoling. Although it is not yet fully completed, its various structures are already of sufficient standard for burial...

The screening and purge within the Taiji Palace is still ongoing, with a large number of assassins being arrested, imprisoned, and interrogated. However, the empire's current focus is not on investigating whether anyone planned or participated in the rebellion, but rather on establishing the temple name and posthumous title of the late emperor, as well as the reign title of the new emperor.

Inside the Hall of State Affairs, high-ranking officials were gathered. Outside the open windows, rain pattered, and the air was cool and damp, invigorating the spirit. Many officials and Confucian scholars who were not usually qualified to participate in state affairs were summoned here, all gathered together.

Each person had a cup of hot tea on the table in front of them, the aroma of tea filling the air and steam rising, but everyone's mood was heavy.

Your Majesty has reigned for ten years. Although you have not made many achievements in politics, you have always promoted new policies and been determined to reform. You have been particularly tolerant and kind to your ministers. You have won praise from the court and the people and are deeply loved. Now, you have passed away in such a hasty manner, which is very sad and makes people sigh.

Although Wei Ting, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, was not a prime minister, he presided over the discussion of the temple name and posthumous title of the late emperor.

He put down his teacup, glanced at Empress Dowager Su and the new emperor sitting in the center, and said, "Now that Your Majesty has ascended the throne, you should first decide on the reign title and make it clear to the world to stabilize people's hearts."

Imperial Censor Liu Xiangdao immediately spoke up: "Your Majesty has just ascended the throne and should aspire to create something new. I request that the name be 'Qiyuan' (启元)."

Wei Ting glanced at Empress Dowager Su, then observed the expressions of Fang Jun and Ma Zhou, and said, “You are all learned men, well-versed in the classics and treatises. Why don’t you each give your opinions and we can compare them together?”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Ren Yaxiang said, "I request that 'Yongzhen' be used."

He paused for a moment, then explained: "The Book of Changes says in the Gu hexagram: 'To rectify the Gu of one's father is to use praise.' The Image says: 'To rectify the Gu of one's father means to inherit the legacy of one's father.' Your Majesty has inherited the legacy of the two sage emperors, Taizong and Renhe. The two characters 'Yongzhen' are meant to signify to uphold integrity and righteousness forever, and not to let down the virtues of one's ancestors."

“Yongzhen is good, but it is not perfect.” Gai Wenyi, a scholar of the Imperial Academy who was invited to the Hall of State Affairs, shook his head. “When I read the Book of Documents, I found the phrase ‘deeply wise and civilized, gentle, respectful and honest.’ The late emperor’s reign title was ‘Renhe,’ which means to govern the world with benevolence, so we can take the character ‘He’ (和, meaning harmony). Emperor Taizong governed the world with ‘Zhenguan,’ so we can take the character ‘Guan’ (观, meaning observation). Therefore, I request that we use ‘Heguan’ (和观, meaning harmony and observation), which means to take the meaning of ‘achieving harmony and balance, when heaven and earth are in their proper places, all things flourish’ from the Book of Rites. With harmony and observation, all people will naturally transform.”

“The interpretation of ‘He Guan’ is inappropriate and reverses the order of importance.” Yu Zhining, the Left Vice Minister of the Crown Prince and Duke of Yan, refuted, “The Book of Songs, in the Greater Odes, says: ‘The mandate of Heaven is solemn and ceaseless.’ The benevolence of the late Emperor was like the movement of Heaven, vigorous and unceasing. I request that ‘Shao Tian’ be used, which is taken from the Analects: ‘How majestic is Heaven! Only Yao followed it.’ Your Majesty inherits the mandate of Heaven from the late Emperor and continues the will of Emperor Taizong. This is excellent.”

“The saying ‘the moon wanes when it is full, and water overflows when it is full’ is too heavy on the word ‘Shaotian’.” Linghu Defen shook his head. “Laozi said: ‘Know the male, but keep to the female, and be the valley of the world.’ Keeping the status quo is the best policy. I would like to use the word ‘keeping the status quo’ to make it clear.”

"Too cowardly to maintain the status quo."

"What about 'Xianhe'? The Book of Documents, Wu Yi, says 'to harmonize all people.' The former emperor was benevolent and harmonious, and the new emperor is also benevolent and harmonious, which is a continuation of the previous one."

“Xianhe is acceptable, but the character ‘Xian’ is not as good as ‘Pi’. The Book of Documents, in the chapter ‘Da Yu Mo’, says: ‘Good words are not hidden, there are no worthy men left in the fields, and all nations are at peace.’ I request that ‘Pi Ning’ be used. ‘Pi’ means great, and ‘Ning’ means peace. Great peace throughout the world will show the grandeur of the new dynasty.”

The debate intensified.

Some were flipping through the Book of Changes, some were consulting the Erya, some were quoting the Spring and Autumn Annals, and some were reciting the Rites of Zhou. The hall buzzed with activity, like a marketplace. The new emperor, Li Xiang, sat upright above, looking bewildered and terrified. He held tightly to Empress Dowager Su's hand, his lips pursed, and remained silent.

Although everyone was discussing his reign title as the new emperor, he himself had no chance to interject...

After listening to the debate for a long time, Ma Zhou suddenly raised his eyes and said, "Although the quotations of the gentlemen are extensive, none of them are correct. I would like to change one word—'Lühe', which is taken from the Lü hexagram in the Book of Changes, which says, 'Lühe arrives.' Lü means to walk and to tread. Emperor Taizong established his foundation with Zhenguan, and Renhe maintained his achievements with Renhe. Your Majesty should follow the way of moderation and harmony, inheriting the greatness of the past and continuing peace and harmony in the future."

Fang Xuanling, who was invited to discuss the reign title, shook his head: "Although Lühe is good, it lacks the intention of succession."

Gai Wenyi smiled and asked, "What are your thoughts, Brother Xuanling?"

Fang Xuanling was silent for a moment, then cupped his hands and said, “In my opinion, the two characters ‘Guanhe’ are the most wonderful. The ‘Guan’ in Zhenguan comes from the Guan hexagram in the Book of Changes, which says, ‘Observe the divine way of Heaven, and the four seasons will not err.’ The ‘He’ in Renhe comes from the Doctrine of the Mean, which says, ‘Harmony is the universal way of the world.’ Your Majesty’s ascension to the throne is based on observing the clarity of the way of Heaven and implementing the policy of moderation and harmony. Both characters have their origins and are consistent with each other. Is this not appropriate?”

The hall was quiet for a moment.

Empress Dowager Su straightened her back, her phoenix eyes sweeping around, her voice clear and melodious: "Guanhe... excellent! If none of my beloved ministers have any further objections, then let 'Guanhe' be His Majesty's reign title, and let us change the era name next year, to observe the world and to bring harmony to all people."

The ministers in the hall were somewhat bewildered. Although the reign title "Guanhe" was indeed good, was it too hasty to make such a decision so hastily?

Before anyone could raise any objections, Fang Jun spoke up: "Now that His Majesty's reign title has been decided, let's discuss the temple name and posthumous title of the late emperor."

The courtiers: "..."

Wei Ting, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, hesitated slightly and said, "This... is not in accordance with the rites, is it? Although the final judgment is made after the coffin is closed, the posthumous title encompasses His Majesty's achievements throughout his life, and the temple name demonstrates His Majesty's status in the ancestral temple. Both are related to the reputation of the late emperor, and should be decided with utmost care and not hastily."

Generally, the reign title of a new emperor is changed in the year following his ascension to the throne, so it needs to be decided as early as possible. However, the temple name and posthumous title of the previous emperor are not in a hurry, and many emperors even died before their mausoleums were completed or their tomb names were determined...

Furthermore, temple names are relatively easy to choose, as they are simply a matter of ordering "ancestor" and "ancestor." However, the selection of posthumous titles is not an easy matter. After all, a person's life experiences are complex and even mixed, and it is truly necessary to carefully consider how to encompass their entire life with just a few words.

Not all of them need to be "honorable posthumous titles," but at the very least, a consensus must be reached between the government and the public...

Gai Wenyi, mature and prudent, nodded and said, "It is necessary to carefully consider and gather opinions from all sides."

Many people agree with this.

Fang Jun disagreed and said loudly, "Your Majesty's achievements lie not only in inheriting the legacy of the Zhenguan era, but also in pioneering reforms, leading to a prosperous and powerful nation and a glorious era. However, Your Majesty's most important virtue lies in the word 'benevolence,' being kind to ministers and loving to the common people. Therefore, your temple name should be 'Renzong'... Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, do you agree?"

This last sentence was spoken while looking at Empress Dowager Su and Li Xiang.

Having experienced dramatic changes, Empress Dowager Su seemed not yet to have adapted to the process of moving from "Empress" to "Empress Dowager." After a slight pause, she nodded and said, "Grand Commandant is indeed a close friend of the late Emperor. He understands the ambition that the late Emperor pursued tirelessly. Compared to comments like 'brilliant and martial' or 'illuminating the world,' he values ​​the word 'benevolence' more."

Seeing that his mother and the Grand Commandant were both looking at him, Li Xiang subconsciously nodded. He wanted to say something but found himself at a loss for words. This matter was beyond his current knowledge, so he could only utter two dry words: "Very good."

The courtiers: "..."

Seeing the Empress Dowager, His Majesty, and Grand Commandant working together seamlessly, what else could anyone say?

Even Yu Zhining, who had many grievances against Fang Jun, had to nod in agreement at this moment: "Throughout history, there have been many emperors who were diligent in governing, wise and powerful, and who revitalized their countries, but only the late emperor was hailed and praised by his subjects as 'benevolent and tolerant.' The late emperor truly deserves the title of 'benevolent'."

This is, of course, only the positive aspects.

In fact, Li Chengqian was not associated with being diligent and wise. Since the Zhenguan era, the Tang Dynasty had been thriving and never declined, so he could not be called a "restoration ruler". All his achievements seemed illustrious, but in reality, they were just things that happened in accordance with the times.

However, as a monarch who occupied the pinnacle of power, Li Chengqian's character and conduct certainly deserved the praise of being "benevolent and kind".

The name "Renzong" subtly suggests the former emperor's somewhat weak side, while also highlighting his "generous" virtue...

"good!"

The ministers unanimously agreed.

Fang Jun clearly did not intend to waste time and energy on matters such as deciding on temple names and posthumous titles, so he quickly and decisively decided on the temple name and went straight to discussing the posthumous title: "As for the posthumous title, I think 'Emperor Xiao' is very suitable."

Empress Dowager Su immediately agreed: "I agree."

Li Xiang: "Me too!"

The courtiers: "..."

Watching these three, the ruler and his ministers, working together seamlessly and moving in unison, gives one an extremely strange feeling, as if they were not ruler and ministers, but a family of three...

Could it be that the late emperor enshrined in the coffin in the Taiji Hall was the superfluous one?

Emperor Gaozu's posthumous title was "Emperor Taiwu," and Emperor Taizong's posthumous title was "Emperor Wen." Both "Wu" and "Wen" are among the most honorable posthumous titles, and "Xiao" is only slightly inferior.