[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-can-control-my-ancestors":3,"chapter-i-can-control-my-ancestors-i-can-control-my-ancestors-chapter-43":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","I Can Control My Ancestors",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":20,"prevChapterSlug":21,"totalChapters":22,"novelImage":23},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":16,"volume":17,"translator":18,"content_hash":19},1035241,1347,"Chapter 43 - 17: Merit for the Present Age, Legacy for Millennia","i-can-control-my-ancestors-chapter-43",43,"\u003Cp>[Gu Liang]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Domestic Affairs: 73; Foreign Affairs: 68; Politics: 75; Command: 63; Martial Force: 65]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though he doesn’t excel in any single area, his strength lies in being well-rounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, this is also inevitable...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How can a family produce talents generation after generation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This attribute is already considered qualified, and Gu Yi is somewhat satisfied with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Fang Fu stepped into the hall, Liu Zhuang immediately noticed Gu Kang’s unusual demeanor. He understood at once and laughed heartily, \"Was a child born?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks to Your Majesty’s concern, mother and child are both safe.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Kang nodded, earnestly saluted, and said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Mother and child?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is it a boy?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zhuang was momentarily stunned, then also burst into laughter, \"Good, Ji Shi (Gu Kang) has an heir, and he is also my nephew. I am at ease.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These words were spoken from the heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Lai, his sister, was fine, but the main reason was because of Gu Kang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In fact, Liu Zhuang’s attitude towards the imperial relatives now is still one of suppression, but he makes an exception for the Gu Clan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Kang really conquered Liu Zhuang with his own abilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though the matter of improving agriculture has yet to yield results,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Kang’s talents in other aspects have also been recognized by Liu Zhuang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their personalities complement each other well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Gu Kang constantly busy for the court yet having no offspring, Liu Zhuang had mentioned it several times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for such matters, he was also helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could he issue a decree urging Gu Kang to indulge more in women?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, hearing that Gu Kang finally had a child, he was genuinely delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two chatted for a while, then, as usual, they started discussing state affairs again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zhuang snorted, glanced at Gu Kang, and said, \"In the second year of Yongping, I issued a decree forbidding officials to use the term ’sage’ as an example, prohibiting flattery from officials.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How much time has passed since then?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And now, someone dares to violate the edict I issued back then. Ji Shi, what do you think I should do?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it came to discussing politics, Liu Zhuang’s entire demeanor changed, his eyes filled with harshness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as in history, Liu Zhuang was particularly stern with his ministers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He even set a precedent for officials—caning punishment!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over the years, ministers were often beaten for mistakes, and Liu Zhuang even personally administered punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All officials were particularly fearful of this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s not about how severe the beating is, but the public humiliation of being punished was truly disgraceful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under Liu Zhuang’s leadership, the Great Han increasingly values ethics and reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Being punished in private was one thing... but being punished publicly meant one’s career had come to an end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who wouldn’t be afraid?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As a Minister, Gu Kang naturally understood the matter Liu Zhuang spoke of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The court officials praised Liu Zhuang’s sage-like wisdom, citing the lack of major disasters this year.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was considered normal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time, it was not just about that.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also targeting Gu Kang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As if by destiny, the sixth year of Yongyuan saw no major disasters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Furthermore, the Gu Clan had been rooted in the Hebei region for many years, deeply familiar with the mountains and terrain there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the cooperation of powerful families,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They built irrigation works; fertilized fields; weeded and prevented disasters;\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All preparations beneficial to agriculture were executed flawlessly by Gu Kang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No mistakes were made at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ministers observed all this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though they couldn’t openly attack,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blocking the Gu Clan’s retreat through this method cost them nothing, so why not do it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with the example of Julu,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t believe Gu Kang could truly increase production throughout the Hebei region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Currently, the Great Han is governed by Confucianism, and the superstition of the Modern Literature School prevails.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a joke!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such a feat could not be accomplished by a mere mortal!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In such a prevailing environment, even with his trust in Gu Kang, Liu Zhuang naturally had moments of doubt.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The issue at hand clearly stemmed from this reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He feared wasting time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For an emperor with grand ambitions, time has always been the most important thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s not that Liu Zhuang didn’t understand, but rather the limitations of the era.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Kang’s scientific methods to increase production were naturally hard for people to accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were any other superstitious emperor, even if they could employ Gu Kang, they likely wouldn’t agree to undertake the agricultural reforms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Kang had already prepared for this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without hesitation, he bowed to Liu Zhuang and earnestly said, \"Your Majesty need not worry about this matter.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Great Han today is unlike the past, the signs of a prosperous era have already appeared.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The officials celebrate your achievements, Your Majesty may gladly accept their praise.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you doubt, I’ll provide you with the most direct response!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Liu Zhuang slightly furrowed his brows, \"Ji Shi, since when have you resorted to flattery?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Kang remained calm, saying steadily, \"I came this time precisely to discuss this with Your Majesty.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The granary situation in Hebei far surpasses that of the past.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This year is destined to be a bountiful one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zhuang quietly watched Gu Kang, without making any comments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was an emperor who looked at results, not swayed by any minister’s words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Liu Zhuang also understood Gu Kang’s character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would never joke in front of the emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this in mind, Liu Zhuang nodded slightly, \"Good!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With Ji Shi’s words, I am reassured.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t bring up this topic again but directly returned to discussing current state affairs with Gu Kang as usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Yi, who silently observed all this, was not surprised at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Zhuang was precisely such a character as an emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn’t completely trust any minister all the time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that he used spies to monitor all officials already explained everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Gu Yi wasn’t worried at all.\u003C\u002Fp>",1005,"2026-06-03T09:29:35.075Z","2026-06-03T09:29:44.262Z",1,"novelbin.me","37e175aec990a31a840a151f3e2a1eb9598ff9ac9e2d3740427354e9a8316c2c","i-can-control-my-ancestors-chapter-44","i-can-control-my-ancestors-chapter-42",517,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-can-control-my-ancestors-cover.jpg"]