Free Web NovelChapter 642: Chapter 95: Thunderous Methods, Reforming and Revitalizing Tang
Centered around Luoyang, the reform officially commenced.
In an instant, the wails and curses of countless vested interests echoed throughout the court and the world.
In the face of Gu Xuan’s dominance, even knowing they were no match, no one chose to simply lay everything down.
Coercion of the scholars... with various schemes violating ritual and legal systems emerged during this period.
It even happened that scholars surrounded the Champion Marquis Mansion,
Faced with this situation, not to mention those officials who chose to believe in the Gu Clan, even the Gu Clan members themselves couldn’t help but worry.
Yet Gu Xuan remained ever so calm.
Coerced scholars?
How many scholars in the world could actually be swayed by these people?
Besides, didn’t the Gu Clan have such individuals under their command?
Let’s not forget, Li Bai has always served under the Gu Clan’s banner.
His poetry not only enjoys fame in later generations but is also highly sought after among the scholars of the contemporary Great Tang.
And all scholars have a common weakness—they care excessively about their reputation.
No one wishes to be scorned by Li Bai.
Such a disgraceful act would, for these scholars, exceed even matters of life and death.
As for the common people, there is even less need to mention.
The Gu Clan is no longer what it once was.
Their deepening roots among the populace over the years have greatly aided the Gu Clan, not to mention that Gu Xuan had just quelled a major rebellion, making everything before the Gu Clan seem insignificant.
In the court, the cries of wailing rose and fell, a scene of turmoil.
From the Three Ministers down to the lowest officials, the number of those suffering was countless.
Gu Yi, although he wouldn’t kill all of these people, would not leave too many parasites either.
Li Heng, just as Li Fuguo had said, seized this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, on one hand promoting officials with the list provided by Gu Xuan, and on the other taking the chance to insert his own trusted aides.
And it was precisely because Gu Xuan’s methods were too direct.
Those courtiers who were once waiting for the highest bidder, under such circumstances, had no choice but to align themselves with him, the Emperor.
Li Heng’s face was filled with a satisfied smile every day.
As the new policies unfolded—
He could even clearly feel his throne becoming increasingly stable.
But.... not yet a month had passed.
The forces of the Imperial Censorate set their eyes on his absolute confidant—Li Fuguo.
....
Within Luoyang Palace, candle shadows flickered.
Li Heng’s gaze was piercing as he stared at Gu Xuan, his voice carrying an unmistakable tension and interrogation:
"Grand Tutor! What exactly has this servant committed? Leading to such?!" He paused slightly, his tone suddenly sharpening, "Moreover, he is my personal attendant!"
"Even if there are faults, it should be handed over to me personally for judgment!"
"Grand Tutor, acting in this manner, where does it place me?"
"And where does it place the court’s laws?!"
The atmosphere suddenly turned cold.
Li Heng truly felt some anger, never imagining that this fire would indeed spread to his confidant.
"Your Majesty, calm down."
Gu Xuan’s expression remained indifferent, he cupped his hands toward Li Heng, "The Imperial Censorate’s investigation of unlawful acts is a responsibility and obligation granted by the laws of the Imperial Dynasty, not a personal intention of mine alone."
"Li Fuguo—"
Gu Xuan’s tone paused slightly, his expression growing increasingly stern: "This rogue’s offences, not only are his personal morals lacking, but he is also a great enemy to the new policies, a tumor to the country!"
"His crimes are evident, beyond the coverage of ’personal attendant’!"
"..."
He did not retreat in the slightest, listing Li Fuguo’s crimes right in front of Li Heng.
No other reason—
The key was pointing to Li Fuguo’s acceptance of bribes and attempts to seize power by inserting his trusted aides.
Compared to the original history, under the influence of the Gu Clan, Li Fuguo had indeed committed far fewer crimes, but he was still someone Gu Yi had to eradicate.
The Gu Clan had already paid too much for this.
No matter what, they needed to secure a century of development, not just for Kyushu but also for the Gu Clan.
Li Fuguo, such a parasite, he certainly could not retain.
"Your Majesty!" Gu Xuan’s voice carried weighty gravitas, "The new policies aim to eradicate accumulated ills and revive the Great Tang."
"Yet this colossal parasite holds the Central Hub, exploiting Your Majesty’s trust, using his status as an eunuch to cultivate cronies and scheme for power!"
"Your Majesty, do you still remember the disaster of the Ten Regular Attendants at the end of the former Han?"
"The weight of the state is heavier than personal friendship; the authority of the new policy must not be desecrated!"
"This villain’s crimes are heinous, and the evidence is clear and undeniable!"
"Without severe punishment, it is insufficient to correct the new laws, appease public anger, bring peace to the world, and stabilize the universe!"
His last sentence was forceful and resolute, emphasizing each word: "This is not my decision, but the judgment of the law, necessary for the great revival!"
As he spoke, Gu Xuan even took out a series of letters directly.
— All were evidence of Li Fuguo’s crimes!
Gu Yi had long been watching this eunuch who could be recorded in history.
In an instant, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence.
Li Heng’s face went from red to purple, his eyes bulging, staring fixedly at the stack of eye-catching letters on the imperial desk, his Adam’s apple bobbed violently, yet he couldn’t utter a single word!
He was intensely staring at Gu Xuan.
After a long silence, he finally asked a question softly.
"Grand Tutor..." Li Heng struggled to speak, "Should this person... be handed over to me for personal disposal... what do you think?"
Even with this evidence laid out in front of him, how could he abandon Li Fuguo, his absolute confidant?
Li Fuguo was one of the few trustworthy people in his heart.
Besides, these matters seemed trivial to him.
What harm could come even if Li Fuguo had placed people in positions? To him, they were better than those old foxes waiting to sell themselves.
"Your Majesty!"
Without any hesitation, Gu Xuan bowed deeply to Li Heng, his movements impeccably standard, yet his tone was as firm as iron: "The new policies pertain to the fundamental essence of the state and are national policies decreed by Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty cherishes old friendships, which I cannot be unaware of. Yet—"
His gaze was unwavering, directly meeting Li Heng’s eyes, each word carrying immense weight: "Your Majesty, as the Emperor, governs all four corners!"
"At this time of initial stabilization from chaos and when all is to be rejuvenated, the people of the world, common folks and civilians alike, all look forward with longing, hoping Your Majesty will eliminate the ingrained malpractices and implement the new policies, returning them to a clear and bright world!"
"The hope of the populace weighs more than Mount Tai!"
"Is it right to bear the heavy trust of the world’s people for the sake of one person’s private friendship?!"
Such is the manner of the literati—always close to righteousness.
Especially with Grand Tutor Gu Xuan who held significant power, even just these words could be enough to withstand everything.
What could Li Heng do?
Suppress it by rank?
The Gu Clan held Taizong’s edict, and there were generals stationed throughout.
The public’s opinion needed no further mention.
In just a little over a month, Li Heng once again experienced that feeling of powerlessness.
This feeling made him, as the Emperor, extremely helpless and troubled.
He clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white from exertion, yet he remained silent.
Gu Xuan was not anxious either; he simply stood calmly in the hall, waiting for the dust to settle.
Time quietly passed in oppressive silence.
After an unknown span of time, Li Heng’s tensed body finally relaxed a little. He did not say much, only a light sigh escaping his throat:
"Grand Tutor... indeed a word that awakened a dreamer."
He paused, his voice carrying a hint of weariness and compromise:
"I... almost made a grave mistake."
Li Heng slowly stood, wearily waving his hand: "Then... we will go with what you have proposed."
Having said that, he directly turned and walked away without waiting for Gu Xuan’s response.
— Still, he endures!
As Crown Prince, he had endured precarious situations for so many years, and now he could continue to endure.
This was a reminder Li Heng kept telling himself.
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Gu Xuan remained dutifully observant of protocol, earnestly bowing to Li Heng’s departing figure until it disappeared, at which point he turned and headed out of the palace.
Gu Yi’s state of mind was exceedingly calm at this moment.
Of course, he could guess the thoughts in Li Heng’s mind.
But still, as the Gu Clan chose to bind themselves to the Kyushu, the act of patching up for a foolish monarch as Gu Xi did in the former Han had completely disappeared.
A foolish monarch has the way he is dealt with, and a wise monarch has his way.
The Gu Clan could no longer be constrained by one person or one dynasty. ...
....
(Ps: Kneeling and begging for monthly votes, kneeling and begging for brothers to support more, Fish is extremely thankful.)
