Chapter 84: Gu Chen Enters Luoyang, Never Letting Go of His High Aspirations

The situation changed completely.

The news of Yuan Shao’s defeat and death in Bohai surged across the four corners of the world like a tidal wave.

In an instant, the four seas were in an uproar.

Henei.

Although the fighting in Jizhou was extremely intense, the battlefield that everyone in the world cared about most right now was still Henei.

—This was the foundation of the Great Han!

And among them, there was Gu Chen, the most dazzling presence among the current Gu Shizi.

Gu Chen had already captured several cities in succession.

But compared to the past, this offensive was not particularly smooth.

This was not to say that Gu Chen’s strength had weakened.

It was simply because for the noble clans in the capital region, they had reached a desperate situation and were forced to exhaust all their strength.

So many top noble clans had joined forces.

Coupled with the fact that Yuan Shu had also poured out all his strength, this naturally affected Gu Chen’s offensive.

But as the news from Jizhou arrived.

This stalemate finally began to shift.

—First, the current Grand Tutor Yuan Kui vomited blood upon hearing the news in court and died in his mansion that very night.

And following his sudden death.

The Yuan clan’s control over the capital region instantly weakened.

Even if Yuan Shu’s forces were still in the capital region, they could not avoid the turmoil in people’s hearts.

Compared to Yuan Shao.

Although Yuan Shu was also a regional warlord with no small amount of strength.

His personality destined him to never have the absolute trust of the noble clans.

Human hearts are fickle—

These opportunistic noble clans had already developed rifts due to their interests, and under these circumstances, their minds finally became active again.

Of course, it was impossible for them to bow to Gu Chen.

Even if Gu Chen agreed not to make things difficult for them, they would not fully trust him.

And under these circumstances.

Someone finally set their sights on Cao Cao.

Cao Cao was no longer the warlord ignored by everyone.

Although he had campaigned against Yuan Shao together with Liu Bei, perhaps because this battle was primarily fought in Yanzhou.

His reputation as the Governor of Yanzhou was even greater.

The most critical point was that Cao Cao had personally destroyed Yuan Shao.

Moreover, compared to Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu, Cao Cao’s current strength could definitely be called the number one warlord in the world, which could indeed bring a sense of security to these noble clans.

Immediately, quite a few people went to see Cao Cao.

As for the method used, it was naturally the old routine of the noble clans.

—Bribery!

It was just that compared to the past.

This time, perhaps because the situation was too severe, they paid an even greater price.

Among them, the Xun clan of Yingchuan even mentioned two people.

Liu Bian and Liu Xie.

This was absolutely a massive temptation.

Clearly, they intended to completely abandon this so-called Son of Heaven, Liu Dai.

Gu Chen did not care at all about the schemes within Luoyang.

He would naturally not miss this opportunity of wavering hearts and attacked Henei with all his might.

These noble clans had guessed correctly.

He was destined not to let these people go.

Gu Chen was someone who even dared to poison the Empress Dowager He; those so-called unwritten rules and regulations were of no use to him.

—The eighth year of Han Prosperity, April.

Gu Chen led his army to successively capture Ye Wang and Zhi County.

The spearhead pointed directly at Huai County and Mengjin Pass.

Luoyang was in imminent danger.

At the same time, Cao Cao had also completely stabilized the entire Jizhou and Youzhou.

His mastery over people’s hearts was definitely far superior to Yuan Shao’s.

First, he executed all those who were loyal to Yuan Shao to demonstrate his might.

Then, after performing rites for the Gu clan.

Cao Cao opened the granaries to distribute food and implemented the military agricultural colony system on a large scale in Jizhou, showing his benevolent side.

Even when facing those noble clans who had helped Yuan Shao in the past, he let it all slide.

Those who were once loyal to Yuan Shao.

As long as they had ability, he gave them important positions without exception.

Under these various measures, there was absolutely no turmoil in the entire Jizhou.

As for Youzhou, Cao Cao did the same.

The difference was that he sent troops to guard the borders and maintained a very firm attitude toward the Wuhuan and Xianbei.

Regarding the war in Henei, Cao Cao never expressed any stance from beginning to end.

He even suppressed the desire of his subordinates to request an attack on Yuzhou.

He focused wholeheartedly on stabilizing the hearts of the people in Jizhou, Youzhou, and Yanzhou.

This was the brilliance of Cao Cao.

His mind was no longer what it had been, wanting to be a General Conquering the West of the Great Han.

And under these circumstances.

The envoys sent by the noble clans also arrived in Jizhou one after another and met with Cao Cao.

Inside Ye City.

Listening to the conditions stated by the envoy, Cao Cao was stunned for a moment, and the look in his eyes suddenly became complex.

Liu Bian and Liu Xie?

He naturally understood what these two people represented.

The rumors that Liu Dai lacked the Mandate of Heaven had never ceased, and Liu Bian and Liu Xie were the sons of Emperor Ling.

As long as he could obtain these two.

In an instant, he could re-establish a Great Han imperial court.

And with his current strength, once the court was re-established, he would be enough to become a figure like Gu Xi of the past.

One man holding the power of the world!

This was absolutely a tempting condition; any warlord in the world would likely have agreed to this immediately.

But Cao Cao did not agree to this directly.

This was not because he feared Gu Chen.

He was just waiting;

He needed to let these noble clans bleed.

To ensure that he could control everyone.

At the same time, he wanted to use this opportunity to exhaust the strength of both Gu Chen and Yuan Shu.

This was a pure open conspiracy.

It was using the grand trend to make every choice favorable to oneself.

Of course, Cao Cao was also very clear.

Doing this was destined to create a grudge with Gu Chen.

But what of it?

When the ambition in a person’s heart is gradually magnified, wanting to stop again is undoubtedly a fool’s dream.

Having reached today.

He had clearly become the number one warlord in the world.

To say that Cao Cao still only wanted to be a mere General Conquering the West, how could that be possible?

A capable minister in a peaceful time, a hero in a chaotic time.

—That is exactly what Cao Cao is!

Of course, for Cao Cao, if Gu Chen could support him.

He could also help Gu Chen kill these noble clans.

But before that, no matter what, he had to let Gu Chen’s strength weaken!

The great battle in Henei continued incessantly.

Even under normal circumstances, these noble clans and Yuan Shu could barely hold back Gu Chen’s advance, let alone during such a time of social upheaval.

——The eighth year of Han Prosperity, June.

Gu Chen completely breached Huaixian, the central military command of Henei, and beheaded several of Yuan Shu’s top generals, including Zhang Xun and Le Jiu.

Cities such as Xiuwu and Wuzhi surrendered one after another upon hearing of his approach.

The entire Henei Commandery was completely lost.

Sun Ce fled to Jiangdong, and all of Yuan Shu’s forces retreated to the lands of Yuzhou.

Subsequently, after a brief rest, Gu Chen marched his troops to Mengjin, just one step away from Luoyang.

Everyone was in total despair.

Under these circumstances, those noble clans had no choice but to continue bowing their heads.

They were willing to abandon all the privileges granted by Liu Dai.

They were even willing to heed Cao Cao’s words and relocate their entire clans to Yanzhou.

This was undoubtedly a massive concession.

The greatest strength of these families lay in their many years of cultivation.

Relocating to Yanzhou.

Was destined to cause a massive decline in their power.

But what else could they do?

Once Gu Chen stormed into Luoyang, only death awaited them.

Rely on Yuan Shu?

Even Yuan Shao had been defeated by Cao Cao; how much longer could Yuan Shu hold out?

Would Gu Chen spare the Yuan clan?

Or would Cao Cao sit idly by while Yuan Shu continued to act with impunity in the Yu and Yang regions, constantly threatening his Yanzhou?

As for the other warlords.

Not to mention that distant water cannot quench a near thirst.

Apart from Cao Cao, the only person in the world currently worthy of their attention was Liu Bei.

But Liu Bei was not having an easy time either.

Lu Bu had launched a surprise attack on Qingzhou, capturing several cities in succession.

If not for Liu Bei’s decisiveness.

The entire Qingzhou might have already fallen into Lu Bu’s hands by now.

For these noble clans, the only one who could save their lives now was Cao Cao!

And Cao Cao also seemed to feel that the time had come.

He specifically sent men to invite Gu Chen, wishing to meet with him.

But Gu Chen flatly refused.

The reason was also very simple.

It was that Cao Cao was overly suspicious.

Gu Chen was no stranger to Cao Cao; back in Luoyang, Yuan Shao, Yuan Shu, and Cao Cao had all had dealings with the Gu Shizi.

Gu Wei already possessed some ability to judge people, and Cao Cao’s character had long since been discerned by him.

He would never tolerate Gu Chen retaining his current strength.

To join forces with Cao Cao at this time.

Not to mention what the future of the Gu clan would be under someone as suspicious as Cao Cao?

Most importantly, this move would be equivalent to entrusting everything to Cao Cao.

The world might be pacified quickly.

But what of Gu Xi’s unfinished legacy?

If everything were handed over, once Cao Cao swept across the world, his prestige would be overwhelming.

Would the Gu clan really have a chance to choose by then?

Many things had already had their endings determined invisibly long ago.

No one could change them.

Watching all this, Gu Yi’s heart was also somewhat conflicted.

Gu Chen had rejected Cao Cao!

Although the two had not yet openly broken ties, this already signaled his stance.

In fact, Gu Yi had long had a premonition of this.

After all, Gu Xi’s experiences in his later years were there for all to see.

A warlord with a suspicious nature like Cao Cao would never be appreciated by the Gu Shizi.

But when it truly happened, Gu Yi also felt somewhat unsettled.

This was going against the heavens!

The difficulty of what he had to do far exceeded that of Gu Xi back then.

Because if he wanted to succeed, he had to completely change a segment of established history!

The difficulty of this could be imagined.

After hesitating for a moment, Gu Yi ultimately gave up on settling Gu Xi’s achievements and chose to directly control Gu Chen’s decisions.

Going with the flow might save the Gu clan from many crises.

But do not forget, in this game spanning thousands of years, how could the Gu clan avoid facing crises?

Now that the Gu clan had reached this point, why must they follow the flow?

In the history where the Gu clan did not appear, there would be the "Five Barbarians Invading China and the sinking of Shenzhou"; now that the Gu clan had risen, if Shenzhou were still to sink.

Then wouldn’t the Gu clan’s rise have been in vain?

This was perhaps something fused into the blood of every Chinese person.

Now that there was an opportunity to change all this, how could Gu Yi choose to intervene forcibly and let the Gu clan continue to go with the flow?

The Gu clan had produced generations of heroes, all for the family and for the world.

How could he, as a descendant, lose the face of the Gu clan now?

And for the Gu clan.

If they could truly change all this, the benefits it would bring would also be unimaginable.

When Cao Cao learned of Gu Chen’s choice, his expression was also very complex.

It was a mix of regret and the peace of mind that comes when a major matter is settled.

Gu Chen had guessed correctly.

For a man like Cao Cao, ever since his mindset and status had changed, Gu Chen’s existence had always been like a thorn.

He had been hesitating about how to treat Gu Chen.

Now, he finally did not need to hesitate anymore.

Of course, he would certainly not go to war with Gu Chen directly at such a time; he merely agreed to the requests of those noble clans.

——The situation in Luoyang changed drastically.

When Liu Dai learned that the noble clans in the court were fleeing to Yanzhou one after another.

He was in total despair.

"Grand Tutor, my beloved ministers, why do you abandon your Emperor and flee?"

Liu Dai wept bitterly in the court, staring intently at everyone present: "What exactly have I done wrong?"

"When have I ever failed you, my beloved ministers?"

"Why must you all abandon me and leave!"

His face was full of sorrow, and his tone was incomparably frantic.

Although he was wearing the dragon robe.

Where was there any trace of an Emperor left in him?

"Hmph!"

As soon as he finished speaking, someone immediately let out a sneer of disdain: "Is Your Majesty blaming us?"

"Was it us who caused Your Majesty to lose the Imperial Jade Seal?"

Hearing this, Liu Dai’s expression stiffened, but he still spoke, unwilling to give up: "My beloved ministers, though I may lack the Mandate of Heaven, I have never failed you."

"Even if you must leave... you must take me with you!"

As he spoke, he ran down from the dais and rushed to the feet of Grand Tutor Yang Biao, kneeling down: "Grand Tutor, save me, please save me!"

He wore a look of desperate pleading.

Seeing this, a look of disgust immediately appeared on Yang Biao’s face.

For days, these noble clans had been living in anxiety, their moods heavy.

Seeing this scene at this moment.

The disdain for Liu Dai in their hearts finally erupted completely.

Without a shred of pity, he kicked Liu Dai away.

"A person like you is not fit to be a ruler!"

Yang Biao cursed and flicked his sleeves, walking away.

"If Your Majesty truly does not wish to lose face, you should commit suicide to apologize to the nation."

The others present were also filled with disdain, shaking their heads as they walked out one after another.

Seeing this scene, Liu Dai collapsed completely onto the ground.

He stared blankly at everyone's retreating backs.

In his eyes, there was both endless regret and utter despair.

People left Luoyang one after another.

Unlike the panicked noble clans.

The common people within the entire city of Luoyang felt not a shred of fear; on the contrary, they were quite excited.

—After nearly ten years, the Gu family was returning once again!

This gave rise to hope in the hearts of them all.

Even though they were in Luoyang, the lives of these common people were still not easy.

To this day.

Only the name of the Gu family could reawaken their hope for the future.

Liu Dai had become completely isolated.

From the noble clans down to the common folk.

Everyone had completely forgotten him, the Emperor.

And he did not have the courage of Yuan Shao; he did not even have the guts to commit suicide and stain the ground with his blood.

Even when all the noble clans had withdrawn from Luoyang, a sense of wishful thinking grew in his heart.

What if he took the initiative to open the city gates and welcome Gu Chen into the capital?

If Gu Chen saw him like this, might he spare his life?

For Liu Dai, this thought was like a ray of light in the dark night.

People have always been this way.

Even if he felt that this was likely a pipe dream, he could not help but try every possible way to convince himself.

Under these circumstances,

The eight passes of Luoyang, including Luoyang itself, had their city gates thrown wide open.

Liu Dai, wearing his dragon robe, personally led countless commoners to wait before the city of Luoyang to welcome Gu Chen, elevating all etiquette to the highest level.

This scene was just like when Liu Bao welcomed Gu Xi back to the capital in the past.

But everything had changed after all.

Listening to the waves of music and singing, Gu Chen’s expression remained unchanged.

He first looked at the Luoyang city that was both familiar and strange, then looked at the countless commoners, and finally rested his gaze on the fawning Liu Dai.

"The General of the West has returned to the capital; my heart is at ease."

The smile on Liu Dai’s face became increasingly fawning as he stared intently at Gu Chen: "The Gu family is the pillar of our Great Han; today, the General of the West has returned to the capital."

"I must personally lead the horse for the General."

He spoke to himself.

After speaking, without waiting for Gu Chen’s reaction, he immediately rushed forward to help Gu Chen lead his horse into the city.

—But the moment he reached the front of Gu Chen.

Gu Chen did not hesitate at all, directly raising his spear and aiming it at Liu Dai’s neck.

In an instant, Liu Dai felt a chill.

"General!"

His expression changed abruptly, his body trembling uncontrollably: "What does the General of the West mean by this? I... I just wanted to lead the horse for the General."

"Liu Dai has usurped the state!"

Gu Chen did not look at Liu Dai, but instead looked at the stunned commoners and shouted loudly: "Causing chaos in the world and leaving the people in misery."

"Returning to the capital today is not to see the ruler, but to eliminate a traitor."

"Liu Dai did not receive the Mandate of Heaven and usurped the state."

"Betraying his ancestors, betraying the nation, and betraying the people of the world—today, I shall execute him!"

Having said this, he waved his hand.

Several men immediately rushed out and stripped the dragon robe off Liu Dai.

Liu Dai was completely dumbfounded.

All his fantasies were shattered at this moment.

He knelt on the ground, looking up at the figure who remained mounted on his horse, unable to stop himself from wailing and begging for mercy.

"General, I was wrong... No... it is this subject who was wrong."

"This subject was bewitched by those people; it was those people who misled me."

"I beg the General to spare my life for the sake of my being a member of the Imperial Clan!!!"

He wept bitterly, lacking even the strength to stand up.

At this moment, Gu Chen and Liu Dai formed a stark contrast.

After a brief moment of shock.

The commoners from all directions finally reacted, and as one person spoke first, the next moment, waves of shouting gradually rose up.

"Eliminate the traitor!!!"

"Eliminate the traitor!!!"

"Eliminate the traitor!!!"

How can one who does not hold the Mandate of Heaven be a ruler?

At this moment, everyone transferred the resentment they had held for years onto Liu Dai.

Gu Chen’s gaze finally fell upon Liu Dai, and amidst Liu Dai’s desperate eyes, he swung his silver spear, instantly piercing through Liu Dai’s neck.

With a "thud"!

Fresh blood surged forth.

Gu Chen’s expression remained unchanged; he snatched a long sword from a nearby armored soldier and spoke again:

"In the past, Wang Mang usurped the state and caused chaos in the world; after his death, his head was hung in the street for all to see."

"It is the same today!"

After speaking, he dismounted with his sword and cut off Liu Dai’s head!

The ninth year of Hanxing, the fourth month;

Gu Chen returned to Luoyang and declared the crimes of the false emperor before the masses.

The false emperor Liu Dai was executed before the people of Luoyang.

——————

"In the spring of the eighth year of Hanxing, Gu Chen set out from Henei in the name of suppressing rebellion, capturing several cities in succession.

In the sixth month, he fought the army of Yuan Shu at Huaixian.

In this battle, the Yuan army's vanguard commanders Zhang Xun and Le Jiu relied on their bravery and advanced recklessly; Chen laid an ambush of elite cavalry in the field, waiting for them to cross the river halfway before attacking, slaying Xun and Jiu under their horses, and the Yuan army was routed.

Chen pressed his advantage and advanced, his blades pointing directly at Luoyang; at that time, the false emperor Liu Dai held the palace, but many ministers in the court were secretly in contact with the Yanzhou Governor Cao Cao, secretly transporting grain and supplies, and covertly withdrawing city defenses.

On the Bingyin day of the fourth month of the ninth year, Chen led his army into Luoyang, and the people welcomed him on the road with food and drink.

Arriving before the Vermilion Bird Gate, Chen stood on his horse and held his spear, pointing at Liu Dai and shouting: 'You are but a distant branch of the Imperial Clan; not thinking to maintain your integrity, you instead performed the act of usurpation like Wang Mang!'

'You destroyed the foundation of the High Ancestor, severed the sacrificial lineage of the Guangwu Emperor, caused the world to boil over, and left white bones covering the fields.'

'Today, I act in accordance with Heaven to punish the traitor; I shall use your blood to sacrifice to the Han tripod!'

His voice was like thunder, and the masses gathered around; the sound of their cries was like a tide, and the roar of 'Execute the false emperor' shook the city walls.

Before Liu Dai could argue, Chen spurred his horse forward, pierced his chest with his spear, then drew his sword to sever his head, hanging it on the lintel of the city gate; blood splashed onto the blue stone, and the sunlight dimmed because of it."

—"Records of Heroes at the End of the Han, Gu Chen Chapter"

(End of chapter)