I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 352 - 29: The Terminus—Gu Ye’s Demise
Compared to the original history, he has actually changed a lot.
But in the end, he could not escape the fate of military generals of this era.
This was an absolutely devastating blow for Gu Ye.
Although the special training of Wen Yang was carried out under the manipulation of Gu Yi.
But this "manipulation" in the game wasn’t about controlling puppets; it merely made people develop corresponding thoughts and actions.
Gu Ye’s feelings for Wen Yang were no different from those for family.
In fact, they were even closer.
When he watched Wen Yang die right before his eyes, endless sorrow finally shattered his obsession.
And with his current physical state, the moment his obsession dissipated.
His fate was already sealed.
....
Champion Marquis Mansion.
The vermilion eaves and jade tiles remained unchanged for a hundred years, the bronze bells at the eaves hung through time, unmoved by the changing seasons, standing as they always were.
Liu Jun rushed in with an anxious expression, his robes fluttering as he stepped into the mansion.
"Grand Tutor! Grand Tutor!"
His urgent calls echoed in the corridor.
As he pushed open the chamber door, he was greeted by the sight of Gu Ye, barely breathing, on the bed.
The atmosphere in the room was oppressively suffocating.
Everyone in the room had red eyes, tears welling up, having long forgotten decorum.
At this moment, what were etiquette compared to the sorrow in their hearts?
"Everyone, please leave first." When Gu Ye saw Liu Jun arrive, a glimmer of light flickered in his dim eyes as he raised his trembling hand to signal everyone to leave.
Though filled with reluctance, everyone left with tears in their eyes.
Liu Jun walked slowly to the bedside, tightly holding Gu Ye’s thin, bony hand, his voice choked, "Grand Tutor, please take care of yourself, the Great Han cannot be without you!"
"Your Majesty, this old minister’s time has come, I must go underground to report to Emperor Xiaomu."
Gu Ye’s lips curved slightly, revealing a relieved smile.
He gazed at Liu Jun, his eyes full of concern, "Your Majesty, have you ever thought about how my Great Han should proceed in the future?"
Gu Ze had asked and talked about this countless times during this period.
"Rest assured, Grand Tutor, I will definitely inherit the late Emperor’s will and guard the Han’s lands!" Liu Jun’s eyes were firm, his tone resounding with determination.
Even though he hadn’t been on the throne for long.
But this "position" had already brought him great changes, with him now exuding extreme confidence.
The worry in Gu Ye’s eyes still did not dissipate as he deeply gazed at this young emperor, wanting to speak yet stopping himself, finally sighing deeply: "If Your Majesty can remember the late Emperor’s way of ruling the country, that would be the fortune of the Great Han."
This sentence contained so much meaning.
Gu Ye seemed to have gradually noticed the shortcomings in Liu Jun’s character.
But at this moment, even with thousands of words, it was difficult to say more.
"Your Majesty, this old minister has limited capabilities, having returned to the court for nearly two years, but failed to cultivate competent ministers like the ancestors, this is my dereliction of duty."
"From this, it is clear.... this old minister is far inferior to the predecessors."
"However, the current ministers in the court all possess loyalty and righteousness, Your Majesty need not worry excessively."
"As for Lingnan and the Northern Border, Your Majesty only needs to know not to resort to force lightly, focusing on stability. Over time, both places will naturally integrate into the Great Han, and Your Majesty will achieve immortal feats."
Gu Ye forced himself to remain lucid, expressing his concerns one by one.
Liu Jun maintained a solemn expression, listening intently, nodding in response from time to time.
Outside the mansion, chaos had already ensued.
Any movement from someone like Gu Ye would have unimaginable impacts on the Great Han.
The ministers had already rushed over one after another.
However, with Liu Jun inside the mansion, they couldn’t get close.
Their expressions were extremely complex.
Everyone knew very well.
As soon as Gu Ye falls— the Great Han will undergo a comprehensive transformation!
Even though the position of the Gu Clan is still unshakeable, their current power in the court is no longer enough to control it.
Since Liu Bei ascended the throne.
The Great Han is finally about to enter a period without the Gu Clan.
For all of them, it was an unprecedented opportunity, which inevitably made their thoughts complex.
Gu Ye really said a lot.
Under the subtle influence of Gu Yi, he eventually harbored many regrets about the Great Han.
Until now.
He only wanted to stabilize the current prosperous state of the Great Han.
Liu Jun continued listening until Gu Ye finished speaking, gently patting Gu Ye’s hand, "Rest assured, Grand Tutor, I will not disappoint you."
"Then... I am relieved." Gu Ye responded, becoming even more frail.
Liu Jun sighed lightly once more, looking at Gu Ye and saying, "Grand Tutor, is there anything else you wish to instruct?"
"After... after this minister’s death..."
Gu Ye’s breathing grew increasingly rapid, yet he still forced himself to give final instructions: "Your Majesty... need not give a grand funeral, just follow the example of my ancestors in the Gu Clan... be buried back in Julu..."
"This minister’s life, though having some merits in the world..."
"To the ancestors of my clan, it is insignificant, all ceremonies must not surpass the ancestors..."
His voice grew weaker and weaker.
Until the moment he finished speaking, there was no longer a sound.
Gu Yi’s vision instantly turned pitch black.
At the same time, the game’s message popped up again.
[The character you controlled has died.]
[Since this character is controlled by you, no achievement points are obtained.]
[Would you like to control again?]
Looking at the prompt in front of him, Gu Yi did not hesitate and directly chose no.
He indeed had more achievement points for control.
But for the Gu Clan, this is not the best time.
The prompt dissipated instantly.
In the next moment, Gu Yi’s vision gradually cleared, returning to the previous overhead view.
Once again becoming an existence akin to a deity.
Surveying the world from the void.
Liu Jun sensed Gu Ye’s death, gently releasing Gu Ye’s hand.
He slowly stood up.
Heading towards the door.
Gu Yi could clearly feel that compared to the Liu Jun of the past, at this moment, he suddenly seemed much more upright.
—With a creak.
Accompanied by the sound of the door opening, the members of the Gu Clan and the ministers waiting outside immediately looked over.
Liu Jun stood tall, looking at everyone.
Facing their gaze, he paused for a moment before slowly speaking:
"The Grand Tutor has passed away...."
"You all, go pay your respects immediately!"
With his words, the sound of kneeling immediately echoed, accompanied by cries of lamentation.
In the second year of Chang Xu, on the day of Yi You in April;
—The eighth Champion Marquis, Regent Grand Tutor Gu Ye passed away in Luoyang.
Posthumously named Jingxiang.
Regarded for profound thoughts is called Jing; virtue in opening lands is called Xiang...
——————
"In Chang Xu’s second year, in the summer, in April, on the day of Yi You, Regent Grand Tutor Lord Ye passed away in Luoyang.
The lord served three reigns, relieving famine in Kyushu, eliminating false and excessive behaviors, correcting human hearts in decadence;
Pacifying the four frontiers, the barbarians bowed their heads, the realm was peaceful and calm, reaching the era of great prosperity.
When the lord passed, the emperor wore plain clothes and attended to the court, postponing meetings for five days.
The nine markets of Luoyang closed their doors, wine stands and tea shops hung plain fabric on their doors; old farmers in Henei burned their plowshares in the fields, children in Jiangzuo threw bamboo horses into clear streams.
The Longxi garrison soldiers removed armor and bowed south, tears staining their weapons;
South Sea fishermen bound their sails in mourning, rendering homage to the stars at a distance.
On the day of the funeral procession, plain fabrics filled the streets for twelve miles, white carriages and horses stretched for thirty miles, an old woman holding wheat cakes stopped the cortege and cried: "When the lord was, this old woman could eat this cake; now that the lord is gone, who will the cake feed?"
Taoist esoterics on the Guanlong path cast a gold statue of the lord, inscribing "Dingding" on the back; Lingnan chiefs carved wooden shrines, beating copper drums and singing every night.
Posthumously named Jingxiang, buried in Julu, the inscription on the back of the stele says: "The turtle oracle of the people, the pillar of the nation. Watching the sacrifices with child, remember Lord Ye."
—"Yan Han Book. Biography of Gu Ye"
