Chapter 582
Chapter 582
"Your Royal Highness, I believe you misunderstand. It is true that the Crown Prince is the foundation of the state, but that refers to the position itself—a position whose authority must be upheld as the nation's cornerstone. It does not refer to the individual who holds the title. Because the position of Crown Prince is the foundation of the state, the talented, the virtuous, and the wise gather around him. Therefore, the one who occupies this position must possess virtue above all else."
Ning Jì spoke these words only in his mind.
*Isn't Your Majesty's virtue of a similar kind? Why do you demand so much from the Crown Prince alone?*
But upon further reflection, he realized that while King Ning Yuanxian was stern and ungenerous, his virtue was not lacking. After a long moment of thought, Prince Ning Jì spoke.
"In these troubled times, the court must not be shaken. Is it not best to maintain the Crown Prince's authority?"
Ning Yuanxian sighed. Ning Jì was right. With a war that could topple the nation on the horizon, the court needed stability. He had only intended to provoke the Crown Prince slightly, not to replace him. But he had not expected such a fierce reaction from the Crown Prince's faction. A furious wave of condemnation swept over him, as if the entire world was denouncing him.
*As a king and a father, can I not even touch the Crown Prince? Is he still my son?*
The Wanli Emperor had faced a similar situation. He fought with his officials for decades, ultimately failing to change his heir before he died. Prince Ning Jì continued.
"Returning to the matter at hand, it would be best to postpone today's Grand Heavenly Rite. I know the officials wish for Your Majesty to concede, admit fault, and retract your previous edict. But you need not concern yourself with that. Simply issue an edict changing the date of the rite. I will discuss the rest with the Prime Minister."
At that moment, it felt as if a knife had pierced Ning Yuanxian's heart. By arranging a match for Jin Mucong, he had sent a signal that the Zhu Clan's authority would remain secure. It was a sign that even if Crown Prince Ning Yi did not ascend the throne, the Zhu Clan would not fall but stand firm. Jin Mucong was Ning Zheng's direct subordinate; the Zhu Clan could have simply shown goodwill without agreeing to the marriage. Their meeting was not for forging a bond between two people, but a political sounding. In the end, the Zhu Clan had utterly rejected his goodwill. Although Jin Mucong had clearly passed the three challenges set by Zhu Rong, he was swiftly turned away, with no further contact to get to know one another.
In the past, whenever Ning Yuanxian faced an attack, Zhu Hongzhu had always stepped forward to shield him from the storm. But this time, he stood by as if it were no concern of his, letting King Ning Yuanxian face the tempest alone. What was the Prime Minister's duty? He was the monarch's aide, a buffer between the king and his officials. For the Prime Minister to not step in—did that mean the king was expected to personally clash with his officials?
In his time, the Jiajing Emperor, after numerous direct clashes with his officials, had placed a wicked hound named Yan Song on the political stage. He let Yan Song and the officials tear at each other while he watched from on high, playing the role of judge. But Ning Yuanxian could not do the same. The kingdom his ancestors had left him was in no state to endure such turmoil, and he did not have much time left.
So, returning to the present, how was he to resolve this situation? Dark clouds hung heavy in the sky, and thunder rumbled loudly. Should he proceed with the Grand Heavenly Rite? If a downpour began during the ceremony, it would be a true tragedy, and the situation would completely deteriorate. To restore the soldiers' fallen morale, he might truly have to issue a decree admitting his fault. But what if he didn't proceed and postponed the rite? That would mean Ning Yuanxian, the king, was compromising with his officials and admitting defeat. If that happened, the officials would become endlessly greedy, making even more excessive demands. Did they think showing weakness once would bring peace? That was impossible. In a political struggle, to compromise and show weakness was akin to baring your belly and inviting the enemy to stab you.
"Summon Ning Zheng and Shen Lang!"
A short while later, Ning Zheng and Shen Lang entered. Without a word, Ning Zheng immediately knelt. He felt a deep sense of guilt, as if his father was facing this predicament because of him. In truth, this had nothing to do with Ning Zheng. This conflict had been started by the Crown Prince and the Third Prince. The root cause was that when the king had fallen ill, the two of them had engaged in factional strife instead of caring for the bedridden Ning Yuanxian, showing no regard for the king's dignity.
Ning Yuanxian spoke.
"Shen Lang, I trust you. In your view, will the weather clear today? Do you think it will not rain?"
Prince Ning Jì, who was standing beside them, said coldly.
"Shen Lang, answer carefully. Do not cause His Majesty any more trouble."
Prince Ning Jì was implying that Shen Lang was the very culprit behind the king's current predicament. But Ning Yuanxian would not argue with Ning Jì. He was a stern but good man, and such men do not commit truly malicious acts. Shen Lang fell silent for a moment in thought, then answered.
"Your Majesty, I do not know. I cannot be certain."
Shen Lang truly could not be certain. As brilliant as he was, he was not omnipotent; he couldn't know whether it would rain today. King Ning Yuanxian closed his eyes, lost in thought. The decision he was about to make was crucial. If he declared the Grand Heavenly Rite would proceed and a downpour ensued, it would mean the rite had failed. It would signify that Ning Yuanxian had incurred the wrath of Heaven, and he would have to issue a decree to the realm admitting his sins, which would be a fatal blow to his royal authority. On the other hand, announcing a postponement would mean the king was admitting defeat in this struggle. The king gritted his teeth and issued his edict.
"The Grand Heavenly Rite will proceed!"
*If it comes to it, I will simply write the decree admitting my fault.*
* * *
When the king's edict was issued, the officials were momentarily stirred but soon complied. Deep in their hearts, they all began to yearn for a downpour. If that happened, the Grand Heavenly Rite would be a failure, and King Ning Yuanxian's authority would plummet.
"Set forth! Leave the palace!"
As the Head Eunuch Li Sun commanded, a procession of several thousand honor guards departed from the royal palace with great ceremony, heading south along Xuanwu Avenue toward the ancient altar. Hundreds of performers were dressed in various costumes, and hundreds of musicians carried chimes, bells, and other instruments. The civil and military officials followed behind in specially made ceremonial robes. Nangong Ao and the Third Prince, Ning Qi, each leading ten thousand troops, escorted the king from the front and rear to participate in the Grand Heavenly Rite.
* * *
The ancient altar was located southeast of the capital, about nine *li* from the palace. There stood a massive circular altar where sacrifices were made to the ancient gods, the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. It took a full three hours to walk the nine *li* to the altar. When offering sacrifices to Heaven, one had to do so with a sincere heart, so even the king had to walk the distance. The entire procession was therefore solemn and heavy, and even Ning Yuanxian, who rarely prayed in his life, could not help but pray inwardly now.
*Oh, Heaven, please help me. Divine spirits, protect me and let the skies clear!*
But throughout the journey to the altar, the weather did not clear. Instead, the dark clouds grew lower and thicker. Though it was morning and the sky should have been brightening, it grew darker, and the thunderclaps became more startling. The weather was so alarming that the officials were deathly silent. In contrast, the common people along Xuanwu Avenue murmured amongst themselves, saying that Heaven was angry, that this was surely an ominous sign.
The king's thoughts grew darker. In the end, he no longer dared to hope for clear skies, praying only that it would not pour. Performing the rite to Heaven under such dark skies with rolling thunder could not be called a success, but at least it wouldn't be a failure. A downpour, however, would be a true disaster.
* * *
Upon arriving at the ancient altar, everyone took their positions in an orderly fashion. Soon, the bells stopped, and the drums began to sound. The Grand Heavenly Rite had officially begun. The Grand Minister of the Imperial Clan, Ning You, also served as the Master of Rites, presiding over the ceremony.
The first step: to welcome the divine spirits, the king entered the Altar of Heaven through the left gate. He performed a rite at the sacrificial furnace on the middle tier while the "Chapter of Initial Peace" was played. The king knelt before the spirit tablet of the Supreme Heavenly Emperor on the highest tier and offered incense, then offered incense and bowed before the tablets of the past kings. Returning to his ceremonial position, he performed the three kneelings and nine kowtows to the various deities.
The second step was the offering of jade and silk. The king presented jade and silk before the various spirit tablets while the "Chapter of Scenic Peace" was played, then returned to his designated position.
The third step was the presentation of sacrificial vessels. The king presented the sacrificial offerings before the various spirit tablets while the "Chapter of Universal Peace" was played, and again returned to his position.
As tens of thousands of eyes watched, Ning Yuanxian followed the regulations of the heavenly rite without the slightest neglect, his expression solemn and dignified. Inwardly, however, he was endlessly grim. The low rumbling of thunder was growing louder, and the dark clouds had descended extremely low. Though it was early spring, the air was thick with moisture, and he could feel that a downpour was imminent.
*So be it. Oh, Heaven, if you wish to send rain, then do so. What does it matter? I will simply write a decree admitting my sins.*
Inwardly, Ning Yuanxian had abandoned all hope. The officials standing below the altar wore solemn expressions, but in their hearts, they were utterly delighted.
*Oh, Heaven, send down the rain! Send the rain and punish this willful monarch. Make him admit his sins.*
In contrast, the twenty thousand soldiers present were filled with gloom. They were the ones who had to go to the battlefield in the Southern Gull Kingdom. Wouldn't a failed heavenly rite be an ill omen? Did it not mean they would lose the great war, that they would ultimately die on the battlefield?
The Grand Minister of the Imperial Clan, Ning You, frowned. No matter how much he inwardly thought the king was being too willful, he was still a member of the Ning Clan. He could not look favorably upon the officials defying their monarch like this.
*I hope it doesn't pour.*