Chapter 46: Liu Bao Lies Dying, a Earth-Shaking Change

The entire Han realm flourished vibrantly.

Liu Bao's actions during his Fengshan ceremony on Mount Taishan greatly advanced the moral climate of the entire Han realm.

Scholars across the land all took pride in becoming ministers like Gu Xi.

This was entirely the will of the people.

Coupled with the earlier institutional reforms, the Han bureaucracy truly achieved a clean and upright state.

Since then, Liu Bao had become even more diligent in governance.

He truly seemed intent on building a golden age akin to that of Emperor Xiao Ming, devoting himself wholeheartedly to ruling.

But all of this had nothing to do with the Gu clan.

Just as during the days of Gu Xiao, the Gu clan sat on the sidelines, overlooking the world's changes.

No one dared to touch them, yet no one could reach them.

This was also good for Gu Yi.

When influence was already sufficient, absolute safety for the family was best.

Of course, there was another piece of good news.

That was, Gu Xi had a grandson!

Indeed, as time passed, the sixth generation of the Gu clan had begun to be born.

Gu Yi had carefully observed their attributes; most were extremely ordinary, yet one had caught Gu Yi's attention.

——Gu Wei.

【Administration: 83; Diplomacy: 70; Politics: 72; Command: 44; Martial: 50】

Perhaps it was simply because he had not seen any striking attributes for so long.

Although Gu Wei's attributes were not particularly outstanding.

They far surpassed those of the fifth generation.

This was already enough to satisfy Gu Yi.

As long as he could take control of him, he could compensate for the attribute gap.

Of course, better attributes naturally had advantages—they could better execute Gu Yi's plans.

But as long as they were roughly adequate, it was sufficient.

Moreover, this was only the beginning; the sixth generation of the Gu clan would surely grow ever larger.

Gu Xi was still very much capable.

Gu Yi did not know how long he could hold on.

But as long as he lived, Gu Yi had no need to rush—more choices would inevitably emerge.

In truth, Gu Yi was even more eager for the state policy matters Gu Xi had been pondering for years.

These years of governance had indeed allowed Gu Xi to accumulate vast experience.

Even though he had long since left the court, Gu Xi could still make sound judgments on the conditions across the realm.

The results of Liu Bao's reforms.

He had watched them closely.

This further prompted Gu Xi to calmly consider the underlying problems.

And what shocked Gu Yi was—

As time passed, in the fourth year of Yonghe, Gu Xi had genuinely devised a system resembling the imperial examination system.

This was actually tied to Gu Yi.

The teaching methods Gu Yi had employed when controlling Gu Xiao had led Gu clan descendants to pursue learning at varying depths according to their innate talents.

This had drawn Gu Xi's keen attention.

Human talents differ.

Those skilled in literature are not necessarily skilled in martial arts; those skilled in martial arts are not necessarily skilled in literature; and among those skilled in literature, some excel in governance, others in intrigue; among those skilled in martial arts, some excel in commanding troops, others in frontline charges.

Gu Xi devised a more refined system of examination.

And he embedded this examination within the recommendation system.

In simple terms:

After local recommendations, a more detailed examination was held within each province and commandery.

The subjects varied.

Alongside fixed subjects, additional ones could be added according to court needs, allowing the recommended candidates to choose.

And supervisory officials were appointed.

Although from a modern perspective, this seemed insignificant.

But this was the feudal era!

Overcoming the limitations of the age presented unimaginable difficulties.

The system Gu Xi had created.

In plain terms, it was essentially a further refinement of the current recommendation system.

It made the evaluation more detailed.

It enabled the court to select more talent.

And by adding supervisory officials, it made the entire system fairer.

In the original history:

Over time, the recommendation system gradually became a plaything in the hands of powerful clans.

Great clans entangled themselves in mutual interests, compounded by personal preferences of local officials and other factors.

It ultimately gave rise to the phenomenon: "Recommended as a scholar, yet ignorant of books; examined as filial and upright, yet father and son live apart."

Gu Yi did not believe Gu Xi's theory could change this phenomenon.

This was a problem inherent to the entire recommendation system itself.

Gu Xi's reform might delay the emergence of this phenomenon, but completely altering it was clearly impossible.

Yet for Gu Yi,

it was enough.

The formation of institutions was never an easy matter.

The impact of such matters was immense.

Since Gu Xi had accomplished this, he would surely gain a great many achievement points for himself!

The Gu family.

A group of Gu clan disciples were attentively listening as Gu Xi explained the core of his reform.

Although Gu Xi had long been immersed in studying systems, he had never neglected the education of his clan's younger generation.

In fact, it had already become a tradition.

Almost all current Gu clan disciples had already internalized this mindset.

That only those with exceptional talent

could, like early generations such as Gu Xiao, Gu Kang, and Gu Cheng, add bricks and tiles to the family's foundation for ten thousand generations.

This was a manifestation of influence from childhood.

Gu Kang had influenced the generation of Gu Liang.

Gu Liang had influenced the generation of Gu Xi.

Gu Xi now naturally passed down this philosophy.

Listening to Gu Xi's words, all the Gu clan disciples fell into deep thought.

The talent of the fifth-generation disciples was indeed too ordinary.

Anyone with even a modicum of talent was already serving as an official in the regions; those remaining within the clan were precisely the least talented.

How could they possibly grasp this quickly?

Gu Xi waited a while, and seeing no one speak, he could not help but shake his head slightly.

The talent of the family's disciples was indeed too poor.

He had already sent someone to deliver this reform to Liu Bao.

Based on his understanding of Liu Bao,

Liu Bao would surely recognize its benefits and implement it wholeheartedly.

He had hoped to guide the family's disciples, allowing them to seize the initiative.

But the family's disciples simply had too little talent.

Now, he truly understood the mindset Gu Liang had felt back then.

Shouldering the banner of the Gu clan was truly not an easy task.

Only when one was certain the next generation could bear the burden could one rest easy.

Gu Xi now felt only a profound uncertainty about the future.

How could he possibly rest easy now?

Gu Xi sighed softly, then directly began explaining in detail the deeper meaning behind his measures.

The moment he said this move could attract more talent to the court,

a clear, ringing voice suddenly sounded.

"Grandfather."

"If you wish to attract talent, why not recruit from across the entire realm?"

"Those recommended are inevitably few."

The speaker was Gu Wei.

At just four years old, he had already shown signs of talent.

Like Gu Xi in his youth, he was a type of precocious genius.

Gu Xi looked at Gu Wei and immediately smiled with satisfaction.

"Wei'er speaks rightly," he first affirmed, then shook his head and said, "but though the people of the realm are many, most cannot read or recognize characters."

Gu Xi's voice cut off abruptly.

He seemed to suddenly realize something, his brows instantly furrowing.

Yet immediately after, he shook his head slightly, as if rejecting a thought he had just had.

He gently waved his hand, signaling Gu Wei to come to his side.

Then he picked Gu Wei up, turned again to the others, and continued expounding his theory.

Yet his expression was now subtly different.

Gu Yi watched this scene with interest, having never expected such a thing to happen.

Of course, he understood this was not because Gu Wei possessed celestial and terrestrial talent.

It was simply because he was still young.

He had not yet been deeply shaped by the limitations of his era, which allowed him to speak such words.

As for how great an impact this might have, he currently had no way of knowing.

But seeing Gu Xi's demeanor, he clearly felt something.

For Emperor Liu Bao, who had performed the Fengshan sacrifice on Mount Taishan,

Reform, of course, was not a difficult matter.

Yet this reform still caused tremendous upheaval.

As for the reason, it was very simple.

That was because the changes were too great!

This time was different from Zuo Xiong's earlier reform.

Not only were examinations added, but also supervisory officials and more.

Compared to before, it was far more complex.

This was bound to be a task that could not be accomplished overnight.

It could only be carried out gradually.

Little by little, the people of the realm would adapt to the institutional changes.

Of course, beyond this,

there remained too much state business within the court.

What concerned the ministers most was the matter of the state's foundation.

Yes, Liu Bao now faced the same dilemma as Liu Zhao had in the past.

That was the early death of imperial princes.

As Liu Bao grew older, this had nearly become a chronic ailment among the ministers, and some had even sent letters to Gu Xi.

There was no help for it.

The early Han had suffered this very problem.

After Liu Zhao suddenly passed away,

the Han Dynasty began a succession of natural disasters.

And an unsettled state foundation was bound to spawn many changes.

Humans are creatures who develop ambition according to their environment.

Liu Bao was also aware of this issue.

——In the ninth year of Yonghe,

he finally settled the Crown Prince's position, naming Liu Bing, son of Consort Yu, as Crown Prince.

Gu Yi immediately noticed this event and began to pay close attention to Liu Bao.

You should know that, in the original history.

Liu Bao died of illness not long after naming the Crown Prince.

The Han Dynasty now had changed too much, too many things.

At least in Gu Yi's observation,

Liu Bao showed no signs of illness whatsoever.

This might be related to the pressure he bore.

In the original history, without the Gu clan's presence, Liu Bao faced far greater pressure than now.

But now,

he had performed the Fengshan sacrifice on Mount Taishan, wielded overwhelming power, and reached the very limit of an emperor's authority.

This transformation was bound to bring about different changes.

Indeed, as Gu Xi had predicted,

Liu Bao's body showed no problems.

But Liu Bing, as in the original history, developed health issues.

The following year, at only three years old, he died in the palace.

This struck Liu Bao a devastating blow.

Upon hearing the news, he spat blood publicly and collapsed outright.

The court and realm were shaken!

Liu Bao's sudden collapse

had utterly ignited the ambition inherent in human nature!

Everyone's thoughts instantly shifted.

Of course, they did not harbor ill intentions toward Liu Bao.

It was the state foundation!

The Han's state foundation remained unsettled!

Liu Bao had no sons, and he had spat blood!

In this era, spitting blood and fainting was enough to be sentenced to death.

Everyone understood Liu Bao could not last much longer.

Then the Crown Prince's position—

Night, Northern Palace.

Liu Bao slowly awoke, and upon opening his eyes, saw Liang Na beside him.

"Your Majesty, you've awakened," Liang Na exclaimed in delight.

Liu Bao still felt unwell; he furrowed his brow slightly, his body trembling involuntarily.

After a moment of silence, he nodded slowly and said in a low voice: "I am unharmed."

"Your Majesty, I shall summon the Imperial Physician at once."

Liang Na remained deeply uneasy.

But Liu Bao directly grabbed her hand, looking at her seriously: "Empress, what movements have the ministers shown today?"

Liu Bao was no fool; given past examples, he immediately thought of the worst scenario.

Liang Na was an exceptionally intelligent woman.

Over the years, Liu Bao often discussed state affairs with her; she naturally understood what he was concerned about.

But to suggest the ministers would directly take action was truly an insult to their intelligence.

"Your Majesty need not worry—the court and realm are stable."

Liang Na shook her head slightly, gazing at Liu Bao with concern, then hesitated: "Your Majesty, why not recall the Grand Tutor to the court?"

"If the Grand Tutor were here,"

"our Han would never face any crisis."

Upon hearing this, Liu Bao's eyes flickered with a moment of melancholy.

How could he not know that recalling Gu Xi was the best solution now?

But Gu Xi was already sixty-two years old.

In this era, such an age was already frail and near the end of life.

The long journey might kill him before he even reached Luoyang.

How could he bear to ask it of him?

Seeing Liu Bao fall silent, Liang Na instantly understood his thoughts, her eyes slightly reddening.

"Empress need not worry," Liu Bao forced a smile, holding her hand: "To recall the Grand Tutor to the capital—I simply cannot bear it."

"The Grand Tutor has already poured out his heart for our Han."

"He is now at the age of destiny—I must not burden him further."

His tone paused slightly, as if making a decision, his entire expression hardening in that instant:

"I will hold on!"

"Before everything is settled."

"I will hold on!"

As Liu Bao spoke these words, his tone was extraordinarily firm.

Liang Na gripped his hand tightly and nodded seriously.

The next day, Liu Bao convened the grand court assembly.

Though he tried his best to appear no different than before,

everyone could see his clearly pale face.

Liu Bao said no idle words today.

He issued an edict directly:

Summon the sons of all regional kings to the capital!

Everyone knew what this meant—and had long anticipated it.

A few, like Liang Na, rose in the court to petition: "We should recall Gu Xi to the court to meet this crisis."

Everyone understood Liu Bao's current condition.

To prevent disaster, recalling Gu Xi was clearly the best solution.

As long as Gu Xi returned,

the Han court would never descend into chaos.

But the court today was no longer the same—it was not merely one person who did not want Gu Xi to return.

After all, the interests involved were far greater than anyone imagined.

The arrival of the regional kings' sons was a divine opportunity for them all.

Who would not wish to become the next Gu Xi?

How could they allow Gu Xi to return?

At once, some in the court harshly rebuked those petitioners.

"The Grand Tutor is now over sixty."

"A long journey—do you mean to place the Grand Tutor in mortal danger?"

"Our Han has always honored the elderly. The Grand Tutor has given us such great merit over the years—how many years of comfort has he earned?"

"Do you now wish to drag him back into court?"

These words sounded utterly righteous.

They would never resort to other means against Gu Xi.

The reason they refused to let Gu Xi return was simple:

They exploited Liu Bao's affection for Gu Xi, forcing him to abandon the idea himself.

After all, in this era, a long journey meant risking one's life.

As expected, after hearing these words, Liu Bao's eyes grew even dimmer.

He seemed about to say something.

But the moment he opened his mouth, he staggered, nearly collapsing on the court floor.

In just a few short days,

the once thriving Han had already begun to slip out of control!

ps: Mid-month request for base monthly votes.

(End of chapter)