Chapter 23: The Western Regions in Turmoil: What Is Filial Piety? (Happy New Year)

The sudden death of any emperor would have an unimaginable impact on the entire realm.

Especially one like Liu Zhuang, revered by all the people?

The common folk weep blood; Shanhe shares their grief.

From this day forward, the entire Han dynasty seemed shrouded in a gloom that lingered long without dispersing.

But the greatest impact;

——was still in the Western Regions.

Ever since Liu Zhuang reopened the Protectorate of the Western Regions, the entire Han dynasty had effectively engaged in a formal game of strategy with the Northern Xiongnu.

Gu Cheng was a natural commander.

He would never waste any opportunity, continuously expanding Han's influence across the Western Regions.

Especially after the news of Han's Successfully Managed Flood Control spread.

This influence doubled.

In less than a year, several small states had successively come to submit.

Gu Cheng naturally did not refuse them.

But under these circumstances, the Protectorate's foundation in the Western Regions would inevitably be unstable in the short term.

Had Liu Zhuang not died, and had Han's army marched on time,

this would not have been a major problem.

Neither the Western Regions' states nor the Northern Xiongnu could withstand Han's iron hooves now.

But Liu Zhuang's sudden passing completely changed everything.

Yanqi Kingdom.

When Gu Cheng heard the news of Liu Zhuang's illness and death, he froze in place.

Shock and disbelief gave way to profound sorrow.

Although Gu Cheng's political acumen was far inferior to Gu Kang's, how could he not see Liu Zhuang's intentions at this moment?

Years of training, all for the purpose of one day being entrusted with great responsibility.

And now this emperor was simply dead?

Countless thoughts churned in his mind, and immediately Gu Cheng sensed the hidden danger in this event.

Would the Northern Xiongnu let this opportunity slip away?

During this period, the Northern Xiongnu had already been preparing for war, ready to meet Han's army.

There had been constant minor clashes between both sides.

If they learned this news, would they not come to besiege us?

And if the Protectorate of the Western Regions fell,

in an instant, everything Han had rebuilt in the Western Regions over these past years would crumble to dust!

In an instant, Gu Cheng's expression changed drastically.

"Issue orders! Immediately fortify defenses and prepare to meet the enemy!"

This news could not be concealed; Gu Cheng could only rush to mobilize his troops.

Upon hearing this, the generals froze in surprise.

But they were no fools; any man who had risen to his position under an emperor like Liu Zhuang must have had real ability.

In mere moments, they understood everything.

Their expressions instantly changed.

"General!"

Dou Gu bowed to Gu Cheng, "Our position is precarious. Why not withdraw to Sheshi, even to Yiwulu City, before the enemy realizes?"

Indeed, he had now become Gu Cheng's subordinate.

But he felt not the slightest resentment over it.

After all, Gu Cheng had once given him a chance.

Hearing this, the generals' eyes instantly brightened.

Withdraw?

That was a good idea!

As long as we could retreat to Yiwulu City, we'd have reinforcements and no longer need to worry about

As soon as he spoke, the generals grew somewhat persuaded.

Withdrawal was indeed a foolproof strategy.

As long as we could retreat to Yiwulu City, we'd have security and no longer need to fear being trapped here.

But Gu Cheng simply shook his head.

"Withdraw?" Gu Cheng scanned the generals, his voice stern: "Before the court's edict arrives, we shall not move an inch."

"If we retreat now,"

"what will the Western Regions' states think?"

"They will believe Han's divine troops fear the Northern Xiongnu."

"If so, should Han ever wish to reclaim the Western Regions in the future, it will be an insurmountable task."

"How could we do such a thing?"

Gu Cheng's expression was resolute.

He was right: the Western Regions were now a battleground between Han and the Northern Xiongnu.

The method of "you finish singing, I take the stage" will not work here.

Only continuous strength can make more Western Regions states draw close to Han.

If we retreat directly.

The Northern Xiongnu will immediately devour everything Han currently holds and eradicate all pro-Han forces cultivated within.

If this happens, no one among the Western Regions states will ever again be pro-Han.

If you run at the first sign of trouble, who would still be willing to follow you?

This is a choice concerning life and death.

This is the Burden Carried by Han.

"Gentlemen, this is the merit we have painstakingly built."

"Moreover, the enemy has not yet arrived?"

"And must we inevitably lose?"

Gu Shizi scanned the crowd and said with grave seriousness: "If the enemy comes, as long as we hold our ground."

"When the imperial reinforcements arrive, we shall earn a glory beyond measure!"

"I remember as a youth my father told me that when Emperor Guangwu faced hundreds of thousands of troops at Kunyang, he showed no fear."

"He once said: 'How can a true man fear death and cling to life?'"

"Now that we are here, how can we retreat?"

"Gentlemen, rest assured: if the Han army truly faces defeat, I, your general, will die before you all!"

A silence fell over the entire camp.

The officers and soldiers stared at the solemn Gu Shizi, doubting not a word of his final statement.

If defeat truly came, Gu Shizi would certainly die before them.

Because he always led from the front.

Those present were all battle-hardened men; with words spoken thus, they hesitated no longer, nodding and bowing in assent.

Gu Shizi's arrangements did not end there.

He then ordered the officers to inform their soldiers of the Emperor's death.

But they were to tell them the court would still send reinforcements.

And that all camp routines would remain unchanged; no mourning banners were to be hung.

In this tense situation, his grasp of the overall situation became fully evident.

Since the news could not be hidden.

It must not be allowed to shake troop morale.

The soldiers must believe they are not fighting alone; otherwise, even the remaining eight hundred in the central army would lose heart.

But the officers hesitated over the final point.

No mourning banners?

Everything as usual?

The Emperor's passing is a state mourning!

If this leaks, the court could directly accuse you of rebellion.

Even if you are a member of the Gu clan, and your brother holds supreme power in court, the accusations against you will be inevitable.

This—

But Gu Shizi's resolve was firm.

"I must not only stabilize troop morale—I must also keep the enemy guessing our movements!"

"I shall personally lead a force to seek out the enemy."

"Act at once! Disobedience means immediate execution!"

Though Gu Shizi was usually casual in demeanor, within the camp he was entirely different.

Hearing this, the officers dared not speak further, quickly bowing and withdrawing.

Gu Shizi took a deep breath after they had left.

He first wrote a letter to be sent to Luoyang, seeking Gu Kang's opinion.

Then he summoned his longtime central army Captain and said in a low voice:

"Immediately send word to Zhongsheng—his situation is extremely dangerous; he must return at once."

"Yes!"

The Captain did not hesitate, leaving immediately.

Then Gu Shizi stepped out of the tent and led over a thousand troops into battle!

Ban Chao is now indeed far from Han.

After pacifying the kingdom of Yu Tian, he immediately rushed to the kingdom of Shule.

Leveraging the residual prestige from his pacification of Yu Tian and the news of Han's Successfully Managed Flood Control, he swiftly took control of the entire Shule kingdom.

He even deposed the pro-Xiongnu king of Shule.

He installed a new king.

All had gone smoothly.

But when he heard this news, he froze in place.

"The Emperor has passed?"

"Brother orders me to return at once?"

Ban Chao stared at the soldier before him, incredulous; had he not served for years in the central army and known this man, he might have doubted his identity.

But how could this be?

How little time has passed!

Ban Chao fell silent for a moment, then immediately realized the urgency of the matter.

He immediately prepared to pack his belongings and leave with the soldiers.

But, the instant he stepped out the door,

he froze in place.

There, before his gate, stood King Zhong of Shule, accompanied by Shule's ministers and townspeople, blocking his path.

"If the Han envoy leaves us, we will surely be crushed again by the Northern Xiongnu until we perish."

"I simply cannot bear to see the Han envoy depart."

"If the Han envoy leaves, I shall kill myself before you today."

The speaker was a sturdy man—Ban Chao recognized him.

He was Commandant Li Yan.

Saying this, he moved to draw his sword and cut his own throat.

Ban Chao swiftly blocked him.

At that moment, King Zhong of Shule also spoke, eyes brimming with tears: "We have received word that the Emperor of Han has passed away."

"Can it truly be that the Han envoy will abandon Shule at such a time?"

"Shule has sincerely wished to submit to Great Han."

"How could Great Han treat us so?"

One by one, sobs rose—old men, children.

Their faces were filled with terror.

Seeing this scene before him, Ban Chao froze.

In a daze, he seemed to see two figures appear before him.

Gu Ji and Zhang Qian.

These were the two men he had always deeply revered.

He thought of their lives, then thought of the boy who once felt he should not merely hold a brush.

In an instant, the taut string in his heart suddenly loosened.

"What are you doing? Make way!"

The imperial messengers who had come to deliver the letter immediately moved to clear a path for Ban Chao.

But Ban Chao reached out and stopped them.

"My lord, you—" the soldier stared in surprise.

Ban Chao looked at him with utter calm and asked quietly: "Has my elder brother withdrawn his troops?"

The soldier instinctively shook his head, a flicker of admiration in his eyes: "The General Who Breaks the Enemy has not withdrawn—he will fight to the death."

"If so, how could I shame my elder brother?"

Ban Chao smiled faintly, his eyes crystal clear.

He turned to face the people kneeling before him, his gaze growing ever firmer.

Hearing this, the soldier froze.

But as he gazed at Ban Chao's back, he could say nothing more.

"My lord, you truly will not leave?"

King Zhong of Shule asked, his voice trembling with excitement, his hands shaking.

There was no choice.

For him, the only power he could rely on was Great Han.

If Ban Chao left, even without external forces, Shule's own factions might devour him outright.

Though Ban Chao now had only thirty-odd men, to him, they were still a lifeline.

"I will not leave."

Ban Chao nodded, a faint smile on his face.

Instantly, the faces of the townspeople lit up with joy.

To them, Ban Chao's identity as the Han envoy surpassed all else!

"My lord, do you know if Great Han will send troops?"

King Zhong of Shule asked, eager and hopeful.

"I do not know," Ban Chao shook his head.

"Then how shall we resist? Shule—"

Before King Zhong could finish, Ban Chao cut him off, addressing the crowd loudly: "How shall we resist?"

"Since they are our enemies, there is only one choice!"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over those present, then slowly drew his side sword:

"Fight!"

Luoyang.

Gu Kang had not attended court for many days.

Since Liu Zhuang's death, he had aged dramatically.

Though his body suffered no major ailment, the aura radiating from within had changed utterly.

Formerly, Gu Kang had been steady and confident, as if all things under heaven lay within his control, no difficulty beyond his power to overcome.

But now, Gu Kang's age was unmistakable.

Gu Yi could only sigh at this.

Just as with Gu Xiao and Liu Xiu in the past, the bond between a wise ruler and a virtuous minister was beyond others' comprehension.

As Liu Zhuang's funeral gradually came to an end,

the ministers naturally began submitting memorials urging military action.

Liu Zhuang had already made preparations long ago; he needed only one imperial edict to launch the campaign.

If he were still alive, the ministers would never have dared to block it.

But now that Liu Zhuang had passed away, things were different.

Facing Emperor Liu Da, a mere fourteen-year-old, the ministers had handed him a great gift.

They submitted memorials en masse, using filial piety as an excuse to urge Liu Da to completely abandon the campaign.

This time, Gu Kang arrived.

"What is filial piety?"

In the imperial court.

Gu Kang stood tall, at the center of the ministers, his deep eyes sweeping over them like cold stars, his voice loud and resolute:

"Emperor Guangwu revived the Han and restored the Liu clan's realm—this is filial piety."

"The late Emperor inherited Emperor Guangwu's legacy, spending his entire life solely for the people and the Han realm—this too is filial piety!"

"When the late Emperor was alive, he repeatedly spoke of his great ambition."

"Now that the late Emperor has passed, his ambition remains unfinished."

"Yet you, the high officials of this court, wish to persuade His Majesty to halt the campaign."

"Are you trying to make His Majesty a filially ungrateful man?"

His resounding words echoed through the hall.

The ministers' expressions darkened instantly, yet none dared speak.

Though Liu Zhuang was dead,

Gu Kang still inspired deep fear among them in court.

There was no choice—they had all benefited from his achievements.

Most crucially, having served together for so many years, they knew Gu Kang's methods all too well.

In fact, over these years, not a single person who had ever tried to strike at the Gu clan had met a good end.

No one wished to offend Gu Kang.

For a moment, the entire hall fell silent.

Liu Da looked at those present, still hesitating in his heart.

His nature was inherently indecisive.

But recalling everything Liu Zhuang had entrusted to him before his death, he glanced at Gu Kang, thought for a moment, then made his decision.

"The Grand Tutor speaks wisely."

"I believe the late Emperor would surely wish to see me complete his great ambition."

"If so, then let us launch the campaign."

Though Liu Da's voice was still somewhat youthful, it did not diminish its finality on the matter.

The ministers remained silent, their expressions varied.

Only Gu Kang bowed to Liu Da.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Today is New Year's Eve; first, I wish all my brothers a Happy New Year—may you all enjoy good health and great fortune in the coming year!

Also, during the holiday, the author will not rest and will strive to stockpile drafts—please support me by throwing your monthly votes and recommendation votes!

Don't worry about the plot—the author's vision is exceptionally clear.

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(End of Chapter)