Chapter 130: Golden Knife, Broken Blade: The Gu Clan

Yang Jian was not a man who hesitated; perhaps this was one of the common traits of all who achieved great things.

Once he had determined something, he would set himself to work toward it.

For Yang Jian,

the current situation was extremely dire.

"If the Liu clan does not want this empire, then I shall take it!"

Yang Jian's power within Northern Han was unmatched.

Especially after confirming this matter, he launched a series of alliances.

He brought the entire court under his sole control.

And just as all of this was settled—

he immediately, as a regent entrusted with the late emperor's charge, issued a proclamation to the realm.

—Depose the Emperor!

The Four Directions trembled in shock!

Since the realm had fallen into chaos, this was the first time an outsider had deposed a Liu Son of Heaven.

The impact on the entire realm was unimaginable.

In an instant, rumors spread from all quarters.

But Yang Jian cared nothing for any of it; he immediately installed a puppet Son of Heaven.

Beyond this, he also ordered the spread of rumors.

"The golden knife is chipped; the Mandate passes to Guanlong."

"The Liu clan has lost the Mandate!"

Rumors swarmed from every side.

Yang Jian continually had people swear to these claims, singing praises of his virtue and greatness.

Since the realm had fallen into chaos, many things had already changed.

To the people of the realm,

seeing the chaos drag on without end, could anyone truly avoid pondering these questions?

It was inevitable!

Only the fear of chenwei superstition had silenced them until now.

And when someone finally raised this matter, the impact was unimaginable.

Rumors surged: that the Liu clan had abandoned the Gu clan, broken the oath sworn by Middle Ancestor Liu Bei, and been forsaken by Heaven, and so on.

And as this matter gradually spread,

Yang Jian's prestige soared higher and higher.

In the following year,

Yang Jian did not hesitate a moment; he immediately embarked on his path to usurp the throne.

—Han's Sui Prince!

When this title was bestowed upon Yang Jian,

the golden knife prophecy finally began to waver!

Since the time of Gao Zu Liu Bang, who slew the white horse and swore to the realm, "No outsider shall be made king—let all unite to slay him,"

save for the brief period of Wang Mang's usurpation,

this was the first outsider ever to be made a prince!

Yang Jian faced no surprise; he was immediately targeted and watched by the Liu princes.

But what of it?

For Yang Jian, once he chose to take this step,

he had already prepared for everything.

Why did Yang Jian dare to do this?

Because the Liu clan had gradually lost the people's hearts.

While all others sank into decay, he alone could rise to supremacy.

Facing the Liu princes who came from all directions to unite against him, Yang Jian felt no fear.

It was as if this were a fuse.

For the realm,

if the Liu clan, content with their position, could crush Yang Jian, then the golden knife prophecy would be reaffirmed.

But if Yang Jian could withstand it all,

and even advance further,

then the golden knife prophecy would surely end completely.

A transformation had already emerged.

This battle was destined to shake heaven and earth.

It was not that the battle itself would be exceptionally fierce, but its meaning for the entire Nine Provinces.

Yang Jian was truly formidable.

Perhaps the Liu princes had grown too accustomed to the advantages of their lineage.

Their abilities were utterly inadequate compared to Yang Jian's.

The Liu clan's descendants had lived far too comfortably.

These years of chaos had only deepened this point.

As long as they bear the Liu surname.

If they can be linked to the Liu clan's Emperor, they gain the right to compete beneath the Heavenly Well.

All families would treat them as honored guests.

Under these circumstances, it is no surprise that the Liu clan's descendants have reached this point!

Yang Jian nearly swept away all the Liu clan's feudal lords with the force of Lei Ting; years of peace had finally caused the Liu clan to taste bitter fruit.

Gu Yi had been silently observing all of this, and his calm heart finally stirred slightly.

Aside from observing Yang Jian.

He was also paying attention to the Gu clan.

Not surprisingly, as Yang Jian's power grew, the Gu clan's descendants, who had been mediocrity for years, finally began to change!

As of today, Gu Yi could already sense the suppression exerted upon the Gu clan.

Looking back from the beginning.

He had once manipulated Gu Xiao to launch the Gu clan's rise.

Although this accelerated Liu Xiu's unification, overall he merely followed the tide and did not alter the great truths of history.

Thus, the Gu clan did not suffer suppression.

The talents of Gu Kang, Gu Sheng, and others among the clan were astonishing.

As Gu Kang reformed the empire's land system and Gu Sheng pacified the Western Regions and eradicated the Xiongnu,

this impact far surpassed Gu Xiao's passive alignment with the tide.

Then the Gu clan's descendants suffered suppression.

The generation of Gu Liang was extremely mediocre.

Only when the Gu clan's influence gradually weakened and returned to normalcy did the rise of Gu Xi's generation emerge.

But even so,

Gu Xi had once faced the threat of early death.

Yet judging from the current situation, the earlier suppression had not been fatal.

——Until Gu Chen revived the Han dynasty three times.

This act directly pushed the suppression upon the Gu clan to its extreme; only during Gu Chen's lifetime could the clan withstand all pressure and produce talent.

With Gu Chen's death,

the Gu clan's decline had already begun to spread.

Had Gu Yi not personally manipulated events, even the generation of Gu Ye might have struggled to rise.

All of this conforms to the game's warning: "The greater the change, the stronger the correction."

Thinking of these things,

Gu Yi could not help but shake his head, yet he was not alarmed.

This path was destined to be extremely difficult.

To sustain glory, this was ultimately what the Gu clan had to face.

What he must do now—

is lend a hand to the Gu clan's descendants!

Opening the family panel, Gu Yi carefully examined the talents of each family descendant.

His primary focus was naturally the seventeenth-generation descendants who had recently emerged.

Compared to the attributes of their predecessors,

this generation's descendants showed a clear improvement.

Most of them had strengths around seventy points, which in previous generations had been the mark of the most outstanding individuals.

After many years—

the Gu clan finally seemed to be experiencing a surge of talent.

Although their talents could not be compared to those of the most outstanding descendants like Gu Kang, Gu Sheng, and Gu Xi,

they were still exceedingly remarkable.

Gu Yi's attention naturally turned to the most outstanding descendant in the clan.

He had no intention of intervening directly.

The current historical moment was a critical turning point, and the Gu clan's influence had gradually diminished over time.

If he intervened, he might once again propel the Gu clan to its peak.

Using knowledge from the modern era,

he could push all of Jiuzhou forward another step.

But once he acted, the Gu clan would inevitably face unimaginable suppression again.

At that point, if his achievement points were exhausted and the clan's descendants remained mediocre, change would become truly impossible.

Gu Yi needed to consider the bigger picture.

After a careful glance, Gu Yi immediately noticed one person.

This was the most outstanding descendant of this generation.

His name was Gu Yu.

【Internal Affairs: 79; Diplomacy: 70; Politics: 81; Command: 73; Martial Power: 63】

Although he could not compare to the few individuals he had previously focused on,

for the current Gu clan, his attributes were already remarkably well-rounded.

Of course—

Gu Yi wouldn't just sit by and watch it happen either.

He had already briefly familiarized himself with the subsequent history; if he didn't step in, this Gu Yu would likewise find it hard to change anything.

After the great trend that followed.

His current ability was also insufficient to once again prop up the Gu clan.

"Lottery!"

This time, Gu Yi didn't hesitate in the slightest and directly summoned the lottery in his mind.

His current achievement points were already approaching eight hundred thousand.

Gu Yi held back even less this time.

He only kept five hundred thousand achievement points, spending out all the rest.

This was the result of his careful deliberation.

On the basis of ensuring one chance to manipulate things for himself, he also set aside some achievement points for items like the Spirit-Communing Jade.

The very next instant, a string of prompts immediately flashed before Gu Yi's eyes.

【Lottery successful.】

【Congratulations to the player on obtaining: Mortal-grade item — Mortal-grade item — Cure-All Talisman. Strength Talisman.】

【.】

A string of items flashed by in order from low to high.

By now, in truth, Gu Yi no longer had such high demands for every item.

Even the most ordinary mortal-grade item.

For a clan like the Gu that needed to flourish for ten thousand generations, was likewise part of its foundation, and could play a great role at critical moments.

The same went for mortal-grade items.

Still, he was hoping to draw items like the Wall-Breaking Card or the Longevity Card.

No other reason — these items were simply too tempting!

As long as he chose the right targets to cultivate, he could not only greatly boost the Gu clan's influence, but also bring himself a considerable return of achievement points.

But unfortunately.

This game's lottery system was just like a certain goose.

The more you wanted something, the less it appeared.

【Congratulations to the player on obtaining: Mysterious-grade item — Lucky Card. Focus Card. Flash-of-Insight Card.】

【.】

【Congratulations to the player on obtaining: Mysterious-grade item — Attribute Card.】

【(Mysterious) Attribute Card: After use, you may choose to add one point to an attribute of a clan disciple.】

【Congratulations to the player on obtaining: Earth-grade item — Luoshu Harmony Regulator.】

【(Earth) Luoshu Harmony Regulator: Special item. After use, you may choose to fuse it into a clan disciple, balancing their attributes. At critical moments, it can lower other attributes to raise the needed one. Automatically解除 fusion upon the clan disciple's death!】

【Current Luck Value: 79%】

A string of prompts.

Gu Yi naturally noticed the final earth-grade item, and his gaze suddenly sharpened.

Luoshu Harmony Regulator?

Unlike the previous few earth-grade items.

Whether it was the Spirit-Communing Jade, or the Xuanji Counting Rods.

Those two earth-grade items were both of the support type, whereas this item's effect was far more direct!

It could adjust attributes.

At special moments, shifting one's other attributes over to the attribute one needed.

The usefulness of this item was simply enormous!

Although Gu Yi knew that such adjustment must certainly come with limits.

That still could not diminish its effect!

This thing could directly raise an ordinary disciple to the very top!

For an instant, even Gu Yi's breathing couldn't help but quicken.

This thing was absolutely a top-tier item!

For the Gu clan's long-term development, its usefulness was simply beyond imagination!

After carefully tallying up the items obtained this time.

Aside from some basic items, the most useful for now were still the two Attribute Cards and this Luoshu Harmony Regulator.

After a brief consideration.

Gu Yi still chose to raise Gu Yu's Command attribute by one point.

And directly fused the Luoshu Harmony Regulator into Gu Yu's body, along with the Flash-of-Insight Card that had a chance to raise his cap.

Under the current circumstances.

He didn't yet have extra items to extend coverage over the entire clan.

Going all out to cultivate a single top-tier talent was what yielded the greatest return.

Julu.

As Gu Yi's mind moved.

A jade ring appeared out of the unseen and directly fused into Gu Yu's body.

The very next instant.

The infant Gu Yu seemed to sense something as well, suddenly opened his eyes, stretched out his little hand toward the empty sky, and actually began to laugh.

Time flew by in a flash.

Yang Jian's name grew ever more renowned throughout the realm.

—King Sui of the Great Han.

The oppressive weight this title carried even surpassed that of the various Liu-surnamed lords.

Three years!

In only three years, he had swept clean every Liu-surnamed lord within Northern Han.

He had thoroughly cemented his own standing throughout the entire Northern Court.

Not an emperor, yet more than an emperor!

He had utterly shattered the Liu family's halo, using his own conduct to show the world just how useless the Liu clan truly was.

Everything unfolded exactly as he had said it would.

Looking across the Liu-surnamed lords of both north and south, not a single hero among them.

The cycle of cause and effect was on full display at this moment.

The Great Han had stood for over six hundred years.

Until after the Tyrant Emperor.

The realm in chaos to this day — the Liu clan had enjoyed far, far too many extraordinary privileges, and that had sealed their fate today.

At the same time, Yang Jian had not for a moment forgotten to keep spreading rumors.

Rumors about himself, Yang Jian.

What he wanted to do needed no explanation!

"Yang Jian's heart is known to every passerby."

Not only within Northern Han, but even Southern Han had already seen all manner of rumors spreading,

regarding Yang Jian's rise.

Naturally, the Liu-surnamed lords of Southern Han were unwilling.

But by now, they no longer had the heart to deal with Yang Jian.

The title of King Sui was like a button, fully unleashing the long-dormant ambitions of the realm.

If even Yang Jian could do it, why couldn't we?

What was the point of supporting Liu-surnamed lords?

Such is the nature of omen- superstition and divination.

Before anything has come to pass, such things can impose great restraint and fear upon people.

But once everything has been broken and nothing happens—

Omen-superstition and divination completely lose their power!

Lords of every region rose in succession.

Until now, the entire realm seemed to have finally returned to normal.

Returned to that era of lords rising together and heroes vying for supremacy.

Great wars erupted once more.

The fragility of the Liu-surnamed lords shocked everyone once again.

Facing the lords rising one after another, they wished to suppress them yet had absolutely no means to do so.

Some of the lords had even come from within their own ranks.

For Yang Jian, this was likewise a once-in-a-thousand-years opportunity.

Northern Han.

Yang Jian, a long sword at his waist, walked slowly toward the imperial palace.

A host of officers and soldiers followed behind him.

Faced with this scene, no one within the entire palace dared to block his way.

Wherever Yang Jian passed, whether palace maids and eunuchs or palace guards, none hesitated in the slightest and all dropped to their knees.

Sword and boots upon the hall—

His path was unobstructed the entire way.

It was precisely the Northern Han morning court. The Son of Heaven, Liu Rui, watching Yang Jian draw ever closer, was filled with fear in his eyes.

Even his body was trembling faintly.

Years of control had utterly broken his spine, leaving him with no will to resist at all.

In truth, in the past, he would not have been so afraid.

But this time was different.

Because among the ministers, someone had already proposed that he abdicate the throne to Yang Jian.

The Great Han would perish at his hands!

Tap. Tap. Tap.

In that silent great hall, Yang Jian's footsteps rang out extremely loud and clear.

His expression was utterly calm.

He walked straight into the hall, passed through the ranks of ministers, and cupped his fists toward Liu Rui: "I pay my respects to Your Majesty."

Having spoken, he did not wait for Liu Rui's reaction, and stepped directly up the white jade stairs to the position reserved exclusively for him.

Only one step lower than the Son of Heaven!

The morning court began.

Liu Rui sat on pins and needles, secretly glancing at Yang Jian.

And the first matter in every minister's memorial was not anything else—it was abdication.

As Gao Jiong signaled with his eyes to the man beside him.

Immediately, someone stepped forward slowly and cried out: "Your Majesty, I dare to speak boldly before Your Majesty."

"Great Han has held heaven's mandate for over eight hundred years; Gao Zu raised his three-foot sword to establish dominion in Guanzhong; Shizu revived the flame of heaven and restored the He-Lo region; Zhongzu upheld the imperial order through three correctings—all by virtue matching heaven and divine martial prowess saving the world."

"Yet heaven's mandate is not fixed—it follows only virtue."

"Now Your Majesty inherits this great legacy, intending to glorify your ancestors' deeds, yet yin and yang are twisted, disasters and portents come without end:"

"Now the Emperor Star in the Taiwei Constellation grows dim, while a new star blazes brightly in the Ziwei Constellation, matching the region of Guanlong;"

"Last year, the earth in Luoyang split three zhang wide, black water gushed forth, and the Tortoise Script declared: 'Earth virtue declines, Wood virtue rises.'"

"Children across the land chant: 'Golden knife breaks, Yang branches flourish'; elders all say this confirms the Five Phases' cycle."

"I observe Prince Yang of Sui, endowed with the spirit of rivers and mountains, favored by heaven:"

"He sweeps the Six Garrisons like wind sweeping away scattered clouds, restoring all lands to royal rule."

"He revives the well-field system to pacify the people, institutes the imperial examination to elevate the humble—worthy to be compared with Duke Zhou's rites and Xiao He's laws."

"I still recall last year's eastern hunt at Mount Taishan, when a yellow dragon appeared in Gu Cheng, holding a jade tablet inscribed: 'Wood virtue replaces Han; Yang clan receives heaven's mandate.'"

"This is heaven's will."

"In ancient times, Emperor Yao abdicated to Emperor Shun—not out of private favor, but in obedience to heaven's will."

"Though the Han dynasty is holy, can it defy the cosmic shift?"

"If Your Majesty now follows the ancient sages, entrusting the imperial insignia to the virtuous, then: above, you align with heaven's heart; below, you pacify the myriad people."

The clear voice echoed throughout the hall.

As his words fell silent.

One after another, figures stepped forward and knelt before Liu Rui on the dragon throne.

"We humbly beg Your Majesty to follow the ancient sages and entrust the imperial insignia to the virtuous!!!"

"We humbly beg Your Majesty to follow the ancient sages and entrust the imperial insignia to the virtuous!!!"

"We humbly beg Your Majesty to follow the ancient sages and entrust the imperial insignia to the virtuous!!!"

"."

These loud cries, like heaven's verdict, formally proclaimed the Day of Death of Great Han.

Tears fell uncontrollably.

Liu Rui looked at those present, then at Yang Jian beside him, whose expression remained unchanged—he finally understood everything.

But the name "Han" still compelled him to rise.

He looked at those gathered, wanting to say something.

Yet the ministers gave him no chance.

"Since the Li Emperor defied Gu Yi, chaos has plagued the realm—does Your Majesty still wish to prolong this?"

This question silenced the words on Liu Rui's lips.

—The Li Emperor defied Gu Yi!

He broke Zhongzu's oath, and now meets this fate.

Over these years, he had heard it too many times.

In truth, Liu Rui harbored resentment.

Resentment toward the Li Emperor.

But now, what could he possibly say?

Great Han is dying—dying in his hands.

The Northern Court is thus.

How long can the Southern Court hold out?

Unlike original history, the prolonged Han dynasty had become a heavier burden for them.

He felt as if all strength had been drained from him.

He had just risen.

And now staggered back onto the dragon throne, then slowly turned to Yang Jian and whispered: "Prince of Sui… what is your intention?"

Yang Jian showed no excitement; he rose at once and bowed to Liu Rui: "I dare not overstep."

Saying this, he turned and walked away.

The ministers instinctively parted to let him pass.

His face showed neither joy nor sorrow.

Even now, at this very moment, Yang Jian showed no trace of triumph.

Why rejoice?

For him, from the moment he chose to take this step,

All of this was inevitable!

He was now thinking how best to swiftly pacify the realm.

This was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity.

The current situation sees warlords rising—but all too late.

He already controlled the entire Northern Court.

The chaos within the Southern Court was a once-in-a-millennium opportunity for him!

—Three refusals, three offers.

The long-running drama once again played out in the north.

Faced with the pressure of the assembled ministers,

Liu Rui had no way out at all, and in the end was forced to do all of this, yielding the throne to Yang Jian.

Northern Tai'an, seventh year; the sixth month.

Emperor Liu Rui thrice declined the throne.

Yang Jian finally accepted.

A grand abdication ceremony was held in Chang'an, and he formally ascended the throne as emperor.

The era name was changed to "Kaihuang"!

Signifying the arrival of a new emperor.

The Golden-Knife prophecy that had formed among the Liu clan over several hundred years was finally broken by a true hero.

But Yang Jian too could not entirely escape its influence.

Right after taking the throne,

he imprisoned all members of the Liu clan; as for Liu Rui, who had abdicated in his favor, he naturally met no good end either, being secretly executed.

——————

"On the wuchen day of the sixth month of the seventh year of Tai'an, the Han Emperor sent Grand Commandant Cui Hongdu and Minister of Education Su Wei to bear the imperial seal and sash, presenting the册 to the Chancellor's residence, informing him that the Mandate of Heaven had returned to him.

Gao Zu firmly declined, saying: 'I am but a martial man of Guan and Long, who has received the Han's great kindness and holds a place among the chief ministers. Now the realm is not yet at peace — how could I dare covet the Sacred Vessel?'

The assembled ministers and officials went to the palace gates and presented a memorial, asking that he fulfill the hopes of the myriad people.

The Emperor declined three times, and then gave his assent.

On that day, in the south of Chang'an city, a white sparrow perched on the owl-tail of the Grand Ancestral Temple; a yellow star appeared in Ziwei by day; and sweet dew descended upon the cypress trees before the Hall of Supreme Ultimate.

Grand Historian Yu Jicai presented a memorial: 'The white sparrow signifies that the metal essence responds to Sui; the yellow star signifies that the virtue of earth is about to be replaced. This is the omen of a change of surname. Your Majesty should comply with the command of vast Heaven.'

On the gengwu day, an altar was set up on the sunny side of the Ba River.

The Han Emperor personally bore the jade册, wearing the ceremonial robe and crown and holding the jade tablet, and weeping, said to Gao Zu: 'The Prince of Sui is sage, martial, and spreads culture — he ought to rule over the myriad states. I fear the Mandate of Heaven; how could I dare not entrust to you the affairs of Yao and Shun?'

Gao Zu bowed twice facing north, received the jade tablet and bi, and burned the sacrificial wood to inform Heaven.

The text read:

'Your subject Jian, Prince of Sui, dares with the dark male sacrifice to announce to the august Heaven and Sovereign: The virtue of Han has already declined, and baleful comets have appeared again and again. Your servant fears Heaven's might, and with effort complies with the assembled counsel. May the spirits and deities witness this!'

When the rites were complete, an edict changed the seventh year of Tai'an to the first year of Kaihuang, and a general amnesty was granted throughout the realm.

That night, in the Supreme Palace Enclosure, the Emperor Star moved westward into the Palace of Literature and Brilliance, its light outshining the Northern Dipper.'"

— *Book of Sui, Annals of Gao Zu*

(End of this chapter)