Chapter 131: The Liu Family Abandons the Gu, the Chaotic World Finally Begins

—The Flaming Han!

A simple two-character phrase, yet it explained so very much.

Indeed, compared to everything the Gu Shizi had done before.

This time, the triple revival of the Flaming Han, including the subsequent integration of ethnic groups, could no longer be completely corrected.

The Nine Provinces had already changed.

And it was not just the Gu family.

In this instant, many thoughts could not help but arise in Gu Yi’s mind.

While changing the family, being able to benefit the Nine Provinces.

This was also one of Gu Yi’s ideas.

Now it seemed that as long as the Gu family was strong enough, everything would have a chance to be realized!

He exhaled deeply.

Immediately, he stopped thinking about it, put away all his thoughts, picked up the game console, and fixed his gaze on the screen.

The next moment—

The image in the game console gradually solidified before his eyes.

Noisy memories poured in from the void.

Compared to the previous times he exited the game, Gu Yi spent much longer exiting the game this time.

And the entire world had already undergone tremendous changes compared to just before he exited the game.

Gu Yi tried his best to absorb all these memories and silently sorted out everything that had happened over these years in his mind.

—The Great Han had completely changed.

After Liu Jun took power, he immediately exposed his ambition.

He wanted to further expand the territory of the Great Han.

But the problem was that the Great Han had not even fully absorbed the northern frontiers and Lingnan; sending troops to expand again would only affect internal balance.

Facing such matters, the group of people Gu Ye had left behind for him naturally offered remonstrances.

But human hearts are fickle.

Liu Jun actually had some methods.

For those ministers who remonstrated, he immediately began a series of political maneuvers.

Promoting those who supported him and cold-shouldering those who remonstrated.

An Emperor with real power is not someone these ministers can stop.

Facing the Gu family, which had already withdrawn from the core court, and the Son of Heaven, who held real power in his hands.

For these court officials, this was an easy choice to make.

Even if there were upright ministers, they could not stop this rolling trend.

The internal balance of the Great Han was instantly destroyed under these circumstances.

The first time he sent troops, there was indeed no chaos internally.

The foundation left behind by the reigns of Liu Chan and Liu Chen was still there, enough for Liu Jun to toss about this once.

But following the first defeat, Liu Jun’s heart for conquest did not extinguish.

He continuously conscripted soldiers.

He even increased taxes on the four-way trade and conscripted soldiers from the barbarians.

Finally, the barbarians on all sides gradually grew resentful; even if some tribes did not rebel, the Great Han’s control over them gradually loosened after this.

The most critical thing was—

Liu Jun was not just tossing about these things.

He also meddled with the imperial examination, the core system of the Great Han.

And most importantly, as the trend of the court shifted, those skilled in flattery gradually emerged.

And Liu Jun liked these people very much.

The influence of the court would eventually cause changes in the four directions.

Under these circumstances, the prosperous age of the Great Han finally ended.

Fortunately, the foundation left behind by the reigns of Liu Chan and Liu Chen was too deep, and they had bestowed too much grace upon the common people, which prevented greater chaos.

But the Great Han had also developed major problems.

Fortunately, Liu Jun’s son, Liu Cheng, could be considered a restorer of the dynasty.

After taking over Liu Jun’s mess, he vigorously rectified the court, restored national strength, and pacified the gradually stirring barbarians on all sides.

He adopted the various methods Gu Ye had used back then.

Applying grace and coercion, restoring the various national policies of the previous reign, and rectifying the court and officialdom.

Through various means, he managed to stabilize the increasingly weakening situation of the Great Han and could be called a restorer of the dynasty.

If he could have lived as long as Liu Chan, perhaps the Great Han would be great again.

But the problem lay in—

Liu Cheng died young!

After being Emperor for less than ten years, Liu Cheng passed away in Luoyang at the age of only thirty-six.

It was as if it were Heaven’s will.

The glorious path of the Great Han had long since completely ended with the death of Liu Chen.

And it was precisely because Liu Cheng died young that the Crown Prince who succeeded him was even younger.

It was not that he had not thought of entrusting the orphan to the Gu family.

Liu Cheng was completely different from Liu Jun; he was not the kind of Emperor who clung to absolute power, and he had done so more than once after ascending the throne.

At such a critical time, the Gu Shizi would naturally not sit idly by and watch the situation of a young ruler and a suspicious state.

But the problem was that this generation of Gu Shizi were not people like Gu Kang, Gu Xi, or Gu Chen who could decide everything on their own.

With the passage of time, the Gu family’s influence in the court was no longer what it once was.

Although the Gu family’s influence among the people remained.

This gave the Gu Shizi a natural amulet, but in such a situation, a lack of personal talent meant it was impossible to resolve all the hidden dangers.

Looking at the entire history—

How many ministers could manage to complete the handover of power and keep the subsequent court stable?

This generation of Gu Shizi could not, after all, control everything like their ancestors of the past.

Although the situation was still stable while he was in court.

But after he passed away.

The collapse of the Great Han was like an arrow released from the string, finally irreversible.

Powerful ministers held the court, and the Son of Heaven was mediocre.

The Great Han finally reached the important period that every dynasty must face as time passed.

If a great talent capable of reversing the situation could appear, this situation might be reversed.

But the later monarchs of the Great Han could no longer have the abilities of emperors like Liu Bei and Liu Chen.

And as of now—

With the successive appearance of natural disasters in various places, this had all become a foregone conclusion.

Even if these natural disasters could not be compared to those previous ones that spread across the entire Nine Provinces at every turn.

But for the Great Han of today.

This natural disaster was equally fatal.

The deterioration of the system caused the barbarians in various places who had not yet integrated into the Great Han to gradually break away from the court’s control, and human ambition continued to breed under this situation.

After more than two hundred years, great chaos was finally about to step onto this land once again.

It was just that—

This time, the chaotic world was fundamentally different from the previous ones.

Gu Yi digested these memories carefully, his expression showing no fluctuations at all.

How could there be an eternal dynasty in the world?

The Great Han was destined to decline sooner or later.

And the wheels of history would certainly continue to move forward through these repeated great chaotic times.

He exhaled lightly, his gaze gradually falling, and as his thoughts moved, Gu Yi’s gaze immediately pierced through layers of clouds and mist, landing on Julu.

Now the Gu family had been passed down to the thirteenth generation.

Gu Yi looked at the attributes of these people.

They were still very average.

Even the highest attribute of the most outstanding person was only seventy points.

Actually, Gu Yi had a feeling that there must be constant corrections being made.

As the Gu family did more and more.

Everything now was no longer like it was in the beginning.

The original trajectory of history was constantly suppressing the Gu family, wanting to let history return to its original path.

If Gu Yi did not intervene.

History would definitely proceed along the established route, and the Gu family would continue to decline as time passed, until they fell into that final predicament.

Although it could not be called bad, for Gu Yi, it was clearly not enough.

However, even though he had already seen these things, Gu Yi was not in a hurry to act directly.

He still had quite a few achievement points left, and whether he chose to manipulate things personally or otherwise, he needed to see what the characters of this generation of Gu Shizi were truly like.

Within Liucheng, nothing had changed.

As the current pilgrimage site of the Nine Provinces, although the hearts of the people under heaven were restless, it had not yet reached the point where it could affect Liucheng.

However, Gu Yi still noticed the differences through the details.

The smiles of the people of Liucheng had diminished.

This was naturally related to the overall policy of the Great Han; the Gu family could protect the stability of Liucheng, but it was not enough to improve everyone's lives.

To be able to cause such a change in the people within Liucheng.

It was very clear—

The current Great Han was already approaching its end.

Because of the mediocrity of the family descendants, ever since Gu Jin, who had been entrusted by Liu Cheng with his final wishes, the Gu family had completely faded from the core of the imperial court, with only some descendants serving as officials in various provinces and commanderies.

But as the situation of the Great Han became increasingly unfavorable, the Gu family was ultimately affected.

Whether it was the expectations of the people under heaven;

Or the increasingly rare ministers in the court who cared for the state, all hoped that the Gu family would stand up at such a time.

But the current head of the Gu family, Gu Xuan, had always been very calm.

He did not let any family descendants go.

As for the reason, it was also very simple; it was not just because the family descendants lacked talent.

It was also because the current Emperor of the Great Han, Liu Chang, was a person who acted entirely on his own authority and had an extremely strong desire to control power.

Even though the Gu family had faded from the imperial court for so many years.

His attitude toward the Gu family was also one of extreme vigilance.

It was precisely because Gu Xuan saw this that he had never left Liucheng from beginning to end, and in the face of the world's expectations, he only submitted memorials; but how could such an action have any effect?

Liu Chang remained headstrong, completely disregarding the sentiments of the people under heaven.

This time, upon hearing that there was unrest in Lingnan, he immediately conceived the idea of personally leading an expedition to Lingnan.

Lingnan had always been a piece of fat meat.

Ever since the trade route established by Gu Ye was completely opened up.

The wealth that Lingnan could bring made everyone's heart beat faster, and although Lingnan had gradually lost its constraints following the decline of the Great Han, this trade route had never been interrupted.

Whether for the people of Lingnan or for the Great Han;

This trade route was crucial.

But it was precisely because of this, as local forces grew stronger, that this immense profit still caused disputes.

Coupled with the continuously rising taxes.

This immediately caused the Yue people, who had not yet fully integrated into the Great Han, to harbor thoughts of rebellion once again.

It was for this reason that Liu Chang conceived the heart to launch a southern expedition.

But the problem was that he currently had no heirs, and the national conditions of the Great Han did not support such a costly expedition.

The ministers discussed this endlessly.

But Liu Chang still headstrongly decided on this matter and began conscripting soldiers from across the land.

This matter was like a fuse, causing the Great Han, which was already on the verge of a dead end, to show further signs of wavering.

Inside the Gu Fu.

A group of Gu family descendants were also discussing this matter.

They were all too clear about the current situation of the Great Han; if this battle were truly fought, it might be fine if they won, but if they lost, it would certainly accelerate the collapse of the Great Han.

This time was different from the past.

Both publicly and privately, the Gu family had to do something to respond to the expectations the people under heaven held for the Gu family.

This was something the Gu family had to bear; it was simply unavoidable.

"Eldest Brother, our ancestors once stated repeatedly that there is no dynasty in the world that lasts forever; our Gu family should keep the Nine Provinces in our hearts."

"The world is currently in turmoil."

"If His Majesty insists on the expedition, it will surely cause chaos; even a great victory would be of no help to the Great Han, but if we suffer a great defeat, the world will surely fall into disorder."

"Our Gu family has not touched the Luoyang imperial court for over a hundred years."

"Eldest Brother, why not just submit a memorial as usual? Why is there a need to go to Luoyang in person?"

Looking at Gu Xuan in the main seat, the faces of the Gu family descendants were filled with confusion.

As the Gu family had not appeared at the core of the imperial court for many years.

The connection between the Gu family descendants and the Liu imperial clan had also become increasingly shallow, which was also related to the Emperor's growing indifference toward the Gu family.

Nowadays, the concept of living for the family and for the Nine Provinces had long been deeply ingrained in the hearts of every Gu family descendant.

They no longer prioritized a single dynasty.

Hearing this, the group of descendants nodded one after another; although their talents were all very ordinary, they could also see these things.

"How could I forget the sacred words of our ancestors?"

Gu Xuan sighed deeply, shook his head, and said: "But it is precisely because of this that our Gu family must make one final attempt."

"The people under heaven have hoped for the return of our Gu family to the imperial court for many years."

"If we let this happen and do nothing, it will always tarnish the brilliance of our ancestors."

"No matter what, I must go once."

"Whether it succeeds or fails then, it will no longer have anything to do with our Gu family; even if the Great Han finally reaches the day of collapse, our Gu family will have done right by the Liu family, and it can be considered a final struggle for the sake of the people under heaven."

Gu Xuan's expression became increasingly serious.

Hearing this, the group of Gu family descendants also understood his thoughts, and their expressions all became complex.

Prestige had indeed brought great protection to the Gu family.

But it had also placed constraints upon the Gu family.

In all things in the world, there is a cause for every effect; the Gu family enjoyed the benefits brought by prestige, so they needed to bear the price required to obtain this prestige.

"After I leave, the affairs within the clan must not fall into chaos."

"Recently, I have sent people to deliver letters, notifying the clansmen in all four directions; no matter what, the family must make full preparations to deal with the turmoil that could happen at any time."

"Although we lack the talent of our ancestors in the clan, we must still protect the entire family."

"Before I depart."

"I will lead the people to offer sacrifices to our ancestors and pray for their protection; you should all prepare."

Gu Xuan earnestly gave instructions for everything, and then he waved his hand to let everyone leave.

The group left with complex expressions.

Watching their backs, Gu Xuan could not help but sigh helplessly, a trace of sorrow flashing in his eyes.

Living in an era that could fall into great chaos at any moment.

For those with ability, it was absolutely a fortunate thing; there were simply too many opportunities to establish merit in this turbulent world.

But for those like them with average talent, it was a painful thing.

As the current head of the Gu family, Gu Xuan had to be vigilant at all times to avoid any problems arising for the Gu family.

Gu Yi had been watching all of this, and his heart also had a slight ripple.

Perhaps it was truly because the Gu family had gradually faded into obscurity.

Although the talents of this generation of family descendants were very ordinary, the character of every person actually seemed quite good and not impatient.

Even though they knew their talents were insufficient.

They were still doing their utmost to deal with everything that might happen.

For the long-term development of a family, this could definitely be considered a good thing.

In fact, he could understand the choice Gu Xuan had made.

This was indeed something the Gu family needed to face.

As for the fact that the Great Han imperial line would gradually alienate the Gu family, he did not find it strange either.

Not everyone was a normal person; there were far too many examples among the emperors in original history.

The power bestowed at birth could influence far too many things.

Having not experienced chaotic times, and not having investigated the suffering of the people.

With the influence of the Gu family continuously decreasing, this was all too normal.

Gu Yi did not choose to act directly.

Although he could also feel that the current Great Han already had the feeling of the final years of a feudal dynasty.

But it would likely still take some time before a true transformation.

Although by that time the thirteenth generation of Gu family descendants might be in their prime.

But to say who could truly influence history, I fear it would still have to wait for the fourteenth generation.

At least for now, he did not need to be anxious.

Moreover, for him, history moving forward was not a bad thing; Gu Yi could not keep extending the life of the Great Han forever.

This would cause the Gu family to bear unimaginable pressure; one could see this just by looking at the attributes of these few generations of descendants.

The current Gu family was not a family lacking in population; with so many descendants having such average attributes.

It was evident just how much pressure the Gu family was actually under.

Furthermore, for the Nine Provinces, continuing the Great Han would not necessarily be a good thing.

If that were the case, the resilience and unyielding spirit of the Huaxia people would surely be completely erased.

Words like "Are kings, nobles, generals, and ministers born with a special nature?" would likely gradually become mere legends.

For the Gu family, now is not the best time for him to take action.

Time passed in a hurry.

As Gu Xuan announced his decision to head to Luoyang to offer counsel during the sacrificial ceremony, the entire Julu was almost instantly ignited.

—After an interval of over a hundred years.

The contemporary head of the Gu family was finally going to Luoyang once again to meet the Son of Heaven.

How could such a thing not make the common people excited?

Even though so much time had passed, under the influence of generation after generation, the notion that "a prosperous age arrives whenever a Gu family descendant appears" had long been deeply rooted in people's hearts.

The people of the world had long looked forward to the Gu family, all waiting for this moment.

Upon hearing of this matter, they could not help but weep bitterly.

And facing that surging tide of people.

Gu Xuan's expression was very calm; he merely looked at the statues of the Gu family ancestors, paying his respects earnestly while silently praying in his heart that they would protect the Gu family.

The news continued to spread.

Compared to the relatively calm Julu, the reaction of the common people in other places to this event would only be greater.

Liu Chang's desire to launch a southern campaign was no secret.

Gu Xuan's choice to head to Luoyang at such a time allowed countless commoners to see a glimmer of hope.

Throughout this journey, there were commoners kneeling and bowing toward Gu Xuan's carriage in the fields everywhere.

Gu Xuan was rushing to Luoyang at this time.

To so many common people, he was like a savior.

Everyone was praying that he could stop the Emperor's desire for conquest and let a prosperous age descend upon this land once again.

But how could that be possible?

Those pleas filled with the sound of weeping only made Gu Xuan grow increasingly silent.

When the world rises and falls, the common people always suffer.

For the common people.

In an era like this, being able to not fear hunger and to have a full stomach was already a rare and prosperous age.

Luoyang.

—For the entire Great Han.

As the head of the Gu family, Gu Xuan's return to Luoyang after more than a hundred years was also a major event.

In the current Great Han, the Gu family was ultimately different from other families.

The "Champion Marquis Mansion" still stood; the position of "Grand Tutor" remained vacant.

Even though the emperors of these past few generations had gradually neglected the Gu family.

But relying solely on Liu Bei's words from the past, "The tripod of the Liu family shall be engraved with the name of the Gu family," guaranteed the Gu family's baseline.

This was an indisputable fact.

But for Liu Chang, upon hearing this, he still could not control his violent rage.

"The Gu family approaches the court, and the people scramble to worship them?"

"What does he take Me for?"

"Could it be that I am a muddled ruler like Jingping or Huanling?"

Liu Chang was furious, his eyes filled with killing intent, venting his anger in front of his confidants.

He was truly somewhat enraged.

It was not just because of his dissatisfaction with the Gu family, but also because he felt that the people of the world were looking down on him as an emperor.

The war had not even begun yet.

Did this performance by these people not imply that he would surely lose?

To Liu Chang, this was absolutely an insult!

Seeing this, the crowd of ministers also immediately knelt down.

Their expressions were also very unsightly.

If the Gu family were truly allowed to return to the court, their status would certainly be affected; this was an indisputable fact.

Seeing Liu Chang in a rage.

Someone immediately spoke up.

"Your Majesty, you may not know, but there are quite a few ministers in the court who want the Gu family to approach the court, wanting to use the Gu family to make you cease the troops and rest, adopting their strategy of pacifying chaos through profit."

"Exactly! If not for them informing him, how could the Gu family have rushed to Luoyang so quickly?"

"."

Court struggles have always been an unchanging feature of every feudal dynasty; these people naturally wanted to seize every opportunity.

Some even followed Liu Chang's train of thought and directed the spearhead at the Gu family.

"Your Majesty, since the founding of the nation by the Zhongzu Zhaowu Emperor, the status of the Gu family within our Great Han has always been noble."

"The subsequent Zhaolie, Jingxiang, and other marquises all had meritorious deeds to their names."

"This subject has nothing to say."

"However, the Gu family has been away from the court for many years now; what meritorious deeds do they have for our Great Han?"

"The meritorious deeds of ancestors can indeed allow the Gu family to remain prominent."

"But how can that become a reason for the Gu family to restrain Your Majesty? Your Majesty is a sage ruler; how can you be treated like this?"

These resonant words instantly caused the atmosphere in the hall to freeze.

It was precisely because of the Gu family's continued decline.

—After many years, someone had finally directed the flames of war at the Gu family in the temple.

They must never let the Gu family return to the court.

With the temperament of the Gu family, the moment they returned to the court would surely be the death knell for those of them who supported Liu Chang's southern campaign!

Sure enough, the anger on Liu Chang's face grew even more intense.

He wished he could directly abolish the Gu family.

To destroy the world's expectations for the Gu family and make them all submit to the feet of him, the emperor.

But Liu Bei's ancestral teachings still made him calm down somewhat.

But with Liu Chang's temperament, how could he just let it go?

He was silent for a moment, and a thought uncontrollably arose in his heart—to block Gu Xuan outside of Luoyang.

And it became increasingly difficult to suppress.

With Liu Bei's ancestral teachings in place, Liu Chang indeed could not target Gu Xuan.

Even if Liu Chang were ever so arrogant, he would not dare to bear the infamy of not respecting ancestral teachings; this was the influence of the Great Han over several hundred years.

But he could have someone block Gu Xuan.

As long as he did not see Gu Xuan, no matter how the winds blew or the rain fell, or how the court was in turmoil, he could completely suppress this matter!

Liu Chang did not spend much time thinking at all; he immediately decided on this matter and then spoke this thought aloud.

Hearing this, everyone's eyes suddenly lit up.

Block the Gu family outside the city?

As long as there was Liu Chang's support, this was not a difficult task for them.

The setting sun was like blood, spilling onto the owl-tail roof ornaments of the Luoyang city wall.

Looking at this magnificent giant city, Gu Xuan's expression was extremely complex.

For many Gu family descendants.

—Luoyang.

Had always been a place to pursue ideals; who knows how many had fantasized about being able to represent the entire family and return to Luoyang.

Including Gu Xuan, it was the same.

Although he had come now, it was a pity that it was different from his initial fantasies.

As the carriage drew closer to Luoyang, the greeters who had been arranged to wait there immediately came up to meet him.

"Greetings to Lord Gu. His Majesty learned that Lord Gu is returning to the court and is overjoyed; he has already prepared the welcoming ceremony for Lord Gu."

This attendant was full of smiles, but there were only a few guards behind him.

Gu Xuan cupped his hands.

After just a few simple glances, he did not pay much attention.

The Gu family did not care about things like welcoming ceremonies.

He had never thought that coming to Luoyang this time would garner the same welcome as in the past.

After saying a few words, Gu Xuan immediately wanted to enter the city.

But just at this moment—

The attendant responsible for the greeting immediately stopped Gu Xuan and said with a smile, "Lord Gu, do not be anxious. The Pingcheng Gate is currently under repair. Please, Lord Gu, move and follow me to the Xia Gate to enter the city."

"His Majesty has long had people waiting there, and the common people in Luoyang are also waiting for Lord Gu."

His face always carried a smile.

But at this very instant, Gu Xuan’s expression stiffened somewhat.

——The Xia Gate!

This is the city gate used for imperial funeral processions; it is not easily opened.

Yet now, it is being used to welcome him!

The common people might not see the implications, but how could he fail to perceive that this was a deliberate insult?

He was on the verge of angering immediately.

As far as Gu Xuan was concerned.

He himself did not mind.

But in coming here this time, he was representing the Gu clan.

There could be a lack of etiquette, there could be a lack of preferential treatment.

But as the current head of the Gu clan, he absolutely could not tolerate the Gu clan suffering such an insult.

This was Gu Xuan’s bottom line!

He did not move.

But this action played right into the intentions of those people.

They would, of course, not use force against the Gu clan; they could only use various overt and covert means to make Gu Xuan retreat in the face of difficulties.

This was only the beginning; they had many more methods in store, all intended to mock the Gu clan.

Had he not heard the pleas of the common people along the way, Gu Xuan would have turned and left immediately, without a shred of lingering attachment.

The name of the Gu clan is the glory and pride of every Gu clan descendant!

It must never suffer any insult!

But for the sake of the people, he was willing to try once more.

He made his stance clear: he required no reception and would enter directly through the city gate.

But the Attendant remained insistent, even bringing up the expectations of the Luoyang commoners.

Hearing this, Gu Xuan said no more and returned directly to his carriage.

He did not leave immediately.

For the sake of the people of the world, he was willing to make one final attempt.

But Liu Chang acted with decisiveness.

He sealed every city gate except for the Xia Gate and suppressed all criticism at court as well as rumors among the populace.

A full seven days.

——Gu Xuan waited for a full seven days.

This was the first time since the rise of the Gu clan that they had received such treatment; let alone seeing the Emperor, they could not even enter the gates of Luoyang.

In the end, he simply left behind the memorial he had already written.

Then, he immediately returned along the path he had come.

With Gu Xuan’s departure, the last glimmer of hope for the Great Han seemed to be extinguished.

Especially as this matter gradually spread.

The restless hearts of the people in various regions reached a breaking point at this very moment.

Rumors such as "The Liu clan abandons the Gu; Heaven is weary" gradually spread in all directions.

Only one final fuse remained before the world fell into chaos.

But Liu Chang remained indifferent.

Following Gu Xuan’s departure, he immediately purged the ministers at court who did not support his southern campaign and launched the campaign, disregarding the will of the people.

He could not hear the wailing of the people, nor could he see the exhaustion and decay of the Great Han.

Regarding this war.

He was extremely confident, firmly believing this was the starting point for his glorious hegemony.

His name would shine through the ages.

In later generations, he would be comparable to the Zhongzu Zhaowu Emperor.

But the southern campaign was destined to be incomparably arduous.

Although it was much easier to travel to Lingnan now than it had been when Gu Ye led his southern campaign.

Yet, a grand army setting out on a campaign was still a different matter.

And most crucially, the forcibly conscripted soldiers also had no will to fight; what did it matter even if they were led by the Emperor?

As the days grew increasingly difficult, the grace of the Great Han court had long since been exhausted.

Not to mention the social unrest brought about by the rumors in all directions.

In the sixth year of Qianwu, Liu Chang personally led an army of one hundred thousand to conquer Lingnan and was defeated at Longbian.

The Emperor passed away;

Posthumous title: "Li" (The Tyrant).

——————

"In the third month of spring in the sixth year, the Emperor personally campaigned in Lingnan.

Initially, the Jiaozhi barbarians rebelled; the Emperor did not listen to dissuasion, rejected the Gu clan outside Luoyang, and led one hundred thousand troops south to suppress them.

The army reached Longbian; in the height of summer, miasma arose, and the soldiers fell ill with pestilence. The barbarian commander occupied a strategic position to set an ambush and unleashed an elephant formation to charge the camp. The imperial army collapsed in chaos, and arrows struck the imperial tent. The personal guards fought to the death but could not hold; the red steed the Emperor rode panicked, he fell into a muddy swamp, suffered seven wounds, and passed away at the age of twenty-nine.

When the dire news reached Luoyang, the court and the public were shocked.

The Emperor had no heir; the various princes coveted the divine vessel, and the governors of the commanderies each harbored their own ulterior motives.

The Prince of Yuzhang claimed the title of ruler in Jiangzuo, the Prince of Bohai usurped the title in Youji, and the world subsequently fell into total collapse.

The Grand Ceremonialist deliberated on the posthumous title, stating: 'One who does not repent for past errors is called Li; one who is cruel and lacks kinship is called Li.' Strictly following the 'Law of Posthumous Titles,' the title of Li Emperor was bestowed."

——"Annals of the Yan Han: Basic Annals of the Li Emperor"

(End of chapter)