Chapter 482: A Lifetime Apart

Clang!

Zhang Guangsheng, walking at the very front of the procession, suddenly struck the copper gong in his hand.

"The Crown Prince is on tour!" "Pedestrians, make way!"

He shouted at the top of his lungs.

The hundreds of people behind him had all already raised the wooden plaques and banners that someone had prepared in advance. It looked magnificent and imposing!

Zhang Guangsheng led Li Chang's group into the city through the Mingde Gate on the south side of Chang'an.

Since the south of Chang'an was all commoner quarters, and some wards were practically wasteland with fewer than a hundred residents, their entry into the city initially caused no stir.

But as the procession continued north along Zhuque Avenue, more and more people of "unidentified status" joined on both sides, "consciously" forming a protective escort around Li Chang and his party.

By the time Li Chang's group reached the Zhuque Gate of the Imperial City, the procession had swelled to well over a thousand people, and at this moment the Zhuque Gate stood wide open!

Yan Zhenqing and Yan Gaoqing, the two brothers, stood before the Zhuque Gate with many officials in red robes behind them. Their hands hung at their sides, their expressions reverent, like two stone statues.

Li Chang stepped out from the crowd and performed a crossed-hand salute to Yan Zhenqing, saying, "Lord Yan, I have come."

"Please, Your Highness, accompany this old official to the Zichen Hall of the Daming Palace. All arrangements have been properly prepared."

Yan Zhenqing returned the crossed-hand salute to Li Chang.

What did "properly prepared" mean? It went without saying.

Li Chang could not guarantee that he would arrive today, and Yan Zhenqing and the others had even less way of predicting that he could arrive today.

One could only say that everything was understood without words.

Yan Zhenqing led Li Chang's group through the Imperial City gate. They had not walked far before they saw the sons of the Ji-ge brothers' families standing before the Chengtian Gate inside the Imperial City, their expressions solemn and grave.

The Prince of Qi, Li Zhen; the Prince of Ning, Li Lin; the Prince of Hexi, Li Jie; the Prince of Rongyang, Li Yang; and others were all present. Many of them Li Chang merely recognized by face, and had not even exchanged more than a few words with.

"We welcome the Crown Prince!"

These princes bowed to Li Chang almost in unison, their attitudes exceedingly reverent, as though Li Chang at this moment had already become Li Longji himself!

This made Li Chang feel as if a lifetime had passed.

It seemed as though he had done nothing at all, and just like that he had become the Emperor of the Great Tang?

For a moment Li Chang was somewhat stunned.

His brothers had paid a terrible price for this throne.

The three unlucky ones killed in a single day along with three sons; Li Cong, who lost his right of succession after his face was scratched by a monkey and lived in gloomy depression; and Li Heng, who erupted in violence over various new and old grudges.

The tragic lives of these men all began because of the throne and ended because of the throne.

Fighting back and forth, all for this wretched thing?

Li Chang suddenly felt that the elaborate procedures of this enthronement were not solemn or grave at all, but rather absurdly laughable! Like child's play!

The officials, ministers, and noble families—did they truly support him becoming emperor?

As Li Chang walked, he pondered this. Along the way, officials and even imperial relatives bowed to him with warm reverence.

Yet Li Chang felt no joy or satisfaction whatsoever.

Indeed, these people were not supporting him; they simply needed an emperor.

Because without an emperor, the state could not function. These noble families and powerful clans would be unable to use their existing positions of advantage to extract benefits.

They needed stability—well, only the kind of stability that benefited them. If society were stable but they gained nothing from it, these people would turn around and become leaders of rebels.

Why was Wei Sanniang dead, while these vermin were not?

Why did they get to live on?

All at once, a fierce desire for vengeance surged in Li Chang's heart! These people had also been accomplices of that immortal old dog of an emperor!

What right did they have to live so well?

Noticing that Li Chang seemed a bit off, Yan Zhenqing walked to his side and lowered his voice to counsel him, "Your Highness has endured the fatigue of travel, and coming to Chang'an was no easy feat. This humble servant feels the same. But shortly, at the Zichen Hall, it will be the enthronement ceremony. Please, Your Highness, rouse your spirits."

"Rest assured, Lord Yan. I understand."

Li Chang nodded expressionlessly, speaking in an exceedingly calm tone.

Calm to the point of near indifference.

The matter he had staked his life on had reached this critical juncture, and Yan Zhenqing had long since had no way to turn back.

What he firmly believed in was great benevolence and great righteousness, great wisdom and great courage! Not rigidly following the rules of the imperial power game!

Clearly, Yan Zhenqing believed that the emperor Ji-ge could no longer bear the burden that was originally his. If this emperor were allowed to remain on the throne, the Great Tang would only collapse ever more swiftly.

The common people would suffer unspeakably!

Left with no choice, between personal reputation and saving the nation, Yan Zhenqing chose the latter.

"Your Highness, the Great Tang is now at a moment of life and death. I beg Your Highness to bear with it and attend to urgent affairs.

All other matters can be discussed again after Hebei is pacified."

Yan Zhenqing urged earnestly.

The "all other matters" in his mouth was in fact a hint at the exclusive privileges belonging solely to the emperor.

For instance, wanting to make a certain woman a consort and bringing her into the palace.

For instance, what to do with the song and dance troupe of the Pear Garden inner court.

And many other spectacles exclusive to the emperor—Li Chang could try something new every day for a month without repeating! Yan Zhenqing worried that once Li Chang took the throne, he would activate "emperor enjoyment mode," and then things would truly go to ruin!

"Rest assured, Lord Yan. I understand."

Li Chang nodded slightly.

In reality, Yan Zhenqing was overthinking it. Li Chang had absolutely no interest in the things Ji-ge liked, and even felt a natural aversion to them.

"We welcome the Crown Prince!"

"We welcome the Crown Prince!"

"We welcome the Crown Prince!"

Every person who "coincidentally" appeared along the way, regardless of what style of official robe they wore, would shout "Welcome, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"

These four words were passed along like a chain of idioms, continuously transmitting in the direction of Li Chang's procession.

First they entered the Great Ultimate Palace, then continued north, passing through the Black Tortoise Gate to enter the West Inner Garden. Finally they passed through the Hanguang Hall, entered the Great Brilliance Palace through a side gate, and headed straight for the Purple Celestial Hall!

By the time Li Chang and his entourage arrived at the Purple Celestial Hall, it was already filled with central court officials. It seemed as though they had all been waiting for his arrival.

To Li Chang's slight bewilderment, these people appeared to have everything fully prepared—the ritual vessels needed for the grand ceremony were not a single item short!

Many of them were ones he had seen at the crown prince investiture ceremony!

Two unfamiliar eunuchs stepped forward and draped the ochre-yellow dragon robe they were carrying over Li Chang. Then they removed his futou and placed a black mianguan crown on his head.

The mian is a "headpiece," which can be simply understood as a type of hat. It's just that it holds the highest status, typically worn only during sacrifices and grand court audiences, and not ordinarily used.

The "liu" refers to the strings of small jade beads hanging down from the front of the hat, arranged in five colors: red, white, blue, yellow, and black.

The so-called mianguan can be simply understood as the "crown" worn by an emperor during grand ceremonies.

Wearing this meant that from this day forward, Li Chang was the emperor!

Li Chang stood motionless, woodenly waiting as the eunuchs dressed him in the dragon robe and placed the crown on him on the spot. After hastily completing this most basic enthronement ritual, Cheng Yuanzhen led Li Chang to the dragon throne in the Purple Celestial Hall and asked Li Chang to sit.

After slowly sitting down, Li Chang did not seem to feel any "dragon aura descending upon him," nor did he feel boundless strength in his body.

He only felt that the dragon throne was cold and hard, and it dug into his rear—sitting on it was truly uncomfortable.

"Long live the Emperor!"

Yan Zhenqing took the lead and shouted.

"Long live the Emperor!"

The assembled officials in the Purple Celestial Hall all prostrated themselves on the ground, loudly chanting "Long live!"

"Rise!"

Cheng Yuanzhen shouted in a drake-like voice. He seemed to have gotten into character even earlier than Li Chang, and was now fully immersed in his role.

Li Chang sat on the dragon throne and could look down from on high to observe the expressions of the officials in the hall. Unfortunately, these old foxes had all become spirits through cultivation—from their faces, one could only read the four words "loyal to the sovereign and devoted to the state."

But if these people were truly "loyal to the sovereign," what virtue or ability did he possess to sit on the dragon throne in the Purple Celestial Hall?

Li Chang felt a sense of inexplicable absurdity, so much so that he wanted to throw back his head and let out a long howl at the sky.

When the emperor no longer suits, then swap in another. Among the people in this hall, loyalty and devotion may be in short supply, but treacherous ministers and rebels are certainly not few.

A trace of cold sneer surfaced at the corner of his mouth, then vanished in an instant.

"Your Majesty, the Retired Emperor is still in Taiyuan. If this continues, the officials will inevitably be at a loss, and will think that Your Majesty lacks filial piety, making the Retired Emperor afraid to return to Chang'an.

It would be better for Your Majesty to issue an edict welcoming the Retired Emperor and requesting that the Retired Emperor take up residence at the Da'an Palace.

Let the people of the realm see Your Majesty's filial piety."

An official in a purple robe stepped forward to make the suggestion. His name was Li Xian, the newly appointed Mayor of the Capital Prefecture, and also the eldest son of Prince Xin'an, Li Yi.

"Lord Yan, draft the edict."

Li Chang ordered with a calm expression.

"Your Majesty, there are over a hundred thousand elite border troops in Taiyuan. They cannot be left without restraint. Your Majesty may issue an edict ordering these elite soldiers to be reorganized in Hedong.

And appoint a new commanding general."

Another official stepped forward to suggest.

Li Chang nodded slightly and asked, "Who does the minister think would be best to serve as commander? Ah, I do not yet know the minister's name and office."

"Your humble servant Pei Zunqing, currently Minister of War. Your humble servant recommends the veteran general Du Xiwang to take up the post."

Pei Zunqing said unhurriedly, not feeling the least bit embarrassed by his own brazenness.

In fact, all the officials currently in the hall were "pseudo-officials"—that is, officials appointed only by the Deliberation Hall, without imperial endorsement.

Strictly speaking, they were out-and-out rebels wearing official robes!

As for the officials originally appointed by Brother Ji, they had either died or fled; the disobedient ones had all been "harmonized." For example, Yang Shenjing, who oversaw the Inner Treasury, was now hiding in Yangzhou, not daring to return to Chang'an.

So when Pei Zunqing said he was the Minister of War, it was merely a "self-appointed" title by the court—it would only take effect formally once Li Chang nodded and granted imperial approval.

In other words, this was no less than a reverse coercion of the throne!

If Li Chang did not grant these people "official status," the court would be unable to function normally. These people needed the endorsement of imperial authority, and Li Chang equally needed them to handle various civil and military affairs.

To a certain extent, both sides could be said to be "each taking what they needed."

"Approved. Lord Yan, draft the imperial edict."

Li Chang nodded slightly, saying not a word of superfluous talk.

Everything, absolutely everything, had already been arranged.

He suppressed the urge to yawn and sat quietly on the dragon throne, listening as the officials below stepped forward one by one to present memorials that had long been prepared in advance.

"Wait, I have something I wish to say."

Li Chang suddenly raised his hand, and the Minister of Justice, Han Huang, who had been about to step forward, halted his steps. Han Huang was the son of Han Xiu, and Han Xiu had been a chancellor during the mid-Kaiyuan era.

The words "official family" were not spoken in vain. You might think it a figure of speech, but it was merely a plain description of others' reality. When the father holds office, the sons and nephews continue to hold office—this was the norm of Tang dynasty politics.

"From me onward, there will no longer be any 'Sage' nor any 'Zai.' Address me as Your Majesty, and refer to the era name simply as the era."

Li Chang said with a stern face, his tone leaving no room for any bargaining.

Whenever he thought of the words "Sage," Li Chang felt so nauseated he wanted to vomit.

Did that sort of creature who extended his demonic claws toward his own daughter-in-law even deserve the words "Sage"?

Along with them, the two words "Sage" themselves had become a kind of humiliation!

The moment Li Chang heard it, it vexed him!

"We respectfully obey Your Majesty's instruction!"

The assembled officials in the Purple Celestial Hall bowed and saluted, speaking in unison.

"Mm, the minister may proceed."

Li Chang looked at Han Huang and said.

"Your Majesty, during the reign of the Grand Emperor Emeritus, court discipline was lax, and those who committed corruption and crimes repeatedly stood in the court, still holding high positions."

"They not only sit idle in their posts, but also use their positions to sell offices and ranks."

"Although these people have been dismissed from office now, the court cannot tolerate those wicked deeds, and Your Majesty cannot tolerate those wicked deeds."

"Furthermore, please issue an edict, Your Majesty, letting the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review jointly investigate those old cases to restore court discipline."

Han Huang said with a solemn expression.

After hearing these words, Li Chang not only did not get angry, but actually felt like laughing.

Is it necessary to speak so righteously just to strike down political rivals and eliminate dissenters?

Actually, the reason is obvious; since many people in Chang'an support Li Chang's ascension, naturally there are also those who oppose it.

Moreover, the seamless connection between the court assembly and the enthronement ceremony clearly shows that some people have been plotting this for a long time.

When Li Chang ascended the throne, some sang his praises; where did the opponents go?

The content of Han Huang's memorial is the answer.

They need Li Chang's approval, and then they can use imperial authority to ruthlessly eliminate dissenters!

There's nothing unacceptable about it; this is simply factionalism and clique‑building for personal gain.

"What you say is quite correct, beloved official. However, I have another idea."

Li Chang suddenly said with deep anguish:

"The court's discipline must be rectified, and the customs of Chang'an even more so! Before I ascended the throne, I heard that there were people like the Lady of Guo State who had relations with hundreds of officials in Chang'an—so many that they could fill carts and be measured in bushels!"

"Lewdness is the chief of all evils; to rectify Chang'an's customs, let's start by catching adulterers and adulteresses—once confirmed, they shall be killed without mercy."

Catch adulterers and adulteresses?

The officials present all looked at each other, not knowing what sort of trick Li Chang was up to. But it's obvious that such matters are difficult to investigate, and indeed cannot be investigated.

For example, Yan Tingzhi's eldest son, Yan Wu, once had an affair with a married woman and even killed someone and dumped the corpse far away.

Such filthy affairs among these officials are not isolated cases; investigate and you'll find filth everywhere.

Yan Zhenqing quickly stepped forward to advise: "Your Majesty, the situation in Hedong is urgent; as for catching adulterers and adulteresses, we can delay it for now."

Li Chang glanced at Yan Zhenqing, showed a look of disappointment, then nodded and said: "Very well, then let it be as Master Yan says."

Upon hearing this, Yan Zhenqing breathed a sigh of relief, presented a memorial, and said: "Your Majesty, having ascended the throne, the world is still unaware. It would be better to immediately announce it to all under heaven, to clarify the hearing and sight, so that petty men cannot muddy the waters. I, your humble servant, have already drafted an enthronement edict; please review it, Your Majesty."

Yan Zhenqing held the memorial with both hands, feeling as if it weighed a thousand jin.

Who would have thought that Li Chang couldn't even be bothered to look at it, and directly refused: "Master Yan, just issue the edict yourself; I've been traveling day and night and am somewhat tired. As for other matters, you esteemed officials can discuss them among yourselves."

Seeing him say that, Cheng Yuanzhen beside him shouted: "Dismiss court!"

Amid the bewildered gazes of the assembled officials, Li Chang rose from the dragon throne and walked alone toward the rear hall.