Jiang Bin was the direct murderer of Zhu Houzhao, the Ming Wuzong. Therefore, after killing Jiang Bin, Zhu Houzhao wanted to offer sacrifices to his ancestors and tell Zhu Houzhao that he had already avenged him.
Under the arrangements of the Minister of Personnel, Mao Cheng, the ritual was carried out in an orderly manner.
As the new ruler of the Ming Empire, Zhu Houjin's every step and every movement was just right. He displayed his calmness and dominance as the emperor of the Ming Empire at all times.
The various officials in the court followed behind Zhu Houjiu to offer sacrifices to their ancestors. Seeing Zhu Houjiu's every move, the officials felt that Zhu Houjiu had the demeanor of an emperor.
Yes, ever since he defeated Jiang Bin, this youth in front of him was the well-deserved emperor of Great Ming.
From then on, no one dared to question Zhu Houjin's identity as the new ruler.
At this moment, Yang Tinghe, as an elder of the four dynasties and the chief assistant of the cabinet during the Zhengde period, was attending the ancestral worship ceremony with Zhu Houyi.
Yang Tinghe didn't show off his might. Instead, he respectfully followed behind the 15-year-old youth and bowed, completing all the etiquette stipulated by the Ministry of Rites.
"Hmm? Wait, what is this?"
When Zhu Houjiu was offering incense to Zhu Houzhao's ranking, he was shocked to find that Zhu Houzhao's ranking wasn't " late emperor ", but " late emperor father ".
Even though it was only a word difference, Zhu Houjin was still able to notice it with his sharp senses. Although it was just a word, the meaning it represented was very different.
"Where is Mao Cheng?"
"Emperor, this humble subject is here!"
"What's going on with the memorial tablet of the late emperor?”
"Oh, Emperor! Because the emperor was paying respects to his ancestors, he should use the title of 'former emperor' to conform to the etiquette of the palace!”
"I'm not asking you about the 'late emperor', I'm asking you about the' late imperial father'. Emperor Wu Zong, Zhu Houzhao, is my cousin in terms of seniority. However, now that he wrote 'late father father', wouldn't that make Emperor Wu Zong my father?”
"This…The Emperor is the son of a vassal king entering the palace. In order to smoothly welcome the throne, he naturally has to inherit the throne as the former crown prince. This…is not inappropriate!”
"Ridiculous!"
Hearing Mao Cheng's words, Zhu Houjin immediately flung his sleeves and scolded Mao Cheng.
This Zhu Houzhao's father was the Great Ming Xingxian King. When did he become the Ming Wu Zong, Zhu Houzhao? Who made the rule that the emperor had to change his father? Wasn't this an insult?
Although Zhu Houzhao was scolding Mao Cheng, he knew very well in his heart that Mao Cheng, a mere Minister of Rites, would not have the guts to add the words "late father" to Zhu Houzhao.
The only person who would have the guts to do this was probably the crafty and cold-eyed Chief Assistant Yang Tinghe.
Zhu Houyou understood that Yang Tinghe was trying to use etiquette to suppress him again.
The conflict of etiquette was fake, and the conflict of biological fathers was fake. In fact, this was still a power struggle between Zhu Houzhi and Yang Tinghe.
"Emperor, this…according to etiquette, this should be the case!”
"Humph! Mao Cheng, I am also familiar with the history of the Ming Dynasty. I don't understand where such etiquette existed in the past. Are you courting death by changing the former emperor's name today?”
"Emperor, this lowly subject doesn't dare!"
After Mao Cheng heard Zhu Houjiu's anger, he immediately knelt down in front of Zhu Houjiu and begged for mercy.
Yang Tinghe, who was watching from the side, sighed. He thought to himself, Mao Cheng, the Minister of Rites, is no match for the little Emperor Zhu Houjin. It seems that I have to step in myself.
"Your Majesty!"
Yang Tinghe's tone was very calm as he said,""The emperor is the son of a vassal king entering the palace. The situation is special. If we don't do this, the emperor's title as emperor will not be justified and will be laughed at by the world!”
"Hehe, Lord Yang, who said that?”
"Since ancient times, the son has inherited his father's legacy, and the elder brother has passed on to the younger brother. Back in the Great Han Dynasty, wasn't Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty also a vassal king who entered the palace?" Zhu Houyi said calmly. Why hadn't he heard him address Emperor Hui as father?”
"Emperor, Emperor Wen of the Han Dynasty is the son of Emperor Gaozu of the Han Dynasty, so of course he doesn't need Emperor Hui as his father. However, the Emperor's bloodline was far inferior to Emperor Wu Zong's, so he had no choice but to do so!”
Yang Tinghe was born a lucky man, and his ability to argue was definitely first-class in the court. At this moment, Yang Tinghe was using the classics to discuss the reason for his actions. In his opinion, Zhu Houzhi would definitely not be able to argue with him.
"Alright, Lord Yang, there's no need to say anymore!”
Before Yang Tinghe could finish speaking, Zhu Houjian waved his hand and interrupted him. Yang Tinghe was suddenly interrupted by Zhu Houyi. He was unable to say anything and was instantly enraged.
"No matter what, I absolutely cannot acknowledge Emperor Wuzong as my father! Leave this matter to the cabinet and the Ministry of Rites to discuss again. After you have discussed it, report it to me!”
"This…Your Majesty, if we don't do this, then today's ancestral worship ceremony won't be completed!”
"Hehe, why isn't it completed? I have already prayed to cousin, saying that I have helped him take revenge. Then today's ancestral worship ceremony is over!”
"Mao Cheng, today's ceremony ends here. You can dismiss the officials!”
"This…is, Your Majesty!"
Yang Tinghe was about to give Zhu Houjiu a long speech, but Zhu Houjiu waved his hand and walked out, not giving Yang Tinghe a chance to speak.
Yang Tinghe narrowed his eyes as he watched Zhu Houjiu's departing figure. His eyes emitted a trace of coldness.
Ha, this little Emperor was indeed dishonest!
You've just defeated Jiang Bin, and now you want to fight me, Yang Tinghe?
Although Yang Tinghe understood that Zhu Houzhi was not an ordinary person, after the recent ancestral worship ceremony, Yang Tinghe suddenly felt that this kid was more powerful than he had expected.
Back when Yang Tinghe was watching from the sidelines and letting Zhu Houjin and Jiang Bin fight amongst themselves, he did not think that the little Emperor was so powerful. However, after fighting with the little Emperor for the first time today, Yang Tinghe realized that the little Emperor's methods and shrewdness were not inferior to his.
"Humph!"
Yang Tinghe smiled coldly. Although he felt threatened by Zhu Houyou, he still scoffed at Zhu Houyou's methods.
Seeing the Emperor leave with the officials, Mao Cheng was at a loss, so he could only ask Yang Tinghe for advice.
"Lord Yang, this……should we listen to the Emperor? Are we really going to discuss the relationship between the emperor and the late emperor again? This…"
"Pa!"
Before Mao Cheng could finish his sentence, Yang Tinghe slapped him across the face.
"Trash! You can't even argue with a 15-year-old child, and you want me to do it personally? I'll see if you want to quit your job as the Minister of Rites!”
Yang Tinghe scolded Mao Cheng harshly before leaving with his subordinates.
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