CH 67: Abdication

On the third day of December, Year One of the Gongcheng era, the Emperor proclaimed his abdication in Tai’an Palace, amidst the fluttering snow. This day was less than nine months since his ascension to the throne, and exactly five months since the earthquake in the Capital.

In this year, the annals recorded a series of disasters: the death of an emperor, rebellion, palace coups, earthquakes, plagues, and border invasions… One by one, the petitions arrived from all over the country, initially subtly implying that the catastrophes were related to the Imperial Palace. After receiving tacit approval and encouragement, the petition began to point directly at the Emperor himself.

Almost every month, the Emperor issued one or two Self-Condemnation Edicts, taking responsibility upon himself. This attracted more and more officials who sensed blood in the water, and the content of the petitions became increasingly explicit. The Emperor’s various “misdeeds” were turned into evidence of guilt, asserting that it was his offense against the Heavens that had brought about all the disasters of the year.

Thus, the abdication on the third day of December was a natural outcome.

Han Ruzi knew very little about these matters. He did not write the Self-Condemnation Edicts, and although there were many petitions, he had no opportunity to see them. He seldom went to the Hall of Diligent Administration, and stayed in the inner palace in the name of fasting and purification. He devoted himself to reading books, especially historical records from past dynasties, without any restrictions on what he could read.

Maiden Wang, his mother, visited him every day, chatting with her son for a while and never mentioning the events outside.

Few others visited him. Yang Feng never appeared. Meng E came once, bringing him the last pill, and then vanished without a trace. In the month before his abdication, Zhang Youcai and Dong Qing E were both transferred away, their whereabouts unknown. As for the other Unfortunates, they never visited at all. When Han Ruzi inquired, Maiden Wang simply said they had “other arrangements” and refused to reveal more details.

Gradually, Han Ruzi’s concerns faded. Since he was to abdicate soon, there was no need to care about what others thought of him.

Prince Donghai visited a few times, consistently mocking and ridiculing him. He did not yet know that he had a chance to become Emperor, and his mood was rather low. After ridiculing Han Ruzi, he always complained about his uncle, Cui Hong, believing that his uncle’s was too cowardly, thereby missing a great opportunity.

Han Ruzi never saw the Empress again, and the customary visits to Qiuxin Palace every fifth day were also canceled.

Occasionally, he heard bits of news: the eunuch Zuo Ji did not receive Empress Dowager’s forgiveness and was executed by waist-chopping in prison the day after the failed palace coup; Marquis Junyang, Hua Bin, escaped the capital with his son and two grandsons, and they had not been caught, while their families left behind in the Capital were imprisoned; the most astonishing news was about the fate seer Chunyu Xiao, who was rumored to be captured every few days, but none of the rumors could be confirmed.

However, these matters had nothing to do with Han Ruzi anymore. Reading history books was purely a hobby, and he did not think he had any chance of reclaiming the throne.

On the afternoon of the second of December, Eunuch Jing Yao brought a draft abdication edict. The edict was long, enumerating the various calamities and tribulations of the year, lamenting the Emperor’s shallow virtues and meager blessings, and expressing remorse for failing his ancestors. It even hinted that he had an incurable chronic illness.

Han Ruzi copied it all without error, pausing only once to ask in surprise, “When did I change my name to Han You? This character is pronounced ‘you’, right?”

“Before ascending to the throne, an emperor usually changes his name to make it easier for people to avoid using it. Your Majesty’s name was changed in March, and there is a record of it in the registry at the Bureau of Imperial Clan Affairs. You is a divine tree, and it is said that those who eat its leaves will be free from the feeling of envy,” Jing Yao explained, maintaining basic etiquette in the face of an emperor who was to abdicate the next day.

Han Ruzi continued to copy the edict, indifferent to whether it was “Han Song” or “Han You,” as his real name was “Ruzi.”

“Done,” Han Ruzi put down his brush, admiring the edict he had written, “My handwriting has improved a lot since before. Will the senior officials recognize it?”

Jing Yao seemed somewhat embarrassed, “They will, they definitely will. Your Majesty, please rest.”

Han Ruzi lay in bed and silently practiced the reverse breathing technique for a while, feeling that the flow of qi within his body was becoming clearer. Unfortunately, he could only practice up to this point. Without Meng E, he did not know any other cultivation methods.

That night, he had a good sleep.

Compared to the ascension, the abdication ceremony the next day was exceptionally quick and simple. Decorum official publicly read the edict, the senior officials knelt and bowed, then stood aside, leaving the center open. Chief Commander Han Xing ascended the pedestal as a an elder of the imperial clan, taking the Imperial Seal from the Emperor’s hand and stepping back.

Then, Chancellor Yin Wuhai ascended the pedestal, extending his hand and addressing Han Ruzi as “Your Highness,” guiding him out of Taian Palace and handing him over to two commanders at the entrance.

Han Ruzi recognized one of them. It was Captain of the Palace Gates Liu Kunsheng. He had made great contributions in thwarting the palace coup, and his career skyrocketed as he was directly promoted to Captain of the Guard, responsible for guarding the imperial Palace.

As he saluted the deposed emperor, Liu Kunsheng’s bow was noticeably deeper, “Your Highness, please follow me out of the palace.”

Han Ruzi got into a carriage, personally escorted by Captain of the Guard Liu Kunsheng. When the vehicle reached the south side gate, the first group of messengers appeared. Eunuch Jing Yao read the Empress Dowager’s edict to the deposed emperor: Han You was conferred the title of Prince Dezhong and was granted a manor in the Capital where he would reside.

Prince Dezhong, meaning ‘virtuous end’, was not a particularly flattering title, but Han Ruzi neither liked nor cared about it.

The carriage continued to move forward, leaving the palace and traveling along the deserted road in broad daylight, without anyone around.

Halfway through, the carriage stopped again, and a second group of messengers intercepted the convoy to read another edict from the Empress Dowager: after consulting with the senior officials, it was deemed inappropriate for the deposed emperor to hold the title of a prince. Instead, he was given the title of Marquis Juan, or the Weary Marquis.[1]

Han Ruzi asked Liu Kunsheng beside him, “How much further is it? If this keeps up, will I eventually be demoted to a commoner?”

Liu Kunsheng’s face was awkward. He should not be speaking to the deposed emperor, but he still turned his head slightly and whispered, “No, Your Majesty… No, Your Highness… No, no, you are the Weary Marquis now, there won’t be any more demotions. There shouldn’t be.”

Han Ruzi smiled, “Weary Marquis—am I weary or are others weary of me?”

Liu Kunsheng was right. The Weary Marquis was to be Han Ruzi’s new title. The carriage continued to the northern part of the city, stopping in front of a large manor. The plaque above the entrance clearly read “Manor of the Weary Marquis” in large characters. The writing was very new, the plaque had obviously been hung up not long ago.

A third group of messengers waited at the entrance, once again reading the Empress Dowager’s edict to the deposed emperor. The wording was stricter than before, enumerating the various “misdeeds” of the deposed emperor and demanding him to “reform himself.” The edict had very little substantial content: although the deposed emperor Han You held the title of Marquis, his entitlements were like that of a Prince. Hence, he was exempted from kneeling.

It was only then that Han Ruzi remembered that he had not gotten out of the carriage to kowtow when receiving the previous edicts, which was not quite in accordance with the rules. From now on, he could avoid kneeling and still be in keeping with proper decorum.

Upon finishing reading the edict, the messengers retreated, and the palace guards who escorted the deposed emperor also had to leave. It was at this moment that Liu Kunsheng knelt down, kowtowed to the Weary Marquis, performed the rites of a subject, and then got into the carriage and led the soldiers away.

It was a very risky move for Liu Kunsheng, but Han Ruzi was not able to stop it in time.

Eight guards stayed behind, guarding the main entrance, and Han Ruzi turned and walked into his new home.

More than twenty servants were kneeling in the courtyard, and they were the Unfortunates from the palace. Han Ruzi immediately recognized Zhang Youcai and was overjoyed, “So you are all here!”

Everyone kowtowed, and Zhang Youcai raised his head and cried out, “Your Majesty.”

Han Ruzi shook his head, walked forward, and helped everyone up, saying loudly, “From today on, I am Weary Marquis Han Ruzi. Don’t call me ‘Your Majesty’ anymore. Thank you, everyone… Thank you…”

He did not know what else to say.

The crowd wept, and some of the more mature eunuchs consoled everyone.

Han Ruzi did not see Dong Qing E and Cai Xinghai. Zhang Youcai wiped away his tears and said, “Eunuch Jing said that we had rendered meritorious service in saving the Emperor and could choose to leave the palace to follow Your… you… or stay in the palace. We volunteered to leave the palace and were sent here last night. Qing E and some others stayed in the palace, saying that…”

Zhang Youcai was somewhat dissatisfied, but Han Ruzi laughed and said, “I understand.”

“Brother Cai obtained a military position and went to fight at the border again. I don’t know if he has left yet, but he asked me to tell Your Majesty… I mean, you, ‘Being able to follow you over the wall was the greatest honor of his life, and he will never forget it until his death.'”

Han Ruzi laughed and said, “Who would forget? I hope that this time he can achieve success without having to fabricate his accomplishments.”

Zhang Youcai also laughed.

“Show me around the new house. We can be more casual here.”

Everyone escorted the Weary Marquis to explore the place.

The manor was not small, with five sections from front to back, numerous rooms, and courtyards even more spacious than those in the palace. The twenty-plus people could not even fill thirty percent of the rooms. The rear section had a garden that had not been tended, covered in thick snow.

“If it’s just us living here, that would be great,” Zhang Youcai quickly became excited, accompanying his master as they walked around, leaving the others behind. In a study room, Zhang Youcai knelt down again and whispered, “Your Majesty…”

“Don’t call me that anymore.”

“Master, when will we return to the palace?”

Han Ruzi was surprised and asked, “Why would you say that?”

“You are the Emperor of Chu, and you are the only one who is worthy to be Emperor. Leaving the palace is but a way to advance by taking a step back, right? We will return sooner or later, right?”

“Does everyone think that way?” Han Ruzi asked seriously.

Zhang Youcai hesitated for a moment, “I have not asked, but I think… everyone’s thoughts should be the same as mine.”

His mother, Maiden Wang, did say to be patient and wait for an opportunity, but opportunity seemed nowhere in sight. Thinking about returning so soon after they had left the palace would only bring trouble.

“Tell everyone not to mention ‘returning to the palace’ again. This is my home, and I plan to stay here.”

Zhang Youcai stood up, his face carrying a knowing smile, “Understood, I shall tell them later.”

“Forget it, don’t say anything.” Han Ruzi realized that such things could not be explained, and explaining would only make it appear as though he was hiding something.

A eunuch hurried in from outside and said anxiously, “There are some people coming in from outside. They look quite fierce.”

Han Ruzi rushed out to the front yard, only to see more than a dozen strong-looking men closing the gate and looking around. They all carried blade, and the people in the manor stood around dumbfounded, not daring to intervene.

As Han Ruzi was surprised, a eunuch walked out of a side room and came up to him in a few steps, bowed, and said, “Does the Marquis like it here?”

“Yang Feng!” Han Ruzi was taken aback, “Did the Empress Dowager send you? What’s the matter?”

“I’m here to be the steward of your manor. If you are not willing to use me, you can choose someone else. In this manor, you are the master.”

Han Ruzi was overjoyed, “Of course I’m willing! But… no one told me that you would also leave the palace.”

“Unexpected things can happen before things are settled, so it’s better to wait until everything is done.”

“These people…” Han Ruzi pointed at the strong-looking men, thinking that they did not look like eunuchs from the palace. Some of them even had very conspicuous beards.

“They are some of my friends, invited to protect you.”

“Protection? Why do I need protection?”

“Because some people might misunderstand the Empress Dowager’s intentions.”

Han Ruzi was stunned, “Have the imperial edicts and the Empress Dowager’s edicts not made everything clear?”

“No matter how clear the Empress Dowager’s edicts are, there will always be people who overthink and try to take advantage of the situation to achieve merit. The first few days after abdication are the most dangerous for a deposed emperor. Once you get through it, things will get better.”

It was then that Han Ruzi realized that life after abdication would not be as leisurely as he had imagined.

[1] The Chinese character ‘juan’ means weary or exhausted, so Marquis Juan and Weary Marquis will be used interchangeably depending on context.