Star Sky Professional

"Crown Prince, Eunuch Su Chengsheng and Ma Cheng'en request an audience..."

To serve the imperial family as a eunuch and refer to oneself as 'slave' is something many in Daqian desire but never attain.

After all, this is an ancient feudal society that consumes people whole.

"Come in."

Fang Xing nodded.

Suddenly, Su Chengsheng, the chief eunuch beside the deceased emperor, entered with his attendant Ma Cheng'en, and Fang Xing realized something was amiss.

"Speak..."

With one hand holding a teacup and the other using the lid to skim the surface of the tea, he spoke casually, yet his commanding presence was indisputable.

"By the decree of the late emperor, the embroidered uniform guards under my supervision, the roster is complete, and I respectfully request the Crown Prince's review..."

Su Chengsheng knelt and raised a booklet high above his head.

The Embroidered Uniform Guards are essentially the Brocade Guards, responsible solely to the emperor, with powers of reconnaissance and arrest, often opposed by nobles and civil officials.

If the new emperor does not accept them, their fate will likely be dire.

"Gonggo Ma, what about you?"

Fang Xing looked at his chief eunuch and sighed.

"I hold another post as deputy commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guards... Please forgive me, Crown Prince."

Ma Cheng'en repeatedly bowed his head.

"Father..."

Fang Xing sighed deeply, "Indeed, his arrangements were farsighted, even the attendant who grew up with this isolated prince is part of the Embroidered Uniform Guards..."

"I deserve to die a thousand times, but the late emperor merely wished to protect the Crown Prince, and as the prince is dutifully filial, I am but a petty man..."

Ma Cheng'en wept profusely.

As someone who monitored the Crown Prince, he naturally knew most of his privacy, and indeed had no rebellious intentions.

And this time, the emperor's death had nothing to do with the Crown Prince.

It can only be said that his fate was poor; he thought the emperor would enjoy a long reign and he would certainly pass before the emperor and the Crown Prince, but did not expect destiny to be unpredictable...

"For both of you, death can be spared, but living punishment is unavoidable... Go attend to the late emperor in mourning."

Fang Xing waved his hand, a gesture of raising high and letting gently fall.

"Crown Prince..."

Gonggo Ma shed silent tears; originally, he thought he was doomed, but unexpectedly saw a glimmer of hope.

Little did he know, he was the best witness to the prince's innocence, and Fang Xing naturally needed him in case someone investigated.

...

In the 26th year of Jingde.

Today's court meeting was exceptionally unusual.

Princes who had left the palace early like Prince Tai, Li Ruzhang, and Prince Kang, Li Rujin, were present, albeit trying to hide their features, their exhaustion was still apparent.

Officials stood arranged in order, with civil officials on the left, military officials on the right, nobles and civil officials in sequence.

"Ascend the throne!"

At this moment, accompanied by the eunuchs' soft declaration, a phoenix chair was carried to the emperor's side, immediately surprising the ministers.

"Pay respects to the Empress Dowager!"

The ministers quickly knelt, seeing the Empress Dowager slowly arriving, surprisingly supported by the Crown Prince, all knew something significant had occurred.

"Last night... the emperor unexpectedly suffered a cardiac condition and, tragically, passed away..."

The Empress Dowager slowly spoke.

"Father?!"

Li Ruzhang immediately wailed, "I want to see Father! I want to see Father!"

"All right, Prince Kang, Prince Tai... after court, you should naturally go... now we discuss state affairs; the nation cannot be without a sovereign for even a day, what do you all think?"

At this moment, ministers saw the Crown Prince standing by the emperor's throne, and who did not know the situation was settled?

Yuan Zhao first stepped out: "The Crown Prince is noble in character, possessing a dragon-phoenix bearing, legally justified, should ascend to the emperor's position."

"Please, Crown Prince, assume the throne."

The ministers knelt collectively like sheaves of wheat, with Prince Kang and Prince Tai appearing somewhat out of place, but soon suppressing dissatisfaction and bowed down: "Please, Brother Crown Prince, ascend."

Fang Xing formally declined thrice, then smiled wryly: "Alas... you have burdened me greatly."

He approached the emperor's throne, yet did not sit, instead stood by: "Today, court matters should prioritize Father's funeral... Ancient sayings tell, to not change one's father's path for three years is true filial duty, I wish to adhere... Starting today, I will preside over governance, temporarily freezing appointments of officials of Standard Third Rank and above... once I familiarize myself with the situation, we shall revisit."

Many friends experienced in ruling know that a new emperor should avoid making significant changes upon assumption.

Especially someone like Fang Xing who lacks the prestige of the Founding Ancestor, his only legitimacy lies in being the late emperor's son.

This is actually quite fragile; if not yet of age, then truly subject to the instruction of the Empress Dowager and Grand Empress Dowager...

Even if mature and claiming the throne, immediately declaring implementation of new policies, seeking power, and smashing the foundations, will still result in being beaten like a pig's head.

With the new emperor just established, grasping military or financial power is a fool's dream.

Military and financial power ultimately require people to wield them; the most crucial is the power over personnel!

Currently, Fang Xing's wings are still underdeveloped, and he hardly has anyone among his ranks!

If he can grasp the inner workings of the palace guards and Forbidden Army within three years, that would be considered quite an achievement.

Therefore, before becoming emperor, all means must be employed to break the stalemate.

After ascending to the throne, one must sit steadily at the fishing platform.

For instance, the newly appointed Empress Dowager is already quite old; slowly enduring will eventually lead to her demise.

'Thinking you're the emperor and that everyone must listen to you is the most foolish idea… akin to imagining all civil officials will inevitably form factions, united as if they were a comedic insect colony.'

'The reality is, everyone below has their own private agendas; even if you elevate a group, defeating the originals, after many years, they will turn into beneficiaries, becoming the very people you despise…'

'Among the civil ministers, there are the loyal and the treacherous; some could transform at any moment… some are purely obedient only when the emperor demands loyalty and treachery.'

Fang Xing looked towards the crowd kneeling below, starting with a few Princes.

This poses no major issue; the general situation has already been decided, and titles assigned; any further rebellion would truly make them traitors, attacked by all under heaven.

Currently, the popular sentiment is settled, preventing chaos.

Next are the aristocrats.

Thinking of the aristocrats, Fang Xing sighed; ancient battlefields were extremely brutal, and those who returned alive, whether mere soldiers or generals, often suffered from trauma, directly labeled as mentally ill patients unsuited for a peaceful era.

Especially these aristocrats who have no idea how many heads of rebellious and fake emperors they've chopped off; naturally, they harbor little reverence for imperial power. Once military power is in their hands, they become an unstable factor.

It's no surprise that the founding heroes' group of every dynasty rarely meets a good end.

'Fortunately, the first generation is a dragon, while the second becomes a worm… the third and fourth generations can simply endure until demise.'

'Within civil officials, although there is a faction calculating against rebellious princes in tumultuous times, they lack strength… once the head is cut off, the issue is less severe; a snake cannot thrive without its head…'

'The so-called snakehead naturally refers to those who hold the power of speech; faction formation is normal, but there cannot be only one faction; balance is needed… moreover, if someone builds reputation over decades and receives legendary acclaim as a 'Saint,' attention must be given; they seek to seize speaking rights… fabricating an illness to cause their death suits perfectly.'

'Preserving the aristocrats prevents accusations of harshness and unkindness, while concurrently oppressing the civil officials… balance must be maintained between civil and military.'

'If the Qing dynasty hadn't suppressed the civil officials with the Eight Banners, how could the emperor have enjoyed so much authority?'

'So-called emperor's territory requires a portion to be given to the Family before papermaking and other advancements in civilization; once education permeates to humble origins, half is allocated to civil officials… leaving no room for ordinary peasants.'

'Because only civil ministers and military generals form the foundation of governance.'

'If one desires to enlighten the populace, allowing everyone to read and write, the emperor's crown might tumble, potentially losing his head entirely.'

'The so-called rule shared between the emperor and elite literati at least demands only half; however, enlightening the populace and universal education present overwhelming costs, far exceeding ten state treasuries' capacity. Achieving this surely leads to the emperor's execution…'

'An emperor, as a biological entity, unless seeking self-destruction, cannot possibly promote any form of universal education…'

'Feudal dynasties traditionally emphasized elite education; naturally, if a farmer's child studies and passes the imperial examination, he will be accepted as one of the elite. To preserve their rule, the governing class also focuses on assimilating new blood, renewing the cycle…'

Fang Xing gazed below, his mind made up: 'The most crucial aspect of being an emperor is to serve as the referee, never actually participating, thereby ensuring no defeat!'

'Moreover, my capabilities exceed those of previous emperors, since my power lies within myself, allowing me to employ people confidently…'

'As long as they possess ability, let them act freely without fearing overshadowing their master; concerns of hunting and extermination don't apply…'

After his thoughts passed, Fang Xing spoke calmly:

"All subjects, rise…"

…

While Fang Xing was on the court, receiving the worship of many ministers.

Inside the palace.

"Spare me, my lord, spare me…" Several eunuchs were dragged out and beaten to death on the spot.

Zhao Hu didn't even furrow his brow: "This palace needs a thorough cleaning; dare to leak information… completely unacceptable!"

"Report, 'Qinghe Palace' has been cleared…" A guard from the Crown Prince's residence quickly approached: "The Duke of England has received the decree to go to the Forbidden Army Camp…"

"Good, we are the Crown Prince's guards, and now at least need to keep palace defense under control…" Zhao Hu felt a surge of excitement in his heart.

He was originally just the captain of the Crown Prince's residence, a Standard Ninth Rank.

Now, it seems even being a Standard Third Rank Great General is possible; this is a situation where one person's success elevates everyone around them.

'Those skilled in war leave no tangible achievements, and the old Duke of England has considerable influence in the military. Despite several attempts by the former emperor to clean up, it was hard to completely eliminate him; now, inviting the new Duke of England to use the aristocrats' power at least ensures military stability…'

If the military remains stable, large-scale disturbances won't occur.

As for palace coups, Xuanwu Gate incidents, and others, Fang Xing has secretly organized, connected, and preemptively subdued them…

In summary, no opportunity was given to the opponent, eliminating dangers at their inception.

Now, clearing palace insiders equally cuts off internal and external links.

No matter how many backup plans the esteemed concubine has, losing palace power renders them largely ineffective; separating her from Prince Tai further nullifies any use.

To outsiders, it seems absurdly dull with no military conflict during the coup.

Yet in reality, if actual warfare broke out, it would deplete Daqian's Primordial Qi, causing untold suffering to all under heaven.