The Emperor summoned Yu Qian and the other members of the Grand Secretariat, along with Xue Shao and the other senior ministers who strongly advocated reform, and personally ordered the Crown Prince to ascend the throne.
Naturally, members of the imperial clan were also present, for the sake of legitimacy.
Holding the Crown Prince's hand, the Emperor expressed his hopes for reform and set the Ming Dynasty's course of development for the coming years.
With that, the Crown Prince's position was secure. Unless the Imperial Preceptor suddenly leaped out to object, his succession was a certainty.
Looking at his outstanding eldest son, Zhu Qiyu felt unwilling, yet also gratified, as he closed his eyes.
He did not sound out the civil and military officials regarding his posthumous title, nor did he ask his son. He considered himself diligent and conscientious throughout his life. Though he could not compare to his forefathers in lofty ambition and great strategy, he had still expanded the realm, extending the territory effectively controlled by the Ming Dynasty west to Tielian Guti and east to Ezo—doubling the Ming Dynasty's original lands.
He had also brought peace to the people and relief to the world. Over eighteen years, the Ming Dynasty's population had grown by more than twenty-eight million—and that counted only births. If newly registered people were included, the Ming Dynasty had already surpassed one hundred million. But those had been hidden households, and Zhu Qiyu did not consider that his own achievement.
During his eighteen-year reign, he had never executed remonstrating officials or launched literary inquisitions. He considered himself broad-minded, benevolent, and humble...
Even his brother had received the posthumous title "Rui" and the temple name "Ying." He had avenged his brother and accomplished so much besides—how bad could his own posthumous title possibly be?