CHAPTER 543: CHAPTER 543. THE NEW KING

Huang San spent one day with his father and Prime Minister Zhu Yao. The two explained to Huang San all the tasks that would be required of him once he sat on the throne, while touring the palace and meeting various ministers.

While all the ministers showed cordiality, Huang San could see some of them harbored contempt in their eyes. They no doubt thought that he was still too young and inexperienced to be responsible for the court matter. He didn’t blame them. His tenure in the kingdom court had indeed started not long ago. Compared to the other three trial candidates, he could indeed be considered a greenhorn, even if he had proven his capabilities these past few years by eradicating the rebels.

After the tour was finished, Huang Ti and Zhu Yao left Huang San at the throne room. Huang Ti told Huang San to get some rest since tomorrow would be his big day.

Huang San promised to do so, but he lingered in the throne room after the two left. He looked around the room. Even when empty, its grandeur still impressed him. He walked up to the throne and touched it. The throne was a large chair with gold layered surfaces. Its edges had a carving of two dragons. The dragons’ tails began at the bottom of the throne’s front legs, and their heads met at the peak of the headrest.

Huang San took a deep breath before slowly sitting on the throne. He fidgeted as he tried to find a comfortable posture. He learned that it was impossible to do so. The throne was built to impose majesty, not for comfort.

Huang San closed his eyes as he focused on the feel of the throne. He thought back to all his struggles, from requesting his father for autonomy of Qishurg City, before losing the city, followed by a long and dark period filled with grief, then an attempt to rise back on his feet, forming his private army, eliminating the rebels, and finally winning the Ancient Ascension Trial.

It had been a long road filled with struggles, but he had acquired his goal. Tomorrow, this throne will be his. He will be the next king of Echos.

’Mother, I made it...,’ He uttered in his mind.

He knew becoming a king was not the end. He still had a long road ahead of him. Many more struggles would be upon him as he navigated court politics, and they would not be easy. He knew that. However, for now, he wished to savor this moment.

"The seat is too hard, isn’t it?"

A voice snapped Huang San out of his thoughts. He opened his eyes and saw Huang Er walking toward him.

"Sister," Huang San greeted.

"Little brother," Huang Er greeted back, but then added, "No, I guess I should call you Your Majesty now."

"We are brother and sister, I prefer you call me as usual," Huang San said.

Huang Er shook her head. "That will send the others the wrong message. However, if it is only the two of us, I agree to call you casually."

Huang San responded with a warm smile. He then answered her earlier question, "The seat is indeed rather hard. I can’t believe father used to sit in this throne for a full day."

"I’ve told him many times to add a padded cushion or something. He always rejected it. He told me this throne had been passed down since the first king of Echos. It is tradition. Its existence is a symbol. We may not modify it as we wish. Honestly, if I had won the trial, I planned to say to hell with tradition. I’m not going to let my butt suffer for an entire day sitting on something like that. What about you? Are you going to do anything to this ugly chair?"

Huang San chuckled. He said, "I’m afraid I must say I agree with father. It is disrespectful to modify the throne our ancestors bequeathed to us, unless there is a defect, of course. Otherwise, we just have to bear with it. I think that itself is another test of our worthiness as the ruler of this kingdom."

"You are too sentimental, little brother," Huang Er said.

"I’m sorry I have deprived you of the chance to become a queen," Huang San said.

"While I admit that is a pity, I don’t mind the throne ultimately ending in your hand," Huang Er responded. "I can’t imagine the other two alternatives. Huang Zi and Huang Zhan were leaders, but their destinations will most likely bring this kingdom to its ruin. Though I don’t deny that I believe I can do a better job than you, I admit you have potential. I’ve just returned from Fuxiang City. Seeing how you rebuild that city, I think you will make a decent ruler."

Huang San smiled. "I have help," he said.

"A ruler stands at the top. He must always lead others. Having many helpers is a must. That said, I must ask, how strong is your faith in that right-hand man of yours?"

"Do you mean Amon?" Huang San asked.

Huang Er nodded.

"He is an extremely capable man. Without him, I would never have achieved this result," Huang San replied.

"I did not doubt his ability," Huang Er said. "I have also tried to recruit him, if you remember. However, what I’m asking you is not regarding his ability. I’m asking you how much you trust him to serve your or our kingdom’s interest. Do you think he will do everything for the good of this kingdom?"

"I can ask the same thing about you," Huang San said. "I know you are the one who sent people to save Pan Lohuan. The rebels are the kingdom’s enemy. Saving Pan Lohuan is betraying the kingdom. Are you going to deny that?"

Huang Er nodded. "Alright, I come clean. That is indeed my doing. However, I never plan to let that man go. I simply don’t want you to achieve a clean victory, and thus, deny you the opportunity to join the trial. My plan from the start is to get rid of him once he is away from your force."

"Is that so...?" Huang San asked.

"It’s your choice to believe me or not, but I swear in our ancestors’ names, I am telling the truth," Huang Er stated.

Huang San was quiet.

"You probably try to divert the subject, but for the sake of our kingdom, I must return your attention to our discussion about Amon," Huang Er said. "You spent more time with him than I did. Even I can tell he is an extremely ambitious man. Everything he does, he does it for himself. Such an individual can be a two-edged sword. If you don’t handle him properly, you will be harmed instead."

"What do you suggest I do?" Huang San asked.

"I said I willingly yield to your victory. I meant it. However, I do so because I believe you will do your best for this kingdom," Huang Er said. "We both love our kingdoms. So, even if I concede, it doesn’t mean I stop fighting for it. I will continue to support you and maybe sometimes oppose you, for the sake of this kingdom, and I am doing it now. With how things are going, I believe you will grant Amon a high authority within your ruling committee, am I right?"

"... I owe him that much," Huang San said.

"You owe the kingdom more," Huang Er stated. "Remember, a king’s responsibility is primarily to the well-being of the kingdom. A promise or debt between individuals is annulled if it comes into conflict with the greater good for the kingdom."

Huang San frowned at the statement. He understood what Huang Er was trying to convey, but it was not easy for someone with conviction like him.

Huang Er could see Huang San’s dilemma. She understood his brother was a kind and honorable man. This guaranteed him to be a benevolent ruler, but it didn’t guarantee him to be an effective one. She said, "I never told you to cast him away. He can still be useful for our kingdom. My advice is for you to limit his authority. Give him time so we can further assess if he is worthy of our trust."

"I will consider your counsel," Huang San said.

Huang Er didn’t push the issue further. She congratulated him again before excusing herself. Huang San remained sitting on the throne. He had much to ponder.

*

The next day, the coronation ceremony started from the palace courtyard. All court ministers from the palace and all military officers from the Grand Barrack gathered in the courtyard. Thousands of people stood in neat rows as King Huang Ti delivered his speech.

Outside the palace, citizens flocked to the main plaza. They gathered there as they watched the ceremony via a projected image. This image was produced by a combination of engraving and talismans. Words of power were engraved on the ground while six talismans hovered above it. A formation sage maintained the enchantment while his assistants regularly fed aer stones into the formation to keep the enchantment going.

Huang San was introduced during the ceremony. Afterward, he was ushered into the palace. The projected image followed him as he moved toward the throne room. The most senior officials followed him, while a majority stayed in the courtyard. Another projected image was set up there, so the people in the courtyard could continue to witness the proceedings.

Arriving at the throne room, Zhu Yao was seen waiting for Huang San with the crown. Zhu Yao gestured for him to sit on the throne. Once he did, Zhu Yao asked him to recite his kingly vows, which he had memorized prior.

Once that was all done, Zhu Yao placed the crown upon his head. The senior officials who followed into the throne room dropped to their knees.

Zhu Yao’s voice loudly sounded as he announced the culmination of the coronation, "Behold the new King of the Echos Kingdom, King Huang San! May he live long and prosper!!"