I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 229 - 18: Liu Bei Meets Gu Chen and Vows to Restore the Han Dynasty (4)
But Gu Wei directly stopped him: "Hey, Lord Xuan De, why must you do this?"
"Young master need not discourage me."
Liu Bei’s expression was very solemn: "I once held prejudice against the two young masters, but today, I have been enlightened and come with a heart of repentance."
"Only wish for forgiveness from the young master and everyone."
No one expected Liu Bei to be so direct.
These words made the expressions of those present slightly change.
Even Gu Chen paused for a moment.
Liu Bei gently sighed, sincerely bowed to Gu Wei before looking at Gu Chen again.
Without any airs, he directly knelt before Gu Chen, sighed softly and spoke leisurely: "I have traveled here, observing the changes in the Capital Region, and feel it has the aura of past Emperor Guangwu Ming."
"This indeed is my profound regret!"
"Since Emperor Guangwu revived the Great Han, the Gu Clan has been loyal for generations, pillars of the Han Dynasty."
"Emperors Huan and Ling were foolish, failing your family; the He Clan disrupted politics, truly a scourge to the nation."
"The young master’s act of eliminating traitors is truly a grace of rebirth."
"In the past, I harbored private resentment against Young Master Ziyan."
"Now I understand this was a woman’s perspective, an unforgivable sin!"
He then sincerely bowed to Gu Chen again.
The hall fell into silence.
Everyone gazed at Liu Bei, utterly surprised by his directness.
Liu Bei’s expression did not change at all.
Once he decides something, he does not easily waver.
Such is his nature!
The changes in the Capital Region had completely awakened him, making him fully realize how the current world should be dealt with.
The Liu clan alone cannot revive the Great Han;
Liu Bian and Liu Xie are not acknowledged by Gu Chen;
Why mustn’t he retrace the path of Emperor Guangwu to revive the Han Dynasty?
Join forces with Gu Chen, to rectify the world!
Just like the historical alliance between Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu and Marquis Zhongwu Gu Xiao?
He did not know if Gu Chen would accept him.
But some actions and words must ultimately be done.
"Today, I come here firstly to offer my repentance, and secondly to propose a grand strategy with you."
"Though lacking in talent and virtue, I wish to bear the whip at the forefront, facing any danger for the Han Dynasty."
"Should we achieve the revival of imperial enterprise, I will personally lead the ministers, announcing it to heaven and earth, and to all the people."
"Remove the temple names of Huan and Ling, strip the honor of the He Clan, rebuild a monument for Lord Gu, and redefine the posthumous title." 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞
With those words, Liu Bei bowed to Gu Chen once more.
Gu Yi had been closely observing everything, and at this moment felt extremely complicated within.
He too had not expected Liu Bei to be this way.
Yet upon careful reflection, it seemed understandable.
The emergence of the Gu Clan ultimately and invisibly changed many things.
Actually, everything happening now is quite reminiscent of the past.
In those days, he maneuvered Gu Xiao in the Hebei region, leading elites directly surrendering to Liu Xiu.
Now, this scene seems about to reoccur.
The only difference perhaps is the greater disparity in strength between the two.
Back then, Gu Xiao was not very strong, and although Liu Xiu had an unstable foundation, he was overtly stronger than Gu Xiao.
But now it is different.
Gu Chen currently securely holds the Three Continents, commanding close to two hundred thousand troops.
And they are all territories he conquered personally.
The foundation is exceedingly solid.
In contrast, Liu Bei, although having some reputation globally and several tens of thousands of troops, falls far short of Gu Chen.
Gu Yi did not know what choice Gu Chen would make.
Yet he couldn’t help but ponder a moment.
Suddenly feeling that Liu Bei indeed seemed quite fitting.
But the fitting reason fundamentally is not in Liu Bei himself.
But his son Liu Shan.
Liu Shan, without discussing other merits....
But in terms of obedience and longevity, he can certainly provide tremendous support to the Gu Clan.
Gu Yi had long resolved that he would never let the fall of the divine land reoccur.
If there had been such an emperor as Liu Shan at that time....
He would have been much more at ease.
It is undoubtedly the most suitable emperor for the Gu Clan.
However, despite thinking this, Gu Yi did not intend to interfere with Gu Chen’s choices.
——Gu Chen is the variable of this era.
Whether the achievement of "Pioneer" can be accomplished depends entirely on Gu Chen.
How could he interfere at such a time?
Moreover, conforming to Gu Chen’s views, after sweeping through the entire world, establishing a new ruling entity is seemingly no issue.
The hall remained eerily silent.
The crowd remained muted, only communicating through their gazes.
Only after a moment did Gu Chen slowly speak: "Lord Xuan De, you need not be overly humble."
"Right or wrong, success or failure, history will naturally judge it."
"My mere reputation is not worth mentioning..."
Speaking so, he slowly stood up: "As for the strategy of uniting forces, my thoughts align."
Gu Chen would never make impulsive judgments.
He has indeed never intended to change family into country, but his aspiration is to accomplish the great enterprise Gu Xi could not fulfill.
Unless truly encountering a wise ruler.
Otherwise, Gu Chen prefers to sweep across the nation then establish anew.
Upon hearing, Liu Bei’s eyes welled slightly.
Although Gu Chen had only just spoken.
But the longstanding worry for the Great Han in his heart suddenly diminished significantly...
——————
"In the spring of March, year four of Jian’an, Liu Bei, the governor of Qing Province, traveled from Jingzhou to Luoyang, inspected the Capital Region, and noted changing sentiments among the people, saying to his aides: "The Gu Clan has strategies for stabilizing the nation, truly the pillars of society."
Later entering Luoyang, he encountered Chen at the Champion Marquis Mansion.
Without much greeting, Bei suddenly adjusted his cap and attire, bowing solemnly: "In the past, I was foolish, failing to understand Ziyan’s act of exterminating the He Clan was akin to sacrificing an arm to save the Han, wrongly judging public loyalty through personal feelings, a mistake of mine;"
Now, though the Han’s fortunes are fragile, the Celestial Mandate remains unchanged. Even with my meager virtues and talents, I wish to realize Emperor Guangwu’s vision to revive the Han.
If granted the chance to cleanse the universe, abolishing the temple title of Huan and Ling to warn future generations;
Expel the He’s ancestral registry to uphold principles;
Redefine Lord Gu’s posthumous title to highlight his supportive feats. Heaven and Earth shall witness this heart!"
—— "Record of Heroes in Late Han, Gu Chen Chapter"
