Chapter 593: Chapter 74: Kaiyuan, Gu Jing Passes Away
If not, where would all these issues come from?
This greatly reduces the burden on the entire court.
Although the Great Tang dynasty is still at its peak today, whether it’s establishing a navy or the salaries of officials, among other things, the expenses are not insignificant.
Regarding this matter, Gu Jing naturally did not refuse and gladly accepted the goodwill of various forces.
This greatly accelerated the expansion of the city’s fortifications.
And at this moment, the entire court, surprisingly, returned to silence at an astonishing speed. The once-noisy criticisms vanished without a trace, as if there had never been any turmoil.
What’s more, those who had previously heaped verbal attacks on Gu Jing were now scrambling to issue memorials, requesting credit for him.
The reason was simple—everyone feared the Gu Clan’s autumn reckoning and had also seen clearly the Emperor’s intentions.
Li Longji frequently sent palace attendants to inquire after Gu Jing’s health, urging Gu Jing to return to the capital for rest. Even the imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital had all been reassigned to Mingzhou State.
This level of "favor" exceeded the expectations of the ministers.
This is human nature.
In the past, they criticized Gu Jing to "fish for fame and reputation" and that was the cause; now they must repay the consequence.
However, Gu Jing did not care about any of this.
He even stopped Li Longji from punishing them.
The human heart is hard to discern.
Among them, although there were those pursuing fame, there were also many who were genuinely concerned for the country, and their criticisms were made in the name of advice.
This political climate had indeed been significantly affected since the time of Emperor Gaozong.
It was only until the time of Emperor Renzong that it gradually revived.
At least for now, Gu Jing still did not want to sever this political atmosphere.
Although Li Longji was internally displeased, he nonetheless agreed with Gu Jing’s wishes and did not overly target those people, yet did not conceal his disdain either.
This is the nature of youth.
Li Longji’s capability was not lacking. He had his own judgment regarding court affairs and relied heavily on court officials.
But for him, being the Emperor, why should he pretend in front of people he dislikes?
If not for Gu Jing’s intervention.
Even if these people would not die, they would surely have been stripped of their positions.
Time passed slowly under such circumstances. When Li Longji conducted the year-end sacrificial rites at the Grand Ancestral Temple, the rituals completed, the wheel of history rolled over the dust of the old year.
The curtain of the first year of Kaiyuan finally rose in the renewal of everything.
Luoyang Palace, Zichen Hall.
Li Longji sat upright on the dragon throne, scanning the ministers below, his expression exceptionally solemn.
"I, shall tour Mingzhou to visit the Grand Tutor!"
The youthful voice echoed through the hall with the breeze.
Upon hearing this, the ministers’ faces showed no fluctuations, even as they had long anticipated it.
The news had just been delivered last night.
Due to staying up late dealing with government affairs, Gu Jing had suddenly fainted and was now bedridden, with few conscious moments left.
Clearly, death was already knocking on Gu Jing’s door.
How could Li Longji not personally visit?
The ministers knew this well and said little more.
The Emperor being sentimental was good news for anyone, and this matter was entirely within the bounds of propriety. Gu Jing was both a mentor and father figure to Li Longji, making this indisputable.
Thus, the matter was settled under such circumstances.
Li Longji was clearly in a hurry, leaving no time for preparation, hastily leading some guards and ministers straight to Mingzhou...
.....
Mingzhou.
Gu Jing was indeed at his end.
Neither the constant sea breeze nor the ever-draining energy ceased to ravage him.
He couldn’t stop.
Even when setting aside the memorials, various issues still involuntarily flashed through his mind.
This major case and its numerous repercussions had completely exhausted his body.
At this moment, inside the official residence.
Amidst the mournful atmosphere, Gu Jing on the bed slowly opened his eyes.
He gently waved his hand, stopping his descendants from bringing water and didn’t ask anyone to summon the physician, merely looking silently at his descendants, eyes red.
"I’m not going to make it."
He went straight to the point as soon as he spoke.
A person knows their own body best; he had no time to delay.
As soon as the words left his mouth, the expressions of the present Gu Clan descendants changed, and they involuntarily knelt down.
"There are some things I can’t let go of; I must pass them on to you."
Gu Jing’s voice was slightly hoarse, yet surprisingly stronger than usual.
Everyone understood what this meant.
The somber atmosphere instantly filled the entire room.
"Emperor Taizong’s will is sealed within the Giant Deer Race. After my death, my descendants must not use it, lest it becomes a pretext for ’plotting rebellion’."
"This is the great taboo of the Gu Clan; our entire clan must not be implicated over a mere will."
Gu Jing, while speaking, struggled to prop himself up, his bloodshot eyes scanning those present: "As for the Imperial Censorate—"
He paused, his hands instinctively pressing his forehead, his expression suddenly changing, as if in great pain.
Only after a moment did he manage to catch his breath, taking a deep inhale, and continued: "The power of the Imperial Censorate is too great, this is due to the circumstances, and also my intentional doing."
"Since the founding of the Great Tang,"
"the Imperial Censorate has always been held by the Gu Clan."
"However, your talents are lacking, and just maintaining control over the Imperial Censorate is not easy. If there’s a day when someone wishes to reduce its power, you... do not need to contend forcefully."
"This is the retreat path I have provided for you."
—A retreat path!
Gu Jing was precisely the sort of person who would make such preparations, especially after recognizing the talents of the younger generation in the family.
Sobs of grief instantly arose.
Seeing the family’s elder on his deathbed, still painstakingly planning a safe path for his descendants, how could everyone not feel heartbroken?
"Father! It is my incompetence that causes you to worry even at the end!"
The eldest son, Gu Hao, forced back his sobs, while wiping his tears, striving for clarity in his words, "Father, rest assured, I will do my utmost to preserve the family legacy and emulate the virtues of you and our ancestors!"
As his words fell, those behind him responded in unison, their voices choked yet firm.
Gu Jing leaned on the couch watching them, not entirely reassured by their vows, but knowing he could do no more.
Instructions?
There had been enough.
How future generations will act is ultimately not something the predecessors can fully ensure.
He sighed gently, suddenly turning his head to gaze out the window.
The clear sky met his eyes, his gaze growing increasingly complex, and a soft word escaped his lips: "Father, Emperor Taizong... Jing, have I not fulfilled what was entrusted to me by both of you?"
"Kaiyuan..."
His voice gradually faded like a whisper. Amidst the gaze of his descendants in the room, he slowly closed his eyes, life ceasing.
Meanwhile, outside the city gate.
The Emperor’s carriage finally entered the city.
This journey was made in such haste that even the ministers had no time to prepare; the newly appointed officials could only leave the city to welcome him.
Li Longji, without any unnecessary words, headed straight for the officials’ quarters.
However, before he could step through the gate of the quarters—
He saw a group of Gu Clan members rushing out!
Their tear-filled eyes pierced his sight, causing Li Longji’s figure to suddenly freeze!
Gu Hao had already recognized the Emperor, immediately staggered and knelt, the suppressed grief finally breaking through, his voice trembling and tearing:
"Your Majesty! Father... has just... passed away!"
Li Longji’s expression changed dramatically.
Caring nothing for those present, he rushed directly into the quarters.
"Grand Tutor!!!"
In the first year of Kaiyuan, on the day of the wùxū in March;
Gu Jing passed away in Mingzhou.
He was posthumously named Zhongxiang.
Zhong means—wholeheartedly serving the lord, Xiang implies—having achievements in armor and land expansion.
As per his wishes, he was reburied in Julu, Hebei....
——————
"Marquis Zhongxiang Gu Jing was a figure throughout the height of the Tang Dynasty, living through the reigns of four emperors: Taizong, Gaozong, Renzong, and Xuanzong, entrusted with the future by successive emperors.
His contributions to the Tang Dynasty are immeasurable.
Whether accompanying Emperor Taizong in pacifying Liaodong, aiding Emperor Gaozong in solidifying Tubo, initiating maritime trade, or supporting Emperor Renzong to establish Emperor Xuanzong.
He laid down a brilliant foundation for the Great Tang with his life’s achievements.
His exceptional insight in maritime trade laid the foundation for the development of future dynasties in Kyushu, and his influence on the entirety of Kyushu is considered a milestone.
Additionally, many contemporary historians believe that given the circumstances of the Tang at the time,
if it weren’t for Marquis Zhongxiang Gu Jing, Empress Wu might have usurped the throne.
Though hard to verify.
Nevertheless, Marquis Zhongxiang Gu Jing’s contributions cannot be questioned in the slightest.
And with his passing, the Great Tang met a turning point."
—"A History of the Rise and Fall of the Tang Dynasty."
