Chapter 2051: Li Heng Ascends to the Throne! (1/2)
When Wang Chong used the Soul Fire ability to collect the Sage Emperor's soul, allowing that star to weakly reemerge in the night sky, 'Heaven' and many of the men in black became somewhat wary and frightened.
Until they found out the truth, not even the likes of Genesis Supreme dared to act recklessly. Unwittingly, Wang Chong had made the capital after the Sage Emperor's death even more of a forbidden zone.
But regardless of the shift in the heavens, as per the Sage Emperor's final decree, it was set in stone that Li Heng was to ascend to the throne of the Nine and Five and become the new Emperor of the Great Tang.
The country could not be without a sovereign for a day. Now that the Sage Emperor had been interred in the imperial mausoleum, to calm the people and stabilize the morale of the army, all the officials agreed that Li Heng would be coronated in Taiji Palace in several days.
Once this was announced, various letters of state began to be sent in all directions. All of the foreign countries were invited to participate in the coronation.
The Sage Emperor had passed, and the two renowned ministers of the Great Tang, Duke Jiu and Yao Chong, had passed shortly afterward. The three core individuals who had forged an era and suppressed the surrounding countries for thirty-some years had all died.
For the surrounding countries, it was as if three massive mountains had been moved off their heads, and these countries thus lost some of their respect and fear for the Great Tang.
But while the undercurrent flowed, the borders of the Great Tang remained calm and peaceful.
Though the Sage Emperor had passed, the intimidating War God Wang Chong still existed, and the Great Tang remained a powerful country.
No one would dare to move until they were fully prepared.
In fact, after receiving the invitations, seventy percent of the countries dispatched delegations to attend Li Heng's coronation in the capital.
Bong!
On the day of Li Heng's coronation, almost the entire capital turned out. Banners snapped in the wind and large lanterns festooned the streets. The streets were lively and bustling, forming a stark contrast with the gloom that had come with the passing of the Sage Emperor.
”Hail the new Emperor!”
”Hail the new Emperor!”
”Hail the new Emperor!”
The people of the capital cheered as they gathered around the Imperial Palace, excitedly looking toward Taiji Palace.
Even though they were far away and separated by many walls, they could still see the majestic Taiji Palace by raising their heads.
They could not personally attend the coronation, but at the time of the ceremony, they could still serve as distant spectators.
Within the inner court, countless palace maids with bamboo baskets showered fresh flowers from above. The coronation ceremony involved ninety-nine thousand feet of Sassanid carpet that extended all the way from the Eastern Palace and up the jade stairway to Taiji Palace.
”Silence!”
As the eunuch Director of Ceremonies spoke, the officials solemnly stood on the two sides of the white jade stairway.
The high officials, nobles, members of the imperial households, the various Great Generals, the Grand Preceptor, the Grand Tutor, and the Ministers of the Six Bureaus had all assembled.
Wang Chong himself was wearing his imperial robes, standing prominently in the crowd with his crown of violet gold.
Wang Chong was no longer the sixteen-year-old youth of yesteryear. He had been honed and baptized through wars and tribulations, and had long ago become an influential official of the empire who struck fear into all the surrounding countries.
Simply by standing there, Wang Chong exuded boundless majesty and dignity that inspired awe in everyone who looked upon him.
But most importantly, everyone knew that Wang Chong had an extremely close relationship with Li Heng. One could say that Wang Chong had pushed Li Heng onto the throne.
Amongst the many Princes the Sage Emperor had left behind, Li Heng had been the most timid and unremarkable.
The patient and shrewd First Prince, the Second Prince who appeared to collude with the First Prince but had his own plans, the threatening and unbridled Third Prince, and also the Fourth Prince who had the support of the Hu generals and was very accepting of Turkic practices…
None of these Princes who were clearly more exceptional than Li Heng had taken the throne, which truly surprised everyone.
”The new Emperor has arrived!”
”Set off the fireworks!”
”Play the Shao Music!”
The presiding eunuch loudly issued order after order.
Fireworks shot into the air, as they fiercely exploded, cheers rose up from around the Imperial Palace.