Chapter 612: Chapter 82: Benevolent Father, Filial Son—Li Heng Ascends the Throne
Although Li Heng as the Crown Prince has always been very obedient over the years.
But this was the first time Li Longji truly felt how "filial" Li Heng was.
He took a deep breath.
Suppressing his reluctance for this son in the face of the threat of death, he nodded seriously: "My son, rest assured, once I reorganize the troops and return to Luoyang."
"I will pass the throne to you."
"At that time... I will become the Retired Emperor, enjoying my old age in peace."
Perhaps it truly came from the heart.
At least at this moment, Li Longji’s full head of white hair and reddened eyes made these words very moving.
But Li Heng only bowed his head silently, unwilling to look at Li Longji again.
.....
The next day, at the first light of dawn.
Countless commoners had already awakened, climbing to high vantage points to look towards Tong Pass, trying to see if smoke signals were rising from the direction of Tong Pass.
This was a mature beacon alarm system, not just used at the borders as most people believed.
On important border defenses and traffic lines, there were beacon towers at regular intervals, and upon detecting enemy situations, they would signal using smoke by day and fire by night, relaying military information at a speed faster than relay horses.
Since the news of chaos began to spread, this had become a habit for the people of Luoyang.
There were always commoners keeping a close watch nearly every day.
But this day was somewhat different. There were many unknown numbers of people waiting at the city gates, wanting to see the Emperor’s expedition with their own eyes.
And just at the hour of the dragon, Li Longji did not disappoint.
The palace gates opened wide, drums and music resounded!
"The Emperor is setting out on the expedition!" The shouts swept through the crowd immediately.
Perhaps to stabilize people’s hearts, or to save face, although Li Longji simplified many of the rites, he still made every show of a personal campaign.
Among the Forbidden Army, Li Longji could be seen wearing Mingguang Armor, sitting on a luxurious imperial chariot, slowly exiting the palace gates under the strict protection of the Yulin Guards.
The sunlight shone on the armor, dazzling in gold light, the ceremony was majestic, banners flapped in the wind, inscribed with "Clear the Universe" and "Pacify the Rebels".
Even though the world had numerous criticisms about him now.
But at this moment, there were still countless ministers who felt that the once wise and valiant Emperor had returned.
Li Heng was also among them.
Under the gaze of all officials and people, the father and son enacted a grand performance of "entrusting the nation", with Li Longji handing over the burden of the state to the Crown Prince and embarking on a distant expedition with his aged body.
After the ceremony, Li Longji personally led the army, leaving the city under the watchful eyes of countless onlookers.
Numerous gazes tightly followed the departing figure of Li Longji.
Although to the ordinary people, they still cared a bit about the Emperor not employing the Gu Clan, but following the banners of "Clear the Universe" and "Pacify the Rebels" flapping in the wind, they still felt some reassurance.
At least... the Emperor was still here, still fighting desperately.
That was enough to bring peace of mind to many.
However, no one noticed that the footsteps of this troop were rife with haste, utterly lacking the steadiness of an elite.
The dragon flag of "Imperial Campaign" remained dazzling, but in this context, it seemed particularly ridiculous.
From the top of the city walls, Li Heng gazed at this scene. He watched that receding banner closely, his breathing suddenly rapid, involuntarily looking in the direction of the Imperial Palace.
At this moment, his gaze seemed to pierce through the walls of the palace.
Already landing on the highest dragon throne.
Gu Yi still did not let the Gu Clan show themselves, but at this point, there was no need for the Gu Clan to do anything.
Li Heng himself was enough to handle everything clearly.
Of course, he would not let Li Longji tune away the troops of Tong Pass, for it was his final assurance, so he had to seize the time.
That very day——
Li Heng began without any secrecy to gather the important ministers around him.
It was fortunate that Li Longji took all those he considered confidants with him, leaving the ministers in the city; regardless of their abilities, they wouldn’t be fiercely loyal to Li Longji.
Especially since Li Longji had already made this decision.
No teaching was needed.
Li Heng adeptly put on a look of alarm and helplessness, waiting for the ministers to anxiously inquire about the reason, he presented a victim’s posture, "lost and troubled", laying out Li Longji’s plan to abandon the country and enter the Shu Region completely.
Thus, he quietly completed a transformation of identity——
From a "filial son relieving his father of worries and voluntarily staying behind",
to a "most filial person ready to die in place of his father for the sake of ultimate filial piety".
Both bore the name "filial".
The vast difference between them, however, was self-evident.
And the impact of this was unquestionable.
——The ministers were furious!
"Abandon the kingdom and flee?!"
"Since the founding of the Great Tang, has there ever been such a disgrace and humiliation?!"
"The Emperor! The Emperor! The nation’s pillar, the reliance of all people! At this moment of crisis, instead of staying at the Central Hub and commanding the loyalists across the world, he... intends to flee like a stray dog to the Shu Region?!"
"..."
"This... where does this place the ancestors’ foundations?! Where does this place the millions of people of Luoyang?! Where does this place the majestic realm of the Great Tang?!"
"A hundred thousand troops! There are a hundred thousand troops at Tong Pass! Instead of using this elite force to confront the enemy outside the nation’s gates, he wants to retract them into the Shu Region, to be a mere guard in a corner?!"
"Yang Guozhong! It must be the treacherous Yang Guozhong’s malicious plot! The Emperor... the Emperor has become so confused!"
"This is not an expedition, but a most cowardly retreat! Surrendering the fertile land of Guanzhong, the ancestral tombs, and the billions of citizens... handing them to be trodden underfoot by bandits!"
