Chapter 20: Governing the Great River to Secure the Western Regions, Flourishing on Two Fronts

—A flawless assist!

The moment Gu Kang spoke these words.

In an instant, the atmosphere within the great hall shifted dramatically.

The ministers immediately understood, first casting their gazes toward Gu Kang, then stealing glances at Liu Zhuang.

His lips trembled slightly, but as if choked by something, he ultimately could not speak.

What more could be said?

The tide had already turned!

Previously, they had used Liu Xiu's past conduct along with this celestial omen to drive Liu Zhuang into a corner.

And now, they would have to bear the consequences of the reversed tide.

The momentum could no longer be reversed!

Although only one of the four armies had achieved a great victory this time.

The other three, while gaining no results, also suffered no casualties.

That alone was enough!

If anyone still wanted to use this as a pretext to block Liu Zhuang, they'd better ask themselves whether their necks were sturdy enough!

These ministers were by no means fools. After a brief silence, they all prostrated themselves before Liu Zhuang and shouted in unison:

"Congratulations, Your Majesty!!!"

Liu Zhuang looked toward Gu Kang, his smile deepening.

His favor toward Gu Kang was not solely because of his talent.

It was also because Gu Kang had always stood firmly on his side and could deliver the perfect coordination.

"Excellent! Excellent!"

Liu Zhuang praised repeatedly, then issued an order: "Announce this to the world immediately."

"Our Han army has won!"

"And it is a great victory!"

"Furthermore, issue my decree—all troops who participated in this northern campaign shall receive rewards!"

At this moment, Liu Zhuang fully displayed the bearing of a wise ruler, methodically carrying out a series of reward measures.

Dou Gu was directly promoted to General Who Conquers the Barbarians.

This was within expectations—after all, Dou Gu had originally been a Commandant of Chariots and Cavalry, and having now achieved great merit, becoming a Miscellaneous-Title General was only reasonable.

What surprised everyone was Gu Sheng.

Liu Zhuang intended to appoint him General Who Crushes the Barbarians, making him a Miscellaneous-Title General alongside Dou Gu.

This decision truly exceeded everyone's expectations.

One must understand that although Gu Sheng had also rendered great service this time, he had originally been merely a Military Registrar, far below Dou Gu in rank.

Logically, being granted the title of Deputy General would have been most fitting; appointing him a Miscellaneous-Title General was somewhat excessive.

The ministers were all stunned.

Some even immediately stepped forward to remonstrate, saying this move might cause instability on the frontier.

After all, if both held the rank of Miscellaneous-Title General, whose orders would be followed in the future?

But Liu Zhuang paid no heed whatsoever, directly suppressing the crowd's objections.

Although the situation they described might indeed be correct.

It did not apply to the present circumstances.

Who was Gu Sheng?

He was the son of Gu Xiao!

His status alone already carried sufficient influence among these meritorious families.

Not to mention that the Gu clan today was no longer what it had been when Gu Kang and Gu Sheng first set foot in Luoyang.

In the world of today, who would dare look down upon the Gu clan?

Let alone the fact that Gu Sheng had also rendered such great merit this time?

Regarding this, Gu Kang said nothing further.

He naturally understood that Liu Zhuang was doing this to prevent Dou Gu from becoming the sole dominant power on the frontier.

Had there been no suitable candidate, Liu Zhuang might not have acted this way, but now that Gu Sheng existed, he was destined to arrange everything properly.

He was precisely that kind of emperor.

The art of rulership—the way of balance.

Afterward, Liu Zhuang also appointed Ban Chao as Military Registrar and bestowed rewards upon all officers and soldiers of this campaign.

Nangong.

"Hahaha, exhilarating! Truly exhilarating today!"

After many days, Liu Zhuang's hearty laughter finally rang out once more within the Nangong.

He had been suppressing it for far too long.

Even as emperor, he could not completely resolve such matters and could only keep them bottled up inside.

Today, that knot in his heart had finally been completely untied.

At this moment, Gu Kang also, rare as it was, showed a smile before Liu Zhuang.

Gu Sheng had finally earned merit.

This brought him much closer to the goal he had set when he returned to Luoyang years ago.

If things continued to go so smoothly, the entire Gu clan might achieve the glorious distinction of producing two marquises in a single generation during Liu Zhuang's reign.

At that time, the Gu clan would gain the prestige of rising among the world's most powerful clans!

How could he not be delighted?

"Ji Shi, dine in the palace today."

Liu Zhuang, in high spirits, could not wait to say, "You and I, sovereign and minister, shall speak as we did in those days—fully and freely."

Clearly, the days when Liu Xiu's great cause was still unfulfilled and his life hung by a thread had left a deep impression on him.

He did not wish to waste a single moment.

"Your servant accepts the order." Gu Kang smiled and bowed.

The two dined together in the Nangong, then naturally turned to matters of state.

With the grand situation now settled, their gaze naturally turned to the Western Regions.

And events unfolded precisely as history had originally dictated.

Liu Zhuang planned to send Ban Chao as envoy to the Western Regions, leveraging the Han army's recent great victory to swiftly pacify the region.

Gu Kang strongly endorsed this.

Since Ban Chao had sworn brotherhood with Gu Sheng, he had met with Ban Chao multiple times.

Those with high political acumen usually share one trait.

That is, knowing men.

Gu Kang had long understood Ban Chao's talents, let alone his recent meritorious deeds.

But Gu Kang brought up another matter.

——Flood Control!

"Your Majesty!"

"Since the reign of Emperor Ping, the Dahe and Bian Canals have repeatedly breached and flooded, causing immense suffering and countless deaths among the people."

"Then, amid the chaos that engulfed the realm, no repairs were ever made."

"Now that a golden age has arrived, the people along both banks still suffer. I have personally investigated this matter—the people all yearn for the court to manage the Dahe."

"This is the will of the people."

"I believe the time has come to undertake flood control."

Gu Kang laid bare his original thought without reservation.

In truth, he had long held this idea.

Gu Kang was deeply skilled in agriculture and well aware of the damage floods inflicted on farming.

Since governing the empire's fields, he had become even more acutely aware of the current state of the Dahe and Bian Canals.

He had prepared accordingly, gathering a group of experts in water conservancy.

But flood control would inevitably have immense consequences.

He understood the ministers' thoughts too clearly—he had been waiting for the right opportunity.

Now, that moment had finally arrived!

Upon hearing this, Liu Zhuang frowned slightly.

He was well aware of the floods plaguing the Dahe and Bian Canals.

He also fully understood that if this could truly be accomplished, it would be a blessing for generations to come.

For Han, it would bring nothing but benefit.

But he wondered: could Han truly manage both these great undertakings at once?

Though he planned to send Ban Chao as envoy to the Western Regions,

a large army would surely accompany him.

Of course, not to march directly with Ban Chao into the Western Regions, but to provide deterrence.

This matter could be large or small.

Liu Zhuang's original thought had been to launch a massive military campaign, and once the Western Regions were secured, immediately strike to eradicate the Northern Xiongnu.

But if flood control were to proceed, this plan must be shelved.

He could not commit too many troops.

Managing the Bian Canals and Dahe would inevitably demand enormous resources—he could not afford to overlook this.

"Your Majesty, if flood control is truly achieved,"

"it will not only benefit the people along both banks, but also reclaim vast tracts of arable land."

"."

Gu Kang continued analyzing the advantages and disadvantages for Liu Zhuang.

Liu Zhuang listened intently; after Gu Kang finished, he made his decision and nodded directly: "The Dahe's flood is indeed a heart-and-gut affliction of Han."

"Now the realm is peaceful, and the Northern Xiongnu threat is temporarily resolved."

"If we can resolve this peril while pacifying the Western Regions, it will truly be a blessing for all under heaven."

Liu Zhuang was a remarkably wise emperor.

Especially toward the people, he never stinted—and he did not dwell long in indecision.

It was merely a matter of postponing his grand ambition and deploying fewer troops.

In bygone days, Liu Xiu had refused the Merit Carved in Stone to soothe the people—how could he shame Liu Xiu?

"Your Majesty, wise indeed!"

Gu Kang bowed again to Liu Zhuang.

He then detailed his plan to Liu Zhuang.

According to Gu Kang's calculations, at least one hundred thousand armored soldiers must be conscripted, along with hundreds of thousands of civilians.

This was destined to be a great matter.

The two of them, just as in those days, spoke straight through until late night.

Gu Yi had been silently watching all of this, his expression growing increasingly complex.

—Compared to the people of today's world, he understood far better just how strong the Han Empire had become.

Control the Dahe. Pacify the Western Regions.

As long as Liu Zhuang did not launch a large-scale war, managing both tasks truly would not cripple the state.

What truly concerned Gu Yi was the timing of these two events.

Everything had been moved forward!

The sudden emergence of the Gu clan had not only spared Liu Xiu from countless troubles during the founding era, but also reduced casualties beyond measure.

Now it had made Liu Zhuang's reign even more powerful.

Gu Yi remembered clearly.

In the original history, by the time of Emperor Ming's reign—viewed from today's timeline—not only was a northern expedition impossible, but even flood control was still two years away.

As for the northern expedition, it was directly postponed until Yongping Sixteenth Year.

But now, the Han Empire had the capacity to undertake both tasks simultaneously.

This revealed just how vast the difference was.

Gu Yi was now pondering: if the Han Empire had already grown this powerful under Liu Zhuang's reign.

What great changes would unfold in the future?

If the Gu clan had always been present.

Would such a powerful Han Empire still meet its end as it had in the original history?

Even he himself could not be certain of the answer now.

Neither Liu Zhuang nor Gu Kang were indecisive men; after they had thoroughly discussed all the details that very day.

The next day, they announced it outright.

In this era, faced with a brilliant monarch and wise minister both operating at full power, the world was destined to undergo a great transformation.

In the court, Liu Zhuang first announced the arrangements for the Western Regions.

After consultation with Gu Kang, they decided not to mobilize additional troops, but to retain the existing garrison and order the soldiers to farm in Yiwulu City.

Leveraging the prestige of this great victory, they sought to maximize Han's interests in the Western Regions.

Upon hearing this news, the ministers were all delighted.

Had His Majesty abandoned large-scale military mobilization?

The gloom instantly lifted.

Each of them wished to preserve the current peace and devote all efforts to agricultural development.

But then, Liu Zhuang immediately announced the flood control project.

When they heard the number of laborers required.

The court and realm were shaken to their core!

Everyone's expressions changed.

Yet in an instant, they all calmed down.

Compared to large-scale military mobilization, flood control was indeed more acceptable to them.

Because they too would benefit!

Most importantly, faced with Liu Zhuang and Gu Kang, who now wielded overwhelming momentum, the ministers had neither reason nor courage to oppose.

Liu Zhuang bestowed upon Gu Kang the texts Shanhaijing, Hequ Shu, and Yugong Tu before the palace.

He ordered all commanderies and kingdoms to strictly enforce conscription.

Anyone among local magnates who attempted to evade corvée labor by any means.

Would be punished severely!

The Han Empire's strength was laid bare this very day.

It was conscription for labor.

Yet when the common people heard the Dahe was to be tamed—especially knowing Gu Kang would lead it—they cheered with joy.

One must understand that once the great river breaches its banks, those affected would not merely be the people on both shores.

Qing, Ji, Yan, and even Xu and Yu provinces had all suffered greatly from it.

Countless people across the realm had longed for the court to finally tame the Dahe!

Now, that day had finally come.

Most crucially, the one taming the Dahe was Gu Kang.

To the common people, Gu Kang today was as good as a celestial immortal.

He was the immortal who brought them bountiful harvests.

And now, he had come again to tame the Dahe!

The entire realm watched in awe!

From the moment the news spread, countless people across the land chanted Gu Kang's name and bowed toward Luoyang, thanking the Son of Heaven for his benevolence.

Gu Kang swiftly made all preparations and immediately departed Luoyang with his team.

Yiwulu City.

Ban Chao was bidding farewell to Gu Sheng.

"Brother, you need not worry."

"How can one capture a tiger cub without entering the tiger's den?"

"This journey of mine will surely proclaim the glory of Great Han and strike fear into the Western Regions."

Looking at Gu Cheng's solemn face, Ban Chao smiled and said, "Brother, you've often told me of what the fortune-teller once said to my brother and me."

"Is this not now my chance?"

Ban Chao's face showed not a trace of fear.

Gu Cheng simply stared at him, his mind churning with thoughts.

He knew full well how dangerous this journey would be.

He had even considered going with Ban Chao, but Ban Chao refused outright—even rejecting Gu Cheng's idea of giving him more troops.

In his own words, the thirty-six men he already had were more than enough; if disaster struck, more men would only be a burden.

Gu Cheng was utterly helpless in the face of this.

Ban Chao was right.

The Western Regions were vast; this mission differed from the last—bringing more troops held little meaning.

The only thing they could rely on was the prestige of Han troops.

Gu Cheng clearly understood this.

For this reason, he had long prepared himself to fight the Northern Xiongnu once more.

If this great victory fails to make the Western Regions understand Han's present strength,

Then we fight again!

Two times!

Only through continuous victories can Ban Chao be made safer.

After a moment of silence, Gu Cheng offered a faint smile.

Just as in the old days, he lightly patted Ban Chao's shoulder, then said loudly, "Good!"

"Today, my brother and I part ways here."

"Wait until the day you pacify the Western Regions and I crush the Northern Xiongnu—then, from south to north, we shall meet again!"

The two brothers locked eyes, then burst into laughter.

"Bring wine!"

Gu Cheng ordered his armored soldiers to bring wine.

The two brothers clinked cups and drained them in one gulp.

They said no more.

Ban Chao merely bowed to Gu Cheng, then swiftly mounted his horse and rode off with his men, dust rising behind them.

Solitary smoke over the desert.

The blood-red setting sun stretched Ban Chao and his thirty-six men's shadows into long, slender shapes.

Gu Cheng did not linger—he turned and returned to the city.

A true man, once his heart is set, needs no more words.

When the day comes we meet again as marquises, we shall drink deeply and sing of our glorious years.

(PS: Please vote for monthly tickets and recommendation votes! Also, brothers, don't stockpile this novel!!)

This chapter is a crucial transition—what follows is the most pivotal plotline of Emperor Ming's reign.

I'm exhausted—transition chapters always feel wrong no matter how I write them; I just keep revising, one cigarette after another.

【218】 　【219】 (End of Chapter)

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