I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 57 - 22: Ambitions Unfulfilled, Liu Zhuang’s Demise

Chapter 57: Chapter 22: Ambitions Unfulfilled, Liu Zhuang’s Demise
He was left with no choice.
Subsequently, the two of them naturally started discussing state affairs.
For Liu Zhuang,
what he most desires now is to send troops to the Western Regions.
The Protectorate of the Western Regions has already been established, and as long as more troops are sent, the influence of the Great Han can be continuously expanded.
It won’t take long before the Western Regions can be completely reclaimed.
He even wants to immediately dispatch troops to the Western Regions.
But Gu Kang seriously discussed the current state of the world with him.
"Your Majesty, although the national strength of the Great Han has not suffered greatly,"
"this scale of conscription has already left the people weary."
As always, Gu Kang didn’t make any so-called stubborn remonstrations; he just made a point and let Liu Zhuang make the decision himself.
But for an emperor like Liu Zhuang, this often leads to only one choice.
"What does Jijie think, when can we dispatch troops?"
Liu Zhuang did not hesitate at all and directly asked Gu Kang’s opinion.
"At least a year," Gu Kang said seriously with a grave expression, "During this irrigation project, I excavated canals and specially surveyed the terrain, creating many new fertile lands on both sides."
"Your Majesty can have these lands farmed by the people."
"If there is no natural disaster, it will take only one year, at which time our national treasury will surely be full, and Your Majesty’s great enterprise can also..."
"There will be no natural disasters!" Before Gu Kang could finish speaking, Liu Zhuang suddenly interrupted forcefully, with immense confidence in his eyes, "Our Great Han will definitely have no natural disasters!"
Hearing this, Gu Kang couldn’t help but be slightly taken aback, showing a hint of surprise on his face.
Perhaps due to Gu Kang’s influence.
Liu Zhuang no longer believed in those so-called myths and superstitions as he used to.
He shouldn’t be saying this kind of thing...
Could someone have influenced the Emperor while he was away from Luoyang?
Gu Kang couldn’t help but think of this.
But before he could speak, Liu Zhuang’s voice rang out again.
"Jijie, I dreamt of the late Emperor and my mother a few days ago."
"In the dream, it was as if I returned to my childhood."
"The late Emperor was still so tall and majestic, capable of anything."
"He and my mother were still as loving as ever..."
"In the dream, I was carefree—any worries and difficulties were solved by my father and mother."
"I believe this is the late Emperor and my mother acknowledging my current accomplishments."
"If so, how could our Great Han face any natural disaster?"
The gentle breeze softly caressed, and Liu Zhuang let the wind flutter his robes and hair, his eyes full of determination and boundlessness.
At this moment, he was so spirited, as if the entire world was in his control.
Gu Kang was silent for a moment, then slightly nodded: "Your Majesty is indeed correct, our Great Han will not have any natural disasters."
"Indeed!"
Liu Zhuang looked at Gu Kang and laughed heartily, "I believe that Marquis Zhongwu would also certainly acknowledge Jijie and Zhenyu."
In an instant, the image of Gu Xiao surfaced in Gu Kang’s mind.
Regarding his father,
as Gu Kang aged, he increasingly admired Gu Xiao.
He and Gu Cheng learned all their skills from Gu Xiao.
Whether commanding troops, state affairs, or even agriculture and water conservancy,
Gu Xiao seemed almost omnipotent.
He pondered everything Gu Xiao had once told him, and the words "Gu Clan’s legacy for ten thousand generations" flashed again.
Would Gu Xiao acknowledge what he had achieved now?
He thought about it.
Then seriously nodded as well.
He would definitely acknowledge it!
Seeing this, Liu Zhuang’s smile grew even wider.
He suddenly grabbed Gu Kang’s arm and pulled him by his side, his eyes gleaming with light, and facing the land on both sides of the river, he declared loudly:
"Good!"
"In that case, let you and I, ruler and minister, join hands to create an unprecedented achievement, laying the foundation for the Great Han’s thousand-year legacy!"
"The late Emperor was never able to take Marquis Zhongwu with him to perform the Mount Tai ceremonies, which was his life’s great regret."
"I do not wish to have the same regret."
"Jijie! When the time comes, I hope to fulfill the late Emperor’s great regret."
Gu Kang had completely not expected Liu Zhuang to say such a thing and, unusually, he failed to control his emotion, showing an expression of surprise.
Looking at the spirited emperor before him, he took a deep breath, and then silently nodded:
"I, your servant, accept the command!"
...
After this event, Liu Zhuang seemed even more resolute in his goals.
Returning to Luoyang again, he became even more diligent in governance.
He still maintained diligence in everything, leading by example.
The frugal style did not cease with the end of the irrigation projects; in fact, it became even more prevalent.
He bestowed those fertile lands to the refugees and strictly prohibited local powerful families from land grabbing, vigorously promoting agriculture.
At the same time, Liu Zhuang often lectured at the Imperial College.
Although this was not his first time doing so, the state of the world now compared to previous years had undergone earth-shaking changes.
He indeed had astonishing accomplishments in classical learning.
Faced with wave after wave of questions from the students of the Imperial College, he provided accurate answers to each.
In this scenario,
the influence of this event quickly spread across Guanzhong and even throughout the Great Han kingdom.
Countless people from all over the world flocked to Luoyang.
All eager to hear the teachings of this enlightened ruler.
"Scholars stand with their texts asking questions at the front, countless officials and dignitaries gather around the enclosed bridges to observe and listen."
This sentence may indeed be the best description of the current moment.
The Great Han has truly transformed.
The people of the nation are gradually starting to pursue things beyond mere survival.
And from start to finish, Gu Kang was always following Liu Zhuang.
Listening to Liu Zhuang answer the students’ questions, absorbing all kinds of knowledge and often falling into deep contemplation.