Chapter 26: Sudden Changes in the Western Regions, What Constitutes Filial Piety (Happy New Year)

The sudden passing of any emperor would have an unimaginable impact on the entire world.

Let alone a wise ruler like Liu Zhuang, who was revered by all the people?

The common people weep tears of blood, and the mountains and rivers grieve with them.

From this day on, the entire Great Han seemed to be covered by a layer of haze that would not dissipate for a long time.

But the greatest impact;

——remained in the Western Regions.

Ever since Liu Zhuang reopened the Protectorate General of the Western Regions, the entire Great Han had effectively begun a formal contest against the Northern Xiongnu in the Western Regions.

Gu Cheng was a natural-born commander.

He would not waste any opportunity to continuously expand the influence of the Great Han throughout the Western Regions.

Especially after the news of the Great Han's success in water management spread.

This influence multiplied.

In less than a year, several small states had come to submit one after another.

Gu Cheng naturally would not turn these people away.

But under these circumstances, in the short term, the foundation of the entire Protectorate General of the Western Regions in the Western Regions would naturally be unstable.

In fact, if Liu Zhuang had not died and the Great Han could have dispatched troops on time.

This would not have been a major problem.

Neither the states of the Western Regions nor the Northern Xiongnu could have withstood the iron hooves of the current Great Han.

But Liu Zhuang's sudden passing completely changed all of this.

Yanqi State.

When Gu Cheng heard the news of Liu Zhuang's death from illness, he was completely stunned.

Shock and disbelief were followed by profound grief.

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

Years of training, all for the sake of being able to entrust him with heavy responsibilities in the future.

And now, this emperor had just died like this?

Countless thoughts surged in his mind, and immediately after, Gu Cheng sensed the hidden danger in this matter.

How could the Northern Xiongnu let this opportunity slip by?

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

Small frictions between the two sides had been constant.

If they learned of this news, how could they not come to lay siege?

And if the Protectorate General of the Western Regions were breached.

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

In a flash, Gu Cheng's expression changed drastically.

"Pass the order, set up defenses immediately, and prepare to meet the enemy!"

This news could not be kept hidden, so Gu Cheng had no choice but to prepare the army without a moment's delay.

Upon hearing this, the generals were stunned.

But they were not fools; those who could reach this point under an emperor like Liu Zhuang, who among them did not have real ability?

In just a moment, they understood everything.

Their expressions changed instantly.

"General!"

Dou Gu bowed to Gu Cheng, "Our army's situation is precarious; why not take advantage of the time before the enemy realizes this to withdraw to Jushi, or even to Yiwulu City?"

That was right, he had now become a subordinate of Gu Cheng.

But he could not harbor any resentment over this matter.

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

Hearing this, the eyes of the generals lit up instantly.

Withdraw the army?

That was a good idea!

As long as they could retreat to Yiwulu City, they would have reinforcements, and there would be no need to worry about—

Once these words were spoken, the generals were all somewhat moved.

Withdrawing the army was indeed a foolproof strategy.

As long as they could retreat to Yiwulu City, they would have security and would no longer need to worry about the risk of being besieged here.

But Gu Cheng shook his head directly.

"Withdraw the army?" Gu Cheng scanned the generals and said sternly, "Before the imperial decree arrives, we must not move."

"If we retreat now."

"What will the states of the Western Regions think?"

"They will think that the heavenly troops of our Great Han are afraid of the Northern Xiongnu."

"If that happens, it will be extremely difficult for our Great Han to regain control of the Western Regions in the future."

"How can we do such a thing?"

Gu Cheng's expression was very firm.

What he said was indeed correct; the current Western Regions were a battleground between the two major powers of the Great Han and the Northern Xiongnu.

The method of "you finish your act and I take the stage" would not work here.

Only by remaining strong could they keep more states of the Western Regions close to the Great Han.

If they were to retreat directly.

The Northern Xiongnu would definitely devour everything the Great Han currently possessed and wipe out all the pro-Han forces that had been cultivated.

If this happened, there would be no one left in the Western Regions willing to support the Han.

If you run away as soon as trouble arises, who would be willing to follow you?

This was a choice that concerned their very lives.

This was a burden the Great Han could not bear.

"Everyone, this is the merit we have built up with such great difficulty."

"Moreover, the enemy has not even arrived yet, has he?"

"And are we destined to lose?"

Gu Cheng scanned the crowd and said with extreme solemnity, "If the enemy comes, as long as we can hold our ground."

"By then, the imperial reinforcements will have arrived, and we will have achieved monumental merit!"

"I remember my father telling me when I was young that when Emperor Guangwu was at Kunyang, he showed no fear even when facing hundreds of thousands of troops."

"He even said, 'How can a great man be afraid of death?'"

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

"Rest assured, if there truly comes a day when our Han army suffers a great defeat, I, the General, will surely die before any of you!"

The entire camp fell into silence.

The officers and soldiers looked at the stern Gu Cheng, not doubting the sincerity of that last sentence in the slightest.

If they were truly defeated, Gu Cheng would absolutely die before them.

Because he had always led from the front.

The men present were all warriors who had been on the battlefield; since things had been said to this point, they naturally hesitated no longer, nodding and bowing in agreement.

Gu Cheng's arrangements did not stop there.

Immediately after, he ordered the generals to take the initiative to tell the soldiers under their command about the Emperor's death from illness.

But they were to tell them that the imperial court would still send troops.

Furthermore, everything in the camp was to remain as usual, and no mourning cloth was to be hung.

Under such tense circumstances, his judgment of the overall situation was fully displayed.

Since the news could not be hidden.

Then it could not be allowed to affect the morale of the army.

He had to make the soldiers believe they were not fighting alone; otherwise, even the remaining eight hundred men of the central army would lose their will to fight.

But the officers and soldiers were somewhat hesitant about this last instruction.

No mourning cloth allowed?

Everything as usual?

The Emperor's passing is a national funeral!

If this got out, the imperial court could even use this behavior to accuse you of treason.

Even if you are a member of the Gu Shizi, and your elder brother is at the height of his power in the court, the impeachments you would face would certainly be numerous.

This...

But Gu Cheng's attitude was very firm.

"I must not only stabilize the morale of the army, but also keep the enemy from figuring out our movements!"

"I will personally lead men to scout for the enemy shortly."

"You all act immediately; those who disobey will be executed on the spot!"

Although Gu Cheng was usually carefree in his temperament, he was completely different once he arrived at the military camp.

Hearing this, the various generals dared not say anything more, and they hurriedly cupped their hands and retreated.

Gu Cheng took a deep breath, waiting for everyone to leave.

He first wrote a letter to be sent back to Luoyang, wanting to ask for Gu Kang’s opinion.

Afterward, he summoned the Captain of the Central Army who had always followed him and said in a deep voice:

"Immediately send someone to notify Zhong Sheng; his current situation is extremely dangerous. Tell him to return at once."

"Yes!"

The Captain did not hesitate in the slightest and left directly.

Subsequently, Gu Cheng also walked straight out of the camp tent and led over a thousand men and horses to charge out!

Ban Chao was indeed quite far from the Great Han now.

After pacifying the Kingdom of Yutian, he had then traveled without stopping to the Kingdom of Shule.

And by using the lingering prestige of his pacification of Yutian, combined with the news of the Great Han’s success in water management, he had quickly taken control of the entire Kingdom of Shule.

He had even directly deposed the original King of Shule, who was pro-Xiongnu.

He installed a new king.

It could be said that everything was smooth sailing.

But when he learned of this news, he was still stunned.

"His Majesty has passed away?"

"My elder brother wants me to return immediately?"

Ban Chao looked at the armored soldier in front of him in disbelief; if he hadn't spent several years in the Central Army and seen this person before, he might have even started to doubt his identity.

But how could this be possible?

How much time had even passed!

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

He immediately intended to pack his luggage and leave with the armored soldier.

But, the moment he stepped out of his door.

He was instantly stunned.

He saw that the current King of Shule, Zhong, was leading the Shule officials and the common people, blocking the gate of his residence.

"If the Han Envoy leaves us, we will surely be squeezed to extinction by the Northern Xiongnu again."

"I truly cannot bear to see the Han Envoy leave."

"If the Han Envoy goes, I shall commit suicide before your eyes today."

The person speaking was a man, and Ban Chao recognized him.

It was Commandant Li Yan.

After speaking, he actually prepared to draw his sword and slit his own throat.

Ban Chao hurriedly stopped him.

At this moment, the King of Shule, Zhong, also spoke with teary eyes: "We have already received the news that the Emperor of the Great Han has passed away."

"Could it be that the Han Envoy really intends to abandon my Shule at such a time?"

"My Kingdom of Shule truly wishes to submit to the Great Han."

"How can the Great Han treat us like this?"

Sounds of sobbing gradually rose at this moment, from both the elderly and the children.

The faces of this group of people were filled with fear.

Looking at this scene before him, Ban Chao was instantly stunned.

In a trance, he seemed to see two people appearing in the netherworld.

Gu Ji and Zhang Qian.

These were the two people he had always deeply admired.

Thinking of their experiences, and then thinking of the youth who once felt he should not only hold a brush.

In an instant, his tense heartstrings suddenly relaxed.

"What are you all doing? Quickly make way!"

The Central Army soldier who had come to deliver the letter immediately wanted to clear a path for Ban Chao.

But Ban Chao reached out and blocked him.

"My lord, you..." the armored soldier was stunned.

Ban Chao looked at him with extreme indifference and asked calmly: "Has my elder brother withdrawn his troops?"

The armored soldier instinctively shook his head, a flash of admiration appearing in his eyes, "General Who Breaks the Captives has not withdrawn his troops; he will fight the enemy to the death."

"Since that is the case, how could I lose face for my elder brother?"

Ban Chao smiled faintly, his eyes incomparably clear.

He turned his head to look at the common people kneeling on the ground, his gaze becoming increasingly firm.

Hearing this, the armored soldier was instantly stunned.

But looking at Ban Chao’s back, he could no longer say anything.

"Han Envoy, are you truly not leaving?"

The King of Shule, Zhong, looked at Ban Chao with excitement and asked, his hands even trembling slightly.

There was no other way.

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

If Ban Chao left, perhaps even without the influence of external forces, the factions within the Kingdom of Shule could devour him directly.

Although Ban Chao only had thirty-some men now, for him, this was still a source of reliance.

"I am not leaving."

Ban Chao nodded, a faint smile appearing on his face.

In an instant, the faces of the common people were filled with joyful smiles.

For them, the status of Ban Chao as the Han Envoy was worth more than anything!

"Does the Han Envoy know if the Great Han will send troops?"

The King of Shule, Zhong, asked with excitement and anticipation.

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

"Then how should we face the enemy? My Shule..."

Before the King of Shule, Zhong, could finish, Ban Chao interrupted him directly, looking at the crowd and saying loudly: "How to face the enemy?"

"Since we are enemies, there is only one choice!"

He paused, scanned the people present, and slowly drew the sword at his waist:

"Fight!"

Luoyang.

Gu Kang had not attended court for many days.

Ever since Liu Zhuang passed away, he seemed to have aged significantly all at once.

Although there was nothing wrong with his body, the temperament radiating from within him was completely different.

The former Gu Kang was steady and confident, as if everything in the world was under his control, and there was no difficulty he could not overcome.

But the current Gu Kang made people clearly feel that he had grown old.

Regarding this, Gu Yi was also helpless.

Just like Gu Xiao and Liu Xiu in the past, the bond between a wise monarch and a virtuous minister was something others could hardly imagine.

And as the funeral of Liu Zhuang gradually concluded.

The officials naturally began to submit memorials regarding the dispatch of troops.

Liu Zhuang had actually already made preparations, and they were only one imperial edict away from sending troops.

If he were still here, the officials naturally would not have been able to stop it.

But now that Liu Zhuang had passed away, it was different.

Facing Liu Hu, an emperor only fourteen years of age, the officials had essentially presented him with a "great gift."

They submitted memorials one after another, using filial piety as an excuse to persuade Liu Hu to completely suppress the matter of sending troops.

This time, Gu Kang arrived.

"What is filial piety?"

In the imperial court.

Gu Kang stood tall and straight in the center of the officials, his deep eyes scanning the crowd like cold stars, his voice resonant and forceful:

"Emperor Guangwu revived the Great Han and restored the Liu family’s altars of soil and grain; this is filial piety."

"The late Emperor inherited the great cause of Emperor Guangwu, living his whole life only for the people and for the Great Han; this is also filial piety!"

"When the late Emperor was alive, he spoke many times of the great cause in his heart."

"Now that the late Emperor has returned to heaven, the great cause remains unfinished."

"Yet the high-ranking officials in the temple actually want to persuade His Majesty to stop the military campaign."

"Could it be that you all intend to make His Majesty an unfilial person?"

The clanging sound echoed throughout the hall.

The expressions of the assembled officials turned ugly all at once, yet no one dared to speak.

Although Liu Zhuang was now dead.

Gu Kang still made them feel extremely apprehensive in the imperial court.

There was no help for it; after all, Gu Kang’s contributions were plain to see, and they were all beneficiaries of them.

Most importantly, having served as officials together for so many years, they were well aware of Gu Kang’s methods.

It could be said that over these years, anyone who had ever tried to move against the Gu family had never met a good end.

No one was willing to offend Gu Kang.

For a time, the entire hall fell into silence just like that.

Liu Da looked at everyone present, still feeling somewhat hesitant in his heart.

His personality was naturally somewhat indecisive.

But recalling everything Liu Zhuang had entrusted to him before his death, he looked at Gu Kang again, thought it over, and only then made his decision.

"The Grand Minister of Education speaks with reason."

"I believe that the late Emperor would certainly wish to see me complete the great cause he held in his heart."

"Since that is the case, then let us dispatch the troops."

Although Liu Da’s voice was still somewhat youthful, it did not affect his ability to settle the matter once and for all.

The officials were silent, their expressions varied.

Only Gu Kang bowed to Liu Da.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Today is New Year's Eve. First, I wish you brothers a Happy New Year, good health in the coming year, and may you all make a fortune!

Additionally, the author will not be resting during the New Year; I will try my best to stockpile chapters, and I hope you brothers will support me—smash me with monthly tickets and recommendation votes!

Do not worry about the plot; the author’s train of thought is exceptionally clear.

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(End of this chapter)