I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 60 - 23: Turmoil in the Western Regions, What Is Filial Piety?

Chapter 60: Chapter 23: Turmoil in the Western Regions, What Is Filial Piety?
"Moreover, everything in the camp should remain the same, no mourning banners allowed."
In such a tense situation, his ability to judge the big picture was fully revealed.
Since the news couldn’t be hidden.
It must not be allowed to affect the morale of the troops.
We must make the soldiers believe they are not fighting alone, otherwise, even the more than eight hundred soldiers of the Central Army would lose their morale.
But the last order left some officers hesitant.
No mourning banners?
Everything as usual?
The Emperor’s passing is a national mourning event!
If this spreads, the court could even accuse you of rebellion because of such actions.
Even if you are a member of the Gu Clan, with your brother prominent in the court, impeachment would still be inevitable.
This...
But Gu Cheng was resolute.
"This General must not only maintain troop morale but also keep the enemy unsure of our moves!"
"I will personally lead a group to scout the enemy."
"You all must act immediately, violators will be executed!"
Though Gu Cheng was carefree usually, he was entirely different in the military camp.
Upon hearing this, the officers dared not speak further, quickly clasping their hands in obeisance and withdrawing.
Gu Cheng took a deep breath after everyone had left.
First, he wrote a letter and sent it to Luoyang, seeking Gu Kang’s opinion.
Then he summoned the Captain of the Central Army who had always followed him and said in a deep voice:
"Immediately send someone to notify Zhong Sheng; his current situation is very dangerous, tell him to return immediately."
"Yes!"
The Captain did not hesitate at all and left directly.
Then, Gu Cheng also immediately walked out of the tent, leading over a thousand troops out!
....
Ban Chao is indeed quite far from the Great Han now.
After pacifying the Yutian Kingdom, he hurried to the Shule Kingdom without stopping.
And with the residual power from pacifying Yutian and the news of the Great Han’s success in water management, he quickly took control of the entire Shule Kingdom.
He even directly dethroned the original Shule King who favored the Xiongnu.
And established a new king.
Everything was going smoothly.
But when he learned of the news, he was stunned.
"The Emperor passed away?"
"My brother wants me to return immediately?"
Ban Chao looked incredulously at the armored officer in front of him. If he hadn’t been with the Central Army for years and met this person, he would have doubted his identity.
But how could this be?
It hasn’t been long!
Ban Chao fell silent for a moment, then immediately understood the urgency of the situation.
He decided to pack his belongings and leave with the officer immediately.
But as he stepped out the door.
He was suddenly stunned.
He saw the current King of Shule leading the ministers and people of Shule, blocking his gate directly.
"If the Han envoy leaves us, we will surely be oppressed to extinction by the Northern Xiongnu again."
"I cannot bear to see the Han envoy leave."
"If the Han envoy leaves, I will take my life before you."
The speaker was a man, and Ban Chao recognized him.
It was Captain Li Yan.
As soon as he finished speaking, he actually drew his sword to commit suicide.
Ban Chao hurriedly stopped him.
At this moment, the King of Shule also tearfully spoke, "We have received the news of the Emperor of the Great Han Kingdom’s passing."
"Could it be that the Han envoy really intends to abandon our Shule at this time?"
"Our Shule Kingdom truly wishes to rely on the Great Han."
"How could the Great Han treat us like this?"
Sobs gradually rose at this moment, from elders... from children...
The faces of these people were full of fear.
Seeing this scene, Ban Chao was suddenly stunned.
In a daze, it was as if he saw the figures of two people in the shadows.
Gu Ji and Zhang Qian.
These were two people he had always greatly admired.
Thinking about their experiences, and recalling the young man who felt he shouldn’t just be wielding a pen.
In an instant, his tense heartstrings suddenly relaxed.
"What are you all doing? Quickly make way!"
The Central Army soldier who delivered the message immediately tried to clear a path for Ban Chao.
But Ban Chao directly held him back.
"Sir, you..." The armored officer was stunned.
Ban Chao looked at him calmly and asked, "Did my brother retreat the troops?"
The officer instinctively shook his head, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes, "The General of Breaking Prisoners did not retreat, he will fight the enemy to the death."
"Since that’s the case, how can I lose face for my elder brother?"
Ban Chao smiled faintly, his eyes exceptionally clear.
He turned his head to look at the commoners kneeling on the ground, his gaze becoming ever more resolute.
Hearing this, the armored soldier was momentarily stunned.
But looking at Ban Chao’s back, he could not say anything further.
"Envoy of Han, are you really not leaving?"
King Zhong of Shule asked excitedly, looking at Ban Chao, his hands trembling slightly.
He had no choice.
For him, the only ally was the Great Han.
If Ban Chao were to leave, the internal forces in Shule might devour him even without external influence.
Although Ban Chao only had over thirty men now, it was still a support for him.
"I will not leave."
Ban Chao nodded, a faint smile on his face.
In an instant, joyful smiles appeared on the faces of the commoners one by one.
To them, Ban Chao’s status as an envoy of Han was above all else!
"Does the envoy of Han know whether the Great Han will send troops?"
King Zhong of Shule asked excitedly, full of expectation.
"I do not know." Ban Chao shook his head.
"Then how should we face the enemy? Our Shule..."
Before King Zhong of Shule could finish, Ban Chao directly interrupted him, and said loudly to everyone: "How to face the enemy?"
"Since they are enemies, there is only one choice!"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over those present, and slowly drew the sword from his waist:
"Fight!".....
......
Luoyang.
Gu Kang had not attended court for several days.
Since Liu Zhuang passed away, he seemed to have aged significantly.
Although his health was fine, the aura he exuded was completely different.
The old Gu Kang was calm and confident, as if everything in the world was under his control, with no difficulties he couldn’t overcome.
But now, Gu Kang clearly seemed older.
Gu Yi was helpless about this too.
It was just like the bond between Gu Xiao and Liu Xiu back in the day, a relationship between a wise king and minister that others couldn’t imagine.
And as the mourning for Liu Zhuang gradually concluded,
The ministers naturally began to petition for the military expedition.
Liu Zhuang had actually been preparing for it for a while, only a decree was left to start.
If he were still here, the ministers wouldn’t have been able to stop it.
But now that Liu Zhuang is deceased, it’s different.
Facing the 14-year-old Emperor Liu Da, the ministers delivered a great gift to him.
They petitioned one after another, using filial piety as a reason to persuade Liu Da to completely suppress the military expedition.
This time, Gu Kang arrived.
"What is filial piety?"
In the court.
Gu Kang stood tall among the ministers, his deep eyes like cold stars sweeping over the crowd, his voice resounding and firm:
"Emperor Guangwu revived the Great Han, restored the Liu family’s dynasty, this is filial piety."
"The late Emperor continued Guangwu’s grand enterprise, dedicating his life to the people and the Great Han’s land, this is also filial piety!"
"Back when the late Emperor was alive, he often spoke of the great enterprise in his heart."
"Now that the late Emperor has passed on, the grand enterprise remains unfinished."
"And the officials in court want to advise the Emperor to cease military actions."
"Are you trying to make the Emperor an unfilial person?"
The resounding words echoed throughout the court.
The expressions of the ministers became unpleasant, yet none spoke up.
Although Liu Zhuang is gone now,
Gu Kang still instilled immense fear in them in the court.
There’s no choice, after all, Gu Kang’s achievements are there for all to see; they were the beneficiaries of it.
Most importantly, having served together for many years, they’re well aware of Gu Kang’s methods.
It can be said that over the years, those who tried to act against the Gu Clan never met a good end.
No one wanted to offend Gu Kang.
For a moment, the entire hall fell into silence.
Liu Da looked at everyone present, still somewhat hesitant in his heart.
His nature was somewhat indecisive.
But recalling everything Liu Zhuang had entrusted him with when he was alive, he looked at Gu Kang, thought for a moment, and finally made a decision.
"What the Grand Minister of Revenue says is reasonable..."
"I believe the late Emperor would surely want to see me accomplish the grand enterprise he had in his heart."
"Since this is the case, then let us send out the troops."
Though Liu Da’s voice was still somewhat immature, it did not affect the decision being reached.
The ministers remained silent, their expressions varied.
Only Gu Kang bowed to Liu Da.
"Your Majesty is wise!".....