Chapter 12: The World Shakes, the Clans Strike Back

The court ministers' reaction to Liu Xiu's sudden proclamation of the Land Survey Edict was immense, even exceeding their reaction to his deposal of the Empress.

After all, deposing the Empress struck only a portion of people.

When that portion was struck, others would naturally rise to take their place.

But the Land Survey Edict struck at everyone's interests.

The court and realm were thrown into great shock!

Opposition memorials of every kind fell like snowflakes, piling up entirely on Liu Xiu's imperial desk.

Even the Guanzhong clans, who had always supported the Emperor, now began to oppose him.

Such a reaction was something he had never encountered since his restoration of the Han.

But Liu Xiu was never a timid man.

During the Battle of Kunyang, when he faced such dire circumstances, he had dared to propose direct resistance against the Xin army—how much more so now?

Without hesitation, he immediately dispatched his trusted aides to every region.

Simultaneously, he swiftly promoted a group of officials to forcefully suppress the opposition with imperial authority.

He formally enacted the Land Survey Edict!

As soon as the edict was issued, the entire realm was stunned!

In an instant, countless troops surged from Luoyang toward all directions.

The great clans were no fools; they knew they could not confront Liu Xiu head-on with force.

Yet as the saying goes, "Above, policy; below, countermeasures," they still retained ample room to maneuver in response to this Land Survey.

Julu.

The development of the situation in Hebei was exactly as Gu Yi had predicted.

Prince Liu Yang of Zhen Ding was indeed old, lacking the courage to act.

When news arrived that Guo Shengtong had been deposed and several of the Guo family's descendants stripped of their titles, he showed no extreme reaction—only sank into gloom each day, hiding within his princely mansion.

The Hebei clans, too, swiftly made various changes.

That was to distance themselves from Liu Yang and the Guo family.

This prince who had once dominated Hebei now teetered on the brink of collapse within mere days.

"Gathered by profit, dispersed when profit ends"—this saying is truly a profound truth.

The Emperor's dislike for Liu Yang and the Guo family had become unmistakably clear.

Even those who had once been close to Liu Yang and the Guo family now chose to avoid them.

This was the cruelty of reality.

Once he confirmed that Hebei would not erupt into chaos, Gu Yi naturally refocused his attention on his own family's internal affairs.

The Gu family still had too few people.

There was no choice—Gu Yi dared not let Gu Xiao become overly indulgent in women.

Though Gu Xiao's health seemed robust now, given the medical standards of this era, any real ailment would likely mean death.

Gu Yi dared not gamble.

Fortunately, his sons Gu Kang and Gu Cheng were both in excellent health.

No untimely deaths had occurred; otherwise, Gu Yi would have been truly despairing.

But this calm period lasted only a few days before a letter from Liu Xiu in Luoyang was delivered directly to him.

Upon seeing Liu Xiu's letter with his own eyes, even Gu Yi was taken aback.

Land Survey?

Was Liu Xiu really going this far?

First depose the Empress, then immediately enact the Land Survey?

This move diverged entirely from the original historical trajectory—something Gu Yi had never anticipated.

Yet after careful thought, he understood the reason behind it.

Unlike the original history.

Because Liu Xiu's unification of the realm had proceeded far more smoothly, the great clans' power today was vastly stronger than in history.

Liu Xiu was a wise emperor, and he had the precedent of the Former Han before him.

His decisive action was therefore understandable.

Once he fully grasped this point, Gu Yi's heart grew even more shaken.

How many people will have to die this time?

Gu Yi remembered clearly: in the original history, Liu Xiu had gradually eliminated the leading clans through various policies.

Even in the original history, it had been so.

What about now?

The great clans would never sit idle, and Liu Xiu needed to weaken them.

"When the sovereign is enraged, a million corpses lie slain."

This phrase suddenly flashed through Gu Yi's mind.

Though he knew Liu Xiu would not go this extreme, a chill still crept through him—his anxiety over his family's future was overwhelming.

The Gu family now seemed to have a brilliant future, but in truth, it had only just begun, and the main reason was Gu Xiao's close ties to Liu Xiu.

But what if the future changed?

Gu Yi had to think deeply about this question.

What followed unfolded exactly as Gu Yi had predicted.

When the imperial edict officially took effect, the first region affected by the Land Survey Edict was naturally Guanzhong.

And the Guanzhong clans also gave their response;

———Bribery!

They bribed the officials in charge of land surveying, offering them various benefits, attempting to falsify land records and conceal population data.

This tactic initially did have some effect.

Liu Xiu had never imagined that even beneath the Son of Heaven's gaze, someone would dare such audacity.

But once he learned of it, these men naturally faced the Emperor's wrath.

All officials involved were executed, and their family assets were confiscated.

All major clans that had concealed land and population were stripped of their fields; their people were re-registered into household rolls, and even the leaders of the leading clans were punished.

Perhaps to intimidate the realm, Liu Xiu's actions were exceedingly brutal.

Yet how could such measures alone force the great clans of the realm to submit?

Wishful thinking is one of humanity's fundamental traits.

Their tactics immediately shifted—inciting the common people.

In this age, not only could few understand imperial policies, but even those who could read were scarce.

Under the deliberate incitement of these great clans, opposition voices indeed began to rise among the common folk.

This was indeed a ruthless move.

Although Liu Xiu could act harshly against the great clans, faced with such a vast number of commoners, he was forced to make adjustments.

He dispatched officials to various regions to pacify the people.

Simultaneously, he revised the land survey decree to ensure it would not harm the interests of ordinary commoners.

This was bound to be a protracted struggle.

And as days passed, from Guanzhong to Guandong and across the realm, unrest erupted everywhere.

Zhentan.

Facing the clan representatives who had come again after so long, Liu Yang felt as if time had slipped away.

Though their daily lives had not changed much, the immense psychological blow made the aging Liu Yang struggle to bear it.

As he faced them again, a cold sneer flickered across his face: "Why don't you go to the Marquis of Guanchun?"

"What do you want from me?"

His words brimmed with resentment.

Yet for these men who had come again, how could they care for his resentment?

"Your Highness! We know we were wrong!"

"The imperial land survey decree has stirred unrest across the realm; it now threatens to engulf our Hebei lands."

"You must give us some advice."

Liu Xiu's harsh measures had indeed thrown these men into panic.

But to make them surrender their family's foundations was utterly impossible.

With Gu Xiao refusing to see them, they had no choice but to turn to Liu Yang, hoping he could devise a response.

"Hmph! What can I do about imperial policy?"

Liu Yang continued venting his resentment.

Seeing this, though they grew even more contemptuous of him, they still had to flatter him for a while—only then did Liu Yang's expression soften, and he began to speak on the matter.

"Why are you all in such a panic?"

His expression was calm, showing no trace of alarm: "Our Hebei lands are different from other regions."

"This is not merely the Son of Heaven's birthplace."

"There is also the Marquis of Guanchun here!"

When he mentioned Gu Xiao, his face darkened involuntarily—Gu Xiao had made him lose face repeatedly during this period.

Upon hearing this, all present looked puzzled.

What difference could the Marquis of Guanchun make?

He won't even meet us.

Liu Yang seemed to have already planned everything; he looked at them, his gaze suddenly turning ruthless: "The Marquis of Guanchun is not alone."

"If his own brother were harmed—"

"How could he remain aloof?"

"Gentlemen, when Gu Chen first came to Hebei, the gifts you gave him—were they truly given for nothing?"

"Gu Xiao thinks he can rely on the Gu family's new status and lack of depth to stand alone, watching from the sidelines."

"How easy do you think that is?"

Hearing this, the others instantly understood.

Liu Yang was referring to the gifts they had sent to Gu Chen when he first arrived in Hebei, to curry favor with Gu Xiao.

Among them, naturally, were landholdings!

But if they truly did this, wouldn't it mean tearing open their relationship with Gu Xiao?

For a moment, all fell silent.

Liu Yang watched them in silence.

They were all foxes of a thousand years—he could easily read their thoughts.

But he had no intention of saying more.

To refuse to give up their gains yet still escape this crisis—how could such a convenient thing exist?

They must return to their proper side!

As long as the entire Hebei aristocracy shuns the Gu clan, once Liu Xiu and Gu Xiao pass away.

Once the Gu clan faces a generational gap in talent, within a single generation, they will be sufficient to swallow the Gu clan whole.

Even if I myself shall never live to see it, I must plant this seed!

At this moment, the room sank into an eerie silence.

The others exchanged glances, their expressions varied, as if communicating silently with their eyes.

Finally, after a long while passed.

They at last made their decision, each nodding solemnly.

There was really nothing to hesitate over.

Since Gu Xiao cannot bring them tangible benefits, what good would fawning upon him do?

Forget everything else—first survive the crisis before us!

Julu.

"Kang, you speak."

"Why does Your Majesty wish to implement land surveying?"

As Gu Kang and Gu Cheng grew older, Gu Yi directly took part in their education.

At this moment, he was using this land surveying matter to train Gu Kang's political sensitivity.

This was the matter Gu Yi cared about most right now.

By now, Gu Yi had already formed some plans.

Aside from what he had already decided—never harming the people or causing internal clan strife—

Gu Yi also intended to make detailed distinctions in the clan's educational system.

Beyond the classics most valued in this era, they must study according to their individual strengths.

Those gifted in literature shall study literature; those gifted in martial arts shall study martial arts; those gifted in commerce may become merchants.

This was bound to be a long process.

As for the turmoil outside, what does it have to do with the Gu clan?

Given Gu Xiao's current status, unless all of Hebei rose in rebellion, he, as Grand Commandant, need not lift a finger.

But such a thing is utterly impossible at this moment!

Hearing Gu Yi's question, Gu Kang furrowed his brow, thought for a moment, then spoke:

"Because the people of the realm are exhausted."

"I still remember Father telling me that Your Majesty freed slaves and restored production to revive the strength of our Great Han."

"As more and more slaves are freed, our Great Han's land naturally becomes insufficient."

"Thus, land surveying is the only solution."

Having finished, he gazed quietly at Gu Yi until seeing Gu Yi smile, then he smiled too.

"Excellent."

Gu Yi nodded with deep satisfaction, then asked: "Then tell me—will the great clans of the realm agree to land surveying?"

"No!" This time, Gu Kang answered without hesitation, "They will certainly not agree."

"Why?" Gu Yi asked again.

Gu Kang fell silent at once.

Though he was quite skilled in this area, many questions were beyond the full grasp of a seven-year-old boy.

"Brother!"

At that moment, Gu Chen burst in hurriedly, his face filled with tension.

Seeing his expression, Gu Yi instantly sensed something amiss.

His heart tightened sharply; he immediately commanded Gu Xiao to fix his gaze on Gu Chen and asked:

"What is so urgent?"

"Brother…" Gu Chen swallowed hard, a flicker of fear in his eyes, stammering and unable to speak.

"Speak!"

Gu Xiao let out a sharp, fierce roar.

He was never a gentle man; under Gu Yi's influence, he now wore clear anger.

Seeing this, Gu Chen trembled uncontrollably, dared not delay another instant, and hurriedly said:

"The imperial land surveying officials… have arrived in Handan."

He clearly had more to say.

Seeing this, Gu Yi already suspected the truth, and a surge of anger rose within him.

Gu Xiao, instantly affected, slowly rose to his feet, staring fixedly at Gu Chen and asked: "Zhan Yang."

"When I sent you to Julu, did I not repeatedly warn you never to harm the people, lest you tarnish the Gu clan's reputation?"

"Brother said so." Gu Chen lowered his head, trembling more violently, as if on the verge of collapse.

"Then let me ask you again—since arriving in Hebei, have you…"

Gu Xiao's words were not yet finished.

Gu Chen could no longer bear the invisible pressure; suddenly, he fell to his knees with a thud and cried out in despair: "Brother!"

"I have never done such a thing!"

"These were all given to me by these Hebei officials and great clans!"

"They originally claimed they were their own—but only recently did I learn these people have been using my name to seize the people's land."

"I never intended to do this!"

The eldest brother is like a father!

Moreover, Gu Xiao was the founder who laid the foundation for Gu Clan's present status; Gu Chen's fear had now reached its peak.

Gu Yi had been coldly watching all of this.

When he heard the words spoken by Gu Chen, he had already guessed most of it.

The Gu Clan has been used as a shield!

Know that Gu Xiao, as the Emperor's favored minister, now guards Hebei.

Given what has happened, how could these officials possibly avoid making Gu Chen their first target?

But how could these officials dare to truly harm Gu Xiao's own younger brother?

In an instant, Gu Yi understood the stakes, and felt an even deeper helplessness in his heart.

No matter how much he guarded against it, he still couldn't prevent it!

After the unification of the realm,

Gu Yi's first rule established was that no Gu Clan descendant must ever harm the people.

This point was crucial to the clan's survival for countless generations.

As long as this principle was maintained, the people would gradually become a protective talisman for the Gu Clan over time!

But now this—

Gu Yi silently manipulated Gu Xiao and glanced at Gu Kang beside him.

The clan's descendants are still watching.

If this is let go now, will it worsen the problems the family will face in the future?

If a truly heinous person were to emerge, could one man's transgression destroy the entire clan?

In an instant, Gu Yi's mind churned with thoughts, and he made his decision immediately.

This matter must not be allowed to go awry in any way.

Once the moral breach is opened, given the Gu Clan's current power, Gu Yi could not imagine what kind of people the clan might produce in the future.

He had previously overlooked too much.

A thought suddenly arose in Gu Yi's heart.

The old Gu Yi had always wanted to focus his efforts on stabilizing the family, thereby gaining more opportunities to manipulate events.

But now he realized this approach was fundamentally wrong.

Even without his manipulation, now that he could control and the clan was still so small, such unexpected events still occurred.

If the clan grows in the future, even if he could control every generation, could he truly guarantee the clan's continued prosperity?

The Gu Clan does not strive for one generation—it strives for ten thousand generations!

No one knows what the future Gu Clan will become, how powerful it will grow.

Not even Gu Yi knows.

In short, the old Gu Yi had thought in terms of individual heroism—but this was fundamentally mistaken.

To achieve the plan of the Gu Clan's eternal, glorious legacy, one man's strength alone is not enough!

Restrictions must be placed on the Gu Clan descendants!

At the very least, the Gu Clan must never produce someone who incurs the wrath of gods and men!

—Establish family rules!

Establish a family code that all Gu Clan descendants must follow!

New book in its infancy, brothers, please support—collect and vote!

This plot arc serves as an overall transition, setting the clan's tone to aid future development.





(End of Chapter)