Chapter 312: Taking the Stage to Receive Zen
March 3rd, Chang'an, Daming Palace.

On the high platform, Sima Xiuye, the master of ceremonies, read the imperial edict aloud:
"I ask you, the King of Tang: the power and influence of the ancient times are so vast and distant that no one can hear about their details. Since the writing of the Treaty, up to the Three or Five Dynasties, all of them have been saintly rulers who have stopped wars and established great undertakings. Therefore, the emperor is the master of all things; the ruler is the most impartial of the world. In the past, I deeply saw this way. The Han Dynasty inherited the virtue of Fangxun, and the Wei Dynasty was also on the track of Chonghua. I believe that they are those who are in collusion with people and ghosts, and have the people at heart.

The Prime Minister, the King of Tang, has fulfilled his mission and saved the world from danger and drowning. He has traveled from north to south, conquered the east and the west. He has united the nine states and won hundreds of victories thousands of miles away. He has led the barbarians and the Chinese, protected the common people, and protected me. You are the king's reliance. Your virtue is equal to that of nature, your achievements are as great as those of heaven, and the people are loyal to you. This is the history of the times. I have been humbled to be a minister, and I have violated the will of heaven for many years."

After the imperial edict was read, Murong Chang was first stripped of his crown and then presented with the seal on a tray with both hands.

At this time, Li Yuan wore a crown with gold ornaments on it, and twelve tassels made of white jade beads hung down from it, with a tassel made of a group of beads. The color was the same black as the ribbon.

A small ball made of yellow cotton is hung on the crown and dangled beside the ears to show that one does not want to listen to gossip, and is guided by a jade hairpin.

Black clothes, light red skirt, with twelve-chapter patterns, eight of which are on the top: sun, moon, stars, dragon, mountain, Hua insect, fire, and Zong Yi.

There are four kinds of patterns embroidered on the skirt: algae, rice powder, fu, and fu. The cuffs and collars of the clothes are embroidered with rising dragon patterns.

Among the twelve chapter patterns, the sun, moon and stars are painted on the left and right shoulders and under the back collar of the clothes respectively, implying that the emperor carries the sun and moon on his shoulders and the seven stars on his back.

As for the dragon, mountain and other emblems, there are twelve of each type in one line.

The inner garment is a white gauze undershirt with a fu collar, blue cuffs, hem and front lapels, and embroidered with fu patterns. The belt is embroidered with dragons, mountains and fire. Other accessories, such as leather belts, large belts, swords, pendants and ribbons, are the same as those of the Daqiumian, and the shoes are decorated with gold.

Li Yuan took Murong Chang's seal, handed it to the eunuch beside him, and then accepted the gift calmly.

Afterwards, the people in the audience, with the three Li brothers in the front and the civil and military officials in the back, shouted "Long live the emperor" and kowtowed.

Li Yuan ascended the throne at Gaotai, ending the Great Yan Dynasty which lasted for a total of forty years and accepting the Mandate of Heaven.

Then the first edict was issued: changing the country's name to "Tang", establishing the Wude era, and setting the capital at Chang'an.

Then, the emperor was posthumously conferred titles on seven temples. His first wife, Dou, was posthumously conferred the title of "Empress Taimu". His eldest son, Li Xiaoyan, was posthumously conferred the title of "Prince Zhaode".

Then the living were given titles. The second son, Li Mingqi, was given the title of King of Qin, Minister of the Interior, General of the Cavalry, with the power of imperial seal and the commander-in-chief of the military affairs of Yongliang.

The third son, Li Xuanqing, was appointed King of Jin, Minister of Works, General of Chariots and Cavalry, with the power of imperial seal and axe, and commander-in-chief of the military affairs of Jing and Yi.

The fourth son, Li Yuanhui, was named King of Qi, Taiwei, General of the Zhenjun Army, and was given the power to command the military affairs of Xuyang.

The eldest daughter, Li Yunning, was named Princess Zhaoyang and was granted the seal of General Fujun.

The fifth son, Li Zhiji, became the King of Chu, and the sixth son, Li Xiaozheng, became the King of Wei.
His cousin Li Shenfu was the King of Zheng, the General of the Auxiliary State, the Grand Tutor, and the Commander-in-Chief of all military forces at home and abroad.

His son-in-law Chai Rong was the Duke of Qiao, the commander-in-chief of Yanzhou's military affairs, and the General of the Eastern Expedition.

His cousin Li Zhu was the Prince of Hongnong and the Minister of Clan Affairs, his nephew Li Xiaojie was the Prince of Wuling, Li Huaizhen was the Prince of Zhao, and Li Xuandao was the Prince of Yingchuan. In short, all the relatives of Li Yuan who had contributed to the establishment of the Tang Dynasty were at least princes.

In addition, several brothers of Empress Dou Taimu and several cousins ​​of Li Yuan, whose surname was Dugu, were all dukes.

In addition to relatives, Yuwen She, Pei Ji, Sima Xiuye, Pei Hongde, Murong Abao and others were made dukes.

Li Gaoqian, Liu Wenhui, Liu Sigong, Wang Changkai, Wu Shihuo, Zhai Sixun and Murong Wuji were all county dukes.

Yuwen Xiao, Yuwen Jue, Zhu Deyu, Liu Yuanqing, Chang Yanheng, Huang Junhan, Murong Sanzang, Zhang Gonglie and others were all county dukes.

The rest of the people were also given official titles and titles.

The deposed emperor Murong Chang was made Duke of Xi and lived in Chang'an. His sons still had the power to establish their own government offices, and their power was growing day by day.

At the imperial court, the three sons held the three highest official positions, but of course, they were just nominal positions.

They were: Li Er as Shangshu Ling, Li San as Zhongshu Ling, and Li Si as Shizhong.

Sima Xiuye ​​was appointed as Shangshu Zuo Pushe, and Pei Hongde was appointed as Shangshu You Pushe.

Pei Ji was appointed as the Minister of Personnel, Wen Daya as the Minister of Civil Affairs, and Yuwen Chengye remained as the Minister of War. These five people were all given the title of Tongzhongshumenxia Pingzhangshi, making them the de facto prime ministers.

It seemed like a happy situation for everyone, but Li Yuanhui couldn't be happy no matter what.

Because he is the Diaomao King of Qi.

He had already planned it out before. He would find a chance to talk about these things with his father and change his title.

But as a result of the Chang'an Palace coup and the fact that Li Yuan was busy receiving the abdication order during this period, he was also very busy and seldom met with his sons, so this matter was delayed.

Now it's a done deal
Then, in such a solemn occasion, Li Laosi became distracted again.

Everyone stood up as ordered by the ceremonial officer. Li Lao Si was still kneeling. His second and third brothers, Fenfen, reminded him, "Silang," "Silang," "Stand up, Silang."
After shouting for a long time, Li Si finally reacted and stood up slowly.

Li Yuan also stepped down from the stage, came to his sons, and asked in a low voice with a dark face: "Silang, what's wrong with you?"

Li Si shook his head upon hearing this, "Father, please forgive me, I just miss my mother and brother."

Li Yuan's idea of ​​scolding him suddenly disappeared. He just patted him on the shoulder and walked away with a sigh.

The three brothers and their sister Li Yunning left the stage together. Walking along the long palace path, Li Er sighed, "Actually, I miss my mother and brother, too."

After hearing this, several people looked a little lonely.

Li Yunning suddenly remembered something, and then said: "You three, I have something to say here, you all remember it carefully. Before my eldest brother died, he said, 'The brothers of the Murong family fought each other, and the world fell into the hands of others. My Li family must not repeat the same mistake.' Now, both the court and the people have begun to discuss which of you will be made the crown prince. I hope you don't do things that will make your relatives sad and your enemies happy."

After saying that, Li Yunning left first.

The three of them looked at each other, and saw something unusual in each other's eyes.

Li Er said: "Now the world is still unsettled. My three brothers are born of the same mother and are related by blood. We should help you to pacify the world. By then, I believe you will know who will be the crown prince. But you must not do something unjust for a momentary thought."

Li Si said directly: "Second brother, there is an order of seniority. With my eldest brother gone, you should be the crown prince. But Aye didn't make you the crown prince. I guess he couldn't accept the fact that my eldest brother was gone. When Aye figured it out, he would naturally let you be the crown prince..."

Li San also nodded and agreed, "In terms of merit and prestige, you are the best choice for the crown prince. Moreover, Si Lang is right. There is an order of seniority. The crown prince position belongs to you, my brother. Now the whole world is waiting to see the three of us brothers make a fool of ourselves. They want to see us three brothers fighting each other to death, and then we will reap the benefits. The people below also want to earn a share of the credit for supporting us, but my brother and I have been together since childhood, and we will never fulfill other people's wishes."

After hearing what the two brothers said, Li Er felt a warm current in his heart. "Sanlang and Silang are right. If I were the crown prince, the three of us brothers would definitely share the wealth and honor!"

Li Si said: "Second brother, I don't want anything else. If you become the crown prince, you must grant me one thing."

Li Er asked curiously, "What's the matter?"

"Change the 'Qi' in my name, the King of Qi."

(End of this chapter)