I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 115 - 43: The Rise of Yongjian, Gu Xi Leaves the Capital

Chapter 115: Chapter 43: The Rise of Yongjian, Gu Xi Leaves the Capital

However, this time was different from the past.

Liu Bao decided in public to adopt Zuo Xiong’s plan.

The group of ministers originally wanted to say more.

But Gu Xi directly bowed to Liu Bao and exclaimed, "Your Majesty is wise."

The hall suddenly became deathly silent.

Even though Gu Xi had relinquished power for many years,

the imposing figure with a sword always remained intensely intimidating to the ministers!

A major decision was instantly settled.

And then, a few days later.

Gu Xi announced his resignation in the court.

The impact of this was so significant that it even surpassed the reforms of a few days prior.

Gu Xi... resigned?

This name had been at the zenith of the Great Han for decades!

Starting from entering the court as a young boy at the age of eleven!

Gu Xi had already become the most conspicuous presence in the Great Han’s court.

Later, through Liu Zhao’s entrustment before passing, handling natural disasters, and countless achievements like quelling northern rebellions, Gu Xi had completely transcended the status of a mere subject.

Now, such a person was resigning?

Until this moment... everyone realized that Gu Xi was already over fifty years old.

He was too dominant.

Dominant to the point where the ministers had grown accustomed to his presence, ignoring this fact.

But the ministers still had a massive reaction to this.

After the previous purge, the current court was almost entirely composed of capable ministers.

Liu Bao was now only fifteen years old.

Having someone like Gu Xi to stabilize the court was good for both the ministers and the Emperor.

Immediately, countless memorials were sent to Liu Bao.

These were people urging Liu Bao to keep Gu Xi.

Some even cited the example of Emperor Cheng of Zhou urging Duke Zhou to stay, hoping Liu Bao could retain Gu Xi.

Of course, there were also those who went to see Gu Xi.

To try persuading him not to leave, speaking of the state affairs of the Great Han, and so on.

But Gu Xi gave a very candid response.

He was destined to leave.

But whether it be the Great Han or the Emperor, it must continue to move forward; how could it collapse due to the absence of one person?

The ministers immediately sensed his intention.

From that day forth, an inexplicable sense of sorrow pervaded the entire Great Han’s court.

—— Autumn of the fifth year of Yongjian.

In Chongde Hall, today’s court meeting was especially oppressive and gloomy.

The faces of many ministers were full of sorrow, as was Liu Bao’s.

Evidently, they still had not abandoned the idea of urging Gu Xi to stay.

In the court,

the ministers spoke one after another, earnestly requesting Liu Bao to persuade Gu Xi to stay.

Liu Bao finally could no longer hold back the tears in his eyes.

He slowly rose, looked over the ministers from the imperial stairway, and said tearfully, "In past years, it was the Grand Tutor who held my hand and helped me ascend to the throne."

"But now that the Grand Tutor is elderly, with black hair turned to snow."

"How can I hold onto the Grand Tutor’s sleeve as I did back then and not let him leave?"

Tears continued to fall from Liu Bao’s eyes.

Upon hearing his words, the ministers gradually became silent.

Gu Xi’s eyes also reddened slightly; he slowly knelt down and silently bowed his head.

Liu Bao slightly raised his head and announced the edict.

He ordered the Director of the Lantai Secretariat to compose an ode, extolling Gu Xi’s merits to all corners of the world.

He further declared that in the future, when all officials meet the Grand Tutor, it should be as if he himself were present.

Finally, he walked over to Gu Xi, took his hand, and solemnly said,

"In past years, it was the Grand Tutor who brought me to the Imperial Palace; today, as the Grand Tutor departs, I should personally see the Grand Tutor off."

This arrangement was not in line with etiquette, but not a single minister raised an objection.

Who could match Gu Xi’s achievements?

Everyone knew his place in Liu Bao’s heart,

Closer than father and son!

This news quickly spread.

When the people of Luoyang heard that Gu Xi was leaving the court, they were all deeply shocked.

On the day of departure, Liu Bao personally held the purple reins to drive the carriage for Gu Xi, with civil and military officials dressed in red court attire lining the roads in farewell.

As they passed through the market.

The people of Luoyang spontaneously came to see Gu Xi off, the sound of sobbing never ceasing...

————————

"In the autumn of the fifth year of Yongjian, Grand Tutor Gu Xi submitted a memorial to bow out and return to his hometown.

At the time, the court’s debates were fervent; some said, ’With the elder statesman’s departure, the foundation of the state will totter,’ and others said, ’A wise ruler should emulate Emperor Cheng and retain Duke Zhou.’

The Emperor tearfully said at court, ’In past years, when I was young and ascended the throne, the Grand Tutor guided me through the ninefold gates, holding my hand and teaching me the way of the "Tai Shi" — "Heaven observes through my people."

Now, though I am reluctant to see this morning court hero depart, could I hold onto his robe like a child?’

He then commanded the Director of the Lantai Secretariat to compose the "Grand Tutor Ode" to honor his virtues and proclaim them to the world.

The text reads: ’With famine relief across Kyushu, the granaries were filled; quelling the rebellions of the Southern Xiongnu and Western Qiang, the borders were henceforth at peace; curbing the ambition of the Dou Clan and Yan Clan, the ancestral temple was once more secure; these are the feats where the Grand Tutor stabilized the empire, correcting the tilt of the heavens.’

Upon his departure, the Emperor personally held the purple reins to drive the carriage, while all officials dressed in red lined the path.

The citizens of Luoyang, hearing the carriage’s passage through the market, the elderly burned incense at their doors, and the children broke willows by the roadside.

As Xi in plain garb rode past Kaiyang Gate, suddenly the north wind pulled open the curtain, revealing his frost-haired head, causing all observers to weep.

At that time, a Returning Righteous Qiang Hero bowed in front of the palace gate, exclaiming, ’In the past, my clan was spared from the edge of the sword, saving countless lives in the western frontier; now the duke departs east, yet the sound of those trumpets and drums lingers!’

The Emperor was moved, using a jade whip to point to the South Palace Cloud Platform, saying, ’This beam and pillar shall be inscribed with the Grand Tutor’s achievements, as a tribute for future generations.’"

—— "Biographies of the Later Han: Gu Xi"