Chapter 577: Chapter 68: Adopting a Crown Prince, Li Hong Passes Away
An era of splendor has come to a complete end.
Although Li Zhi had completely withdrawn from the court in his later years, even his sudden passing now would not disrupt the balance of the court.
But as an Emperor.
The passing of Li Zhi ultimately could affect the normal functioning of a dynasty.
Although he did not make significant contributions to the current Great Tang, as the Emperor in power, no one could shake this fact.
The sound of weeping echoed across the land.
To ordinary people, even though they could not discern much, they could still recognize how their lives were going.
Under the influence of the Gu Clan, Li Zhi indeed underwent many changes compared to his original historical self.
This indeed earned him considerable fame.
The entire Great Tang grieved for the passing of this benevolent Emperor.
....
Time swiftly passed by.
For the current Great Tang, everything seemed to have changed, yet nothing seemed to have changed.
Li Hong ascended the throne, changing the era name to "Da An."
The meaning was to continue the current stability of the Great Tang, allowing it to remain glorious.
He indeed did not need to do much.
The political system of the Great Tang was already mature enough that it could only be ruined by internal chaos and decline.
But at least as long as Gu Jing was still in control of the court.
This was absolutely impossible.
In fact, over the years, while the court was not completely unchanged, the flaws of human nature could never be entirely avoided.
But these individuals, without exception, were swiftly crushed by Gu Jing at the slightest hint of unrest.
His position had long been unshakable.
For this reason alone, the Great Tang would not encounter any errors.
The new monarch ascended the throne, and the court was in turmoil.
None of this had anything to do with Gu Jing; in regards to Gu Jing, Li Hong even surpassed Li Zhi.
After all, he was Gu Jing’s disciple.
From childhood to adulthood, he had always followed Gu Jing, and the sentiments within this were hard for others to match.
Gu Jing remained the Grand Tutor, still in control of the court.
Although Li Hong would also handle state affairs.
Everything continued along the current trajectory of the Great Tang, which already ensured the normal transition of the court.
It is worth mentioning——Wu Sansi has returned.
Gu Jing tacitly approved this matter.
After all, Wu Zetian had already become the Empress Dowager; as long as she did not harbor inappropriate ambitions like before, Gu Jing was actually indifferent to all this.
The Wu Clan could no longer stir any trouble.
Their origins were clear, coupled with the constant restraint on Wu Zetian, there could be no factional influence of hers in the court.
What trouble could arise from this situation?
The entire Great Tang continued its progress under such conditions.
Li Hong was indeed genuinely benevolent; once everything was completely stable, he began to reduce taxes to the greatest extent.
This included further perfecting the laws of the Great Tang and executing a series of benevolent policies.
Moreover——
Even if he was in poor health, he chose to emulate ancient sages by personally plowing during the spring planting and reducing imperial expenditures, setting an example for the entire realm.
In any era, the words and actions of an Emperor could influence many things imperceptibly.
It is the same now.
Under such circumstances, following the tradition of open admonition since the Zhenguan period, the Great Tang quickly ushered in another ethos.
That is frugality!
Additionally, in terms of governance, Li Hong also showed the same emphasis as Li Shimin did.
Though he just ascended the throne.
He would also choose to suddenly inspect local governance like Li Shimin.
This in many ways already surpassed Li Zhi.
In a short time, the entire Great Tang had a renewed feeling under such conditions.
It wasn’t about a leap in national strength.
This was a new atmosphere brought by the Emperor to the dynasty.
But if there was a looming danger, it was that Li Hong had no son, his health was genuinely poor, and in this matter, he often dared not be too reckless.
Even though the Xin Dynasty had just begun.
Yet this situation had already become a lingering concern for many ministers, even Gu Jing was no exception.
There was no way around it, as Gu Jing’s age was increasingly advancing.
And Li Hong’s health was inherently frail.
Should the worst-case scenario occur, the prosperity of the entire Great Tang could collapse in an instant.
This was a reality he had to consider.
He repeatedly mentioned this to Li Hong, who naturally understood the gravity.
But regarding this matter.
Even as an Emperor, he felt profoundly helpless.
...
The third year of Da An, June.
Luoyang.
As the ministers finished their business, silence enveloped the entirety of Luoyang Palace instantly.
Li Hong’s face appeared somewhat pale, and he would occasionally cough, watching this scene unfold, the expressions of the ministers grew increasingly complex.
In the end, unable to bear it any longer, this concern was brought to the court.
"Your Majesty! I dare to speak even in the face of death!" A minister stepped forward first, his voice filled with desperate determination, "Though the world is at peace, the foundation of the state is not solid, and the fate of the Divine Artifact indeed depends on the Holy Body."
"Your Majesty’s health occasionally falters, causing us ministers utmost concern."
"We earnestly implore Your Majesty, for the sake of the ancestral temples and the state, to generously welcome virtuous concubines and swiftly produce an heir to secure the position of Crown Prince, stabilizing the hearts of the people across the land!"
"Your Majesty! Heaven blesses our dynasty, yet the prolonged vacancy of the heir is not a blessing for the state. You bear the legacy of your ancestors and should thoughtfully consider this great responsibility....."
"......"
The desperate shouts suddenly resounded in the solemn hall, stirring an echo.
