Chapter 1163: Fan Zhi Passes Away; the Emperor Falls Ill

In the winter of the fifth year of Kaibao, while a funeral was being held in the Western Capital, Luoyang, the Eastern Capital, Kaifeng, was likewise holding a grand mourning ceremony, and one with even greater impact. Thus, the one who failed to survive this winter was none other than Duke Xingguo, Fan Zhi.

Over the years, many moral exemplars who fit the values of the era had emerged in the Great Han court, and Fan Zhi was a representative figure among them. Incorruptible, upright, and honest, he was a man of integrity and moral fiber.

And while equally strict with himself, compared to Duke Yanguo, Wang Pu, Fan Zhi had a far better reputation and was more well-liked. The main reason was that Fan Zhi did not forcibly impose his own standards on others.

Fan Zhi's achievements were concentrated mainly in the first decade of the Qianyou era. That was a magnificent and turbulent age, and Fan Zhi served as chancellor for ten years, accompanying Emperor Liu through difficulties the whole way, governing the state, and marching toward peace and unification.

Although during this process, the conservative Fan Zhi was not always of one mind with Emperor Liu—there were no few contradictions and even more debates, and in the end, due to incompatible political philosophies, he was demoted and cast out of court—Emperor Liu always acknowledged Fan Zhi's political standing and achievements. The title of Duke Xingguo was the most conspicuous recognition.

Even in the later period of his political career, he still helped Emperor Liu rectify the atmosphere in Huaixi and stabilize the Two Jiangs. Now that he was gone, with the coffin lid sealed and the verdict rendered, Emperor Liu gave Fan Zhi a fair and lofty posthumous reputation.

He had Xue Juzheng write the spirit-path stele inscription, sent Minister of Rites Liu Wensou to preside over the funeral, and had Crown Prince Liu Yang and the Emperor's third son, Duke of Jin Liu Xi, represent him in offering condolences. He posthumously conferred the titles of Grand Preceptor and Director of State Affairs, and the posthumous name was set as Wensu.

As if mirroring Fan Zhi's incorruptibility, the grand Duke Xingguo mansion was likewise simple and unadorned—whether the gate or the gardens, the layout seemed small and even crude. There were so many mourners that space was insufficient, and people even had to queue in long lines.

However, even with Fan Zhi's strict frugality, the Fan family could not be called poor. Fan Zhi was not like Liu Wensou, who would refuse even the Emperor's rewards; with the annual noble stipend and his household management style, the Fan mansion could live in comfort. Since this was the Eastern Capital, many nobles, high officials, and subordinates came in person, but the most eye-catching were the two imperial princes.

The mourning hall was elevated, the scene solemn. Under the intentional or unintentional gazes of many, Liu Yang and Liu Xi respectfully paid their respects before Fan Zhi's coffin. Then they looked at Fan Min, who was dressed in mourning white and keeping vigil before the spirit. Fan Min returned the salute.

Fan Min was around thirty years old, the only son of Fan Zhi. He appeared honest and steady, held the office of Bureau Director of Expenditure, was a capable financial official, and was versed in both civil and martial arts, having even served as a guard in the palace. There was no doubt that the one to inherit the Duke Xingguo title would be this man.

"The dead are gone! Please restrain your grief!" Liu Yang said to him. "His Majesty says that Duke Fan was his good teacher and helpful friend, and he will surely be enshrined in the Hall of Meritorious Ministers!"

"I thank His Majesty!" Fan Min's sorrowful tone carried gratitude.

The brothers Liu Yang did not stay long at the Fan mansion. After paying their respects, they returned to the palace to report. No one dared make noise inside the mourning hall, but outside, there was no shortage of discussion.

"Another of the Twenty-Four Ministers of Qianyou is gone!" Someone sighed, both lamenting the passing of a worthy minister and carrying a trace of nostalgia and remembrance for the Qianyou era.

Of the Twenty-Four Ministers of Qianyou, nine were civil officials. Now only Wei Renpu, Xue Juzheng, Li Gu, and Li Shaoyou remained—half had already passed away, and in just five years' time.

Most people are nostalgic. As time flows on, those who came through the previous era always have endless emotions about the past, whether of glory or regret. And Fan Zhi, as a landmark figure representing the previous era, most easily stirred people's sighs.

Of course, those who yearned for the past were ultimately a minority; most people looked forward. And amid the discussions, the most attention-grabbing was the comparison with the funeral of the Duke of Yingguo's family in the Western Capital.

In this world, there are never a shortage of gossip-mongers. This time, they were curious about which one Emperor Liu valued more—Guo Rong or Fan Zhi.

Most people leaned toward Guo Rong, because his power was greater, and moreover, Guo Rong had only lost his father, yet Emperor Liu sent the eldest prince to offer condolences in person. But when Fan Zhi himself passed away, he only sent the Crown Prince and the Duke of Jin.

Then they discussed Emperor Liu's attitude. One had to know that Fan Zhi was in the capital, yet Emperor Liu did not honor him with a personal visit. Some compared him to Duke Yanguo, Wang Pu—after all, when Wang Pu was dying of illness back then, Emperor Liu personally visited him in his sickness and also came in person to mourn.

And this time, although he was likewise treated with generous posthumous honors, the Emperor stayed in the palace without making any gesture. This naturally invited speculation from the curious, and so Fan Zhi's standing dropped another notch...

Of course, there was a reason Emperor Liu did not personally go to the Fan mansion—a very direct reason. He was also ill, with an illness similar to the Empress's, the elder Lady Fu's: caused by excessive toil and worry, compounded by depression, and the body he had overextended in the past was now exacting its due toll.

Over the years, Emperor Liu had not been free of illness—colds, fevers, headaches—those had occurred. But this time, it was a serious illness, and once stricken, he could hardly rise. Yet the illness was not surprising, for in his earlier years, Emperor Liu had pushed himself too hard.

The Emperor, who rarely fell seriously ill, suddenly being unwell was a major matter. To stabilize the court situation and prevent unrest among the people, Emperor Liu ordered the news sealed. Only a few knew of it; everyone else was unaware, and even many of the consorts in the harem did not know.

Though the Crown Prince and the chancellors of the Hall of State Affairs oversaw state affairs, that was with Emperor Liu watching from behind. If Emperor Liu suddenly had a problem, it would be hard to avoid turmoil and upheaval.

The elder Lady Fu's illness had not fully recovered, so the one attending at the imperial bed, carefully nursing him, was Noble Consort Gao.

When Liu Yang and Liu Xi came to report, Emperor Liu was leaning against a round pillow, and Noble Consort Gao was personally administering his medicine, spoonful by spoonful, mouthful by mouthful. It was plainly visible that Emperor Liu looked much weaker, and he did not deliberately put on a spirited appearance to seem strong.

"What a pity! I couldn't see Fan Zhi one last time, to send him off on his final journey!" After hearing the report, Emperor Liu sighed.

After a moment of deliberation, Emperor Liu instructed again: "On the day of the funeral procession, attend in my stead!"

"Yes!"

"Where is Liu Fang?" Emperor Liu asked.

Liu Yang answered: "The Ministry of War is auditing the military registers; the fourth brother is busy with that matter!"

"Mm!" After acknowledging, Emperor Liu said: "Fan Zhi had only one son, Fan Min, didn't he?"

"Exactly so!" Liu Yang replied: "Duke Fan's line is indeed thin—a single son, Fan Min, and a single grandson, Fan Yisun, aged eight!"

"In that case, the bloodline is rather sparse too!" Emperor Liu sighed.

Liu Xi then said: "Duke Fan also had two nephews, Fan Xi and Fan Gao!"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu considered for a moment, then said to Liu Yang: "Look into the Fan descendants. If any are suitable, promote them if you can..."

"Yes!"

"You may withdraw!" Emperor Liu waved his hand.

The brothers took their leave, and Emperor Liu's spirits seemed to weaken further, looking very weary. Noble Consort Gao thought he was grieving over Fan Zhi's death and advised: "Everyone must die eventually, Your Majesty need not be too sorrowful. You should take care of your health!"

He looked at Noble Consort Gao. She could now be described as a woman of middle age with lingering charm, but aging remained irreversible. Emperor Liu said: "How could I not know? Over the years, too many have left, and I have grown accustomed to it."

"What moves me deeply is that I too have grown old. This illness came suddenly, without any warning. If one day, I also..."

Not daring to let Emperor Liu finish his words, Noble Consort Gao interrupted him very seriously: "Your Majesty must not speak thus. You are in the prime of life. The imperial physicians have said your burden is too heavy; with proper care and recuperation, there should be no great harm."

As she spoke, Noble Consort Gao continued feeding the medicinal broth to Emperor Liu. Though he said that, Emperor Liu obediently took the medicine, even if it did not taste good.

This time, Emperor Liu once again felt that he was, after all, no longer the young man full of vigor who could stay up night after night. Nearing forty, he truly could not withstand excessive strain.

"This fifth year of Kaibao has been inauspicious!" After holding it in for a while, Emperor Liu let out a sentence, as if venting.

Hearing this, Noble Consort Gao could not help but suggest: "Why not hold a joyous event to dispel the bad luck?"

"Liu Xi is almost nineteen; it is indeed time for him to marry!" Emperor Liu looked at Lady Gao.

"Your Majesty is wise!" The Noble Consort smiled.

"Do you have someone in mind?" Emperor Liu asked.

"The young lady of Princess Yongning's household has also reached the age of sixteen and is not yet betrothed. What do you think of strengthening the family ties?" Noble Consort Gao said.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Liu's brow furrowed slightly. The age and status were both suitable, but this would be a close-kin marriage. However, Emperor Liu could not use that reason to refuse.

After considering for a moment, he sighed and said: "Discuss it with your elder sister. If they agree, I have no objections..."