Chapter 10: The Bygone Era: Liu Xiu Deposes His Empress

Time is the most mighty force in the world.

All power, wealth, and glory will gradually fade with the passage of time.

Luoyang.

It was now the thirteenth year of Jianwu.

More than four years had passed since the unification of the realm.

On this day, Gu Xiao once again saw off an old friend of his.

— Feng Yi;

This war general, who had rendered great service to Liu Xiu in restoring the Han, ultimately could not withstand the power of time and had reached the end of his life.

In truth, according to the original history, Feng Yi should have died long ago on the battlefield.

Now he had lived this long only because the Gu family's emergence had made the Han's unification somewhat smoother, allowing him to hold on until now.

As the person closest to Gu Xiao among the entire meritocratic group,

upon hearing the news, Gu Xiao hurried immediately to see his old friend one last time.

Feng Yi's final words, like those of other generals, were a request for Gu Xiao to care for his descendants.

There was no help for it; since the unification of the realm, the Han's development had followed precisely as recorded in history.

Liu Xiu gradually reclaimed real power from the meritorious ministers, leaving only Gu Xiao as the nominal Grand Commandant.

Precisely because of this, Gu Xiao had now clearly become the foremost of the meritorious ministers.

At the very least, these military commanders still held great respect for Gu Xiao, so it was only natural that Feng Yi entrusted his descendants to him.

In truth, this was not the generals' fault.

Each generation was worse than the last, just like the curse of aristocratic inheritance.

And the word "struggle" seemed to be an innate nature woven into humanity's blood.

From ancient times to the present, it had remained unchanged.

Just as it was now in the Han.

From the moment Gong Sun Shu in Shu was subdued, external conflicts gradually turned into internal ones.

In the court, across the land.

Everyone was struggling.

Faced with the mediocrity of their own offspring, these generals naturally felt such concern.

No one wished to see what they had fought for seized and devoured by others.

But regarding this matter, neither Gu Xiao nor Gu Yi had any solution.

He himself was also facing this dilemma.

And his situation was far more severe than theirs.

He needed not only for the Gu family to endure, but also to maintain its powerful influence.

Under the current circumstances where Gu Yi could not guarantee control over each generation,

the family's education naturally became Gu Yi's most pressing challenge.

He had to ensure the next generation's capability could shoulder the entire family.

Even if they could not match Gu Xiao's current stature, they could not truly vanish into obscurity.

Gu Yi still did not know how difficult it was to obtain achievement points.

But merely from the name alone, he could be certain that if they were too mediocre, they would gain little.

Gu Yi had to create for himself another opportunity to exert control.

Precisely because of this, since returning to Luoyang again, Gu Yi had been busy with this matter.

Indeed, Gu Yi had not let Gu Xiao interfere in Han's domestic affairs.

Gu Xiao's current position was too sensitive; although Liu Xiu had never acted against meritorious ministers in the original history, Gu Yi could not ignore the possibility.

Moreover, the most crucial point was that Gu Yi did not believe his own ideas could solve all the problems of this era.

Many believed that if they could travel back in time, they could solve everything.

Take the aristocratic problem of the Eastern Han, so widely criticized.

Most assumed that implementing the imperial examination system would break the clans' monopoly on official posts and thus completely resolve the issue of aristocratic expansion during the Eastern Han.

Gu Yi himself had once held this view.

But after truly understanding this era, he realized it was impossible.

Any system evolves gradually.

Just as the feudal system of the Western Zhou had evolved into the Han's coexistence of commanderies and enfeoffment.

To rashly impose a new system before recognizing the old one's obsolescence would inevitably provoke societal backlash.

And insufficient productivity had already doomed such ideas as unrealistic.

In today's China, having just emerged from years of war, with everything in ruins, you ask people who cannot even feed themselves to study.

Is that realistic?

Precisely because of this, after realizing this point, Gu Yi devoted all his attention to the education of his family's descendants.

Gu Xiao's younger brothers and sisters had all married.

And the outcome was exactly as Gu Yi had expected.

The moment they married, their names vanished from the 【Family Information】.

Yet Gu Yi had not entirely abandoned them; he had given them maximum assistance, aiming to instill the idea of "Gu Clan as One."

The main line remained the main line.

But if one wished for the family to endure solely through the main line while abandoning the collateral branches, maintaining absolute influence would be impossible.

The family must unite to think of greater things.

Gu Xiao now has two children.

And both are boys.

The good news is that both heirs have decent attributes, each with their strengths.

Eldest son Gu Kang:

【Administration: 89; Diplomacy: 75; Politics: 90; Command: 50; Martial: 43】

(Note: The attribute panel shows maximum values.)

Second son Gu Sheng:

【Administration: 60; Diplomacy: 43; Politics: 54; Command: 89; Martial: 85】

Perhaps because Gu family's rise was not due to Gu Xiao, the Gu clan has now avoided the so-called aristocratic evolution theory.

The sons' abilities are quite good.

And because of the attribute panel, Gu Yi can precisely cultivate their strengths based on their stats.

But even so, Gu Yi cannot fully relax.

He knows exactly what Eastern Han politics is like.

Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu aside.

Emperors Ming and Zhang were also enlightened rulers.

But once these emperors died, the Eastern Han became an infant nursery.

Eunuchs, maternal relatives, and clan factions slaughtered one another.

Gu Yi must plan the Gu clan's next path, ensuring its members earn achievement points and survive until his next control.

The difficulty is unimaginable.

Gu Yi has been pondering how to solve this, but has yet to find a perfect solution.

Que Feidian.

When Gu Xiao met Liu Xiu again, Liu Xiu's expression was somber.

He had learned of Feng Yi's death.

Feng Yi had been a general who followed him for years; his mood was naturally not good.

"Alas, alas."

"He endured hardship with me, but could not share my prosperity."

"Heaven has taken another pillar of Han."

Liu Xiu sighed deeply and looked earnestly at Gu Xiao: "Zhanhong, you must take care of your health."

"I will send you two imperial physicians to help you recuperate."

His eyes carried unmistakable concern.

Liu Xiu was no longer the vigorous man he once was; years of state affairs had grayed his hair, yet the imperial aura had grown even stronger.

Since unification.

Liu Xiu had devoted himself to governance, displaying his methods to the fullest.

He reformed the bureaucracy, freed slaves, and dismantled bloated administrative structures caused by prolonged war, dismissing countless officials.

Each of these measures cut flesh from these aristocratic clans.

Could such upheavals be handled without Lei Ting?

Among all outer ministers, only before Gu Xiao did Liu Xiu show any genuine emotion.

"Your servant thanks Your Majesty's great kindness!"

Gu Xiao, moved, bowed deeply to Liu Xiu.

"Ah, rise quickly."

"Between you and me, why speak so formally?"

Liu Xiu immediately pulled Gu Xiao up, seated him, and swiftly resumed his usual demeanor, growing serious as he stated the purpose of summoning him:

"Zhanhong, I want you to return to Hebei for a while."

Perhaps due to Feng Yi's death, his face bore clear hesitation.

In this era, travel meant inevitable danger.

Especially for a general like Gu Xiao.

He likely carried hidden ailments; illness would trigger them, and even immortals could not save him—Liu Xiu naturally hesitated.

Hebei?

Hearing this, Gu Yi instantly guessed what Liu Xiu intended.

In fact, Liu Xiu's actions over this period had already sent clear signals.

He favored Yin Lihua.

And granted her family marquis titles.

This political signal was too obvious; under Han's current system, only the empress's kin could be enfeoffed as marquises.

But Gu Yi knew Liu Xiu was hesitant.

The reason was simple:

—Liu Yang was still alive!

He was among the most powerful figures in Han today.

Behind him lay countless Hebei clans.

Unlike original history.

Originally, Gu Yi had wished to swiftly pacify the realm, giving his family more peaceful time to prepare for the future, and had advised Liu Xiu to establish an empress when he ascended the throne.

Only by establishing an empress could the hearts of the Hebei clans be fully secured.

Precisely because of this, Liu Yang did not rebel as he had in history.

When Liu Xiu initially granted Gu Xiao the title of marquis over Hebei, Gu Yi had already guessed that he intended to use Gu Xiao to intimidate the Hebei clans.

Now it seemed Liu Xiu was truly going to do it!

Although Gu Yi did not know why Liu Xiu had decided to depose the empress so much earlier than in history.

But he did not hesitate for a moment—he immediately commanded Gu Xiao to accept.

"Your Majesty's command, Your servant willingly accepts!"

This matter—he could not refuse, nor did he wish to.

Unlike other ministers.

Gu Xiao had already reached the pinnacle of being a subject; he no longer needed to remain in Luoyang to expand his influence.

For the entire Gu clan, what they sought was glory for ten thousand years, not fleeting dominance.

Hebei would clearly become the core of the Gu clan for a long time to come.

Gu Yi had long ago considered returning to Hebei.

Had Liu Xiu not continually refused, he would have left Luoyang long ago.

But seeing this, Liu Xiu's eyes grew even more hesitant.

In truth, for him now, whether it was Liu Yang or the Hebei clans—

he had no fear.

But as Emperor of Han, he knew better than anyone how desperately Han needed rest; if Hebei erupted again, military action would be unavoidable.

Yet outside of the Emperor himself, who in Han today could fully intimidate these people?

Only Gu Xiao, the First Merit.

The Han Champion Marquis!

Who could utterly intimidate the Hebei clans!

But out of personal feeling, Liu Xiu truly did not wish for Gu Xiao to leave Luoyang.

Yet he was indeed a wise emperor.

He had once suppressed his rage over his brother's murder—how much more could he suppress this present reluctance?

He stared intently at Gu Xiao, hesitated only a moment, then made his decision: "Zhanhong."

"If you go to Hebei, you must watch over the Prince of Zhen Ding for me."

"Should he dare any move of rebellion—"

"You may command all regional troops and arrest him."

In that instant, Liu Xiu cast aside all emotion within him; the full authority of the Emperor manifested—his eyes brimmed with murderous intent.

Gu Xiao's expression changed at once.

But he was a warrior who loved battle, and did not care for the reason—he immediately nodded, bowing to Liu Xiu: "Your servant accepts the order!"

Liu Xiu stared fixedly at Gu Xiao.

The murderous intent in his eyes gradually melted away.

A minister who supported every decision without asking why—this was precisely what any emperor desired.

"I remember I once told you I would form a marital alliance with you."

Liu Xiu suddenly spoke, "I will not break my word. You have two sons; after this matter is settled, I will marry my daughter Liu to your eldest."

He meant the newly born Princess—Liu Li Liu.

Due to her young age, she had not yet been granted a title.

Her mother was Yin Lihua.

According to ritual law, an emperor marrying a minister should not be so hasty.

After all, infant mortality was extremely high, and neither was of age.

Yet Liu Xiu's expression was unusually serious—no trace of jest.

In that instant, even Gu Yi was startled.

Liu Li Liu?

Emperor Ming's sister?

Though historical records on Liu Li Liu were sparse, merely her identity alone was enough to guarantee the Gu clan's future status.

Even after Gu Xiao's death!

"Your servant thanks Your Majesty!"

Gu Xiao bowed again to Liu Xiu.

This time, Liu Xiu merely waved his hand, unwilling to look at Gu Xiao: "Go, go."

"Your servant takes leave!"

Gu Xiao slowly withdrew.

Just as he was about to leave the palace gate, Liu Xiu's voice suddenly rang out again.

"Zhanhong!"

Gu Xiao froze in his steps.

"Take care of your health. Send letters often."

A tone of quiet loneliness drifted from within the hall.

Gu Xiao stood before the hall for a long while, bowed once more toward the interior, then turned and walked away slowly.

Not long after, Gu Xiao led his entire family on a journey to Hebei.

This news instantly sparked a massive uproar in the imperial court.

Gu Xiao, the founding First Merit subject, Grand Marshal, and Marquis of Champion, traveling to Hebei during such a sensitive period immediately confirmed many people's prior suspicions.

In an instant, the court and the realm were shaken!

And the course of events unfolded exactly as everyone had anticipated.

A few days later, Liu Xiu announced his decision before the imperial court;

——— Depose the Empress!

Ps: This new book is in its infancy — brothers, please support it! Don't shelf it; I beg for recommendation votes and monthly votes!

This chapter is transitional, setting the stage for the family's transformation before the upcoming plot.

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(End of Chapter)