I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 117 - 44: The Mount Tai Offering Ceremony, Emperor and Ministers Reflecting Each Other

Chapter 117: Chapter 44: The Mount Tai Offering Ceremony, Emperor and Ministers Reflecting Each Other

People’s hearts have been slightly disturbed.

Nowadays, there are still many people who have survived the continuous natural disasters from years past.

They are inherently sensitive to such events.

Upon learning of this, Liu Bao immediately led officials to the banks of the Luoshui River to emulate Gu Xi’s sacrifice and announced a general amnesty, granting titles to the people.

He also rewarded those over eighty years old with a measure of rice, twenty kilos of meat, and five doses of wine.

Those over ninety years old were additionally granted two pieces of silk and three kilos of cotton.

This led to a resurgence in the virtue of respecting the elderly throughout the land.

Hearts were instantly calmed.

People across the land expressed deep gratitude and appreciation.

Moreover, Liu Bao emulated Liu Zhuang’s previous practice of reducing palace expenses, canceling all unnecessary tributes from various places.

Only a few were retained.

And these were directly sent to Julu as a reward to Gu Xi.

Indeed, Liu Bao’s letters and rewards have never ceased over the years.

They were mostly special products and treasures sent from various places.

In contemporary terms, these items may seem insignificant.

However, in this era, they represent immense favor!

Furthermore, Liu Bao expanded the role of Imperial Physicians, sending them to Julu to attend to Gu Xi’s health, showing a firm commitment.

This change is evident.

Gu Xi governed effectively and indeed created a prosperous era.

Yet the feeling of governance by regent ministers differs entirely from that of the Emperor’s personal rule.

This highlights the distinctions of the feudal era!

The actions of the Emperor.

Can influence many people’s thoughts!

Omens of prosperity emerged in various places.

The peak of the Great Han seemed truly to have returned, and some ministers even proposed that Liu Bao should journey to Mount Tai for a ceremonial pilgrimage.

However, Liu Bao suppressed this proposal.

——In the third year of Yangjia.

Part of the returning Northern Xiongnu attacked the Cheshi Post-Kingdom, and Gu Han, stationed for farming at Yiwu, united with Pei Cen, the Governor of Dunhuang, to lead troops in a rescue operation, decisively defeating the enemy.

Moreover, the natural disasters ceased.

In this situation, the ministers once again petitioned Liu Bao to undertake a ceremonial pilgrimage to Mount Tai.

And this time.

Someone presented Liu Bao with a reason he could not refuse.

"In past years, Emperor Guangwu could not undertake a ceremonial pilgrimage to Mount Tai alongside Marquis Zhongwu Gu Xiao, which was a regret."

"Emperor Ming could not journey to Mount Tai with Marquis Wencheng, which was another regret."

"Now, signs of prosperity are evident throughout the land, omens emerge endlessly, and the Grand Tutor is elderly; considering his contributions to the Great Han, if this ceremonial pilgrimage does not proceed, wouldn’t it be a third regret?"

This time, Liu Bao agreed.

Gu Yi has always paid attention to the overall development of the Great Han.

The current Great Han differs significantly from the original historical narrative, strengthened beyond mere comparison.

Gu Xi’s emergence addressed some of Liu Bao’s personality issues.

Creating this situation.

But to say this truly represents a revival... it still falls short in many aspects.

Because they have not resolved the most critical issue.

——Land consolidation.

Actually, this is not entirely Liu Bao and Gu Xi’s fault.

The persistent natural disasters of the past, combined with the core system of the Eastern Han, inevitably created the current situation.

If Gu Kang were still alive.

He might have been able to identify the hidden threat within it.

After all, his political governance skills reached their peak.

Yet Gu Xi is not the same.

He’s indeed a well-rounded warrior, excelling in many aspects comparable to dragons among men.

But in specialized areas, he naturally can’t compare to someone like Gu Kang.

Even the Gu Clan has acquired so much land, revealing the underlying reasons.

This is the product of an era.

Moreover, the most critical point is.

Under Gu Xi’s years of governance, the issue of land consolidation in the Great Han nowadays has not incited the sharp conflicts seen in original history.

The core problem is hidden beneath the guise of prosperity.

Gu Yi doesn’t know if this will trigger a larger conflict in the future.

But it’s evident that this issue is like a ticking time bomb; if it truly detonates one day, the resulting upheaval may far exceed the initial historical events.

...

The news quickly reached Julu.

Gu Xi was entirely unprepared for such an occurrence.

In fact, for other matters, Gu Xi would absolutely have no hesitation in refusing.

Once decided to leave the court.

He then wouldn’t participate again; if not, it would be better not to withdraw.

But a ceremonial pilgrimage is different.

This was Gu Kang’s greatest regret in the past.

Liu Zhuang personally expressed the desire to accompany him to Mount Tai for a ceremonial pilgrimage, but regrettably, he passed away before it could happen.

Later, although Liu Da went to Mount Tai for a ceremonial pilgrimage.

And even planned to take Gu Liang along.

But Gu Liang knew his contributions were insufficient, so he refused this matter.

This was indeed one of the regrets of the Gu Clan!

Gu Xi did not hesitate and immediately agreed to it.

Years have passed.

The sovereign and minister met again.

Liu Bao personally led his ministers to welcome Gu Xi outside Luoyang City.

This was a great honor.

Gu Xi still had snow-white hair, but his overall demeanor showed no signs of aging, still striking fear.

This is the terrifying effect of the Longevity Card.

Gu Xi was only fifty-four years old now, far from reaching the end of his natural life.

And Liu Bao was in his prime.

Due to his years of governance, he had become more authoritative.

Stepping down from the carriage.

Gu Xi immediately intended to perform a salute to Liu Bao.

But Liu Bao disregarded etiquette and quickly stepped forward, directly stopping Gu Xi, saying solemnly, "To me, the Grand Tutor is like a teacher and a father, how could he salute me?"

Without regard for Gu Xi’s response, he immediately bowed to Gu Xi.

At that moment, the officials in front of the city gate also paid their respects to Gu Xi.

This was destined to be a grand occasion.

Liu Bao was truly happy, facing Gu Xi without any hint of his usual governance sharpness, his face filled with smiles like in the past.

Although returning to Luoyang.

This time, Gu Xi had no interest in engaging in political affairs, clearly showing his attitude to the world.

Once retired, there would be no return.

—Yongjia Year Four, Spring.

Liu Bao led his ministers to Mount Tai.

This was destined to be an event watched by the world.

Since the fiefdom ceremony conducted by Liu Da in the past, how many years had it been since the Great Han had an imperial fiefdom?

Continuous natural disasters, frontier chaos...

All the events of these years slowly pulled the then-peak Great Han down from its pedestal.

But now, Great Han is back!

At the foot of Mount Tai.

Liu Bao set up an altar to perform sacrifices, carried out various rituals, and the most crucial thing was to engrave Gu Xi’s name on the Jade Tablet recording achievements and announced the change of era name to "Yonghe".

Hoping the Great Han could forever prosper.

He then led Gu Xi onto the platform himself.

Ordered an artist to paint.

He seemed to know the Gu Clan’s tradition, stamping the painting with the seal, and finally bestowed it to Gu Xi.

This made Gu Yi very happy.

It’s all about foundation!

As long as there is enough foundation, even if one or two things can be passed down, they are treasures that can astonish the world!

This grand ceremony concluded.

Gu Xi did not choose to return to Luoyang, but planned to go directly back to Hebei.

At the time of departure.

Liu Bao seemed intent on persuading Gu Xi to return to Luoyang.

But by today, he gradually understood Gu Xi’s difficult situation.

His reputation far surpassed that of a normal minister.

As long as he was in the imperial court, he would definitely affect the Emperor’s authority.

This was an irresolvable problem.

Whether for him as the Emperor or for the Gu Clan, Gu Xi’s retirement was the best choice.

And for Liu Bao, looking at Gu Xi’s full white hair.

How could he selfishly ask Gu Xi to stay?

The sovereign and minister parted again.

Although this scene was not as grand as before, the impact on the world was nonetheless significant.

Ascending the platform during the fiefdom ceremony.

Leaving a name on the Jade Tablet.

How could this still be regarded as a mere minister?

It can be said that Liu Bao’s actions completely credited the current prosperous era’s achievements to Gu Xi.

But who could say anything?

In today’s prosperous age, who could say it has nothing to do with Gu Xi?

This is the honor the Gu Clan deserves!...

—————————

"Yongjia Year Four, Spring first month, the Emperor toured Mount Tai, conducted the fiefdom ceremony.

"At this time the world was peaceful, the yin and yang harmonized, auspicious signs were reported daily by states and counties: white unicorns in Henei, sweet dew in Donglai, the vegetation on the sunny side of Mount Tai blossomed vibrantly.

The Grand Historian reported: "This is the virtue of the holy sovereign spread over the seas, heaven sends down this happy omen."

On the day of March Xinmao, the Emperor ascended Tai Altar, burned wood, buried jade, announced the completion to heaven, then sealed the Jade Tablet with golden cords and silver locks, inscribing achievements upon it, particularly recording Gu Xi’s name.

Upon completion, the Emperor held Xi’s hand, ascended the steps together, then commanded artists to depict the scene of the sovereign and minister in the same ceremony, with exquisite brushwork and ink, lifelike spirit.

He took the Heirloom Seal of the Realm, personally stamped it beside, and said to Xi: "I and you share the Celestial Mandate, this trace shall be passed down for a hundred generations."

The ministers were all moved to tears.

That day, the mountains were solemn, the clouds and mist formed splendid colors, observers all sighed: "The greatness of sovereign and minister’s accord, even the rule of Zhou and Summon cannot surpass!"

—"Later Han Book, Emperor Shun’s Chronicle"