I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 256 - 26: Scouring the Land, End of an Era
This change is extremely noticeable;
although the world has only just emerged from a period of chaos.
Yet everyone can feel the difference before and after, the population growth brought by the abolition of private armies belonging to noble families, including distributing the reclaimed and newly developed lands to the common people.
All these changes have made the Great Han feel revitalized.
And the differences are not only these;
The stability of the situation and the clarity of governance are destined to once again spark an intellectual surge.
Liu Bei’s attention to the Imperial College is also significant;
various poems and essays praising achievements have emerged from the Imperial College, with the most notable being several works by Cao Cao’s son, Cao Zhi.
Indeed, Cao Zhi is the other seed that Cao Cao left for the Cao Clan.
The main reason lies in Cao Zhi’s literary talent.
Cao Zhi’s accomplishments in literature have indeed reached an unmatched level.
Even Gu Chen was amazed upon reading his works and deliberately included Cao Zhi’s "The Luoshen Fu" in the family collection, recommending him to the Imperial College.
Liu Bei naturally held little goodwill towards the offspring of Cao Cao.
But Gu Chen’s recommendation had to be taken seriously.
And nowadays, Cao Zhi has not disappointed Gu Chen’s endorsement, never involving himself in political affairs, but instead engaging in creative literary endeavors.
His successive essays and poems have thoroughly won Liu Bei’s admiration and approval.
Not only was his work disseminated throughout the country, but he was also promoted as a lecturer in the Imperial College.
Influenced by these various writings,
the intellectual advancement throughout the Great Han is also substantial.
And with the complete unification of the world, upon the advice of Gu Wei and Zhuge Liang, Liu Bei initiated the first civil examination in the entire Great Han realm.
Thoroughly embedding such a system of appointment through examination into people’s hearts is bound to be a lengthy process.
The current Great Han is destined to be unable to fully implement this system.
But it is a brand-new attempt.
Whether it’s Liu Bei or Gu Chen, including some of the court’s most pivotal ministers, all attach great importance to this matter.
Even Zhuge Liang and Gu Wei, the two highest-ranking ministers in today’s court, have decided to personally oversee the examinations.
This matter is destined to affect the entire realm.
Only by allowing common people to be elected as officials,
can they fully realize the current uniqueness of the Great Han.
But considering the present Great Han, this is bound to be difficult.
Those selected are almost all descendants of noble families.
During the previous chaos, common people struggled to even survive, how could anyone manage to pursue scholarly endeavors?
Yet there are exceptions;
several talented individuals from humble backgrounds have emerged from various provinces, their abilities in no way inferior to those of noble birth.
Regrettably, there have not been any true commoners.
Although not in Luoyang, Gu Chen still ordered the delivery of all their examination responses, which he reviewed diligently without regard for their status.
He focused on several individuals;
— Zhong Hui from the Zhong clan of Yingchuan, Yang Hu from the Yang clan of Mount Tai, Du Yu from the Du clan of Jingzhao, among others.
These descendants of noble families have fully demonstrated their talents.
Their examination responses and suggestions regarding the state of the world are exceedingly reasonable.
As for individuals from humble backgrounds, Gu Chen also noted several,
such as Zhang Hua and Deng Ai.
Those sent to Gu Chen naturally possess exceptional qualities.
Gu Yi is also paying attention to these individuals, recognizing the familiar names, he suddenly realizes an issue he previously overlooked.
— Now that the chaotic times have ended;
these once-renowned figures will collectively govern a nation, what might the entire world become?
With these thoughts, Gu Yi suddenly feels a sense of anticipation for the future.
The talents of these people need no words.
Anyone able to leave a name in history naturally possesses extraordinary qualities.
This will undoubtedly elevate the Great Han to an unprecedented height.
But Gu Yi is also aware.
As these individuals emerge, a splendid era is ultimately coming to an end.
Time, like a knife, will eventually take away everything.
And so, Gu Yi’s prediction was accurate.
In the sixth year of Zhangwu,
Ma Chao suddenly succumbs to illness in Liangzhou State.
The news did not even reach Gu Chen before Ma Chao passed away, entrusting his entire clan to Gu Chen in his final memorial.
For this, Gu Chen was deeply grieved.
Though many generals had followed him on this journey.
Ma Chao was unquestionably among the most significant, becoming a trusted confidant.
Gu Chen immediately reported this matter to the court.
In remembrance of Ma Chao’s contributions, Liu Bei granted him an honorable funeral, posthumously titled "Wei."
— The nation mourns!
Yet, this seems to signal the end of an era.
In the same year, in August;
— Guan Yu fell gravely ill.
Guan Yu is currently the foremost military general in the Great Han, aside from Gu Chen.
This alone reflects Liu Bei’s deep regard for this brother of his.
Upon hearing the news, Liu Bei, known for his diligence, even lost the will to attend court.
He directly entrusted state affairs to Zhuge Liang and Gu Wei. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎
And decided to visit Guan Yu himself.
Guan Yu is now in Jiangdong, stationed there by Gu Chen to maintain peace and prevent further unrest.
Although Liu Bei moved swiftly, unfortunately, fate would not allow it.
