Chapter 48: Return to the Capital, Only Death Awaits

Liang Ji acted with extreme decisiveness and speed.

He keenly seized upon the pressing needs of the Han court at this moment.

With Liang Na's support, they actually succeeded in finalizing the new emperor.

And most crucially, their actions differed fundamentally from those of the former Empress Yan.

——Because Gu Xi was not in the court, and Gu Xi was no longer regent!

This was fundamentally different.

And most crucially, no one could be certain whether Gu Xi would even come, or whether he could reach Luoyang safely.

A dynasty could not halt its course because of one man.

This was precisely the case now.

The Emperor's death could not possibly be concealed.

If the throne remained vacant, it would inevitably stir unrest among the people.

The Han needed an emperor to stabilize the people's hearts and needed Empress Liang Na to oversee the grand situation.

Although some ministers had suggested waiting for the Grand Tutor's arrival before deciding.

But this would inevitably fail to gain support from all ministers.

Not to mention Liang Ji and his faction.

Even the upright Minister of War, Li Gu, would not endorse such a decision.

For the sake of state, reason, and the realm.

At this very moment, they could not place everything on Gu Xi alone.

And most crucially, this accident had instead buried the incident of Liu Suan's mysterious death within the palace.

It seemed everyone knew something was amiss.

But given the Han's current crisis, all feared triggering further turmoil.

Gu Yi had been watching all of this, and now he was somewhat astonished.

He never imagined events would unfold this way.

In the original history.

After Emperor Liu Bao's death, the Han passed through Emperor Chong's Liu Bing and Emperor Zhi's Liu Zuan, finally reaching Liu Zhi.

But the changes now were unprecedented.

Liu Bao's extended lifespan caused Liu Bing to die before ascending the throne.

Precisely because of this, Liu Bao chose the older Liu Suan to prevent another young emperor from dying prematurely.

All of this development was entirely reasonable.

In the original history, Liu Suan had indeed been a strong contender.

Many ministers supported him.

But he ultimately lost the throne due to underestimating the eunuchs, causing Cao Teng and others to back Liang Ji.

In the end, Liang Ji poisoned Emperor Zhi Liu Zuan and installed Liu Zhi.

The course of events was entirely different, yet the final outcome remained the same.

Gu Yi silently analyzed all of this.

Through prolonged observation, he had gained some understanding of this so-called historical correction.

In plain terms, it depended on the Gu family's influence.

As long as the Gu family's influence grew too great.

The correction would descend.

Just as with Liu Zhuang originally, the emergence of Gu Kang and Gu Cheng granted the Han unprecedented development.

Liu Zhuang's early death severed this golden opportunity for sustained progress.

After Gu Kang and Gu Cheng's deaths, Gu Liang, lacking talent, caused no major impact.

History did not correct itself.

Liu Da's reign duration remained unchanged; subsequent developments still saw Dou clan dominance.

But with Gu Xi's gradual rise.

The correction descended again.

Though this was merely Gu Yi's speculation, it seemed the facts confirmed it.

For this, Gu Yi's mood grew even heavier.

This was outright defying heaven.

The Gu family must maintain sufficient influence while facing continuous historical correction.

The difficulty was unimaginable!

Gu Yi even began to worry about Gu Xi.

Given Gu Xi's nature, would he return to Luoyang?

He certainly would!

He was a man willing to stake his own life for the Han and his family.

But according to history.

The disasters awaiting the Eastern Han were unimaginable.

He wished he could take direct control right now.

But unfortunately, Gu Yi's achievement points were still insufficient.

Previously, to save Gu Xi, he spent tens of thousands of achievement points on a lottery draw.

Although over the years, the deaths of Gu clan members who had taken office, along with Gu Kang's acquisition of special achievements, had provided Gu Yi with some achievement points,

these achievement points were truly nothing more than a drop in the bucket.

He could be certain that Gu Xi's death would bring him an enormous amount of achievement points.

But that could not change reality.

For a moment, Gu Yi only felt his mood suddenly grow heavy.

Julu.

Inside the Gu residence, the atmosphere was especially Serious.

The messenger sent by the court had already arrived in Julu and informed Gu Xi of the earth-shattering upheaval in the imperial court.

This news struck like a bolt from a clear sky.

Gu Xi stared blankly at the person who had come to deliver the news, his expression unusually frozen.

"Your Majesty... has passed away?"

He stared fixedly at the man and asked in a murmur.

After receiving a confirming answer,

in an instant, Gu Xi dropped straight to his knees on the ground, and the rims of his eyes reddened at that very moment.

He raised his head blankly toward the heavens, shaking his head again and again.

"How could this be?"

"Your Majesty was so young — how could he have passed away?"

"Just the other day, hadn't Your Majesty still sent a letter?"

His heart was full of incomprehension.

Back then, he had thought his own days were numbered, yet he had stubbornly clung to life until now.

Although he could clearly feel that his vigor was far from what it once was, he had never fallen seriously ill.

And looking at Liu Bao, so young yet already dead — how could Gu Xi not feel heartache?

Liu Bao and he were far more than merely ruler and minister.

It could be said that the relationship between the two had long since transcended that of ruler and minister.

And most crucially, the great Han had lost another wise ruler!

On this day, mourning cloth was hung throughout the entire Gu residence.

Though Gu Xi was immensely grief-stricken, it was still not beyond Gu Yi's expectation — without much deliberation, he made his decision.

— Rush to Luoyang.

But after all, Gu Xi's age was right there for all to see.

Faced with such an idea of his, the Gu clan juniors were almost all somewhat resistant.

"Father."

"Are you truly going to Luoyang? Your son fears..."

Gu Lin stared at Gu Xi, his face full of gloom.

He too was no longer young now.

Behind him,

a crowd of Gu clan juniors was likewise so, naturally including the sixth-generation juniors of the Gu clan.

Gu Xi looked at the people before him, first letting out a soft sigh, then raising his head to gaze at the sky, murmuring, "Think of me — from the age of eleven I had already entered the imperial court."

"I gained the deep regard of Emperor Xiaohe."

"After Emperor Xiaohe passed away, I was entrusted by the Emperor with the care of his heir."

"Together with Empress Dowager Hexi, I governed the realm."

"In the past, I was constantly worried that my great undertaking would remain unfinished, that I would die of illness like the Gu ancestors and the late emperors before them, betraying Emperor Xiaohe and the Gu ancestors."

"But now I only wish to ask myself why I have not died..."

He suddenly revealed a self-mocking smile and continued, "Perhaps this is the will of heaven."

"Heaven's will is for me, Gu Xi, to die within the halls of court."

Saying so, he looked with resolute eyes at the crowd of descendants before him, his expression gradually calming, "You need not worry."

"To this day, the clan is at peace."

"On this journey, I return to Luoyang."

"If I can once again support the Han dynasty, it will also be of tremendous benefit to my Gu clan."

"If I truly do perish within the halls of court,"

Gu Xi's expression was one of disdain, and he gave a faint smile: "It is nothing but death. When the time comes, you may send me back to Julu for burial."

Even in the face of life and death, Gu Xi as a whole was utterly composed, without the slightest fear.

Several of the Gu clan's sixth-generation juniors stared dumbly at Gu Xi.

Clearly, Gu Xi's words had made an enormous impact on their young hearts.

For this journey, the Gu clan made thorough preparations.

Gu Xi's age was indeed too advanced; an imperial physician was indispensable for the rigors of the road.

Fortunately, in years past Liu Bao had already sent quite a few imperial physicians to Julu.

This was not really much of a hassle.

Three days later, Gu Xi formally set out straight for Luoyang.

Countless commoners wept as they saw him off.

This was a scene completely opposite to that of Gu Xi's return to Ji all those years ago.

Looking at Gu Xi's snow-white hair, everyone felt he would likely not survive the journey back to Ji, and their sorrow compelled them to come see him off.

This was a prestige no outsider could possibly understand.

During the years Gu Xi returned to Julu, it was unquestionably the best time the people of Julu had ever known.

Not a single official dared to act corruptly.

Even regional warlords had grown somewhat more obedient.

And beyond the past benevolences of the Gu clan, Gu Xi also sent Liu Bao's imperial physicians to treat the common folk.

Now such a sage was risking his life to return to Luoyang—who could fail to grieve?

At the very back of the crowd.

A young boy could not hold back his tears.

Though his stature made it impossible to see Gu Xi, separated by the crowd, he wept with deep sorrow.

Watching his elder brother weep.

The two younger boys he held were also unable to stop crying.

One of the slightly older boys could not help asking, "Why are you crying, brother?"

Hearing his younger brother's question, the boy wiped his tears and replied, "Gu Gong is already so old, yet still carries the heart to save the world."

"Truly admirable."

The two younger brothers clearly did not understand this principle.

But the boy did not mind, and continued, "I've heard the Gu family's private school passes down medical arts."

"I've decided that starting tomorrow, I will go to the Gu family's private school to study medicine."

"Even if I cannot be like Gu Gong, I must try to save the people of the world!"

With that, the boy grabbed his two younger brothers and quickly pushed through the crowd, determined to see Gu Xi with his own eyes.

But there were simply too many people.

By the time he broke through the crowd, he could only see Gu Xi's carriage growing ever more distant.

Yet even so,

he felt no disappointment.

Instead, he stared intently at Gu Xi's carriage, his gaze growing ever brighter.

Gu Yi had been watching Gu Xi all along.

Of course, he was not worried about Gu Xi's health.

The Longevity Card only grants a natural death.

Unless struck down by sudden violence, Gu Xi's lifespan would certainly not end at barely sixty.

What truly troubled Gu Yi was how Gu Xi would face those hidden figures lurking in the shadows of the court.

Even the ministers could sense something amiss—how much more so Gu Xi?

In the past,

Gu Yi would have had no cause for concern.

But now it was different: Gu Xi held no real power whatsoever.

Even his prestige was gradually fading with time.

Though some officials once promoted by Gu Xi still remained in court,

human hearts are fickle—how could one rely entirely on them?

The risk Gu Xi was taking this time was simply too great.

But what could Gu Yi say?

Just as Liu Bei suffered a crushing defeat avenging Guan Yu,

some might call Liu Bei foolish, yet no one would say he ceased to be a hero.

There are always things higher than all else.

When the state was once stable, he could depart with grace.

Now that the state is in peril, he returns at the risk of death.

This is their conviction.

Luoyang.

Compared to past returns of Gu clan lords to the capital, Gu Xi's procession this time was indeed far more modest.

Han was currently in mourning, and many rituals could not be observed.

But Liang Na still ordered Liu Zhi to lead the ministers in welcoming Gu Xi, along with many commoners.

News of Gu Xi's return to the capital had even slightly dispelled the grief caused by Liu Bao's death.

Liu Bao was a benevolent ruler.

His death was bound to have unimaginable consequences across the realm.

The only one who could possibly influence it,

was Gu Xi, with his greater prestige.

When the ministers saw Gu Xi again, nearly all froze in shock.

Gu Xi had indeed reached his twilight years.

Now, his hair was as white as snow, his face lined with wrinkles.

But the one thing unchanged was his unique aura, and his eyes—still sharp as an eagle's.

"I pay homage to the Grand Tutor," Liu Zhi spoke first, breaking the silence.

Immediately after, the ministers behind him bowed to Gu Xi in unison, crying out, "We pay homage to the Grand Tutor!"

In years past, Liu Bao had left an edict stating that when officials throughout the land saw Gu Xi, it was as though they saw him in person.

This was something everyone knew.

And even without such an edict, Gu Xi's reputation alone would still have won him the submission of all the ministers.

"Your Majesty." Gu Xi glanced at Liu Zhi, recognized his identity, and hurriedly moved to bow.

Liu Zhi, however, quickly reached out to stop Gu Xi, and said with earnest words: "Grand Tutor, you are the pillar of our great Han, while I am nothing but a child — how could I possibly let the Grand Tutor bow?"

Hearing this, Gu Xi was quite astonished in his heart.

He truly had not expected Liu Zhi to say such words.

In truth, many people consider both Emperors Huan and Ling to be utterly incompetent rulers.

Setting aside Emperor Ling for now.

Let us speak only of Emperor Huan of Han, Liu Zhi, as recorded in history.

In fact, at the very beginning of his reign, his various actions could all be called those of a wise ruler.

Being able to eliminate a domineering minister like Liang Ji, who had held power for many years,

was enough to demonstrate his wits.

Moreover, later on he even went so far as to promote policies such as lightening the tax burden, reforming the administration of officials, and selecting the worthy and capable, in an attempt to restore the order of the court.

All these measures showed that he still possessed some real ability.

It was only that later on, he changed.

The present Liu Zhi was clearly in his wise-ruler phase.

Liang Ji had been standing at Liu Zhi's side the whole time, and he showed not the slightest hint of hostility toward Gu Xi.

He even looked at Gu Xi and said: "Now that the Grand Tutor has returned to court, our great Han can be at peace and free of worry."

He put on the appearance of being extremely welcoming of Gu Xi's arrival.

Gu Xi's expression remained as unruffled as ever, as humorless as in days past.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with the assembled ministers, he went straight into the palace to pay his respects to Liang Na.

The instant she saw Gu Xi, Liang Na immediately showed delight on her face, and even took the initiative to stand up, sighing: "The Grand Tutor has returned to the capital."

"The burden on my shoulders can finally be lightened a little."

Her expression was not feigned in the slightest.

Gu Xi took one look and confirmed this answer; his gaze shifted slightly, but he still immediately cupped his hands and said: "This old minister greets the Empress Dowager."

"There is no need for such ceremony, Grand Tutor."

Liang Na quickly waved her hand and said earnestly: "The Grand Tutor is an elder, and his merits to our great Han are beyond what I myself could match."

"How could I possibly let the Grand Tutor bow to me?"

"Please set your mind at ease, Grand Tutor."

"Now that the Grand Tutor has returned to the capital, just as in the days of Empress Dowager Deng of old, I shall certainly heed the Grand Tutor's wishes."

The puzzlement in Gu Xi's eyes grew ever thicker.

As he grew older and older, his judgment of the human heart had become even more precise.

He could tell that Liang Na was absolutely not putting on an act.

This was somewhat beyond Gu Xi's expectations.

Gu Xi did not say much more; after confirming Liang Na's attitude, he went straight to the question he cared about most.

"Does the Empress Dowager know exactly what happened on the day the late Crown Prince passed from the world?"

This was the question Gu Xi had been pondering all along.

Having already grown indifferent to life and death, how could he possibly let the one behind the scenes go unpunished?

(End of this chapter)