The death of Queen Fu was undoubtedly a major event like a bolt from the blue for the Han Empire and had a great impact. Although she and Emperor Liu did not know each other at a young age, and the combination of the two had strong political factors, they were both entrepreneurial couples and had experienced difficult times together.
Empress Fu also relied on her extraordinary courage and outstanding talents to gain the recognition and respect of Emperor Liu, and truly entered Emperor Liu's heart. Emperor Liu was also very seductive in his early years. He had many concubines in the harem, and the people who gave him children were unknown to others. However, there is only one big talisman in the world.
Even for Concubine Zhe, who was known for being virtuous and sensible and deeply trusted by Emperor Liu, more considerations were political factors, plus a little bit of "stamp collecting" interest.
The couple has been together through thick and thin for decades, and their deep relationship is known to others but difficult to truly understand. For Emperor Liu, Empress Fu was the harbor of his soul and his spiritual sustenance. There were too many things that he could not tell others, and only Empress Fu could tell them.
Once Empress Fu passed away, there was no one in the world who could make Emperor Liu completely take off his disguise, and there was no one who could make him reveal his true feelings.
The departure of Empress Fu almost means that the last trace of humanity and kindness retained by Emperor Liu will also go with him, leaving only a political creature named "Emperor". As a person, no one can advise him, and even if there is, it will be hard to say whether it will bring disaster or good fortune.
Therefore, Emperor Liu was not the only one who was saddened by the death of Empress Fu. There were many people who felt regretful, shocked, and even panicked. Over the past few decades, thousands of people, both internal and external, have received the Queen's help and experienced the Queen's kindness.
From the nobles to the common people, they have been grateful to Empress Fu for a long time and are proud that the Han Dynasty has such a wise empress. Especially some noble ministers. When they face some difficulties, Empress Fu is the one who can best bring them hope. People, especially when facing Emperor Liu's censure.
However, with Empress Fu passing away, this situation no longer exists. There are many members of the royal family, but whether they are jealous concubines, princes striving for fame or wealth, or princesses complaining about Emperor Liu, they always respect the queen because she understands the general situation and is fair in dealing with matters. People or things never repeat themselves.
This is just for the moment. Some people who are scheming and speculative have a further vision. They saw the impact that the Queen's death might have on the political situation of the Han Dynasty.
Many people have always known that the position of the prince is as secure as a mountain, for two reasons. One is the trust and cultivation of Emperor Liu, and the other is the empress. In fact, in the eyes of most people, the Queen's weight in this matter is heavier.
Because Emperor Liu had so many princes and so many people, he could choose anyone to be the prince as long as he wanted to. But the princes born by the queen, not counting Wei Wang Liu Min, are just two of them. As long as the queen is around, it will be difficult for anyone to truly challenge Liu Yang's status.
The emperor and the empress were like two pillars of heaven, each supporting the prince. Nowadays, one pillar collapsed, leaving Emperor Liu alone, and there were too many possibilities for the emperor without the "check and balance" of Empress Fu.
As for the power and popularity that Liu Yang has accumulated for many years in power, including the entire Fu family, these can only be regarded as foundations. Their energy will truly explode and form the strongest supporting force after Liu Yang succeeds to the throne.
And now, if these people were to support the prince in opposing Emperor Liu, they would dare to think but not do it. Nowadays, there are too many ministers who dare not breathe in front of Emperor Liu.
Even though Emperor Liu has decentralized power in a big way in the past ten years, everyone from top to bottom knows that the backbone of the empire is still Emperor Liu who hangs his head in Chongzheng Hall.
The old emperor's great achievements in the past and the prestige he had built up over his decades of rule were so high that it was difficult for anyone to resist. Basically, as long as he is not insane to a certain extent, it will be difficult for anyone to challenge his authority. This is almost the inertia of thinking formed by the subjects of the world.
Emperor Liu was already moody as he got older. Once Empress Fu is gone, no one will be able to control him in the future. It is conceivable that Emperor Liu in the future will become the biggest uncertain factor in the Han Empire.
Therefore, some people are only sad after the departure of Fu, some are worried, and some people are sad on the face but secretly happy on the inside. Without such a huge change, how could they have a chance?
However, the specific changes in the political structure of the empire that may be brought about by the death of Empress Fu remain to be tested by time. For now, the palace is shaken, the court is shaken, and Tokyo is shaken. The Mid-Autumn Festival in the 22nd year of Kaibao is destined to leave a profound mark in history.
The focus of the imperial court's activities quickly shifted from celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival, where the monarch and the people had fun together, to the national mourning and the whole city mourning. In just one night, the lanterns and ribbons throughout the palace were replaced with white silk and plain flags, and all the bright colors were blocked. The same thing happened in the city of Tokyo, which started to become agitated at night.
From the court to the people, from officials to the people, they showed extremely high efficiency. It only took one night to make the whole city pure. This has to be said to be a miracle for the city of Tokyo with a population of one million.
Of course, this was mixed with too many people's condolences and condolences for the Queen's death. Many people acted spontaneously and wanted to see off Empress Fu, replacing the red with white. This was the best way they could express their feelings to Empress Fu.
In many squares, officials often only need to run around and shout loudly to announce the death of the queen, and the people in the square will spontaneously become active. If conditions permit, they will turn red lanterns into white lanterns and colorful ribbons into plain ones. Cloth, no condition, also tore off the tattered cloth strips from the plain clothes and tied them around the head.
Throughout history, it is rare for the citizens of Tokyo to behave in unison like this. Even if it is not due to the supervision of the young officials, it is more due to the reverence of the Tokyo citizens for the queen.
Kunming Hall has been decorated as a mourning hall, and Empress Fu's body has been collected and placed in the coffin. Emperor Liu has not moved away and has been talking to Empress Fu, but he has not received any response.
Sitting beside the coffin, looking at the plaque, the sad and lonely look will make anyone cry when they see it. There is no need to pretend to be flattering. It is really touching. Many people were surprised that the almighty emperor could be so pitiful at times.
Concerned about Emperor Liu's health, no matter the concubines, palace servants, princes, or ministers, they couldn't help but give up persuasion, but everyone gave up persuasion under Emperor Liu's murderous eyes.
After Empress Fu collapsed, within two days, Emperor Liu couldn't get enough of rice and water in two days. His face turned pale and his body looked weak. This frightened everyone, but no one tried to persuade him. It was the little prince Liu Yao who cried ignorantly. After some persuasion as taught by adults, Emperor Liu had just eaten, but the soup was still watery.
Empress Fu's funeral was held in an extremely solemn manner. Even though Emperor Liu knew that Empress Fu absolutely did not want it to be like this, he still had to make it grand and even bother the people.
Of course, everything still followed the funeral ceremony, but it was more grand in scale. If compared, it was even grander than when Empress Dowager Li passed away.
After choosing a date at the Qintian Prison, the coffin left the palace and the city, and headed west to Luoyang. Emperor Liu himself took a ceremonial ride to see off Empress Fu, accompanied by tens of thousands of people, including basically the entire imperial aristocracy, bureaucrats and their families. Send off. In fact, many Tokyo citizens, all dressed in plain clothes, took the initiative to follow.
Starting from Tokyo City, on both sides of the road on the left side, there were crowds of spectators, who prostrated themselves on the roadside, with tears in their eyes, watching the coffin pass by. Not to mention, after leaving the city, the people in the prefectures and counties along the way came after hearing the news. They also wore sackcloth and mourning, and knelt down to see him off.
Emperor Liu and Prince Liu Yang were riding in the same car. They opened the curtain and looked out. Everything was white. The sky was covered with white paper dancing in the desolate autumn wind, covering the road. There were rows of figures lying on the ground. Zhang Zhang's sad face made him feel the same.
"How come there are so many people outside the city?" Emperor Liu's voice was low and a little hoarse. He rarely spoke actively after Fu Hou collapsed.
Liu Yang's eyes turned red and he said: "These people all learned about Zi Palace's westward journey and took the initiative to see my mother off!"
"Looking at the history, your mother is the only one who can do this!" Emperor Liu's face was filled with sadness and joy, but he was obviously more sad. His eyes couldn't help but turn red, and he wiped his tears with a silk handkerchief.
Seeing this, Liu Yang couldn't help but feel sad, and choked up: "Dad, please forgive me and take care of yourself!"
Emperor Liu had heard this so many times in the past few days. When he heard it again now, he really wanted to say something back: What's the point of mourning? Your wife didn't die!
However, my mother is dead after all, so those bastard words out of venting were not spoken out, and she just nodded silently.
(End of chapter)
