Chapter 45: Mount Tai Sacrifice, Emperor and Minister Mirroring Each Other

Gu Xi spoke truly; the Han's march would not pause for anyone's departure.

But since his departure from the court.

The entire court still felt as if it had lost its soul, the atmosphere always strangely heavy.

Liu Bao had truly grown up.

Though deeply saddened, as emperor, he still bore the emperor's responsibilities.

Just days after Gu Xi left Luoyang.

He announced a change of era name to "Yangjia."

Declaring to all under heaven—

The Han's new era had fully arrived.

Julu.

On this journey home, wherever Gu Xi passed through a city, the people and officials all came spontaneously to see him off.

But if there was one place where the people were happiest,

It was Jizhou.

The Gu clan's prestige throughout Jizhou far exceeded others' imagination.

During those consecutive natural disasters of old,

Jizhou was the most severely affected province; the Gu clan's efforts there saved countless lives.

Especially the people of Julu.

This also stemmed from the Gu clan's longstanding policies.

When land yielded no harvest, the Gu clan often aided the people, purchased their fields, or even lent them seed grain.

And over these years,

The Gu clan had never ceased bestowing favors upon the people of Julu.

This influence was unimaginable.

When the people of Julu heard Gu Xi had returned, they flocked to welcome him.

Gu Xi's expression at this moment was especially complex.

He had thoroughly read the texts left by Gu Kang, which naturally included the family's genealogy.

Suddenly, he recalled the words Gu Kang had spoken on his deathbed.

Julu is a place of peace.

In the past, Gu Xi would never have possessed the inner state to grasp the depth of those words.

But now, he truly understood their meaning.

The moment he stepped into Julu,

All the restlessness within his heart instantly calmed.

Court struggles;

State affairs;

The world's political situation.

All these issues that had haunted him for decades now faded gradually from his mind, and he became completely at ease.

This was bound to be a major event shaking all of Jizhou.

Officials from all regions, along with powerful clans,

Nearly all came to pay their respects to Gu Xi.

Gu Xi showed no arrogance, personally receiving them all.

He seemed to have changed entirely.

The once sharp, intimidating edge he carried in court was gone.

Yet every gesture and movement still imposed great pressure upon those around him.

This was Gu Xi's standing throughout the realm.

Even now that he had left the court, no one dared underestimate him.

This grand social gathering lasted several days.

Then, as Gu Yi had foreseen,

He truly settled his mind.

He began to ponder the policies proposed by Zuo Xiong.

This was bound to be a slow process.

Gu Xi's ability fell short of Gu Kang's; he could only think through it bit by bit.

Drawing on his years of governing experience,

He carefully considered every possible issue within them.

—Yangjia Year One, Spring.

Liu Bao, as in the original history, appointed Liang Na as Empress.

But unlike before, he implemented the same system as Emperor Liu Zhuang had, with no intention of rewarding the imperial in-laws.

He merely occasionally discussed state affairs with Liang Na.

And precisely after this event,

The new system was revived.

Gu Xi's departure from court had indeed transformed Liu Bao greatly.

His reliance was gone.

Liu Bao had to personally confront all the problems.

But perhaps to avoid disappointing Gu Xi, Liu Bao's performance surpassed everyone's expectations.

He was too diligent.

It was truly like the time when Emperor Xiao Ming and Emperor Xiao He were alive.

It was precisely because of this.

The entire Han Dynasty's new policies spread like a tide across the four corners.

Any reform was destined to trigger a massive earthquake.

But Liu Bao had clearly made thorough preparations.

He issued edicts throughout the realm.

Anyone who dared defy the laws would be severely punished.

Yet this matter was bound to bring trouble.

Even when Liu Xiu once implemented land measurement, he faced countless troubles—how much more so Liu Bao?

This kind of thing was bound to end in blood!

Moreover, as Gu Xi remained away from Luoyang longer and longer.

The sword hanging over the heads of the ministers gradually lost its threat.

The ministers' thoughts naturally became active again.

Immediately, some jointly submitted memorials, citing the flaws of the new policies and the unrest among the people, urging Liu Bao to rescind the edicts.

But Liu Bao's handling of the matter truly shocked everyone.

This was merely a test by the ministers.

But Liu Bao, as if knowing this button could never be pressed, dismissed or demoted every official who opposed the reforms.

This incident shook the realm!

The Emperor's thunderous measures exceeded everyone's expectations.

Only at this moment did officials across the land fully realize it.

Liu Bao had been raised since childhood learning governance by Gu Xi's side!

Others, they might not understand.

But could they not know what kind of person Gu Xi was?

From then on, the ministers trembled.

The new policies faced no further resistance.

——Yangjia Year Two.

Liu Bao once again initiated a series of personnel reassignments.

He first dismissed all officials who had obtained their posts through fraudulent elections, then successively promoted others.

He also sent his wet nurse Song E out of the imperial palace.

Once again, he demonstrated his resolve to suppress the maternal relatives.

Furthermore, he once again reformed the eunuchs within the palace.

The court became solemn!

And Liu Bao announced the expansion of the Imperial Academy!

He truly seemed to have inherited all of Gu Xi's strengths, leading the entire Han Dynasty toward prosperity.

——Yangjia Year Two, an earthquake struck Longxi; minor disasters occurred across the realm.

Public sentiment stirred slightly.

Many commoners still alive today had survived the consecutive natural disasters of past years.

They were naturally sensitive to natural calamities.

Upon learning of this, Liu Bao immediately led the ministers in person to the Luo River to emulate Gu Xi's sacrificial rites, and proclaimed a general amnesty and bestowal of noble titles upon the people.

He granted one hu of rice, twenty jin of meat, and five dou of wine to every citizen over eighty.

To those over ninety, he added two bolts of silk and three jin of cotton wadding.

As a result, the virtue of honoring the elderly flourished once more.

Public sentiment instantly calmed.

The people of the realm all felt profound gratitude.

Moreover, Liu Bao imitated Emperor Liu Zhuang by cutting palace expenditures, eliminating all useless tributes sent from the provinces.

He retained only a few.

And these items were sent directly to Julu as gifts for Gu Xi.

Yes, over these years, Liu Bao's letters and gifts had never ceased.

They were almost all local specialties and treasures sent as tribute from the provinces.

In modern terms, these items might seem insignificant.

But in this era, they were the greatest favor imaginable!

Moreover, Liu Bao established additional imperial physicians, ordering them to travel to Julu to care for Gu Xi's health—his resolve was absolute.

This change was obvious.

Gu Xi's governance could indeed create a golden age.

But the feeling of governance by a regent differed entirely from that of an emperor ruling in person.

This was the difference of the feudal age!

The Emperor's actions.

It could influence the thoughts of many people!

Auspicious signs kept appearing everywhere.

That Han at its peak from years past truly seemed to have returned; there were already ministers proposing that Liu Bao go to Mount Taishan to perform the Feng and Shan sacrifices.

But Liu Bao suppressed the matter.

—The third year of Yangjia.

The resettled Northern Xiongnu attacked the Kingdom of Jushi; Gu Han, who was garrisoning and farming at Yiwu, joined forces with Dunhuang Prefect Pei Cen to lead troops to the rescue and utterly routed the enemy.

Moreover, the natural disasters ceased once more.

Under these circumstances, the ministers again memorialized Liu Bao to perform the Feng and Shan sacrifices at Mount Taishan.

And this time—

Someone even offered a reason Liu Bao could not refuse.

"In years past, Emperor Guangwu was unable to go to Mount Taishan for the Feng and Shan sacrifices together with Marquis Zhongwu Gu Xiao—that is one regret."

"Emperor Xiaoming was unable to go to Mount Taishan for the Feng and Shan sacrifices together with the Marquis of Wencheng—that is two regrets."

"Now the realm already shows the signs of a flourishing age, auspicious omens appear everywhere, and the Grand Tutor is advanced in years. Given the Grand Tutor's Merit to the Han, would it not be a third regret if this Feng and Shan sacrifice were not carried out?"

This time, Liu Bao agreed.

Gu Yi had been watching the development of the entire Han all along.

The Han of today already differed far too much from the original history—far stronger, by more than a little.

Gu Xi's appearance resolved some of the issues in Liu Bao's temperament.

It brought about the present situation.

But to say this truly amounted to a revival was still far, far short.

Because none of them had managed to resolve the most critical problem.

—Land annexation.

Actually, one could hardly blame Liu Bao and Gu Xi for this.

The continuous natural disasters back then, combined with the core system of the Eastern Han, had destined the present situation to form.

If Gu Kang were still alive—

He might have seen the hidden dangers within.

After all, his attributes in governance and political affairs had truly reached the extreme.

But Gu Xi was not the same.

He was indeed a hexagonal warrior—outstanding in every aspect, worthy of being called a dragon among men.

But in any single focused area, naturally he could not compare to someone like Gu Kang.

Even the Gu clan itself already held so much land that one could sense the reason behind it all.

This was the product of the times.

And the most critical point—

Under Gu Xi's many years of governance, the Han's land annexation problem had not provoked as sharp a contradiction as in the original history.

This most core issue was buried beneath the surface of this flourishing age.

Gu Yi did not know whether this would trigger even greater contradictions in the future.

But clearly, this problem was like a bomb that could explode at any moment; if that day truly came, the upheaval it caused might far surpass the original history.

The news was swiftly sent to Julu.

Gu Xi had not at all expected such a thing to happen.

In truth, if it had been any other matter, Gu Xi would not have hesitated in the slightest and would certainly have refused.

Having already decided to step away from the court—

He would not take part in it; otherwise, he might as well not have stepped back at all.

But the matter of the Feng and Shan sacrifices was different.

This had been Gu Kang's greatest regret in his lifetime.

Liu Zhuang had said with his own lips that he wished to go to Mount Taishan with him for the Feng and Shan sacrifices, but sadly passed away that very year.

Later, although Liu Da did go to Mount Taishan for the Feng and Shan sacrifices—

He had even planned to bring Gu Liang along.

But Gu Liang knew his own merits were insufficient, so he refused the matter.

This was one of the regrets of the Gu clan!

Gu Xi did not put on any airs and agreed to the matter on the spot.

After an interval of several years—

The sovereign and minister met again.

Liu Bao personally led the ministers to welcome Gu Xi outside the city of Luoyang.

This was an immense honor.

Gu Xi still had that head of snow-white hair, but his entire bearing showed not the slightest hint of decline—still as chilling as ever.

This was the terrifying effect of the longevity card.

Gu Xi was only fifty-four now, nowhere near the age of a natural passing.

And Liu Bao was now in the prime of his vigorous years.

Moreover, because of his governance over these past years, he had grown increasingly dignified.

He stepped down from the carriage.

Gu Xi was about to bow to Liu Bao at once.

But Liu Bao ignored propriety, stepped forward quickly, and directly blocked Gu Xi, solemnly saying: "The Grand Tutor is to me as teacher and father—how could he bow to me?"

Saying this, he paid no heed to Gu Xi's reaction.

He immediately bowed to Gu Xi.

In that instant, the hundred officials before the city gate also bowed to Gu Xi.

This was destined to be a grand event.

Liu Bao was truly delighted; before Gu Xi, he showed not a trace of the sharpness he once had as ruler—his face was full of smiles, just as in days past.

Though he had returned to Luoyang.

But this time, Gu Xi had not the slightest intention of reengaging in state affairs, making his stance clear to all under heaven.

Having retired, he would not return.

——Yangjia Fourth Year, Spring.

Liu Bao led his ministers to Mount Taishan in person.

This was destined to be a spectacle watched by the entire world.

Since the days of Liu Da's fengshan, how many years had passed without a Son of Heaven performing the rite?

Continuous natural disasters, border troubles.

All that had happened in these years slowly pulled the once-dominant Han from its divine pedestal.

And now, the Han had returned!

At the foot of Mount Taishan.

Liu Bao erected an altar and performed sacrifices, carrying out all rites; most crucially, he engraved Gu Xi's name onto the jade tally recording imperial merit, and proclaimed a new era name: "Yonghe."

Hoping the Han would forever thrive in peace.

He then personally led Gu Xi up the altar.

He ordered the painters to make a painting.

He seemed to know the Gu family's tradition—he stamped the imperial seal upon the painting, then bestowed it upon Gu Xi.

This greatly pleased Gu Yi.

These were all legacies!

As long as one had enough legacies, even if only one or two survived, they were enough to shake the world!

The grand ceremony came to an end.

Gu Xi did not choose to return to Luoyang; instead, he planned to go directly to Hebei.

At the moment of parting.

Liu Bao still seemed to hope Gu Xi would return to Luoyang.

But by now, he had gradually come to understand the difficulty of Gu Xi's position.

His prestige far surpassed that of any normal minister.

As long as he remained in court, he would inevitably undermine the Emperor's authority.

This was a problem with no solution whatsoever.

Whether for him, the Emperor, or for the Gu family, Gu Xi's retirement was the best choice.

Moreover, for him, seeing Gu Xi's snow-white hair.

How could he bear to selfishly keep Gu Xi?

The Emperor and minister parted again.

Though this parting lacked the grandeur of the past, its impact upon the realm was no less profound.

Ascending the altar during the fengshan.

And having one's name inscribed upon the jade tally.

Could this still be seen as the act of a mere minister?

One could say Liu Bao's actions had entirely shared the glory of this golden age with Gu Xi.

But who could say a word against it?

Could anyone claim this golden age had nothing to do with Gu Xi?

This was the honor the Gu family deserved!

—————————

"In the first month of spring, Yangjia Fourth Year, the Emperor toured Mount Dai and performed the fengshan rite.

"At that time, the realm was peaceful and prosperous, yin and yang in harmony; prefectures and commanderies reported auspicious omens daily: a white unicorn appeared in Heyin, sweet dew emerged in Donglai, and the grasses and trees on the southern slope of Mount Taishan bloomed with radiant hues.

The Grand Historian reported: 'This is the virtue of a sage ruler extending to the four seas, with heavenly signs descending.'

On the day Xinmao of the third month, the Emperor ascended the Tai altar, burned offerings and buried jade, proclaimed completion to Heaven, sealed the jade tally with golden cords and silver locks, engraved the imperial merit upon it, and specially recorded Gu Xi's name.

After the rites were completed, the Emperor took Gu Xi's hand and ascended the altar steps together, then ordered the painters to depict the scene of Emperor and minister performing rites together—the brushwork exquisite, ink refined, the figures lifelike.

He then took the Imperial Seal, personally stamped it beside the painting, and bestowed it upon Gu Xi, saying: 'I and you jointly bear Heaven's mandate—this trace shall be passed for a hundred generations.'

All ministers were moved to tears.

That day, the mountains stood solemn, clouds and mists formed brocade; all spectators sighed: 'The harmony between Emperor and minister has reached such heights—even the rule of Zhou and Shao could not surpass it!'

——Records of the Later Han, Annals of Emperor Shun

(End of Chapter)