In the first year of Yongchang, Daliang Imperial City. It's snowing heavily, and the city is full of pristine weather.
The late emperor died suddenly, and the six-year-old prince Xiao Jingyan was carried onto the dragon throne by the powerful minister Huo Tianzhang. At the coronation ceremony, the new emperor was so frightened that he peed on his dragon robe, and all the officials were in an uproar. Huo Tianzhang reprimanded the official in charge for not doing things well, but when he turned around, he used his sleeves to wipe off the water stains on the dragon throne for the young emperor, and said warmly: "Your Majesty, don't be afraid, I am here."
This "I am here" lasts for twelve years.
Queen Mother Zhang Xian invited herself to hang the curtain. Huo Tianzhang took charge of the government in the name of "assisting the administration". The uncle of the state, Duke Wei, Zhang Huaiyu, was in charge of the third camp of the capital. The great eunuch Zhao Dehai commanded the twenty-four divisions of the inner court. The forces from all directions built an airtight cage around the young emperor.
For twelve years, Emperor Xiao Jingyan became the biggest joke in the Liang Dynasty. He would doze off during the court meeting and soak the memorial with his saliva; he would roll the jade seal as a toy to the minister's feet; he would squat under the incense table and count ants during the winter solstice ceremony. A popular nursery rhyme goes: "There is a clay doll sitting on the Jinluan Palace, and there is a straw bag under the dragon robe."
Everyone is laughing. No one noticed that those seemingly blank eyes would occasionally flash a glimmer of light that did not belong to the weak when they lowered their heads.
