564: The dispute over the regent, all parties nominated

Imperial Palace, Golden Luan Hall.

The Chu Emperor sat on the Dragon Throne. Although his life Qi was about to dry up, he still exuded an imposing majesty, unconsciously radiating imperial might.

To one side stood Li Fangzhong, the Supervisor of Rites.

The Imperial Guards maintained order.

Below.

The civil and military officials stood, with the Three Kings in the front.

Jixia Academy and the Demon Suppression Division stood slightly behind, respectfully saluting the Chu Emperor.

“Greetings, Father Emperor!”

“Greetings, Your Majesty!”

Great Chu had not witnessed such a grand occasion for several centuries.

Aside from the Seven Marquis of the Borderlands guarding the national borders, almost all high-ranking officials who could come were present.

After the morning court.

The hall immediately fell silent, no one daring to speak.

Although everyone had long suspected, no one wanted to be the first to step forward and become a target, lest they incur the Emperor's displeasure.

“There’s no need to be so tense. My end is near. I have summoned all my beloved officials for the Foundation of our Great Chu Dynasty for ten thousand generations,” the Chu Emperor said.

“Father Emperor’s immense fortune will surely turn danger into safety. The Great Chu Dynasty cannot be without Father Emperor presiding over it.”

The Prince of Yan was the first to speak.

“Father Emperor, we can invite the direct Disciple of Bai Cao Xian Weng of the North Sea to diagnose Father Emperor.”

The Prince of Qi said.

Bai Cao Xian Weng was the foremost expert in both alchemy and medicine three thousand years ago, and his direct Disciple was a contemporary of the Great Chu Old Ancestor.

“This Son also agrees.”

The Prince of Jin also chimed in.

The Three Kings all expressed their views, each appearing concerned, without any desire to contend for power.

The Chu Emperor waved his hand and continued, “Today, we will discuss only one matter: the establishment of the position of Supervisor. Do any of you beloved officials have a candidate?”

As soon as his voice fell, the entire hall was silent.

Everyone looked puzzled, establishing the position of Supervisor.

The Prince of Jin’s position as Supervisor had been suspended some time ago.

Now to re-establish it?

A Supervisor is only appointed when the Emperor personally leads a campaign, or is seriously ill and incapacitated, or when the New Emperor is young and needs to be trained, or in similar situations.

Now, with the Chu Emperor about to pass away, a new successor would certainly be appointed, most likely chosen from among the Three Kings.

Setting up another Supervisor now would surely lead to a power struggle with the New Emperor.

The transition of imperial power would be a bloody storm, extremely difficult to stabilize.

The Three Kings were all in their prime and free from illness; why would there be a need to appoint another Supervisor?

The Prince of Yan’s heart sank. This old man, even on his deathbed, was still restless, creating this ridiculous position of Supervisor. Wasn't he just making things difficult for him?

“Father Emperor is establishing the position of Supervisor to assist the New Emperor and stabilize the situation. This Son has a candidate: the Ninth Prince, Xiang Xuanche, who can surely shoulder this great responsibility.”

The Prince of Yan stepped forward and said. Since he couldn’t change the process of establishing a Supervisor, he could only make this position a Puppet.

The Ninth Prince, Xiang Xuanche, was merely a transparent, mediocre individual.

He didn’t belong to any of the Three Kings’ factions, acted independently, and had no Foundation in the imperial court. Even if he became Supervisor, he would only be subservient to him.

“This official seconds the motion!”

“The Ninth Prince, being both virtuous and talented, is the only one fit for the position of Supervisor. This official also seconds the motion!”

The Minister of Justice, the Minister of Rites, and other officials from the Prince of Yan’s faction all followed suit.

“This official believes it is inappropriate. Although the Ninth Prince is both virtuous and talented, he is still somewhat lacking in assisting the New Emperor and governing the Dynasty.”

“I recommend the Thirteenth Prince. Whether in military campaigns or imperial court affairs, he is experienced and can certainly bear this important responsibility.”

Seeing that the Chu Emperor was serious, other officials also began to recommend the princes they wished to support, putting forward four or five princes in quick succession.

The position of Supervisor would certainly be one of being below one person and above ten thousand in the future, so it naturally had to be firmly held in the hands of their own people.

“This official believes that the position of Supervisor can be held by the Prince of Qi. The Prince of Qi can govern the world with his literary skills and pacify it with his military might. Whether in prestige or strength, he is fully capable of the role.”

“A Supervisor not only oversees the world but also supervises the New Emperor. If the New Emperor acts recklessly, the Supervisor can dissuade him.”

Tao Wensheng, the head of the Twelve Sages of Jixia Academy, spoke.

Good gracious.

As soon as these words were uttered, everyone in the Golden Luan Hall broke out in a cold sweat.

In front of the Chu Emperor, he spoke of the Supervisor’s future role in overseeing imperial power.

Only people from Jixia Academy and the Demon Suppression Division dared to say such things openly. If it were anyone else, they would probably have their entire clan annihilated by now.

Wasn't the Prince of Qi the most likely among the Three Kings to ascend to the throne?

Why would he also contend for the position of Supervisor? Wasn’t this like picking up sesame seeds and losing the watermelon?

Behind the Prince of Qi, there was naturally also the shadow of Jixia Academy. Supporting the Prince of Qi was, of course, for him to become Emperor, to have absolute authority.

Why become a Supervisor?

Tao Wensheng’s eyes were indifferent; this move had his own calculations.

He had a premonition that the Chu Emperor’s succession would definitely surprise everyone. Although the Prince of Qi seemed to be the popular choice.

A normal Emperor would certainly choose the Prince of Qi.

But the Chu Emperor was different; he was too cunning, always thinking three steps ahead.

This could be inferred from the way he summoned the officials today.

There was more than a fifty percent chance that the throne would not be passed to the Prince of Qi.

Securing the Prince of Qi’s position as Supervisor would provide a fallback.

Then, greatly increasing the power of the Supervisor to contend with imperial power, making the New Emperor a Puppet of the Supervisor, and commanding the feudal lords in the name of the Son of Heaven.

“Tao Aiqing’s words are excellent. Our Great Chu Dynasty, founded five thousand years ago, has never had a foolish ruler. This is precisely because of the mechanism to supervise the New Emperor. If the Supervisor is merely an empty title, then I would not have summoned you all today.”

The Chu Emperor coughed lightly, expressing his appreciation for Tao Wensheng’s words.

“Your Majesty is wise!”

Everyone’s expressions varied as they all agreed.

Right Prime Minister Han Fei, Former Right Chancellor frowned slightly. The Chu Emperor’s words were mostly empty. The reason Great Chu had never had a foolish ruler was entirely due to the good choice of successors.

It had nothing to do with the so-called supervision and checks. The world belonged to the Emperor, and once enthroned, no one could control him within a year.

The Chu Emperor now wanted to increase the power of the Supervisor and elevate its status, which was inherently contrary to imperial power. What game was he playing now?

Just as he was pondering, another person stepped forward to offer advice.

It was none other than the Prince of Jin.

Everyone looked on, anticipating whom the Prince of Jin would recommend.

“This Son believes that only one person can bear the heavy responsibility of Supervisor. Although some of the princes recommended earlier are outstanding, they do not align with Great Chu’s current national situation.”

“Great Chu faces both internal and external troubles. Demons are powerful, and Sects and aristocratic families have all defected to the Demons. The Foundation of rule is already broken, and ordinary remedies can no longer save it!”

The Prince of Jin said respectfully.

“Who?”

The Chu Emperor replied with a single word.

“Marquis Wuan—Chu Jiang!”

The Prince of Jin’s expression was cold, and he slowly raised his head.

As soon as these words were uttered.

The Golden Luan Hall erupted in an uproar.

Everyone’s eyes widened, their gazes falling on the Prince of Jin, their faces filled with disbelief.

Had the Prince of Jin lost his mind?

To actually choose a killing god to be Supervisor.

Wouldn’t all the civil and military officials be on tenterhooks?

Even before he became the head of the Demon Suppression Division, when he was merely a Second-Rank Marquis, he had already cut down several princes and marquises.

If he became Supervisor, what would happen?

Was it that he felt he couldn’t become the New Emperor, so he just gave up, thinking if he couldn’t be Emperor, he wouldn’t let the New Emperor have an easy time either?

After all.

If Chu Jiang truly became Supervisor, it would definitely be unbearable for the New Emperor.

Thump!

Thump!

As soon as the Prince of Jin finished speaking, a large number of officials immediately knelt down.

Led by the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Rites, they cried out, “Your Majesty, our Great Chu has never had a precedent of an outsider serving as Supervisor. This act violates the ancestral system of Great Chu and must not happen!”

“Chu Jiang’s killing intent is too strong. He is a fierce general for charging into battle, but if he ascends to the position of Supervisor and governs the world, it will surely be a disaster for our Great Chu.”

“An outsider serving as Supervisor can easily lead to the ruler being diminished and the minister being powerful, shaking the Foundation of the nation. We implore Your Majesty not to heed the words of the Prince of Jin.”

A series of remonstrances followed, with over twenty officials kneeling down.

“Father Emperor, Elder Brother’s words are pure heresy. An outsider as Supervisor is too childish. This Son suspects he has received benefits from Chu Jiang, and requests a thorough investigation.”

The Prince of Yan was naturally unwilling. Establishing a Supervisor was one thing, but to have his enemy flaunting before him was absolutely impossible.

Everyone was caught off guard by the Prince of Jin’s move.

The officials all looked towards the figure on the Dragon Throne, and the Chu Emperor, who had been closing his eyes, opened them…