I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 250 - 25: Liu Bei Proclaims Himself Emperor, Ten Directions Expedition Envoy
In the cycles of mountains, rivers, sun, and moon, all the figures of the ages fade away like wind, their merits and demerits, rises and falls, ultimately becoming graves.
....
The grand scheme is completely predestined.
With the death of Cao Ang, there was no longer any doubt about the fate of the world.
The land of Jiangdong was in constant turmoil;
In Yizhou, Liu Zhang had already sent people to meet with Gu Chen early on, declaring his stance.
It seemed that everything had come to an end.
But for Gu Chen, there was still much to be done.
Although the world was settled, many things were still in ruins awaiting revival.
Not to mention that Gu Chen still wanted to complete the great endeavor that Gu Xi had left unfinished and had not yet avenged the great enmity with the gentry of the world.
With Gu Chen’s character, how could he possibly stop here?
Gu Chen was destined to keep moving forward.
Until he completely achieved the goal set in his heart long ago.
Time passed quickly.
Gu Chen did not act against Liu Xie and Liu Bian, only capturing them, and then led his army to march across the entire Jizhou State towards Youzhou State.
Upon nearing Julu, Ma Chao, Zhang Liao, and others thought Gu Chen would return to Julu to worship the ancestors of the Gu Clan.
But Gu Chen shook his head.
"How can I have the face to meet the ancestors of the Gu Clan without fulfilling my grandfather’s aspirations?"
A simple sentence deeply moved everyone.
Looking at the world today, who can compare to Gu Chen’s accomplishments?
Is it Liu Bei?
——Not enough.
Liu Bei was indeed extraordinary among the Liu clan relatives, but compared to Gu Chen, he was still far behind.
Actually by now,
Many under Gu Chen’s command harbored private intentions.
They wanted to probe Gu Chen’s attitude and spread rumors suggesting Gu Chen should declare himself emperor.
This matter caused a great stir throughout the army.
After all, these people under Gu Chen truly had absolute faith in him.
But Gu Chen quickly suppressed these rumors.
Anyone could declare themselves emperor.
Except for him.
If he claimed the throne, the good reputation left by generations of the Gu Clan would instantly vanish.
——Especially his grandfather, Gu Xi, who had the most influence on him.
If Gu Chen chose to declare himself emperor.
The glory of Gu Xi’s three dragon-supporting courts would immediately shift, becoming a reason for others to defame Gu Xi’s name.
Gu Chen could disregard others.
But Gu Xi’s reputation was an exception!
In the fifteenth year of Jian’an, in April;
Gu Chen swept through Jizhou with thunderous speed.
Except for Julu, every noble clan in Jizhou suffered, fortresses were broken, and private soldiers dismissed.
The lands of each major family were strictly audited.
Of course, they resisted.
But facing someone like Gu Chen, whose fame had long shaken the world, how could they possibly stop him?
The strictest actions were against those noble clans most closely connected to the Yuan Clan.
The Xun Clan, the Yang Clan, and others who once made a name throughout the world, considered the strongest among the Great Han’s noble clans, finally faced Gu Chen’s ultimate reckoning.
Gu Yi originally thought that with Gu Chen’s character, he would slaughter them all.
But Gu Chen’s decision surprised Gu Yi.
He only slaughtered the main line, as well as the primary branches of the other lineages.
As for the others, he only had them detained.
Gu Chen seemed to be planning something.
His vision was never just focused on cleansing the world; even Gu Yi couldn’t discern what Gu Chen was ultimately aiming for.
——News spread continuously, and the people of each province wept upon hearing it.
The entire realm was in turmoil.
In this era where heroes and tyrants rose on all sides, Gu Chen finally reached the end, completely overshadowing everyone in his name alone.
In the fifteenth year of Jian’an, in June;
Gu Chen officially set foot in Youzhou, once again brandishing his sword at the noble families of Youzhou.
At the same time, Liu Bei officially pacified Qing Province.
Heading towards Jizhou.
He met the so-called "Great Han Emperor" Liu Xie in Ye City.
This scene even drew Gu Yi’s attention.
He genuinely wanted to see how Liu Bei, given his significant changes, would treat this Emperor of the Great Han.
Of course, all this happened with Gu Chen’s tacit approval.
Actually, after Liu Bei said "The world is shared between Liu and Gu" during a sacrificial ceremony at the Luoshui River, he had already gained Gu Chen’s approval.
Now, all that remained was the last step.
Liu Bei had indeed undergone significant changes.
In the original history, with Liu Bei’s character, he might not have revealed his ambition at this time.
But now it was entirely different.
Liu Bei originally wanted to help Gu Chen first, and wait for Gu Chen’s return before making plans.
But Zhuge Liang dissuaded him.
Some things he had to complete himself.
Liu Bei saw the subtlety in this and subsequently heeded the advice, taking action, and spoke with Liu Xie about the world and the Great Han’s affairs;
And then——
The familiar trope of refusing three times before accepting unfolded.
In the fifteenth year of Jian’an, in October;
Liu Bei officially took the imperial scepter from Liu Xie, changed the era name to "Zhangwu," and ascended to the throne as Emperor.
He became the only Emperor with real power since Emperor Ling, after three Emperors.
And right after his enthronement.
The first thing he did was to go to Julu.
In the land of Julu, he offered sacrifices to the former Emperors of the Great Han, including the ancestors of the Gu Clan.
——Thus fulfilling his past promise.
Before the court ministers and the people, he abolished the temple names of Emperors Huan and Ling, re-determined Gu Xi’s posthumous title, and reburied Gu Xi.
Of course, Liu Bei would not disturb Gu Xi’s rest.
Instead, like the other ancestors of the Gu Clan.
The body was buried in Julu.
And a tomb was established for him in the Capital Region.
Liu Bei placed great importance on this.
He truly had feelings for Gu Xi, after all, without Gu Xi’s words in the past, it would have been difficult for Liu Bei to reach where he was today.
