Chapter 123: Liu Chen's Collapse

This road was destined to be long.

For the Gu clan, to truly achieve a glory that would last for ten thousand generations,

required generation after generation of people to keep walking it without pause.

Gu Yi could sense that Gu Ye also wished, through his own conduct, to set an example for his descendants.

Time slipped swiftly away.

The promotion of "Panyu Rice" was a great success.

As more and more Central Plain commoners migrated to Lingnan, the land reclaimed grew ever greater, and Lingnan's advantages would only expand.

In the beginning, Lingnan had needed the court's support.

But by now,

Lingnan had already achieved basic self-sufficiency; if things continued this way, within just a few short years,

the Great Han would be able to fully offset the expenditures in Lingnan.

At the same time, sugar-making, Hu Jiao plantations, and the like were also progressing very rapidly.

Such things were, naturally, state-run.

Gu Yi simply could not hand over such a profitable industry entirely, or else it would surely invite unnecessary trouble.

With everything under detailed planning,

by the twenty-ninth year of Qianji, all of this had already begun to show results.

And with the canal's excavation completed,

the next phase of city planning for Lingnan was likewise placed on the agenda.

Everything was slowly getting better.

Though it had only just begun, the changes in Lingnan were already earth-shattering.

But even with such a splendid situation,

a shadow still gradually fell over the whole of Lingnan.

Everyone was worrying about Gu Ye's health.

He was far too important to Lingnan.

No—not just Lingnan.

The Northern Border was the same.

No one could imagine what Lingnan would become if Gu Ye were suddenly to collapse.

But no matter how much others worried, what good did it do?

For whom would time ever pause?

Gu Ling had been constantly nursing Gu Ye's health, yet his body kept growing worse.

And then, in the thirtieth year of Qianji, the fourth month,

as news from Luoyang once again reached Lingnan,

no matter how much Gu Ye wished to hold on, he had no choice but to return to Luoyang.

—Liu Chen Critically Ill!

The glorious era was, at last, truly coming to an end.

Liu Chen had already been a few years older than Gu Ye to begin with; now he too had reached the very end of his lifespan.

He had sent an urgent edict summoning Gu Ye back to court to stabilize the political situation.

This time, Gu Ye had no choice.

Even though he clearly knew that, given his current health, returning to Luoyang was nothing less than gambling with his life, he still had to go back.

As word of this spread,

it immediately stirred up towering waves once more across Lingnan.

—Someone actually wanted to urge the Gu clan to declare independence!

Even Gu Yi had not expected that there would still be people who would say such things to the Gu clan.

And these people's methods were very clever: they did not go to advise Gu Ye, the current head of the Gu clan, but instead tried to persuade other Gu clan juniors.

Among them were Han people who had migrated there, as well as some Yue people.

Gu Yi could understand.

Among this group there were surely loyal believers of the Gu clan, wanting the Gu clan to lead them forever.

But no matter what, scheming people could not be avoided.

As time passed, Lingnan's benefits had gradually come to light.

Such profits would cloud many people's minds.

When Gu Ye learned of this, he was utterly furious.

This was the first time Gu Yi had seen Gu Ye wear such a murderous expression.

But he could hardly be blamed—

a man of his temperament would absolutely not tolerate anyone beguiling Gu clan juniors and thereby threatening the entire family.

Gu Ye immediately wanted Wen Yang to slaughter every one of them.

But in that instant, Gu Yi took control of him.

He intended to see whether, among the other Gu clan juniors, there were still any who would abandon the family's interests for ambition.

This was an excellent opportunity!

Invisible storms raged across the whole of Lingnan.

Although Gu Yi also understood.

Human hearts are hard to fathom, and must not be tested.

But for the stability of the entire clan, he must reduce all risks.

The Gu clan has paid far too much to reach today.

Should any clan descendant truly harbor ill intent, it would instantly reduce the efforts of generations of Gu descendants to ashes.

It is different from before.

Lingnan now shows a momentum and position that truly possess the capacity for independence.

Though such independence cannot last long.

But when ambition takes hold, people often lose all reason.

He merely had people secretly monitor all movements.

And publicly, Gu Yi controlled all arrangements for Gu Ye's return to the capital.

—— The atmosphere shifted abruptly!

Though all occurred in secret, as Gu Ye showed his intent to return to the capital, the atmosphere in Lingnan gradually changed.

Even Gu Yi's own heart grew increasingly tense.

Even though he had made thorough preparations, he still felt a trace of worry.

This is the inevitable situation the clan has faced in sustaining its glory to this day.

Even he could not interfere.

Time passed swiftly.

Countless hidden currents churned beneath the surface in Lingnan.

Gu Yi had been watching all of it, listening to those who tried to sway the Gu clan descendants.

He waited silently for their choice.

Finally—

Just before the day Gu Ye was to publicly declare his departure, a group of Gu clan descendants finally found Gu Ye.

Night.

Hearing the soft knock at the door.

Gu Ye's body trembled slightly; he, too, was deeply tense.

"Enter."

He took a deep breath before speaking.

Creak—

The door slowly opened, and several Gu clan descendants entered with serious expressions, bowing immediately upon entering.

"Big Brother!"

By now, these Gu clan descendants' skin had grown much darker.

They no longer had that former air of detachment.

Gu Ye's body trembled faintly, yet his face remained calm as he asked softly: "What is it?"

He was not a man without familial feeling.

Gu Ye was equally afraid these brothers might say something they shouldn't.

"Big Brother, I have something to report."

They looked at each other, and finally the eldest among them hesitantly spoke those words.

"What is it?" Gu Ye's breath quickened sharply as he asked at once.

Gu Yi had been watching all of this, without intervening.

If this were based on the conduct of previous generations of Gu descendants, he would never have been so worried.

But now, it is different.

The Gu clan descendant said nothing more, only hesitated briefly before slowly pulling a handwritten letter from his chest and handing it to Gu Ye.

"Big Brother, this is a record of the people we've observed these past days."

"They have tried to incite our Gu clan to independence."

As soon as those words were spoken, the men no longer hesitated, and immediately detailed everything they had uncovered to Gu Ye.

Looking at the group before him.

Gu Yi could clearly feel Gu Ye's body relax suddenly, as he let out a heavy breath.

Compared to Gu Yi's emotions, Gu Ye was even more tense.

These were his own brothers.

Should they truly make any choice harmful to the clan, no matter how reluctant, Gu Ye would surely act against them.

But now, he could finally let his guard down.

"Good."

As their voices faded, Gu Ye looked at them with satisfaction and sincerely praised: "You are truly worthy of being Gu clan descendants—you have not shamed the Gu name."

None of them were fools.

Hearing this, they immediately realized Gu Ye had known all along.

Without hesitation, they knelt before Gu Ye: "Big Brother, though we are unworthy—"

"We know how hard it has been for the Gu clan to reach today."

"The lifelong efforts of our ancestors, the burden on Big Brother's shoulders—"

"Even Mo Qing has strived for the clan."

"How could we possibly shame our family?"

The expressions on everyone's faces were incomparably resolute.

Leading by example has always been the best method of education.

Although these Gu Clan juniors had once had problems with their minds and hearts, after years of tempering they had long since changed.

Especially Gu Han's transformation, and the achievements he later attained.

All the more so, these people had long since changed.

Silently watching the people before him, even Gu Yi could not help but let out a sigh of relief.

It was obvious—

Everything he had done had ultimately been useful after all.

Just as the Gu Clan was about to step onto a crossroads, he finally pulled the Gu Clan back once more.

The great purge arrived as promised.

Regarding the disposal of these people, Gu Ye did not show the slightest mercy.

There might well have been the intention of establishing authority in this as well.

Gu Ye wished, before departing, to intimidate those who harbored disloyal thoughts.

Under his command.

Wen Yang led his troops to various places, and regardless of the other's status, had them executed on the spot.

There was no half-measure of mercy to speak of.

—Lingnan was greatly shaken!

Gu Ye wisely did not directly announce these people's crimes, only labeling them as "harboring disloyalty and disrupting Lingnan."

The intimidation this struck upon all of Lingnan could not be called insignificant.

And after this matter concluded, in the sixth month.

Gu Ye finally departed Lingnan.

Heading toward Luoyang.

At the moment of departure, people from all sides came to see him off.

Among them were Han Chinese and Yue natives.

They also knew they could not interfere with Gu Ye's decision, and could only, at this moment of parting, use their own way to pray for Gu Ye's safety.

Gu Ling had originally wanted to follow Gu Ye back to Luoyang.

Her medical skills were now extraordinary, and she would surely be of use on the road.

But Gu Ye refused.

He had a premonition of his own end.

Even if he could return to Luoyang, he feared he would never be able to come back to Lingnan again.

But Gu Ling was different.

Staying in Lingnan and continuing on her own path was the most suitable.

Regarding this, Gu Yi also did not interfere.

He still had the "Illness-Curing Talisman" in hand.

As long as Gu Ye did not die of natural old age, he was confident he could protect Gu Ye.

As for Wen Yang.

This time, he chose to return to Luoyang together with Gu Ye.

He was no longer young either.

Rather than staying in Lingnan, he was more willing to return to Luoyang with Gu Ye, regardless of whether he could hold on.

At the very least, this was what he most wished to do.

The years flowed on; compared to when they had first charged into Lingnan, everything had long since changed.

Whether it was Gu Ye, or Wen Yang for that matter.

Or even those Han soldiers who had fallen.

They had all left their own mark upon this land.

Even the surrounding mountains and rivers had changed.

But along this journey home, they could still see far, far too many shadows of years past, reminding them of many, many stories of bygone days.

Gu Ye grew ever more silent.

Even Wen Yang no longer had his usual bold and carefree manner.

Perhaps this too is one of the traits of the Huaxia people.

Often, once one reaches a certain age, one becomes increasingly nostalgic.

He went to pay respects at Zhong Hui's shrine.

And at every battlefield of the campaigns of years past, he would pause to offer sacrifices to those soldiers who had fallen upon this land.

Regarding the itinerary of this journey, Gu Ye was not in any great rush.

Even though the road had long since been repaired, this journey was still exceedingly long.

His age was no longer small either.

Rushing was useless.

It might very well cause him to collapse before Liu Chen.

For the sake of Great Han.

Of lord and vassal, at least one must remain.

Gu Ye took a very open view of this; if they could meet, then no matter what, lord and vassal would meet.

This journey was destined to be extremely arduous.

Gu Ye fell ill.

He had truly reached the age of candlelight; even walking on these repaired roads had become unbearable.

Fortunately, Gu Yi had been watching closely the whole time.

He immediately used a talisman to help him through the crisis.

But clearly—

There was little time left for him.

Luoyang.

After many years, Gu Ye finally returned to this city once more.

As in past years, the welcome was the same.

Liu Chen, though now entirely white-haired and no longer the vibrant man he once was, still led the ministers to greet Gu Ye outside the city.

"Your Majesty."

Seeing Liu Chen's appearance, Gu Ye's eyes instantly reddened.

He staggered down from the carriage.

Trembling, he spoke and moved to kneel before Liu Chen.

But Liu Chen directly stopped Gu Ye, his own eyes slightly red, voice trembling: "Zhao De is the pillar holding up Great Han—no need for such formalities."

"Your Majesty!"

Gu Ye seized Liu Chen's arm.

The sovereign and minister gazed at each other; though they said nothing, it felt as if they had spoken a thousand words.

For the two of them—

To meet again was already the greatest fortune in life.

Among all the illustrious emperors of Han and virtuous ministers of the Gu clan, few had been granted such a reunion in their twilight years.

"Come, let's walk!"

Liu Chen pulled Gu Ye's arm and, disregarding protocol, walked straight into the city.

Countless eyes followed them.

Some even involuntarily gasped in shock.

Yet the two paid no heed, continuing slowly into the city, flanked by the ministers.

This day was destined to be extraordinary.

Liu Chen hosted a grand banquet to celebrate Gu Ye's pacification of Lingnan.

The ministers naturally attended.

But for Gu Ye, few familiar faces remained in the court now.

The only one who truly caught Gu Yi's attention was Liu Jun.

He was the current Crown Prince of Han.

As for Liu Chen's descendants in the original history, Gu Yi had no memory of them at all.

His only recollection was that they had been executed by Liu Chen before the fall of Shu Han.

He needed to observe him carefully.

Unfortunately, perhaps out of fear of Liu Chen, Liu Jun showed nothing remarkable—no signs of distinction.

Throughout the banquet, Liu Chen spoke continuously with Gu Ye.

The sovereign and minister talked about everything.

In the end, Liu Chen even invited Gu Ye to stay overnight in the palace.

To this—

Gu Ye did not refuse.

Liu Chen's health had clearly deteriorated; his face was noticeably pale.

He coughed intermittently.

Unfortunately, the "Cure-All Talisman" could only be used on Gu clan descendants; otherwise, Gu Yi would have saved Liu Chen.

The sovereign and minister continued recounting the events of these years.

Though these stories had been mentioned many times in letters, neither showed the slightest annoyance.

Gu Ye slowly laid out his plans for Lingnan's future.

Smoke curled from the bronze brazier on the table; Liu Chen's pale face flushed slightly as he tapped his fingers lightly on the desk: "No wonder you're Zhao De! If this plan is realized, Great Han shall shine through eternity!"

Before he finished speaking, he fell silent, gazing at the withered parasol leaves outside the window, his smile fading into a sigh: "But I fear I shall never see this glorious age."

"Your Majesty, do not speak so!" Gu Ye rose abruptly. "Your Imperial Health is secure; there is still time ahead. Why speak such words?"

Liu Chen waved his hand; the golden-thread embroidered sleeve slipped down, revealing dark patterns on his wrist: "Zhao De, why comfort me? The Liu clan has never feared death since our ancestors."

His gaze pierced the gauze curtains and settled on Gu Ye: "To see you return before my end—this leaves me with no regrets."

"With Zhao De, Great Han is safe."

Saying this, Liu Chen pulled out a pre-prepared imperial edict.

Its contents were simple.

It appointed Gu Ye as Grand Tutor and Supervisor of the Secretariat.

Seeing the edict's words, even Gu Yi felt a momentary daze.

Since Gu Xi—

The office of Grand Tutor had been elevated.

Although nominally still inferior to the Chancellor, he had surpassed the Chancellor.

Take the current Yan Han for example.

Since Liu Bei ascended the throne and declared himself Emperor, no one had ever held the position of Grand Tutor.

Whether in the court or among the common people.

The position of "Grand Tutor" had acquired an entirely different status.

Gu Ye's body trembled slightly as he looked at Liu Shan with a complex expression: "Your Majesty, why must you go so far?"

"The Crown Prince has ample benevolence but lacks decisiveness," Liu Shan leaned back against the dragon-embroidered pillow, his voice fading, "I have paved his path, yet I still cannot rest easy… Only if you oversee the entire court can I die in peace."

His tone was calm, utterly unreserved.

Gu Ye's lips moved slightly, but he could not speak a word.

The hall fell into silence.

The emperor and minister sat facing each other, with no trace of formality.

Liu Shan had long felt exhausted, yet he still forced himself to remain upright, silently watching Gu Ye; after a long silence, he spoke again.

He introduced Gu Ye to the current court ministers.

He explained in great detail.

He carefully described their origins, their personalities, and their talents.

Gu Ye listened with great attention.

Including Gu Yi.

Although Gu Ye was utterly unfamiliar with these men, he had heard a few names that sounded familiar.

Until finally—

Liu Shan brought up another topic.

"Zhao De, why do you not allow Gu clan youths to attend court?"

Liu Shan stared intently at Gu Ye.

This was what he found most perplexing; the Gu clan had changed greatly from before.

Although in the provinces many Gu clan youths held office.

Yet at the core of the court, only Gu Ye remained—and Gu Ye was no longer young.

He had raised the matter of promoting Gu clan youths more than once.

But Gu Yi had always refused.

Hearing this, Gu Yi could no longer remain silent; he immediately controlled Gu Ye to say: "Your Majesty, the Gu clan youths lack talent and cannot shoulder such heavy responsibilities."

Liu Shan shook his head slightly and sighed helplessly: "So it is, then."

He did not know how to express his thoughts at this moment.

This was what set the Gu clan apart from other aristocratic families.

In truth, this behavior was deeply reassuring for an emperor.

After all, this alone was enough to prove a clan's purity.

But for the Emperor of Yan Han, it was somewhat different.

Without the Gu clan at court, Yan Han somehow felt incomplete.

But what could he say?

"The tripod of the Liu clan must bear the name of the Gu clan."

He could indeed fulfill this vow—but would forcibly promoting Gu clan youths truly benefit the Great Han?

If the Gu clan, because of this move, sank into the same decay as other aristocratic families,

what impact would that have on the Great Han?

Liu Shan had pondered this question countless times, yet he could never find a good answer.

Time is merciless; history must move forward.

Even Gu Yi had to admit it.

As the Gu clan's youths grew increasingly mediocre, the glorious era of Yan Han was bound to fade gradually.

He could gamble—use the draw system to obtain items and cultivate talent.

But for the long-term strategy of the Gu clan,

Gu Yi could never make such a choice.

There is no dynasty that lasts forever.

Achievement points are Gu Yi's tools to prop up the crumbling Gu clan, not mere embellishments.

That night, the emperor and minister slept side by side.

From this day forward,

Gu Ye reappeared at court.

The Great Han was indeed flourishing: peace along the borders and the absence of catastrophic natural disasters had allowed its strength to grow rapidly.

The effectiveness of the imperial examination system was likewise remarkable.

Liu Shan had real ability—he had kept the entire Great Han firmly on the correct developmental path.

Gu Ye did not even need to interfere much; merely overseeing the court was enough.

Liu Shan had indeed reached his end.

Ever since Gu Ye returned to the capital, he had seemed to fulfill his final wish; soon after, he collapsed outright.

This day came faster than expected.

The 31st year of Ganji, the 12th day of the second month, Xinwei;

——Liu Chen died smiling in the Beigong of Luoyang;

At the moment of his death, he entrusted all state affairs to Gu Ye.

Crown Prince Liu Jun ascended the throne.

Posthumous title: Mu;

One who spreads virtue and upholds righteousness is Mu; one whose inner virtue manifests in appearance is Mu; one who is virtuous, trustworthy, and cultivates excellence is Mu;

Thus he became Emperor Xiaomu of Great Han.

Crown Prince Liu Jun ascended the throne.

——————

Emperor Xiaomu's personal name was Chen, grandson of Emperor Zhaowu, son of Emperor Xiaoren. His mother was Empress Gong, of the Chen clan. From childhood he was intelligent and well-versed in the Classic of Filial Piety, the Analects, and the Gu School.

In the first month of spring, first year of Ganji, Emperor Xiaoren passed away; the Crown Prince ascended the throne and granted amnesty throughout the realm. In February, he paid homage at the High Ancestral Temple.

The Emperor upheld Emperor Xiaoren's imperial examination system; in the third year of Jianji, he issued an edict adding two new subjects: Mathematics and Agricultural Policy. Once, while personally examining candidates at the imperial dais, he said to the Minister of the Palace: "Ruling a state is like tuning a zither—too slow and it produces no sound; too fast and the strings snap. The examinations must now favor those who understand worldly affairs."

He then ordered the Imperial Academy to add instruction in land systems and hydrology.

That year, forty-seven candidates from the provinces and commanderies were recommended for Mathematics, sixty-three for Agricultural Policy; all were appointed to official posts according to merit.

In the second year of Ganji, unrest arose on the northern frontier.

The Emperor ascended the platform and appointed Gu Ye as Great General Ye, granting him the axe and halberd. Ye marched out of Youzhou, defeated the rebels in a single battle, and all three barbarian tribes surrendered.

In the seventeenth year, Ye again subdued the southern lands; passing through the Meiguan Ancient Pass, he captured Panyu. The Emperor unfastened his own Zhanlu Sword and bestowed it upon Ye, decreeing: "Your merit rivals that of Wei and Huo."

The Emperor was frugal and plain-living, often wearing washed garments.

The Inspector of Si Province petitioned to repair the Southern Palace; the Emperor annotated: "The people of Henan starve; Nanyang floods. How can we spend a million in state funds to build palaces for me?" The project was halted.

Whenever disasters or portents occurred, he donned plain robes, withdrew from the palace, and dispatched envoys to tour the provinces and commanderies.

Once, reading the Salt and Iron Treatise at night, he reached the chapter "The Virtuous and the Literati," and sighed deeply: "The methods of Sang Hongyang and Kong Jin can never compare to Chao Cuo's 'Memorial on the Value of Grain.'"

On the day Xinwei of the second month in the thirty-first year, the Emperor died in the Xuan Chamber of the Beigong, aged fifty-nine.

His final edict stated: "Funeral rites shall be simple; replace months with days. All princes shall return to their fiefs and not leave without permission." That night, a white rainbow pierced the Big Dipper; the Luo River froze solid for three days. On the day Gengyin of March, he was buried in Xian Mausoleum on Mang Mountain.

Posthumous title: Mu.

——The History of Yan Han. Annals of Emperor Xiaomu

(End of Chapter)