I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 134 - 50: Medicine Cannot Save the Great Han (4)

Chapter 134: Chapter 50: Medicine Cannot Save the Great Han (4)

Moreover, the most crucial point is that Gu Yi does not believe Gu Xi will die in this campaign against the Xianbei.

The principle of "a man’s words are kind as he nears death, a bird’s cry is mournful as it nears its end" does not apply to Gu Xi.

Let alone how long Liu Zhi can continue to live.

Based on the current developments.

If Liu Zhi were to die before Gu Xi, would he entrust his heir to Gu Xi?

Obviously not!

The actions of the scholars over the years have already influenced Gu Xi’s standing with Liu Zhi.

How could he possibly entrust his heir to Gu Xi again?

Furthermore, the most critical issue of the Great Han at present is not this.

Severe land annexation will only lead to an increasing number of refugees across the four corners.

On the day the Great Han court abandons them, or even when their numbers are so great that the court can no longer manage them, their frenzy will destroy everything!

....

Matters did not escape Gu Yi’s expectations.

Gu Xi swiftly dispatched troops to quell the coalition forces of the Xianbei and Southern Xiongnu.

It couldn’t be helped, for whether it be the Xianbei or the Southern Xiongnu, Gu Xi’s legend is widespread among them now.

These Barbarians are even more superstitious than the common folk of the Great Han.

When they heard that after so many years, it was still Gu Xi leading the army, their morale was already weakened by three points.

And Gu Xi precisely used this point.

During the standoff with the coalition forces.

He directly faced the Southern Xiongnu Chanyu and said, "Your grandfather was defeated to the extent of having to surrender with his hat removed...."

This act thoroughly impacted the morale of the Southern Xiongnu army.

Then he enticed them with some small profits, leading the Southern Xiongnu and Wuhuan to retreat.

Finally came the direct confrontation with the Xianbei.

He used Gu Cheng’s former tactics, employing cavalry guerrilla warfare to intercept the Xianbei army, thus protecting the common folk and preventing the Xianbei army from plundering.

With this strategy.....

In less than half a year, the Xianbei army truly retreated.

One battle indeed swept away the foreign invaders.

However, this time, Gu Xi did not relax as he did last time.

He sensed the rise of the Xianbei and deliberately restructured the northern defenses.

——Until Yanxi Year 12, he returned to Luoyang once more.

No one could have imagined Gu Xi would return alive.

Years of regency....

Continuously traveling to disaster-stricken areas, tirelessly running around....

Now, at the age of seventy-four.

He actually returned alive from the battlefield once again?

This is truly beyond everyone’s imagination.

The court and the public were shaken!

For the current Great Han, this is like a good medicine.

It can ease the hearts of refugees across the land.

At least, they still have hope.

As expected by Gu Yi, over the past two years, the refugee problem of the Great Han has not been alleviated at all.

Although Gu Xi’s actions before his departure awakened Liu Zhi for a period.

He strenuously balanced the tensions between the eunuchs and the scholars.

Then began to provide relief to the refugees.

But he then gradually realized a problem, that there were too many refugees, beyond relief.

In truth, the national strength of the Great Han could theoretically support his disaster relief.

But the fundamental issue is, the current governance of the Great Han is markedly different from when Gu Xi conducted relief work back in the day.

Gu Xi’s influence allowed Liu Zhi to abandon the faction ban and choose to balance both sides.

But it could never return him to the initial stage.

When he sensed the pressure on the national treasury and granaries, Liu Zhi began, as in the original history, selling official positions.

This was indeed a good strategy.

It brought him considerable revenue.

But without clear governance, disaster relief is ultimately in vain.

In this situation, Liu Zhi became increasingly disinterested, starting to enjoy the privileges of being the Emperor.

In just two years, his harem reached a size of ten thousand.

And he undertook several costly construction projects.

Although the scholars continuously voiced their opposition.

At that time, with Gu Xi absent from the court, and under Liu Zhi’s favoritism, the eunuchs became increasingly bold, suppressing all these voices.

This situation inevitably led to the failure of this relief effort.

Gu Xi, on his journey back, witnessed all this in its full extent.

Though he had heard rumors.

He was completely unprepared for how far matters had escalated.

At the celebration banquet.

Gu Xi directly brought up the issue, intending to reassume responsibility for the relief efforts.

But this time, Liu Zhi refused on the grounds that Gu Xi was too old.

He let Gu Xi stay in Luoyang.

To enjoy the happiness of family.

Then, regardless of Gu Xi’s situation, he left directly.

Now, with the passage of time, he has formally entered the ranks of foolish emperors.

Power always changes a person.

Not to mention Liu Zhi was never someone with a resolute mind.

But how could Gu Xi possibly give up?

He does not interfere with factional conflicts.

Because he does not want his family to fall into danger.

But how could he just watch as the Great Han declines completely during his lifetime?

Gu Xi first went several times to see Liu Zhi, but Liu Zhi did not meet Gu Xi.

Even later after meeting once.

Liu Zhi still used the excuse of old age to suppress Gu Xi, only promising to provide relief to the people affected by disasters.

Obviously, Liu Zhi was very satisfied with the current political situation.

He would not allow Gu Xi to return to the court.

Because as long as Gu Xi returned to the court and managed affairs as before, it would definitely affect the balance he established.

How could he not know the deeds of the eunuchs?

In fact, Liu Zhi has already suppressed several eunuchs because they extended their reach too far.

But even so, he still did not like the scholars.

This is the fundamental conflict between imperial power and the scholars. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

The power of the eunuchs comes from the Emperor.

They are easy for the Emperor to control.

Whereas scholars are different, this is the fundamental reason why Liu Zhi does not want Gu Xi to continue handling state affairs.

Although he continued to reward Gu Xi generously, his attitude remained the same as before.

But what good is that?

Gu Xi was no longer the regent, and the ministers in the court have changed batch after batch compared to before.

How could he possibly bypass the Emperor to act now?

If he did, that would be rebellion.

As long as he dies, the Gu Clan is doomed to face a fatal reckoning.

Even if he establishes another Emperor.

This influence would inevitably cause the Gu Clan to fall from the clouds.

And in this situation, news of the Emperor not using Gu Xi eventually spread.

Suddenly, the whole world was shaken!....

.....

Julu.

"Mr. Zhang, what is the reason for your hurried departure?"

Gu Lin asked with a face full of confusion, sincerely persuading, "Your medical skills are superb. If you stay with our Gu Clan, you can definitely save more common people."

"In the future, I will surely recommend you to my father. Thus, it wouldn’t be difficult for you, Mr. Zhang, to become an official."

Gu Lin truly felt reluctant to part with Zhang Jiao.

Although his talents were average, as Gu Xi’s eldest son, his experiences over the years have given him some ability to recognize people.

Gu Lin could feel that Zhang Jiao before him was no ordinary person.

He was extremely courageous and resolute in character.

He gave people the sense of having leadership abilities, and within a short time, many physicians were willing to follow him.

Moreover, his talent in medicine was quite astonishing.

For such a person to suddenly leave now, how could Gu Lin not be surprised?

"Patriarch..." Zhang Jiao sighed lightly, his eyes showing deep disappointment. "I heard the Emperor has been neglecting Lord Gu, and I feel deeply disappointed."

"Now refugees are rising all over the world..."

"Even our Julu Commandery can no longer maintain peace..."

"In my view, studying medicine now cannot save the Great Han, nor save the people of this world."

"I am willing to lead my two brothers across the world."

"To seek strategies to save the people."

At the end of his speech, a resolute look suddenly flashed in Zhang Jiao’s eyes.

Gu Lin was stunned for a moment, not expecting Zhang Jiao to say such words.

Actually, he also felt a bit melancholic in his heart.

Such neglect of Gu Xi by the Emperor has a great impact, as Gu Xi’s reputation is there for all to see.

The people are very disappointed, not to mention him as Gu Xi’s eldest son.

But such matters are not things he could interfere with.

Gu Lin remained silent for a while, then sighed gently and waved his hand: "Alright, alright, since you are determined."

"I will not say more."

"If one day you wish to return to Julu, you can come back to our Gu Clan."

Zhang Jiao nodded slightly and then deeply bowed to Gu Lin, with a solemn and serious expression:

"Thank you, Patriarch!"