diymy Chapter 1164 - 931 The Truth 10: Capturing the Left and Right Chancellors, Empress Dowager Xiao Reflects on the Past
Chapter 1164 - 931 The Truth 10: Capturing the Left and Right Chancellors, Empress Dowager Xiao Reflects on the Past
She originally thought she wouldn’t be able to handle state affairs well, and was even more afraid that as an orphan with her son, the young emperor would be troubled by the powerful officials in the court!As a result, the emperor’s ascension went particularly smoothly. Following the former emperor’s instructions, he found a way to bring the Ji Family into the capital no matter what.
Especially the eldest, Ji Youyuan, who, at that time, was over twenty years old, well-educated, and able to contribute to the court.
However, after several summons, Ji Youyuan did not return. The emperor made a decisive decision and secretly contacted the Ji Family’s two younger sons. Thus, a month and a half later, the two little ones from the Ji Family appeared alone at the palace gates.
With the appearance of the two little ones from the Ji Family, the courtiers were in an uproar. They all knew the prowess of the Ji Family army and understood that even though the old General Ji had died, if anyone from the Ji Family appeared to lead the army, whoever sat on that throne wouldn’t find peace.
But that was just one of the reasons.
Another reason was that on the third day after the two little ones from the Ji Family appeared, the emperor did something else behind her back as the empress dowager.
The national treasury was empty, and courtiers’ salaries couldn’t be paid, a fact that was announced directly at the Imperial Court.
The Minister of the Ministry of Revenue was ordered to bring out those promissory notes of debts borrowed over the years by the former emperor and the likes of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong.
An unknown amount of thousands of thousands of silver taels plus gold was owed.
Moreover, the emperor sat on the Dragon Throne and swore to the heavens that whoever could repay these debts and provide additional silver to replenish the national treasury could even have the throne.
The emperor announced he would no longer reign.
As a result, the entire court, civil and military, became a laughingstock.
Later, he unexpectedly summoned two royal relatives with military power and five leisurely princes behind her back.
"With the current state of the empty national treasury, if I give you the throne, can you hold it steady?"
The princes were like startled birds.
"We dare not!"
"Do you not dare? Or do you not want to?"
The Prince of Yi was the first to step forward and offered to return his military power!
The emperor accepted.
Immediately afterward, the Prince Yu, also in a state of trepidation, handed over his military token!
Not yet fourteen, the young emperor said with a serious face.
"The treasury is empty. If a foreign enemy invades, I have no money to pay the soldiers, nor do I have the manpower or resources to gather military provisions!
Uncle Yi, Uncle Yu, what do you think should be done at this time?"
"Your Majesty! The border is stable for now; there should be no wars in the coming years."
The Prince Yu replied.
"Do you truly believe that the border will remain peaceful?
As a young boy on the throne, wouldn’t those desirous of my Great Han’s world be eager to act?
How can they not want a share?"
"Your Majesty!"
The Prince of Yi and the Prince Yu were both shocked. A child not yet fourteen years old actually...
"Prince of Yi, Prince Yu, both of you are royal relatives. If a strong enemy genuinely attacks Great Han, and Great Han is defeated due to an empty treasury, then what about the families and young children in your mansions..."
"Your Majesty..."
The two princes knelt immediately, "Your Majesty, please do not say any more; whatever you wish, tell us, and we shall lay down our lives for you!"
"Uncle Yi, with your words, nephew is content. Indeed, you are truly my dear uncle, and nephew has an unreasonable request. I wish for you to immediately proceed to Xianyu Pass to oversee for our Great Han!"
"I... I am going??"
The Prince of Yi was dumbfounded upon hearing this, thinking that the young emperor might be incited by the Empress Dowager to fear him seizing power and becoming a mortal threat to the mother and son in the future!
Hence, he readily surrendered his military power!
But now...
"Yes, right now. Please, Uncle Yi, help your nephew and protect the poor people of this world!"
The Prince of Yi nodded blankly, mumbling, "But I have no military power. Who will listen to me when I arrive at those hand-guarded troops?"
"Uncle Yi need not worry about this. This is the military order left by the old General Ji. With this order, the former Ji Family army will surely obey commands!"
The Prince of Yi widened his eyes in disbelief, "Where did Your Majesty obtain this... this item!"
"It was brought back by Youze and Youzhi!"
"Your... Your Majesty intends to give it to me?"
The Ji Family army’s token is something all military generals in the court dreamed of!
"Indeed, I give it to you, along with your own military token. Uncle Yi, please take them to Xianyu Pass!"
The Prince of Yi solemnly accepted the Ji Family army’s token, then received his own military token and profoundly kowtowed to the young emperor.