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

Chapter 89: Liu Bei's death brings a new beginning
When he heard the news of Gu Wei's death, Gu Chen was heartbroken.

Maybe it’s because of the different times.

This generation of Gu family members has much deeper connections than previous ones.

Each of them carries too much on their shoulders.

The people’s expectations;
The last wishes of our ancestors.

This makes the connection between this generation of Gu family members extremely deep. How can Gu Chen not be sad?

However, he did not leave Youzhou and return to Luoyang.

Gu Wei is right.

For the descendants of the Gu family of their generation, being able to fulfill Gu Xi's last wish is already the greatest blessing in life.

Time will not stop for anyone.

The person is gone, and no matter how sad we are, we can only carry on his will and move forward.

After stationing troops in Youzhou for several years, Gu Chen has now fully realized the strength of the foreign races.

This strength even exceeded his previous expectations.

This is also one of the main reasons why Gu Chen chose to station his troops in Youzhou.

The foreigners have now completely felt the terror of Gu Chen, and have gradually calmed down as time goes by.

But Gu Chen did not take it lightly.

He could be sure.

This deterrent will completely collapse with his death.

The struggle between the Han Dynasty and foreign races will never end so easily. Only through a war that lasts until the sun and the moon change color can this crisis be completely resolved.

Gu Wei’s death made Gu Chen realize the value of time.

He devoted all his efforts to teaching the soldiers in the army.

Jiang Wei, Deng Ai, Guanqiu Jian, and several seventh-generation Gu family members who were skilled in martial arts were all trained by him.

Gu Chen originally thought that he still had at least a few years.

But the urgent news from Luoyang disrupted Gu Chen's plan.

——Zhang Fei was deeply saddened by Guan Yu’s death and drank every day.

The body eventually couldn't bear the burden.

He died of serious illness.

This became the last straw that broke the camel's back for Liu Bei, causing him to fall down instantly.

For an emperor;

Liu Bei was indeed too sentimental.

But this is also Liu Bei's advantage. Without this kind of character, he would never have been able to get to where he is today.

Liu Bei's edict was quickly sent to Youzhou.

Gu Chen may not care about others.

But Liu Bei couldn't do that.

Now that the Han Dynasty has just been pacified, there must be someone who can control the world and sit in Luoyang.

Gu Chen had to return to Luoyang.

Luoyang, inside the North Palace.

The atmosphere was extremely solemn.

Liu Bei was lying on the bed, his face as pale as snow. His life was hanging by a thread, with only one breath left, but he was still struggling to hold on.

Beside him, Crown Prince Liu Chan and several other sons had sad expressions on their faces and tears kept falling.

Ministers such as Zhuge Liang and Xun Yu also had grief-stricken expressions on their faces.

At this moment, a pair of hurried footsteps suddenly sounded.

Before the guards could report, Gu Chen rushed into the North Palace, walked through the ministers and came directly in front of Liu Bei.

Looking at Liu Bei dying on the bed, his eyes revealed a hint of complexity.

But the moment Liu Bei saw Gu Chen, his eyes regained some light.

"Zi Yan!"

Before Gu Chen could speak, Liu Bei let out a low growl and instinctively tried to sit up.

But his body was too weak.

The reason I have been able to persevere until today is because of my great perseverance.

He was just waiting for Gu Chen.

How could Liu Bei, as the emperor, not be aware of the current situation in the world?
Although everything seems to be on track.

However, if the Han Dynasty fails to suppress the existence of the people of the world, it may go back to its old ways if it is not careful.

The key is--

He was really worried about the crown prince Liu Chan.

"His Majesty."

Looking at Liu Bei in front of him, a trace of sadness flashed in Gu Chen's eyes. He stepped forward quickly, and with both hands, he steadily helped Liu Bei up. He sighed heavily and blamed himself:

"I am late!"

"Zi Yan." Liu Bei suddenly grabbed Gu Chen's hand, shaking his head anxiously from side to side, his expression extremely serious. "I have said it before, Zi Yan, you are definitely not an ordinary minister."

His eyes were burning, and his rims were red as blood.

Thousands of words surged in his throat, but he was worried about the time constraints, so he swallowed them back. In the end, he just stared at Gu Chen, emphasizing each word and saying solemnly: "Zi Yan's talent is a hundred times better than mine."

“Only great things can be entrusted to you at the moment of death.”

Liu Bei gripped Gu Chen's hand harder, his knuckles turning slightly white. "Big man, please!"

This short sentence seemed to carry an infinite weight, filled with his earnest expectations and concerns for the Han people.

Gu Chen felt his eyes getting hot and his vision blurred instantly.

Although he did not have much contact with Liu Bei, even after he supported Liu Bei's enthronement, Gu Chen spent most of his time away from home.

But this did not hinder Gu Chen's feelings for Liu Bei.

Liu Bei was indeed a benevolent emperor.

The fact that he was given such great power and never thought of targeting him already showed how extraordinary he was.

Gu Chen didn't say much, but just held Liu Bei's hand and nodded seriously.

Seeing this, the worry in Liu Bei's eyes instantly dissipated like smoke.

He turned his neck with difficulty and cast his gaze at the Crown Prince Liu Chan who was kneeling on the ground beside him. His voice was as hoarse as sandpaper rubbing against him: "Adou."

"Father!" Liu Chan spoke immediately, his voice mournful.

Liu Bei stared at him intently, then waved his finger at Gu Chen and said, "In the past, I swore an oath before the people on the banks of the Luo River to make it known to the world."

"I will never let the Gu family down."

"Liu's tripod should be engraved with Gu's name."

"After I die, you must carry on your father's duties as envoys to conquer the land. You must not follow the example of Emperors Jingping, Huan and Ling, who betrayed the people's expectations and brought chaos to the Han Dynasty."

His voice grew weaker, but he still managed to hold on for a breath and looked at Gu Chen again: "Zi Yan."

"The prince is weak and incompetent."

"If you cannot establish a kingdom, Zi Yan can find someone else to establish it."

"I only hope that the country will be safe and sound."

This was the first time that Liu Bei called himself "Zhen" in front of Gu Chen.

But the words he said were sincere.

——You can depose and enthrone the emperor!

With just this simple sentence, it can be said that the entire Han Dynasty was handed over to Gu Chen alone.

Gave Gu Chen supreme power.

Although Gu Chen could do this, there was a fundamental difference.

Liu Bei is giving Gu Chen the right to perform rituals!
But everyone present didn't find it strange at all, and even thought it was natural.

Gu Chen's eyes also gradually turned red.

Looking at Liu Bei, whose life was hanging by a thread, he finally understood what Gu Xi had said in the past about being a wise ruler and loyal ministers.

He didn't say much, just nodded seriously.

Then he knelt down and kowtowed to Liu Bei for the first time.

Liu Bei finally closed his eyes completely.

"His Majesty!!!"

The sound of grief resounded loudly.

Gu Chen knelt before Liu Chan and his ministers, and a tear couldn't help but slide down the corner of his eye.

In the seventh year of Zhangwu, on the day of Guiyou in the month of Ru;

——Liu Bei died in the North Palace of Luoyang.

When he was dying, he entrusted his son to Gu Chen and gave him the power to depose and enthrone the emperor.

Crown Prince Liu Chan succeeded to the throne.

His posthumous title was Zhaowu.

The death of Liu Bei, a founding emperor, is bound to have a huge impact on the current Han Dynasty.

Although Liu Bei had already issued an edict saying that he wanted to follow the funerals of emperors of previous dynasties such as Guangwu and Emperor Xiaoming and keep everything simple.

But proper etiquette is essential;

The national mourning arrived as expected.

However, perhaps because Gu Chen had returned to Luoyang, there was no unrest in the entire world.

Even compared to when Liu Bei was alive, officials from all over the country seemed to be walking on thin ice.

It was under such circumstances that Liu Chan ascended the throne peacefully.

Gu Chen finally made some judgments about the new emperor.

Not to mention his talent.

Liu Chan was really obedient.

He had no intention of being in power at all. Whenever he faced any matter, no matter how big or small, he would always say, "Let Shangfu make the decision."

Moreover, Gu Chen could also be sure that Liu Chan was not pretending, but was completely sincere.

This surprised Gu Chen quite a bit.

For an emperor.

It is extremely rare to have such a personality.

Even if his talents were insufficient, as long as he had the help of ministers who were dedicated to helping the Han Dynasty, Liu Chan's character could definitely make him a qualified ruler to maintain the status quo.

This gave Gu Chen a clear judgment on the future of the Han Dynasty.

Although he became famous through war.

But Gu Chen is an almost perfect hexagonal warrior who has no weaknesses at all.

Especially now, there are still many capable people in the Han Dynasty.

Zhuge Liang, Xun Yu, Pang Tong, Fa Zheng and other capable people can provide great help to Gu Chen.

Often, as long as Gu Chen can come up with a preliminary plan, these people can work out more specific details and implement it well.

This directly increased the administrative speed of the Han Dynasty to an unprecedented scale.

There is no chaos in the world.

As the only member of the Gu family who has traveled all over the world, Gu Chen is now able to bring the tradition of the Gu family to its extreme.

When it comes to the reclamation of land in various states, the guilty sons of noble families in the past played a role at this time.

Gu Chen left them some hope.

They would be pardoned as long as they could reclaim some land.

In addition, based on the experience in the letters left by Gu Kang in the past, Gu Chen carried out flood control measures throughout the country and lent grain seeds to people from all directions.

He also abolished the head tax, which had suddenly increased since the time of Emperor Wu of Han, and restored it to the light tax level of the early Western Han Dynasty.

Take the opportunity to stimulate population.

In fact, in this feudal dynasty system.

Can the people live a prosperous life?

Natural disasters and human unrest are one aspect, but clean governance is also a key factor.

Today's Han Dynasty is in a period of renewal.

The clean governance of officials is far better than before.

The population base plays a big role at times like this.

Under these factors, the national strength of the entire Han Dynasty began to recover rapidly.

Of course, although Gu Chen has returned to Luoyang, his attention to the border has not diminished at all.

The war on the four frontiers never stopped.

The barbarians' lifestyle meant that they would need to resort to plundering to survive for some time.

This is the core factor that cannot be adjusted between the two parties.

While governing the country, Gu Chen also set up granaries in the four frontiers to prepare for the subsequent war. He didn't know how much time he had left.

But given Gu Chen's character, as long as he can stand up one day, he will never stop moving forward.

The ministers had no doubt about his judgment.

This may be one of the most critical advantages of the Han Dynasty at present.

The court officials worked together;

They all have great trust in Gu Chen, and each of them has talents in different areas and is excellent in each aspect.

How could there be any chaos with such a big man?
Good news came from all frontiers.

Jiang Wei, Guanqiu Jian, Deng Ai and others successively defeated the bandits and prevented the barbarians from looting.

At the same time, Gu Chen was also trying his best to promote Gu Xi's past cause.

The practice of woodblock printing has never stopped over the years.

As the Han Dynasty's national strength gradually recovered.

Gu Chen established libraries in various places one after another, and ordered students of the Imperial College to teach in libraries in various places for at least half a year before becoming officials.

Their teaching activities were included in the examinations, so that the knowledge monopolized by the aristocratic families could be spread to all directions.

This matter is destined to be a slow process.

For the people at the bottom of society.

What they need to learn first is not the most advanced knowledge, but the basic literacy;

For this purpose, Gu Chen even set up a special department.

Set to "Beginner".

Used to hire a gentleman to enlighten people.

It is stipulated that boys under the age of ten can go there for initial enlightenment.

If this happened in any era, it would definitely cause an uproar.

Only if Gu Chen does it personally can this matter be easily accomplished.

But even so, this matter can only be done slowly and we cannot take too big steps.

It could only be spread gradually from Luoyang and the slightly wealthier areas around the capital to all directions.

As for how to attract people to participate, Gu Chen's method is also very simple.

He just told the people everywhere: "If you study hard, you can become an official."

For the people at the bottom of society.

Only the simplest words can attract their attention.

When the people first heard about this, their first feeling was disbelief.

After all, for them.

Being able to become an official was something I had never dared to imagine before.

But when they heard that this matter was decided by Gu Chen himself, they all fell silent again.

What followed was a series of thunderous shouts.

——A huge earthquake in the capital!
People from all over the country shouted "Long live the emperor" and bowed towards Luoyang.

Even so far, there has not been a single commoner serving as an official.

But out of trust in Gu Chen and the Gu family.

These people who have lived at the bottom of society for generations finally have hope for the future.

And for humans, an animal with complex thinking;

——The most precious thing is hope.

As long as there is hope.

Then the hearts of these people will be firmly tied to the court.

The rigidity of class ideology eventually loosened.

Gu Yi has been watching everything, and his heart is full of complicated feelings.

In fact, from the perspective of the afterlife;

The system established by Gu Chen and others does indeed have major flaws.

But so what?
Is there any perfect system in the world?
There are just systems that are suitable for different times.

Compared with the original history, this institutional progress is already extremely advanced.

Progress in thought is the most difficult, rare and valuable progress, which will definitely have a huge impact on the overall development of future generations.

Gu Yi is now increasingly looking forward to the development of the entire Han Dynasty.

Although he understood.

There is no eternal dynasty in this world.

But he could also vaguely feel that this time the Han Dynasty might become the dynasty with the greatest influence on the entire feudal era of Kyushu.

And Gu's name will always be engraved on it.

It has become an indelible existence in the entire history.

April, the ninth year of Zhangwu;
Gu Ze died in Julu.

At this point, all the sixth generation descendants of the Gu family except Gu Chen had passed away.

Although Gu Ze never left Julu from beginning to end;

But as Zhuge Liang's teacher and the contemporary head of the Gu family, Liu Chan also held a grand funeral for Gu Ze and even gave him a beautiful posthumous title.

But Gu Ze seemed to have thought of something.

The news had already been sent to Gu Chen and Zhuge Liang, who were specifically told not to decide on a posthumous title for him.

Even someone like Gu Liang, who was in the court in the past but failed to achieve any great achievements, refused to be given a posthumous title for fear of bringing shame to his ancestors.

How could Gu Ze covet a good reputation in history?
For him.

From the moment he returned to Julu that year.

He has completely given up all his ideals and ambitions in this life and only cares about his family.

Even if you still have ambitions as high as the mountains in your heart, you will still return to the earth with a smile.

This incident had a huge impact on Gu Chen.

Although he was the youngest among the sixth generation of the Gu family, after years of attacks and killings, he never thought that he would become the one with the longest lifespan among the sixth generation of the Gu family.

An unconcealable loneliness filled Gu Chen's heart.

This was the first time since Gu Chen started the rebellion that he let go of everything and stayed silent in his mansion for three full days.

Ever since he walked out of the mansion again, everyone could clearly feel a sense of gloom coming from him.

Gu Chen seemed to have become the Gu Xi of that year.

The majesty on his body became more and more intense.

Even the ministers who were familiar with him could feel obvious pressure in his presence.

From then on, Gu Chen worked even harder.

In addition to his previous government affairs, Gu Chen also began to select officials for the Han Dynasty.

He doesn't just look at the officials' talents.

There is also temperament.

And whether they support the new policy.

Of course, Gu Chen will not forget to educate the children of the Gu family.

Today, the seventh generation of the Gu family is not weak in ability. Whether it is internal affairs or martial arts, there are outstanding people.

This is indeed a vigorous and vibrant trend;

Even if it cannot compare to the era of heroes and great men in the past, this era is destined to be very dazzling.

Zhang Hua, Yang Hu and others were successively promoted by Gu Chen.

Gu Chen used his judgment of human nature to quickly build a group of young people centered around the new policy in a short period of time, and gradually took over the burden from the old man.

In the sixth month of the tenth year of Zhangwu reign,
Xun Yu died with a smile on his face.

The person who could be said to be the first to choose to follow Gu Chen finally reached the end of his life.

Perhaps it’s because so many people have passed away.

Gu Chen just felt numb about it.

When he was dying, Gu Chen went to see him and asked him what he wanted.

But Xun Yu smiled and shook his head.

For him, being able to preserve the family line, to see the revival of the Han Dynasty, and to save his family from the infamy in history books is already enough. What else could he wish for?
He didn't even ask Gu Chen to help take care of the offspring.

As one of the core figures in the court, Xun Yu was well aware of the current changes in the Han Dynasty.

If the family wants to continue to prosper, it can only rely on its own efforts. He has long seen through this.

Gu Chen gave him the posthumous title of "Marquis Xianyi".

And just after the funeral.

Gu Chen also gradually handed over the government affairs to Zhuge Liang.

He had to eliminate some threats to Lang Lang Tian Xia within the time he had left!
North Palace.

Sandalwood curls.

Liu Chan looked at Gu Chen nervously, and said reluctantly, "Shangfu, are you really going to lead the army out?"

"At your age, I'm really worried."

"I can't leave you."

Although he had been emperor for several years, Liu Chan was still the same as before. When facing Gu Chen, he even imitated Liu Bei and did not dare to call him "I".

At this time, Zhuge Liang also came following Zhao's instructions.

As soon as I stepped into the hall, I immediately noticed that the atmosphere was wrong.

The editor first glanced at Liu Chan, who looked reluctant. In an instant, he vaguely guessed something and his eyes changed slightly.

"The Grand Master is here."

Liu Chan didn't think too much about it. Without waiting for Zhuge Liang to salute, he spoke anxiously: "Quick, help me persuade Shangfu. Don't let Shangfu take any risks."

"Kong Ming, please sit down."

Gu Chen's expression remained unchanged, he just pointed to the seat that had been prepared nearby.

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liang quickly bowed.

He then sat down and asked in a deep voice, "Lord Gu, are you going to attack the barbarians in all directions?"

With his intelligence.

Naturally, there have been some speculations long ago.

Gu Chen nodded slightly and said in a deep voice: "Even if this battle cannot wipe out the barbarians, we must also destroy their edge."

"Take ten years of time for the Han people."

Gu Chen's tone was very calm, as if he was talking about a trivial matter, but no one would think that Gu Chen was arrogant.

This was a plan he had already thought of.

The big man still needs time to recover.

We must maintain peace in the world at all costs.

Hearing this, Zhuge Liang sighed. Although he knew it was difficult to persuade Gu Chen, he still couldn't help but ask, "Why is Lord Gu leading the army in person?"

"Generals from all directions are in the wild."

Before Zhuge Liang could finish, Gu Chen interrupted him: "In the past, my grandfather was nearly ninety years old and could still ride a horse and kill the enemy."

"I'm only sixty now, how can I retreat?"

"What good would it have been for a man to die peacefully on his bed?"

He paused, shook his head slightly, and looked resolute: "I will never tolerate any threats in this world!"

"Absolutely not!"

In an instant, both Zhuge Liang and Liu Chan fell silent.

This is Gu Chen's character.

He was a man of iron will, and after he made a decision.

No one can stop it!

------

"On the 23rd day of the second month in the spring of the seventh year of the Zhangwu reign, the emperor died in the Northern Palace of Luoyang.

When the emperor was seriously ill, Babaili urgently summoned Gu Chen to the palace, took off the emperor's sword and gave him the emperor's sword, saying: "The prince is incompetent. If you cannot be assisted, you can depose him and enthrone him."

After Chen took power, he abolished the liquor monopoly, reduced the head tax, and sent envoys in embroidered uniforms to inspect the prefectures and counties for corruption.

In the summer of the eighth year, the Chongli Primary School was established in the capital to enlighten the people.

It was ordered that before being appointed to their posts, all students of the Imperial Academy must go to the county schools for half a year to study and be enlightened by the "Gu Li" teachings.

The examination was divided into three categories: those who were proficient in classics were awarded the title of doctor, those who were knowledgeable in administrative affairs were appointed as clerks, and those who were good at interpretation were promoted to academic officials.

A new "monthly evaluation" system was established, requiring prefectures and counties to rank scholars based on virtue, talent, and merit.

At that time, the students of Luoyang played the zither and sang: "Gu Gong established the order of rites, and the phoenix feathers rose from the white house."

——"Book of Yan and Han, Biography of Gu Chen"

(End of this chapter)