Chapter 53: Again Pacifying the Southwest Yi, Emperor Zhi Dies

Luoyang.

Gu Xi certainly would not watch the Han dynasty continue to weaken after seeing that Liu Zhi had no intention of summoning him to court.

He could only settle for a lesser solution, gradually devising several famine-relief strategies.

Gu Xi's expertise in this area was indeed profound.

His past experience in famine relief was no empty boast—he had once overseen relief efforts across the entire realm.

Although refugees now streamed endlessly, it still did not compare to the great disaster that once ravaged the Nine Provinces.

Although Liu Zhi had no intention of summoning Gu Xi to court, he still valued these strategies deeply.

But what could be done?

The fundamental cause of ineffective famine relief was the transformation of Han governance.

In this era, to fully implement imperial institutions at the local level, one must ensure clean and upright administration.

The profits from famine relief were simply too great.

In the past, Gu Xi had tightly monitored this very point, and only then had he stabilized the situation.

How could he possibly succeed now?

But this problem was no longer one Gu Xi could solve.

Since the day he left court.

His prestige had steadily declined, and with the successive deaths of the ministers most closely tied to him.

Added to the shift in imperial favor.

It was destined to create the very situation now prevailing.

Of course, the common people's reaction to this matter was indeed extremely strong.

The court's refusal to employ Gu Xi had left many deeply disappointed.

To the people of the four quarters, all believed that if Gu Xi appeared, they would no longer endure such suffering.

This was a legend passed down from their fathers, even their grandfathers.

How could they not believe it?

Yet the more this was true, the more resolute Liu Zhi became.

Of course, he understood he could not defy the will of the people.

And just then, news arrived in Luoyang that the Southwest Yi had rebelled once again.

And this time, Liu Zhi summoned Gu Xi directly.

Beigong.

Gu Xi walked slowly in, his gaze deep as a abyss, his face expressionless.

"Grand Tutor."

Before Gu Xi could bow, Liu Zhi rose hastily, stepped quickly forward, and reached out to support him, "Grand Tutor, you are advanced in years—forcing you to walk into the palace is my fault."

"Issue my edict: from now on, Grand Tutor may ride a carriage into the palace."

Gu Xi's face remained expressionless; he did not respond to Liu Zhi's words, but asked directly: "Does Your Majesty wish for this old man to campaign against the Southwest Yi?"

Liu Zhi paused slightly, then smiled: "I knew I could never deceive Grand Tutor."

"Grand Tutor."

"I recall you once campaigned against the Southwest Yi under Emperor Jingping."

"The Xianbei, Southern Xiongnu, and other barbarians feared you as they would a tiger."

"I believe the Southwest Yi will be the same."

"I wonder, Grand Tutor—"

He did not finish, yet his meaning was clear.

"This old man will go to war," Gu Xi replied without hesitation, his tone firm.

Throughout, his expression never changed, as if he had long anticipated this.

"Good! Good!" Liu Zhi nodded repeatedly, his smile broadening, "With Grand Tutor leading the troops, I am at peace."

"I shall hold a banquet in Luoyang to welcome your triumphant return—when that day comes—"

Before he could finish, Gu Xi's aged but steady voice interrupted him.

"This old man only hopes to die upon the battlefield."

Liu Zhi froze, his expression stiffening.

Gu Xi bowed to him, said no more, and turned away slowly.

How could he not see Liu Zhi's intentions?

Power ultimately changes a man.

Liu Hu once was so; Liu Zhi now is the same.

Watching Gu Xi's retreating figure, Su Kang hurried forward, indignant: "How can Grand Tutor show such disrespect to Your Majesty?"

"Enough, enough," Liu Zhi said, now devoid of his usual anger, only sighing deeply, "Grand Tutor has served the state with merit—he is not like others."

Su Kang's expression changed instantly; he bowed his head quickly: "This old servant spoke foolishly—please punish me, Your Majesty."

Liu Zhi did not even glance at him; he stared at the palace gate, murmuring to himself: "If Grand Tutor truly dies upon this campaign—"

"I shall grant him the golden-threaded jade burial suit."

"Let his funeral rival that of the late Wu Hou."

His eyes were deeply complex, mingling sorrow and anticipation.

Hearing this, Su Kang trembled involuntarily.

The golden-threaded jade burial suit in the Han dynasty was reserved solely for the Emperor!

But he thought of Gu Xi's merits.

Yet he had nothing to say.

——Yanxi Year 14, fourth month.

At seventy-six years of age, Gu Xi left Luoyang once more.

The news spread like a gale across all corners of the land.

Liu Zhi's move had indeed successfully diverted the grievances of the displaced masses from all directions.

In truth, the common people of this era were still very simple.

As long as they were given a glimmer of hope, they could endure.

Most crucially, for these displaced people,

they did not worry whether Gu Xi would die on the battlefield.

People only believe what they want to believe.

In their hearts, Gu Xi was a god sent from heaven.

As long as he had not yet solved their life-and-death dilemma, he could not possibly die.

Under these circumstances, though the displaced masses from all directions grew ever more numerous, no great chaos erupted.

Although the eunuchs within the court grew bolder and more reckless,

they were not entirely without sense; they understood how to leave the people a thread of survival, lest they drive the displaced to utter despair.

But to Gu Xi, these displaced masses from all directions meant something entirely different.

He had walked from the peak of Han's glory to this day.

He had witnessed its former splendor, and thus understood its present decay.

Most crucially—

The news of his return to command spread far faster than his journey.

Along this road, refugees had come specifically to kneel before his carriage from every direction.

Some even dared to shout aloud across the land.

"Grand Tutor, save us!"

"Grandmaster Gu, save us! Our whole family cannot go on living!"

"Immortal! My son is dead—I cannot lose my grandson too. He is our only heir. Save us!"

"Immortal! Our family has never ceased offerings to the Ji Shen. Immortal… save my child!"

"."

Heart-wrenching cries rose from every corner of Han.

Gu Xi grew increasingly silent and withdrawn.

From then on, whenever he passed through a region, he would linger longer, to intimidate local officials and powerful clans.

This did have some effect.

But clearly, it did not address the root cause.

Under the current situation, the central army of the court could certainly not be mobilized again.

Gu Xi could only call upon the troops of the prefectures and commanderies to fight this war.

Yet Gu Xi's renown—even among foreign tribes—still held power, let alone among the Southwest Yi?

Qiongdu.

This time, Gu Xi did not even lead his troops directly.

He merely sent messengers to deliver word.

He wished to invite the chieftains of the Ailao King, the Qiongdu King, and the Dian King to gather together.

Had it been any other man, this would have been impossible.

——But this was Gu Xi!

His legends among the barbarian tribes were numerous.

In these tribes, it was said he possessed the power to "manipulate the human heart."

No matter who one was, he could see through their innermost thoughts and exploit them.

These were legends passed down through generations.

No one doubted them.

Under these circumstances, the three tribal chieftains actually came.

When they met Gu Xi,

though they appeared fierce and terrifying, their eyes revealed a trace of fear.

"Grand Tutor, you are already so old—why must you leave to command troops again?"

The current Qiongdu King looked bewildered, even a hint of despair on his face.

What he truly wanted to ask was, "Why aren't you dead yet?"

But he was afraid.

Gu Xi's aura now was truly terrifying.

Though his hair was entirely white and his face creased with wrinkles, he radiated an aura of silent authority.

Coupled with the legends that had spread, they could not help but fear him.

The other two kings immediately nodded, their expressions deeply complex.

Gu Xi did not answer directly; he merely gestured to the mats around him and said softly, "Sit."

The three hesitated, instinctively glancing at one another.

No matter what, they are tribal chieftains.

Since they've come, how could they dare not sit?

For these three men.

Gu Xi could never have killed them using such a method, or it would have sparked greater rebellion.

The three sat down in turn.

Gu Xi looked at them and smiled faintly, finally answering their questions: "If not for your rebellion, why would I need to command troops?"

"Tell me, why did you rebel?"

Throughout, Gu Xi's tone remained utterly calm, as if discussing a trivial, ordinary matter.

Yet even faced with such disregard,

none of the three tribal chieftains showed the slightest anger.

Upon hearing this, they exchanged glances, then spoke one after another.

"Hmph! Your Han dynasty has oppressed us too much!"

"Grand Tutor, do you still remember the pact you made with my grandfather? Why, over these years, has the Han broken its word and imposed brutal levies upon our tribe?"

"Indeed! Over these years, Han officials have extorted and oppressed our people too cruelly!"

"They even disrespected our tribe's gods."

"."

The three spoke in turn, voicing their grievances over these past years.

In short, Han officials had grown increasingly oppressive these past years, leaving them no means to survive, forcing them to unite in rebellion.

This is precisely the root cause behind these barbarians' frequent rebellions.

When Gu Xi came previously to quell the unrest, he had already perceived this.

So he established a more suitable system.

For years, no disturbances arose.

Until recently, this balance began to unravel.

Gu Xi listened very attentively.

Gu Xi listened extremely attentively; after the three finished speaking, he nodded slightly: "You may lead your tribes away. I will see justice done for you."

"From now on, as long as I live,

everything shall remain as it was in the old pact."

His expression remained as calm as still water.

Upon hearing this, the three tribal chieftains all frowned deeply.

Seeing they said nothing, Gu Xi asked again: "What? Do you intend to wage war against me?"

The three instantly averted their eyes, as if by instinct.

Qiongdu Wang hesitated, then asked again: "Grand Tutor, are you serious?"

"I never lie," Gu Xi replied firmly.

Upon hearing this, the three all exhaled in relief.

They finally made their decision.

Immediately, they rose and bowed to Gu Xi according to their own customs.

"Very well. If so, we trust the Grand Tutor."

Saying this, the three departed in turn.

Gu Xi would not break his word; soon after, he traveled to the commanderies nearest to each of the three tribes.

Perhaps because he had heard the people's suffering along the way, his anger could not be contained.

This time, Gu Xi erupted.

In the three commanderies, he investigated the matter thoroughly, then launched a large-scale purge.

He arrested all officials who had extorted and tyrannized the commanderies and states.

The news spread widely.

It shocked the entire realm!

The common people cheered wildly, shouting toward Yizhou: "The Immortal has finally come to save us!"

But for Liu Zhi in Luoyang, this was no good thing.

Luoyang.

Within the Northern Palace.

"Why!" Liu Zhi slammed his desk violently, his face twisted in fury as he screamed, "Why won't he die!"

He dissuaded the three allied tribes before battle even began; he holds no real power yet can purge local officials.

Any move he makes draws the attention of the entire realm.

The very thing he feared most has finally come to pass.

Gu Xi's prestige has far surpassed that of this Emperor.

In truth, Liu Zhi still had feelings for Gu Xi.

But imperial power is ultimately selfish.

He could not gamble his imperial authority on the future.

What if, after his death, future emperors prove weak? Any instability could allow scholars to seize power.

Even if Gu Xi himself would not do so, what then?

Throughout history, how many ministers like Gu Xi have ever appeared?

How could he not consider these things?

Most crucially, Liu Zhi suddenly felt fear.

Perhaps due to his excessive indulgence in pleasure, over these two years he had gradually come to feel his body growing increasingly weak.

——This was a very clear sensation.

Long-term indulgence had utterly drained his body.

Yet to this day, he still had no heir.

Yes, even though his harem numbered a full ten thousand, Liu Zhi still had no heir.

Only three daughters.

The court had already erupted into heated debate over this matter.

This forced Liu Zhi to take it seriously.

If he were to suddenly meet with misfortune,

all the court balance he had painstakingly maintained would surely be overturned in an instant.

The eunuchs, without him as their shield,

could they possibly be the scholars' match?

As for Gu Xi—would he help the eunuchs?

Liu Zhi grew panicked.

Besides ordering imperial physicians to nourish his body, he also proclaimed a new era name: "Yongkang," attempting to restore his health in every possible way.

But all of it proved in vain.

Perhaps due to psychological effects, Liu Zhi instead felt his health worsening further.

His temper grew increasingly volatile.

The imperial physicians aiding him were successively executed.

Neither eunuchs nor scholars could elicit so much as a smile from him.

In the sixth month of Yongkang's first year, another edict was sent from Luoyang to all corners.

——Summon the sons of regional princes to the capital.

The moment this decree was issued, the entire realm trembled!

The signal behind this order was far too obvious.

The Emperor is dying!

Contrary to before, the common people were not surprised.

After all, Liu Zhi's refusal to employ Gu Xi had long drawn public criticism, with many calling it divine retribution.

But the court ministers could not ignore this matter.

Immediately, memorials were submitted urging that Gu Xi be recalled to Luoyang without delay.

In today's realm,

the Emperor's death and Gu Xi's regency had become common knowledge to all.

But how could Liu Zhi possibly agree?

Once Gu Xi entered court, the political balance he had so fiercely built would shatter instantly.

If Gu Xi were then to meet with misfortune,

this power would surely be seized by the scholars.

This was the Burden Accepted he could not bear.

Precisely because of this, Liu Zhi suppressed all voices and decisively established the Crown Prince's position.

He named Liu Hong, son of Liu Shu, Marquis of Jiedu Pavilion, as Crown Prince.

And he began working to build up the prince's foundations.

Liu Zhi indeed had great experience with this.

After many years, he had become the very role once held by Gu Xi—protecting and guiding Crown Prince Liu Hong.

These years had not seen all scholars oppose the eunuchs; faced with this new prince lacking any base, none would refuse.

Yet Liu Zhi did not forget the eunuchs.

He did not hand over his trusted eunuchs to Liu Hong, but made Liu Hong cultivate his own.

Naturally, someone sent letters about all this to Gu Xi.

But Gu Xi was still in Yizhou—how could he receive news directly?

And most crucially, Gu Xi no longer cared about these matters.

It seemed that all he had seen and heard on this journey had led Gu Xi to contemplate the root causes of the current situation.

He began to slow his pace, observing the people's conditions across the land.

Through this series of inquiries,

he thought of land consolidation.

Then he recalled the land survey policies enacted by Emperor Guangwu, Emperor Ming, and others of old.

He even began to consider more detailed plans.

These included restrictions on powerful clans and aid for the common people.

He sought to resolve Han's problems at their very root!

This was not yet complete—perhaps because he was thinking too far ahead, he picked up the words spoken by Gu Wei in childhood.

He began to seriously consider the possibility of this.

This was a tremendous advancement!

Gu Yi was deeply shaken by this; to a modern person, such a thing was naturally not worth mentioning.

But for Gu Xi, who lived within the constraints of his historical era,

such a leap in thought was as difficult as climbing to heaven!

Could Gu Xi save the Han?

Not necessarily.

Whether it was land surveying, or any of the other ideas he later conceived,

none of these things could be accomplished in his time.

But if Gu Xi had truly raised this matter, might it have caused a massive shift in later institutional development?

Everything remained unknown.

But clearly, everything he was doing now would inevitably trigger a fundamental transformation.

And before Gu Xi had even returned to Luoyang,

in the second year of Yongkang, on the day Dingchou of the eighth month;

——Liu Zhi died in Luoyang.

Crown Prince Liu Hong ascended the throne and changed the era name to "Jianning".

(End of Chapter)