Control your ancestors and create an immortal family starting from the Eastern Han Dynasty

Chapter 191 Adopting the Crown Prince, Li Hong's Death (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

A glorious era has come to a complete end.

Although Li Zhi completely relinquished his position in the court in his later years, even his sudden death would not affect the balance of power in the court.

But as an emperor...

The death of Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi) ultimately had an impact on the normal operation of a dynasty.

Although he did not actually make any significant contributions to the current Tang Dynasty, as the emperor with real power, no one could shake that position.

The sound of weeping echoed across the fields.

For ordinary people, although they may not be able to distinguish many things, they can still recognize how their lives are going.

Under the influence of the Gu family, Li Zhi did indeed change a lot from the original historical figure.

This certainly brought him a lot of fame.

The entire Tang Dynasty was saddened by the passing of this benevolent emperor.

Time flies by.

For the Tang Dynasty at present, everything seems to have changed, yet nothing seems to have changed at all.

Li Hong succeeded to the throne and changed the era name to "Da'an".

It symbolizes the continuation of the current stability of the Tang Dynasty and the continued glory of the Tang Dynasty.

He really didn't need to do anything.

The political system of the Tang Dynasty was mature enough; the only thing that could destroy the Tang Dynasty was internal chaos and deterioration.

But at least for now, while Gu Jing still controls the government.

This is simply impossible.

In fact, things in the imperial court have not remained completely unchanged over the years; issues of human nature cannot be completely avoided.

But just as predictably, any slight sign of trouble from these people was immediately nipped in the bud by Gu Jing.

His position is already unshakeable.

Based on this alone, the Tang Dynasty would not make any mistakes.

A new emperor ascended the throne, and the court and the country were in turmoil.

All of this had nothing to do with Gu Jing. In fact, Li Hong treated Gu Jing even better than Li Zhi.

He is Gu Jing's disciple.

She has followed Gu Jing since childhood, and the bond between them is unmatched by anyone else.

Gu Jing remained the Grand Tutor and still controlled the court.

Although Li Hong also handled state affairs.

But all of this is following the current development path of the Tang Dynasty, which has already ensured a smooth transition of power in the court.

It's worth mentioning that Wu Sansi has returned.

Gu Jing tacitly approved of this.

Wu Zetian had become the Empress Dowager after all. As long as she didn't harbor any improper thoughts as before, Gu Jing didn't really care about any of this.

It's impossible for the Wu family to cause any trouble.

Given their backgrounds and the fact that Wu Zetian was always under restrictions, it was impossible for her faction to emerge in the court.

What trouble could this situation possibly cause?
The entire Tang Dynasty continued to advance under these circumstances.

Li Hong was indeed truly benevolent. Once everything was completely stable, he began to reduce taxes to the greatest extent possible.

This included a series of benevolent policies such as continuing to improve the laws of the entire Tang Dynasty.

Besides--

Even though his health was somewhat poor, he still chose to follow the example of his predecessors during the spring planting season, personally tilling the land and reducing royal expenses, thus setting an example for the entire world.

In any era, an emperor's words and actions can subtly influence many things.

The same is true today.

Under these circumstances, following the trend of remonstrance during the Zhenguan era, the entire Tang Dynasty quickly ushered in another trend.

That is frugality!
In addition, Li Hong also showed the same level of importance that Li Shimin placed on the administration of officials.

Although he has only just ascended the throne.

However, he would also choose to conduct surprise inspections of local officials, just like Li Shimin did.

This already surpasses Li Zhi in many aspects.

In a short period of time, the entire Tang Dynasty felt a sense of rebirth under these circumstances.

It doesn't refer to the range of national strength.

This was a completely new atmosphere that the emperor brought to a dynasty.

However, if there is any hidden danger, it is that Li Hong has no children, and his health is indeed very poor, so he dares not be too unrestrained in this regard.

Even though the new dynasty has only just begun.

However, this situation has become a major concern for many ministers, including Gu Jing.

There's nothing we can do; Gu Jing is getting older and older.

Li Hong's health was already poor.

If the worst-case scenario were to actually occur, the prosperity of the entire Tang Dynasty could collapse in an instant.

This is a reality he has to consider.

He repeatedly brought up this matter with Li Hong, who naturally understood the importance of it.

But for this kind of thing...

Even though he was an emperor, he was actually quite helpless.

June of the third year of the Da'an era.

Luoyang.

As the officials finished presenting their reports, the entire Luoyang Palace fell silent instantly.

Li Hong's face was somewhat pale, and he coughed from time to time. Watching this scene unfold, the expressions of the assembled officials grew increasingly complex.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, this matter was brought to the court.

“Your Majesty! I dare to speak out, even at the risk of my life!” A minister stepped forward first, his voice filled with a desperate resolve, “Now the world is at peace, but the foundation of the nation is not yet secure. The throne truly rests on Your Majesty’s shoulders.”

"Your Majesty's health has been occasionally unwell, and we are deeply worried."

"I humbly beseech Your Majesty to prioritize the stability of the ancestral temples and the state, to recruit many virtuous women, to produce an heir as soon as possible, and to establish yourself as the Crown Prince, so as to stabilize the hearts of the people!"

"Your Majesty! Heaven blesses our dynasty, yet the position of heir apparent has remained vacant for so long, which is not a blessing for the nation. Your Majesty has inherited the legacy of your ancestors and should consider the weighty responsibility entrusted to you."

"."

Shouts suddenly rang out in the solemn hall, echoing throughout.

In recent years, the matter of the heir apparent has lingered in the minds of the court officials, but such a formal...
Although the court officials have been paying attention to this matter for the past few years, this is the first time it has been formally raised in the imperial court.

This also illustrates another shift in the political climate of the Tang Dynasty.

Emperor Gaozong (Li Zhi) was not an emperor who liked to offer advice.

Li Hong, however, was different.

The courtiers have gradually come to understand Li Hong's character over time.

One by one, the ministers stepped forward.

Sitting on the dragon throne, Li Hong watched the scene before him, his expression growing increasingly complex.

Of course he understands the importance of national origin.

The struggle over the foundation of the Tang Dynasty had a profound impact, and the absence of a foundation would only exacerbate this unease.

But what can he do?

My health is already poor, and I can't indulge too much in women, so how can I force myself to have a child?
The courtiers naturally understood this as well.

Their purpose in offering advice now is naturally to persuade Li Hong to put aside state affairs and focus on recuperating.

Gu Jing remained standing guard without making any move.

In fact, he was the person in the court who knew Li Hong's physical condition best, and he was very clear that Li Hong's physical condition could not be cured simply by resting.

This is a problem that Li Hong has had since childhood.

"I understand the intentions of my beloved ministers." After the voices of remonstrance in the hall gradually subsided, Li Hong slowly spoke, his voice carrying a soothing tone, but also revealing a hint of barely perceptible weariness. He turned his gaze to Gu Jing beside him: "Grand Tutor, I will have to entrust the affairs of the court to you."

Li Hong couldn't refuse.

If this problem is not resolved, it will definitely cause changes in the court if things continue like this.

Thinking of her usually silent mother, and her younger brothers.

Li Hong felt even more troubled.

After saying that, he got up and walked out of the hall.

"Congratulations to Your Majesty!"

The ministers bowed their heads and said in unison that they had no objection to Li Hong's arrangement.

That night, Li Hong summoned Gu Jing.

In the silent depths of the palace, only the faint sound of the water clock could be heard.

Gu Jing walked steadily toward the emperor's bedchamber. Before he even reached the door, a series of suppressed coughs pierced the night and reached his ears.

Gu Jing paused slightly, a silent sigh escaped his throat, and after straightening his clothes, he stepped into the hall.

"Master."

The flickering candlelight illuminated the somewhat frail figure on the dragon bed.

As Gu Jing stepped into the inner room, before he could even bow, Li Hong's gaze fell upon him, his voice low yet carrying an undeniable seriousness: "I fear my health is failing me."

He paused, a deep gravity settling between his brows: "This is a matter of national importance."

Gu Yi was also silently watching this scene, not at all surprised by Li Hong's physical condition.

In the original historical record, although there are rumors pointing to Empress Wu's poisoning, more records clearly show that the root cause of Li Hong's early death was ultimately his frail body.

It's already quite remarkable that he's still alive today.

If it weren't for the fact that the Gu family affected Wu Zetian's development, thus sparing him from such immense pressure, it would have been a different story.

He might not have lived to see today, so what's so strange about that?

The only sound inside the hall was the crackling of the lamp wick.

Gu Jing naturally understood what Li Hong meant; he clearly felt that he was no longer capable of having any more children.

He remained silent for a moment before bowing deeply, his voice steady yet clear: "Your Majesty."

"Prince Li Dan was blessed with a baby boy a month ago."

Gu Jing did not continue speaking, but the meaning of his words was already quite clear.

In fact, this kind of thing is perfectly normal in imperial families.

Gu Jing had already been paying attention to these matters for some time.

The selection of the candidates was also based on their own considerations, not only because Li Dan and Li Hong were brothers and close in blood.

The most crucial reason is that this infant was just born.

The political climate in the Tang Dynasty was extremely poor, and we absolutely could not allow too much trouble to arise.

Li Hong's physical condition is what it is.

If he were younger, he might not need to think about so much, but the problem is that he is not young anymore.

Choosing an infant, even though it also involves various risks, at least means that the child doesn't yet have a strong bond with their parents.

This is also a crucial factor.

As for the so-called succession of brothers, Gu Jing had absolutely no such idea.

It's not because of anything else.

However, Gu Jing didn't like any of Li Hong's younger brothers.

Li Hong's eyes suddenly narrowed, and he instantly understood the deeper meaning behind Gu Jing's actions.

He was silent for a long time.

Finally, he slowly nodded: "Agreed!"

After saying that, he forced himself to sit up straight, his deep gaze fixed on Gu Jing, and his tone was more solemn than ever before: "Grand Tutor, you must take care of your health."

He paused, his voice low but each word clear:

"If... something truly happens to me..."

"With the Grand Tutor overseeing this empire, I can finally rest easy. In this way, even in the afterlife, I can face my ancestors without shame."

Gu Jing sighed softly, feeling somewhat tired as well, but still bowed respectfully to Li Hong.

This matter was handled extremely quickly.

Just a few days later, the newborn Li Longji was quickly sent to Luoyang.

The court officials did not object to Li Hong's arrangement, but they became aware of Li Hong's health condition, which caused some unseen ripples in the court.

Li Hong did not waste any time.

Although Li Longji was still young, he directly made him the crown prince.

Then——

He then began to interfere in court affairs again.

The court officials all genuinely loved and respected this emperor, and even Gu Jing advised Li Hong to take good care of himself.

After all, Li Longji was too young, and it was an age when accidents were extremely likely to happen. If Li Hong were to have an accident as well, it would really cause a huge uproar.

But Li Hong's attitude toward this was very firm.

He knows his own body.

This is a condition he's had since childhood. He had already accepted the possibility of dying at any time when he was very young, let alone now.

If you can be emperor for a day, you must do the work for that day.

That's what he thinks.

He couldn't let the Li family lose face.

Of course, this does not mean that Li Hong will give up on himself. He will continue to receive treatment to buy time for Li Longji to grow.

The good news is—

Li Longji was actually in excellent health.

Even though he was sent to Luoyang as an infant, his body did not suffer any unexpected problems.

This truly made everyone feel lucky.

Even Li Hong was pleased by this, and his health improved somewhat.

This was absolutely fantastic news for the Tang Dynasty.

It has nothing to do with Li Longji being young.

This was Li Hong's personal charm. In the eyes of the court officials, although Li Hong could not compare to Li Shimin, he was definitely more serious about being an emperor than Li Zhi.

Gu Yi had been silently observing everything and was not too surprised by Li Longji's appearance.

The Gu family did indeed change many things.

This actually saved the Tang Dynasty from taking many detours.

Li Hong's body was like that, and no one could do anything about it. In the end, it was Li Longji who was chosen, which can only be described as fate.

Time keeps passing.

Gu Jing and Li Hong's decision was not wrong. Although Li Hong's health improved briefly, it deteriorated rapidly again after that.

In just a few days, the emperor had reached the point where he was vomiting blood every day and had to temporarily suspend state affairs again.

This sight of someone vomiting blood was undoubtedly a chilling signal, allowing everyone to clearly foresee the inevitable end.

A heavy gloom once again enveloped the entire Tang Dynasty court.

Despite the imperial physicians' best efforts and the use of every possible method, they were ultimately powerless to reverse the situation.

The year of Da'an, the seventh month, the day of Guiyou;

Li Hong died in Luoyang Palace.

His posthumous title was Emperor Mingren, and his temple name was Renzong. In his will, he entrusted his son to Grand Tutor Gu Jing.

Crown Prince Li Longji ascended the throne.

(P.S.: I'm begging for monthly votes! I'd be incredibly grateful for your support, brothers!!! Please help me get some votes!!!)
(End of this chapter)