Thief Emperor

Chapter 897 Ascending the Throne
The eighteenth day of the first lunar month in the first year of Zhangwu is extremely auspicious.

In the Taiji Hall, Wu Yuancheng, the Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, dressed in imperial robes, sat expressionlessly on the throne, looking at the ministers standing below.

All the civil and military officials were present, but not a single minister of Zhou was left.

Even the palace maid who read out the abdication edict was not a slave of the Great Zhou.

He sat on the throne like a puppet, with no expression on his face.

In fact, he originally did not even have the qualifications to sit on the throne. Yesterday, the Ministry of Rites argued for a long time about this matter. Finally, the Minister of Rites Tao Wenyuan felt that it was inappropriate and embarrassing to let the old emperor abdicate while standing.

Therefore, His Majesty the Emperor was allowed to temporarily take Li Yun's seat.

Every word of the abdication edict was like a sharp needle piercing Emperor Wu's heart, making him feel that time was passing by so slowly that it lasted for years.

However, when he looked down at the throne beneath him and looked up at the civil and military officials standing before him, Wu Yuancheng couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia.

He closed his eyes slightly and let out a long breath.

If only...if only this were really my position.

In this contradictory state of mind, the palace maid's abdication edict was finally read out. The eunuch turned his head to look at Wu Yuancheng, then sang loudly: "Please invite the Emperor of the Great Tang to enter the palace."

After a loud singing, Li Yun, dressed in royal robes, walked into the Tai Chi Hall with a calm expression.

Just now, all the officials standing in the Taiji Hall knelt down at the same time and kowtowed to Li Yun: "Your Highness."

"Knock to the Emperor."

Li Yun looked calm. He first looked at Wu Yuancheng, then at the officials below. There was no ripple in his heart. He just said calmly, "Stand up."

If he were the heir to the throne, he would most likely be very nervous and excited when he ascended the throne at this time. However, Li Yun was not the heir to the throne. This family business was built by him alone.

Speaking of excitement, the most exciting time for Li Yun in these years was actually when he established his rule in the Central Plains.

At that time, what happened today had already been decided.

For Li Yun, it was more like a formality.

He walked up to Emperor Wu and looked at the pale-faced Emperor Wu quietly.

Sweat beads appeared on Wu Yuancheng's forehead. He wanted to stand up to make room for Li Yun, but somehow, his body seemed to be out of control and his legs became stiff.

He just sat on the throne without moving.

Li Yun did not speak. The eunuch beside him began to get nervous. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "It's time to get up."

At this time, he didn't know how to address Wu Yuancheng, so he simply skipped it and didn't address him.

Li Yun was not in a hurry, he just looked at Wu Yuancheng quietly. Wu Yuancheng's forehead was covered with sweat. After a long time, his rationality finally overcame his emotions. He supported himself with both hands and slowly stood up.

At this moment, both of his legs were stiff, and after he stood up, he almost lost his balance and fell to the ground.

Li Yun looked at him with a smile but didn't say anything.

It was still the first month of the year and Luoyang was not very warm. It was still quite cold in the Taiji Hall, but for some reason, the Emperor of the Great Zhou was sweating profusely.

He looked up at Li Yun, then at the civil and military officials standing below, and gritted his teeth slightly.

At this moment, he felt an impulse in his heart. If he turned around and smashed his head against the Tai Chi Hall and died, in the future... would his name be recorded in history?

In the afterlife, will his ancestors be more lenient towards him?
Will the world undergo some slight changes because of this?
Wu Yuancheng's heart felt like a drum beating.

Will there be any righteous men to restore the Great Zhou?
Thinking of this, he felt a little desperate, because it was obvious that it was already very difficult.

The Emperor of the Great Zhou wiped the sweat from his forehead with his robe, then took the imperial seal from the plate held by the eunuch with trembling hands, held it in both hands, and handed it to Li Yun.

At this time, according to the "rehearsal" process in the past few days, Wu Yuancheng should have said a few polite words, but at this time, he could not say a word.

It’s not that he is unwilling to speak psychologically, but the tremendous pressure has caused him some physical discomfort.

The king of a fallen country will see his country taken over by another ruler.

The pressure is just too much.

Li Yun took the imperial seal that was said to have been passed down from ancient times, and just glanced at Wu Yuancheng indifferently, then walked towards his throne. After sitting down, he just glanced at Wu Yuancheng and said indifferently: "Take him down to rest."

"Yes."

Two palace maids at the side immediately supported Wu Yuancheng, holding his arms and almost forcibly carrying him down the imperial steps.

Li Yun looked at Wu Yuancheng who left in a panic, and a smile appeared on his face. Then he looked at the civil and military officials below and said with a smile: "Everyone, is there anything different about meeting here today?"

When the civil and military officials below heard Li Yun's words, they all smiled at the same time. When someone was about to reply, the Minister of Rites Tao Wenyuan stood up, bowed his head and bowed to Li Yun and said: "Your Majesty, the auspicious time for offering sacrifices to heaven has been set, and we cannot delay it. You..."

"Hurry up."

Li Yun smiled dumbly, looked at Du Qian beside him, and said with a smile: "Prime Minister Du, you come and read the edict of enthronement." "Yes."

Du Qian stood up and took the imperial edict that had been prepared long ago from the eunuch. He looked at the officials below and spoke in a low voice.

"I will now read your Majesty's accession decree. All the ministers kneel and listen."

All the civil and military officials knelt on the ground.

Du Qian coughed, cleared his throat, and then read aloud.

"The Emperor of the Tang Dynasty ascended the throne."

"I have heard that Qian Yuan is the origin of the universe, and the rule must belong to the true God; Kun Zai is vast, and the pacification must belong to the most benevolent. If we look back to the ancient times, there were Xia who succeeded Yu, Yan Han who succeeded the sky, and they all matched the sky with virtue and benefited the people. I am humble, but I have encountered the bad luck. How can I not be respectful to the great heaven and want to save the people from the water and fire?"

"In the past, Xian De lost control, and the nine encirclements were in turmoil. The drums in the south of the Yangtze River shattered the night moon in Qinhuai; the beacons in the Central Plains burned the spring clouds in Heluo. Jackals blocked the roads, and bones covered the plains; foxes and rabbits occupied the city, and the wailing people were everywhere in the wilderness."

"I am a commoner, carrying a spear in the wilderness, and sleeping on my sword in the frost and dew. I have been on the battlefield for ten years, not daring to wield a three-foot sword; I have fought thousands of miles to save billions of people."

"Thanks to the blessing of Heaven and the descent of the spirit of Zongyou, the world is now cleared and the majesty of the Han officials can be seen again. The river is shining with glory and the Luo River is presenting a precious talisman. This is the God's help in my small body so that I can inherit the great throne."

"I fear the will of heaven, and am as awed as an icy abyss. I study the literary thought of Emperor Yao of Tang and the courage and wisdom of the ancestors of Han. On the first month of the first year of the Zhangwu reign, I hereby announce to the heaven and earth that I will take the throne, establish the country under the name of Great Tang, and establish the capital in Luoyang. I will inherit the orthodox tradition of the Yan and Han dynasties and restore the old tradition of imperial thrones."

"He has spread his reformist policies far and wide."

"First, cancel the tribute from all directions and reduce the land rent by half, so that the people can devote themselves to farming."

"Second, pardon all the people, from before the first month of the first year of Zhangwu, all those sentenced to death or below will be pardoned."

"Third, to posthumously honor those who died for their loyalty and honor those who are loyal and righteous."

"Fourth, appoint officials according to their abilities, and abolish all harsh laws and bad policies of previous dynasties."

"Fifth, cultivate rites and music, encourage education, and select those who are filial, respectful, and hardworking in the fields."

"Sixth, send envoys to tour the prefectures and counties, inquire about the sufferings of the people, and investigate the integrity and corruption of officials."

Having read to this point, Du Qian looked up at the civil and military officials below, then took a deep breath and continued reading.

"I advise you, my good advisers and important ministers: you should think of the warning of the boat and the water, and the oath of defending the mountains and rivers. If I have made a mistake, you should give me your advice; if I am not doing well, the law must be enforced. If the right people are appointed, the government will be successful."

"The six directions are in harmony, and the danger of war will never be avoided; the nine realms are full of virtue, and the country will always be blessed with peace. All my subjects should understand my thoughts."

"Announce it to the whole world, and let all know it."

At this point, the enthronement edict came to an end. Du Qian placed the edict back on the plate held by the eunuch, returned to his position as a minister, looked up at the emperor, and spoke in a serious voice.

"Kowtowing to the Emperor."

All the officials bowed respectfully and prostrated themselves on the ground.

"Your subjects, we bow to the emperor."

"Long live the emperor. Long live the emperor."

Li Yun sat on the imperial throne, looking at the civil and military officials below him. He narrowed his eyes slightly, feeling the position of the emperor. Then he opened his eyes wide and looked at the eunuch standing beside him, his voice calm.

"Read the imperial edict of enthronement."

"Yes."

The eunuch held the imperial edict in his hands and read it out in public.

This one was the document for enthroning the empress, which made Li Yun's first wife, Xue, the empress of the Tang Dynasty and the mother of the country.

The second document was the document of enthroning the crown prince, which made the eldest son Li Yuan the crown prince of the Tang Dynasty.

It was natural to enthrone Queen Xue, after all, they were married.

However, enthroning a crown prince is a political operation. When the new dynasty was first established, Li Yun needed to tell the world that the new Tang Dynasty court was very "formal" and had its own heir.

Having an heir means stability and longevity. As for the future...

If the crown prince is really incompetent and there is a risk of the second generation's death, Li Yun probably will not indulge him.

But now, Li Yuan is naturally the undisputed crown prince.

After the enthronement edict was read out, Empress Xue led Li Yuan into the palace to express her gratitude, and then sat upright on the imperial steps to accept the worship of all officials.

By the time the Minister of Rites Tao Wenyuan announced the end of the ceremony, it was almost noon.

His Majesty the Emperor stood up, looked at the ministers, and said slowly: "Everyone, come with...come with me."

"Go to the Altar of Heaven and Earth and offer sacrifices to the heavens."

(End of this chapter)