Chapter 1773: Chapter 74: Posthumous Titles and Honorific Names

In the Jiangnan region, within the Heavenly Strategy Mansion.

The sound of quarreling emerged, with many people debating something, each holding their ground and not willing to yield. They were preparing a posthumous title for Chen Dingye. Originally, this was supposed to be handled by the Red Emperor faction, but now, the Ministry of Rites’ great scholar Qu Hanxiu has remained in Jiangnan.

Moreover, Chen Dingye was also being besieged by Prince Qin.

The matter of determining a posthumous title for Chen Dingye fell into the hands of the people at the Heavenly Strategy Mansion.

Regarding this matter, neither big nor small, the people at Heavenly Strategy Mansion held different opinions.

Some believed it should be [Yang], saying: distant from etiquette, estranged from the crowd.

Others considered [Li] appropriate, for killing the innocent.

Some felt it should be [Kang], rebellious against heaven, tormenting the people.

The arguments continued without resolution, each feeling their choice was the most fitting, and others not quite up to par.

You call that a posthumous title?!

Mine is the one truly qualified.

Just as everyone was in a deadlock, Yan Daiqing suddenly asked: "Wen Qingyu, what do you think?"

The noise paused, and the gaze instinctively shifted, seeing Mr. Wen Qingyu, who had withdrawn from the frontline to recuperate, sitting lazily with a cup of floral tea and using small snacks as a tea companion. When Yan Daiqing asked him, Mr. Wen Qingyu pondered for a moment.

Slowly pushed a piece of snack into his mouth.

Chewed thoughtfully.

With a gentle demeanor, he said lightly:

"Then [Zhou]."

The multitude of renowned ministers at the Heavenly Strategy Mansion, who had just been fiercely arguing and at odds with each other, silently paused.

"Zhou" symbolizes cruelty and betrayal.

The malice of the world brings forth disaster.

No matter how true history is, this posthumous title has already become a scar-like imprint, gathering the world’s most detested qualities into one, even at the core of notorious titles—a legendary and unique status.

People were silent, exchanged glances, and said with tightened lips: "Indeed, although Chen Dingye committed numerous crimes, later he was also quite brave, so this word [Zhou] isn’t quite fitting."

"Oh,"

Wen Qingyu said: "Then [Jie]?"

Everyone fell into deeper silence.

All the literati at Heavenly Strategy Mansion spared no effort to seek the vilest posthumous titles from historical records, yet even with their exhaustive research, they couldn’t match Mr. Wen Qingyu’s deft suggestion.

Indeed, effort cannot compete with talent.

Forget it, this matter should refrain from asking Mr. Wen Qingyu.

"Rest, please."

"Ah, sure."

"Call me if you need anything."

The crowd tacitly excluded the seemingly calm, sincere, and harmless person among the many famous scholars in the Heavenly Strategy Mansion.

Later, Chen Dingye led an expedition, resisting Ying Country, using himself as bait to create an excellent opportunity for Central Plains to defeat the Turkic on the grasslands. When leaving the capital, he didn’t plunder or burn the city, and he also took away three centuries-old aristocratic families.

Considering his actions in later years, he’s even worthy of a respectable posthumous title.

His deeds weren’t severe enough to justify using either of those words.

Just as the young literati at Heavenly Strategy Mansion were still arguing incessantly, there was a knocking sound from outside, very composed. The crowd looked, and Yan Daiqing went to open the door.

Seeing an elderly man, surprised.

"Mr. Qu?"

With his head held high and chest out, Qu Hanxiu strode in, stroked his beard, and said: "Young ones, are you troubled by this posthumous title? Why not seek the old man for advice."

The people at Heavenly Strategy Mansion were not the type to look down on this old scholar. Knowing he was the foremost figure of ceremonial law in this era, they exchanged glances and all rose to invite the elderly man to sit down with tea.

Even Wen Qingyu’s specially chosen floral tea and snacks were unabashedly taken by Yan Daiqing.

Then offered to Qu Hanxiu.

Mr. Wen Qingyu sat on his chair, supporting his chin with one hand, smiling blissfully.

Very amiable.

Wei Xuancheng remained silent for a long time, quietly stepping back.

Qu Hanxiu had a snack, looked at the young people, and said: "Old man knows you’re not sure how to evaluate Chen Dingye. Ordinary emperors can generally be classified as muddle-headed, wise, tyrannical, or mediocre."

"Like Chen Dingye, brave in youth, muddled in middle age, yet wise and perceptive in his last ten years, with bold heroism like the Emperor Wu of Chen from three hundred years ago. So it’s hard to pick a posthumous title."

"I’ve heard from Master Yan Chen that this person gave himself a posthumous title: [Li]."

Yan Daiqing’s expression paused slightly.

Knowing his father’s situation was alright, Yan Daiqing genuinely felt much relieved.

To such an extent that even the jokes from Mr. Wen Qingyu when he returned were met with a joyful spirit without taking offense or resorting to a fight, this was indeed rare.

Currently, Yan Chen is at the front, assisting Prince Qin in recovering other literati.

Yan Daiqing said: "Then should it be—Emperor Chen Li?"

Qu Hanxiu stroked his beard and said: "Killing the innocent is called Li; during his middle age when he ascended the throne, he was quite muddled, fitting this title, but later, he ultimately showed heroic spirit. So, for such a person, perhaps it should be a dual-character posthumous title."

"One word might not encompass his entire life."

Qu Hanxiu wrote a few words, saying: "Illustrious righteousness overshadowing faults is called Jian; compensating for previous faults is called Gang; dying with resolve achieved is called Ling; compensating for previous faults is called Mi. Combined with the word Li, they reflect his early foolishness and later heroism."

Fang Ziqiao thought for a moment, saying: "Fair enough."