I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 84 - 32: Disasters Abound, the Calamity of Great Han

Chapter 84: Chapter 32: Disasters Abound, the Calamity of Great Han
Which of those who have made it to today isn’t a cunning fox?
They understand this truth very clearly.
The most crucial part is the consequences faced by the Yin Clan, who were dismissed.
This matter was a choice concerning the life and death of all ministers, and they were naturally extremely worried.
But now... Gu Xi has ceded power?
For the ministers, this was both shocking and somewhat pleasing.
There was no conflict between Deng Sui and Gu Xi.
For them, as well as for the entire realm, it was indeed tremendously good news.
As for letting Liu Long ascend to the throne directly.
No one seemed to care.
Under such circumstances, Liu Long ascended the throne.
Deng Sui acted as Empress Dowager, ruling in her own name as female sovereign, announcing the change of era to Yanping.
Gu Yi had been silently observing all this, without any surprise at Gu Xi’s decision.
The current Great Han had not yet reached an era of ceremonial and musical collapse.
People valued virtue.
Furthermore, the Gu Clan already had family rules, with successive generations undergoing respective education.
Gu Xi’s decision was naturally reasonable and logical.
....
As time went by.
The ministers moved from initial disbelief to gradually believing that Gu Xi and Deng Sui indeed would not contend with one another.
The entire court of Great Han seemed as if it had returned to its usual state.
There was no choice, after all, Gu Xi had been assisting Liu Zhao with court affairs ever since Liu Zhao fell ill.
The ministers were accustomed to it.
Even now, with Gu Xi acting as regent, it seemed no different than usual.
As for Deng Sui, she became a presence resembling Liu Zhao at the time.
This was the tacit understanding between the two.
Deng Sui was indeed a highly capable woman, her judgment of the situation was precise, without any intent to suppress Gu Xi.
And under such circumstances, the hearts of those in court gradually stabilized.
And now Gu Xi also held the power of regency.
Handling various state affairs was extremely convenient, making the whole Great Han seem as if it had reverted to the times when Liu Zhao was around.
But in April of the first year of Yanping;
——An earthquake occurred in Huaiji Commandery.
The affected area was extensive, resulting in countless casualties.
In May;
——Continuous heavy rain fell in the Capital Luoyang and surrounding areas, causing Luoshui River to overflow, inundating farmland, leaving disaster victims homeless.
The Yuan Mountain in Hedong collapsed, causing countless casualties.
In June;
Locust infestations occurred in various northern commanderies, locust swarms blanketed the sky, devouring crops completely, resulting in countless refugees.
A series of disasters followed one after another.
Gu Xi became increasingly busy.
Initially, he could handle everything calmly.
Thanks to the existence of the Gu Clan, the national strength of the Great Han was far stronger than imagined.
When facing the floods in Huaiji Commandery and the surrounding areas of Luoyang.
He did not need to go to great lengths, simply opening the granaries to provide aid.
The core of Great Han was not weakened by these events.
But as locust plagues struck the north.
Gu Xi had to face a more extensive refugee population and arrange every expenditure more meticulously.
The key issue was the impact of these consecutive natural disasters on the court.
It was unclear from when.
A saying gradually emerged in the court.
That the continuous natural disasters were due to Deng Sui ruling under the name of female sovereign.
Gu Xi was not the target because he had been governing for a long time.
Since the thirteenth year of Yongyuan, he had gradually participated in government affairs, merely lacking the title.
Naturally, no one would attribute these events to Gu Xi.
Otherwise, it might implicate Liu Zhao.
But Deng Sui was different.
Had there been no natural disasters, with Gu Xi present, such rumors would never appear in the court and amongst officials.
Even if the ministers harbored such thoughts, they would suppress them.
But with disasters in the realm, it became a totally different affair.
It wasn’t a trivial matter.
Once such turmoil arises in the court, it will inevitably extend to the public, severely impacting the court’s reputation.
Even though Gu Kang had influenced the widespread fascination with prophecies throughout Great Han.
Yet the limitations of the era were apparent.
Even Gu Kang couldn’t completely escape it, let alone the successors.
Amid these ongoing disasters, the hearts of the Great Han that had just stabilized suddenly grew restless again.
...
Night.
Dark clouds shrouded the night, somber and bleak.
Gu Xi slowly walked into the Changle Palace, his face weary.
Deng Sui’s expression was also somewhat unpleasant.
Yet, upon seeing Gu Xi, she couldn’t help but exclaim, "Grand Tutor, you’ve worked hard."
Gu Xi didn’t speak.
Deng Sui wasn’t bothered, sighed deeply, and continued, "I am aware of the rumors circulating in the court lately."
"Disasters persist."
I may indeed lack virtue."
"Grand Tutor, what do you think of me issuing an edict of self-blame?"
Deng Sui stared intently at Gu Xi.
Gu Xi immediately shook his head, spoke sternly, "Empress Dowager absolutely should not have such thoughts!"
"Continuous disasters, our Great Han court and popular sentiment are both restless."
"If the Empress Dowager issues an edict of self-blame, what should be done if disasters persist?"
"I have successively drawn grain from the Grand Granary and local Changping Granaries to relieve victims, exempting taxes in affected areas."
"And based on some ideas left by my grandfather, Marquis Wencheng, directing local officials to exterminate locusts."
"These natural disasters do have a significant impact."
"Yet it is insufficient to undermine the foundation established by generations of wise emperors."
"Empress Dowager mustn’t attempt to stir up controversy!"
"Besides, in the past, my grandfather once said, ’Revere the spirits but keep them at a distance,’ how could we let the world believe that the court lost virtue due to mere natural disasters?"
Gu Xi’s expression was very solemn.
Especially after managing affairs during these times, though Gu Xi was still so young, his entire aura exuded a certain dignified majesty.