novelraw Chapter 400 - 9: The Gu Clan Emerges, Li Yuan Proclaims Himself Emperor
Chapter 400 - 9: The Gu Clan Emerges, Li Yuan Proclaims Himself Emperor
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"I ask Father to ascend the throne as Emperor, to inherit the Celestial Mandate and govern the realm!"
The council hall.
Having just learned of the situation, Li Shimin declared this in front of everyone.
The entire hall instantly became silent.
Li Yuan was also taken aback. He had initially been smiling broadly because Li Shimin had indeed brought back the youth of the Gu Clan, but his expression quickly turned serious.
— An entreaty to ascend!
There is no one who doesn’t want to be emperor.
Li Yuan was no exception; the reason he hadn’t made a decision until now was because of this.
But he couldn’t ignore the benefits of succeeding the Sui court either.
Whether it was the little remaining prestige of the Sui Dynasty;
Or gaining the support of those who firmly believed "the Sui Dynasty is the legitimate authority," succeeding the Sui court could bring significant benefits!
Yet who wouldn’t want to become emperor quickly?
The support from the Gu Clan indeed gave Li Yuan confidence.
The entire hall remained silent.
Li Shimin, ignoring the gazes around him and not waiting for anyone to speak, continued loudly, "Everyone talks about inheriting the residual prestige of the Sui court, but can this prestige—"
The volume of his voice suddenly rose, "Stop the old woman of Weibei from boiling bones for food? Prevent the children of Hedong from being sold into slavery?"
He sighed deeply and, looking earnestly at Li Yuan, said, "After traveling eight hundred li from Chang’an, all I saw were fields covered with corpses and roads blocked by refugees!"
"The people lie upon the bones of Yang Guang’s tyranny, how can they see any dignity of the Sui court?"
"Now is truly the time for the world to be renewed."
"Even the Gu Clan is willing to assist our Li Clan. If Father continues the Sui court, wouldn’t it be akin to equating you with that foolish emperor?"
Li Shimin slowly knelt, bowing towards Li Yuan, "Now that Guanzhong is secure, the people’s hearts yearn for it! If Father ascends the throne at this moment, it will announce to the four seas—"
"That cruel and harsh rule ends here."
"A flourishing age where farmers have land and the hungry have food will be recreated by our Li Clan in collaboration with the Gu Clan!"
His voice echoed in the vast hall, the ministers looked at each other in dismay.
Only Li Shimin maintained his kneeling posture, his straight back like a sword about to be drawn.
His words ended completely.
The sound of discussion naturally resumed, and clearly, these words alone were insufficient to convince everyone.
There will always be stubborn people in any era.
But as long as Li Yuan listened, it was enough.
He hadn’t made a choice yet, which already indicated his attitude.
He was just waiting for a reason.
And now—
Li Shimin had given him this reason.
He didn’t need to inherit the Sui court.
He needed to tell the world that he would personally create a brand new flourishing age.
As for whether it could be achieved, who would care?
To him, he simply wanted to sit on that position first!
"Good!" Without waiting for anyone to speak, Li Yuan’s voice immediately resounded, "What Erlang says is exactly my intention!"
Under the astonished gaze of the ministers, Li Yuan suddenly rose, his gaze sweeping over them like a torch:
"The destiny of the Sui court has ended, this splendid land deserves a new look!"
He slowly stepped down from the dais, his expression resolute, "Pass on my decree—"
The atmosphere in the hall changed imperceptibly.
Though some still felt resistance in their hearts, when it truly came to this point, everyone’s eyes involuntarily burned with enthusiasm.
"Immediately prepare for the enthronement ceremony, announce to the world—"
"I will assume the throne and proclaim myself Emperor on an auspicious day!"
Li Yuan’s last four words were like the sound of a great bell or drum.
Just as the words fell.
As Pei Ji was the first to kneel before Li Yuan, almost without hesitation, all those present followed suit and knelt before Li Yuan!
The fourteenth year of the Daye era, on the乙巳 day of the fifth month.
Li Yuan ascended the throne in Chang’an as Emperor.
The nation was named Tang;
The era named Wude.
A decree was issued to announce to the world, establishing the ambition of revitalizing Kyushu in alliance with the Gu Clan!
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