Volume 2: Soaring! The Overlord of the Region Chapter 352: Choosing the Year of Enthronement
Putting aside the fact that Li Sancai's various threats caused Li Hui to bleed heavily, Li Sancai at least told Li Hui one truth: Wanli was really ready to abdicate.
Let’s go back to February 25th of that year. In Beijing of the Ming Dynasty, after receiving the battle report from Sun Chengzong, Zhu Youdong quickly went to see Wanli.
"Grandpa Emperor, our Ming Dynasty has won the decisive battle in the East China Sea! Now, Mr. Sun has sent troops to Taiwan."
"Okay, okay. In this way, all our ancestral lands will be recovered. If we can build a government or a provincial government in Taiwan, it will be considered as expanding our territory."
"Sun Chen respectfully congratulates Grandfather Emperor! Congratulations to the Ming Dynasty!"
"Hahaha, get up. To be honest, this is all your credit. You have worked hard for state affairs over the years."
"I dare not. It was only with Grandpa Huang's support that I was able to do a little."
After the grandfather and grandson finished their business talk, Wanli waved his hand to let all the palace maids and eunuchs around him withdraw, and then whispered: "What about the red barbarians in Spain?"
"My grandson's idea is to ask them to withdraw from Taiwan Island and hand over five second-class battleships as compensation."
"Is that all?"
"Uh, Grandfather Emperor, do you think your grandson's treatment is too lenient?"
Seeing Wanli's expression of deep agreement, Zhu Youdong took a deep breath and said, "Grandpa Emperor, Spain will definitely be the enemy of our Ming Dynasty in the future. But that is in the future, not now. Now, we still need the Spaniards to help us sell our Ming Dynasty's silk, porcelain, tea, antibiotics and other things to Europe to make a profit."
"Well, Grandpa read in the Yanjing Daily that the Spanish have unified Western Europe. If Spain continues to be at war with our Ming Dynasty, our goods will not be able to go through the Pacific route, and even the Malacca route will be in danger."
"Yes, Grandfather Emperor. And at this time, our war with Siam and the Japanese pirates is still going on. In the short term, as long as Spain can withdraw from this war, we should not over-provoke it."
"...Okay, let's let these red barbarians go for now. But Dong'er, we must teach the Japanese pirates and Siam a lesson this time. Especially Siam, which dared to invade our Ming mainland. We must destroy it, otherwise it will not be enough to deter the villains!"
"Yes, I will obey the Emperor's order. This time, I came to the palace to ask for the Emperor's order. After the control of the sea is restored, our army will launch a full-scale attack. This requires the Emperor's approval."
"I've already told you that all these things are in your hands. Just do them with confidence. In addition, Grandpa wants to abdicate to you in the first half of this year."
"Ah? Grandpa Huang, why are you suddenly talking about this?"
"Why are you talking about this all of a sudden? Didn't grandpa tell you when you were regent that he would abdicate to you after your wedding? Of course, it's been a while since your wedding. The reason why grandpa didn't mention it is because grandpa is waiting for this great victory. It is grandpa ."
"Yes, grandson, I am sorry that this victory came a little late and made Grandpa wait for a long time."
"Hahaha, not too long." Wanli patted Zhu Youdong on the shoulder and said, "My dear grandson, you have done a great job. During the years when you were regent, the national finances, which had been losing money since the Jiajing period, were finally completely reversed during the Wanli period. The Yellow Book Library, which had been gradually out of control since the Xuande period, was completely rebuilt during the Wanli period, and the foundation of the country was rebuilt. Since the Tumu Incident, the situation where the nobles and generals were getting weaker day by day and the civil officials were more powerful was completely changed during the Wanli period, the status of the military was improved, and the national military was strong. Following the three major expeditions, there was another battle to eliminate the Jianzhou Jurchens, Zunhua severely damaged Mongolia, and the great victory in the decisive battle of the East China Sea... All these happened during the Wanli period. Hahaha, grandpa no longer has to worry about his reputation after his death!"
After saying this, Wanli looked at Zhu Youdong with a sharp gaze and said, "How about you ascend the throne this year?"
Seeing that Zhu Youdong was still a little hesitant, Wanli said, "You are eighteen years old this year. At your age, your grandfather has been the emperor for almost nine years. Going up, who of the Shimiao and Wumiao ascended the throne at a younger age than you are now? Not to mention, you have been the regent for so many years, and the civil and military officials in the court have long been accustomed to your leadership.
Moreover, according to what Grandfather Emperor has heard, your Liu and You are both pregnant? Oh, it is just as you said, women who have not bound their feet are physically stronger and can give birth to more children... Hahaha, why are you shy? This is a good thing!"
After saying this, Wanli was a little sad: "But, I hope you can take good care of your children and grandchildren in the future, and don't start a dispute over the foundation of the country like grandpa did."
Alas, if this competition among time travelers really lasts for a hundred years, I am afraid that my son will set a new record for becoming the crown prince. This is really not a good thing.
However, even though he thought so in his heart, Zhu Youdong still nodded honestly: "Yes, grandson will remember the teachings of Grandpa Huang."
"Well, you see, you are old enough, you have practical experience in governing a country, and you will soon have an heir. What are you worried about?"
"…Grandpa, as a member of the royal family, if you say you don't want to be the emperor, that would be a lie. It would be even more false for your grandson to say he has no desire for the throne after serving as regent for so many years. It's just that when I think of your grandson's ascension to the throne, it means your aging, and I feel a little sad."
"Hey, you really don't need to be sad." Wanli waved his hand casually and said with a smile: "During the years when you were the regent, grandpa lived very comfortably. My health is much better than before. When I really abdicate to you, grandpa will become the Grand Emperor, and the etiquette and other things will not be able to control me. I will leave this Forbidden City and travel around the Ming Dynasty. Then you will know that being an emperor is really the most difficult job in the world."
"...Well, since Grandpa Emperor has said so much, it would be hypocritical for me to not agree. In this case, I, Zhu Youdong, am willing to take over the position of Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. I will protect the foundation of our ancestors and the hundreds of millions of people of the Ming Dynasty. I will make the prestige of the Ming Dynasty known to the world."
"Okay, I will ask the Grand Master to come over and formally handle this matter."
…
"I congratulate the Crown Prince."
"Hey, this matter makes me feel very complicated right now."
"Hahahaha, when Your Highness becomes His Majesty in the future, your heart will naturally be at peace."
Finally becoming the emperor's teacher, the usually calm Wen Tiren couldn't hold back his inner joy and made a small joke. Then he poked Fang Congzhe next to him. Fang Congzhe understood and handed a watch to Zhu Youdong.
"Your Highness, according to the custom of our dynasty, before the new emperor ascends the throne, the then-in-charge elders will draft several reign titles for selection. Now, I and Elder Wen have finished drafting the reign title, please make your decision, Your Highness."
After receiving the list, Zhu Youdong opened it and saw: Taichang, Qiansheng, Xingfu, Chongzhen...
"Chi~"
"Why are you laughing, Your Highness? Is it because we did something wrong?"
"No, no, I was rude. Please don't blame me, Lords."
How can I not laugh?
It is said that in the historical plane, the reign title Chongzhen had been a candidate since Zhu Changluo ascended the throne, but Zhu Changluo did not choose it, and Zhu Youxiao did not choose it either. It was not until Zhu Youjian ascended the throne that this reign title, which had been selected for almost eight years, was finally used. And then...
Well, of the four reign titles now, Taichang is definitely not an option. It's a bad omen. Qiansheng? That's too big a name. Xingfu? Why does it feel so rustic? As for Chongzhen, well, that's an even worse omen. If I use this reign title, I always feel like I'll be forced to hang myself by the twins in Spain in the future...
After thinking about it, a reign title suddenly popped up in Zhu Youxiao's mind, and then he quickly felt that he should choose this reign title.
"My two ministers, can I choose a new era name on my own, other than the four new era names?"
"Of course you can. After all, this reign title will accompany Your Highness for the rest of his life."
"Okay, Guyi, the new era name can be 'Apocalypse'."
I'm sorry, my brother. Not only did I, your time traveler brother, steal your throne, but I also stole your reign title. But don't worry, I, no, I will definitely make this reign title shine and truly live up to its name!
