I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 110 - 42: The Great Reckoning, Dust Settles
—Dead silence!
Utter dead silence!
Inside Chongde Hall.
The courtiers stared blankly at the scene.
They watched the person standing beside the young Emperor with a sword, their expressions dull.
Until now, who could not see Gu Xi’s resoluteness today?
First, he sent the Gu Clan’s young ones back to Hebei, removing any future worries for his family.
He did not console the ministers who followed him.
This was to prevent the failure from implicating too many loyal ministers.
Gu Xi’s reputation throughout the world was unimaginably high.
If he were to die, it would shock the world.
Yan Ji’s actions were too quick.
There was no chance for Gu Xi to summon the lords from various regions to support the Emperor.
Should she truly conclude this matter, who knows how the situation would develop?
Gu Xi was using himself as the bait.
If he succeeded, everything could be settled.
If he failed and died.
With his reputation, even if Yan Ji truly put Liu Yi on the throne, it would still cause global turmoil.
Then the Gu Clan’s descendants... and those loyal ministers could act accordingly.
Understood!
Everyone understood!
Although it was just for a moment, countless thoughts flashed through their minds.
Yang Zhen and others naturally moved the fastest.
Without any hesitation, they immediately knelt before Liu Bao on the throne.
"We ministers pay homage to Your Majesty!!"
Liu Shou and the other ministers who had sided with the Yan Clan were completely bewildered at this moment.
Hearing voices like thunder.
Each face turned ashen pale, and almost instinctively they knelt down, their voices trembling: "Pay homage to Your Majesty."
"We Ministers are at fault!"
"We humbly beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness..."
What’s to be done?
What else can be done?
Gu Xi’s gamble with his life today was beyond their imagination.
He had been regent for many years, who in the court did not know Gu Xi’s means?
For those who threw in their lot with Yan Ji,
Their only chance for survival now is to beg for mercy from this young Emperor.
But... Liu Bao was not Liu Hu.
Looking at the kneeling courtiers, his gaze was not flustered, but neither did he speak directly; instead, he looked at Gu Xi.
Gu Xi did not do much more.
After the courtiers completed the ritual to pay homage to the Emperor, he opened his mouth again, his expression unchanged from beginning to end.
"The former emperor has passed away."
"Cause of death unknown."
"Immediately imprison Fan Feng, Jiangjing, Yan Xian, and others, and interrogate them severely."
"Must find out the cause of death of the former emperor."
"Liu Shou and others, with treacherous intentions to usurp the Great Han’s regime."
"Strip all official positions... abolish titles, imprison them all, execute them, and dismiss all their family members."
"Empress Yan Ji had rebellious actions."
"Immediately announce her crimes to the world and exile the entire Yan Clan."
"Strip her of her honorific title, and her position as Empress."
"Confine her in the palace for reflection."
"Courtiers, decide the posthumous title for the late Emperor!"
The cold voice echoed within the hall.
Gu Xi seemed to have planned everything long ago, his expression never changing.
In an instant, everyone’s expressions slightly changed.
Even Yang Zhen and others did not anticipate.
The punishment was too severe.
Others didn’t matter, but mainly it was about Yan Ji, now the Empress Dowager.
To strip her title and abolish her status as Empress...
This was turning Yan Ji into a criminal.
Even Empress Dowager Dou of the past did not end this way!
Yan Ji’s expression completely changed; her emotions collapsed, staring intently at Gu Xi and shouting harshly: "Gu Xi!"
"How dare you treat me like this?"
"I am the Empress appointed by the late emperor!!"
"I am the current Empress Dowager!!"
"How can you treat me like this?"
Her voice has lost its momentum entirely, even sounding a bit shrill, like a scolding fishwife.
But now, who would care about her?
Gu Xi waved his hand, having her taken away on the spot.
Next were Liu Shou and others.
The cries and howls echoed throughout the hall; this was destined to be a bloody storm.
Throughout it all, Liu Bao watched.
After all, he was still young.
He felt a trace of fear but still held himself firm.
Until a long time passed.
The hall slowly quieted down.
Yang Zhen and others then reacted, suddenly becoming serious.
To decide a posthumous title for the late Emperor!
In the past, this would not have required much deliberation.
Now, the Great Han is far from giving out random posthumous titles, as the courtiers would naturally discuss this fairly.
But now it’s different.
Emperor Liu Hu, as to what achievements he had, in truth, there were none.
Early on, Deng Sui and Gu Xi co-ruled the world.
He had no power at all.
After Deng Sui’s passing, he did gain power in his hands but still gave everything to Gu Xi to govern.
This could be seen as employing wise ministers.
But the recent developments contradict that point.
Moreover, now the Great Han has passed through years of natural disasters, with national strength gradually recovering.
This all happened during Liu Hu’s reign.
He shouldn’t be entirely excluded.
But give Liu Hu a good posthumous title?
Disregarding whether Gu Xi would agree, even the courtiers couldn’t make such a choice.
For Liu Hu.
The appropriate posthumous title would be mediocre at best.
The courtiers immediately had a judgment in their minds, but no one spoke up.
Gu Xi would not let them immediately decide at such a time; instead, continue with a series of more appropriate measures.
In any case, the court must first be stabilized.
The impact of this incident was too great.
Still, it’s to say Gu Xi’s actions greatly reduced the impact.
But since the court’s ministers have been settled,
The impact was inevitable.
