klisemfg Chapter 526 This is your responsibility
Chapter 526 This is your responsibility
Luo Qing was taken aback, wondering why His Majesty had suddenly asked such a question, and carefully considered his words before answering.
"The throne...is supreme and carries great responsibility, concerning the well-being of all people. Only those with great wisdom and perseverance can occupy it."
“Well said.” Zhao Haoxuan turned around, looking at him intently. “Then are you willing to take on this responsibility?”
"What? Your Majesty...?" Luo Qing was struck dumb, looking up abruptly, unable to believe his ears.
"Your Majesty... what... what do you mean? Although my father is the biological son of my grandfather, I would never have such improper thoughts!"
Zhao Haoxuan smiled, his tone tinged with relief: "I was not testing you. Xin Yao, my grandfather, my great-aunt, and I will soon be traveling to another planet to deal with the matter of 'Zhao Yucheng'."
The date of his departure is uncertain.
This great Xia empire needs a wise ruler to protect it. You have the blood of the Zhao family flowing in your veins, a pure and kind heart, and I have known you since childhood. You also possess the qualities of a benevolent ruler.
More importantly, you are young, energetic, and not deeply entangled with the various factions in the court, making you the best candidate to implement new policies and lead the Great Xia to greater prosperity.
Luo Qing was completely dumbfounded.
The throne? He had never even considered it!
His biggest dream was simply to be a rich and leisurely prince, admired by Ouyang Ping!
"But... Your Majesty, I am young and inexperienced, and lack prestige. How can I win over the people? My second brother..." Luo Qing frantically tried to find a reason.
"My second brother's ambitions lie elsewhere; forcing him will only bring trouble. As for prestige," Zhao Haoxuan's gaze sharpened, "I have already paved the way for you. My grandfather has also met my uncle."
Tomorrow, I will hold the abdication ceremony to announce it to the world. With the support of myself, the Empress Dowager, and my uncle, who dares to disobey?
Just then, the study door was pushed open, and Zhao Shun, Madam Yu, and Wang Xinyao walked in.
They had just overheard the conversation outside the door.
Zhao Shun looked at the panicked Luo Qing, then at the calm Zhao Haoxuan, sighed, and said to Luo Qing, "Qing'er, what Xuan'er said is also a decision made after careful consideration by your grandfather and grandmother."
I will speak to your father, Luo Zheng. You are a good child; we are at ease entrusting this empire to you.
The Great Xia needs a ruler who can protect it for a long time, not cultivators like Xuan'er and us who are concerned with a wider world.
"That's right. Brother Zhao is the reincarnation of a Celestial Emperor. After things are settled in the mortal realm, he will take over the three realms of humans, demons, and immortals."
"And I will be the Empress in the future. There is no question of you and Sister Ping'er taking our Emperor and Empress's positions." Wang Xinyao raised her chin.
She thought about how she had never even sat in the position of Crown Princess before being directly promoted to Empress.
She didn't stay in the position of empress for long before leaving the palace.
No, it should be said that he left the Xia Kingdom, left his two children who are still in the Miao Kingdom, and returned to Earth!
Once the 'Scorpio' matter is resolved, she is determined to remain in the position of Cassiopeia for hundreds of years.
Lady Yu said softly, "Qing'er, don't be afraid. With the solid foundation laid by your imperial brother, and with us supporting you from behind."
With loyal ministers in the court assisting you, you will surely succeed. This is your responsibility, the mission bestowed upon you by the bloodline of the Zhao family.”
Looking at everyone's trusting gazes, Luo Qing felt the words of refusal stuck in her throat, but she couldn't say them.
The memorials I've seen over the past nine days concern various issues such as the people's hardships, border defense, and national development.
An unprecedented sense of responsibility quietly weighed on his shoulders.
The panic on his face gradually faded, replaced by an extreme solemnity.
After a long silence, he took a deep breath, lifted his robe, and solemnly knelt down.
“Brother,” he raised his head, his gaze clear and resolute, “if this is the final decision…”
"Your Majesty, I am willing to accept this vast empire, but please grant me one unreasonable request first!"
If he agrees, Luo Qing will dedicate his life to protecting the Great Xia Dynasty and living up to the trust placed in him by the people!
If I do not agree…forgive me, but I would rather suffer the punishment of disobeying an imperial decree than accept this vast empire!
These words even slightly moved Zhao Haoxuan.
The study was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
"Oh?" Zhao Haoxuan leaned down: "What are your conditions? Please speak freely."
"I beg Your Majesty, before you depart, please establish a 'Royal Code' for our Great Xia."
Luo Qing continued, "No prince may kill each other, otherwise they will lose their right to inherit the throne."
At the same time, it states that "abdication to the virtuous and capable is superior to succession by the son after the father's death."
If, in the future, my descendants, Luo Qing, are foolish and incompetent, there should be a law to follow, and they should emulate this action and abdicate the throne to the virtuous and wise of the world!
Only by taking this action can the Great Xia dynasty be preserved, protected from the calamities of a tyrant, and ensure lasting peace and prosperity for all generations!
Upon hearing this, Wang Xinyao couldn't help but look at Luo Qing with newfound respect.
"Okay, I promise you."
“In that case,” Luo Qing kowtowed heavily, his voice trembling but exceptionally firm, “Luo Qing will obey the holy decree! He will certainly not fail the trust placed in him by the people!”
The following day, in the Golden Hall, civil and military officials stood solemnly according to their rank, creating a dignified atmosphere.
Wang Xinyao and Zhao Haoxuan sat side by side on the dragon throne.
Zhao Haoxuan gestured: "Pass on the decree."
"As you command—" Xiao Xizi's high-pitched yet clear voice broke the silence in the hall.
Holding the bright yellow imperial edict, he bowed and unfurled the scroll, each word resounding with conviction.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that Princess Zhao Meier, possessing both virtue and beauty, is hereby betrothed to General Zhou Yunxi, the Grand General Who Protects the Nation."
General Zhou is a brave and skilled warrior, a pillar of the nation, and has rendered outstanding service. The two are a perfect match; therefore, an auspicious day is chosen for their marriage. This is the imperial decree.
As soon as he finished speaking, all the officials in the hall turned their gazes to Zhou Yunxi, who was among the military officers.
"Your subject Zhou Yunxi accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude!" His body trembled, and he strode forward, kneeling on one knee, his eyes filled with undisguised ecstasy.
Finally, he was able to marry the woman he loved.
Without pausing, Xiao Xizi continued with the second imperial edict: "I hereby decree: Princess Zhao Yuwei, intelligent and quick-witted, gentle and kind, is betrothed to General Xie Xiaogang."
General Xie's loyalty and bravery are commendable. Now that they are a perfect match, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau is hereby ordered to select an auspicious day for their marriage. This is the imperial decree.
Xie Xiaogang, a burly man, stepped forward upon hearing the decree, knelt down, and accepted it: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great favor!"
The atmosphere inside the hall grew increasingly lively, with everyone offering their congratulations to the two newly appointed officials.
Xiao Xizi cleared his throat and read out the third imperial decree: "Xie Dahua is hereby granted the title of Princess Chaoyang, bestowed with a ceremonial robe and golden crown, and appointed as the Vice President of the Imperial Medical Academy."
Xie Dahua possesses superb medical skills, practices medicine with remarkable efficacy, and is hereby commended. It is hoped that she will continue to fulfill her duties and benefit all people. This is hereby decreed.
The officials were inevitably surprised when this decree was issued.
It is extremely rare for a woman to be appointed as the vice president of the Imperial Medical Academy, especially since she is only a fifteen-year-old girl.
Xie Dahua, dressed in the robes of an imperial physician, stepped forward calmly: "Your subject, Xie Dahua, accepts the imperial decree and expresses her gratitude. I will certainly not fail Your Majesty and the Empress."
"Xie Erhua is hereby granted the title of Princess Chaohua, and Xie Xiaohua is hereby granted the title of Princess Chaoping."
Xiao Xizi's voice remained clear and bright: "The two are of pure character, respectful and polite. They are hereby awarded one hundred bolts of silk and a number of jewels. So be it."
The two little girls stepped forward side by side, bowed their heads and knelt down, replying in their clear voices, "Thank you, Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress. Your humble servants accept the imperial decree and express our gratitude."
Finally, Xiao Xizi raised his voice and read out the final imperial edict, the bright yellow edict gleaming softly in the morning light.
"I hereby confer upon Xie Baihong the title of Marquis, bestow upon him the rank of 'Marquis Xie Ping,' and award him 50,000 taels of silver and 100 mu of fertile land. This is the imperial decree!"
Upon hearing this, Xie Baihong's body trembled slightly.
He was just a farmer, with no cultivation and no contribution to the court. What merit did he have to be granted the title of Marquis?
I suppose this is all because of Xin Yao.
Out of compassion, he told the villagers the truth about Wang Xinyao's engagement to Xie Aniu, changing her status from daughter-in-law to daughter.
Unexpectedly, he was rewarded with the title of Marquis!
Xie Baihong trembled slightly with excitement. He stepped forward, knelt down, and kowtowed, his voice choked with emotion: "This humble subject, Xie Baihong, kowtows to thank His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress for their grace!"
Immediately afterwards, the imperial will was proclaimed again—
Xie Zhengyi, Xie Dagang, Xie Daxiong, Xie Erxiong, and other villagers who made outstanding contributions to the establishment of the mushroom cultivation, salt field construction, and paper mill in Xiejia Village were all solemnly rewarded.
Xie Zhengyi was promoted to a noble title and granted the title "Marquis Xie Xi," receiving the same rewards as Xie Baihong.
Xie Zhengyi's fingertips trembled as he looked at the Holy Son in his hands. From now on, he would no longer be just a peasant.
With the title of Marquis, Xiao Gang, who was already a general, was no longer worlds apart from marrying a princess.
Xie Dagang also obtained a title in the Ministry of Works, which allowed him to enter the ranks of the imperial court;
The Xie brothers were also highly valued and appointed as local agricultural commissioners, in charge of supervising important agricultural and sericultural affairs.
After the imperial edicts were read aloud, Xiao Xizi bowed and retreated to the side of the hall.
Inside the hall, all the officials bowed in unison, their voices resounding throughout the world: "Your Majesty is wise! Long live the Emperor!"