Chapter 112: Walking the Path Not Taken by Predecessors

The eighth year of Yanxi, second month;

The imperial examination results were posted.

——It did not exceed Zhong Hui’s expectations; not a single candidate involved in mathematics was selected.

Not even those from noble families.

Compared to those Confucian classics, things like the "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" were simply too niche.

However, Gu Yi was not disheartened.

Everything requires a little bit of progress, whether it be the ban on "taking the elixir" or other reforms.

One day, these will all take root in people's hearts as time passes.

In this imperial examination, some members of the eighth generation of the Gu family also participated.

This was forced by Gu Yi.

The biggest problem with the eighth-generation descendants was their arrogance; it was precisely because the Gu family's prestige was so strong, coupled with being born in troubled times, that the interrupted heritage completely fostered their arrogant character.

If one does not wish to pass down the legacy for ten thousand generations, this kind of problem is not a problem.

But as long as one wants to continue the legacy.

This kind of mental problem must be eradicated.

In fact, Gu Yi has now begun to suspect that the reason Gu Chen did not let Liu Chan take care of the Gu family descendants might have been for this very reason.

With Gu Chen’s insight into people.

He absolutely could not have failed to see the gradually shifting mentality among the Gu family descendants.

Of course, there were naturally those who were unconvinced, but Gu Yi’s attitude was very firm; it was nothing more than being kicked out of the Gu family, just like Gu Chen back then.

Gu Yi could let them be a wealthy man, but from then on, they would no longer be people of the Gu family.

This is what Gu Yi must do.

Time is like water, passing by in a hurry.

Zhang Hua was no ordinary person.

Not long after he first took the position of Chancellor, he had already demonstrated his extraordinary nature.

He successively took action to suppress other voices in the imperial court.

Although there were still those who were unconvinced by him as Chancellor, on the surface, he had completely stabilized the situation in the court.

Being able to pacify the forces in all directions was enough to prove his ability.

Gu Yi did not leave Luoyang directly.

He still needed to wait a while.

Wait until the systems he established were fully implemented, and the Great Han also needed time to fully recover.

Whether it was the "ban on taking the elixir" or the measures regarding the imperial examination.

They all needed him to keep an eye on them personally.

If he left Luoyang at this time, and these guys counterattacked, affecting the implementation of the system, it would be more trouble than it was worth.

Of course, Gu Yi would naturally not just wait forever.

Besides formulating a brand-new training plan for the Great Han, Gu Yi also successively summoned some generals who had illustrious reputations in the original history.

——For example, Wen Yang.

Gu Yi handed him a group of troops, letting them stay together day and night, and conducting special training according to the environment of tribes like the Wuhuan and Xianbei.

He did not give any specific instructions on tactics or the like.

For a great general like Wen Yang.

As long as he could improve the coordination with the soldiers, it would be enough to unleash huge combat power.

Seventh month.

Gu Yi had been keeping an eye on the "ban on taking the elixir" matter; this was one of the things Gu Yi cared about most at present.

Now, the trend in the Great Han had gradually reversed.

The firm attitude of the imperial court had changed the thoughts of many scholars; they no longer pursued the "ascension to immortality" spoken of by those who "took the elixir," but instead despised them.

Of course, there was also good news.

That was that the calendar revised by Du Yu finally had progress after several years.

The "Dual-Origin Qian-Degree Calendar" was finally released.

Compared to the "Taichu Calendar" of the Former Han period and the "Qianxiang Calendar" of the Later Han period, the "Dual-Origin Qian-Degree Calendar" corrected many of the errors within them.

And in this, it also incorporated the multi-calendar epoch method mentioned in the "Jingchu Calendar."

It could be called a huge improvement.

Besides this, the batch of craftsmen Gu Yi had previously selected also had progress.

They followed the pointers Gu Yi provided.

Over these years, they had successively developed quite a few things, it was just that the progress was too small.

But this time it was different.

They modified the production method of the curved-shaft plow, adding auxiliary supports on the basis of the original single-curved plow shaft, and also created a device that could be pulled by human labor.

This alleviated the current reliance of the curved-shaft plow on draft animals.

Although in terms of speed, human traction could naturally not compare to livestock, for the Great Han, which currently lacked draft animals, it was also an improvement.

Including ox horseshoes and ox nose rings.

Besides this, there was also innovation in textiles.

Although in the eyes of modern people, the things they made were indeed too simple.

But placed in the present—

This kind of innovation could be called epoch-making.

After all, agriculture was the most core productive force of the current era.

Gu Yi did not hesitate and immediately promoted these things to the whole country.

After so many years of development.

Unlike before, this brand-new curved-shaft plow was naturally to be promoted and put into use first in areas lacking draft animals.

This kind of thing naturally also had to be planned slowly.

Besides this, Gu Yi also turned his attention to the laws.

Although the current "Yan-Han Code" already had a certain degree of innovation compared to before, it still had deficiencies for the laws of a country.

In the original history, the evolution of our country's laws was an extremely long process.

Every dynasty absorbed the experience left by the previous dynasty to formulate laws that fit the corresponding dynasty.

Gu Yi naturally could not directly push for laws that were too advanced.

The era and environment were different.

The needs for laws were also different.

Gu Yi just wanted to improve the format of the current laws to be more efficient.

He brought up the format of the "Northern Qi Code" and told Zhang Hua and the others about some of his ideas.

This kind of thing could only be done by them.

Although Gu Yi had been personally involved in controlling and observing for so many years, from his fundamental thinking, he still belonged to a modern person.

He could propose suggestions for overall innovation.

But in terms of details, leaving it to these people was the best choice at present.

This was destined to be an era of renewal.

Although everything he did did not seem to change much for the current Yan-Han.

But these reforms were definitely of profound significance for the development of the entire Nine Provinces.

The tenth year of Yanxi.

After several years of persistence, the "ban on taking the elixir" gradually achieved phased success throughout the Great Han.

Those who "took the elixir" were prohibited from participating in the imperial examination.

This method had an effect on most people.

And the same went for Gu Yi’s insistence that students criticize those who "took the elixir."

This kind of thing also played a role as time passed.

This year, the Great Han also gradually recovered from its exhausted state.

The rise of various industries greatly stimulated the vitality of the market.

The most critical thing was—

The point of official conduct, which the Great Han had always been strictly guarding against, greatly promoted the efficiency of merchants in doing business.

Although as time passed, some problems would always appear in official conduct.

But at the very least, on the surface.

Now, there was no official in the Great Han who dared to violate the iron law of the imperial court.

But bad news would eventually come; no matter how glorious an era was, it was destined to end with the passage of time.

Just in the eleventh year of Yanxi.

Jiang Wei passed away due to illness.

Among the great generals that Gu Chen left behind back then, only Deng Ai remained alive today.

Liu Chan was very sad about this.

But the Great Han must eventually move forward.

Regarding the candidate to be sent to Youzhou again, Liu Chan wanted to send Zhuge Liang’s son, Zhuge Zhan, to Youzhou.

It was precisely because of his connection to Zhuge Liang.

Liu Chan had full expectations for Zhuge Zhan.

But Gu Yi blocked this matter, handing the heavy responsibility of guarding Youzhou to Lu Kang and Wen Qin.

The era was about to face a great change.

How could he possibly let an experience-baby like Zhuge Zhan go to such a vital place as Youzhou?

If it were truly as he expected, and a battle was destined to occur.

This battle would concern more than just the Great Han.

It would involve the entire Divine Land!

The life and death of the Gu clan were also at stake; Gu Yi absolutely could not afford any carelessness!

Although Liu Chan was very puzzled by this.

Out of trust for Gu Ye, he still agreed to the matter.

From then on, Gu Yi cherished time even more, and was also making a series of preparations for the future.

Night.

Champion Marquis Mansion.

Gu Yi was controlling Gu Ye to write down his general strategy for developing the Lingnan region.

This was an idea Gu Yi had already set long ago.

In the original history, the development of the Lingnan region was an extremely long process, involving many key factors.

Including population migration and the advancement of productivity.

But it could not be denied that the Lingnan region possessed its own potential.

At this moment, the sound of footsteps suddenly rang out.

Gu Ye looked up and saw his own younger brother, Gu Han, walking in.

Gu Han had a look of frustration on his face.

As a member of the direct line of the Gu clan, Gu Han was originally one of the most arrogant people among this generation of descendants.

The Gu clan’s background gave them far too much self-confidence.

They always firmly believed that even if they did nothing, they could still establish immortal merits in the imperial court.

Just like the ancestors of the Gu clan.

In fact, if not for Gu Yi taking action, no matter how untalented they were, they would certainly have been heavily employed by Liu Chan.

But now it was different.

A single imperial examination had completely shattered the arrogance of these people.

Even the most outstanding among the Gu clan descendants was only equivalent to a common aristocratic descendant.

This might be fine for other families.

But for the Gu clan descendants, this was a very obvious regression.

And Gu Han was among those who failed the selection; all his self-confidence had been smashed to pieces by the naked reality.

"Elder brother."

Before Gu Ye could speak, Gu Han bowed to him very respectfully: "Younger brother wishes to..."

"Wanting me to beg for an official position for you again?"

Before Gu Han could finish, without even needing Gu Yi to control him, Gu Ye interrupted him directly.

Gu Han was clearly struck in his thoughts; he immediately lowered his head and could not say a word.

"Moqing."

Gu Ye shook his head, staring intently at Gu Han and said: "I ask you, even if I could help you secure an official position, what could you actually do?"

These words were spoken entirely by Gu Ye himself; Gu Yi did not control him.

Regarding this younger brother of his.

He was also very helpless.

"Elder brother."

Gu Han’s eyes lit up instantly, and he spoke without the slightest hesitation: "I can do anything!"

He looked at Gu Ye with full expectation.

To him, being a direct descendant of the Gu clan without an official position was a very shameful thing.

"You can do anything?"

Gu Ye’s brow furrowed deeper and deeper as he looked at this good-for-nothing younger brother before him.

He did not hesitate at all.

He put down his brush, stood up directly, and dragged him toward the ancestral hall.

This time, what he showed Gu Han was not the few who always enjoyed the offerings of their descendants, but rather he took out a roster from the side and threw it to Gu Han.

"Look!"

Gu Ye did not waste words, only coldly reprimanded him.

Gu Han was completely stunned.

Looking at the roster in his hand, for a moment he could not even remember what this was.

Until he slowly opened it—

Only then did he recall a few memories from his childhood.

What was recorded on it was nothing else, but the generations of Gu clan descendants.

It was just that compared to the few who could be enshrined, their merits were truly too small, too small.

The most glorious among them was only a Prefect of a province.

The roster recorded the name of every single one of them, as well as their life stories and official positions.

It was very concise, yet it revealed a thick atmosphere of history.

Gu Han was completely dumbfounded.

He stared tightly at every name on it, and when he saw that the names of Gu Wei and Gu Ze were also on it, his pupils suddenly shook violently!

"Look! How many people’s efforts it took for our Gu clan to have today!"

Gu Ye’s reprimanding voice rang out from time to time, his gaze fixed tightly on Gu Han as he said: "The ancestor, Marquis of Loyalty and Martial, expelled his own brother from the clan for the sake of the family."

"Marquis Huan... Marquis Wencheng... Marquis Wenxiang..."

"Do you truly think..."

"That the glory of these ancestors was won by their own strength alone?"

"Even our grandfather, Marquis Zhaolie..."

As he spoke, Gu Ye’s tone paused slightly, and he shook his head slightly: "Even the rise of our grandfather involved the deaths of several brothers..."

The entire ancestral hall was exceptionally silent.

Gu Han stared tightly at every name on the roster.

Although he did not remember most of them...

He still knew the deeds of a few.

Giving up ideals for the family, giving up posthumous titles for the family...

Fragments hidden deep in his memory flashed by one after another, and his expression became increasingly complex.

"How much blood and tears of our ancestors have allowed my Gu clan to reach this day."

"Grandfather inherited the will of our great-great-grandfather, fighting for a lifetime to have the stability and system of the Great Han today."

"And now you actually want me to break this system for your sake?"

"Do you yourself feel that you are worthy of your own surname?"

Gu Ye’s tone gradually calmed down.

But the calmer it was, the greater the blow to Gu Han.

He wanted to say something.

But the words reached his lips and he simply could not speak them out.

Gu Yi watched this scene and could not help but shake his head.

The gap in education had ultimately changed the Gu clan; such changes could only be altered generation by generation through forceful means.

Gu Ye did not say anything more, nor did he care about how Gu Han felt; after finishing, he left directly.

For the entire night, Gu Han stayed in the ancestral hall.

He did not know what he had thought of.

Just as the next day dawned, the scene before Gu Yi’s eyes had just brightened when he heard a knock on the door.

"Elder brother."

—It was Gu Han!

Gu Yi frowned slightly, watching Gu Ye slowly open the door.

The next moment, he saw Gu Han kneeling before the door, his expression incomparably solemn: "Younger brother has a request, and I hope elder brother will grant it."

"Moqing..."

Gu Ye was just about to speak, but Gu Han shook his head directly: "Younger brother does not wish for elder brother to help me..."

Hearing this, Gu Ye was slightly stunned.

Gu Han spoke directly without the slightest hesitation, looking at Gu Ye with an exceptionally earnest gaze: "Younger brother wishes to lead men to Lingnan."

Hm?

In this instant, even Gu Yi was startled.

He had never expected Gu Han to say such a thing.

Lead men to explore Lingnan?

Countless thoughts flashed through Gu Yi's mind in an instant, and he could not help but contemplate the feasibility of this matter.

The era is destined to progress forward.

No matter how Gu Yi interferes, he cannot change the geographical advantages of the Lingnan region.

This kind of terrain dictates that Lingnan will surely shine and thrive in the modern age.

Could this be an opportunity for the Gu Shizi to open up and take root?

Thinking of this, Gu Yi's eyes could not help but brighten.

He could not help but summon the "Family Interface" to check Gu Han's attributes.

【Internal Affairs: 53; Diplomacy: 57; Politics: 62; Command: 58; Martial Arts: 55】

Very average attributes.

But if one truly intends to head to Lingnan now, it has little to do with these attributes.

Willpower is perhaps the key.

As these thoughts flashed by, Gu Yi thought for a moment before directly controlling Gu Ye, looking earnestly at Gu Han and asking: "Moqing, have you truly thought this through?"

Gu Han nodded without the slightest hesitation, meeting Gu Ye's gaze and saying: "Younger brother does not wish to lose face for the Gu Shizi."

A simple sentence, yet it represented his determination.

Perhaps it was not just for the Gu Shizi.

It also had to do with a refusal to accept his own mediocrity.

But clearly, at the very least, Gu Han's determination was currently very strong.

"Good."

After a moment of silence, Gu Yi did not refuse.

This was an attempt.

The Gu Shizi is a family that defies the heavens; now, it can also tread a path its ancestors have never walked.

If they can truly let the Gu Shizi take root in Lingnan.

With the geographical advantages of the Lingnan region—

Not to mention how much influence it could have on the modern era, as productivity continues to develop, perhaps in the future the Gu Shizi can expand outward from this place.

Expanding the entire influence of the Gu Shizi beyond the Nine Provinces!

Regardless, this is a necessary attempt!

"Thank you, elder brother!"

Gu Han bowed deeply and earnestly toward Gu Ye, his tone very sincere.

Gu Ye stared fixedly at Gu Han, his expression extremely complex.

However, he did not say much, merely helping Gu Han up.

Unlike other descendants of the contemporary Gu Shizi, Gu Ye had long ago harbored the intention to give up everything for the family.

The news spread instantly.

Regarding this move by the Gu Shizi, the entire imperial court, and even the Emperor Liu Chan, were extremely shocked!

Develop the Lingnan region?

To the current officials of the Great Han, this was no less than a fantasy!

In fact, ever since Emperor Wu of Han pacified Nanyue, the Lingnan region had nominally belonged to the territory of the Great Han.

But after so many years, the entire Lingnan region remained a place of exile for the people of the Central Plains.

There are many factors involved.

The long distance, including the climate in Lingnan which is completely different from the Central Plains, as well as the culture of local tribes which is entirely different from the Great Han, all contributed to this impression.

Now, hearing Gu Ye propose the development of Lingnan, and even having a direct descendant of the Gu Shizi lead the way.

How could they not be shocked?

Luoyangcheng, Beigong.

Liu Chan stared fixedly at Gu Ye, his face full of astonishment, probing: "Zhaode... this matter cannot be a joke."

"How can you let a descendant of the Gu Shizi go to Lingnan?"

"Wouldn't this make the people of the world say that I have failed the Grand Tutor?"

As he spoke, Liu Chan immediately shook his head: "Absolutely not!"

"Zhaode... I am willing for you to send others, but a descendant of the Gu Shizi is absolutely not allowed; my Great Han still needs the descendants of the Gu Shizi."

By the end, a rare hint of persistence appeared on Liu Chan's face.

Gu Yi remained completely calm.

First, he controlled Gu Ye to thank Liu Chan, then spoke of the past deeds of Gu Shizi ancestors like Gu Xi.

Treading the path others dare not walk—that is what a descendant of the Gu Shizi is!

Just as back then, no one believed Gu Xi would dare to risk his life to return to Luoyang and prop up the fallen Dragon Throne of the Great Han once more.

Just as back then, no one could have imagined that Gu Chen would resolve all threats even if it meant facing death.

Liu Chan fell silent at once.

He stared fixedly at Gu Ye, seemingly having much to say but not knowing how to say it; in the end, he only sighed and revealed an extremely helpless expression: "The descendants of the Gu Shizi are away."

"In the future, who else will be able to help me govern the world?"

Although he was extremely unwilling, he finally agreed to this matter.

The matter was quickly finalized.

The court officials naturally would not oppose a descendant of the Gu Shizi going to Lingnan; after all, this matter held no harm for them.

As for those close to the Gu Shizi.

Such as Zhang Hua, Zhong Hui, and others.

Most of them believed in the choices of the Gu Shizi, knowing there must be a reason for this.

The Hou Fu of the Champion Marquis became lively once again.

After all, he was a direct descendant of the Gu Shizi, and now that he was to head to Lingnan, officials throughout the court naturally chose to come and visit.

Many brought quite a few medicines such as "Miasma-Avoiding Pills."

This also included some experience for traveling to Lingnan.

Although the Gu Shizi did not lack these things, Gu Ye still expressed his gratitude.

For this younger brother of his.

He still had affection.

He wanted to do everything to the best of his ability, even personally selecting the accompanying men and physicians for Gu Han.

Gu Yi did not interfere with any of this.

He did indeed feel that some changes had occurred in Gu Han's personality, but he had no certainty regarding the success or failure of this trip.

If Gu Han performed well enough, he would indeed take action to look after Gu Han.

Not to mention anything else.

At the very least, he could use the "Ailment-Curing Talisman" to resolve physical illnesses.

But if Gu Han could not endure this hardship, he could not possibly exhaust the family's foundation to protect such a person.

The success or failure of this matter depended on him alone.

Time passed in a hurry.

It was the eleventh year of Yanxi, in the sixth month.

Gu Han made full preparations and left Luoyang on the thirteenth day of the sixth month.

The scene on the day of departure was not very large.

After all, Gu Han held no official position in the court.

However, some officials close to the Gu Shizi still came to see him off with Gu Ye, and even Liu Chen came to bid Gu Han farewell.

Zhong Hui admired Gu Han very much.

Gu Han's act of coming from a prestigious family and not fearing death perfectly matched the conduct of a famous scholar.

Just before departure.

He even bowed deeply toward Gu Han's back.

This matter did not cause much of a stir for the entire Great Han, but its significance to the entire Gu Shizi was unimaginable.

Gu Ye did not show any signs of sorrow at the parting, remaining focused on state affairs.

And this calm did not last long.

It was in the tenth month.

An urgent report was sent from the Youzhou region.

Sure enough—

With the passing of Jiang Wei once again, the Wuhuan and Xianbei finally could not suppress their ambitions and made their move!

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(End of chapter)