Chapter 109: The Crown Prince

The eleventh year of Yanxi, October.

The Wuhuan and Xianbei allied forces, numbering tens of thousands, attacked Youzhou.

Although repelled by Lu Kang and Wen Qin,

this was undoubtedly a signal, further confirming Gu Yi's suspicions.

Clearly, this war between Jiuzhou and the barbarians was inevitable.

No matter what, Gu Yi must prepare.

In contrast to Gu Yi's caution, Han officials and commoners alike paid no heed to it.

Perhaps it was because Gu Chen's achievements had been so extraordinarily high.

This greatly intensified the disdain of Han officials and commoners toward the surrounding barbarians.

Even though Han was still in its recovery phase,

the commoners still felt this way.

To them, any barbarian attack on Han was like a mayfly trying to shake a tree.

This mindset was bound to become a hidden danger.

Though Han's current strength was indeed formidable, if everyone held such arrogance, they would pay a terrible price.

But trying to change this was plainly delusional.

Han commoners' disdain for the barbarians had long been ingrained in their bones.

It was a habit forged over millennia of dominance.

Gu Yi would never be so naive as to try to alter this.

He merely paid closer attention to the borders, including not just Youzhou but also the surrounding barbarians.

Including the tribes Gu Chen had relocated.

Small Small Yugu Yi's heart, he had always believed the most wondrous aspect of Jiuzhou culture was its inclusiveness.

In the original history:

——over thousands of years of Jiuzhou history, countless tribes had been assimilated by Jiuzhou culture.

These tribes were now exactly like that.

Gu Chen had almost exclusively chosen tribes skilled in agriculture.

Such tribes naturally admired Central Plains culture and were better suited to Jiuzhou culture.

Now they had developed a sense of identity with Han.

Especially the newly born generations.

Their acceptance of Jiuzhou culture had even surpassed their original tribal culture.

As long as Han endured, this phenomenon would grow stronger with each passing generation.

This phenomenon gave Gu Yi many ideas.

——such as cultural integration.

To truly lay a solid foundation for Jiuzhou's future.

But after deep reflection, he suppressed these impractical thoughts.

Such ideas were simply too naive.

At least with today's productivity, Han lacked the strength to dominate all the barbarians—this idea could never be realized.

Time passed swiftly.

Gu Yi gradually withdrew from interfering in court affairs, entrusting everything to Zhang Hua, Zhong Hui, Du Yu, and others.

Fortunately, these men were not incompetent.

And due to the Gu clan's influence, they remained steadfast in upholding the systems Gu Yi had established.

Added to this, the court ministers' resistance grew weaker.

This allowed Gu Yi to finally free up some time to begin stockpiling grain and supplies across the regions.

As Gu Yi's actions grew more pronounced, the court officials gradually discerned his intentions, and the court's focus shifted toward this matter.

Many ministers suspected Gu Ye intended to emulate Gu Chen and launch war against the surrounding barbarians.

To them, this was no trivial matter.

No one wished to shatter the peace by suddenly going to war.

Han's current court had already reached its third generation, entirely lacking the boldness of those who had survived the earlier wars.

To them, waging war against the surrounding barbarians was purely harmful and offered no benefit.

Even if they won, what then?

The lands of the surrounding barbarians, in their eyes, were barren wastelands.

An increasing number of memorials piled up on Zhang Hua's desk.

At first, Zhang Hua could suppress these memorials, but as Gu Yi's actions intensified, opposition grew louder.

Gu Yi had no interest in dealing with these men.

In truth, had he not known the future, he might have been one of them.

This was something you could not reason with.

Gu Yi merely paid a visit to Liu Shan and reminded him once again of everything Gu Chen had done in his later years.

Afterwards—

Liu Shan suppressed all these memorials.

Yet Liu Shan was also concerned—he did not want Gu Ye to leave Luoyang.

The whispers in court had made him deeply anxious.

Liu Chan is no longer young now; one could even say he has reached his twilight years.

But precisely because of this.

His attitude on this matter was extremely resolute.

Even after being Emperor for so many years, he remained just as before — heavily dependent on the Gu clan, and that dependence was only growing stronger.

He feared a repeat of what had happened with Gu Chen and Zhuge Liang back then.

But when it comes to the affairs of an entire nation, how could they be changed merely because of one man's wishes?

Gu Ye would, after all, have to leave Luoyang.

This was certain!

But this time, Gu Yi still had Gu Ye agree to Liu Chan.

He still needed time..

The thirteenth year of Yanxi, seventh month;

News arrived from Yizhou: General Who Pacifies the West, Deng Ai, had passed away in Chengdu.

From then on—

All the generals Gu Chen had left behind for the great Han had now passed from this world.

A glorious era had thoroughly drawn to a close.

Unlike the other generals, Deng Ai's merits were not limited to garrisoning a single region — he also had the merit of the military colonies.

Although Gu Chen's influence was involved in this.

It could not be denied that Deng Ai's ability in military colonization was equally extraordinary.

Liu Chan was deeply grieved by this, and likewise held a grand funeral for him.

Gu Yi had Yang Hu rush to Yizhou to take over Deng Ai's post.

This was the result of his careful deliberation.

It was precisely because the military-colony policy had met with great success in Yizhou that the Southwestern Barbarians were currently, among all the various barbarian peoples, the closest to the great Han.

Gu Yi could not possibly send someone who only knew how to wage war to Yizhou.

Yang Hu was a very suitable choice.

But bad news came one after another — Liu Chan, unexpectedly, fell ill right after the funeral.

When an Emperor falls ill, whether grave or slight, it is never a trivial matter.

Although Liu Chan, as Emperor, was more like a mascot within the great Han of today, the power was still in his hands.

The sudden illness caught everyone off guard.

Even Gu Yi had not anticipated that such a thing would happen.

According to Gu Yi's judgment, Liu Chan's lifespan would surely exceed that of the original history.

After all, history had already changed too much — even Zhuge Liang had lived several years longer than in the original history.

A man of Liu Chan's temperament would absolutely live longer than in the original history.

He had simply not anticipated that such a thing would happen.

The most critical point was—

Liu Chan's illness allowed him to discover another latent threat within the great Han today.

That was the Crown Prince, Liu Xuan.

Records on Liu Xuan in the original history were not extensive; Gu Yi's understanding of him came only through direct contact in the present, which allowed him to form a judgment.

Before Liu Chan had fallen ill;

Although Liu Xuan comported himself without restraint, his temperament was passable.

Moreover, influenced by Liu Chan, over these years he had likewise held the Gu clan in great reverence.

But after Liu Chan fell ill—

As this Crown Prince gradually gained a measure of power, the flaws in his character began to show.

This man was extremely self-willed and headstrong, and very ambitious.

He could be said to be the complete opposite of Liu Chan in temperament.

Liu Chan knew his own talents were insufficient, so he never concerned himself with other matters, leaving everything to capable ministers.

But Liu Xuan was entirely different—

Even though he had absolutely no experience in court governance, he still insisted on meddling in it.

Although Liu Xuan's attitude toward the Gu clan was not poor.

That alone was enough to reveal the traits of his character.

Don't forget — Liu Xuan is not yet Emperor!

This immediately put Gu Yi on guard; in truth, he had considered this kind of problem before.

After all, Liu Chan would eventually die.

If a great war truly did break out at that time, then the position of Son of Heaven would be critically important.

It was just that Liu Xuan's character had not yet fully revealed itself before.

But now it was different.

Liu Xuan's talents were quite ordinary; if such a man were truly to become Emperor—

Given his temperament,

What would the great Han become then?

Gu Yi's temperament was never one to hesitate in the face of great matters.

Especially after such a long period of observation, and after personally directing events on the ground, Gu Yi's abilities had also quietly improved.

This concerns the rise and fall of the Nine Provinces and the survival of the Gu clan.

He absolutely cannot tolerate any mistake.

But at least on the surface, the Gu clan must not be involved in the struggle over imperial succession.

Otherwise, it would leave immense risk.

The era of chaos is over; Gu Yi must consider the future.

Under these circumstances—

A thought swiftly arose in Gu Yi's mind.

After considering everything carefully—

Gu Yi immediately had Gu Ye issue a public statement that he too was ill.

Then he sealed the gates of the Marquis of Champion's Mansion and refused to see anyone.

Luoyang.

The successive upheavals finally caused chaos in the Han court.

As for Liu Shan's illness,

the ministers could actually accept it, for Liu Shan was truly no longer young.

But upon hearing the news of Gu Ye's illness,

the ministers were all deeply surprised.

Zhang Hua, Zhong Hui, and others came to inquire, but Gu Yi refused to see any of them, accepting only Liu Shan's condolences.

This situation only deepened the confusion.

An invisible undercurrent instantly swept through the entire Han court.

Fortunately, Zhang Hua and others were exceptionally capable, stabilizing the court's situation and preventing outright chaos.

But as the Han imperial examination drew near once more,

this fragile balance once again faced upheaval.

Chancellor's Mansion.

"Chancellor, I shall compose the examination questions myself!"

Liu Xuan stared intently at Zhang Hua, his face stern: "As Crown Prince of Han, it is only natural for me to select capable talent for our realm."

"Why will you not agree?"

Looking at Zhang Hua before him, Liu Xuan's face brimmed with anger.

With Gu Ye continuing to shut himself away and Liu Shan's health showing no improvement,

his authority as Crown Prince had grown ever greater.

"Crown Prince," Zhang Hua met his furious gaze without flinching, speaking seriously: "Han's imperial examination papers have always been determined by practical matters."

"Master Gu had already finalized this year's examination questions."

"How can they be changed arbitrarily?"

"I beg the Crown Prince to forgive me—I cannot possibly agree."

Zhang Hua's expression was utterly resolute, offering no concession.

Hearing this, Liu Xuan's dissatisfaction deepened, yet he did not lash out immediately; instead, he retreated to advance: "Then I shall add 'Horse Racing' to the special examination category!"

Zhang Hua did not hesitate; he immediately shook his head: "Your Highness, this is utterly impossible."

"The imperial examination is Han's method of selecting officials."

"The entire populace awaits this event."

"If Your Highness adds horse racing as a special category, it will encourage the people to indulge in frivolous pastimes."

"It serves no benefit to the state."

From start to finish, Zhang Hua's stance remained unyielding.

"Zhang Hua!"

Liu Xuan erupted in fury, slamming his fist onto Zhang Hua's desk and roaring: "I am the Crown Prince of Han! How dare you speak to me this way?"

Zhang Hua said nothing, merely gazing silently at Liu Xuan.

Liu Xuan's anger intensified.

But Zhang Hua was Chancellor; no matter how emboldened Liu Xuan had become, he dared not act against him.

He merely glared coldly at Zhang Hua, then turned and walked out without another word.

But could this matter end so simply?

When a person is freed from all restraint, his weaknesses only grow more exposed.

At first, some ministers still supported Liu Xuan.

But this only emboldened him further; his actions eventually caused more and more officials to grow dissatisfied.

The current Han court, at its core, remained upright.

Though ministers competed for power and profit,

they all shared a common bottom line.

Liu Xuan, a Crown Prince long suppressed and suddenly unleashed, would inevitably provoke universal discontent.

Three days later,

Liu Xuan committed an even greater act.

Returning from a hunting expedition, he galloped his horse through Luoyang and trampled a commoner to death.

The moment the grievance bell beneath the "Wall of Lament" rang,

the incident was finally brought before the court!

The entire court was shaken!

Upon hearing this news, nearly all officials across the court erupted in anger.

Of course, their fury was not merely because of the dead commoner.

The most critical issue was Liu Xuan's actions.

Liu Chan is still ill.

As Crown Prince, Liu Xuan not only disrespected filial piety but dared to leave the city for hunting—and even trampled a commoner to death.

How could they not be furious?

The ministers still held affection for Emperor Liu Chan.

At the very least—

Emperor Liu Chan could be called the mildest emperor; as long as one did not provoke his wrath, there was no danger.

The Han administration has not collapsed as it did in the Former Han.

The impact of this incident ultimately sparked universal outrage.

Even Zhang Hua could no longer suppress the flood of memorials; the entire court was in an uproar.

Under these circumstances,

Liu Xuan finally felt panic.

He first went to see Zhang Hua, hoping Zhang Hua would suppress all these memorials.

But Zhang Hua refused to even see him.

Then, Liu Xuan could only go to the Hou Fu, seeking Gu Ye's help to survive this crisis.

This was his first time ever visiting Gu Ye.

In fact, even Gu Yi had not anticipated that Liu Xuan would sink so low in such a short time.

Although he had already foreseen

that with Liu Xuan's character, once unbound, he would surely cause chaos.

But could this chaos possibly be any greater?

It is no accident that Liu Xuan's historical record, in the original timeline, was worse than Liu Chen's.

History has changed completely.

But when it comes to personal character, change is ultimately difficult.

Gu Yi naturally would not meet Liu Xuan.

He did this precisely to sever all ties between the Gu clan and this affair.

Liu Xuan was utterly desperate.

He was only Crown Prince—the fury of the entire court was more than he could bear!

Especially now that Liu Chan was still alive.

He could only pray that Liu Chan would never wake again.

But some things were already destined.

Two days later,

Liu Chan's condition finally improved; his daily periods of consciousness grew longer, and he eventually heard of the incident.

That very night—

Someone from the palace immediately rushed to the Hou Fu, summoning Gu Ye to the palace.

This time, Gu Yi moved.

That night,

In the silent palace, the atmosphere was utterly serious.

Gu Ye followed the eunuch to the Beigong and immediately saw Liu Chan lying on his bed.

For some reason—

Gu Yi suddenly felt that the Liu Chan before him had changed.

His eyes now held an emotion he recognized.

Gu Yi was not unfamiliar with that look.

It was worry for the future.

"Your Majesty," Gu Yi immediately made Gu Ye bow.

This time, Liu Chan behaved with remarkable maturity; he did not act as casually as before, but looked at Gu Ye seriously and asked: "Zhao De, how is your health?"

"Thank Your Majesty for your concern—I am fully recovered," Gu Yi quickly replied.

Hearing this, Liu Chan nodded slowly: "Good, good that you are well."

His tone paused slightly.

A tear suddenly rolled down his cheek, his voice filled with regret: "Zhao De… I am unfilial."

"Your Majesty!"

Without Gu Yi's control, Gu Ye's expression changed drastically; he immediately knelt down: "Why does Your Majesty speak thus?"

"Heh~"

Liu Chan gave a bitter laugh, tilting his head to look at the sky: "I have betrayed the expectations of the late Emperor and my father-in-law—I raised such a Crown Prince."

"Am I not unfilial?"

Tears continued to stream from his eyes as he spoke.

He had indeed neglected the education of his imperial son.

Perhaps because Liu Bei had been too strict with him in his youth, Liu Chan had carried psychological scars ever since.

Therefore, his approach to the education of his heirs had always been lenient.

He had assumed that, at the very least, they would turn out like him.

He never expected reality to deal him such a thorough blow this time.

"Your Majesty must not entertain such thoughts," Gu Ye said hurriedly.

But before he could finish.

Liu Shan waved his hand directly, looked at Gu Ye again, and said: "Zhaode, I am old."

"I"

"Fear I do not have much time left."

"With the Crown Prince's temperament, how could I set my mind at ease?"

This was the first time Liu Shan had worried about the realm, and the feeling could not be suppressed no matter what.

This serious illness, combined with Liu Xuan's conduct, had thoroughly shaken him.

Looking at the Liu Shan before him.

Gu Yi did not hesitate either. He took a deep breath and immediately said: "Your Majesty, I petition to depose the Crown Prince!"

"Depose the Crown Prince?"

Liu Shan did not show any displeasure toward Gu Ye, but instead looked at Gu Ye and asked: "Deposing the eldest and installing the young—is that not the path to disaster?"

"If"

"Your Majesty!" Gu Yi, disregarding propriety, cut Liu Shan off, cupped his hands, and said seriously: "One incompetent general wears out three armies."

"An Emperor without virtue places the realm in peril."

"Given the Crown Prince's temperament, he absolutely must not be allowed to rule."

"For our Great Han's realm to have reached this day, how many heroic souls have perished? I still beg Your Majesty to reconsider."

When the words fell, the entire Beigong immediately fell silent.

Liu Shan stared fixedly at Gu Ye.

After a long silence, he finally said faintly: "Whom does Zhaode think could be made the Crown Prince?"

"The King of the North—"

Gu Yi answered without hesitation: "Liu Chen!"

Hearing this, Liu Shan's gaze sharpened slightly, and he fell silent once more.

He seemed to be recalling Liu Chen's temperament.

After a long while, he finally nodded slightly.

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(End of this chapter)