Please, Your Highness, Ascend the Throne

When news of Emperor Xue Ye's death reached the camp, the generals each had their own thoughts.

In truth, most of them were pleased.

After all, most had been won over by "Xue Qinghe" and favored his accession, whether secretly or openly.

Now that Emperor Xue Ye was gone, "Xue Qinghe" would soon ascend the throne. Those who had pledged themselves to him could claim the merit of having backed the new ruler.

But glad as they were, most wore grief and sorrow on their faces. To look at them, every last one was a Loyal Minister.

Once everyone had absorbed the news, Duke Zhao proposed to Jiang Tian, "Marshal, the rebellion has essentially been quelled.

His Majesty treated us with kindness as weighty as a mountain. Since there is no pressing business left, why not leave ten thousand troops to guard the Balak Kingdom and return to the capital?"

Jiang Tian considered it. "Since the border has largely settled down, and His Majesty has... then let us return to the capital!

But as for the commander who stays behind... His Majesty, looking down from the afterlife, would surely want someone he trusted to guard the Balak Kingdom.

Only Prince Xue Xing meets that requirement. He has always excelled at strategy and is a capable commander. Why not have him stay and guard it?

Of course, in fairness, if Prince Xue Xing misses His Majesty and wishes to return to the capital to see him one last time, we would understand.

I wonder, though, whether Prince Xue Xing is willing to guard the Balak Kingdom for the sake of the realm and His Majesty?"

Good heavens. Jiang Mingyang could only stare. That silver tongue!

If he hadn't known Duke Zhao was on "Xue Qinghe's" side, Jiang Mingyang might have believed the duke was devoted to the public good, held His Majesty close to his heart, and was grateful to him.

Tsk. Leave behind ten thousand troops? Even after casualties, that meant they would bring at least seventy thousand back!

Marching seventy thousand troops into the capital at such a critical, delicate moment? Duke Zhao knew what he was doing.

Jiang Mingyang couldn't help feeling he still had much to learn.

And the words of his adoptive father, Jiang Tian, had sounded so ordinary and righteous. But what were they really?

Prince Xue Xing was a staunch supporter of Prince Xue Beng! Having him stay to guard the Balak Kingdom? What an ingenious pretext.

Jiang Tian had filled his speech with righteousness, pressed Xue Xing beneath the weight of the greater good, and even seemed to offer him a considerate choice. His skill was on another level.

Jiang Mingyang knew strength mattered most, but that didn't mean political skill was unimportant. Having it and choosing not to use it were two different things.

Wherever there were people, there was conflict. When no one drew a weapon, this was how they fought.

Prince Xue Xing opened his mouth to speak, but his lips only moved. No words came out.

Xue Xing understood that even if he returned to the Heaven Dou Imperial Capital, Xue Beng's chances of taking the throne were nearly zero.

Worse, his return might make the new emperor wary and turn his anger on Xue Beng. Xue Beng might not even keep his life.

"Xue Qinghe" was known for his mercy, but who knew whether ascending the throne would change him?

If Xue Xing remembered correctly, Emperor Xue Ye had also been known for his mercy before taking the throne. In that case, there was no point in going back.

Having thought it through, Prince Xue Xing nodded slowly and said with tact, "Then I shall guard the Balak Kingdom. I only ask that the Marshal allow me a little latitude..."

Jiang Tian smiled. "His Majesty is merciful. Your Highness knows that."

Prince Xue Xing nodded helplessly and said no more.

Heaven Dou Imperial City, the palace

Qian Renxue sat beside the seat of honor, handling Emperor Xue Ye's funeral arrangements with care and solemnity.

After all, "Xue Qinghe" was a merciful and generous Crown Prince!

As she worked, a faint smile touched her lips. She was in excellent spirits, entirely unaffected by the Balak Kingdom's rebellion.

Without that rebellion drawing the attention of the Heaven Dou Empire's upper ranks, she would not have succeeded so easily.

Suddenly, a guard stationed outside hurried in. "Your Highness, the Grand General, the dukes, and the other generals who were away on campaign are at the door. They wish to report on the Balak Kingdom's rebellion."

Qian Renxue slowly put away her smile. Grand General Jiang Tian and the generals had submitted a formal memorial requesting permission to return and pay their respects to Emperor Xue Ye, so she had known they were coming.

As for their real purpose, everyone understood it without saying a word.

Most of them were on her side, and they had brought an army back with them. At the thought, her mood brightened further. "Let them in."

The guard hurried out to announce them. Before long, the generals entered and bowed together to "Xue Qinghe." "We pay our respects to Your Highness."

"Xue Qinghe" studied their expressions. When she saw Jiang Mingyang bowing too, her smile grew warmer. This feels... rather nice...

Then "Xue Qinghe" smiled and said, "You have rendered great service and endured much in quelling the rebellion. No need for such ceremony. Rise, all of you!"

Once they had risen, "Xue Qinghe" continued, "Ordinarily, we should hold a celebration for this victory.

But my father has passed away. After his burial, the law requires mourning for twenty-seven days, with each day standing for a year. We will postpone the celebration!"

Jiang Tian hastened to say, "His Majesty has passed away. How could we celebrate? Let us dispense with it!"

"Xue Qinghe" smiled. "In that case, I shall grant rewards of money and goods later!"

Jiang Tian quickly nodded. Duke Zhao stepped forward. "Your Highness, a nation cannot go a single day without a ruler. Please ascend the throne soon, to put the people's minds at ease."

"Xue Qinghe" flew into a "rage" and pointed at Duke Zhao. "My father has only just passed away. All I wish to do now is see to his funeral arrangements. Say no more of anything else."

Yet Duke Zhao persisted. "Your Highness, a nation cannot go a single day without a ruler! Please reconsider."

"Xue Qinghe" remained furious and insisted on tending to Emperor Xue Ye's funeral.

Jiang Mingyang had been standing near the front, enjoying the spectacle, when he suddenly saw his adoptive father, Jiang Tian, and the other generals turn toward him. They winked and gestured desperately for him to say something.

It wasn't that the others didn't want to speak. On a matter like this, anyone who did needed standing.

Jiang Mingyang was only a Commandant in the army and would probably have stood in the back rows at court.

But he also held the title of Marquis, which unquestionably gave him a place near the front. And since he had always been close to "Xue Qinghe," he was qualified to offer counsel.

Under all those expectant gazes, Jiang Mingyang braced himself and said slowly, "His Majesty's passing grieves us all. But Your Highness is a son of the imperial line. You should heed Heaven's will and inherit the throne.

A ruler must bear the weight of the Imperial Regalia and stand foremost in the realm. He must rise to heights that touch the sky and preserve peace without end. This is a grave responsibility! Please, Your Highness, ascend the throne!"

When Jiang Mingyang spoke, "Xue Qinghe's" anger seemed to ease. She considered his words seriously, then said with apparent impatience, "Very well. I shall serve as regent for now and ascend the throne after my father's burial!"

The ministers hurriedly bowed. "Your Highness is merciful!"

Most also stole glances at Jiang Mingyang. The upper ranks had known he was close to "Xue Qinghe," but they hadn't realized they were this close. He was not someone to cross...

In the renyin day of the ninth month, the twenty-third year of Chenghua under Emperor Xianzong, Crown Prince Qinghe ascended the throne, proclaimed a general amnesty, and designated the following year the first year of Hongye.

When Emperor Li Qinghe was Crown Prince, he was generous and benevolent and employed the wise and capable. His ministers believed he had the bearing of an enlightened ruler.

But after ascending the throne, he imposed harsh punishments and meted out rewards and penalties without justice. He favored powerful ministers and lavished titles upon them, until treacherous officials held sway.

Mingyang began as a Marquis, high-spirited and accomplished in his youth, and was greatly favored.

When Mingyang saw Emperor Li's disgraceful conduct, he spoke out with loyal candor and was demoted. In fury, he declared, "What sort of Empire is this? Are kings, marquises, generals, and ministers born to their stations?"

So Mingyang cut wood for weapons and raised poles for banners. People gathered like clouds to answer him, carrying their provisions as they followed like shadows, and Heaven Dou fell.

Later generations mourned it but took no warning from it, leaving still later generations to mourn them in turn.

—Jia Yi

On the Fall of Heaven Dou (excerpt)