Chapter 25: Great Ambitions Unfulfilled, the Passing of Liu Zhuang

It did not exceed Gu Yi’s expectations.

An emperor like Liu Zhuang, whose very bones were filled with a persistent pursuit of grand achievements, would never abandon any opportunity.

After communicating with Gu Kang through letters for a time.

He made a prompt decision, directly ordering the reopening of the Western Regions Protectorate and appointing Gu Cheng as the Protector of the Western Regions.

In order to maximize the potential benefits of this matter.

He issued successive edicts, commanding all officials of the realm to strictly practice frugality and vigorously advocate for the custom of simple burials.

Furthermore, he led by example, reducing the expenses of the entire imperial palace to the minimum.

He exhausted all efforts, concentrating the manpower, material resources, and wealth of the entire Great Han without reservation into the currently vital water conservancy projects and the affairs of the Western Regions.

And it was under these circumstances.

Just after experiencing a full year of overcoming obstacles.

——In the summer of the twelfth year of Yongping.

The water conservancy work was finally completed.

As the final shovel of earth was dug away, the waters of the Yellow River surged into the new channel like wild horses that had broken their bridles.

Everyone was staring intently at this scene.

Until news arrived from various places that there had been no breaches.

Those cheers, like rolling thunder, resounded throughout the entire Great Han realm.

The whole nation was shaken!

The disasters of nearly a hundred years finally ceased on this day.

Gu Kang stood by the river, looking at the surging water before him, his eyes also turning somewhat red.

The excitement in his heart was like surging waves, difficult to suppress, and his body could not help but tremble slightly.

It had truly succeeded.

Although he had already achieved many things by now.

But for Gu Kang, this matter seemed to be the most important one.

He had a painter create two paintings.

Perhaps because he was influenced by Gu Yi in his youth.

Gu Kang was also accustomed to storing away things of great significance.

At this moment, it was clearly the most appropriate time.

He sent one painting back to Hebei, and the other to Luoyang.

Gu Yi was naturally overjoyed by this.

If every generation truly developed this kind of habit.

He could hardly imagine how many national treasures would be in his home in the future.

Although these things might not necessarily be preserved.

But as long as the quantity was large enough, that would suffice!

Moreover, even if such things were damaged, their inherent significance would still give them full value.

When this matter was reported back to the imperial court, the development of events was just as it had been in the original history.

The entire court was shaken!

Liu Zhuang was overjoyed.

He had been looking forward to this day for who knows how long.

This was the first time he had become dead drunk since ascending the throne, and he also decided to go on an inspection tour to check the results of the water conservancy.

Xingyang.

After a year’s time, the ruler and his subject finally met again.

The changes in Gu Kang were astonishing.

His skin had been tanned even darker by the scorching sun, and he looked exhausted yet full of strength.

He did not look at all like an official of high rank and great prominence in the court, but rather like those ordinary farmers working hard in the fields.

When Liu Zhuang saw him, he could not help but be slightly stunned, a trace of surprise and emotion appearing in his eyes.

Liu Zhuang was exactly that kind of emperor.

He simply liked officials like Gu Kang who were both capable and pragmatic.

Without any suspense, Gu Kang was directly promoted to the position of Minister of Works, and the others who participated in the water conservancy were also rewarded accordingly.

Although the officials had long been mentally prepared for this, when it truly happened, their feelings were still somewhat complex.

Minister of Works...

This was one of the Three Excellencies.

Two generations, both with such meritorious service.

Whether it was Gu Xiao or Gu Kang, the merits of these two men left no room for them to question.

The most critical thing was...

That second son of the Gu family, Gu Cheng, who had not been noticed for many years, had actually begun to earn merit as well.

Who in the world today did not know the Emperor’s ambition?

From this, it could be seen that he would have many more opportunities to earn merit in the future.

Clearly, the prosperity of the Gu family could no longer be stopped.

This was the view of everyone in the world.

On the official boat sailing down the river.

Liu Zhuang, dressed in plain clothes, stood on the deck.

A gentle breeze brushed his face.

While carefully observing everything around him—the mountains, rivers, fields, and villages all in view—he silently listened to Gu Kang explain in detail the subtle mysteries behind the water conservancy project.

From why such a management plan was adopted, to the many benefits brought about after its implementation;

To the far-reaching significance of building canals in this way;

And the area of land that could be irrigated, the expected increase in grain production, and so on;

Gu Kang explained everything in detail, leaving nothing out.

Although Gu Kang had already spoken to Liu Zhuang about these things more than once.

But reading letters and seeing it with one's own eyes gave a completely different feeling.

Especially when he could see the people on both banks kneeling and bowing toward the official boat from time to time, shouting in unison, "The grace of the Sage," a surge of indescribable emotion and pride rose in Liu Zhuang’s heart.

Not until Gu Kang had finished speaking did Liu Zhuang look at him and sigh, "Jishi, you have worked hard."

His expression was very serious; looking at the glorious results today, Liu Zhuang could imagine how difficult it must have been to complete this task.

"For Your Majesty and the people of the world, it is this subject’s duty; how could it be hard work?"

Gu Kang smiled faintly, still as humble as ever, without a hint of arrogance or pride.

Seeing this, Liu Zhuang shook his head.

He was already accustomed to Gu Kang being so humble.

Although he had mentioned more than once that they did not need to be like this in private, Gu Kang always remained this way.

He was also helpless.

Subsequently, the two of them chatted about state affairs by tacit agreement.

For Liu Zhuang.

What he wanted most now was naturally to send troops to the Western Regions.

Now that the Western Regions Protectorate had been established, as long as more troops were sent to continuously expand the influence of the Great Han.

It would not take long to completely recover the Western Regions.

He even wanted to send troops to the Western Regions immediately.

But Gu Kang still spoke to him seriously about the current situation of the world.

"Your Majesty, although the national strength of our Great Han has not been too damaged."

"However, this scale of corvée labor has already made the people feel weary."

Still as usual, Gu Kang did not make any so-called desperate remonstrance, but only touched upon it, letting Liu Zhuang make the choice himself.

But for an emperor like Liu Zhuang, this often only had one choice.

"In Jishi’s opinion, when can we send troops?"

Liu Zhuang did not hesitate at all and directly asked for Gu Kang’s opinion.

"At least one year." Gu Kang said with a serious expression, "During this water conservancy project, when I was digging the canals, I specifically surveyed the terrain, allowing for much new fertile land on both banks."

"Your Majesty can give these fields to the people to cultivate."

"If there are no natural disasters, in just one year, our Great Han’s treasury will surely be abundant, and Your Majesty’s great cause will naturally be able to..."

"There will absolutely be no natural disasters!" Before Gu Kang could finish, Liu Zhuang suddenly shouted with exceptional resonance and power, his eyes revealing incomparable confidence, "Our Great Han will absolutely not have any natural disasters!"

Hearing this, Gu Kang could not help but be slightly stunned, a look of surprise appearing on his face.

Perhaps because of Gu Kang’s influence.

Liu Zhuang no longer believed in the so-called talk of ghosts and gods as he had in the past.

He shouldn't have said such things...

Could it be that someone influenced His Majesty while he was not in Luoyang?

Gu Kang could not help but think of this point.

But before he could speak, the voice of Liu Zhuang rang out once again.

"Jishi, I dreamed of the late Emperor and the Empress Dowager some time ago."

"In the dream, I felt as if I had returned to my childhood."

"The late Emperor was still as tall and imposing as ever, capable of anything."

"He and the Empress Dowager were still as loving as they had been."

"In the dream, I was carefree; my Imperial Father and Empress Mother would solve all my troubles and difficulties for me."

"I believe this must mean the late Emperor and Empress Dowager approve of my current achievements."

"If that is so, how could our Great Han suffer from natural disasters?"

A gentle breeze brushed past; Liu Zhuang let the breeze stir his lapels and hair, his eyes full of determination and heroism.

At this moment, he was so high-spirited, as if the entire world were under his control.

Gu Kang fell silent for a moment, then nodded slightly: "Your Majesty is right, our Great Han will not have natural disasters."

"Correct!"

Liu Zhuang looked at Gu Kang and laughed aloud, "I believe the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor will also surely approve of Jishi and Zhenyu."

In an instant, the image of Gu Xiao flashed into Gu Kang's mind.

Regarding this father of his.

The older Gu Kang grew, the more he felt Gu Xiao was extraordinary.

All the skills he and Gu Cheng possessed today were learned from Gu Xiao.

Whether it was commanding troops, state affairs, or even farming and water conservancy.

Gu Xiao truly seemed as if he were capable of anything.

He thought back to everything Gu Xiao had once told him, and the four great characters "Gu Clan for Ten Thousand Generations" flashed out once more.

Would Gu Xiao approve of what he was doing now?

He thought about it.

Then he nodded earnestly.

He would definitely approve!

Seeing this, the smile on Liu Zhuang's face grew even wider.

He suddenly grabbed Gu Kang's arm, pulled him to his side, his eyes flashing with brilliance, and spoke loudly toward the landscape on both banks:

"Good!"

"If so, then let the two of us, monarch and subject, join hands to create unprecedented achievements and lay the foundation for our Great Han for ten thousand generations!"

"That the late Emperor could not take the Marquis of Loyalty and Valor with him to Taishan to perform the Fengshan sacrifice was the greatest regret of the late Emperor's life."

"I do not wish to have such regrets."

"Jishi! When that time comes, I hope to fulfill the late Emperor's great regret."

Gu Kang had not expected Liu Zhuang to say such things; he very rarely lost control of his emotions, but he revealed a look of surprise.

Looking at the high-spirited Emperor before him, he took a deep breath, then silently nodded:

"Your subject, I accept the order!"

After this incident, Liu Zhuang seemed to have become even more determined in his goals.

After returning to Luoyangcheng, he became increasingly diligent in governance.

He still maintained a hands-on approach, setting an example in everything.

The spirit of frugality did not stop because the water control project had ended; on the contrary, it became even more prevalent.

He bestowed those fertile fields upon the refugees, strictly prohibited local powerful clans from seizing land, and vigorously encouraged agriculture.

At the same time, Liu Zhuang often lectured from the main seat at the Imperial Academy.

Although this was not the first time he had done so, the world at this time had already undergone earth-shaking changes compared to previous years.

He truly possessed astonishing attainments in the study of the classics.

He allowed the Imperial Academy students to ask questions one after another, giving an accurate answer to every single one.

Under these circumstances.

The influence of this matter rose rapidly to the entire Guanzhong region, and even the entire Great Han world.

Countless people from all over the world flocked to Luoyangcheng.

All wanted to hear the teachings of this sage monarch.

"Confucian scholars held the classics and asked difficult questions before him; those wearing official caps and sashes surrounded the bridge gate to watch and listen, numbering in the hundreds of millions."

This sentence was perhaps the best description of this very moment.

The Great Han was truly different.

The common people of the world all began to gradually pursue things beyond mere survival.

And from beginning to end, Gu Kang had been following Liu Zhuang.

Listening to Liu Zhuang answer the students' questions, absorbing all kinds of knowledge, he would often fall into deep thought.

Subsequently, Gu Kang actually had the idea of writing a book.

Although it had only just begun.

This, however, left Gu Yi incredibly shocked.

Could it be... that Gu Kang could create a different school of thought?

Although for the current Great Han, Gu Yi could not fully determine the future direction.

But if this were truly the case.

For the entire Gu Clan, it would be of nothing but benefit and no harm.

Because the current Gu Kang had truly built a glorious golden age.

Whether in terms of status or ability.

He already possessed such qualifications.

If history were to truly develop as it originally had, and if Gu Kang were to truly complete his work, then for the descendants of the Gu Clan in later generations, there would be another kind of safeguard.

After all, the current golden age was right here!

Thinking of this, Gu Yi suddenly became even more expectant.

The entire Great Han grew increasingly powerful in this atmosphere.

It seemed truly like the will of Heaven.

The following year, the Great Han actually did not suffer any major disasters.

Everyone knew Liu Zhuang's next plan would surely be to send troops to the Western Regions to realize his grand ambitions.

But now, no one dared to stop him.

With the success of the water control, Liu Zhuang's prestige had reached its peak; the common people of the world all called him a "Sage."

An Emperor with such prestige was destined to face no further obstacles.

Not just the entire Great Han.

Even the Western Regions and the Northern Xiongnu were preparing to welcome the Great Han's armies.

But... Liu Zhuang's sudden illness brought all of this to a halt.

Never mind the Great Han officials, even Gu Yi was shocked after learning of this.

"This shouldn't be..." Gu Yi muttered to himself, "According to original history, Liu Zhuang should have had at least a few more years of life."

"Could it be that because the Gu Clan's influence is too great, it caused such a massive change?"

This was destined to be an unsolvable question.

The emergence of the Gu Clan had completely changed the history of the entire Eastern Han.

Whether it was the energy consumed in governing the world or the pressure that had to be endured.

There were simply too many possibilities for why Liu Zhuang would end up in this state.

Nangong.

The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.

After reading his final edict to the officials, Liu Zhuang left only Gu Kang behind.

At this time, his face was as pale as paper, his appearance withered, and even the strength to rise had completely faded away.

The high spirits and heroic bearing of the past had long since vanished; he no longer looked at all like the sage monarch he once was.

He lay quietly on the bed, his eyes staring straight at Gu Kang, his gaze full of reluctance and endless worry.

"I... have always worried about being unable to complete the grand ambitions in my heart..." Liu Zhuang's voice was weak and hoarse, his breath failing.

Seeing this, Gu Kang hurried forward a few steps, only then barely managing to hear his words.

Just as Gu Kang walked forward, Liu Zhuang, as if experiencing a final burst of energy, saw his originally dim eyes suddenly erupt with a flash of brilliance.

He used all his remaining strength to suddenly reach out both hands and grab Gu Kang's arm tightly.

His pupils contracted sharply, as if he wanted to inject his final strength and expectations into Gu Kang.

"Jishi!!!"

He shouted with all his might, "On my behalf, look after this world!"

At this moment, his voice became exceptionally hoarse due to excitement and weakness, his eyes were bloodshot, and his face appeared somewhat terrifying.

He was truly afraid.

Afraid that the current golden age of the Great Han would collapse because of his departure.

Gu Kang watched the Emperor before him, who was already nearing the end of his life, with tears welling up in his own eyes.

He nodded with exceptional solemnity and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, your subject will certainly assist the Crown Prince in completing the great cause in Your Majesty's heart!"

As soon as the words fell.

In an instant, the hand Liu Zhuang had been using to grip Gu Kang's arm went limp and let go.

His entire body seemed to lose all strength in that moment, his hands dropping powerlessly to his sides.

His breathing became increasingly rapid, until it stopped completely.

On the Renzi day of the eighth month in the thirteenth year of Yongping;

——Liu Zhuang passed away in the front hall of the Donggong in Luoyangcheng.

The last edict stated: "I have brought no benefit to the common people; follow the system of Emperor Xiaowen in all things, and strive for simplicity and frugality.

Do not build new temples; it is sufficient to store the spirit tablet in the separate room where Empress Guanglie changed her clothes."

Crown Prince Liu Da ascended the throne.

—————————

"On the Renzi day of the eighth month in the thirteenth year of Yongping, the four seas were peaceful, and the common people were joyful.

The Emperor cherished a grand strategy for the vast realm, wishing to lay an unshakable foundation for ten thousand generations.

Unexpectedly, Heaven did not grant his wish; the Emperor suddenly fell ill, his condition worsened, and he passed away in the front hall of the Donggong.

Upon hearing the news, the court and the public were shaken and grieved, the common people wept tears of blood, and the mountains and rivers mourned together.

The Emperor's ambitions remained unfulfilled, which is truly a tragedy for the state. Yet, during his reign, his benevolent influence spread far and wide, his civil governance was illustrious, and his virtuous legacy will endure, recorded forever in the annals of history."

———《Book of the Later Han: Annals of Emperor Xiaoming》

A new week, the new book rankings have refreshed; I humbly beg for recommendation votes and monthly tickets.

The plot after Emperor Ming will likely speed up a bit, and it will be different in style from the recent plot.

Brothers, do not worry about whether the plot will collapse... to tell you the truth, the author has already fully conceived a very long plot.

Actually, I also have a lot to say; how about taking this opportunity to come up with a rule for extra updates next month? Prepare the number of chapters for the big release in advance?

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(End of this chapter)