[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-controlling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl":3,"chapter-controlling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl-controlling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl-chapter-160":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Controlling My Ancestors: Building an Immortal Clan Starting from the Eastern Han Dynasty",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2285829,4471,"Chapter 160: Li Shimin Ascends the Throne, Gu Yu Passes Away (Seeking Monthly Votes)","controlling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl-chapter-160",160,"\u003Cp>Time passed in a flash.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter had a tremendous impact on the entire imperial court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was not just because of the Turkic invasion, nor was it because Gu Yu was able to hold back the Turkic incursion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the current head of the Gu family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That Gu Yu could hold back the Turkic incursion did not bring much shock to anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What truly made the ministers feel surprised was the death of Gu Quan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gu Quan of today was no longer some unknown figure; his status in the Gu family, combined with the merits he had established in several great battles, had long since made him the second person in the military, second only to Li Shimin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could the ministers not care about the passing of such a person?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for other thoughts—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, there were those who speculated in their hearts about the identity of that Masked General, but not a single person dared to speak it aloud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Gu Quan had followed Gu Yu away right in front of Li Yuan and the ministers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And everyone did not believe—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That anyone would pay such a price to support someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter, under this strange atmosphere, gradually dissipated within the imperial court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin was ultimately persuaded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not mobilize the three armies, but instead, in his capacity as regent, sent envoys to the Turks once again to re-draft the alliance between the two sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He deeply agreed with the words Gu Yu had said in his memorial.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a person in power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is truly difficult is forbearance and maintaining one's original intention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin was constantly warning himself, admonishing himself that he did not want to compete for short-term gains, but to build an unprecedented prosperous age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would definitely go to take revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To let Jieli Khan know the price of repeatedly breaking the alliance and attacking the Great Tang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But not now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What he needed to do now was to stabilize the imperial court and walk to that position to let the entire world thoroughly recover from years of chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After thinking this through, Li Shimin immediately began his own plans.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He began to reduce the taxes on the people of the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not in the name of Li Yuan, but in the name of \"Crown Prince Li Shimin,\" he continuously won over the hearts of the people throughout the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides this—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He also made certain modifications to the imperial examination.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He restored the Imperial Academy and established the Directorate of Education.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Making a series of preparations for his future governance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone could feel that the sky of the Great Tang was about to change completely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yuan had thoroughly become a mere ornament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Li Yuan himself understood this point; watching as everything in the Great Tang was so orderly under Li Shimin's governance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, on the third day of the eighth month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yuan seemed to have finally made a decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He summoned Pei Ji and expressed his attitude to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If I abdicate and take the title of Retired Emperor, how would that be?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Abdicate!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Pei Ji had also long anticipated this day, when he truly heard this news, he was still somewhat unwilling in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And who would be willing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was Li Yuan's man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had been his confidant ever since Li Yuan started his uprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having finally reached the point of unifying the world and becoming the unique person in the court, yet all of this was about to vanish into thin air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he be willing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although he had been gradually sidelined by now, at the very least, his official position still remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People are just like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Shimin gradually put away his butcher's knife and the threat of death gradually disappeared, Pei Ji would want more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Li Shimin were to ascend to the throne at that time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Let alone power, he feared he would not even be able to keep his current official position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, you must never do this!\" Pei Ji immediately knelt down and began to persuade Li Yuan with a solemn face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Yuan was clearly determined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was just that kind of person; many times he was extremely hesitant, but once his mind was made up, it was difficult for others to change his thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how unwilling Pei Ji was, he had to accept this reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this news, which happened inside the Taiji Palace, spread like wildfire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By the very next day, rumors that Li Yuan had the intention to abdicate had already spread throughout the entire imperial court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter stirred up monstrous waves throughout the entire court!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—Retired Emperor!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only thing the ministers could think of regarding this was that in the past, the Han Emperor Gaozu, Liu Bang, after completely unifying the world, honored his father, Liu Taigong, as the Retired Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what was that situation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The empire of the Great Han was won by Liu Bang himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And looking at his father, Liu Taigong, he had not provided any help, but merely relied on his status as a father to become the Retired Emperor and enjoy life; that was reasonable!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Yuan was ultimately different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin's merits were indeed great, but who could erase Li Yuan's merits?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simply put—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For this world of the Great Tang, Li Yuan was the strategic planner behind the scenes, while Li Shimin was the executor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The merits of these two people could not be ranked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could one be the Retired Emperor?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But no matter how much the ministers discussed this, they could ultimately not resist the current trend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the various powerful ministers inside the imperial court;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Down to the common people of the world;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who did not want Li Shimin to succeed to the throne?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could change it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Donggong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this news, Li Shimin was naturally incomparably excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had completely changed now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Becoming the Emperor was the first step for him to build a prosperous age!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had originally thought he would have to wait for some time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that Li Yuan actually wanted to abdicate directly, he was naturally incomparably excited.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he also knew very clearly that he had to go through the so-called \"three refusals and three yieldings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ritual and law are often the protective umbrella for imperial power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin was very confident in himself; he might not need these, but he also needed to think for his descendants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The eighth day of the eighth month;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Yuan formally issued an edict, stating, \"Heaven favors virtue, it belongs to the Prince of Qin,\" formally deciding to pass the throne to Li Shimin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A tug-of-war between father and son took place within the entire Tang court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin refused for the first time;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He refused for the second time;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Li Yuan was somewhat angry; although he knew the meaning of Li Shimin doing this, he still felt somewhat irritated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The third time—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He decided to issue an imperial decree first, ordering Li Shimin not to refuse, before issuing the abdication edict once again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this time, Li Shimin naturally would not refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the ninth day of the eighth month, at the Xiande Hall of the Taiji Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin formally accepted the congratulations of the hundred officials, announced the change of the era name to \"Zhenguan,\" made Princess Zhangsun the Empress, his eldest son Li Chengqian the Crown Prince, granted a general amnesty to the world, and formally ascended the throne as Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brand-new era officially arrived from this day on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And on the very next day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin announced the abolition of the old policies of the Wude era, implemented the new policies of the Zhenguan era, and made a series of personnel adjustments throughout the entire imperial court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only at this moment did the ministers thoroughly realize just how decisive Li Shimin was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Li Shimin's invincible heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having just ascended the throne, he immediately promulgated new policies and made personnel adjustments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was not afraid that the ministers would be dissatisfied and subsequently cause chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one was sufficient to obstruct his determination to establish a prosperous age, nor was he willing to waste any time on such matters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He appointed Zhangsun Wuji as Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and Duke of Qi;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Xuanling as Secretariat Chancellor and Duke of Xing;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Du Ruhui as Minister of the Ministry of War and Duke of Cai;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuchi Gong as Grand General of the Right Martial Guard and Duke of Wu;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those civil and military officials who had followed him in years past all formally entered the core of power in the Tang court at this moment, and the foundation belonging to the Zhenguan era was thus formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This even included officials such as Wei Zheng who had once followed Li Jiancheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the extraordinary nature of Li Shimin!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as he perceived a person's extraordinary ability, he would cast aside past grievances.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Throughout the court and the country, winds and clouds were rising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not give the Gu clan any overt rewards, but merely promoted them one after another based on their merits, and likewise did not interfere with the authority that belonged to the Grand Tutor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This actually caused many people to develop other thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They felt that Li Shimin's actions were because the Gu clan had not openly supported him in the beginning, and so on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet they were all unaware that the rewards Li Shimin gave the Gu clan had already been bestowed; it was just that everything had not been thoroughly manifested yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brand-new era had formally arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to the reforms previously carried out by Gu Yu, the new policies implemented by Li Shimin himself as Emperor were naturally much more thorough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He once again re-demarcated the prefectures and counties, and dismissed the relevant officials.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was different from the original history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now that Li Shimin had walked across more of the land, he would only be far clearer about the exhaustion of the common people than in the original history.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Likewise, with Julu and the templates of various past prosperous ages here.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was also clearer on how to let the people recuperate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Land distribution;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clarity in official governance;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Criminal law;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Commerce;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In these years in Changancheng, Li Shimin had not only been thinking about how to resolve his own crises, but was also considering how to make the world wealthy and how to build a prosperous age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding these, he had already thought everything through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although in terms of details, he still needed Zhangsun Wuji, Fang Xuanling, Wei Zheng, and others to provide supplements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as an Emperor, Li Shimin only needed to point out a general direction, and that was enough!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, Li Shimin wanted to summon Gu Yu back to the court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was very clear about Gu Yu's talent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as Gu Yu could return, he could absolutely cooperate with him as Emperor to build an unprecedented prosperous age at the fastest speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was a pity that Gu Yu could no longer hold on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His life was born at the wrong time, and most of his time was spent on the road of finding a future for the Gu clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to other talented members of the Gu clan, the influence he exerted on the entire world was not that direct, but his contribution to the entire family was indeed unimaginable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He placed all his expectations on the descendants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, by now, Gu Yi even felt that Li Shimin was also one of the people entrusted by Gu Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Gu Yu's personality, he would absolutely not have said so much to Li Shimin in Julu, and later after arriving in Changancheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Li Shimin was doing now, how was it not what Gu Yu had envisioned?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being born at the wrong time was the greatest tragedy of Gu Yu's life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But being able to meet an Emperor like Li Shimin in his later years, as well as those descendants who could inherit his wishes, was also Gu Yu's good fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At least, there was still someone who could help him finish everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Regarding the condition of Gu Yu's body, Li Shimin was also very concerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what could be done about it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The root cause of Gu Yu's body constantly weakening was not because of illness, but simply because of his advanced age, and even Gu Yi was helpless about this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone has a time when their strength is exhausted; everything Gu Yu silently paid for the family in this life had long since drained too much of his heart's blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon learning all this, Li Shimin was silent for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And from then on—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He cherished time even more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just in the tenth month;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin decided to establish the Censorate to supervise all officials, within which he divided it into the Terrace Court, the Palace Court, and the Investigation Court, while simultaneously sending inspecting censors to patrol the localities, thoroughly sounding the horn for the integration of the Tang officialdom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weight of this matter far exceeded the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the officials in the court, this move by Li Shimin could be considered a threat to their due interests in the true sense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the wave of opposition was also far from comparable to the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It even reached the end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This matter had already been taken to Li Yuan, hoping that Li Yuan could persuade Li Shimin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Shimin's attitude remained unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When facing the officials in the court, he publicly declared, his voice resonant: \"If official governance is not clear, the people will not be at peace!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I want to see official governance as clear as a mirror, and the prefectures and counties without dust!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He handed this matter to the Gu clan descendants.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only because of trust, but also because he knew this was what the Gu clan was most skilled at.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Starting from the time of Gu Kang in the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who held power in the Gu clan through the generations cared far more about official governance than others, especially after Gu Xi, it had formed a convention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides this, he formally abolished the \"Five Equalizations and Six Controls\" policy aimed at merchants during the Wude era, stimulated folk trade, and ordered the casting of \"Kaiyuan Tongbao,\" deciding to gradually phase out the old currency.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He formally launched the reforms of the Zhenguan era.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—The four directions were shocked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin successively dispatched officials to urge the implementation of policies in the four directions, including the equal-field system and taxes; all details were within his inspection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people in the four directions all felt the grace of Heaven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although there were constant policies within the court, these were only aimed at officials in the four directions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For those common people at the very bottom.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They could only feel the court's determination to let the people recuperate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The people of the world were indeed too bitter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though they could not yet fully realize the changes brought about by the rectification of official governance, just based on those reduced taxes, it was enough for them to be grateful to the court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how could everything be so smooth?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just in the first year of Zhenguan, a natural disaster descended on Guanzhong again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, this natural disaster was far from being considered severe, but it was precisely because the current people of the world were truly too exhausted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though this natural disaster was not considered severe, it still caused a great famine throughout Guanzhong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was definitely a major blow to the implementation of the new policies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Li Shimin's character of always listening to advice, which gave those officials who had always been somewhat opposed to Li Shimin's policies a chance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taiji Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty, there were never any great disasters in the world during the Wude era. Now that the new policies have just been implemented, natural disasters have descended again. This is by no means an auspicious omen. Your old subject kowtows and requests Your Majesty to consider the people of the world and restore the policies of Wude.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The world is exhausted, and now that a great disaster has descended again, since Your Majesty wishes to revive the world, you should restore the policies of Wude!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\".\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accompanied by officials walking out one after another, shouts resounded through the great hall; the expression of every one of them was so sincere, as if they were truly thinking for the people of the world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These people were almost all old men from the Wude era.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Shimin did not take direct action against them, but merely hollowed out their real power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also Li Shimin's mercy toward them in his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, Li Yuan was still alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These people could all be considered Li Yuan's old brothers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere was incomparably silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at those people before him, Li Shimin's eyes became increasingly cold, but he did not directly lose his temper; instead, he looked at Pei Ji to the side and said calmly: \"Why does the Grand Minister of Works not speak?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he not see that these people were all led by Pei Ji?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How could he let the main culprit stay out of it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty.\" Pei Ji took a deep breath, bowed to Li Shimin, hesitated for a moment, and said: \"This old subject dares not say much about the new policies, but this old subject knows Your Majesty's ambition to revive the Nine Provinces.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now that the new policies have just been implemented, a great disaster has descended.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perhaps it is the will of Heaven... This old subject still requests Your Majesty to consider the remonstrance of the officials.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not speak too directly, but he expressed his attitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was where Pei Ji was clever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Minister of Works' words are fallacious.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the words fell, before Li Shimin could speak, Wei Zheng at his side immediately let out a shout, walked up quickly, and said: \"What does the matter of natural disasters have to do with the New Policy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since the Minister of Works already knows His Majesty's ambitions, why would you say such things?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Could it be that restoring the old system of the Martial Virtue era can stop a great famine?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Have you colleagues all forgotten what the Marquis of Wencheng said in the past about 'respecting ghosts and gods but keeping them at a distance'?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He did not leave the slightest bit of face for anyone at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, the complexions of Pei Ji and the others turned rather ugly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The *Gu Studies* is one of the core classics of current Confucianism; for Wei Zheng to say they do not know how to \"respect ghosts and gods but keep them at a distance\" is, to put it bluntly, an insult to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conversely, upon seeing this scene, the look of anger on Li Shimin's face could not help but fade away by several degrees.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He just liked Wei Zheng like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although this fellow did not care about the occasion when offering remonstrance, at certain times, this kind of person would have great utility.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Alright.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that someone was about to get angry, he spoke at the right moment to intervene in this dispute, then slowly stood up and said: \"What Wei Zheng said is correct; respecting ghosts and gods but keeping them at a distance is the fundamental principle spoken by the Marquis of Wencheng in the past.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have diligently studied classical history books since childhood.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Recalling the past, when the Marquis of Wenxiang, Lord Xi, governed the natural disasters of the Nine Provinces, did he ever yield?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Surpassing Heaven by half a move;\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have kept these words in my heart to this day. If the Marquis of Wenxiang could withstand even the natural disasters of the Nine Provinces, can I not withstand a famine in Guanzhong?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Issue the decree—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"From this day forward, the imperial court shall carry out disaster relief and exempt the disaster victims in all four directions from taxes for the entire year.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If anyone mentions restoring the old policies of the Martial Virtue era again, I will never forgive them!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he reached the end, Li Shimin's gaze suddenly became sharp, and he immediately looked at Pei Ji and the others present.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instantly, Pei Ji and the others felt a murderous intent strike them and all instinctively lowered their heads.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They did not dare to say anything more at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The grand and vigorous disaster relief efforts began across the entire Guanzhong region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was only at a time like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The benefits brought by improving the administration of officials would be thoroughly displayed; although all of this had just begun, it was also a great deterrent to officials in all four directions!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This great disaster did not give rise to any chaos as those people had imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the contrary, upon hearing the imperial court's policies, the disaster victims in all four directions were all marveling at Li Shimin's sagacity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one felt despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though it had reached this point, the refugees in the Guanzhong region were still full of hope for the future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a longing for a prosperous age!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shuofang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere was incomparably silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yan knelt by the bedside, his voice choked with sobs as he recounted the news arriving from various places and the imperial court's New Policy to Gu Yu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He bit his lower lip hard, the veins on his cheeks slightly bulging, his eye sockets red, yet he stubbornly refused to let tears fall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Gu Shizi behind him also kept their bodies tense, heads lowered, and suppressed sobs rose and fell in the silent room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yu lay quietly, his pale face devoid of color, his breathing so weak it was almost imperceptible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since the victory of that great battle, his already frail body had become increasingly unable to bear the burden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet even so, he still forced himself to endure his illness, spending his days flipping through the Gu family classics, studying methods for grassland warfare, and personally guiding the training of his subordinates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He poured everything he had learned in his life and his understanding of the grasslands into this final special training.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also the last thing he left for Li Shimin, Gu Quan, Gu Yan, and the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He firmly believed that Li Shimin would definitely use these in the near future.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Gu Yan finished speaking, Gu Yu's eyelids moved, and as if using all his strength, he slowly opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His murky gaze swept over the group of descendants before him, and he said with a voice as thin as a thread: \"His Majesty is a sage Son of Heaven; this is the fortune of the Nine Provinces, and also the fortune of our Gu family!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room instantly fell into a deathly silence, and everyone subconsciously softened their breathing, hoping only to firmly engrave every word of Gu Yu into their hearts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yu paused, a hoarse sound coming from his throat: \"In the past, the Han Dynasty collapsed and the world was in chaos; to protect our family's heritage and guard the common people of the region, our Gu family paid a painful price.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Generation after generation of forbearance, generation after generation of walking on thin ice...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking to this point, a drop of murky tear seeped from the corner of his eye, slowly sliding down his wrinkles.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only this exchanged for the best opportunity for our Gu family to return to its peak.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice suddenly rose a little, a glimmer of light flashing in his eyes, \"But you must remember, never destroy the entire family for the sake of momentary power and desire!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Momentary glory or shame is not what our Gu family strives for.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just as our ancestors said—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is no immortal dynasty in the world; you must remember this point. For our Gu family, the rise and fall of a dynasty can be abandoned, but the glory and shame of the Nine Provinces cannot.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only by ensuring this, and letting our Gu family merge with the rise and fall of the entire Nine Provinces, can our Gu family be immortal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, Gu Yu began to cough violently, his body trembling uncontrollably, his breathing becoming rapid and disordered, yet he held onto his last breath and said with a firm gaze: \"After I die, bury me back in Julu.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That is the root of our Gu family; I want to be accompanied by our ancestors.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused for a long time, then struggled to continue, \"Tell His Majesty... he must not grant me a posthumous title.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In this life, although I fought on the battlefield, I have no meritorious service to the world; I must not ruin the reputation of my ancestors.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Quan'er has descendants in the future... remember to send them to the Gu family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In this life... he has given too, too much for our Gu family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The things I have left behind... you may examine them carefully; if the world welcomes a prosperous age one day, perhaps they can be implemented.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice grew weaker and weaker, intermittent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accompanied by those sounds of weeping, Gu Yu's aged hands finally fell powerlessly to the side of the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>First year of Zhenguan, August;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Grand Tutor Gu Yu of the Great Tang passed away in Shuofang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(Ps: The mid-month guaranteed monthly votes have refreshed; I ask my brothers to move your little hands and support me more. This prosperous age will far exceed the past!)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",4313,"2026-06-20T03:16:01.192Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","af8861f6654b3c12f473a52321fec9f05f66eac7ea9d196c7152db4eb897f574","controlling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl-chapter-161","controlling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl-chapter-159",167,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fcontrolling-my-ancestors-building-an-immortal-cl-cover.jpg"]