I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 76 - 29: The Coup for Power, Emperor’s Grant of Inscription (Part 2)

Chapter 76: Chapter 29: The Coup for Power, Emperor’s Grant of Inscription (Part 2)
However, among the people of the world, the prestige had yet to dissipate.
The people of the world remembered the merits of the Gu Clan.
Moreover, generals from all corners had almost all received favors from Gu Cheng.
This was the greatest strength of the Gu Clan.
And it was precisely because of this that the entire imperial court gradually divided into two factions.
One faction was promoted by Empress Dowager Dou and those who wanted to depend on the Dou Clan.
The other faction consisted of those under the Gu Clan who had the intention to exclude foreign relatives.
And naturally, the Dou Clan was not idle either.
When they realized that the Gu Clan was destined not to be wooed and was instead the biggest obstacle to their complete control, they began a series of actions.
They successively appointed members of the Dou Clan to the Central Army and promoted Dou Xian to Grand General for this reason.
The intention was to take the opportunity to remove all generals related to the Gu Clan.
To gradually weaken the Gu Clan’s influence in the army.
At that time, by taking action, they could directly depose the entire Gu Clan.
But they were destined not to have the time for this.
When Gu Xi informed Liu Zhao that Marquis Dingyuan, Ban Chao, was already on the way back to the capital, Liu Zhao decided to take action without a moment’s hesitation!
...
——The second year of Yongyuan, March.
Liu Zhao, under the pretext of discussing matters, summoned the Dou Clan’s henchmen into the palace.
In reality, it was to isolate them from external affairs.
At the same time, Gu Cheng’s son, the current Marquis Pinglu, Gu Nian, went to the Southern Army’s camp to publicly announce Dou Xian’s crimes and took command of the Southern Army.
Gu Cheng’s reputation in the Central Army was indeed too great.
In the current Southern Army, many captains and even Sima were once under Gu Cheng’s command.
Actually, this was a desperate measure.
To gain prestige in the army.
Besides winning battles, it requires years of effort.
The time of the Dou Clan’s control was clearly insufficient!
Who was Gu Cheng?
Not to mention his achievements.
He served as a military Sima in the Central Army for many years, and almost all the soldiers of the Central Army had been trained by him.
This kind of reputation is unimaginable.
Although Gu Nian was not Gu Cheng,
his status as Marquis Pinglu gave him a significant advantage, not to mention he held Liu Zhao’s handwritten decree!
The entire Southern Army rapidly underwent a great change.
Gu Nian swiftly eliminated the Dou Clan’s henchmen in the army.
Immediately, he proceeded to the Northern Army and Hu Ben Camp, until fully controlling the entire Central Army and seizing the gates of Luoyang.
By the time he led the Forbidden Army into the palace.
Liu Zhao immediately took out the decree he had prepared, publicly announcing the crimes of everyone, sentencing them all to prison and execution, and had his trusted aides control Changle Palace to prevent Empress Dowager Dou from causing trouble.
He certainly would not kill the Empress Dowager Dou.
The Great Han ruled the country with filial piety.
No matter how many reasons he had, he could not directly kill Empress Dowager Dou, otherwise it would definitely invite criticism.
Liu Zhao wasn’t that foolish.
Afterwards, he immediately summoned the ministers.
When the ministers learned of the news, they were all stunned.
Even Yuan An was the same.
There was no way; the most important thing about this matter was secrecy.
How could he disclose such things?
But when they saw that Gu Nian and the Forbidden Army followed Liu Zhao, they immediately guessed what had happened.
In an instant, expressions of the people dependent on the Dou Clan changed drastically.
This was the first time since Liu Zhao ascended to the throne that he experienced what it meant to be the Emperor.
He offered no unnecessary words.
All those promoted by or attached to the Dou Clan in these days were all sent to prison.
Watching as one after another official was taken away by soldiers.
The entire hall was filled with dread among the ministers.
Although Liu Zhao was young.
The overwhelming authority belonging solely to the Emperor still instilled fear in everyone.
Even if they opposed the Dou Clan.
The entire hall was terrifyingly silent.
Liu Zhao sat on the dragon throne, sweeping his gaze over the crowd, and said in a loud voice: "Since ascending the throne, this is the first time I truly understand what it means to be the Son of Heaven."
"You gentlemen need not be anxious."
"All of you are pillars of the Great Han, and all are loyal ministers."
"I will not blame anyone unjustly."
"After this, there will be rewards as well."
Liu Zhao demonstrated an astonishing political talent.
His words were both a promise and a reassurance.
The relationships among ministers in the court were complex, mixed with familial ties.
He obviously couldn’t punish everyone, causing officials to lose heart.
As expected, after hearing these words, many officials’ expressions gradually relaxed.
Liu Zhao, without further words, directly looked at Gu Liang, and said:
"Gu Qing, where is your son?"
Hearing these words, the ministers immediately widened their eyes, not understanding the Emperor’s intent.
"Your son?"
What does this mean?
"Your Majesty, Xi’Er has long been waiting outside the hall!"
Gu Liang ignored the ministers’ astonished glances and immediately bowed and replied.
"Good! Summon him quickly!"
Liu Zhao made no effort to conceal his anticipation for Gu Xi, his sharp gaze softening slightly.
Soon after, Gu Xi steadily walked into the hall.
When the ministers saw Gu Xi’s youthful appearance, they were all stunned.
How young is he?
Because of his extremely young age, Gu Xi indeed had no remarkable reputation in the world.
The Great Han was not yet at the point where people started praising each other for fame from a young age.
The ministers were naturally shocked by the Emperor summoning such a youthful Gu Xi, each gaze intensely focused on him.
But Gu Xi showed no sign of stage fright.
He naturally walked to the center of the hall, saluted Liu Zhao, and said in a clear, resounding voice:
"Minister Xi, pays homage to the Son of Heaven!"
"Rise." Liu Zhao quickly gestured with his hand, his gaze remaining fixed on Gu Xi.
Although it was the first time the two had met, it seemed there was no sense of unfamiliarity at all.