Chapter 576: Chapter 67: The End of an Era, Li Zhi’s Demise
In the hearts of everyone, these two people are regarded as saints.
Especially Gu Lei!
The influence of his efforts in education has fundamentally surpassed the limitations of power.
Now that Gu Lei has passed away, this naturally has a significant impact on the whole of Ryukyu.
The entire Ryukyu Island is deeply shaken.
Although it cannot compare to Kyushu, the people have given their all for this grand funeral.
And Gu Lei also chose to be buried in Ryukyu.
He did not, like other members of the Gu Clan, consider returning to Julu after death.
Of course, this is not because Gu Lei had any discord with his family.
It’s simply because he understood his mission, and coupled with his feelings for Li Chengqian, he naturally made this choice.
...
By the time this news returned to Kyushu, several months had already passed.
Regarding this news.
Both Li Zhi and Gu Jing were somewhat affected.
Li Zhi, however, was still alright, though he did retain some feelings for Li Chengqian, they ultimately could not surpass the larger situation.
For him now, the death of Li Chengqian is indeed very good news.
As for Gu Jing, it was purely just the passing of a relative.
He had a cenotaph erected for Gu Lei in Julu.
This was all Gu Jing could do at the moment; everyone will pass away, he cannot interfere or stop it, and can only accept it calmly.
It is worth noting that Gu Jing was no longer young either.
Although his health had always been good, white hair had gradually appeared on his head.
——Wise men worry!
For someone like Gu Jing, white hair was unavoidable.
As the political situation gradually stabilized, he also assumed the responsibilities of the Gu Clan patriarch, turning his focus to education.
This involved not only the family disciples but also Crown Prince Li Hong.
Gu Jing seemed to have already noticed the inadequacy of the family disciples’ abilities, which made him take Li Hong’s education even more seriously.
There were certainly personal motives involved.
It included comprehensive education and also the feelings Li Hong had for the Gu Clan disciples.
Previous Gu Clan patriarchs actually despised doing such things.
But for someone like Gu Jing, he did not care about his so-called morality and only wanted to avoid some potential trouble in the future.
——The Imperial Censorate must be controlled by the Gu Clan.
This is the bottom line of the Great Tang.
As the family disciples’ abilities began to fall short, he had to prepare for it!
This was both for personal reasons and also for the sake of the Great Tang.
Crown Prince Li Hong is an exceedingly intelligent person.
Not only is he smart and eager to learn, but he is also different from his parents, Li Zhi and Wu Zetian; Li Hong is a genuinely kind and filial crown prince.
This is evident in many aspects.
Whether secretly delivering food to disaster victims during relief efforts or his attitudes and actions towards the disaster relief soldiers, they all highlight Li Hong’s benevolent character.
He even showed a lenient heart towards his mother’s former rivals, Concubine Xiao and Empress Wang, suggesting to Li Zhi to forgive their families.
This alone is enough to demonstrate Li Hong’s kindness.
In addition to this, Li Hong’s abilities are also impressive.
As he aged, he began participating in political affairs.
Although not yet able to influence the overall direction of the Great Tang, the ministers could already sense the extraordinary nature of this crown prince.
Even Gu Jing gave him a fair assessment: his statecraft was "reminiscent of Emperor Taizong"!
This is absolutely the highest praise in the current Great Tang!
Statecraft reminiscent of Taizong!
Who in the world does not know of Emperor Taizong’s leniency towards his ministers?
If there is anything lacking... it is that Li Hong’s health is relatively poor.
This seems to be an inherent issue.
Although it has not yet manifested as life-threatening symptoms, it is still considered an extremely unstable factor by the ministers.
Unfortunately, the first two crown princes of the Great Tang did not meet very good ends.
It is simply impossible to completely erase this influence on a dynasty.
Especially now when there is still the example of Li Chengqian.
It is not only the ministers at court but even Li Hong’s brothers Li Xian, Li Dan, and others who have developed strange thoughts.
But unfortunately——
Gu Jing did his best to avoid all this, and the high-profile evaluation of Li Hong was similarly for this reason.
Moreover, Li Zhi was very fond of this son of his.
This gradually suppressed the momentum and prevented the disaster of the Great Tang from happening again, and the position of Crown Prince for Li Hong became increasingly stable in such circumstances.
But amid this smooth development, the issues with Li Zhi’s health completely erupted as time went by....
...
Chang’an.
Inside Luoyang Palace.
Sounds of muffled groans of pain emerged now and then. Gu Jing stood silently outside the hall, listening to the sounds inside, his expression somewhat complex.
Li Zhi’s wind illness was becoming more and more severe.
Even though he had completely let go of all state affairs and focused solely on recuperating, the effect of the illness became increasingly difficult to control as he aged.
It was not only headaches but also issues like vision deterioration, among other problems.
These tormented Li Zhi every moment.
A gentle breeze passed by, and Gu Jing waited silently outside the hall. It was only after a long time that the Imperial Physician slowly emerged from inside.
"Grand Tutor."
Before Gu Jing could step forward, the Imperial Physician tactfully paused, bowing to him.
Gu Jing did not say much, directly asking as he watched him, "How is His Majesty’s health?"
"Alas...." The Imperial Physician bowed his head, leaving his words incomplete, yet the meaning could not be clearer, "If this wind illness doesn’t recede, His Majesty’s health... I fear it might only..."
The wind illness can only be controlled, and if it cannot be controlled, the outcome is all too clear.
Gu Jing’s eyes dimmed slightly.
He waved his hand to signal the Imperial Physician to leave, and then, after a silent moment of contemplation, he walked towards the hall.
Seeing Gu Jing enter, the palace maids and eunuchs who were attending to Li Zhi immediately bowed and withdrew.
Gu Jing went directly to the dragon bed and, seeing Li Zhi drenched in sweat, softly called, "Your Majesty...."
"Grand Tutor, I fear... I won’t make it." Li Zhi opened his bloodshot eyes. Although he could only make out a blurry silhouette, he immediately recognized Gu Jing and muttered weakly.
Now, apart from Gu Jing, no one else could approach the dragon bed so directly.
This needed no doubt.
Gu Jing sighed deeply, refraining from uttering any comforting words, silently standing by his side.
What else was there to say?
Their bond had lasted till now, saying comforting words now would seem distant instead.
Li Zhi didn’t mind; he slowly stretched out his hand, attempting futilely to grasp the blurry outline in front of him. After several tries that ended in vain, it was Gu Jing who stepped forward again, offering his hand.
"With the Grand Tutor here, I have no worries." Li Zhi clasped Gu Jing’s hand tightly, speaking with an extraordinarily earnest tone, "If I truly..."
His voice paused slightly, taking a deep breath before continuing, "Grand Tutor, this realm, and my few young sons... are all entrusted to you."
Tears continually streamed from the corners of his eyes.
Compared to Li Shimin.
Li Zhi actually had some fear of death, but kept reminding himself there was nothing to fear.
Not because of anything else, simply because he needed to live up to his own identity.
Now, even though the prosperous era of the Great Tang would be credited to him.
But as Emperor—
Li Zhi knew well that he hadn’t done much, merely followed the direction set during the Zhenguan era, even handing all power over to Gu Jing.
All this seemed to have little to do with him.
In this final stage of life, at least in facing death, he did not want to bring disgrace to Li Shimin.
Gu Jing observed Li Zhi silently for a long time, eventually sighed deeply, nodded seriously, and promised, "Rest assured, Your Majesty!"
The simple phrase made Li Zhi instantly feel at ease.
He slowly released Gu Jing’s hand, lay back down, and gently closed his eyes, saying no more.
Time swiftly passed.
Although Gu Jing was concerned about Li Zhi’s health, he also had to shoulder the heavy responsibilities within the court to manage everything properly.
As for Li Zhi, although he had said so much to Gu Jing, he was still doing his utmost to treat his body.
However, regrettably, his body had indeed reached its limits.
When even various methods used by the Imperial Physicians couldn’t control the symptoms of Li Zhi’s wind illness, Li Zhi finally reached his end.
The fourteenth year of Qianfeng, on the Ding Si day of the twelfth month.
Li Zhi passed away in Luoyang.
He was given the posthumous title Emperor Xiao, temple name Emperor Gaozong, and was buried in Qianling.
Crown Prince Li Hong succeeded to the throne.
......
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