I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 135 - 51: Pacifying the Southwestern Barbarians Again, the Death of Liu Zhi

Chapter 135: Chapter 51: Pacifying the Southwestern Barbarians Again, the Death of Liu Zhi

Luoyang.

Gu Xi certainly would not watch the Great Han continue to weaken, especially after seeing that Liu Zhi had no intention of calling him to court.

He could only take a step back and devise several strategies for famine relief.

Gu Xi’s expertise in this area is indeed profound.

The experience of disaster relief in the past was no mere boast; during those days, he took care of the affairs all over the land.

Although there are continuous refugees nowadays, it’s still not comparable to the great disaster of Kyushu.

Even though Liu Zhi had no intention of calling Gu Xi to court, he certainly valued these matters.

But what could be done?

The fundamental reason for the ineffective relief of refugees is the change in the Great Han’s bureaucracy.

In the current era, if one wishes to fully implement the court’s policies at the local level, it is necessary to ensure the clarity of the bureaucracy.

The potential for corruption in refugee relief is simply too great.

During the years of disaster relief, Gu Xi kept a tight grip on this aspect to stabilize the situation.

How could one achieve complete success now?

But this problem is not something that the Gu Xi of today can solve.

Since the day he left the court.

His reputation has continuously declined, and as the ministers most closely connected to him have passed away one after another.

Plus, with the shift of "holy favor."

This has inevitably resulted in the current situation.

Of course, the reaction of the common people to this matter was indeed significant.

The court’s failure to use Gu Xi was a huge disappointment to many.

For the people from all directions, everyone believed that as long as Gu Xi took charge, they would no longer have to live such lives.

This was a legend passed down from their fathers and even their grandfathers.

How could they not believe it?

But the more it was so, the more resolute Liu Zhi’s intentions became.

Of course, he also understood that he could not go against the will of the people.

And just at this moment, news of the Southwestern Barbarians rebelling again arrived in Luoyang.

And this time, Liu Zhi directly summoned Gu Xi.

North Palace.

Gu Xi slowly strolled over, his eyes like an abyss, with no expression on his face.

"Grand Tutor."

Before Gu Xi could pay respects, Liu Zhi hurriedly got up, quickly walked to Gu Xi, and helped him up, saying, "The Grand Tutor is getting on in years, having you walk to the palace is indeed my fault."

"Announce my decree, from now on, the Grand Tutor can ride a carriage when entering the palace."

Gu Xi remained expressionless and did not respond to Liu Zhi’s words but straightforwardly asked, "Is it Your Majesty’s wish for this old minister to campaign against the Southwestern Barbarians?"

Liu Zhi was slightly stunned, then a slight smile appeared on his face: "I knew that ultimately, I couldn’t hide it from the Grand Tutor."

"Grand Tutor."

"I remember that in the days under the late Emperor Jingping, you once campaigned against the Southwestern Barbarians."

"The Xianbei, Southern Xiongnu, and other barbarians feared you like a tiger."

"I think, the Southwestern Barbarians must feel the same."

"I wonder if the Grand Tutor...."

Although he didn’t finish his sentence, the meaning was self-evident.

"This old minister is willing to go on the campaign." Gu Xi answered without hesitation, his tone firm.

Throughout, his expression did not change in the slightest, as if he had already anticipated these.

"Good! Good!" Liu Zhi nodded repeatedly, the smile on his face growing wider, "With the Grand Tutor leading the troops, I am assured."

"I shall hold a banquet in Luoyang, waiting for the Grand Tutor’s triumphant return, and then..."

Before he could finish speaking, Gu Xi’s old yet steady voice interrupted him.

"This old minister only hopes to die on the battlefield."

Liu Zhi was stunned, his expression instantly freezing.

Gu Xi cupped his hands in salute to him, spoke no more, and turned to leave slowly.

How could he not see through Liu Zhi’s mind?

Power, in the end, changes a person.

The Liu Hu of old was like this, and so is Liu Zhi now.

Watching Gu Xi’s gradually receding figure, Su Kang hurriedly stepped forward and said indignantly, "How can the Grand Tutor be so disrespectful to the Emperor."

"Enough, enough." At this moment, Liu Zhi was devoid of his usual anger, only letting out a deep sigh, "The Grand Tutor has merit for the state, different from others."

Su Kang’s expression changed instantly, and he quickly lowered his head: "This old servant misspoke, please punish me, Your Majesty."

Liu Zhi didn’t even glance at him, instead gazed at the palace gate, muttering to himself, "If the Grand Tutor could truly die on the battlefield this time."

"I... would grant him a burial suit of gold thread and jade."

As grand as that of the late Marquis Zhongwu."

His eyes were extremely complicated, a mix of loneliness and expectation.

Su Kang heard this, and his body couldn’t help but shiver.

A burial suit of gold thread and jade... in the Great Han, only the Emperor could use it!

But thinking of Gu Xi’s contributions.

He had nothing to say.

——In April, the fourteenth year of Yanxi.

At the age of seventy-six, Gu Xi left Luoyang once more.

The news spread swiftly across the land like a gale.

.....

Liu Zhi’s actions indeed succeeded in diverting the conflict of the refugees from all directions.

In fact, the people of this era were still very simple.

As long as they had a glimmer of hope, they could persevere.

The most important thing was, for these refugees.

They wouldn’t worry whether Gu Xi would die on the battlefield or not.

People only wish to believe what they choose to believe.

In their hearts, Gu Xi was a celestial being sent down by the heavens.

Having yet to solve their life-or-death predicament, Gu Xi surely wouldn’t depart from this world.

Under such circumstances, despite the increasing number of refugees from all directions, there was no great turmoil.

Though the eunuchs in the court were becoming bolder.

They were not entirely mindless, knowing to leave the people a lifeline, not driving the refugees to despair.

But to Gu Xi, the refugees from all directions held a different significance.

He had journeyed from the Great Han’s peak to today.

Witnessing past glories, he understood the current decline.

The most crucial is——

The news of him leading troops again spread faster than he traveled.