lcionline Chapter 251 Extra (6) Looking Back on the Road Ahead 08
Chapter 251 Extra (6) Looking Back on the Road Ahead 08
The study remained silent for a long time.
The world Lin Wanghui described was so astonishing that it left Lu Chengyi dizzy and unable to sort out his thoughts for a long time.
There was no emperor.
Decentralization of power.
Enlighten the people.
……
All of this was far beyond Lu Chengyi's imagination. In his previous mind, Lin Wanghui might at most replace him, but he never expected that this person's ultimate goal was to set such an unprecedented precedent.
But upon further reflection, he was horrified to discover that Lin Wanghui could actually do it.
Lin Wanghui controls a large part of Changping's economic lifeline through his research institute and related industries. He has abundant money and grain, and he also has the former Tingyun Army under his control. People inside and outside the court have long been dissatisfied with the imperial power. Not to mention, apart from the Lu family, probably no one in the world would want to be oppressed by an emperor again.
In terms of operability, Lu Chengyi was also shocked to discover that Lin You and Lin Shiming from a hundred years ago had already paved the way for him. Those laws that many people found difficult to understand and that always felt somewhat awkward, after being given the shell that Lin Wanghui mentioned, actually became so fitting and effective.
In his plan, Lin Wanghui didn't even need to reorganize the government; simply preparing and printing the second half of the book left by Lin You, "Letter to the Emperor," would be enough to change the bureaucracy. It could be said that this reform, aside from the loss of the emperor, wouldn't cause much upheaval.
Time, location, people and harmony.
The Lu family believed they had controlled the world for over two hundred years, but in reality, they had been pawns of the Lin family from beginning to end. The Lin family used the Lu family's rule to maintain stability in the world, gradually changing many old rules that had existed for a thousand years. After two centuries of accumulation, this quantitative change finally led to a qualitative change in Lin Wanghui.
Thinking about this, Lu Chengyi almost chuckled.
All these years of relationship have only benefited the Lin family.
Damn, that whole family is cunning! They enjoy the emperor's trust, never having to worry like the emperor, yet they still hold high positions. Not only have their family enjoyed generations of peaceful and stable succession, but they've also managed to snatch wives and even a crown prince from the Lu family—they've truly profited immensely. The only time they managed to do so was by tricking Lin Shiming out of the Lin family, and they even changed the law to pave the way for future generations.
What kind of family are they!
Absolutely.
Even so, Lu Chengyi still found it hard to believe. What was the Lin family after? Others would scheme for a month or two to gain some benefit, but the Lin family wanted to completely depose the emperor? Lu Chengyi still refused to believe that someone would give up the position of ruler of the world and instead try to abolish the imperial system.
So selfless?
Lu Chengyi couldn't help but ask again, "It's so close, within reach, you really don't want to be emperor?"
While enjoying himself and putting pastries in his mouth, Lin Wanghui took a moment to glance at him and reluctantly replied, "For more than two hundred years, the Lin family has only ever seen the suffering of the common people and was willing to find a way out for the world."
Yes.
When Changping overthrew the previous dynasty and established the new one, wasn't the initial purpose to give the people of the world a way to survive?
Lu Chengyi closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
After a long silence, he said in a deep voice, "The Lu family has passed down its traditions for generations, and its original aspirations remain unchanged."
Affordable, put it down.
Indeed, this is the kind of monarch who takes the world as his responsibility, educated under the influence of Lin You and Jun Shu.
Lin Wanghui chuckled softly.
“Very well. Since Your Highness the King of Chu has such ambition, you and I will surely be able to give the world a new life.”
Across a century, the Lin and Lu families will join hands once again to change the world.
The same as before.
*
After three months.
The late emperor's eldest son, Lu Chengyi, suddenly assumed the throne and, with the support of his ministers, reclaimed the throne that rightfully belonged to him.
Emperor Pingwu persecuted loyal officials, oppressed the people, and was not favored by Heaven; he was unable to fulfill the duties of an emperor, so he was deposed. The former crown prince, Lu Xingzhou, was also deposed and reduced to commoner status, imprisoned for life.
Lin Jingbiao of the Lin family returned to the court to assist in governing the country. Although he did not restore the Tingyun Army, he concurrently served as Minister of War, reorganized the army, and stabilized the country's turmoil.
Three days later, on the first day of the tenth month, Lu Chengyi ascended the throne as emperor.
It is what everyone expects.
Everything seems to be returning to normal.
However, many astute ministers discovered that the new emperor and the Lin family seemed to be working together in tacit agreement to reshuffle the officials in the court and the country in order to achieve some mysterious goals. Moreover, they did not seem to be hiding it. For example, the new emperor had been on the throne for more than a month, and the New Year was just a few days away, but he had not yet issued an edict or set an era name.
There must be something wrong with it.
Many people are even wondering if this new emperor is a puppet deliberately put forward by the Lin family to avoid being branded as a usurper.
Until April of the following year.
With the arrival of spring and the blooming of flowers, the turmoil that had lasted for many years finally subsided thanks to the joint efforts of everyone.
The ancestral worship ceremony is just around the corner this year.
On the fourth day of the fourth lunar month, a light drizzle fell as the new emperor, accompanied by his ministers, offered sacrifices to their ancestors at the Fengxian Hall.
Lu Chengyi devoutly offered three sticks of incense to the ancestral tablets of the Lu family, and then returned to his original position.
The eunuch Wei Jin loudly announced the successful conclusion of the sacrificial ceremony.
"retreat--"
The officials breathed a sigh of relief, waiting for the emperor to tell them to leave.
Lu Chengyi remained rooted to the spot, refusing to move. Wei Jin and the officials from the Ministry of Rites tentatively approached and asked a few questions, but Lu Chengyi continued to stare intently at the memorial tablet before him, remaining silent.
The crowd gradually became suspicious, and their thoughts began to waver.
Some bolder individuals have already started speculating wildly. Is His Majesty, unable to bear the Lin family's control, preparing to weep before the ancestors to force the Lin family to back down?
But there's also the memorial tablet for that male empress from the Lin family! I heard that this male empress was highly skilled in martial arts and could take on a hundred men single-handedly. I imagine he could beat the souls of these emperors from the Lu family even in the afterlife. Who's bullying whom is still uncertain. What good would His Majesty's tears do?
Wow, this is going to be interesting.
Just then, Lu Chengyi, who had been silent for a long time, finally spoke.
"Two hundred years ago, the Lu and Lin families rose up in rebellion for the sake of the world. More than two hundred years after the founding of Changping, our Lu imperial family has also done its best to maintain stability in the world."
The ministers were bewildered. They looked at each other, but still knelt down and said, "Your Majesty's words are very true. We are in awe."
Among the prostrate figures, only Lin Wanghui remained standing still.
Lu Chengyi turned around and met his gaze.
"My heart remains unchanged."
Some people had already realized something was wrong. But the Fengxian Hall remained silent, everyone waiting for Lu Chengyi to say next.
"Now that the time is right, it's time to let it go."
Lu Chengyi looked out at the sky.
The drizzle has stopped, and the clouds and fog have dispersed.
"All ministers, obey my command."
"I am here"
"Emperors are born for the people. Now that the world is at peace, the people have a means to make a living. In accordance with the principles of Heaven, from this day forward, I abdicate the throne and abolish the imperial system. From this day forward, there will be no more emperors in the world."
A sudden uproar erupted inside the Fengxian Hall.
"Your Majesty! Why do you say such a thing—"
"Your Majesty, please speak frankly of any concerns you may have. We are willing to fight to the death for Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, please rescind the imperial edict!"
……
Amidst the commotion, Lu Chengyi raised his hand, signaling the officials to quiet down.
"This decree is the result of my careful consideration and there was no coercion involved. This is the last imperial decree issued by Changping. It is time to return the power that came from the people to the people."
*
On the fourth day of the fourth month of the 214th year of Changping, the last emperor of Changping abdicated.
The power of the court was dispersed among various departments, with Lu Chengyi temporarily serving as the head, and announcing that a new leader would be publicly elected three years later. Afterwards, the highest position was no longer hereditary, and feudal etiquette was abolished one by one.
A new era has finally arrived.