My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 927 Burial?

Zhu Gaoxu passed away, and the entire Han Dynasty was in mourning. Newspapers even reported the news of Zhu Gaoxu's death in full pages, as well as his glorious achievements during his lifetime, including his following Zhu Di's army in Jingnan when he was a teenager, and later going to sea to found the Han Dynasty. Every achievement is worthy of being remembered by the people of the Han Dynasty.

Although Zhu Zhanhe was grieving, he still had to cheer up because there were too many things that he needed to deal with. The most urgent thing was the enthronement ceremony. After all, a country cannot live without a king for a day.

This was also the first succession of the throne since the founding of the Han Dynasty, so the scale of the enthronement ceremony was also very large. All civil and military people in the capital participated. Some princes in the capital, such as Zhu Zhantan and others who returned from Egypt, also participated. This time's ceremony.

When the ceremony was over, Zhu Zhanhe officially proclaimed himself emperor and established the country as Xuanwu.

The first thing Zhu Zhanhe did after he ascended the throne was to announce Zhu Gaoxu's funeral. Zhu Gaoxu had ordered the construction of the imperial mausoleum ten years ago, and it has basically been completed now.

As for the funeral, Yang Shiqi took the initiative to host it himself. Although Zhu Zhanhe was worried about his health, he could not refuse, so he had to arrange for a few young ministers to assist.

In terms of government affairs, it had almost no impact. After all, Zhu Gaoxu didn't take care of things very much. Especially in recent years, Zhu Zhanhe was almost always in power. He exercised imperial power in the name of the prince. Now it is just more legitimate.

But on this day, Yang Shiqi suddenly came to Wuying Hall in person to meet Zhu Zhanhe.

"Your Majesty, the late emperor passed away. According to the rules of the palace, his concubines need to be buried as sacrifices. Therefore, your Majesty, please ask the Queen Mother to draw up a list of burial victims!"

Yang Shiqi reported to Zhu Zhanhe with a serious face.

"Burial?"

Zhu Zhanhe also frowned when he heard this. This matter was indeed a bad start for Zhu Yuanzhang. After his death, more than forty concubines were buried. This was mainly because Zhu Yuanzhang was worried about the harem and his relatives interfering in politics, and the palace raised children It cost a lot to keep so many concubines, so he simply killed them all to accompany him. This was very consistent with Zhu Yuanzhang's murderous mentality in his old age. After all, he killed half of the court, including dozens of them. woman.

Zhu Di had always been proud to learn from Zhu Yuanzhang during his lifetime, so he had more than a dozen concubines buried as victims after his death. In contrast, Zhu Gaochi had the smallest number of concubines buried after his death, only five, but Zhu Zhanhe's aunt was buried out of selfish motives. Concubine Guo, who should not have been buried, was also included in the list of those buried.

Compared with Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Zhanji also buried ten concubines after his death. It can be said that this has become the tradition of the old Zhu family, and the families of these concubines who were buried will receive very generous rewards. Therefore, the family members of some concubines even As for the honor of being buried, as for the thoughts of those concubines, it seems that it is not important at all.

"Isn't it too cruel to be buried in a sacrificial burial? Besides, before my father died, he never said that his concubines must be buried in burying the dead, right?"

Zhu Zhanhe asked with a frown. As a modern person, he has a natural rejection of the cruel system of burial. However, when Zhu Di and Zhu Gaochi passed away, he could not make the decision on these matters at all. They were all decided by the Queen Mother or the Queen herself. A list was drawn up, and then the palace officials supervised the suicide of these concubines.

"Your Majesty, although the matter of burial is cruel, it is the rule set by Emperor Taizu after all. Emperor Taizong also followed this system. As the legitimate son of Emperor Taizong, the late emperor may be criticized by the world if he does not arrange for people to be buried."

Yang Shiqi hesitated for a moment, but still insisted on his opinion.

"This one……"

Zhu Zhanhe thought for a moment, and then said to Yang Shiqi.

"Let's see. I'll go back to the palace and ask my mother for her opinion. After all, I can't decide on the list of people to be buried. I still need my mother to make the decision!"

"Yes, I am waiting for news about you and the Queen Mother!"

Yang Shiqi finally felt relieved when he saw that Zhu Zhanhe had no clear objection. Then he reported some progress of the funeral to Zhu Zhanhe, and Zhu Zhanhe also gave instructions on some things. After sending Yang Shiqi away, it was getting late. Zhu Zhanhe finished handling the government affairs at hand, and then walked to the Jinling Hall. Zhu Gaoxu's body was temporarily parked here. Empress Dowager Wei and Chang Sining led their concubines and other relatives. Keep a vigil here.

"Zhan He, why are you here? You must be tired after dealing with government affairs for a day. Go eat and rest first. I'll be here to guard you!"

When Queen Mother Wei saw Zhu Zhanhe coming in, she immediately stepped forward and said with concern.

She had lost her husband and did not want her son to be injured due to overwork. After all, Zhu Zhanhe had just ascended the throne, so he must have many things to worry about, so she did not insist on keeping the vigil. Otherwise, Zhu Zhanhe would handle government affairs during the day and come to watch the vigil at night. I'm afraid even a strong man will collapse from exhaustion.

"Don't worry, Queen Mother, I'm in good health."

Zhu Zhanhe said, waving the others to leave. Only he, Empress Dowager Wei, and Chang Sining were left in the palace. Now that Chang Sining has been canonized as queen, she is supposed to make the final decision on all matters in the palace.

"Mother, Yang Shiqi came to me today and said that he wanted the palace to draw up a list of those who would be buried."

Zhu Zhanhe stated his intention.

Queen Mother Wei was stunned for a moment when she heard this, and then she showed a thoughtful expression. Chang Sining next to her frowned and opened her mouth to say something, but after looking at Queen Mother Wei next to her, she did not speak in the end.

"Sacrificial burial is an ancestral system established by Emperor Taizu, and we must abide by it. I will think about it in the next two days and draw up a list!"

Queen Mother Wei thought for a moment and then spoke very carefully.

"Mother, don't make decisions easily. You'd better think about this again!"

Zhu Zhanhe sighed secretly when he heard this, but still persuaded him.

"What, you don't want anyone to be buried by Emperor Qin?"

Queen Mother Wei also asked with some displeasure. After all, Zhu Gaoxu, as the founding emperor of the Han Dynasty, could be said to have made outstanding achievements. Naturally, there should be no mistakes in the funeral, and there should be several concubines buried.

"Mother, when my father was alive, you fought with those concubines for most of your life. Do you want to see your father in the future and fight with those concubines who were buried? You have to know that if they stay with your father for a few more years, you will be at a huge disadvantage. I can’t help you even if I want to help you!”

Zhu Zhanhe persuaded half jokingly and half seriously.

"You brat, you dare to arrange for me to come here when you become emperor!"

Empress Dowager Wei glared at Zhu Zhanhe fiercely when she heard this, but Zhu Zhanhe's words touched her heart. Zhu Gaoxu had many concubines. When he was alive, there were endless fights for favor in the harem. If Empress Dowager Wei hadn't had Zhu Zhanhe, With her biological son here, I'm afraid she won't even be able to sit on the throne of queen.

"Mom, please calm down. My husband is also thinking about you. I think the matter of burial must be carefully considered!"

Chang Sining next to him finally couldn't help but persuade him.

(End of this chapter)