NCCnovel Chapter 724 Is all this worth it?
Chapter 724 Is all this worth it?
In the winter of Xian De year, the biting cold wind whistled across every inch of Chang'an, and the life of Emperor Li Jingyou came to an abrupt end. He died on the dragon throne in a decisive and tragic way.
The historians stood aside with a heavy sense of awe and solemnity, the pens in their hands seemed to weigh a thousand pounds.
They knew that what they were about to record was a chapter that would shake the history of the Tang Dynasty.
In the Records of the Grand Historian, a few words struck the heart like a heavy hammer: "Emperor You embraced the spirit tablets of Emperor Taizong and Empress Xiaowen, splattered blood on the dragon throne, and died."
Normally, the Tang Dynasty experienced so many thrilling and eventful events during this year, which should have been a great opportunity for historians to show their skills and write freely, which could be called their "carnival feast".
But at this moment, there was no excitement on their faces. Instead, their brows were furrowed and their expressions were solemn.
His Majesty has ordered that all of this be recorded truthfully and without any changes.
Such truthful recording will undoubtedly expose many complex contradictions and conflicts. If we are not careful, it will seem like we are accusing Your Majesty of all kinds of faults.
But history is so fair and cruel. It will eventually recognize this year and recognize Li Jingyou, the emperor who reigned for only one year. Even though this year is so short, it cannot be submerged by the torrent of time.
In this seemingly short but extremely significant year, Li Jingyou's governance measures were like a spring breeze, blowing through every corner of the Tang Dynasty.
For the people of the world, this year can be described as a bumper year given by God, with good weather and abundant harvests.
Li Jingyou made bold innovations and resolutely opened up many restrictions that had previously hindered economic development. For a time, commercial trade flourished like mushrooms after a spring rain.
Many people took advantage of this favorable situation, worked hard, became wealthy, and lived a prosperous life. Therefore, among the common people, this year was affectionately called the "Year of Opening Up", and it became an unforgettable and beautiful memory in their hearts.
With mixed feelings, Li Chengqian proposed the posthumous title "Ying" for his son Li Jingyou, and posthumously called him "Emperor Yingzong of Tang".
The emperor's son gave his father a posthumous title, and the emperor's father gave his son a posthumous title. This was an unprecedented and strange situation. Not to mention ordinary people, even those great scholars who were well-read in poetry and books could hardly imagine that such a dramatic scene would happen in reality.
But fate is such a cruel thing. It really happened and became a strange and sad event in the history of the Tang Dynasty.
Li Chengqian did not change the reign title for this year, and continued to use Emperor Yingzong's Xian De. In this way, he commemorated the short but unique reign of Li Jingyou.
At this moment, Li Chengqian had to admit that he had indeed underestimated this child.
Recalling Li Shimin's praise of Li Jingyou, calling him a natural-born emperor and the hope for the future of the Tang Dynasty, it now seems that Li Shimin's vision was truly accurate and unique. Li Jingyou's political talent and wisdom in governing the country far exceeded Li Chengqian's imagination.
However, this self-righteous emperor was deeply obsessed with his own ideals. He stubbornly believed that the Tang Dynasty needed a thorough reform. He even thought that the Tang Dynasty no longer needed an emperor in the traditional sense. He tried to break the old pattern and establish a new order.
Today, a difficult problem like an insurmountable chasm lies before the civil and military officials of the Tang Dynasty. That is the issue of inheritance that concerns the survival and future direction of the Tang Dynasty.
Your Majesty Li Jingyou has no other children except one daughter, and his family line has been extinct.
Although no one dared to mention this matter openly in the court, everyone knew it privately, from the court officials to the common people.
With the passing of Li Jingyou, His Majesty Li Chengqian is also getting old and his time is running out.
The Tang Dynasty, a giant ship that has sailed through the long river of history, is now facing unprecedented confusion and difficulties, and does not know where to go.
At the court meeting two days later, Li Chengqian remained calm and behaved as usual. With extraordinary concentration and wisdom, he meticulously and methodically arranged the many upcoming affairs of the Tang Dynasty.
Everyone only saw His Majesty calmly issuing decrees, but it was hard to imagine what kind of torment he was suffering in his heart.
On New Year's Day this year, the imperial court will send envoys to Beijing as per custom, and officials from all over the country will also come to Beijing to report on their work.
Everyone knew clearly that His Majesty had something of vital importance to announce.
What the future path of the Tang Dynasty will be, whether to continue along the old trajectory or to find a new way and open up a new direction, all depends on Li Chengqian, the new helmsman.
Every decision he makes will determine the fate of the Tang Dynasty.
Li Chengqian paced alone in the Liangyi Hall, his gaze slowly sweeping over every corner. Every brick and tile, every table and chair bore traces of Li Jingyou.
His portrait is still hanging on the wall, with confidence in his eyes.
The pens, ink, paper and inkstone he had used were still neatly placed on the desk, as if the owner had just left.
Li Chengqian's heart was filled with a strong sense of guilt, and he couldn't help but fall into self-reflection: Was I wrong?
He tried to put himself in Li Jingyou's role to experience firsthand the hardships he had gone through.
In the complicated political situation, Li Jingyou ascended the throne of emperor step by step with difficulty.
He first used his strategy to eliminate the factions that opposed him, and then worked hard to develop his own power.
When everything was finally getting back on track, he was full of ambition and was about to make great plans to realize his grand ambitions, but he came back and ruthlessly destroyed everything.
The Tang Dynasty might really become more powerful and its economy more prosperous as Li Jingyou envisioned.
Li Chengqian could also make the country prosperous quickly, but he chose not to do so.
In his view, wanting the country to become prosperous is important, but not the most critical thing.
Once certain restrictions are lifted, although it can bring economic prosperity in the short term, it can also easily lead to the gradual deterioration of social morals.
It is not terrible for a country to be temporarily poor. With the profound foundation of the Tang Dynasty and the hard work and wisdom of the people, the road to wealth is not out of reach.
But once people's hearts are in chaos and morality is corrupted, it will be an irreparable disaster that may not be repaired even after several generations of efforts.
If a country is strong but its people do not live happily, work hard every day to make a living and do not get spiritual comfort, then what is the point of such strength?
"You'er, you don't understand..."
Li Chengqian murmured in a low voice, with regret in his voice, as if he was confiding his feelings to Li Jingyou in another world.
But everything is irreversible, time cannot be reversed, and he will never have the chance to teach his son and make up for the mistakes he once made.
I was indeed wrong. It was not that I didn't believe in my son's ability, but because of various concerns deep in my heart, I didn't dare and couldn't trust him completely.
For the sake of his so-called saintly moral sense and to realize that unattainable ideal, he personally pushed his own children into a desperate situation, which became a pain that he could never let go of throughout his life.
He originally wanted to change the inheritance model of father-to-son inheritance that had lasted for thousands of years, break the situation of family rule, and establish a more fair and just social order. But in the end, he found that everything was so difficult, and every step forward came at a heavy price.
"Is all this worth it, teacher?"
He looked into the distance, as if seeking answers from a teacher in the dark.
But the only response he got was the silence in the Liangyi Hall.