Control your ancestors and create an immortal family starting from the Eastern Han Dynasty

Chapter 22: Unfulfilled Ambition, Liuzhuang Collapses
It was not beyond Gu Yi's expectations.

An emperor like Liu Zhuang, who is deeply committed to pursuing great achievements, will never give up any opportunity.

After communicating with Gu Kang via letters.

He acted decisively and decided to reopen the Protectorate of the Western Regions, and appointed Gu Sheng as Protector of the Western Regions.

Even to maximize the benefits that this matter can bring.

He issued a series of imperial edicts, ordering all officials to practice frugality and vigorously advocate the custom of simple burials.

He also set an example by reducing the expenses of the entire palace to the lowest level.

We must devote all our efforts and unreservedly concentrate the entire Han Dynasty's human, material and financial resources into the crucial water control projects and Western Region affairs.

And in this case.

Just after a whole year of overcoming difficulties.

——In the summer of the twelfth year of Yongping.

The flood control work was finally completed.

When the last shovel of soil was dug, the Yellow River water rushed into the new river channel like a wild horse.

Everyone was staring at this scene closely.

Until news came from various places that the dam had not burst.

The cheers were like rolling thunder, resounding throughout the Han Dynasty.

The whole country was shocked!

The disasters that lasted for nearly a hundred years finally stopped on this day.

Gu Kang stood by the river, looking at the surging river in front of him, his eyes also a little red.

The excitement in my heart was like surging waves, which was difficult to suppress, and my body couldn't help but tremble slightly.

It really worked.

Although he has achieved a lot so far.

But for Gu Kang, this matter seems to be the most important.

He asked the painter to draw two pictures.

Perhaps it was because he was influenced by Gu Yi when he was young.

Gu Kang is also used to storing some very meaningful things.

This moment is obviously the most appropriate.

He sent one painting back to Hebei and the other to Luoyang.

Gu Yi was naturally overjoyed about this.

If it is true that every generation develops this habit.

In the future, he could hardly imagine how many national treasures there would be in his home.

Although these things may not be preserved.

But as long as there are enough, that’s enough!

Moreover, even if this kind of thing is damaged, its own meaning is enough to make it have full value.

When the matter was brought back to the court, events unfolded just as they had originally happened in history.

The whole court was shocked!

Liu Zhuang was overjoyed.

He had been looking forward to this day for who knows how long.

This was the first time he got drunk since he ascended the throne, and he decided to go on a tour and check the results of the flood control work.

Xingyang.

After a year, the king and his minister finally met again.

It is amazing how much Gu Kang has changed now.

His skin became darker due to the scorching sun, and he looked tired yet full of strength.

He doesn't look like a powerful and prominent official in the court at all, but rather like an ordinary farmer working hard in the fields.

When Liu Zhuang saw him, he was slightly startled, with a hint of surprise and emotion in his eyes.

Liu Zhuang was such an emperor.

He just likes officials like Gu Kang who are both capable and pragmatic.

Unsurprisingly, Gu Kang was directly promoted to the position of Si Tu, and the others who participated in flood control were also rewarded.

Although the ministers had been mentally prepared for this, they still felt complicated when it actually happened.

Situ.
These are the Three Dukes.

Both generations have such achievements.

Whether it was Gu Xiao or Gu Kang, there was no chance for them to question their achievements.

The key is
Gu Sheng, the second son of the Gu family who had not been paid attention to for many years, has actually started to make achievements.

Who in the world today doesn’t know the emperor’s ambitions?
This shows that he will have many opportunities to make meritorious contributions in the future.

Obviously, it is impossible to stop the prosperity of the Gu family.

This is the view of everyone in the world.

On the official ship sailing down the river.

Liu Zhuang was standing on the deck in casual clothes.

The breeze blows.

While carefully observing everything around him, taking in the mountains, rivers, fields and villages, he silently listened to Gu Kang's detailed explanation of the subtle mysteries behind the water control project.

Gu Kang explained why this governance plan should be adopted and the many benefits it brings after its implementation;
Then, we move on to the profound significance of building a canal;
As well as the area of land that can be irrigated, the expected increase in food production, etc.;
Every detail is explained one by one.

Although Gu Kang had already told Liu Zhuang about this matter more than once.

But reading the letters and seeing it with your own eyes give people completely different feelings.

Especially when he could see people on both sides of the strait kneeling down to the official ship and shouting "Saint's grace" in unison from time to time, Liu Zhuang felt an indescribable emotion and pride in his heart.

Only after Gu Kang finished speaking did Liu Zhuang look at him and sighed, "It's hard work to help the world."

His expression was very serious. Looking at the brilliant results now, Liu Zhuang could imagine how difficult it would be to accomplish this.

"It is my duty as a minister to serve Your Majesty and the people of the world. Why should I suffer so much?"

Gu Kang smiled faintly, still as humble as usual, without any arrogance.

Seeing this, Liu Zhuang shook his head.

He was used to Gu Kang's humility.

Although he had mentioned more than once that they didn't need to do this in private, Gu Kang still did so.

He was helpless.

Afterwards, the two of them started talking about political affairs.

For Liu Zhuang.

What he wants most now is naturally to send troops to the Western Regions.

Now that the Protectorate of the Western Regions has been established, we just need to send more troops to continue expanding the influence of the Han Dynasty.

It won't take long to completely reclaim the Western Regions.

He even wanted to send troops to the Western Regions immediately.

But Gu Kang still told him seriously about the current situation in the world.

"Your Majesty, although the strength of our Han Dynasty has not been greatly damaged."

"However, this scale of corvee labor has already made the people tired."

As usual, Gu Kang did not make any so-called death-defying remonstration, but just stopped there and let Liu Zhuang make his own choice.

But for an emperor like Liu Zhuang, there is often only one choice.

"Ji Shi, when do you think we can send troops?"

Liu Zhuang didn't hesitate at all and directly asked Gu Kang for his opinion.

"At least a year." Gu Kang said seriously, his expression serious. "This time when I was digging the canal to control the flood, I carefully surveyed the terrain and created a lot of fertile farmland on both sides of the river."

"Your Majesty can cultivate these fields with the people."

"If there are no natural disasters, it will only take a year. By then, our Han treasury will be abundant, and Your Majesty's great cause will be accomplished..."

"There will be no natural disasters!" Before Gu Kang could finish, Liu Zhuang suddenly shouted with great force, his eyes revealing immense confidence, "There will be no natural disasters in our Han Dynasty!"

Hearing this, Gu Kang couldn't help but be slightly stunned, with a hint of surprise on his face.

Or it may be because of Gu Kang's influence.

Liu Zhuang no longer believed in the so-called ghosts and gods as much as he did before.

You shouldn't say things like this.
Could it be that someone took advantage of his absence from Luoyang to influence His Majesty?

Gu Kang couldn't help but think of this.

But before he could speak, Liu Zhuang's voice rang out again.

"Ji Shi, I dreamed of the late emperor and my mother some time ago."

"In my dream, I seemed to be back in my childhood."

"The late emperor is still as majestic and almighty as ever."

"He and his mother are still so loving"

"I am free from worries in my dreams. My father and mother will help me solve all my troubles and difficulties."

"I believe that this must be the recognition of my current achievements by the late emperor and my mother."

"If that's the case, how can there be natural disasters in our Han Dynasty?"

A gentle breeze blew by, and Liu Zhuang let the breeze blow his clothes and hair, his eyes full of determination and heroism.

At this moment, he was so full of vigor and vitality, as if the whole world was under his control.

Gu Kang was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly: "Your Majesty is right, there will be no natural disasters in our Han Dynasty."

"Correct!"

Liu Zhuang looked at Gu Kang and laughed out loud, "I think the Marquis of Zhongwu will also approve of Jishi and Zhenyu."

In an instant, Gu Xiao's appearance suddenly flashed in Gu Kang's mind. Regarding his father.

The older Gu Kang gets, the more he feels that Gu Xiao is extraordinary.

All the skills he and Gu Sheng have now were learned from Gu Xiao.

Whether it is commanding troops, government affairs, or even farming and water conservancy.

Gu Xiao really seemed to be omnipotent.

He thought about everything Gu Xiao had said to him, and the four big words "Gu family forever" flashed in his mind again.

Will Gu Xiao approve of what he is doing now?
He thought about it.

Then he nodded seriously.

Will definitely approve!

Seeing this, Liu Zhuang's smile widened.

He suddenly grabbed Gu Kang's arm and pulled him to his side. With a gleam in his eyes, he said loudly to the mountains and rivers on both sides of the river:
"it is good!"

"Since that is the case, then we, the ruler and the minister, will join hands to create unprecedented achievements and lay the foundation for the eternal prosperity of the Han Dynasty!"

"The late emperor's failure to bring the Marquis of Zhongwu with him to Mount Tai for the Fengshan ceremony was a lifelong regret for the late emperor."

"I don't want to have such regrets."

"Save the world! When that time comes, I hope to fulfill the late emperor's great regret."

Gu Kang had never expected Liu Zhuang to say such a thing. He rarely controlled his emotions and showed a look of surprise.

Looking at the high-spirited emperor in front of him, he took a deep breath and then nodded silently:

"My lord, take your orders!"

After this incident, Liu Zhuang seemed to be more determined in his goal.

After returning to Luoyang, he worked even harder.

He still maintains the principle of personally taking care of things and setting an example in everything.

The spirit of frugality did not stop with the end of flood control, but became more prevalent.

He gave those fertile fields to refugees, strictly prohibited local tyrants from seizing land, and strongly encouraged agriculture and sericulture.

At the same time, Liu Zhuang also often lectured at the Imperial College.

Although this was not the first time he had done this, the world at this time had undergone earth-shaking changes compared to previous years.

He indeed had amazing attainments in classics.

No matter how many questions the students of the Imperial College asked, he gave an accurate answer to each one.

under these circumstances.

The influence of this incident quickly spread to the entire Guanzhong area and even to the entire Han Dynasty.

Countless people from all over the world rushed to Luoyang.

Everyone wanted to hear the knowledge of this wise and enlightened monarch.

"Scholars held up the classics and raised questions before them. Gentlemen and nobles, with hundreds of millions of people watching and listening at the Circular Bridge Gate, gathered."

This sentence may be the best description of this moment.

The big man is really different.

People all over the world began to gradually pursue things beyond survival.

From beginning to end, Gu Kang has been following Liu Zhuang.

Listening to Liu Zhuang answering students' questions and absorbing all kinds of knowledge from them, I would always fall into deep thought.

Later, Gu Kang actually had the idea of writing a book.

Although it has just begun.

But this also shocked Gu Yi immensely.

Could it be possible that Gu Kang could create a different school of thought?

Although for the current Han Dynasty, Gu Yi cannot be completely sure of the future direction.

But if that is the case.

For the entire Gu family, it is a hundred benefits with no harm.

Because today's Gu Kang has really created a glorious and prosperous era.

Whether in terms of identity or ability.

He already has the qualifications.

If history had really developed as it did, and if Gu Kang had really completed the book, it would have provided another kind of guarantee for future generations of Gu family members.

After all, we are in this prosperous era!
Thinking of this, Gu Yi became even more excited.

The entire Han Dynasty became increasingly powerful in this atmosphere.

It really seems like God's will.

The following year, no major disaster occurred in the Han Dynasty.

Everyone knew Liu Zhuang's next plan, which was to send troops to the Western Regions to realize his grand ambitions.

But now no one dares to stop it.

With the success of flood control, Liu Zhuang's reputation has now reached its peak, and people all over the world call him a "saint."

An emperor with such reputation is destined to not face any obstacles.

Not just the entire Han Dynasty.

Even the Western Regions and the Northern Huns were preparing to welcome the Han army.

But Liu Zhuang's sudden illness brought all this to a halt.

Not to mention the Han ministers, even Gu Yi was shocked when he learned about this.

"That shouldn't be the case..." Gu Yi muttered to himself, "According to the original history, Liu Zhuang still has a few more years to live."

"Could it be that the Gu family's influence is so great that it has caused such a big change?"

This is destined to be an unsolvable problem.

The emergence of the Gu family has completely changed the entire history of the Eastern Han Dynasty.

Whether it is the energy consumed in governing the world or the pressure that one has to bear.

There are simply too many possibilities that could lead to this situation in Liuzhuang.

Nangong.

The atmosphere was solemn and depressing.

After reading his last will to all his ministers, Liu Zhuang left only Gu Kang behind.

At this moment, his face was as pale as paper, he looked haggard, and he had even lost the strength to stand up.

The vigor and heroic spirit of the past have long since disappeared, and he no longer looks like the wise and benevolent monarch he once was.

He just lay quietly on the bed, staring at Gu Kang with eyes full of unwillingness and endless worry.

"I... was always worried that I wouldn't be able to accomplish the great cause in my heart..." Liu Zhuang's voice was weak and hoarse, and he was dying.

Seeing this, Gu Kang hurriedly took a few steps forward and was able to barely hear his words.

Just as Gu Kang stepped forward, Liu Zhuang's originally dim eyes suddenly burst into a brilliance, as if he had a last burst of light.

He used all his strength, stretched out his hands and grabbed Gu Kang's arm tightly.

The man's pupils contracted sharply, as if he wanted to inject all his last strength and hope into Gu Kang.

“Save the world!!!”

He shouted at the top of his lungs, "Watch over this world for me!"

At this moment, his voice became extremely hoarse due to excitement and weakness, his eyes were bloodshot, and his face looked a little scary.

He was really scared.

He was afraid that the prosperity of the Han Dynasty would collapse because of his departure.

Gu Kang looked quietly at the emperor in front of him who was about to reach the end of his life, tears welling up in his eyes.

He nodded solemnly and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured. I will definitely assist the Crown Prince and accomplish the great cause in your Majesty's heart!"

The voice just fell.

In an instant, Liu Zhuang's hand that was holding Gu Kang's arm loosened.

At this moment, he seemed to have lost all his strength, and his hands fell down weakly.

The person's breathing became more and more rapid until it stopped completely.

On the Renzi day of the eighth month of the thirteenth year of the Yongping reign;

——Liu Zhuang died in the front hall of the Eastern Palace in Luoyang.

The will said: "I will not benefit the people, and will follow the system of Emperor Xiaowen and be frugal.

There is no need to build a sleeping temple, the owner can be hidden in the dressing room of Empress Guanglie."

Crown Prince Liu Zhuang succeeded to the throne.

---------

"In the eighth month of the thirteenth year of the Yongping reign, the world was at peace and the people were happy.

The emperor had a broad vision and wanted to lay a foundation that would last for eternity.

Unexpectedly, things did not go as planned. The emperor suddenly fell seriously ill and died in the front hall of the East Palace.

Upon hearing the news, the government and the people were shocked, the people wept bitterly, and the mountains and rivers mourned together.

The emperor's unfulfilled ambitions are a real loss to the nation. However, during his reign, his benevolence spread far and wide, his culture and governance flourished, and his virtues will live on, forever recorded in history."

———"Book of the Later Han Dynasty. Chronicle of Emperor Xiaoming"

　It’s a new week, and the new book list has been updated. I’m begging for recommendation votes and monthly votes.

　　The plot after Emperor Ming is expected to move faster and be different from the recent plot style.

　　Brothers, don't worry about whether the plot will collapse... To be honest, the author has already conceived a very long plot.

　　Actually, I have a lot to say. How about we take this opportunity to come up with a set of rules for extra chapters at the beginning of next month? And prepare the number of chapters to be released in advance?

　　
　
(End of this chapter)