After he knelt down, Yuan Feng straightened up and took out a roll of yellow silk from his sleeve.
This is the will.
Emperor Yuanxing knew that his health was poor, so he established a crown prince early on and left a will.
He probably never imagined that he would suddenly pass away when the crown prince was only twelve years old.
"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:... The Crown Prince Bian is endowed with benevolence and filial piety, and is fit to succeed to the throne... This proclamation is made known throughout the realm!"
Yuan Feng read the imperial edict aloud, then placed it in Li Bian.
The roll of yellow silk was very light, but Li Bian felt as if he were holding a mountain, and his hands trembled uncontrollably.
Suddenly, a pair of aged hands gently patted the back of his hand, as if giving him some kind of strength.
Li Bian subconsciously looked up and saw Yuan Feng's wrinkled face.
Yuan Feng smiled gently at him and nodded slightly, "Your Highness, you should rise and face the officials."
Li Bian felt somewhat relieved, and his hands stopped trembling. He slowly rose, took the imperial edict, and turned to face the officials.
Yuan Feng led the way by kneeling down. "Your subjects pay their respects to Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects!"
Hundreds of officials echoed in unison, their voices reverberating within the hall, causing the white silk ribbons inside to sway gently.
"Your Majesty, we, your humble servants, pay our respects—"
Outside the main hall, sounds surged in like waves.
Li Bian looked up and saw a scene of pure white, with everyone kneeling.
He felt as if he were enveloped by a white ocean, and with just a flick of his finger, this ocean would flow according to his will, even stirring up towering waves!
Being in the center of this ocean's eddies feels like being at the center of heaven and earth.
This feeling is enough to dazzle anyone!
Li Bian's eyes, which had been filled with trepidation, fear, and sadness, now held a hint of excitement.
After the enthronement ceremony before the spirit tablet, a lengthy ritual ensued: sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, an announcement to the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and the receipt of the imperial seal and ribbon...
As for the new emperor's coronation ceremony and the change of era name, those will have to wait until after the funeral.
One procedure after another, Li Bian was constantly pushed forward, doing as instructed by the official in charge of rites and Yuan Feng, like a puppet on strings.
After all the procedures were completed, Li Bian sat on the dragon throne, and the courtiers kowtowed and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"
This time, looking at the dense crowd in front of him, he only felt tired and lost.
On this day, the new emperor of the Wu Dynasty Wu Dynasty turned a new page in its history.
After the ceremony, Yuan Feng returned to his residence in a sedan chair.
As soon as he returned to the manor, the steward handed him three visiting cards.
One copy belonged to the Cui Clan family, one to the Lu Clan family, and one to the Xiang Clan.
The dates on the visiting cards were consistent, indicating that the three parties had agreed to visit Grand Tutor Yuan at the same time.
Yuan, Cui, Lu, and Xiang were collectively known as the Four Great Aristocratic Clans of the land.
The Yuan Clan was known as the leading aristocratic family in the country, producing nearly two hundred Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations)!
The Yuan Clan has always held the strongest influence and voice in the imperial court, and therefore has always been the head of the Four Great Aristocratic Clans.
The Cui Clan had a close relationship with the royal family and shared in the glory of the country, which goes without saying.
The Lu Clan of Jiangnan was the most powerful aristocratic family in Jiangnan, deeply rooted in the Jiangnan Circuit and practically controlling everything!
More than half of the grain transported Wu Dynasty came from Jiangnan Circuit. In addition, the finest silk, tea, and porcelain were also produced in Jiangnan Circuit.
The capital was the political center of the Wu Dynasty Wu Dynasty, while Jiangnan Circuit was its economic center.
Therefore, the Lu Clan of Jiangnan is considered to be the wealthiest family in the land!
The last of the Xiang Clan remained entrenched in Guanzhong, consistently holding military power. Although their reputation among the gentry was far inferior to that of the Yuan and Lu families, and their relationship with the imperial family was not as close as that of the Cui Clan, they were also less influential in the court than the other three clans.
However, for more than two hundred years, the Xiang Clan had been guarding the country's borders and defending the frontier, achieving great military exploits and becoming regional warlords.
Now, the Xiang Clan has produced an invincible "Hegemon-King," whose influence has even surpassed that of the Yuan Clan at one point!
A new emperor ascends the throne, but the country is in turmoil due to the young ruler.
At this time, the Four Great Aristocratic Clans, who were the backbone of the Wu Dynasty, naturally had to secretly communicate with each other.
"Reply to them that I will be waiting for them at my residence tonight."
Yuan Feng said to the butler.
That evening, the Cui Clan, Lu Clan, and Xiang Clan all sent people to visit Yuan Feng.
Outsiders have no way of knowing what the Four Great Aristocratic Clans talked about that night, but some changes that truly influenced the fate of the Wu Dynasty began that night.
"Father."
After the representatives of the three valves left, Yuan Shu entered the room and bowed to Yuan Feng.
He certainly has the right to know about tonight's conversation.
"The Cui Clan family is focused on stability and is willing to join forces with the Yuan Clan to consolidate the court."
Yuan Feng glanced at his eldest son and stated his conclusion directly.
Yuan Shu was not surprised by this. The new emperor was born to Empress Cui Clan, and no one wanted the current emperor to grow up steadily and gradually take over power more than Cui Clan.
As long as they can wait peacefully until the new emperor truly takes power, the Cui Clan will be the biggest winner!
"Lu Clan is unwilling to accept this situation and probably wants a change."
Yuan Feng continued.
Yuan Shu's expression changed slightly upon hearing this.
The Yuan Clan was the leading aristocratic family in the country, while the Lu Clan was the leading aristocratic family in Jiangnan. The two families had always been secretly vying for power. The Lu Clan had always wanted to replace the Yuan Clan and become the new leading aristocratic family in the country.
At this time, the Lu Clan wanted to make a change, and what they wanted to change was their own status and reputation!
However, Yuan Feng remained calm and said indifferently, "As long as I am here, the Lu Clan will not be able to turn the world upside down."
Upon hearing this, Yuan Shu felt relieved. "Father, what did the Xiang Clan family say?"
Yuan Feng remained silent for a long while, then shook his head slightly, saying with a hint of sarcasm, "The Xiang Clan family has spoken the least from beginning to end, only Xiang Clan they have guarded the borders of the country for two hundred years with unwavering loyalty. Whoever the new ruler is, the Xiang Clan will be loyal to him."
"This..."
Yuan Shu frowned.
Such words are perfectly acceptable in public, but for the Four Great Aristocratic Clans to discuss matters behind closed doors, for the Xiang Clan to say such things makes it seem somewhat insincere.
"Has Xu Jing's matter been settled?"
Yuan Feng suddenly asked.
Yuan Shu was taken aback. They had just been discussing national and international affairs, and suddenly the conversation turned to a minor county magistrate. This sudden change caught him off guard.
"The review has been approved, and Xu Jing's appointment has been sent to Jiannan Circuit."
Yuan Shu said, "I will also send someone to Jiannan Circuit to inquire about Xu Jing and the Yi Province Militia."
Yuan Feng nodded. "From now on, you should interact more with the Xu Family."
Yuan Shu seemed somewhat unwilling upon hearing this, and pursed his lips without saying a word.
The Xu Family was a military family, but it had already declined. For me, the young master of the prestigious Yuan Clan, to personally befriend such Lineage would be too beneath me!
It's more likely that the other party will take the initiative to curry favor with you.
Yuan Feng glanced at his son, naturally understanding the other's ulterior motives, and said coldly:
"Times have changed. Once the world descends into chaos, holding military power is the most important thing!"
These words were almost blatant, and the implications were truly alarming!
Yuan Shu suddenly looked up at his father:
"Father, what if...?"
Why do you think I sent your elder brother to the Shanbei Army?
Yuan Feng interrupted the other party, "Besides needing the Shanbei Army to restrain Dong Zhuo in the future, we also need your brother to hold a certain amount of military power in the Shanbei Army on behalf of the Yuan Clan!"
Yuan Shu opened his mouth; he wasn't stupid, and he already understood his father's meaning.
Encouraging him to befriend the Xu Family was naturally also for the sake of the Xu Family's business operations in Yi Province.
That Yi Province Militia was able to defeat the Mount Liang army, so their fighting strength must be considerable. They could be used by the Yuan Clan in the future!
"I understand."
Yuan Shu nodded.
Yuan Feng waved wearily, signaling him to leave.
After Yuan Shu left, only Yuan Feng remained in the room. The old man sat in a chair, leaning on his cane, and remained motionless.
When the political situation was stable, the Yuan Clan naturally became the head of the Four Great Aristocratic Clans and was difficult to shake.
But if a chaotic era truly arrives, the Xiang Clan, which holds the most military power, will become the most powerful family!
Moreover, the Xiang Clan has now produced a "Hegemon-King," who, at less than thirty years old, has almost gained the reputation of being the number one person in the world!
With over two hundred years of accumulated military strength and a Xiang Clan who is the most powerful in the land, how could the Xiang family not have ambitions?
Yuan Feng was the first to disbelieve it!
Tonight's conversation among the Four Great Aristocratic Clans seemed to involve him mostly talking to the Cui Clan and Lu Clan, but in reality, he was most concerned about the Xiang Clan's representative.
The other party's words were impeccable, but Yuan Feng already sensed danger.
That's why he, as the head of all officials, cared so much about a mere county magistrate in Jiannan Circuit.
The Yuan Clan must plan ahead for the future.
Yuan Feng slowly stood up from his chair, walked to the door of the room, suddenly stopped, and slammed his cane heavily on the ground twice.
He looked up at the distant night sky, his gaze deep, and murmured to himself:
"I have done my best in this life."
The forty-third day after Xu Rong was killed.
Rong Province.
On the plains outside the east gate of Rong Province City, several thousand men and horses gathered together.
These people came from local Militia Private, village militias, and retainers of local powerful families throughout Rong Province, as well as some tenant farmers in Rong Province City, totaling more than 4,700 people.
This is the Rong Province Militia established by Wu Shuangren.
Compared to the Yi Province Militia, the Rong Province Militia had a much smaller initial membership.
Firstly, Rong Province had just experienced the ravages of war, resulting in the deaths of many young men and women. Moreover, many people had witnessed the cruelty of war firsthand and were unwilling to serve in the military again.
Secondly, with the threat of external enemies no longer present, the enthusiasm of various regions to send people to join the Rong Province Militia is not as high.
Wu Shuangren did not insist on this. As long as the Rong Province Militia was established, he was not worried about the future source of soldiers.
Once everyone had arrived, he divided the Rong Province Militia into five ranks and five levels, following the same organizational structure as the Yi Province Militia.
Wu Shuangren divided the more than 4,700 people into five battalions, none of which were at full strength, and the rest were to be deployed later.
All the battalion commanders and deputy battalion commanders were locals from Rong Province, and were all from the previous two Rong Province Battalion.
Huang Cheng became the battalion commander of the First Battalion of the Rong Province Militia. He was the first to swear allegiance to Wu Shuangren and was also the most proactive, so he became Wu Shuangren's representative in Rong Province, which made others envious.
Wu Shuangren selected some of the battalion commanders, company commanders, and captains from the Yi Province Militia to serve as the commanders of the five battalions of the Rong Province Militia.
It wasn't just about seizing power; it was also about getting the Rong Province Militia training up and running so they could quickly become combat-ready.
On this day, Wu Shuangren personally completed the conferment of ranks to the Rong Province Militia, a task that lasted until noon.
Suddenly, a fast horse galloped out of the city.