I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 82 - 31: Liu Zhao’s Demise and Regency for the Orphaned Heir

Chapter 82: Chapter 31: Liu Zhao’s Demise and Regency for the Orphaned Heir
.....
——The fourteenth year of Yongyuan.
The rebellion of the Shaohe Qiang was crushed by the troops from Anding Commandery, completely resolving the Qiang problem in the valleys of Great and Small Yugu in the West Sea.
Gu Xi deeply inherited the Gu Clan’s talent in agriculture.
Observing the fertile land of the Great and Small Yugu valleys, he immediately petitioned to establish counties.
Liu Zhao naturally had no objections to this, delineating the Western Han Commandery, and dispatched troops to greatly expand farmland for the people near Qinghai Lake.
At the same time, the reduction of commercial taxes greatly stimulated the commercial development of the Great Han.
The prestige Ban Chao held in the Western Regions was not just empty talk.
If anyone could surpass Ban Chao,
it might only be Gu Cheng, known as the "God of Wrath of Kunlun" in the Western Regions, who could surpass him.
Under his years of management, the Western Regions today are considered thoroughly stabilized.
With such geographic advantage and the court’s policies,
the commercial routes of the Great Han truly reached their peak.
Silk, porcelain, ironware, and other goods all saw a tremendous development, with a large influx of gold, silver, and jewels into the Great Han.
The national power of the Great Han reached a new high, truly peaking.
All over, signs of "auspicious omens" repeatedly appeared.
The people of the world were all praising the Emperor’s benevolence.
The reverence for Gu Kang among the people grew increasingly prosperous, even gradually forming into a custom.
But the only unfortunate thing was that Liu Zhao’s health did not improve for long before relapsing, and even more severely.
Although Gu Xi could still hold on,
the Emperor’s health was still the major concern for everyone.
——The sixteenth year of Yongyuan.
Near Luoyang, many places saw the appearance of "auspicious grains," hailed as a symbol of abundant harvests and national peace.
The ministers petitioned Liu Zhao to change the era name.
And while at it, they offered sacrifices to Heaven, wishing to bless Liu Zhao’s health.
Liu Zhao did not refuse this.
However, he did not go to Mount Tai to perform the fengshan ceremonies as Guangwu and Emperor Zhang did in the past.
He merely worshipped the ancestors of three generations.
Then, he announced the change of era name to "Yuanxing," signifying "renewal of all things and national rejuvenation."
Perhaps it was this prosperous age that invigorated Liu Zhao.
Right after changing the era name,
he surprisingly had another child, whom he named Liu Long.
Perhaps influenced by previous palace intrigues, this time Liu Zhao decided to send Liu Long secretly to be raised among the common people.
Although it was still unknown whether this child would survive to adulthood,
the Emperor having an heir was naturally a good thing for the current world.
Liu Zhao was very happy, and even his health showed signs of improvement.
This time, the era name change seemed to truly have an effect.
But just two months later,
news came from the Western Regions that Marquis Dingyuan and Protector of the Western Regions, Ban Chao, had passed away.
His last wish was to be "buried at Yumen Pass," wishing to guard the entire Western Regions for the Great Han even after death.
This matter had an impact on the entire Great Han far beyond imagination.
Liu Zhao was deeply saddened.
He ordered a grand funeral for Ban Chao, fulfilling Ban Chao’s last wish.
And at Yumen Pass, he had the portraits of Gu Cheng and Ban Chao carved, for future generations to admire.
After this, he fell ill once more.
This time, the illness was far more severe than before; within a few short days, he was unable to even stand.
....
Zhangde Hall.
The atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.
Gu Xi slowly stepped into the hall, looking at Liu Zhao lying on the bed, his eyes filled with tears.
"Your Majesty."
He called softly, a hint of choking in his voice.
Liu Zhao slowly opened his eyes, initially showing a somewhat fierce look, but upon seeing that it was Gu Xi, his expression gradually softened.
"Ming Yuan, have all the ministers arrived?"
Liu Zhao looked at Gu Xi and asked.
"All the ministers are waiting outside the door for your command!" Gu Xi quickly replied.
Liu Zhao nodded slightly, then with difficulty, raised his hand and said, "Ming Yuan, come here first."
"I have something to tell you."
Gu Xi hurried over and knelt directly in front of Liu Zhao.
Liu Zhao immediately grabbed Gu Xi’s hand tightly, staring directly into his eyes, and earnestly said:
"Although the Empress is virtuous and noble, the Emperor’s past experiences cannot be ignored."
"I will soon grant you the power of regency before the ministers."
"When Long’er grows up, hand over this empire to him in a complete state."
Liu Zhao’s eyes were bloodshot, staring intently at Gu Xi.
In his eyes, there was both a sense of unfulfilled ambition and deep worry for the future situation.
He did not fear death but was filled with fear of the impending changes the empire might face.
The foundation of the state was unstable.
Unless there was a minister with the same prestige as Gu Kang on the court today, there would certainly be upheaval.
Regency!
Gu Xi gazed at Liu Zhao blankly; Liu Zhao’s words were like a thunderbolt in Gu Xi’s heart.
Although he had considered the possibility of Liu Zhao asking him to assist in governance,
the heavy responsibility of regency was something he had never imagined.
"Your Majesty!"
Gu Xi took a deep breath, turned Liu Zhao’s hand over and held it, and said earnestly, "About the regency..."
"Ming Yuan!!" Liu Zhao suddenly shouted to stop Gu Xi.
This sudden surge of emotion seemed to have sparked something in his body.
This unexpected emotional fluctuation seemed to stimulate his already weakened body, his breathing became more rapid.
He stared intently at Gu Xi, the unease in his eyes growing stronger, "Ming Yuan, I really can’t go on."
"I cannot walk this path with you any longer."
"Yet the Great Han cannot decline."
His tone paused, then suddenly trembled a bit, "I... can only entrust this matter to you."
"Ming Yuan, you must not disappoint me."
"Do not disgrace the good name earned by four generations of us, the Liu family and the Gu Clan, in serving our rulers and ministers."
Gu Xi was completely stunned.
The Liu Zhao before him no longer had his former high-spiritedness.
At this moment, he appeared so weak and helpless, even somewhat pitiful.
Gu Xi’s body trembled slightly.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his emotions, then after a moment of silence, nodded slightly and bowed deeply to Liu Zhao.
"Your Majesty’s grace, I could never repay even in death."
"I swear my unwavering loyalty."
"I will safeguard the Great Han for Your Majesty."
Liu Zhao quietly looked at Gu Xi, and after a moment of silence, waved his hand.
"Call the ministers in."
Gu Xi got up and went out to summon the ministers.
Soon, Empress Deng and the ministers followed him in one by one.
Sobs echoed around.
In the corner, the historian began to record everything.
"The late Emperor, with wisdom and clarity, upheld the virtuous way of the ancestors, bringing peace and prosperity to the realm."
"..."
Liu Zhao did not look at the ministers, just explained his last words.
The arrangements for the Great Han system;
Declaring Liu Long the Crown Prince....
And finally, granting the power of regency.
"Appointing Gu Xi as Grand Tutor, recording the affairs of the Secretariat, and administering state affairs."
"To govern the world alongside the Empress."
"Return the power to the ruler when the Crown Prince comes of age,"
In an instant, the hall fell into a deathly silence.
A complete and utter silence!
At that moment, even the sobs abruptly stopped.
The expressions of the ministers changed suddenly, only Empress Deng, who seemed to have anticipated all of this, showed no change in expression.
Entrusting the young!
Regency!
Nearly all the ministers simultaneously turned their gaze to Gu Xi, kneeling at the forefront, their eyes filled with confusion.
How old is he?
What is His Majesty trying to do?
Why would he issue such an edict?
Immediately, someone wanted to speak out in opposition, but just as he exclaimed "Your Majesty";
—Liu Zhao suddenly turned his head, looking at that person, his eyes full of bloodshot was filled with murderous intent!
Instantly, everyone fell silent once more.
Liu Zhao swept his gaze across the ministers, seeing that no one else spoke, he turned his head again, muttering to himself:
"Since childhood, I have always heard of the prosperous era crafted by Emperor Xiaoming and Marquis Wencheng..."
"At that time, I was thinking..."
"Will I have the opportunity to create a prosperous era like that of Emperor Xiaoming in the future?"
"Therefore, since taking power, I’ve worried day and night, fearing to let down the ancestors and ruin our Great Han’s splendid world."
"Fortunately, with the assistance of all you gentlemen..."
"Under my rule, the Great Han did not decline, allowing me to face the ancestors with honor in the afterlife."
"Yet my great ambitions remain unfulfilled as I face imminent death."
"I can only sigh...."
Liu Zhao’s tone abruptly halted, his breathing becoming more rapid.
The unwillingness in his eyes deepened at this moment.
He seemed to be battling the impending death.
The next moment, he sat up suddenly.
Under the shocked expressions of those present, he shouted twice:
"I can only lament that my grand plans remain unrealized as death approaches and only regret fills the universe."
After speaking, it was as if all the strength had been drained from his body, he collapsed directly and closed his eyes. ...
The December day of the Xinwei year of Yuanxing;
—Liu Zhao died in Zhangde Hall.
Entrusting the young to Gu Xi.
Crown Prince Liu Long ascended the throne.
—————————
In December of the first year of Yuanxing, the Emperor passed away in Zhangde Hall, at the age of twenty-seven.
During his severe illness, he summoned the Grand Tutor and Minister of the Secretariat Xi to his bedside, held his hand and said: "In the past, the Dou Clan was overbearing, nearly endangering the state. Your loyalty and caution are well-known, there will be no worries of another Huo Yu or Dou Xian. Although the Crown Prince is young, I entrust you with the duties of Yi and Zhou."
Thus he issued his final edict, ordering Xi to be appointed as Grand Tutor, to manage Secretariat affairs, and to administer the state affairs.
Xi bowed his head and wept, swearing: "Even in death, I shall not betray Your Majesty’s profound concern."
———— "The Book of Later Han·Records of Emperors Xiaohua and Xiaoshang"