On this day, after leaving the Imperial Palace, Gu Xi went directly back to the residence to find Gu Liang.
In the current Gu family, although Gu Liang bore the brunt of pressure from all sides as the leader of the anti-Dou faction on the surface,
he would privately consult with Gu Xi whenever important matters arose.
He genuinely discovered Gu Xi’s extraordinary talents.
Whether it was political insight or judgnt of the situation.
Although Gu Xi was young,
he already had surpassed him in feeling.
"Deal with Dou Xian?"
When Gu Liang heard this news, he was stunned.
How to deal with him?
In recent days, the court ministers have been privately discussing this matter.
But there was simply no way.
The Dou Clan already held imnse power.
As long as Empress Dowager Dou was in power, and if she was unwilling, no one could touch the Dou Clan.
Even bringing up an example like Wang Mang had no effect.
In the era of the Great Han, the rule was filial governance, and now, with the young Emperor, the Empress Dowager’s mandate was as good as the imperial edict.
How to resolve the matter of Dou Xian?
"Father, I believe we can quickly send soone to the Western Regions to inform the Marquis Dingyuan."
Gu Xi said earnestly, his deanor serious, "In the past, Uncle Grandfather commanded respect like a mountain in the hearts of generals and marshals across the world."
"Those soldiers are still alive today."
"And Marquis Dingyuan is Uncle Grandfather’s sworn brother; he has been roaming the Western Regions and his reputation has spread far and wide."
"If Marquis Dingyuan can take action,"
"then, today’s Dou Xian cannot compare."
"We can also inform Uncle to co as Marquis Pinglu."
"Back in the day, Uncle Grandfather trained the central army, gaining imnse prestige in both the southern and northern armies."
"As long as Uncle holds the Emperor’s handwritten decree, he can stabilize the soldiers. When the Emperor takes action and publicly pronounces the cris of the Dou Clan, the matter will be settled!"
Gu Liang’s expression changed slightly, a trace of worry and hesitation appearing in his eyes,
"This... if sothing goes wrong."
"If the Empress Dowager decides to depose the Emperor, won’t our Gu Clan be dood?"
His character was already set, making it difficult to make decisions that could concern the family’s survival.
"Father..."
Seeing this, Gu Xi quickly gripped Gu Liang’s hand tightly, his expression firm and voice steady, "Our Gu Clan must rise and move forward."
"For us, there is simply no retreat."
"Father, don’t harbor the thought of retreating to Hebei or playing both sides even if we fail."
"This is a struggle for life and death!"
"Our Gu Clan can only face the difficulties head-on."
"Even if in the end we do fail, it won’t disgrace the integrity of our Gu Clan, and we’ll live up to our ancestors."
Gu Xi’s voice, though youthful, was filled with power and determination, echoing in the ears like a thunderous call.
Gu Liang repeatedly weighed it in his heart, finally nodding slightly, making up his mind:
"Alright!
Gu Yi had been observing all this, feeling no waves in his heart.
In his view, this matter had no chance of failure.
You should know that in the original history, without the Gu Clan, Liu Zhao succeeded in seizing power; much less now that the Gu Clan was present.
The existence of the Gu Clan had already weakened the Dou Clan significantly compared to before.
Court ministers opposed to the Dou Clan would naturally stand by the Gu Clan, saving Liu Zhao the effort of secretly contacting them bit by bit.
And with Gu Cheng’s accomplishnts in the Western Regions, he thoroughly crushed the Northern Xiongnu.
This made it difficult for Dou Xian to achieve the sa feats as in the original history.
In the original history, Liu Zhao had to endure for a long ti due to concerns about Dou Xian until he tricked him back to Luoyang and then acted decisively.
But now with the Gu Clan,
he obviously did not need to do so.
The Gu Clan itself, coupled with various allies, was enough to help him resolve the entire Dou Clan!
.....
Ban Chao is now the Protector of the Western Regions, and informing him involves a lengthy process.
Liu Zhao was not worried about whether Ban Chao would assist him, an emperor without real power, or the Gu Clan.
Who doesn’t know the relationship between Ban Chao and the Gu Clan?
Ever since Gu Cheng died, the Gu Clan had been shielding Ban Chao from the gales and storms of the court.
This relationship in today’s world is an unimaginable bond.
What Liu Zhao truly worried about was drawing the Dou Clan’s suspicion.
And Gu Xi also suggested that Liu Zhao take this opportunity to thoroughly sift through the court ministers.
After all, this is a ti when human nature is most discernible.
Of course, Liu Zhao would not refuse this.
It was precisely because of this that since that day, Liu Zhao beca increasingly compliant with Empress Dowager Dou.
As long as Empress Dowager Dou had a wish,
he approved everything.
Regardless of size, whether it was officials she recomnded or promoting Dou Clan descendants, he agreed to all.
Empress Dowager Dou appointed close confidants of the Dou Clan to official positions and bestowed marquisates on them.
The greatest among them was naturally Dou Xian.
He was truly building his prestige, leading troops to the grasslands, first destroying rebellious Southern Xiongnu tribes.
Then, he completely wiped out the lingering captives on the grasslands, advancing to Yanran Mountain.
There, he inscribed stones on the mountain to emphasize his achievents.
Taking this opportunity, Empress Dowager Dou directly elevated him to the position of Grand General.
This incident shook the court and the governnt.
The Dou Clan’s authority reached its peak at this mont.
From the court to regions and counties, no one dared offend the Dou Clan.
And during this period, Gu Liang also played the role of leading the charge, constantly opposing Empress Dowager Dou’s autocracy.
In truth, this was indeed a very dangerous move.
If it were not for two generations of the Gu Clan having terrifying prestige in the Great Han,
any other family doing this would easily end up destroyed.
But this is the Gu Clan!
Even though the Gu Clan’s power has waned considerably compared to the ti of Emperor Ming.
User Comments
0 comments from readers