Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather

Chapter 467: Chapter 434: The Emperor Dies, The World Mourns_3

”Your Majesty has ascended to the heavens!”

With a high-pitched cry filled with grief, a heavy tolling of bells resounded above the Imperial City.

In the Capital City, countless citizens, upon hearing the tolling of the bells, showed expressions of sorrow and began to weep.

The Emperor has died, and the whole realm mourns!

June 8.

Yang Zhenshan received a copied imperial edict of succession and the accession decree of Crown Prince Chen Jianzhi in Chongshan Town.

In the tea room of the General Mansion, Pang Tang and Yang Zhenshan sat opposite each other, with the gentle mist of the tea rising between them, yet both remained silent.

Although Yang Zhenshan had mentally prepared himself for the passing of Emperor Chengping, when the moment came, he still felt grief.

The very Emperor who had greatly trusted him had passed away!

Ah~~

Thousands of thoughts wandered in Yang Zhenshan’s heart, and finally, they turned into a faint sigh.

Hearing his sigh, Pang Tang snapped back to reality, ”The great Emperor was close to the wise and loved the people profoundly. Thus, the people’s livelihood was secure, and peace reigned throughout the land. His governance was outstanding, surpassing the past dynasties, fortunate indeed are his predecessors.”

Yang Zhenshan gave him a look, feeling that this old man might be flattering too much.

Emperor Chengping was a formidable Emperor but was not as perfect as Pang Tang described.

The greatest attribute of Emperor Chengping was his grasp of power and control over the court. During his 35-year reign, the first ten years were the most unstable period for the court, but in the over twenty years that followed, the court remained in a very stable state.

No matter what happened, the court always maintained a stable and efficient status.

Even when Emperor Chengping was ill and bedridden for months, the stability of the court remained unshaken.

But to say that Emperor Chengping was close to the wise and loved the populace, Yang Zhenshan felt that this statement was somewhat untruthful.

Being close to the wise was barely acceptable as there were many wise ministers and capable generals in the court.

But loving the people!

The rebellion of Prince Qing and the calamity in Liaoxi were not the fault of Emperor Chengping, but they were incidents he deliberately allowed to happen.

Understanding the rebellion of Prince Qing as a way to solve future problems was reasonable, but what about the calamity in Liaoxi?

When the Wuliang army entered Liaoxi, Emperor Chengping pretended to be ill, and while millions of citizens in Liaoxi faced the butchery of Wuliang’s army, Emperor Chengping remained composed as if fishing.

If he truly loved the people, upon confirming the rebellion of Prince Qing and knowing of Wuliang’s invasion, he should have led the court and swiftly eradicated Wuliang’s army instead of allowing it to wreak havoc in Liaoxi for half a year.

Thus, it is evident that Emperor Chengping was a master of manipulation, but not genuinely loving towards the people.

As for Pang Tang’s claim of ’remarkable governance surpassing former generations’, Yang Zhenshan thought it was exaggerated.

Da Rong had a history of over three hundred years with many sage and enlightened rulers, including those significant to revival.

Emperor Chengping did not achieve a revival for Da Rong; at best, he was a repairman, patching up the deteriorating Da Rong to prevent its complete collapse.

Of course, his achievements exist; during his 35-year reign, although Da Rong did not achieve revival, he laid the foundation for a potential revival.

If the new Emperor could govern diligently, love the people, and commit to national affairs, a revived golden era could be reality, not a fantasy.

Yang Zhenshan, although grateful for Emperor Chengping’s trust, would not overly praise his achievements; he had his objective evaluation of Emperor Chengping.

As for Pang Tang’s praise for Emperor Chengping, it was not entirely without basis; compared to Da Rong before Emperor Chengping’s ascension, it indeed prospered significantly afterwards.

Pang Tang had experienced the chaotic period before Emperor Chengping’s ascension; hence, he felt that the present Da Rong exhibited signs of a golden age.

Indeed, many veteran officials in the court shared this view and held high loyalty and reverence for Emperor Chengping.

”Let’s prepare, we shall mourn the great Emperor for three days!”

Yang Zhenshan said.

”Very well! I shall head back first!” Pang Tang stood up while Yang Zhenshan saw him off.

After Pang Tang left, Yang Zhenshan changed into a black long robe, and the Marquis Mansion, General Mansion, and all government offices at Chongshan Pass hung mourning banners, with the sound of weeping echoing continuously within each office.