N-A-A Chapter 1010 Who can succeed to the throne? Mutual probing!
Chapter 1010 Who can succeed to the throne? Mutual probing!
The air in the hall seemed to freeze instantly upon hearing this. Xiao He was reluctant to raise such a question, akin to "arranging the aftermath," at this moment; it was undoubtedly rubbing salt into the Queen's wounds. But he had no choice but to ask. Gao Yao represented not only himself, but also the vast interest group centered around him. Currently, the remnants of the former six kingdoms had not been completely eliminated; the world appeared peaceful, but undercurrents still lingered. Gao Yao's prestige and iron fist were the cornerstone of the stability of this newly established dynasty.
He cannot remain missing indefinitely, nor can the news be kept secret forever. Once the situation deteriorates and the news is completely leaked, a legitimate successor must quickly step forward to inherit the throne in order to stabilize the situation and prevent local generals with their own armies and old nobles with ulterior motives from taking the opportunity to cause chaos, leading to the disintegration of the empire that has been so hard-won.
Promoting Gao Yao's heir was a precautionary measure, a last resort. Otherwise, a prolonged power vacuum would inevitably lead to unforeseen changes. Xiao He's actions were not out of disloyalty, but rather to preserve the foundation Gao Yao had built through blood and sweat, and to protect the lives and fortunes of everyone in the group. His gaze, earnest yet heavy with sorrow, fell upon the woman who had just suffered a tremendous blow, awaiting her difficult yet crucial answer.
The night was as dark as ink, heavily enveloping Xianyang Palace. In the past, at this time, palace lanterns would have shone like a galaxy, illuminating the empire's prosperity and majesty. But tonight, an indescribable oppression permeated this power center of the empire. Palace servants hurried along the corridors, yet deliberately softened their steps, even their breathing seemed cautious. A sense of impending doom weighed heavily on everyone's heart.
Inside the Jiaofang Hall of Changle Palace.
The flickering candlelight cast a long shadow of Queen Lü Zhi on the cold palace wall, making her appear both solitary and solemn. She was not dressed in elaborate palace attire, but only in a simple black robe, her hair tied up in a simple bun, adorned with a plain jade hairpin. On the table lay an urgent military report, the words of which she knew by heart, yet her gaze remained fixed on it, as if trying to discern a completely different answer.
“Of course not,” her voice was calm and composed, but the unconscious traces of her fingertips on the table betrayed the turmoil in her heart. “Even His Majesty did not expect such a thing to happen. Moreover, His Majesty is in his prime, so... any arrangements regarding his affairs after his death would be presumptuous, and no one has ever dared to mention them.”
Opposite her sat Xiao He, the Grand Secretary. This pillar of the empire, known for his composure and competence, now wore a deep look of worry and exhaustion. His official robes were neatly made, but his slightly hunched back and the dark circles under his eyes indicated that he, too, had not slept all night.
He knocked on the palace late at night, bringing news that was enough to shake the very foundation of the court—King Gao Yao had been attacked in the underground palace and was trapped there, his fate unknown.
This news was kept strictly secret, known only to a select few at the very top of the empire. But secrets can't stay hidden forever. As time passed and the king remained out of sight for too long, all sorts of speculations and rumors would spread like a plague. At that time, the court would be in turmoil, the people would be alienated, and even the newly recovered counties might seize the opportunity to restore their former power. The newly unified empire might be plunged into utter ruin.
At this moment, Empress Lü's emotions were extremely complex. Gao Yao's life or death was on her mind. Regardless of the depth of their marital affection, Gao Yao was her husband, the father of her son Gao Lin, and the very foundation upon which she, Empress Lü, was able to maintain her position as empress.
Both publicly and privately, she didn't want anything to happen to Gao Yao. But on the other hand, a cold voice echoed in her heart: power abhors a vacuum. A country cannot be without a ruler, especially in this fledgling empire surrounded by powerful enemies and riddled with internal factions. Gao Yao's accident was a crisis for some, but for others... it might be an opportunity.
She had considered using this opportunity, her position as queen, to unite her supporters and push her eldest son, Gao Lin, to the position of crown prince, and even... that supreme position. This thought, like a will-o'-the-wisp in the dark, flashed by and was quickly suppressed by her.
It wasn't just bad timing. Gao Yao's fate was uncertain. If she acted rashly, what would happen to her if Gao Yao returned safely? That man, seemingly easygoing, was actually extremely controlling and had a mind as deep as the sea. What he hated most was being schemed against, especially by those closest to him. At that time, not only would Gao Lin's future be uncertain, but even her own life would be in jeopardy.
At the same time, Empress Lü was indeed too preoccupied with such matters. The incident was sudden; she needed to stabilize the harem, deal with the probing of powerful ministers like Xiao He, and manage the potential chain reaction caused by Gao Yao's disappearance. More importantly, although Gao Yao was missing, his influence was omnipresent. The systems he established, the officials he promoted, and the ideas he instilled all formed an invisible net, enveloping the entire empire.
After all, the events were sudden. Now that Gao Yao had declared himself king, any arrangements he might have made wouldn't have been made casually; someone would have recorded them, or at least documented them in writing. Empress Lü knew that Gao Yao valued rules and procedures above all else. If he truly favored someone, he wouldn't act on a private remark; there would be a formal edict, or at least a clear statement in the presence of high-ranking officials. However, there was none. There were no clear instructions regarding the successor.
Her thoughts drifted to Gao Yao's consistent stance. Gao Yao had never advocated for the personal relationship of the eldest son inheriting the position, but rather for the most capable person to succeed him. He had repeatedly refuted the ancient system that overemphasized primogeniture in court; he valued ability, merit, and the courage and wisdom to lead this new empire forward.
Whether in the imperial court or in practical implementation, those with high merit were rewarded accordingly, but in terms of power, only those with the ability to perform better were suitable for their positions. His implementation of the military merit system and the promotion of commoners to official positions were all aimed at breaking the old aristocratic monopoly. Of course, this also included the art of personnel management; ability alone was not enough, one also needed to know how to manage subordinates, how to maintain balance, and how to make choices. Gao Yao not only spoke of this philosophy but also practiced it diligently.
Thinking of this, Lü Zhi's heart sank further. Gao Lin was the eldest son, but his personality... was not quite like his father's. He was kind and gentle, but lacked decisiveness, and in Gao Yao's eyes, he might not be the most ideal successor. Gao Yao had repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction with Gao Lin's mediocre performance in riding, archery, and policy discussions. Although he had never severely reprimanded him, the subtle difference in his attitude was enough for the perceptive Lü Zhi and the ministers in the court who were good at reading people to notice.