I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 259 - 1: Liu Bei Passes Away, A New Era Begins
"After I pass away, you all must serve the Conquering Envoy as you would a father. Do not follow the examples of the three Emperors, Jingping, Huan and Ling, who disappointed the hopes of the people and caused chaos in our Great Han."
His voice grew increasingly weak, yet he still held on with determination, once again looking at Gu Chen: "Ziyan."
"The Crown Prince is weak and untalented."
"If he cannot establish the nation, Ziyan may seek another to establish it."
"I... only wish for the peace and well-being of the state."
This was the first time Liu Bei referred to himself as ’I’ in front of Gu Chen.
Yet the words he spoke were deeply sincere.
——He could depose the Emperor!
Such a simple sentence, it could be said that the entire Great Han was entrusted to Gu Chen alone.
It granted Gu Chen supreme power.
Although Gu Chen could have done this himself, this was fundamentally different.
Liu Bei was granting Gu Chen legitimate power!
However, none of those present felt it strange, but considered it fitting and proper.
Gu Chen’s eyes gradually reddened.
Looking at Liu Bei, whose life was hanging by a thread, he finally fully grasped the meaning of being a wise ruler and capable minister, as Gu Xi had talked about in the past.
He said nothing more, only nodding seriously.
Then, for the first time, he performed the grand ritual of kneeling before Liu Bei.
Liu Bei finally closed his eyes completely.
"Your Majesty!!!"
Sounds of grief echoed.
Gu Chen knelt before Liu Shan and the ministers, a tear involuntarily sliding down his cheek.
In the seventh year of Zhangwu, on the day of the month in the Guiyou year;
——Liu Bei passed away at the North Palace in Luoyang.
On his deathbed, he entrusted his son to Gu Chen, granting him the power to depose and set up the Emperor.
The Crown Prince Liu Shan ascended the throne.
Posthumously titled as Zhaowu.
.......
The death of Liu Bei, such a founding ruler, was destined to have a significant impact on the current Great Han.
Although Liu Bei had decreed to follow the simple funeral customs of past Emperors like Guangwu and Emperor Ming, keeping everything simple.
But necessary rituals could not be omitted;
The national funeral proceeded as scheduled.
However, perhaps because Gu Chen had returned to Luoyang, no chaos erupted throughout the world.
In fact, compared to when Liu Bei was alive, officials in various regions behaved with even more caution.
Under such circumstances, Liu Shan ascended the throne smoothly.
As for this new Emperor, Gu Chen finally made some assessments.
Regardless of his abilities.
Liu Shan was truly obedient.
He had no desire whatsoever to seize power, no matter the issue, big or small, his response was always, "Let the grand guardian decide."
Moreover, Gu Chen could confirm that Liu Shan was not pretending; it was completely genuine and sincere.
This greatly surprised Gu Chen.
For an Emperor.
To possess such a temperament is exceedingly rare.
Even if his talents were lacking, with ministers devoted to helping Han, Liu Shan’s temperament certainly made him a competent ruler.
This gave Gu Chen a clear prediction for the future of the Great Han.
Even though he gained fame through warfare.
But Gu Chen, an almost perfectly capable warrior, had no weaknesses.
Especially as the Great Han now had many talented individuals.
Zhuge Liang, Xun Yu, Pang Tong, Fa Zheng, and a host of talented individuals could provide great assistance to Gu Chen.
Often, as long as Gu Chen could outline an initial plan, these individuals could discuss more detailed strategies and effectively implement them.
This directly brought the administrative efficiency of the Great Han to an unprecedented scale.
The world remained remarkably stable.
As the only member of the Gu Clan to have traveled throughout the world to this day, Gu Chen now maximized the traditional prowess of the Gu Clan’s descendants.
Regarding the cultivation of lands in the various provinces, the guilty sons of aristocratic families were useful at such times.
Gu Chen left them with some hope.
As long as they cultivated enough land, they would be pardoned.
Additionally, based on the experiences recorded in the notes left by Gu Kang, Gu Chen implemented water management measures throughout the land and lent seeds to the people far and wide.
He also abolished the poll tax, which had suddenly intensified since the time of Emperor Wu of Han, and restored the light taxes from the early Han.
Taking the opportunity to stimulate the population.
In such a feudal dynasty system.
Whether the people could live prosperously.
Besides natural disasters and rebellions, the clarity of governance was a key factor.
The current Great Han was experiencing a time of renewal.
The clarity of governance far surpassed the past.
The population’s foundation began to play a more significant role during this time.
Under these various factors, the national strength of the Great Han quickly began to recover.
Of course, though Gu Chen had returned to Luoyang, his attention to the border remained undiminished.
Conflicts on the borders had never ceased.
The lifestyle of the Barbarians determined that they needed to resort to plunder at certain times for survival.
This was an irreconcilable core issue.
While governing the land, Gu Chen set up granaries along the borders, preparing for future wars.
He did not know how much time he had left.
However, given Gu Chen’s character, as long as he could stand, he would never stop moving forward.
No one among the ministers doubted his judgment at all.
This may well be one of the key advantages of the current Great Han.
The court ministers worked together with one heart;
They all had immense trust in Gu Chen, and each had talents in various aspects where they excelled.
With such a Great Han, how could any chaos arise?
Successive victories were reported from the borders on all sides.
Jiang Wei, Guan Qiujian, Deng Ai, and others successively defeated the marauders, stifling the Barbarians’ intentions to plunder.
