Chapter 31: Liu Zhao Dies, Entrusts Orphans and Assumes Regency

Liu Zhao's decree had indeed taken effect, causing no upheaval in the court.

Gu Xi's political acumen was indeed sufficient.

Moreover, he had been deeply influenced by Gu Kang's teachings.

He had participated in shaping the entire Han court system.

Added to that, he now had the assistance of so many others.

Naturally, his governance would encounter no errors.

All policies proceeded as usual.

Yet even so, the gloom over the entire Han court remained undispelled.

There was no way around it—in this feudal era.

The Son of Heaven had no heir and was critically ill; such a situation could not be soothed by any other means.

The most critical point was—

Liu Zhao's body showed not the slightest sign of improvement.

Before long, he even fell into a critical condition.

The impact on the entire Han dynasty was unimaginable.

Even Gu Xi lost his composure.

He was ultimately not Gu Kang; their upper limits were entirely different.

At this moment, should Liu Zhao truly falter, all hidden storms would surge forth.

Though one could adopt an heir and install him as Emperor.

Yet securing the throne without bloodshed was clearly impossible.

The entire court was in chaos.

But before many days passed, events took another turn.

Liu Zhao had inexplicably recovered!

This truly surprised everyone.

Beigong, Deyang Hall.

"I will depose the Empress!"

After Gu Xi and the other ministers arrived, Liu Zhao angrily spoke these words.

Upon hearing this, the ministers were stunned.

Even Gu Xi was taken aback.

They could not fathom that the first thing Liu Zhao would say upon recovering was this.

What had happened?

All ministers were baffled.

In truth, Liu Zhao's harem had never been peaceful.

Since Deng Guiren entered the palace and gained increasing favor, Liu Zhao had once considered deposing the Empress, though he never acted on it.

Naturally, this had stirred the Empress Yin's resentment.

In the harem, as long as the Empress remained uncertain, hidden turmoil was inevitable.

Yet the ministers of the Han court were all intelligent men.

They almost never meddled in harem disputes.

Thus, they were utterly bewildered by the Emperor's sudden fury.

"Hmph!"

Liu Zhao let out a cold snort, his complexion restored to its peak, no longer the frail, listless figure of before.

"Not long ago, I was critically ill and nearly died."

"As Empress, Yin did not even pray for me."

"Can you guess what she did?"

Liu Zhao's expression grew colder, "She dared say she was delighted!"

"She even vowed to wait until my death, then exterminate the entire Deng lineage, leaving not a single survivor!"

"How could such a vile woman remain Empress?"

The hall fell utterly silent.

Everyone's expressions changed.

Could a Empress truly say such a thing?

Even setting aside her cruelty, while the Emperor still lives, how could she dare such boldness?

Gu Xi was also deeply shocked.

He suddenly recalled the story of Lady Li from the Former Han.

A single insult—"old dog"—had jolted the dying Emperor Jing back to life.

And now another such case?

They were all divine physicians saving the realm!

Gu Xi almost laughed, but he held it back, and immediately bowed solemnly to Liu Zhao:

"The Empress lacks virtue. I petition to depose her!"

He did not care whether it was true or not; since Liu Zhao was this enraged, his resolve to depose the Empress was clearly absolute.

Moreover, Liu Zhao's recovery was wholly beneficial to him and to the entire realm.

What reason did Gu Xi have to oppose it?

As soon as these words were spoken, several ministers also came to their senses.

Seeing Liu Zhao's furious expression, they immediately bowed their hands.

"The Empress lacks virtue; we petition to depose her!"

Compared to Liu Zhao's physical condition, the deposition of the Empress was naturally a minor matter.

Liu Zhao was truly furious.

Even so, the anger on his face showed no sign of easing.

The Emperor issued an edict, and all Court's Weight agreed.

This matter instantly became a done deal.

Moreover, from the very moment the Yin Empress was deposed, attacks from all sides followed one after another.

First, someone accused the Yin Empress and Deng Zhu of practicing witchcraft; then came a flood of accusations against members of the Yin clan.

Some even claimed the fire at the Beigong's Shengzuan Gate was connected to the Yin family.

Liu Zhao dispatched the Palace Eunuch Zhang Shen and others to interrogate the case in the Lateral Courts Prison.

When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter.

From this day forward, the entire Yin clan's power collapsed with a crash.

Deng Feng, Deng Yi, and Yin Fu were tortured to death in prison;

Yin's father committed suicide;

Yin Yi, Yin Chang, and Deng Zhu's families were all exiled;

All relatives of the entire Yin clan were stripped of their official posts and sent back to their hometowns.

This was a great purge.

The fury of a powerful Emperor in this era could shake the entire realm.

Gu Xi never participated in this affair.

He continued to govern.

Although Liu Zhao's health had improved, both the ministers and Gu Xi hoped he would not resume his former excessive diligence.

This was not due to greed for power.

It was simply because Liu Zhao's role was too vital.

With the Empress-deposition turmoil still fresh, if Liu Zhao's health worsened again, the situation would become utterly irrecoverable.

Of course, when major matters arose, Liu Zhao still personally made the decisions.

And under these circumstances,

this entire affair of deposing and replacing the Empress seemed strangely unremarkable.

For the current Han Dynasty's golden age,

it caused absolutely no impact.

——Year Yongyuan 14.

The Shaohe Qiang rebelled; they were crushed by the troops of An Ding Commandery, completely resolving the Qiang threat in the Great and Small Yu Valleys of the Western Sea.

Gu Xi deeply understood the Gu clan's innate talent for agriculture.

Noticing the fertility of the Great and Small Yu Valleys, he immediately submitted a memorial requesting the establishment of commanderies and counties.

Liu Zhao naturally did not oppose this; he demarcated Xi Han Commandery and dispatched troops to greatly expand arable land for the people near Qinghai Lake.

Meanwhile, the reduction in commercial taxes greatly boosted the entire Han Dynasty's commercial development.

Ban Chao's prestige in the Western Regions was no empty boast.

If anyone could surpass Ban Chao,

it might only be Gu Yi, known in the Western Regions as the "Wrath of Kunlun."

Through years of cultivation, the Western Regions were now thoroughly stabilized.

With such geographical advantage and the court's policies,

the Han Dynasty's trade routes reached their peak.

Silk, porcelain, and ironware all experienced explosive growth, with vast quantities of gold, silver, and jewels flowing into the Han Dynasty from abroad.

The entire Han Dynasty's national strength reached a new high, truly achieving its zenith.

"Omen signs" were repeatedly reported across the land.

All under heaven praised the Son of Heaven's benevolence.

The people's worship of Gu Kang grew increasingly fervent, gradually taking on the character of a custom.

But the only misfortune was that Liu Zhao's health did not improve for long before it relapsed, even worsening.

Although Gu Xi could still hold things together,

the Emperor's health remained the paramount concern of everyone.

——Year Yongyuan 16.

"Bountiful Grain" appeared in multiple areas near Luoyang, hailed as an omen of abundant harvests and national peace.

The ministers submitted a petition urging Liu Zhao to change the era name.

They also wished to offer sacrifices to Heaven, hoping to protect Liu Zhao's health.

Liu Zhao did not refuse this.

Yet he did not, as Emperor Guangwu or Emperor Zhang had done in past years, travel to Mount Taishan to perform the Fengshan rites.

He merely paid homage to the three preceding emperors.

He then proclaimed the new era name "Yuanxing," meaning "Renewal of All Things, Revival of the State."

Perhaps it was this very golden age that revived Liu Zhao's spirit.

It was after the change of era name.

He had another son, whom Liu Zhao named Liu Long.

Perhaps influenced by the earlier palace turmoil, Liu Zhao decided to secretly send Liu Long to be raised among the common people.

Though it was still unknown whether the child would live to adulthood.

But the Emperor having an heir was naturally a good thing for the realm.

Liu Zhao was also greatly delighted, and even his health showed signs of improvement.

This change of era name seemed to have truly taken effect.

But two months later,

News came from the Western Regions: General Ding Yuan, the Protector-General of the Western Regions, Ban Chao, had passed away.

His final wish: "Buried at Yumen Pass," so that even in death he might guard the entire Western Regions for Han.

This event's impact on the entire Han dynasty far exceeded imagination.

Liu Zhao was deeply saddened.

He ordered Ban Chao to be buried with great honor, fulfilling Ban Chao's final wish.

And he had portraits of Gu Sheng and Ban Chao carved at Yumen Pass, for future generations to revere.

After this, he fell ill once again.

And this time his illness was far more severe than before; within just a few days, he could no longer even stand.

Zhangde Hall.

The atmosphere was serious and oppressive.

Gu Xi slowly stepped into the hall, looking at Liu Zhao lying on the bed, his eyes also filled with tears.

"Your Majesty."

He whispered, his voice trembling slightly.

Liu Zhao slowly opened his eyes; initially, they held a sharpness, but upon seeing it was Gu Xi, his gaze softened.

"Mingyuan, have all the ministers arrived?"

Liu Zhao asked Gu Xi.

"The ministers are waiting outside for your command!" Gu Xi replied quickly.

Liu Zhao nodded slightly, then struggled to raise his hand and said, "Mingyuan, come here."

"I have words for you."

Gu Xi hurried over and knelt directly before Liu Zhao.

Liu Zhao immediately gripped Gu Xi's hand tightly, staring straight into his eyes with solemn seriousness:

"Though the Empress is virtuous and worthy, I must still guard against what happened to me before."

"I will bestow upon you the authority to rule as regent before the ministers."

"When Long grows up, hand him the empire intact, as I once did."

Liu Zhao's eyes were bloodshot, fixed unblinkingly on Gu Xi.

His gaze held both unfulfilled ambition and deep dread for the coming turmoil.

He was not afraid of death, but terrified of the upheaval about to engulf the realm.

The foundation of the state was unstable.

Unless there was a minister in court today with the same prestige as Gu Kang in his time, chaos would surely follow.

Regency!

Gu Xi stared blankly at Liu Zhao; these words struck him like thunder in his heart.

He had imagined Liu Zhao might ask him to assist in governance.

But the burden of regency—he had never once considered it.

"Your Majesty!"

Gu Xi took a deep breath, clasping Liu Zhao's hand in return, and said earnestly, "The matter of regency—"

"Mingyuan!!" Liu Zhao suddenly shouted, cutting him off.

This sudden surge of emotion seemed to agitate his body.

The abrupt emotional upheaval stirred his already frail body; his breathing grew increasingly rapid.

He stared fixedly at Gu Xi, his unease intensifying, "Mingyuan, I truly cannot go on."

"I can no longer walk beside you."

"But the Han realm must not fall."

His voice paused, then trembled, "I can only entrust this to you."

"Mingyuan, do not betray me."

"Do not betray the noble reputation of our Liu and Gu families across four generations of emperor and minister."

Gu Xi was utterly stunned.

The Liu Zhao before him was no longer the once-vibrant, commanding figure.

Now he appeared so weak and helpless, almost pitiable.

Gu Xi's body trembled slightly.

He took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm, fell silent for a moment, then gave a slight nod and bowed deeply to Liu Zhao.

"Your Majesty's grace—I cannot repay it even if I died ten thousand times."

"I swear unwavering loyalty."

"I will guard Han for Your Majesty."

Liu Zhao silently watched Gu Xi, and after a moment of silence, waved his hand.

"Summon the ministers."

Gu Xi rose and went out to summon the ministers.

Not long after, Empress Deng and the ministers entered one after another behind him.

Soft sobs arose.

The historian in the corner also picked up his brush and began recording everything.

"The late Emperor, wise and holy, upheld the supreme virtues and essential ways of our ancestors; the realm was tranquil, and all affairs were peaceful."

"."

Liu Zhao did not look at the ministers; he simply spoke his final words.

The arrangements of the Han system;

to appoint Liu Long as Crown Prince

and, finally—grant the power of regency.

"Appoint Minister of the Palace, Director of the Secretariat Gu Xi as Grand Tutor, in charge of the Secretariat, overseeing all state affairs."

"Rule the realm together with the Empress."

"When the Crown Prince comes of age, return power to him."

In an instant, the hall fell utterly silent.

Complete silence!

In that moment, even the sobs ceased abruptly.

The ministers' faces turned pale; only Empress Deng, as if she had long known of this, showed no change in expression.

Entrusted with the orphaned heir!

Regency!

The ministers simultaneously turned their gazes toward Gu Xi, kneeling at the front, their eyes filled with bewilderment.

How young is he?

What is Your Majesty doing?

How could such an edict be issued?

Someone immediately moved to speak out in protest—but the instant he cried out, "Your Majesty";

—Liu Zhao sharply turned his head, fixing his gaze on the man, his bloodshot eyes brimming with murderous intent!

Instantly, everyone fell silent again.

Liu Zhao scanned the ministers; seeing they no longer spoke, he turned his head once more and murmured, as if to himself:

"Since childhood, I have always heard of the glorious age forged by Emperor Xiao Ming and Marquis Wen Cheng."

"At that time, I wondered..."

"Will I ever have the chance to forge an age as glorious as that of Emperor Xiao Ming?"

"Since taking power, I have worried day and night, fearing I would betray my ancestors and ruin our great Han realm."

"Fortunately, with your assistance..."

"Under my rule, Han has not declined, allowing me to face my ancestors in the netherworld with honor."

"Yet my great ambitions remain unfulfilled; I shall die soon."

"I only lament..."

Liu Zhao's voice suddenly halted; his breathing grew frantic.

His eyes filled with unyielding resentment.

He seemed to be struggling against the death approaching him.

The next moment, he suddenly sat upright.

Amid the astonishment of all present, he roared twice:

"I lament that my grand design remains unfulfilled, and I perish before my time—leaving only sorrow to fill the universe."

Having spoken, he seemed drained of all strength, collapsing backward, eyes closing.

The 12th day of the 12th month, Year Yuanxing;

—Liu Zhao passed away in Zhangde Hall.

Entrusted Gu Xi with the orphaned heir.

Crown Prince Liu Long ascended the throne.

—————————

In the 12th month of Year Yuanxing, the Emperor died in Zhangde Hall, aged twenty-seven.

As his illness worsened, he summoned Minister of the Palace and Director of the Secretariat Xi to his bedside, grasping his hand and saying: "In the past, the Dou clan was arrogant and nearly destroyed the state. You have long proven loyal and prudent; you will never become another Huo Yu or Dou Xian. The Crown Prince is young; I entrust you with the duty of Yi and Zhou."

He then issued his final edict, appointing Xi as Grand Tutor, in charge of the Secretariat, overseeing state affairs.

Xi bowed his head, weeping, and swore: "Though I die, I shall not betray Your Majesty's profound trust."

————《Book of the Later Han · Annals of Emperor Xiaohe and Emperor Xiaoshang》

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(End of Chapter)