Chapter 52: Returning to the Capital, Only Death Awaits

Liang Ji acted with extreme decisiveness and speed.

He keenly grasped the urgent situation currently facing the Han court.

With the support of Liang Na, he actually managed to finalize the new monarch.

And most crucially, their actions were fundamentally different from those of Yan Ji back then.

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

This actually made a fundamental difference.

Furthermore, the most critical point was that no one could be certain if Gu Xi would come at all, or if he could reach Luoyang safely.

A dynasty cannot stop its progress because of one person.

That is the case now.

The Emperor’s passing was destined to be impossible to conceal.

If the throne remained vacant, it would inevitably cause turmoil in the hearts of the people.

The Han needs an emperor to stabilize the public, and it needs the Empress, Liang Na, to preside over the overall situation.

Although some ministers suggested waiting for the Grand Tutor to arrive before deciding on this matter,

it was destined not to receive the support of all the ministers.

Not to mention Liang Ji and his faction.

Even an upright official like the current Grand Marshal Li Gu would not second such a decision.

In terms of public duty, reason, and the world at large,

at this moment, everything cannot be placed solely upon Gu Xi.

And most crucially, this accident actually suppressed the matter of Liu Suan’s inexplicable death in the palace that day.

It seemed everyone knew there was something wrong with that affair.

But given the current crisis facing the Han, everyone feared causing further waves.

Gu Yi had been watching all of this, and at this moment, he was also somewhat surprised.

He never expected things to develop in this way.

In the original history,

after Liu Bao passed away, the Han went through Emperor Chong of Han, Liu Bing, and Emperor Zhi of Han, Liu Zuan, before finally reaching Liu Zhi.

But the changes now are unprecedented.

The extension of Liu Bao’s lifespan meant that Liu Bing passed away before becoming emperor.

And precisely because of this, to prevent another situation where a new monarch died young, Liu Bao chose the older Liu Suan.

The development of all this was extremely logical.

In fact, in the original history, Liu Suan was a strong contender.

Many ministers supported him.

But the reason he ultimately missed the throne was his contempt for the eunuchs, which led Cao Teng and others to support Liang Ji.

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

The developments here are completely different, yet the final result is the same.

Gu Yi silently analyzed all of this.

Through such long observation, he had gained a certain degree of understanding regarding this so-called historical correction.

To put it bluntly, it depends on the influence of the Gu clan.

As long as the Gu clan’s influence is too great,

this correction will descend.

Just like with Liu Zhuang back then, the appearance of Gu Kang and Gu Cheng allowed the Han to achieve unprecedented development.

Liu Zhuang’s early death broke that excellent opportunity for continued development.

And following the passing of Gu Kang and Gu Cheng, Gu Liang did not cause much impact due to his lack of talent.

History was not corrected.

Liu Da’s time in power remained unchanged, and subsequent developments continued with the Dou clan in power.

But with the successive rise of Gu Xi,

the correction descended once again.

Although this was only a guess by Gu Yi, it seemed that the facts were indeed so.

Regarding this, Gu Yi could not help but feel even heavier at heart.

This was completely going against the heavens.

The Gu clan must ensure sufficient influence while also facing the continuous correction of history.

The difficulty of this can be imagined!

Gu Yi even began to worry about Gu Xi.

Given Gu Xi’s personality, would he return to Luoyang?

He certainly would!

He was the kind of person who could bet his own life for the sake of the Han and his family.

But according to history,

the disasters the Eastern Han would face next were unimaginable.

He wished he could control things directly right now.

But unfortunately, Gu Yi’s achievement points were simply not enough.

Previously, to save Gu Xi, he had consumed tens of thousands of achievement points on lucky draws.

Although over these years, the deaths of Gu clan members serving as officials and Gu Kang’s special achievements had provided Gu Yi with some points,

these points were truly a drop in the bucket.

He could be certain that Gu Xi’s death would bring him a great many achievement points.

But that would not change reality.

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

Julu.

Inside the Gu residence, the atmosphere was exceptionally grave.

The person sent by the imperial court to deliver the news had arrived in Julu and informed Gu Xi of the earth-shattering changes in the court.

This news was like a bolt from the blue.

Gu Xi stared blankly at the messenger, his expression uncharacteristically dull.

"His Majesty... has passed?"

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

After receiving a confirmed answer,

in an instant, Gu Xi knelt directly on the ground, his eyes turning red at that very moment.

He looked up at the heavens in a daze, shaking his head repeatedly.

"How could this be?"

"How could His Majesty pass away when he is so young?"

"Did His Majesty not send a letter just a few days ago?"

He was filled with confusion.

Back then, he thought his own life was nearing its end, yet he had persisted until now.

Although he could clearly feel his energy was not what it used to be, he had never contracted a serious illness.

Yet looking at Liu Bao, who had passed away so young, how could Gu Xi not feel heartbroken?

Liu Bao and he were not merely monarch and subject.

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

And most crucially, the Han had lost another wise monarch!

On this day, the entire Gu residence was draped in mourning cloth.

Although Gu Xi was filled with immense grief, it did not exceed Gu Yi’s expectations; he made his decision without much thought.

——To rush to Luoyang.

But after all, Gu Xi’s age was a factor.

Faced with this intention of his, almost all the Gu clan members were somewhat resistant.

"Father."

"Do you truly intend to go to Luoyang... I fear..."

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

He was no longer young himself now.

Behind him,

a group of Gu clan members were the same, naturally including the sixth generation of the Gu clan.

Gu Xi looked at the people before him, sighed softly, then looked up at the sky and murmured: "I have been deep in the court since I was eleven years old."

"I was highly valued by Emperor Xiaohe."

"After Emperor Xiaohe passed away, I was entrusted by the Emperor to care for the young heir."

"Together with Empress Hexi, I governed the world."

"In the past, I was constantly worried that my great cause would remain unfinished, that I would pass away from illness like the ancestors and emperors of my Gu family before me, and thus fail Emperor Xiaohe and the ancestors of the Gu family."

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

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

"The will of Heaven is for me, Gu Xi, to die in the imperial court."

As he spoke, he looked at the descendants before him with a firm gaze, his expression gradually calming, "You need not worry."

"As of today, the family is stable."

"This journey is a return to Luoyang."

"If I can help restore the Han house once more, it will be of immense benefit to my Gu family."

"If I truly am to perish in the court."

Gu Xi looked disdainful and smiled indifferently: "It is merely death; at that time, you may send me back to Julu for burial."

Even when facing life and death, Gu Xi remained incomparably calm, without a shred of fear.

Several sixth-generation descendants of the Gu family stared blankly at Gu Xi.

Clearly, these words from Gu Xi had a profound impact on their young minds.

For this journey, the Gu family had made full preparations.

Gu Xi’s age was indeed very advanced, and for this arduous journey, imperial physicians were indispensable.

Fortunately, years ago, Liu Bao had sent many imperial physicians to Julu.

This was not considered troublesome.

Three days later, Gu Xi officially set off directly for Luoyang.

Countless commoners wept as they saw him off.

This was a situation completely opposite to when Gu Xi returned to Jizhou in the past.

Looking at Gu Xi’s snow-white hair, everyone felt that Gu Xi would likely not survive to return to Jizhou again, and the sorrow in their hearts compelled them to come and see him off.

This was a prestige that others could never understand.

The years Gu Xi spent back in Julu could be called the best time for the people of Julu.

No official dared to cause trouble at all.

Even the local powerful clans had become somewhat honest.

And besides the past favors of the Gu family, Gu Xi would also have the imperial physicians sent by Liu Bao treat the commoners.

Now that such a sage was going to risk his life to return to Luoyang, who could help but feel sorrow?

At the very back of the crowd.

A little boy could not help but shed tears.

Although he could not see Gu Xi, who was blocked by the crowd, due to his height, he cried very sadly.

Seeing his older brother weeping.

The two even younger boys he was holding could not help but cry as well.

One of the slightly older boys could not help but ask: "Brother, why are you crying?"

Hearing his younger brother’s question, the little boy wiped his tears and replied: "Master Gu is already at such an age, yet he still harbors a heart to save the world."

"It is truly admirable."

The two younger brothers clearly could not yet understand this logic.

But the little boy did not mind and continued: "I have heard that in the Gu family private school, there is medical knowledge passed down."

"I have decided to go to the Gu family private school to study medicine starting tomorrow."

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

Having said this, the little boy pulled his two younger brothers and quickly pushed through the crowd, wanting to see Gu Xi with his own eyes.

But there were simply too many people.

When he pushed through the crowd, he could only see Gu Xi’s carriage moving further and further away.

But even so.

He did not feel the slightest bit of disappointment.

Instead, he stared fixedly at Gu Xi’s carriage, his eyes growing brighter and brighter.

Gu Yi had been keeping an eye on Gu Xi the entire time.

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

The Longevity Card was specifically for dying of old age.

Without the accident of being struck by blades, Gu Xi’s lifespan would absolutely not end at just over sixty.

What truly worried Gu Yi was how Gu Xi would face those hidden in the shadows of the imperial court.

Even the ministers could perceive the strangeness of this matter, let alone Gu Xi.

If it were in the past.

Gu Yi naturally would have nothing to worry about.

But now it was different; Gu Xi no longer held any real power.

Even his prestige was gradually fading with the passage of time.

Even though there were still some people in the court whom Gu Xi had promoted before.

But human hearts are fickle; how could one rely entirely on these people?

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

But what could Gu Yi say?

It was just like when Liu Bei was disastrously defeated for avenging Guan Yu.

Some might think Liu Bei’s action was foolish, but no one would say Liu Bei was not a hero.

There are always some things that transcend everything else.

In the past, when the country was stable, he could leave gracefully.

Today, when the country is in danger, he could also return at the risk of his life.

This was their persistence.

Luoyang.

Compared to the previous returns of the Gu family head to the capital, the pomp of Gu Xi’s arrival this time was indeed much worse.

The Great Han was currently in a period of national mourning, and many rituals could not be used.

But Liang Na still had Liu Zhi lead the officials to welcome Gu Xi, and among them were also many commoners.

The news of Gu Xi’s return to the capital even somewhat dispersed the sorrow brought about by the passing of Liu Bao.

Liu Bao was a benevolent emperor.

His death was destined to have an unimaginable impact on the entire world.

The only one who could influence it.

Was Gu Xi, who possessed even higher prestige.

When the ministers saw Gu Xi again, they were almost all stunned.

Gu Xi had indeed reached the twilight of his years.

Now, his hair was as white as snow, and his face was covered in wrinkles.

But the only thing that had not changed was the unique temperament he carried, and his eyes, which remained as sharp as an eagle’s.

"Greetings, Grand Tutor." Liu Zhi spoke first, breaking the silence.

Immediately after, the ministers behind him bowed to Gu Xi one after another, saying in unison: "We pay our respects to the Grand Tutor!"

Liu Bao had left an edict in the past that when officials from all over saw Gu Xi, it was as if they were seeing him in person.

This was something everyone knew.

And even without such an edict, Gu Xi’s prestige would still make the ministers submit.

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

Liu Zhi hurriedly reached out to stop Gu Xi, saying earnestly: "The Grand Tutor is the pillar of our Great Han, and I am merely a child; how could I allow the Grand Tutor to bow?"

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

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

In fact, many people felt that the two emperors, Huan and Ling, were both complete muddle-headed rulers.

Not to mention Emperor Ling.

Just speaking of Emperor Huan of Han, Liu Zhi, in history.

Actually, when he first ascended the throne, his various actions could be called those of an enlightened ruler.

Being able to remove a powerful minister like Liang Ji, who had monopolized power for many years.

was enough to demonstrate his intellect.

And later, he also promoted policies such as light taxes and levies, rectifying the administration, and selecting the virtuous, attempting to restore the order of the court.

These measures all showed that he still had some ability.

It was just that he changed later on.

The current Liu Zhi was clearly in his wise period.

Liang Ji had been standing beside Liu Zhi the whole time, and he did not show any hostility toward Gu Xi.

He even looked at Gu Xi and said: "With the Grand Tutor returning to the court, our Great Han can be stable and worry-free."

He presented an appearance of being very welcoming of Gu Xi’s arrival.

Gu Xi’s expression remained calm, as serious and unsmiling as it had always been.

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

The moment she saw Gu Xi, Liang Na immediately revealed a look of joy, even standing up of her own accord, and exclaimed, "The Grand Tutor has returned to the capital."

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

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 subject pays his respects to the Empress Dowager."

"The Grand Tutor need not stand on ceremony."

Liang Na hurriedly waved her hand and said earnestly, "The Grand Tutor is an elder, and your contributions to our Great Han are beyond what I could ever achieve."

"How could I allow the Grand Tutor to bow to me?"

"Rest assured, Grand Tutor."

"Now that the Grand Tutor has returned to the capital, it shall be just as it was in the days of Empress He Xi; I will certainly follow the Grand Tutor’s will."

The confusion in Gu Xi’s eyes grew even more intense.

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

He could tell that Liang Na was absolutely not pretending.

This was somewhat beyond Gu Xi’s expectations.

Gu Xi did not say much more; having confirmed Liang Na’s attitude, he directly asked the question he cared about most.

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

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

Having already looked past life and death, how could he let the person behind the scenes go?

(End of chapter)