I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 37 - 15: Return to Luoyang, Liu Zhuang Seeks Counsel

Chapter 37: Chapter 15: Return to Luoyang, Liu Zhuang Seeks Counsel
The wheels of history continuously roll forward, stopping for no one.
——Not even the Emperor can halt them.
When the national mourning concluded;
And the posthumous title for Liu Xiu was established.
The Emperor who once illuminated an era had vanished completely from the world, and his era was destined to turn a page.
....
Luoyang.
It was now the second year of Yongping.
After nearly twenty years, the Gu Clan’s descendants once again received the Emperor’s decree, preparing to re-enter the political center of the Great Han.
Nonetheless, today’s Gu Clan was naturally different from the past, and this decree from the Emperor did not stir any waves.
Things were certainly different now.
With the successive deaths of Gu Xiao and Liu Xiu, the Gu Clan was no longer the awe-inspiring existence it once was.
As times change and the world shifts, Gu Xiao’s prestige only diminished.
Without anyone in the court, it was impossible for the Gu Clan to maintain its once sky-high prestige.
Of course, the key was Emperor Liu Zhuang’s attitude.
Which was completely different from Liu Xiu’s character.
From the moment he ascended the throne, Liu Zhuang thoroughly demonstrated his uniqueness, bringing great shock to all the ministers of the Great Han.
He restored the sacrificial clothing system abolished since the Qin era.
The coronets, robes, jade pendants, and carriages were all modeled after ancient styles.
This ritual, documented in ancient texts, felt somewhat unfamiliar even to the ministers.
But this was not all; Liu Zhuang soon demonstrated strong political abilities.
He first appointed Deng Yu, now the foremost meritorious minister, as the Grand Tutor.
He then appointed Liu Cang, a member of the royal clan, as General of Cavalry.
After settling the meritorious ministers and the royal clan, he initiated a large-scale personnel restructuring.
Having served as the Crown Prince in the Eastern Palace for over ten years.
Liu Zhuang was wise from a young age, and Liu Xiu often consulted him on state affairs, even involving him in military matters.
He already had his own faction and was very familiar with the Great Han court, both high and low.
The phrase "A new Emperor, new ministers" was vividly demonstrated in this Yongping era.
But beneath this series of personnel maneuvers, the ministers keenly detected Liu Zhuang’s governing undertones.
——He was suppressing external relatives!
This alone was enough for the ministers to disregard the Gu Clan.
Though different from traditional external relatives.
As long as the Emperor held this attitude, the Gu Clan was destined not to rise in the Xin Dynasty’s court.
Because Gu Kang’s wife was Liu Li Liu!
Though a brother-in-law, still an external relative!
Of course, Gu Yi naturally understood all of this.
Regarding Emperor Liu Zhuang.
Although not often mentioned in modern society, Gu Yi was clear about his character.
Regardless of his achievements, his greatest trait was.
Guarding against external relatives!
Throughout Emperor Ming’s life, he never heavily utilized any external relatives.
But this was something Liu Xiu publicly spoke of, and he could not disrespect the Emperor’s dignity.
Blessings and misfortunes are interdependent...
The Gu Clan, having received "holy favor" during Liu Xiu’s reign, was destined to bear the subsequent costs.
Moreover, in Gu Yi’s view, marrying into the princess’ family was far better than marrying daughters into the royal family.
Since it was unavoidable, it was best to minimize the risk.
Though this might mean the Gu Clan would not be heavily utilized by Liu Zhuang.
As long as no unexpected events occur, even if the Gu Clan is not heavily utilized, its downside can still be minimized.
After all, the Gu Clan had very shallow roots, and losing power even once might directly plunge them into the abyss.
This, too, was a form of protection.
And Gu Yi did not believe Liu Zhuang would harshly suppress the Gu Clan.
——Today’s Gu Clan was different from an ordinary external relative.
The Gu Clan rose from humble beginnings.
Liu Xiu once used the Gu Clan to suppress the meritorious ministers’ group, making the group obediently relinquish their power.
Moreover, with the Gu Clan’s current population and foundation, they could not even compare to the major clans of the day.
The world today is completely different from the early Han period.
Back then, the brothers who fought alongside Liu Bang were mostly fellow villagers, and most were commoners or the lowest-ranking officials.
But today in the Great Han?
In the group of meritorious ministers, almost every one of them came from major clans, each with their own political stance.
Only the Gu Clan was different.
For an Emperor with Liu Zhuang’s personality, this was a significant plus.
And the anticipation indeed did not fall short of Gu Yi’s expectations.
Liu Zhuang truly summoned the Gu Clan.
...
A convoy stretching tens of meters moved slowly along the official road.
The carriages did not carry any valuables but rather the Gu Clan’s latest improved curved plough.
In recent years, Gu Kang had never ceased improving farm tools.
And because of his deep understanding of farming.
After several improvements by him, the current curved plough’s practicality had already surpassed the traditional long straight plough.
This was what Liu Zhuang’s decree requested Gu Kang to bring.
Moreover, Gu Kang wanted to take this opportunity to probe the Emperor’s future governance direction.
This was crucial for him.
Although he always resided in Julu, he closely monitored the court’s situation over the years; Liu Zhuang’s series of actions after ascending the throne were enough to demonstrate his differences from Liu Xiu in character.
Whether in civil matters or military governance.
As someone with a political attribute as high as 90 points.
Gu Kang would not miss any opportunity.
The world could see that the Emperor disliked external relatives.
How could he not notice?
Gu Kang was acutely aware that this might be the Gu Clan’s only opportunity in this era.