Old Su sighed with relief at the words.

This issue was his small test, and Xiaozhao's response was undoubtedly the high-scoring choice.

To some extent, it proved that Xiaozhao hadn't lost his mind due to the change in status.

He then paused and glanced around.

With only three people present in the palace, he directly laid out some words:

"Your Highness, in my humble opinion, if you wish to inherit the throne, you must do so with a justified name."

"If Your Highness's name is to be justified, then Zhao Ji's name must be 'flawed.'

"Therefore, the first thing Your Majesty must do, after stabilizing the court, is to weep at the ancestral temple about Prince Duan's foolishness and frivolity, indicating that Your Highness took this action out of helplessness."

"Secondly, the Minister of Rites should petition while Your Highness modestly declines three times, before reluctantly accepting the will of the masses."

"Thirdly, upon ascending the throne, grant a general amnesty."

Anyone who has seized power in a previous life knows.

After a coup, to legitimately inherit the throne, it generally involves weeping at the ancestral temple, modestly declining, and granting amnesty.

Crying before the ancestral temple is simple, just do as Old Su suggested.

After crying, express a willingness to have another emperor inherit the throne, declaring you'll accept any punishment after the emperor takes power, solely to ensure the continuation of the national destiny.

As long as you're not as bad an actor as that gaggle, you can generally pass this hurdle.

However, the modest declining and refusing are a bit more troublesome.

First, you have to invite the Minister of Rites from the Zongzheng Temple to plead personally.

For instance, they might say you, Your Highness, have the highest virtue among the princes, the most prestige, and only you are worthy to inherit the throne...

This is often when.

The Minister will also bring along a very elderly family elder, who, with his last breath, makes up a story, typically involving signs at birth.

For example, at the moment of your birth, all the jade pendants in the palace vibrated in unison, a divine sign....

Xiaozhao must firmly reject it.

I think Zhao Yu is quite good...

Zhao Yu must cooperate by saying it can't be him, it should be you.....

After three rounds of refusals, Xiaozhao can 'reluctantly' accept the throne.

Once he ascends, he must proceed with the third step.

That is, to grant a general amnesty, waive one year's taxes to earn public gratitude and reputation.

However, soon.

Old Su thought of something else, his eyebrows slightly furrowed, and he said:

"But Your Highness, in my humble opinion, you probably need to add something to the third step....."

Xiaozhao, somewhat confused, responded with a hum and asked:

"Add something? Why do you say that, Mr. Su?"

Old Su looked up at him and sighed:

"Your Highness, do not forget, the late Emperor and Empress Dowager passed away within a year, Prince Duan ascended merely seven months ago."

"At the beginning of Prince Duan's reign, he also performed the third step....."

"He granted amnesty to the prisoners across the realm, a backlog of over twenty thousand prisoners, and reduced taxes for a year..."

Xiaozhao was slightly taken aback, then his brows furrowed.

Indeed.

How did he forget this?

It's been only seven months since Zhao Ji ascended the throne, he had just granted a general amnesty with over twenty thousand prisoners.

Now, what's left to pardon are just the new prisoners within seven months, which is nowhere near the number of accumulated offenders over the years.

Compared to amnesty, reducing taxes is even more troublesome:

Zhao Ji's tax decree is valid until next year, should Xiaozhao override it, or let it continue?

If he chooses to override it, nothing changes for the people:

A new emperor, yet only one year of tax exemption, how many will express gratitude towards Xiaozhao?

There might even be folk songs mocking the change of emperors being all the same.

But if he continues to extend it, wouldn't he be affirming Zhao Ji's legitimacy?

True.

Xiaozhao can choose to prolong it, such as a three-year tax exemption and so on.

But again, given Zhao Ji initially issued the tax exemption edict, such a move lacks strength.

Thinking of this.

Xiaozhao couldn't help but look at Old Su, once again bowing deeply:

"Please instruct me, Mr. Su!"

Old Su thought for a moment, a gleam suddenly flashed in his eyes, and he said:

"Your Highness, if you can't achieve anything with the timeframe, then only one way remains....."

Xiaozhao quickly asked:

"What way?"

Old Su raised his head, looking at the ceiling, and said:

"Try to make the ascension incredibly extraordinary, for instance leveraging Master Guo's current reputation, to create an unprecedented....."

"Auspicious heavenly sign!"

As soon as he finished speaking.

Old Su and Xiaozhao turned together, their gazes falling upon...

Xu Yun off to the side.

Xu Yun: "...."

After a moment.

Xiaozhao thoughtfully nodded, then walked with Old Su to Xu Yun, and said to Xu Yun:

"Mr. Wang, it seems we need to have a good chat."

Seeing Xiaozhao's intense gaze, Xu Yun's lips twitched slightly.

Earlier, during the control of the Forbidden City's central district, Old Zhong and others naturally also captured Guo Jing who performed the night rituals.

Although due to a respectful fear of mysticism, Old Zhong and others treated Guo Jing mildly, some matters couldn't withstand questioning.

In that situation, Old Su could only choose to reveal the truth to Xiaozhao.

That is to say...

At this moment, Xiaozhao already knew that Xu Yun was the real mastermind behind the scenes.

Therefore, towards Xu Yun, Xiaozhao's feelings were very, very complex:

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