In the first ten days of May of the fifth year of Jianning.
Chu You dispatched a messenger back to Luoyang, who reported Chu You's plans in the Japanese archipelago in detail to Liu Hong.
Liu Hong also expressed his approval of Chu You's actions, not only writing a letter of support but also dispatching a thousand Imperial Guard soldiers to the Japanese archipelago to assist Chu You in stabilizing the situation.
With the spring planting season over, the annual performance evaluations have been put on the agenda.
However, Situ Huguang, who was in charge of the assessment, suddenly fell ill and never recovered.
Upon learning the news, Liu Hong hurriedly dispatched Zhang Zhongjing and Hua Tuo to the Situ residence to provide medical treatment.
Inside the Situ residence, crowds thronged, and many officials who had come to visit stood solemnly in the courtyard.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
With a loud shout, Liu Hong stepped into the courtyard, and a group of officials hurriedly stepped forward to pay their respects.
"No need for formalities!"
Liu Hong waved to the crowd, then anxiously approached the door and looked into the house with concern in his eyes.
Just then, the door opened, and Zhang Zhongjing walked out with a solemn expression, then bowed to Liu Hong.
Liu Hong hurriedly asked, "Zhongjing, how is Situ?"
Zhang Zhongjing shook his head slightly: "Lord Situ is getting on in years; I fear he may not be able to hold on for long..."
Upon hearing this, Liu Hong and everyone else in the courtyard were stunned.
Just then, Hu Guang's son walked out with a sorrowful expression.
"Your Majesty, my father wishes to see you!"
"good!"
Liu Hong nodded blankly, then walked into the house.
Upon entering the room, Liu Hong saw Hu Guang, whose hair and beard were completely white, lying on the couch with his eyes slightly closed. He was breathing heavily, taking in more air than exhaling, clearly on the verge of death.
Upon seeing this, Liu Hong felt a buzzing sound in his mind, and his brain went blank.
Hu Guang's son walked lightly to the bedside, leaned close to Hu Guang's ear and whispered, "Father, His Majesty has arrived!"
Upon hearing this, Hu Guang slowly opened his eyes, turned his head to look, and after seeing the emperor's figure, a glint of light flashed in his cloudy eyes, and his complexion became much rosier.
"Quick, help me up!"
As he spoke, Hu Guang reached out and grabbed his son's arm, intending to stand up and bow.
Upon seeing this, Liu Hong quickly rushed to the bedside and helped Hu Guang up.
"Since Situ is unwell, there's no need to adhere to those customary formalities!"
After saying that, Liu Hong helped Hu Guang lie back down.
Looking at the increasingly mature and heroic emperor, Hu Guang's eyes were full of satisfaction.
Then Hu Guang spoke up, saying, "Your Majesty, I have served as an official for over sixty years, achieving nothing and living a mediocre life. Fortunately, I have been blessed by Heaven to be able to serve Your Majesty in my later years."
Seeing the Han Dynasty gradually improve under Your Majesty's leadership, this old minister was overjoyed. Alas, fate is not on my side, and I know my days are numbered, unable to continue to share Your Majesty's burdens. My heart is filled with deep regret.
Liu Hong's eyes reddened slightly: "Situ, please don't do this. With Zhongjing and Yuanhua here, you will recover in a few days. I am still waiting for you to continue to teach me!"
Hu Guang shook his head weakly: "This old minister is already eighty-seven years old this year. It is only natural that my time has come. Your Majesty, please do not be sad."
After a pause, Hu Guang looked at his son and said, "Bring the things here!"
Upon hearing this, Hu Guang's son quickly turned around, took a wooden box from the bookshelf beside him, and handed it to Hu Guang.
Opening the wooden box, Hu Guang stretched out his slightly trembling hands and stroked the two bound books with a look of satisfaction.
"Your Majesty, this is a set of teachings for students that I, your humble servant, have spent two years compiling. It is intended to urge and educate those who study to be courteous, loyal to the emperor, serve the country, and be good to the people."
"The key to a well-governed empire lies in education, and the essence of education lies in ideology. I earnestly hope Your Majesty will attach great importance to this!"
As he spoke, Hu Guang picked up the two books and looked at Liu Hong with eager eyes.
"Please rest assured, Situ, I will spread your works throughout the world so that every literate person will understand your heart!"
As he spoke, Liu Hong solemnly took the two books of student precepts from Hu Guang's hands.
Upon hearing this, Hu Guang nodded with a smile: "With Your Majesty's words, this old minister has no regrets. This old minister once again wishes Your Majesty can lead the Han Dynasty back to the peak of Emperor Wu's reign, and that the glory of the Han Dynasty will shine throughout the four seas..."
After saying this, Hu Guang closed his eyes, his chest stopped heaving, and a slight smile remained on his face.
"Situ!"
Upon seeing this, Liu Hong couldn't help but cry out in grief.
Recalling the beginning of his reign, during the most difficult time, it was precisely because of the strong support of this old man who mediated and reconciled with the officials that he was able to smoothly implement various new policies.
It can be said that Hu Guang was a truly pure person who dedicated everything to the emperor and the Han Dynasty.
Thinking of this, Liu Hong was overcome with grief, and two streams of tears slid down his cheeks.
The officials outside, upon hearing the emperor's mournful cry, trembled and their eyes involuntarily reddened.
Upon returning to the palace, Liu Hong ordered the Court of Imperial Sacrifices to preside over Hu Guang's funeral ceremony.
On May 5th, Liu Hong ordered a day's absence from court and personally attended the old man's funeral.
Hu Guang was a kind and generous man who served six dynasties. He endured humiliation and hardship while navigating the complex relationships between powerful relatives and eunuchs. Even knowing that things were hopeless, he persevered and maintained the government. Countless officials and students benefited from his help.
When news of Hu Guang's passing spread, Grand Tutor Chen Fan and many senior officials were deeply saddened.
The students from impoverished families who came to take the exam couldn't help but burst into tears.
On the day of the funeral, not only did officials from the imperial court come to attend, but countless students from the surrounding area also came spontaneously, wearing white cloth to see Hu Guang off. The procession stretched for more than ten miles.
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