Chapter 611: Chapter 82: A Loving Father and Filial Son, Li Heng Ascends the Throne
Eastern Palace.
Watching the departing figure, Crown Prince Li Heng’s body couldn’t help but tremble, as the last words of this person echoed endlessly in his mind.
"In the annals of history, has there ever been an Emperor who abandoned his nation and fled?!"
Would Father truly abandon the country and leave?
He was somewhat afraid to think deeply about it, yet he harbored a faint anticipation for the arrival of tomorrow.
If it were true, wouldn’t this be a heaven-sent opportunity?
Abandoning Luoyang and leaving—
This was no different from abandoning the entire Guanzhong, abandoning the foundations of the entire Great Tang.
Even if Li Longji had time to return.
The people of Guanzhong would certainly hold resentment against him as their Emperor, making it difficult to restore former prosperity.
This was certain.
Just as Gu Yi anticipated, Li Heng was also a person of great ambition.
No, perhaps it can’t be said the same.
Who among those who reach his position doesn’t have ambition?
Li Heng was merely one among the multitude.
Countless thoughts surged continuously, as Li Heng pondered over his experiences through the years.
Although not identical to what history originally recorded.
Li Heng’s circumstances were equally challenging.
There was no help for it, no Crown Prince in the Great Tang’s history had ever succeeded peacefully to the throne.
Moreover, Li Longji was exceedingly strict with his offspring, having relinquished all political power and thus had to be cautious of his heirs.
This resulted in Li Heng always treading carefully, fearing any mistake on his part.
He had thought about the matters after ascending the throne many times before.
Yet he never expected the opportunity would come like this.
Although his body still trembled incessantly, and he dared not voice the thoughts in his heart completely, in this brief moment, a decision had already formed within him.
...
Time seemed to slow down.
As a reigning Emperor with real power, Li Longji’s various actions, though causing dissatisfaction among many, still had considerable influence.
Upon hearing the Emperor was to lead an expedition personally, it caused an immense impact.
—Who doesn’t long for stability?
Especially for the current people of the Great Tang.
Among them were many who had lived from Emperor Renzong Li Hong’s time to the present day, witnessing the past might of the Great Tang.
Including the prosperity during the Kaiyuan era.
All of this seemed just yesterday, and upon hearing this news, it seemed to them the Emperor might have awakened.
About to sweep the world clean and restore peace.
That night, not only were government officials sleepless, but countless scholars and commoners tossed and turned, fervently hoping this supreme Emperor could turn the tide and quell the troublemakers.
However, in the depths of the Imperial Palace at this moment, the atmosphere was entirely different.
The palace maids and eunuchs hurried about, preparing for a hasty journey.
Li Longji sat alone on the dragon throne, expression numb, his gaze complicated as he surveyed everything in the hall, an indescribable emotion enveloped him, nearly turning his thoughts blank.
"Your Majesty, you... what is this?" A gentle voice broke the silence.
Li Longji snapped back to reality, looking towards his most beloved woman. He remained silent for a moment, slowly stood up, and tightly grasped Yang Yuhuan’s hand, his voice low and hoarse: "Come with me."
"To the Shu Region."
"Watch me... recreate the heavens and earth!"
Yang Yuhuan trembled all over.
Looking at the elderly Emperor before her, her lips moved slightly, with countless words in her heart, yet in the end, none could be spoken.
Question him?
Ask him if leaving Luoyang today, would he have the courage to return tomorrow?
How could she say such things?
She could only accept all of this as fate, sitting silently by Li Longji’s side, remorselessly watching it all as usual.
Time flew by.
For many, this night was destined to be sleepless.
Commander of the Imperial Guard Chen Xuanli had also received the news long ago and was organizing his elite troops.
Even Li Longji’s favored ministers and members of the imperial clan were on his list.
He had to act quickly.
If the world realized that this Emperor had thoughts of fleeing, then he would indeed become a laughingstock.
At that time, perhaps there would be no need to wait for the enemy forces to arrive.
Turmoil would erupt within the city of Luoyang.
He had to seize the time and head to Tong Pass to meet Yang Guozhong, then lead nearly a hundred thousand troops to the Shu Region.
This was the most crucial.
And at dawn, Li Heng, who had received Li Longji’s message, also came to see him.
"Father! Your son is willing to stay and guard Luoyang in your stead!"
Li Heng knelt on the ground, expression solemn, gaze resolute as he looked towards Li Longji on the throne.
"My son?" Li Longji suddenly paused, looking at Li Heng in disbelief, his voice carrying a hint of difficulty, "You... are truly willing?"
In his heart, staying behind in Luoyang was no different from sitting idly by, waiting for disaster.
"Father!" Li Heng straightened his back, his voice clear and powerful, "Since our Great Tang’s Grand Ancestor founded the country, whenever the Emperor personally led an expedition, the Crown Prince has always acted as regent."
"If I accompany Father to the Shu Region, it might provoke suspicion amongst the court and the public, causing unnecessary unrest."
He took a deep breath, speaking with sincere conviction: "Therefore, I must stay to guard Luoyang!"
"May Father... safely reach the Shu Region, and renew the heavens and earth!"
Li Heng’s words echoed in the hall like stones falling to the ground.
Li Longji stared blankly at the son kneeling on the steps, a surge of inexplicable emotion overwhelming him, bringing tears to his eyes.
