When he saw a group of princesses and princes, Li Shimin breathed his last.
Li Shimin called Li Chengqian and senior court officials and began to explain the following matters.
Li Chengqian had been regent for more than 20 years and had been recognized by Li Shimin and all civil and military officials. No other prince could compete with Li Chengqian.
There was no doubt that Li Chengqian would succeed the throne.
After everything was explained, Li Shimin asked everyone else to leave and called Xiao Ran over.
Xiao Ran felt bad thinking that 'Lao Deng' was leaving.
"Father-in-law!" Xiao Ran sat beside the bed, holding Li Shimin's hand.
Xiao Ran changed his address.
"Xiao Ran, you little bastard, I've always liked you and have high hopes for you..."
"You are the primary contributor to the Tang Dynasty's success. The Tang Dynasty and my Li family owe you so much. I don't know how to reward you. You don't even want what I can give you."
Xiao Ran shook his head and said, "Marrying Li Zhi to me is enough. I am content. I am not making less money."
"It's really painful to watch so many old guys leave. Now I'm leaving too. I feel relieved, but also reluctant."
Xiao Ran held Li Shimin's hand tightly, not knowing what to say.
"I still feel a little reluctant to leave you. Even a thousand-year hegemony cannot withstand the passage of time!"
"Uncle, death is not the end, oblivion is. You are an emperor with great achievements. You are destined to be remembered forever. You just live on in another way."
"You are such a nice guy. Please help Dalang and take care of Datang, as well as Sizi and the others. Dalang completely trusts you. You are the only one he completely trusts..."
Xiao Ran couldn't help it any longer, "Okay, I remember, I remember..."
"My Great Tang..."
On his deathbed, Li Shimin seemed to be in a trance and saw his own birth.
I saw my eighteen-year-old self, full of vigor and vitality, rescuing Emperor Yang of Sui at Yanmen Pass.
Li Shimin saw the days of war and battle as if they were just yesterday.
He witnessed the Battle of Hulao Pass, where he personally led the cavalry and defeated Dou Jiande, laying the foundation for the Tang Dynasty to unify the Central Plains. The heroic ambitions he had at that time surged in his heart again.
He also recalled that outside the city of Luoyang, Wang Shichong retreated inside the city while his army laid siege to the city. Although it was difficult, they were determined to win and finally make the entire Henan area part of the Tang Dynasty's territory.
In the court, the high spirits and vigor he felt when he first ascended the throne were intertwined with his concern for the world.
He was diligent in state affairs, and discussed state governance strategies with wise ministers such as Fang Xuanling and Du Ruhui day and night, creating the Zhenguan era. The people lived and worked in peace and contentment, the court was clear and bright, and the grand scene of all nations coming to pay tribute was as if before his eyes.
But in the blink of an eye, the scene returned to the sickbed in front of him, and he knew that his end was approaching.
Although he was unwilling to give up and failed to continue to lead the Tang Dynasty to a more glorious peak and failed to truly create the "Empire on which the Sun Never Sets" of his dreams, the glory and achievements of the past are enough to shock people from ancient times to the present.
His eyes revealed a hint of reluctance, but also expectations for the future of the Tang Dynasty. He believed that the foundation he had laid would be inherited and developed by future generations, allowing the reputation of the Tang Dynasty to shine forever in the long river of history.
At the last moment, Li Shimin recalled the familiar conversation in his mind: "The Great Tang unified the world, shocking the ancient and modern world. Gaochang, Yutian, Shule, Kangguo and other 29 countries have agreed to give His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Tang the title of Heavenly Khan..."
Before his death, he slowly closed his eyes, as if he had returned to that ignorant boyhood, everything seemed to be seeing it for the first time, and his legend will be passed down forever in this land of China, to be passed down and admired by future generations, becoming an immortal chapter, and no matter how time changes, its light will never dim.
Xiao Ran slowly knelt down and said, "Farewell to His Majesty the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty!"
Li Chengqian led the civil and military officials into the inner hall, and for a moment there was crying everywhere.
Xiao Ran looked at the crowd. The princess and the prince were all there, but he always felt something was wrong.
Xiao Ran pondered deeply.
"Not good!" Xiao Ran pulled Li Lizhi up, "Go see Auntie!"
It's really abnormal that Empress Changsun is not here.
Xiao Ran and Li Lizhi trotted to the Lizheng Hall.
Before they reached Lizheng Hall, Hongxiu stumbled out with red eyes, looked at Xiao Ran and Li Lizhi and knelt down, "Your Highness, the Queen has taken poison!"
"Mother!" Li Lizhi burst into tears and ran into the Lizheng Hall. At this time, Empress Changsun was no longer breathing.
He passed away peacefully while sitting upright on the bed, with his family members by his side.
Xiao Ran felt very uncomfortable. He just remembered now that Li Shimin had told everything before his death, but he didn't mention anything about Empress Zhangsun.
Turns out I guessed it!
Li Shimin knew his wife too well!
Empress Changsun once said that if anything happened to Li Shimin, she would never live alone, and she did it.
The princesses who arrived one after another knelt in the inner hall, heartbroken.
At almost the same time, upon learning that Li Shimin was not there, Empress Changsun took poison and followed him.
Li Chengqian came over as soon as he heard the news.
Xiao Ran slowly opened Empress Changsun's suicide note:
"Forgive my selfishness. When I opened this will, I had already followed His Majesty. Do not grieve too much. Listen to what I have to say."
"Your Majesty, throughout his life, possessed great talent and vision, creating the great Tang Dynasty. Our love was profound, and we knew each other for decades, long clinging to each other through life and death. Now that Your Majesty is gone, I, Mother, live alone in this world, a life devoid of meaning. I, Mother, was blessed with Your Majesty's deep affection and love, and with you, we walked hand in hand through the ups and downs of life. Now that he has passed away, my heart has gone with him. I only wish to follow him in the underworld, and continue our love as husband and wife."
Xiao Ran handed the remains to Li Chengqian:
"Cheng Qian, you have been kind and filial since childhood, and extremely intelligent. Your grandfather and mother both had high hopes for you. Now that your grandfather has passed away, you should shoulder the heavy responsibility of governing the Tang Dynasty. You should be diligent in government affairs and not slack off. When employing people, you should prioritize the virtuous, stay away from villains, and accept the advice of loyal ministers, just as your grandfather did in his time. When treating the people, you should be compassionate, impose light taxes and levies, and allow them to live and work in peace. Only in this way can we ensure the prosperity and long-term stability of our Tang Dynasty."
"My sons and I are all brothers from the same father. We should prioritize brotherly love and must not harbor grudges or kill each other over power or personal gain. Brothers united are stronger than iron. If we can unite and support each other, our Great Tang will surely prosper and achieve success."
"May all my children live in peace, prosperity, and longevity. May you follow your grandfather's example and become a wise monarch and a responsible member of the royal family. May our Great Tang Dynasty be forever strong, peaceful, and prosperous, with all nations paying tribute to us, and creating greater glory. Grandfather's spirit in heaven will forever protect you and ensure the prosperity of our Great Tang."
The children had grown up, and Empress Changsun was relieved. Now that Li Shimin was gone, she had to go and accompany him.
Deep love between husband and wife!
We sleep together in life and are buried in the same grave in death!
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