Control your ancestors and create an immortal family starting from the Eastern Han Dynasty

Chapter 26: Gu Kang established his studies and was canonized after his death

Gu Kang seemed to have noticed the abnormality in his body.

Since then;

He continued to write books day and night.

I put all my efforts into it.

The core idea of Gu Kang's book is "respect ghosts and gods but keep them at a distance", which aims to persuade people to solve some problems through their own efforts rather than blindly worshiping gods.

But at the same time, he also integrated some of the prophecies and divinations of the New Text Confucianism.

It integrates orthodox concepts such as "divine right of kings" and "Three Bonds and Five Constant Virtues".

It truly absorbs all the best elements and takes the essence of ancient and modern literature.

This is where Gu Kang’s cleverness lies.

He wanted to express his own ideas, but without completely separating himself from either faction.

It also incorporates the various rituals he and Emperor Ming had established.

Gu Kang also annotated the classics and incorporated his own insights into it.

He had no intention of hiding this matter. After it was gradually completed, he went to the Imperial College several times to discuss academic matters with the students there.

The impact of this incident was no less than Gu Sheng's opening up of the entire Western Regions.

Gu Kang is actually studying!
The ministers finally realized what Gu Kang was going to do.

Especially after hearing Gu Kang’s theory, the entire Modern Literature School exploded!
The impact of such things cannot be suppressed simply by relying on one's status.

Although Gu Kang and his strengths.

But its core content is in huge contrast to the ideas of the entire modern literary school.

The two sides discussed academic matters in the Imperial College for many days.

Gu Kang naturally had the upper hand every time.

After all, his academic level is not bad, not to mention the foundation of today's prosperous world.

This made Gu Kang seem somewhat invulnerable.

Some people have even begun to support Gu Kang.

But even so, the academic turmoil in the entire Han Dynasty could not be stopped.

Liu Lun's talent in classics was indeed excellent.

It is in this state.

He actually decided to gather Confucian scholars from all over the country at Baihu Temple to discuss the similarities and differences of the Five Classics.

The impact of this incident is truly unimaginable.

Scholars of modern and ancient classics, as well as famous Confucian scholars from all over the country, all came here.

Although the two sides have always been at odds, under this circumstance, they naturally joined forces to deal with Gu Kang.

Everyone realized the danger Gu Kang posed.

A person of his status and with a foundation in a prosperous era is a test for Confucian scholars in the world who have their own beliefs.

But what can we do even if we join forces?
What does it mean to integrate the strengths of the two schools?

The amount of effort Gu Kang put into this is hard for others to imagine.

He always strikes both sides at the most precise angles.

The most important thing is that Gu Kang’s foundation of this prosperous era is really too deep.

Even if you read all the history books.

It is impossible to find another prosperous era like the one we have today.

This was created by Liu Zhuang and Gu Kang themselves.

This is a sure-win move for Gu Kang!

The successive successes in fertilizing the fields and controlling floods laid a solid foundation for Gu Kang's entire thought.

For several months.

Gu Kang has always been facing targeting from everyone.

More and more people have been influenced by Gu Kang. His ideas, combined with the current prosperous times, are simply too convincing.

In the end, everyone fell silent.

During this time, Liu Lun was listening carefully.

Now that he is getting older, he looks more and more heroic.

He had Ban Gu record everything.

Moreover, he also has his own judgment.

Regarding Confucianism.

Liu Zhuang showed an attitude that cared more than Emperor Guangwu and even Emperor Ming.

Finally, he asked Ban Gu to write "Baihutongyi", quoting Gu Kang's thoughts in all aspects and making it an official school of thought.

It completely determined the differences in the academic community of the entire Eastern Han Dynasty!
In an instant, Gu Kang's reputation reached its peak again.

Especially after those students who chose to follow Gu Kang entered the Imperial College, everyone seemed to have guessed something, and even the atmosphere of the entire Imperial College gradually changed.

Gu Yi had been watching all this and was extremely shocked at this moment.

"Is this the prototype of Tongxue and Lunheng?"

Who could have thought that what he had originally done, just to prevent his family members from being overly superstitious in their education, would develop to this point today?
Gu Yi remembered it very clearly.

Zheng Xuan's general studies combined the strengths of the two schools, while Wang Chong's Lun Heng criticized the superstition of prophecies and divinations.

Although the book written by Gu Kang now seems not as comprehensive as those of the two.

But what era is Gu Kang in now?
Gu Yi still doesn’t know how much impact this will have on the academic development of future generations.

But for the Gu family.

This is a great thing!

The world is in turmoil.

Countless people come and go.

But all this has nothing to do with the Gu family anymore.

Since the White Tiger Temple meeting, Gu Kang seemed to have really exhausted all his efforts.

The overall condition of the person deteriorated rapidly.

Although he is not yet old, his hair is already full of white. You can tell at a glance that he has exhausted all his efforts.

"Father."

In the Marquis Guanjun's mansion, Gu Liang and other members of the Gu family were kneeling in the room, looking at the dying Gu Kang on the bed with sorrowful faces.

The whole room was filled with a heavy atmosphere of sadness.

Gu Kang turned his head with great effort, his eyes full of worry, scanning the family members one by one, and finally landing on Gu Liang: "Liang'er.

His voice was weak and hoarse.

Gu Liang had to move closer to barely hear his words.

"After I die, the power of my family will surely weaken rapidly."

"Although you have some talents that might help other families maintain their success, you are not enough to support the Gu family."

"This is also the reason why I did not recommend you."

"This is a burden you cannot face."

"Since the passing of the late emperor, I have gradually become less aggressive. Apart from major matters, I no longer participate in political discussions, and have been recommending talented individuals one after another."

"It's not like what people think, that I put all my efforts into writing books and studying."

"Instead, I need to gradually delegate power for the sake of the future of the Gu family."

"I have assisted the late emperor in suppressing the officials throughout my life. The officials have always been in awe of me. This has become a habit over the years."

"If I remain sharp in this situation."

"After I die, the ministers will surely take their anger out on the Gu family."

"The delegation of power over the past few years is to reduce their resentment towards my Gu family."

"This way, it might not target my Gu family."

"My Gu family has been respected for two dynasties, and the current emperor values friendship. After my death, I may grant you official titles."

"But you must remember, no matter what, do not act hastily. If there is real danger, yield when necessary."

"We, the Gu family, aspire to pass on our legacy for eternity, not to compete for a short period of time."

"Even if our family power is truly weakened, the reputation accumulated by two generations of our Gu family is enough to protect our family for a hundred years."

Gu Kang's breathing became increasingly rapid, and his thoughts seemed to be a little unclear, even his speech seemed a little disorganized, but his eyes were still fixed on the Gu family members in front of him:

"Julu is the foundation of the family."

"My Gu family has been benevolent to the people of this county for two generations."

"Even after I die, this matter cannot stop."

"You family members must remember that if there is a major chaos in the future, these people will be the guarantee of our Gu family."

Looking at Gu Kang who was getting weaker and weaker, sobbing sounds were heard in the room.

Gu Kang didn't care about any of this. He seemed to want to seize the last bit of time he had to make a final statement with these family members.

"You must remember to have your family members study my books carefully from now on."

“I cannot see what will happen in the afterlife.”

"But I have a vague feeling that this matter may be the foundation for the eternal prosperity of our Gu family."

"As for the various problems that my Gu Group may face in the future, I have also thought a lot about it and have left behind specific solutions."

"As a member of the family, there is no need to care too much about these things."

"The family members can use the methods I give as a guide, but they must not follow them completely."

“The world is always changing.”

“No one knows what will happen in the future.”

"I'm just worrying about nothing."

His voice grew weaker.

After saying this, as if he had explained everything, he slowly turned his head, and his vision became increasingly blurred.

"No need to be sad."

"Like Zhenyu, I have no regrets."

"I feel that death is not the end of a person, but oblivion is."

"Just like I will never forget my father, the late emperor, or Zhenyu."

"As long as the Gu family survives."

"Then the people of the world will not forget us."

"After I die, you can send my body back to Julu."

"In the past, I thought Julu was a cage that would ultimately confine my Gu family. Now I know it is the place where we can find peace of mind."

"like"

His voice suddenly stopped.

The eyes that had been trying hard to stay open slowly closed at this moment.

——August, the third year of Jianchu.

Grand Tutor and Marquis of Guanjun Gu Kang died in Luoyang.

When this news was spread.

There was a huge earthquake in Luoyang.

The whole government and the country were in an uproar.

Even Empress Dowager Ma and Liu Lun came to the Marquis of Guanjun's mansion in person, their faces filled with sadness.

Regarding the minister Gu Kang.

In fact, whether it was Empress Dowager Ma or Liu Lun.

It's all very clear.

He was the foundation that Liu Zhuang left for Liu Lun to suppress all the ministers in the court.

Liu Lun succeeded to the throne at a young age and was able to quickly seize real power, which was inseparable from Gu Kang's help.

Even if he didn't speak.

But it was a deterrent to the ministers.

Although after Liu Zhuang's death, Gu Kang never handled state affairs as meticulously as before.

But isn’t this also a statement?
The several times he spoke were all due to important matters.

He did everything he promised Liu Zhuang in the past.

It really helped him maintain this prosperous era.

But it is this kind of minister.

He died today!
How could they not be sad?
Even the officials in the court were feeling complicated at this moment.

In fact, for them, ministers like Gu Kang, who were the only ones who enjoyed the "emperor's favor", were very much envied.

But Gu Kang's contribution lies here.

They are the most direct beneficiaries.

Who in the world can say that he or she has not received any favor from Gu Kang?
The policies he implemented to fertilize the fields and control floods benefited the entire world!

The moral level of the Han people today is still very high.

In addition, there was the decentralization of power a few years before Gu Kang's death.

These people no longer have any hatred towards Gu Kang, and they all come to pay tribute to Gu Kang!

Liu Zhuang even decided to suspend court for three days to express his grief. In accordance with Gu Kang's last wishes, he sent soldiers from the central army to escort Gu Kang's body back to Hebei, and asked his ministers to discuss a posthumous title for him.

However, the most shocked people were not the court.

But the people!

Gu Kang’s reputation among the people is too amazing!

With years of good harvest, Gu Kang has long been worshipped by the people, and is called an "immortal"!
Now, this immortal has passed away!

When the news spread in Luoyang City.

All the people are mourning.

The scene was just like when Liu Zhuang passed away.

It's even bigger than that scene!
Because the people could not go to the palace, they could only cry towards the palace!

But the Champion Marquis’ Mansion is different.

Although the common people still cannot get close, they can still cry directly in front of the Marquis of Guanjun’s Mansion!

The people are crying blood!

And, this is not the end!
The news quickly spread from Luoyang to the entire Guanzhong, and then to all over the world!

The people's reactions were unexpectedly unanimous!
The cries and howls echoed throughout the Han Dynasty.

Some people even built a temple for Gu Kang. Although they had never seen Gu Kang in person, they carved an imaginary image of Gu Kang based on various rumors and enshrined him in the temple, with incense burning continuously.

When Gu Kang's body was sent to Hebei.

Starting from Luoyang, people from all the places passing by came to worship.

The whole big man was once again shrouded in a layer of haze.

Under this situation, the ministers became more and more fond of Gu Kang's posthumous title and proposed several beautiful posthumous titles one after another.

In the end, it was Liu Lun who made the final decision on the posthumous title.

"Wencheng".

The text is about governing the world and being kind and loving to the people.

Cheng means to pacify the people, establish a good government, and assist each other in achieving the ultimate goal.

And from the moment Gu Kang's posthumous title was determined;

A glorious era is just at this moment;

——It’s completely over.

---------

"Kang Gong, whose courtesy name was Jishi.

He had great ambitions since he was young, and was well versed in farming techniques and understood the essentials of hydrology.

At the beginning of the Yongping period, the fields throughout the country were barren and the people suffered from famine. Ji Shi then submitted a memorial saying:

"Agriculture is the foundation of the state. We should open up wide fields and encourage the people to cultivate the land deeply, supplemented by the use of manure. This will restore the soil's fertility and ensure a good harvest every year."

Emperor Ming accepted his advice and appointed him as the Minister of Agriculture, in charge of all agricultural affairs in the country.

To help the world, we should encourage people to engage in agriculture and sericulture, teach them to accumulate fertile soil, and divide the time for farming.

Within three years, there were no more barren lands, and granaries were overflowing with millet. The folk song said, "Kang Gong's fields are fertile, and God has given us a good harvest!" The harvests came in successive years, the national strength grew day by day, and the treasury was filled with grain unprecedented in history.

Later, the He and Bian rivers frequently broke their banks, and many people in Yan and Yu drowned. Ji Shi again requested permission to control the floods.

Emperor Ming bestowed upon him the authority of the imperial axe, supervising river works. Jishi led the people in digging ditches, dredging the Bian Canal, and building dams stretching a thousand miles to divert the Yellow River into the sea. He often slept outdoors on the riverbanks, working alongside the laborers, regardless of wind or rain. Within a year, the floods subsided, the grain transport system was restored, and the people were able to live in peace.

The people were grateful and called him "He Bo Xian Li" and built a shrine to him by the river.

In the third year of Jianchu, Ji Shi passed away.

Emperor Zhang was deeply saddened and suspended court for three days. He posthumously named him "Wencheng" and issued an edict stating, "Duke Kang dredged canals to save the people and opened rivers to protect the country. His virtue rivals that of Yu."

On the day of the funeral, people in white blocked the road, farmers stopped plowing, workers threw down their axes, and the fields were filled with wailing.

From Heluo to Youji, every village and town privately worshipped him, or carved a wooden image and prayed for a good harvest.

In later generations, whenever there were floods, droughts, locust plagues, people would pray at the Kang Temple, and the incense would burn continuously."

——"Book of the Later Han Dynasty. Biography of Gu Kang"

　Coincidentally, an era ends on the last day of a month.

　　I hope my brothers will give me more support!
　　Last day, can you help the author to get the monthly votes to a round number? Only a little over a hundred away from a thousand.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)