Chapter 46: Supporting the Dragon Throne, Overawing the Hundred Officials (Seeking First Subscription)

The fourth year of Yanguang, the fourth month, on the day of Renzi.

The sky appeared slightly overcast.

The wind whistled, as if rain were about to fall.

The Chongde Hall.

Although it was not yet time for the morning court, the atmosphere within the Imperial Palace was already extremely heavy.

Yesterday, Yan Ji had used the name of the Empress Dowager presiding over the court.

She issued an edict for Liu Yi to honor the late Emperor’s last testament and ascend the throne at today’s court session.

Of course, she naturally had her defenses in place.

Even if Gu Xi had done nothing last night, she remained exceptionally cautious.

Yan Ji had long since made full preparations; as long as there was any disturbance in the palace today, the Imperial Guards she controlled could move immediately.

If Gu Xi did not resist, then so be it.

The overall situation would be settled.

The tide of the assembled officials would shift immediately.

It would be entirely possible to dismantle Gu Xi bit by bit; no matter how one looked at it, she would win.

Time flowed slowly by.

The officials arrived one after another; Liu Shou and the others had no change in their expressions.

On the contrary, officials like Yang Zhen had been gathering outside the palace gate, waiting for Gu Xi to arrive.

"Gentlemen."

Yan Xian stood guard at the palace gate, scanning the crowd coldly, a look of disdain appearing on his face, "Why must you be so stubborn?"

"The late Emperor’s edict is here; everything is already set in stone..."

"What meaning is there in you struggling like this?"

Deng Zhi stared coldly at Yan Xian, killing intent surging in his eyes, just about to speak in rebuttal.

However, at this moment, the clear sound of carriage wheels approached from afar.

Hearing the sound, everyone subconsciously turned their heads to look.

They saw a carriage slowly stop before the palace gate.

The next moment, Gu Xi stepped out of the carriage with composure, and in his hand, he held a precious sword.

Seeing this, everyone present was startled.

Yan Xian’s brow furrowed instantly; he hurried forward and questioned him sharply:

"What is the meaning of this, Grand Tutor? How can you bring a sword into the court?"

Gu Xi’s expression was calm, his gaze looking toward Yan Xian like an abyss, and he spoke coldly:

"The late Emperor and Empress He Xi granted me the rights in years past to enter the hall with sword and shoes, to be addressed without using my name, and to enter the court without hurrying."

"You block me today."

Gu Xi’s tone grew increasingly icy: "I must ask, why can I not enter the court with a sword?"

In an instant, Yan Xian’s expression turned ugly.

He remembered this matter.

This was the reward given to Gu Xi by Liu Hu and Deng Sui after Gu Xi went north to defeat the Southern Xiongnu and Xianbei who had rebelled against the Han.

At the time, there were not only these things.

However, Gu Xi had declined them all.

Over these years, he had never once exercised this right.

Now that he mentioned it, it finally made everyone remember.

"Grand Tutor."

Yan Xian frowned and shook his head, saying: "Today is the day of the new Emperor’s ascension; is this action of the Grand Tutor not inappropriate?"

His gaze grew increasingly sharp.

Naturally, Yan Xian could not let Gu Xi enter with a sword.

Who in the world today did not know that Gu Xi was not merely a civil official capable of governing the world?

Whether it was his northern expedition in the past or his subsequent suppression of rebellions.

Gu Xi had displayed remarkable martial arts.

It was only that he almost never had the habit of personally leading an army to charge the lines.

"What is inappropriate about it?"

Gu Xi smiled faintly, then looked at Yang Zhen and the others, and without caring about Yan Xian’s reaction, said directly: "Why must you all wait here?"

"Since you are unwilling to enter the palace, why not return to your residences?"

Hearing this, everyone’s expression changed.

They seemed to have guessed something.

Gu Xi did not say much more and headed straight toward the interior of the palace.

After hesitating for a moment, Yang Zhen and the others followed him directly.

Yan Xian’s expression grew even uglier.

He stared fixedly at Gu Xi, his hand unable to stop trembling slightly.

This was entirely a habitual fear.

A person of Gu Xi’s status was never someone he could face alone from the very beginning.

Although he considered himself bold.

At a time like this, he felt only fear.

Gu Xi walked into the palace just like that.

The atmosphere of the Imperial Palace was inexplicably heavy.

Yan Ji had already ordered people to hang mourning lanterns and mourning cloth everywhere.

Under these circumstances, this so-called ascension of a new monarch actually appeared somewhat inexplicably ridiculous.

Even when the late Emperor Shang, Liu Long, ascended the throne.

It had not been this farcical.

Gu Xi first scanned the area, then shook his head slightly and continued walking forward.

Yang Zhen, Deng Zhi, and the others all followed behind Gu Xi.

Although Gu Xi said nothing.

They seemed to have sensed something, and their expressions were somewhat inexplicably solemn.

This movement was a bit too large.

Everyone had already noticed Gu Xi.

Upon seeing the sword held in Gu Xi’s hand, it was as if a fragile nerve had been touched, and their expressions changed wildly.

Entering the hall with sword and shoes?

All the officials remembered the rewards given to Gu Xi by Liu Hu and Deng Sui in the past.

If it were in the past, no one would care.

But what was he doing today?

The military power of Luoyang was currently entirely in the hands of the Empress!

Gu Xi’s so-called status as Regent.

Without the support of military power, it was truly too fragile.

But Gu Xi’s expression was very calm.

He stepped into the palace without his expression changing in the slightest, first looking at Liu Yi sitting on the dragon throne, then looking at Yan Ji behind the curtain, his expression stern.

"Grand Tutor!"

"What are you doing!"

Before Gu Xi could speak, Yan Ji questioned him first.

Everyone was staring fixedly at Gu Xi.

Gu Xi remained silent.

His gaze fixed on Yan Ji, he slowly raised the blade in his hand and shouted sharply: "In the past, Emperor Xiaohua entrusted his orphan to me, Gu Xi."

"Crown Prince Liu Bao is the legitimate heir to the throne!"

"Yan Ji has forged an edict and disrupted the succession of the throne; does she wish to overthrow the Han dynasty’s empire!"

Gu Xi’s voice was like thunder, exploding violently throughout the entire hall.

Everyone’s expression changed!

No one had expected that a clever person like Gu Xi would actually do such a thing!

Questioning her in public??

If it were the Gu Xi of the past who still held military power doing this, they might have understood.

But now?

Deng Zhi and the others were completely bewildered.

What was Gu Xi doing?

Even Yan Ji had not expected matters to develop this way.

She was stunned for a moment.

Immediately, her brows furrowed tightly, and she sternly rebuked, "Gu Xi! How dare you slander this Empress?"

"Are you attempting treason?"

"Come! Seize him at once!"

The expressions of the several Imperial Guards in the hall shifted; looking at Gu Xi’s sharp gaze, fear emerged on their faces one after another.

Gu Xi’s reputation was indeed too high.

And the most critical point was—the time was too rushed!

If Yan Ji could have been allowed to cultivate trusted aides, perhaps this could have been avoided.

But how much time had passed since then?

Gu Xi looked at the several Imperial Guards in the hall, his gaze growing colder: "I received the dying entrustment of Emperor Xiaohe to protect the foundation of the nation in this situation as precarious as a pile of eggs."

"How dare you rats conspire with rebels!"

The voice was as loud as thunder; the Imperial Guards all lowered their weapons and stood there in terror.

Everyone stared blankly at this scene.

Everything had happened far too quickly.

Seeing that these men truly dared not move, Yan Ji’s expression changed instantly, and she immediately rebuked again: "Seize Gu Xi!"

"There will be a heavy reward!"

Under heavy rewards, there must be brave men.

One of the leading Captains seemed to have finally steeled his heart; gritting his teeth, he finally held his weapon and charged up.

But Gu Xi was not merely a civil official who knew how to govern the world.

His martial prowess was absolutely no worse than that of some ordinary Generals.

Without any hesitation, Gu Xi immediately drew his sword and thrust it forward, the speed as fast as lightning.

*Puchi!*

That man fell to the ground before he could even make a move.

At this moment, the crisp sound of a weapon hitting the floor rang out sharply.

An old soldier suddenly dropped his weapon and knelt on the ground, weeping bitterly: "This humble general... this humble general once followed the Grand Tutor to campaign against the Qiang, and I would rather die than betray the Han!"

He would rather be punished than raise a hand against Gu Xi.

"Someone! Come here!"

Watching this scene, Yan Ji roared again.

The Imperial Guards outside the hall swarmed in.

But when they saw that the target was actually Gu Xi, they all froze one by one.

The Yan clan members were shouting for them to capture him.

But who dared to act rashly?

One must know that Gu Xi had personally commanded the Central Army.

Who knows how many soldiers among them had followed Gu Xi in battle.

And the most critical point was:

Gu Xi had resolved the locust plague and had a debt of gratitude from the world.

Was this not something everyone knew?

How could a few Yan clan members who had just been promoted make them obey orders to seize Gu Xi?

Yan Ji was also somewhat bewildered.

She had never expected that such a thing would happen.

Although everyone knew that Gu Xi’s reputation was sky-high, comparable to Gu Kang of the past and beyond that of a mere subject.

That was why she had specifically selected those who were usually the most obedient from the Central Army today.

Yet how could it still be like this?

It was as if time had stopped.

There were clearly tense, heavy breathing sounds within the hall.

Yet it felt exceptionally silent.

Gu Xi scanned the Central Army, and seeing their hesitation, he knew this was a good opportunity and immediately spoke again.

Unexpectedly, at this very moment.

Yan Xian finally arrived.

At this point, how could he care about anything else?

He snatched a bow and arrow from an Imperial Guard.

He nocked the arrow and fired!

Everything happened too fast.

The sound of air being pierced rang out violently.

The arrow flew straight toward Gu Xi’s face.

However, at this moment, a sudden gust of wind swept into the hall.

In an instant.

One candle flame after another was extinguished, and the curtains fluttered.

The entire hall darkened by a few degrees in an instant.

And the fired arrow was also affected, passing directly in front of Gu Xi and shooting straight into the dragon throne where Liu Yi sat!

—*Rumble!*

At the same time, a peal of thunder suddenly rang out.

This loud sound finally made everyone present react.

Their expressions all changed drastically.

In this era, superstitious omens were destined to be an existence that could never be completely erased.

At such a critical moment, such a thing had actually happened.

It was destined to make the ministers and those Imperial Guards think too much.

Gu Xi had not expected such a coincidence either, but he reacted quickly and immediately shouted again:

"The will of Heaven is clearly revealed; you rebellious people, even the ghosts and gods will not spare you!"

"Do you still wish for the natural disasters of the past to descend once more?"

Seeing the expressions of the Imperial Guards change drastically.

Gu Xi pointed his sword directly at Yan Xian and the others: "Seize the rebels to appease the wrath of Heaven!"

Natural disasters.

This could be said to be an existence that all the people of the Great Han feared.

Even though many years had passed.

The natural disasters of that time still remained like a nightmare.

Once these words were spoken!

Finally, the situation was completely reversed!

Gu Xi’s reputation ultimately played too great a role; following the first Imperial Guard’s action, the rest of the Imperial Guards rushed forward one after another!

They headed straight for Yan Xian and the other Yan clan members.

Sounds of roars and rebukes rang out instantly.

Above the palace steps, Yan Ji looked at this scene with a face full of astonishment, unable to believe it.

She suddenly looked at Gu Xi again.

She immediately noticed Gu Xi’s sharp gaze.

In this instant, she finally felt fear once more.

Liu Yi and the other officials who had defected to the Yan clan had their expressions change wildly; they wanted to run but dared not.

Gu Xi did not pay them any mind.

He merely waved his hand at Deng Zhi and the others, whispering into their ears one by one.

He had to control the Imperial Guards!

He could not leave any hidden dangers!

Afterward, he summoned Yang Zhen and whispered into his ear.

Yang Zhen’s eyes lit up.

He quickly left the palace.

Before long, he and Cao Teng slowly walked in with Liu Bao.

The moment they saw Liu Bao.

Yan Ji collapsed onto the ground, her face full of despair.

The sounds of fighting had stopped by now.

The Yan clan members were all bound beneath the palace steps, able only to emit muffled sounds.

Everyone was staring intently at this scene.

They saw Liu Bao just step into the hall and run directly to Gu Xi’s side.

Gu Xi immediately bowed and supported Liu Bao.

Immediately, in front of everyone, he led him step by step toward the grand stairs.

The hall grew increasingly silent.

There was only the sound of light footsteps.

Everyone was staring intently at this scene, watching as Liu Bao, who was clearly still just a child, was led by Gu Xi step by step up the grand stairs.

"Grand Tutor! You cannot..."

The look of terror on Yan Ji, who was slumped on the ground, grew even more intense.

But how could Gu Xi possibly care about how she felt?

At this very moment, Liu Yi had long since been frightened into running to a corner, and the dragon throne, which represented the position of supreme power, sat there just like that.

Gu Xi pulled Liu Bao to the front of the chair.

He then stopped his footsteps and helped Liu Bao up onto it.

As Liu Bao sat down upon the dragon throne.

Everyone's heart gave a sudden jolt.

Gu Xi looked at Liu Bao just like that, and a look of joy finally appeared in his eyes.

He did not hesitate in the slightest.

He immediately put down the long sword in his hand and, under the gaze of all the officials, knelt down toward Liu Bao.

"Your subject, Gu Xi, pays respects to Your Majesty!"

Liu Bao instinctively wanted to stand up to help Gu Xi up.

But Gu Xi shook his head slightly, signaling him not to move.

After performing the grand ceremony earnestly.

He then stood up again, holding his sword, and facing the assembled officials from the side of the Son of Heaven, he said in a loud voice:

"Officials, pay homage to the new monarch!"

—————————

"In the fourth year of Yanguang, the Emperor passed away in the Beigong.

Empress Dowager Yan Ji concealed the death and did not announce it; she secretly colluded with Regular Attendants Fan Feng, Jiang Jing, and others to forge a last will, demoting Crown Prince Bao to Prince of Jiyin, and secretly welcomed the son of the Prince of Jibei, Yi, into the capital, plotting to usurp the imperial throne.

At that time, the palace was deep and secluded, and the Yan brothers, Xian and Jing, held halberds within the forbidden grounds.

On the day the new monarch ascended the throne, Grand Tutor Gu Xi, wearing plain clothes and carrying a sword, entered the forbidden grounds directly; the sound of his footsteps was resonant, shaking the nine heavens.

Gu Xi’s eyes were wide with rage and his beard bristled; pointing his sword at Empress Yan, he shouted: 'In the past, the Filial Emperor He entrusted me with the state as a pillar of support. Crown Prince Bao is the legitimate heir to the ancestral temple. You hens crowing at dawn, forging edicts to disrupt the succession—do you wish to topple the Han dynasty!'

Empress Yan’s expression changed, and she shrieked: 'Gu Xi is committing treason, seize him at once!'

The Tiger Guards to the left and right hesitated and did not move.

Gu Xi held his head high and shouted sternly: 'I received the late Emperor’s dying entrustment to protect the foundation of the state in its moment of peril; how dare you vermin violate the imperial majesty!'

His voice was like thunder, and the forbidden guards all lowered their weapons and stood in fear.

Yan Xian was extremely furious; he drew his bow and aimed an arrow at Gu Xi, but suddenly a wild wind swept through the hall, extinguishing the candles and overturning the curtains, and the arrow fell wide to the side of the throne.

Gu Xi stood firm and unharmed; he raised his sword and shouted: 'Heaven’s will is clear! You rebels shall be punished by both ghosts and gods!'

The assembled officials trembled, and the Feathered Forest Guards all abandoned their weapons and prostrated on the ground.

Gu Xi then ordered the arrest of Yan Xian, Fan Feng, and the others, binding them all at the foot of the stairs, and personally helped Bao ascend the dragon dais to take his rightful seat facing south.

Gu Xi led the hundred officials in bowing repeatedly; their mountain-shaking cheers filled the hall, reaching the heavens.

—— "Book of the Later Han: Biography of Gu Xi"

(End of chapter)