Chapter 298: Withering, Empress Lü Dies
It was a somewhat cold winter. Luo Xin stayed by the stove to handle government affairs and sighed slightly: "I wonder who will die in this cold winter."
Since the princes returned to their countries, the first heavyweight figure to pass away was Xiao He, the former chief of the Han ministers.
It was also a very cold winter, and Xiao He could not hold on. Luo Xin went to the mansion of Marquis of Ying in person on behalf of Lu Zhi and Liu Ying. Xiao He was very weak at the time, but his spirit seemed to be in good shape during his last breath.
After seeing Luo Xin, he even smiled and said: "It is a blessing for He that the Prime Minister can come to see He. He has never encountered any difficulties in his life. He followed the Emperor Gao to start an army. Thanks to the Emperor Gao's destiny, in just a few years, he went from a humble family to a marquis with ten thousand households. He has no regrets.
When you are about to die, all the glory and wealth will be gone, and now you will only be concerned about two things. "
Luo Xin said softly, "You are an important minister who followed the Emperor Gao. The Empress Dowager will give two-character posthumous titles to important ministers like you. The first character is Wenwu. Your posthumous title is Wen for being moral and knowledgeable, and Jing for being good at law and order. You are called 'Wenjing Hou'."
The reason for choosing double characters is that single characters are really impossible to avoid. In the late thousand-year period of the Zhou Dynasty, even some kings began to use double-character posthumous titles.
This is even more true for the Luo State. It will last for who knows how many more years, and posthumous titles will simply not be enough. They may even have to invent new posthumous titles in the future.
The posthumous title "Wen" is basically the highest among all posthumous titles, but "Wen" also has different levels. "Jingtianweidi" is the highest level among "Wen".
Ji Zhao and Luo Wengong were called "wen" because they were "capable of governing the world". These two people set the standard a bit high, and even when people in later generations gave them the word "wen", they usually chose from other explanations.
After all, when a posthumous title is given, it must be accompanied by an explanation, and these must be passed down together with the posthumous title.
Xiao He was very satisfied. Wen and Jing were both high posthumous titles. Being able to obtain this posthumous title from Luo's son would mean that he would have no problem becoming King Bingsu in the future. His reputation after death would be secure.
That left only one problem. Luo Xin was silent for a moment, then said, "I can only guarantee that while I am alive, there will be no problems in the Marquis' Mansion.
However, the kindness of a gentleman will be cut off after five generations.
The Mansion of Marquis of Ling is too glorious. If there is no matching talent, the current wealth and glory of such a dignified mansion will not be able to be maintained.
Thinking back to the past, our ancestors King Su, Duke Wen, and Duke Xuan, three feudal states, now none of them are left, this is the way of heaven and the moral principles. "
Xiao He said gratefully: "It is a great favor that the Marquis of Dong'e can protect me for a while. My descendants will have their own blessings. They still have to work hard on their own. How long can they rely on the kindness of their ancestors to protect me?"
Xiao He passed away that night. The royal family gave Xiao He extremely high treatment. The grand scene was almost the pinnacle for a minister. It can be said to be the utmost honor and mourning.
Then, just seven months later, Zhang Liang also passed away. The court gave him the posthumous title of "Wencheng" because of "Virtue, beauty, talent and excellence are called Wen, and maintaining fullness and prosperity are called Cheng." The leaders of the two major factions both passed away, which was a major earthquake for the group of meritorious officials.
And this was not the end. In the next two years, many older heroes passed away one after another.
This was actually within everyone's expectations. After all, the Han Dynasty had been founded for so many years, and these people were already quite old. In addition, they had fought in battles for many years, and their bodies were covered with injuries. Once they entered old age, they would be instantly struck by illness.
Obituaries kept pouring into the palace like snowflakes. The most important one was the death of Lu Zhi's brother Lu Ze, which dealt a huge blow to Lu Zhi.
As one of the de facto shareholders of the Han Dynasty, his status in the Han court was completely different, but his posthumous title was determined based on his merits, and he had to be given the title of Bingsu Wang. Even Lu Zhi could not elevate his status infinitely.
So she posthumously conferred the title of Duke on Lü Ze, and secured burial rites for him according to the princes' rules to reflect Lü Ze's special status. Finally, on the grounds that "leading the people in obedience is called Wu, and being wise and knowledgeable is called Ying", she gave him the posthumous title of "Wuying", and people called him "Duke Wuying".
The second generation of the Lu family was not very outstanding, at least far inferior to Lu Ze. Lu Zhi had already begun to prepare a way out for the Lu family. She changed the fiefdom back to the ancestral land of Qi, and stayed with Lu Cheng and others, gradually leaving the center of power and taking up some more noble official positions.
Basically, of the Che marquises who had followed Emperor Gao in the uprising from Fengpei, five or six out of ten have died, and the others have also gradually entered their old age. The giants of various factions, big and small, have passed away one after another, and everyone sighed that an era has really passed.
But the imperial court was still as stable as a rock, because the great general Han Xin was still alive. As long as he was alive and supported the imperial court, no one dared to challenge it.
The regent empress dowager has great prestige in the court, and Sanluo maintains the stable operation of the court. The court has abundant food and elite soldiers, and there are second-generation generals to take over. It is still the strongest force in the world, far beyond the reach of the princes.
Weiyang Palace.
There was a blanket of curtains hanging in the hall, which were hung by Lu Zhi five years ago.
There were palace maids standing beside each layer of curtains. Outside the curtains was Lu Zhi's office, and passing through the layers of curtains to the innermost one was the bedroom.
Behind the layers of curtains, Luo Xin and Lu Zhi leaned against each other casually. "Eju, there is a notice from the State of Chu that the King of Chu has passed away. Please ask the court to discuss the posthumous title and the affairs after his death."
Lu Zhi was a little surprised when she heard this. This generation of King of Chu had just been on the throne for less than two years, but he had already followed the previous King of Chu.
She couldn't help but say with some emotion: "The former King of Chu was a hero, and the current King of Chu is also smart, but I didn't expect them to die in such a short time. I remember that the current heir of Chu is a child of only ten years old.
Just give it to the princes according to their posthumous titles of those who died young, my lord. I feel that if we continue like this, we will win without even fighting.
I don’t know if I can see that day. It seems like something is wrong with my body recently.”
The court and the princes were all dying. Luo Xin smiled and was about to speak when he saw Lü Zhi, who had just spoken to him, swaying suddenly and then falling backwards. Luo Xin quickly hugged her, his heart was filled with chills, and he shouted loudly, "E'ou! E'ou!"
Seeing that Lü Zhi did not respond, she was terrified and immediately shouted, "Go and call the imperial physician! The queen mother has fainted."
The entire Weiyang Palace was plunged into a sea of panic. Luo Xin shouted, "Why are you panicking?
Go to Changle Palace and invite His Majesty the Emperor to come. Everyone keep your mouths shut. If the news leaks out, you will not be forgiven."
Liu Ying hurried over from Changle Palace, and as soon as he entered the palace, he asked Luo Xin urgently, "Prime Minister, how is my mother?"
Luo Xin sighed slightly and said, "The imperial physician is inside. Your Majesty, please follow me."
The two men passed through the curtains. Lü Zhi lay there quietly, and the imperial physician was giving her acupuncture. Liu Ying asked, "Imperial physician, how is it? Please tell me the truth."
The Imperial Physician hesitated, but still said, "The Empress Dowager is fine for now, but her health is almost exhausted. She may be able to live out her days in retirement..."
Luo Xin's face turned pale instantly, Liu Ying's eyes turned red and he was about to cry. After the imperial physician left, Lu Zhi woke up slowly. She knew her own body very well.
He first looked at Luo Xin and nodded, then looked at Liu Ying and said with a smile: "Emperor, why are you crying? After I die, you will be the real emperor. The burden of all the people in the world will be on your shoulders. Can you bear it?"
Liu Ying cried, "Mother, please don't say that..."
"The Emperor."
Lu Zhi interrupted him and raised her voice a little, "I have never hated you, I know you are a good child.
But your personality really doesn't suit you to be an emperor. I don't want you to rule for even a day, for fear that you might cause trouble and be cursed. Now at least you can get a superior posthumous title, just in case...
Now I am about to die, and only the Marquis of Dong'e is left to assist you. However, he is getting older, and he can't assist you for another ten or twenty years. What will you do in the future?
I am really worried.”
Liu Ying did not expect Lu Zhi to say such words, which were full of worry for him. He choked with sobs but didn't know what to say. He understood what Dong'e Hou meant when he said to comfort him, "Parents who love their children will make long-term plans for them."
"Go and call all the important officials, I have something to arrange."
Lu Zhi had to arrange her funeral.
After all the important ministers and relatives of the royal family arrived, Lü Zhi said without hesitation: "According to the will, after my death, the Marquis of Dong'e shall be the sole assistant to the emperor and shall not be deposed. I hereby grant the Marquis of Dong'e a will that anyone below the emperor may be killed."
Everyone was shocked. Even the emperor could not depose the Marquis of Dong'a, although Liu Ying would not do so. The edict was signed in front of everyone.
Lü Zhi directly ordered them to leave. "Emperor, all the ministers, please leave. I want to talk to the Marquis of Dong'e and explain some things to him."
Everyone bowed and left. Luo Xin sat down and said, "E'er, you shouldn't have said that about the emperor. I will remove all obstacles for him and select trustworthy ministers and assistants for him."
Lu Zhi said softly: "Sir, I am going to die."
Luo Xin choked.
Lu Zhi tentatively reached out her hand, and Luo Xin grabbed her hand and said calmly: "I will die too, don't be afraid of death."
Lü Zhi smiled and said, "I am not afraid of death, but it is a pity that I can no longer stay in the world and rule the world with you, my lord."
Before her death, Lu Zhi asked Luo Xin many questions, and Luo Xin answered her one by one.
As she spoke, Lu Zhi's voice gradually became lower, and Luo Xin held her hand tightly.
The first time, it was a bit painful.
"The Queen Mother collapsed!"
He shouted loudly outside the hall.
————
Empress Dowager Gao was a talented and wise woman with a lot of strategies and good judgment. After Emperor Gaozu passed away, she controlled the country with the power of punishment and reward. Emperor Xiaohui was in power, and Empress Dowager Gao ruled the country. She made all the decisions on her own. The people suffered from the Warring States Period, so Empress Dowager Gao adopted a policy of inaction. For more than ten years, the government did not interfere with the people's lives, the country was peaceful, punishment was rarely used, criminals were rare, the people worked hard on farming, and had enough food and clothing. She inherited the achievements of Emperor Gaozu and laid the foundation for a prosperous era. She was truly the only ruler of the Han Dynasty. - "Records of the Grand Historian: The Biography of Empress Dowager Lü"
(End of this chapter)
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