I rode and slashed unparalleled in the Three Kingdoms

Chapter 938: The Death of the Tang King

"Your Majesty, the dead cannot be resurrected. Your health is the most important thing. Please accept my condolences."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I think the King of Tang is like the former champion, Huo Qubing. He is the auspicious sign bestowed by God on our Han Dynasty to overcome the disasters. Now he has retired and returned to the fairyland."

The atmosphere in Luoyang City was depressing, and it was even more sad in Prince Tang's palace.

After all, paper cannot keep fire.

Although Wannian issued a strict order to block the news immediately after the imperial physician's diagnosis, the strange phenomenon in the sky that day was too horrifying, and the ministers and the people had already been discussing it in private.

In just three days, the rumor that "The Tang King was originally a god who came down to earth, and now that his great cause has been accomplished, it's time for him to return to his throne" quietly spread in the streets and alleys of Luoyang City. In teahouses and taverns, storytellers who were inspired by the cultural prosperity of the capital clapped their hands to wake up, weaving the legendary tale of Su Yao's rise from Bingzhou to the unification of the thirteen states with the strange celestial phenomena that day into a fantasy tale that made people sigh in regret and be dazzled at times.

The Wannian Empress seemed to be unaware of everything. She just stayed in Prince Tang's palace in tears and had not eaten for three days. All the central government officials could only kneel outside Su Yao's door and accompany His Majesty without eating or drinking.

After a long time, young people like Wang Ling and Jia Xu could still hold on, but old officials like Lu Zhi and Huangfu Song could not stand it at all.

Seeing ministers fainting and being carried away one after another outside, Wannian finally gave in and allowed the ministers to prepare for Su Yao's funeral.

But the condition was that Wannian insisted on burying Su Yao according to the imperial standards, which naturally met with fierce opposition from the ministers.

"Your Majesty! This is an act of usurpation!"

Lu Zhi, who had just woken up and had no time to be happy, immediately knelt down on the ground and burst into tears when he heard what His Majesty said.

The Wannian Empress glanced at the ministers coldly, her eyes full of majesty:
"The King of Tang saved my life and rebuilt the Han Dynasty."

"If it weren't for the Tang King, you would have long since become dry bones in the grave. How could you be here today?"

"I have made up my mind. The funeral of the King of Tang should be performed with imperial rites. Anyone who dares to speak of usurping the throne will be killed immediately!"

The emperor's word is law. Seeing that the empress was determined, the ministers dared not persuade her anymore, for fear that the emperor, who had just lost her husband and was in a state of emotional distress, would do something irrational. They had no choice but to agree and let the emperor eat and go to bed first, so that the ministers could have a good rest.

As for the specifications of the funeral, we can discuss it later.

After all, no one could have imagined that a great general who lived in the prime of the Spring and Autumn Period and had hardly ever suffered from any minor illness would die so suddenly that the site selection work for his and Your Majesty's mausoleums had not even begun.

After all the preparations and construction work, it would probably take several years before the burial could take place.

At this moment, everyone should avoid conflict with His Majesty who is angry.

However, despite this, the officials could not immediately feel at ease.

Three days have passed since the strange phenomenon appeared in the sky and the general passed away, but the preparations for the seventh day have not yet begun.

Therefore, Lu Zhi and other veteran ministers such as Zhu Jun held an urgent discussion and reported to the emperor to prepare for the seventh day in advance in order to appease the people and stabilize the court.

They are well aware that any omission at this sensitive moment could cause turmoil.

Although Wannian, who was in grief, did not want to admit that Su Yao had passed away, she was realistically unable to let her husband's body remain in Prince Tang's mansion.

So, she finally left the room reluctantly, and let Cai Yong, who had been promoted to the Minister of Rites, take over and prepare the affairs of the first seven days with the most solemn etiquette.

After receiving the order, Cai Yong immediately mobilized all the staff of the Ministry of Rites, and at the same time recruited officials from the Imperial Household Department and the Imperial Clan's Ordinary Department to work together. He summoned 33 of the most prestigious ritual officials in Luoyang overnight to compare the "Han Yi" with ancient books and carefully review the first seven rituals.

At the same time, the news of King Tang's death was finally no longer concealed and announced to the world.

The city of Luoyang was suddenly covered in mourning. White banners were hung in front of every house, shops and teahouses were all closed, and the streets were filled with the sound of wailing.

This was certainly due to the imperial court's order, but more importantly it was the people's heartfelt grief.

Since Su Yao expelled Dong Zhuo and took over Luoyang, he suppressed the powerful, reduced taxes and levies, and gave the people a rest. He also launched many cultural and economic activities such as the imperial examination, money exchange, auctions, and even martial arts competitions. These colorful activities not only gave the people countless topics to talk about and let them enjoy the prosperity of the capital, but even the ordinary people living outside the city walls had a better life under Su Yao's rule.

Not only did they get land, achieving the goal of "those who till the land own the land, and those who live in the house own the house", but even their children went to government-run schools to study, and their lives were full of hope.

Now that they heard that Su Yao had passed away, the people of Luoyang were all grateful for his kindness. Even the West Market, which was the most bustling place in the past, was now so quiet that one could hear the sound of falling leaves.

"The heaven is blind!"

"What a great general! Why did they take him away?"

People gathered spontaneously in the streets and alleys, and the sad cry of a white-haired old man broke the deathly silence.

The old man beat his chest and knelt on the ground, causing the people around him to shed tears.

This old man was none other than a family that Su Yao rescued from the fire after he arrived in Beijing that day.

On that day, Dong Zhuo hastily evacuated the capital after causing chaos. The alliance of aristocratic families occupied the capital and put up a stubborn resistance. After their defeat, some people took advantage of the chaos to loot and burn. The people of Luoyang suffered greatly.

The old man's son had been killed by Dong Zhuo's Xiliang soldiers because he had not submitted the Book of Filial Piety, and his only grandson was trapped in a fire in the chaos after the war.

At that time, it was Su Yao who led the officers and soldiers into the city to restore order.

The old man still can't forget the day when General Su, dressed in a red robe and covered in blood, rushed into the raging fire like the wind and came back holding the child in one hand. The fierce and merciless flames didn't even set his robe on fire.

Then, during the days when the general was away, General Su personally inspected the city. Although he seemed to be riding on a horse with a beauty in his arms all day and was carefree, he really worked hard. He cleaned up the ruins of the old man with a smile, and then ordered people to build a new house for them.

There are countless people in the capital who have benefited from Su Yao like this old man.

His wailing soon resonated with the people around him, and for a while, the streets were filled with cries of grief.

However, at a time when the whole city was filled with sorrow, a small group of people made different voices.

It was a sound of panic and shock.

"Something's wrong, something's wrong, Master."

"Your Highness. Is His Royal Highness the Tang King really dead?"

This is the day before the first seven days of the memorial service.

The person who was speaking was a minor official in the Ministry of Rites who was in charge of funeral ceremonies and was responsible for preparing the deceased's remains and posthumous memorials.

"What are you yelling about? If the Tang King is not dead, then can't the imperial doctors diagnose it?"

Before the clerk finished speaking, he was glared at by the old etiquette officer beside him. The old etiquette officer looked around nervously, and when he saw that there was no one around, he lowered his voice and scolded:
"In our line of work, we must be careful with our words and actions. The death of the King of Tang was determined by the imperial physician, and His Majesty has approved it. Now the whole city is in mourning, and the Emperor is grieving. If your lies get out, you will lose your head!"

"But."

The clerk swallowed his saliva, pointed at Su Yao who was lying flat on the side with a trembling finger, and said in a low voice:

"I just checked the King of Tang's body. It's been six days. Not to mention corruption and corpse spots, not even a bit of filth has leaked out."

"Hiss—what did you say?!"

The old ceremonial officer suddenly opened his eyes wide, and a hint of inexplicable fear flashed in his cloudy pupils.

(End of this chapter)