The rites for an emperor's death were exceedingly cumbersome.
Even with Great Zhou engulfed in war, the rituals could not be omitted. On this matter, even the remnant soul of Benevolent Sovereign Ji Long hiding within the Nation-Suppressing Qiankun Seal could do nothing.
In the end, Prime Minister Wen Gang led the assembled ministers in submitting three memorials, appealing to reason and emotion alike. The new emperor, Ji Ao, finally issued an edict: the funeral rites would be simplified; the ministers would mourn for three days, while Ji Ao would observe mourning for twenty-seven days.
There was also a small interlude during this time.
In the name of filial piety, Ji Ao attempted to summon Fourth Prince Ji Yuan and Seventh Prince Ji He to attend the funeral, intending to seize them in one stroke.
Unfortunately, neither of them was easy to deal with, and both had powerful figures at their sides. Instead, they cursed Ji Ao for being wolf-hearted and dog-lunged—he had assassinated Imperial Father, yet still sought to lure them to their deaths in Imperial Father's name.
Ji Ao could do nothing about it. He had merely wanted to test the waters, never expecting such a fierce reaction from the two.
In the blink of an eye, four months had passed.
After four months, Great Zhou's court situation had more or less stabilized. For the moment, Great Zhou itself had also settled into a semblance of stability.
Great Zhou had effectively split apart completely.
The first to openly raise his banner was Prince Li Ji Yuan. Declaring that Great Zhou's legitimate line rested with him, he elevated himself to Regent Prince, raised the banner of Great Zhou, and called for a campaign against Ji Ao, who had murdered both his sovereign and father. He also sent proclamations to