Chapter 578: Chapter 68: Crown Prince Adopted, Li Hong Passes Away
In the past few years, although the matter of succession lingered in the minds of the ministers,
it was the first time it was formally brought up in the court.
This also indicated a shift in the political atmosphere of the Great Tang.
Li Zhi wasn’t an emperor who favored admonishments.
Yet, Li Hong was different.
Over time, the ministers gradually came to understand Li Hong’s character.
Ministers stepped forward one by one.
Li Hong sat on the dragon throne, watching the scene before him, his expression growing ever more complex.
He understood the importance of the nation’s foundation.
The struggle over the nation’s foundation of the Great Tang had significant implications, and lacking such a foundation only exacerbated the unease.
But what could he do?
His health was frail; he couldn’t indulge in the pleasures of women excessively, and producing an heir couldn’t be forced.
The ministers naturally understood this as well.
Their advice aimed to persuade Li Hong to leave state affairs and focus on restoring his health.
Gu Jing stood steadfast, making no moves.
In fact, he was the one most aware of Li Hong’s health condition, knowing well that it wasn’t something that could be improved simply by resting.
This was an issue Li Hong had since childhood.
"Your loyal voices, We have understood," Li Hong finally spoke as the hall quieted down, his voice soothing yet tinged with a subtle trace of weariness.
He turned his gaze to Gu Jing and said, "Grand Tutor, the matters of this court, I must entrust to you."
Li Hong had no choice but to concede.
If this issue wasn’t resolved, it would inevitably cause changes within the court.
Thinking of his usually silent mother, compounded by his younger brothers,
Li Hong felt even more troubled.
After speaking, he simply rose and walked out of the hall.
"We respectfully bid farewell to Your Majesty!"
The ministers lowered their heads and spoke in unison, having no objections to Li Hong’s arrangement.
That night, Li Hong summoned Gu Jing.
In the quiet depths of the palace chambers, only the sound of the watcher’s clappers could be faintly heard.
Gu Jing walked steadily towards the Emperor’s sleeping quarters; before he even reached the doors, the sound of suppressed coughs pierced through the night into his ears.
Gu Jing paused slightly, silently sighing, and after adjusting his attire, he stepped inside.
"Grand Tutor."
The flickering candlelight danced on the dragon bed, highlighting a slightly frail silhouette.
As Gu Jing entered the inner chamber, even before he could salute, Li Hong’s gaze had already fixed upon him, his voice deep yet indubitably sincere, "My health... is running out of time."
He paused, the heaviness in his brow evident: "Regarding the nation’s foundation..."
Gu Yi watched this scene silently; he was not surprised at all by Li Hong’s health condition.
In the original course of history, there were rumors of Wu Hou’s poisoning, but more records clearly indicated that Li Hong’s early demise was fundamentally due to his frail body.
The very fact that he was still alive was quite a feat.
If it weren’t for the Gu Clan impacting Wu Zetian’s developments, alleviating the pressure she exerted,
it wouldn’t be surprising if he hadn’t survived till today.
The only sound in the hall was the sporadic crackle of the candlewick.
Gu Jing naturally understood the implication of Li Hong’s words; evidently, he felt incapable of producing an heir.
He remained silent for a moment, then bowed deeply, his voice steady yet clear, "Your Majesty."
"Prince Xiang, Li Dan, was blessed with an infant son last month."
Gu Jing did not elaborate, but the meaning was clear.
This kind of arrangement was all too normal in royal families.
Gu Jing had long been monitoring these matters, with candidates considered not merely because Li Dan and Li Hong were blood brothers.
What was key was that this infant had only just been born.
The foundation of Great Tang was fragile; too much uproar could not be allowed.
Li Hong’s health was blatantly apparent.
Were he younger, perhaps such considerations wouldn’t be necessary, but he wasn’t getting any younger.
Selecting an infant, albeit risky, at least ensured emotional ties with his parents had yet to form.
This was also a crucial factor.
As for the notion of "brothers succeeding one another," Gu Jing had no such consideration.
It wasn’t for any particular reason.
He simply didn’t favor Li Hong’s other brothers.
Li Hong’s eyes suddenly focused, instantly grasping the deeper intentions behind Gu Jing’s actions.
After a long silence,
he slowly nodded: "Agreed!"
After speaking, he sat up straight with effort, his deep gaze locking onto Gu Jing, his tone more solemn than ever: "Grand Tutor must take care of your health."
He paused, his voice low but each word clear:
"If I... truly face the unforeseen..."
"The empire rests peacefully with the Grand Tutor holding it steady. Thus, I would face my forebears without shame."
Gu Jing sighed gently, feeling a sense of weariness, but respectfully bowed to Li Hong all the same.
The matter was handled swiftly.
In just a few days, the newborn Li Longji was sent to Luoyang.
There were no objections from the ministers concerning Li Hong’s arrangements, though it did make them realize Li Hong’s deteriorating health, casting subtle tremors across the court.
Li Hong did not waste any time.
Though Li Longji was still young, he was immediately declared Crown Prince.
Then—
Li Hong started to re-engage with governmental affairs.
This Emperor was truly admired by all the ministers, and even Gu Jing advised Li Hong to rest and recuperate.
After all, Li Longji was very young, and such was an age where incidents were prone to occur; should anything happen to Li Hong, the situation would spiral out of control.
Yet, Li Hong held firm in his resolve.
He knew his own body best.
This was an ailment he had lived with all his life; from a young age, he accepted the possibility of dying at any moment, let alone now.
If he could rule for a day, he intended to act for a day.
This was his mindset.
He couldn’t disgrace the Li family’s name.
Of course, this didn’t mean he would resign himself to fate; naturally, he would seek treatment, to gain time for Li Longji to grow.
Good news was—
Li Longji was indeed remarkably healthy.
Even when brought to Luoyang as an infant, his health remained intact.
This fortunate circumstance uplifted everyone.
Even Li Hong was pleased, his health seeing some improvement.
It was undoubtedly promising news for the Great Tang.
This development was unrelated to Li Longji’s youth.
It was Li Hong’s personal charisma; the ministers, while acknowledging Li Hong wasn’t quite Li Shimin, considered him far more earnest than Li Zhi in reigning.
Gu Yi observed everything silently, finding no surprises in Li Longji’s emergence.
The Gu Clan had indeed altered many things.
This mitigation had already saved Great Tang from winding detours.
Li Hong’s health was as it was—there was no changing it, so choosing Li Longji was a matter of fate.
Time flowed relentlessly on.
The decision Gu Jing and Li Hong made proved correct; although Li Hong’s health saw a brief recovery, it rapidly declined once more.
In just a few days, the Emperor reached the point of vomiting blood daily, forced to pause his governance again.
This alarming state of affairs was a stark herald, clarifying an inevitable conclusion.
A heavy shadow once more settled over the Great Tang court.
Despite the Imperial Physicians exhausting their lifetime knowledge and every conceivable method, they remained powerless.
In Daan’s fourth year, on the day of Guiyou in the seventh month;
Li Hong passed away in Luoyang Palace.
Posthumously titled Emperor Mingren with the temple name Renzong, his will entrusted the state to Grand Tutor Gu Jing.
Crown Prince Li Longji ascended the throne.
.....
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