HLnovel Chapter 364 The Crown Prince
Chapter 364 The Crown Prince
"You don't want to touch them?"
Emperor Shenzong looked at Han Ming with some surprise as he bowed.
"Your Majesty, everything in heaven and earth has its destiny. There is a natural balance between yin and yang."
"I understand the principle that too much is as bad as too little."
"Otherwise, I would not have raised the issue of 'restraining power' when Your Majesty first inherited the throne."
"Your Majesty, I hope you can remain calm and look at this matter rationally."
Han Ming saluted solemnly.
Emperor Shenzong and Empress Xiang looked at each other, and finally they smiled helplessly, their expressions relaxed a lot.
"Han Qing...if you say this today, I'm afraid all the scholars in the world will surrender and no longer be your political enemies!"
Hearing this, Han Ming smiled softly and bowed slightly: "Your Majesty, you are too kind."
"Having Han Qing alone is like having an army of thousands."
Queen Xiang was deeply moved and couldn't help but praise.
"Your Majesty, your words are truly humiliating to me. My abilities are merely average, not top-notch."
In the eyes of Emperor Shenzong and Empress Xiang, Han Ming's humility was a bit complacent, and they shook their heads in confusion.
"Then I'll listen to you. I'll leave these people alone. But you must give me good advice on this matter. Otherwise, I won't let you go easily!"
Emperor Shenzong looked at Han Ming, who was sitting upright, with a smile on his face.
"Your Majesty, please don't embarrass me. I really shouldn't get involved in this kind of thing."
Han Ming knelt on the ground helplessly and spoke with fear and trepidation.
"Come, get up first. I have something in my heart that I want to tell you."
Emperor Shenzong waved his hand and asked the maids and eunuchs in the bedroom to leave, leaving only Empress Xiang to serve him.
"Your Majesty..." Han Ming followed closely to the side of Emperor Shenzong and knelt on one knee.
"When I was in the Northern Expedition during the Yuanfeng Period, I did have other thoughts in mind. I always thought that things could be accomplished without you."
"But the facts have proven that I indeed underestimated the people's hearts and the overall situation. Under such circumstances, I suffered a complete defeat..."
"Over the years, I have understood the thoughts of Emperor Renzong and the late emperor. They are self-aware, but I, on the other hand, have always had thoughts that I shouldn't have."
"This is the greatest insult to the friendship between you and me, as well as the contributions of Lord Han and your Han family to the court."
"Perhaps it's because I'm in power that I've lost my mind, or perhaps I'm a tyrant myself?"
"Anyway, my mind is clear now. I can see everything clearly and understand everything."
"I also hope that Mr. Han will not refuse. I sincerely want to discuss the matter of 'establishing a crown prince' with you. I have absolutely no temptation or ill intentions."
"I only hope to choose a 'crown prince' who can support the entire world and continue the future."
"He may not be the best, but he must be the most suitable. He is the one who can preserve you and me, as well as the Song Dynasty for which countless people have dedicated their lives and fought so hard!!!"
As Emperor Shenzong spoke, he began to choke up and held Han Ming's hand, looking at a loss like a child.
The Empress Xiang beside him felt very distressed and immediately knelt down in front of Emperor Shenzong and combed his back.
"Your Majesty... I understand your feelings. Although this may offend others, if it is what Your Majesty asks, I will do it without hesitation."
Han Ming also understood Emperor Shenzong's thoughts to some extent. This was the case of "a dying man speaks good words". He wanted to make one last push to win over the emperor and cultivate the next generation of loyal ministers.
"Okay, okay..." Emperor Shenzong, with a pale face, pulled the man with slightly frosted temples, a relieved smile on his lips.
"Then let's discuss this. Who do you think is more suitable as the crown prince?"
Although Emperor Shenzong had explained the words and reasoning clearly, Han Ming still felt a tremor in his heart when he heard these words.
Since ancient times, participating in major events such as the establishment and dethronement of the crown prince has never had a good outcome.
Those who have not made any contribution to the dragon will be held accountable; and those who have made any contribution to the dragon will be afraid of becoming too successful and shocking their master, becoming too proud of themselves, and eventually ending up dead.
In short, apart from the incident with the deposed Emperor of Song, Han Ming did not act properly. At other times, Han was just trying to protect himself.
"Your Majesty, do you have a candidate in mind?"
Han Ming still passed the buck and returned the problem to Emperor Shenzong.
"You...it seems like if I hadn't started this, you probably wouldn't have asked for it."
Emperor Shenzong held Empress Xiang's hand and smiled helplessly.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me!" Han Ming still bowed respectfully.
"I still prefer my son in my heart, but..."
Emperor Shenzong turned his head to look at the tired-looking Empress Xiang and smiled gently.
"In that case, Your Majesty, why don't you wait another two years?"
Han Ming knew that Emperor Shenzong wanted a child with Xiang to inherit the country, but all the male children born to Xiang died young, leaving no one behind.
This was the greatest regret and helplessness in the hearts of Emperor Shenzong and Xiang.
"I'm well aware of my physical condition. I'm afraid I won't live past next year, and the possibility of having another child is slim."
"Therefore, I have decided to choose a son and adopt him to the Empress. As the Empress's son, he will inherit the throne, which will be the fulfillment of both my and the Empress' wishes."
Emperor Shenzong had said this, and Han Ming knew that he could no longer hide.
After thinking for a while, he bowed solemnly and said, "Your Majesty, Madam, if you want to choose one from among the princes, I think it would be best to choose Zhao Yong, the Prince of Yan'an."
"Helper?"
Emperor Shenzong and Empress Xiang looked at each other, nodded slightly, and smiled knowingly.
"It seems that Han Qing and I really have a common mindset."
Emperor Shenzong's teasing voice made Han Ming feel at ease, knowing that the emperor was determined that Zhao Yong would take over the throne.
It seems that even if the course of history had been different, the young emperor Zhao Yong still had the destiny in his hands.
"The servant has a steady personality and is smart. She was well-educated by the Zhu family and knows etiquette and rules. I like her very much."
Queen Xiang cast a crucial vote for Zhao Yong.
"As long as the Queen feels good, I will be at ease."
Emperor Shenzong gently stroked Xiang's face and smiled slowly.
"Han Qing, apart from you, who else is suitable to assist in the administration?!"
Han Ming was shocked. The emperor was planning to hand over the selection of ministers to be entrusted with the care of the young emperor to him.
"Your Majesty, this matter should be handled by..."
Han Ming was about to refuse, but Emperor Shenzong interrupted him.
"Let you do it, I only trust you now!!!"
Emperor Shenzong reached out and grabbed Han Ming's sleeve tightly, looking at him sincerely and gently.
Han Ming sighed silently, his heart growing heavier. "Your Majesty, Wang Gui, Wen Kuanfu, Wang Jiefu, Lü Huishu, and Sima Junshi are five men who can be of great use!!!"
Hearing the five names listed by Han Ming, Emperor Shenzong nodded slightly, and a flash of enlightenment slowly passed through his mind.
"One opposition, three New Dealers, and one centrist."
"Han Qing, you are very good at choosing. You have made a good choice. They are all highly respected people with real talents and knowledge."
"That means the five of them plus you, and your father Han Shipu, the seven of you will serve as the servant's strongest backing, assisting him in pushing the Song Dynasty into prosperity..."
Emperor Shenzong smiled and approved of Han Ming's selection.
"Queen, I will leave you an order allowing you to rule the country from behind the curtain. After my death, you must work with Han Qing to assist our child and govern the country."
"Take your time, listen carefully, and watch carefully. If anything seems wrong, consult Han Qing. He will definitely protect you and your child."
Emperor Shenzong's words made Empress Xiang kneel down and cry, not knowing what to say.
"Although I may not see the day when the Sixteen Prefectures of Yanyun are recovered, you must go and see it on my behalf, to see the unification of the world."
"This is not the world of my family, but the world of everyone in the world..."