I Can Control My Ancestors

Gu Jin also directly responded to Zhao Kuangyin’s trust this time.

After people from all sides began to make their moves, Julu also started to take action.

This was the first time.

The Gu Clan revealed their true strength.

All the people in Julu City lined up, each wearing extremely fine armor.

Although Gu Jin said nothing, just this act alone was enough to make the world realize it was a warning from the Gu Clan.

And Zhao Kuangyin, in this situation, formally entered Julu.

...

Julu.

Rain poured down.

The construction of Julu’s waterways had never stopped over the years, with waterwheels operating steadily by the turbulent rivers, and the rainwater was guided into the main streams through meticulously crafted stone channels.

Not only did it not cause flooding, but it became part of a vast irrigation network, nourishing the land like blood.

Zhao Kuangyin closely observed this all the way.

In fact, it wasn’t his first visit to Julu.

Coming from a family of mid-level military officers, Zhao Kuangyin had visited Gu’s Academy in his childhood and had already seen the prosperity of the Gu Clan. It was precisely because of this that he had many thoughts.

But even so, he had to admit that every visit to Julu brought new insights.

Especially this time.

It was different from before.

He had become the ruler of a nation, so he had to think about much more.

This was a golden age.

Officials and people united, forming a unique sanctuary around the Gu Clan.

"When the world is unified, I will make the land of Kyushu all like Julu!"

He finally spoke this sentence, expressing his own determination.

The gates of Julu City.

Gu Jin was holding an umbrella, waiting at the city gate, and as he saw the carriage surrounded by guards approaching, he quickly went to meet it with his umbrella.

And Zhao Kuangyin didn’t put on any airs of an Emperor.

He directly stopped the carriage, grabbed the oil-paper umbrella from a guard, and came up personally.

They almost saluted together.

Zhao Kuangyin had already received the message from Gu Jin, saying that Gu Yan was ill and could not receive him.

Zhao Kuangyin did not treat this lightly either.

So, the two umbrellas stood side by side, the two standing shoulder to shoulder, silently merging into the rain-drenched city of Julu.

Gu Jin initially wanted to invite Zhao Kuangyin to ride in the carriage, but was declined by him: "I want to walk, and take another look at Julu."

He did not even refer to himself as the Emperor.

It showed how he truly regarded the Gu Clan.

The sound of rain was pattering, and the two walked in silence, neither deliberately exchanging pleasantries nor rushing to the main topic, just calmly immersing themselves in the unique peaceful ambiance of the city.

Zhao Kuangyin and Gu Jin walked slowly side by side, his gaze detailed, skimming over each scene and object.

The rain washed the green stone city walls bright as mirrors, and the pedestrians in the alleys walked with ease. Though simply dressed, they all wore similarly peculiar cloaks, with no worries etched on their brows, nor fear of hunger.

Zhao Kuangyin couldn’t help but glance several times—the cloak was vastly different from what he usually saw.

Gu Jin, following his gaze, naturally explained as if casually bringing it up: "This is what our Gu Clan’s craftsmen developed during their leisure."

"Unlike regular cloaks, we lined the palm leaves with an oil cloth and infused it with a fine cotton brought by Sea Merchants from Ryukyu."

His tone was calm, like chatting at home: "Much lighter, and it keeps you warm and even better shields you from rain."

Zhao Kuangyin nodded slightly.

Then he walked again, and shortly thereafter he heard from a distance the clear and melodious sounds of reading from a school, piercing through the pattering rain.

The silhouettes of students holding scrolls and reciting could be vaguely seen behind the windows.

Until the end of the long street, Zhao Kuangyin suddenly stopped.

His gaze crossed the rain, falling on the side of a stone bridge not far away—several children wearing smaller cloaks were squatting by the canal, casually setting down small boats made of folded bamboo leaves, chasing the flow of water while laughing and playing.

The canal water was clear, flowing merrily.

This was the first time he had seen the children of good families dare to play in the pouring rain.

This would be impossible in other places.

A single illness could easily ruin a family.

The reason such a scene could occur in Julu was due to the improved cloaks and the continuous development of traditional medicine over the years.

Gu Jin had remained mostly silent throughout.

He toured Zhao Kuangyin around, walking through every corner of Julu in the heavy rain.

They even visited the most central Gu’s Academy.

The debate within the academy was intense.

Zhao Kuangyin showed a strong interest in this, even bypassing those regarded as immortal poets, his gaze fixed on the clash of ideas instead.

Although most students in the hall recognized Gu Jin, none were restrained by it.

Gu’s Academy has always had a rule—besides respecting teachers and valuing the way, no regard is given to status in determining superiority.

This rule was so established it was written into the Gu Clan’s family rules.

Naturally, they are very ceremonious when meeting on ordinary days, but once in a debate, they only recognize the truth, not origins.

Students cited classics, their arguments growing louder and nearly drowning out the sound of the rain outside the window.

Zhao Kuangyin listened intently.

Gu Jin stood quietly by his side, slightly surprised, not knowing how much this Emperor renowned for Wu Gong could understand, but he said nothing, merely accompanying silently.

"—The Book of Changes says: observe the celestial patterns to discern the changing times. Solar eclipses, falling stars, great floods, and droughts, are they not manifestations from Heaven to show punishment and encouragement?"

The speaker was an elderly scholar.

Compared to these who have studied classics for many years, young students are ultimately less grounded, and because of this, debates in Gu’s Academy never cease.

And today, the rain was heavy, so fewer youths came to participate in the debate than usual. After just a few rounds, several young students were left speechless.

The old scholar appeared pleased, his demeanor grew loftier.

Zhao Kuangyin unconsciously furrowed his brows.

Gu Jin noticed, smiled knowingly, about to step forward to take over the conversation—

Unexpectedly, Zhao Kuangyin suddenly let out a deep shout, shaking the entire hall: "What Celestial Mandate! What manifestations of Heaven!"

His voice was loud and full of vigor, instantly drawing all eyes to him.

Even Gu Jin looked at him in slight bewilderment.

Under everyone’s gaze, Zhao Kuangyin remained calm and composed as usual.

Before that old scholar could voice his question, he coldly continued, "From ancient times to now, as you say, did those who gained the world all rely on some so-called Celestial Mandate?"

"You often say the First Emperor was tyrannical, but he flattened the six states, settled chaos and brought stability, can a single word of tyranny negate all that?"

"Han Gaozu Liu Bang was just a lowly village head, where was the Celestial Mandate in him? He gained the world through recognizing talent and accepting advice!"

"Guangwu Liu Xiu resurrected the Han Dynasty, if truly endowed with the Celestial Mandate, why did he have to endure ceaseless pursuits and near-death experiences?"

"..."

His gaze sharp as a blade, it slowly scanned through the crowd, finally landing on that old scholar’s face, his voice suddenly rising: "Tell me——if those Emperors were truly destined, why did they have to fight countless battles, risking life and limb in this life-or-death struggle?"

The entire hall fell silent, only the sound of rain could be heard outside the windows.

Under the shocked stares of everyone, Zhao Kuangyin suddenly turned, raising his hand to point to the torrential rain outside the hall, his voice like metal and stone: "Countless heroes in the world are like fish in the river—but those who can emerge from the storm——"

"Rely not on the Celestial Mandate, nor on anyone’s umbrella!"

Having spoken.

He actually walked directly into the rain.

Standing firmly in the pouring rain, his gaze steely, disregarding others, simply looking at Gu Jin, cutting straight to the point:

"Young Master Gu!"

"Today I tread the path of the Tang Sect, bearing the ambition to flatten the six realms and unify the world."

"The prosperity of Julu, I have witnessed with my own eyes."

"I am unwilling to waste any more time, wishing to revive the bygone affairs of Emperor Wencheng once again——"

"Young Master, do you accept?"

Silence fell.

At this moment, even the sound of the torrential rain seemed to quiet somewhat.

Seeing Zhao Kuangyin before him, Gu Jin couldn’t help but laugh, unable to suppress it.

"A true man should be like this!"....

....

(Ps: End of the month, kneeling to ask for monthly tickets, I kindly ask brothers for more support, Fish is deeply grateful.)