I Can Control My Ancestors

"Thirdly, the governance of Song territories may be difficult to extend to the entire realm."

"Your Majesty’s strategy relies on the foundation of unified military and civil orders within Song lands, only then can it be wielded as smoothly as an arm commands a finger."

"However, the situation varies greatly across Kyushu, and customs differ."

"In the future, if the realm is unified, should we impose the Song system across the seas, or should we govern according to local customs and practices?"

"This is a long-term concern that must be addressed early."

Gu Jin directly expressed all he had been contemplating during this period, each point striking at the core issues of the current Great Song.

In simple terms, these three points are as follows.

The first refers to the reforms within Song territory being established on Zhao Kuangyin’s authority.

As long as anything unforeseen happens to Zhao Kuangyin,

the new policies would collapse in an instant.

The second point refers to the development following the reforms. Zhao Kuangyin ultimately rose from military ranks; he can leverage his renown to accomplish these tasks, but he has yet to consider subsequent development.

The third is the critical point.

Much like the times of the Warring States period,

the policies of one state cannot be entirely implemented across the whole realm; otherwise, it will only have a counterproductive effect.

Today’s Great Song is much the same.

Zhao Kuangyin’s brows furrowed ever more tightly.

Gu Jin’s words lacked the usual verbose and classical piling of a regular Confucian scholar, yet each sentence hit the crucial points.

He almost instantly grasped the deeper meaning behind these three points, and the entire study momentarily fell into silence.

After a long silence, Zhao Kuangyin finally spoke again, "What solution does the young master propose for the dilemma of my Song lands?"

"However, the transformation of the realm cannot be swiftly achieved by personal effort alone."

Gu Jin revealed a slight smile once again and said aloud, "Your Majesty takes institution as the root and practical action as the blade, thereby surpassing others by far... but if you wish Kyushu to share this trend, the influence of Julu is still necessary."

Saying this, he pointed to Julu on the map.

Although he did not clearly state the key point, Zhao Kuangyin immediately understood his implication.

The prestige accumulated by the Gu Clan over centuries.

Including the status as sanctuaries of learning represented by the Gu Academy and Yunshao Pavilion.

As long as they can ally with the Gu Clan, the Great Song can resolve these three key issues at hand.

Of course, this will also take time.

Zhao Kuangyin’s brows furrowed even deeper, but Gu Jin became increasingly relaxed.

Just a moment later,

Gu Jin reopened the topic.

The discussion between the two at this time was no longer about momentary strategies for the Song lands but rather looking at Kyushu and broadly discussing the feudal lords across the realm.

They even discussed how the Great Song should position itself and advance if it wishes to unify the realm.

Gu Jin always responded calmly, without the slightest hesitation in his words.

He had indeed waited for this moment for too long.

— No, not just him.

The ambitious descendants of the Gu Clan, generation after generation, were all waiting for such an era, especially their generation.

Since childhood, they often played a game of "role-playing as states’ ministers."

Relying on intelligence constantly sent by Gu Clan spies from various states, they conducted simulations based on real-time major trends of the realm, from governing states and policies to training troops and preparing provisions, even to unifying Kyushu, engaging in strategic challenges on maps and paper repeatedly.

While it seemed like a game, it essentially honed everyone’s capabilities and strategic minds greatly.

Gu Jin himself had long lost count of how many times he took on the "Great Song" perspective to simulate various possibilities.

Facing Zhao Kuangyin’s questioning now, how could he hesitate?

A monarch and his minister, question and answer, with their discussions becoming increasingly profound.

Zhao Kuangyin’s expression grew more solemn—the ideas within the new school of thought Gu Jin spoke of completely matched his conceptual understanding. Though they had slight differences in their specific strategies for unification, Zhao Kuangyin felt no dissatisfaction and instead recognized Gu Jin’s remarkable talent.

Time passed silently, and the torrential rain outside had long ceased without notice.

In the study, only the interwoven words of the two remained.

And ultimately, Gu Jin finally posed the most critical question.

— How do you view the Gu Clan?

The strength and prestige of Julu are already evident, something any aspirant for the realm cannot avoid.

As the true foundation of the Gu Clan, centuries of management have made this place as solid as steel, immune to disturbance, requiring Zhao Kuangyin to provide a clear stance, both for himself and for the entire Gu Clan.

To this, Zhao Kuangyin’s response was unexpectedly simple.

He merely smiled and instead asked Gu Jin a question: "Young master, do you know why I am so determined and have always sneered at that concept of the Celestial Mandate?"

"Oh?" Gu Jin heard this and couldn’t help but slightly frown.

This has indeed been a long-standing question in his heart.

As the ruler of a nation, abandoning the concept of the "Celestial Mandate," which is most beneficial to himself, seems extraordinary no matter how you look at it.

Seeing Gu Jin’s puzzled expression, Zhao Kuangyin burst into hearty laughter, then quickly restrained his smile, and said solemnly, "It is precisely because of the Gu Clan."

Zhao Kuangyin slowly stood up, his gaze growing deeper at that moment: "I was born in troubled times, grew up amid warfare, and in my youth, I also witnessed the stability of Julu."

"At that time I thought—"

"If there truly exists something like a Celestial Mandate, then what is the Gu Clan, which has stood unshaken since the Later Han, enduring hardships but growing ever more glorious?"

"The Gu Clan has witnessed countless dynasties rise and fall, and has survived numerous turbulent times yet remains prosperous... If the Celestial Mandate truly favors the Emperor, does it favor the rulers of those long-destroyed dynasties more, or does it favor your Gu Clan of Julu?"

"I was too young then to comprehend this logic."

"But over the years, bleeding on the battlefield and pondering governance in the court, I have gradually come to understand when I recall the deeds of the Gu Clan over hundreds of years."

His voice suddenly became solemn, each word as heavy as a thousand pounds: "The so-called Celestial Mandate is, in truth, the will of the people!"

"If the Gu Clan had not repeatedly saved the common people from danger and supported the country when it was about to fall, how could they have survived the storms of hundreds of years and still be revered by the world today?"

—Directly reaching the core.

Not just Gu Jin, even Gu Yi, in the unseen realm, couldn’t help but be stunned, never expecting Zhao Kuangyin to utter such a penetrating insight.

The words "will of the people" are words that everyone in the world can easily say.

Yet throughout history, how many ambitious figures preach the will of the people, only to act against it?

But Zhao Kuangyin is now completely different.

His gaze was like a blazing torch, intently focused on Gu Jin, and meeting his scrutinizing eyes, he said, utterly sincere and resolute: "I wish to invite the Gu Clan to come forth and sweep the world with me."

"If you are willing to accept—"

"I am willing to entrust the power of commanding the three armies to the position of Grand Tutor of the Gu Clan; furthermore, to issue an edict allowing the Gu Clan to inherit this position eternally, ensuring they remain the Martial Sect of the world, sharing honor and disgrace with my Great Song!"

The silence was absolute!

In that moment, even Gu Yi could feel his heart skip a beat.

Tang Sect and Song Ancestor... Tang Sect and Song Ancestor.

Even though it was long known that Zhao Kuangyin’s abilities were extraordinary,

Never did he expect Zhao Kuangyin to have reached this level already.

The emergence of new thoughts, coupled with the actions of the Gu Clan over the centuries,

clearly brought unprecedented change to this most dazzling figure of the time.

Allowing you to inherit forever, eternally holding the military power of the Great Song;

Not to mention the mere army of Julu?

These few words, indeed, thundered like a bolt from the blue between the ears of Gu Jin and Gu Yi.

Gu Jin was momentarily stunned, almost blurting out: "Your Majesty... Aren’t you afraid that my Gu Clan might one day become the master instead?"

"Hmm!"

Zhao Kuangyin let out a cold laugh, his gaze fixed like a rock on the other, and calmly replied, "The Gu Clan has not claimed the throne for hundreds of years, and if I show such sincerity today and still drive the Gu Clan to the point of having to rebel one day—"

His tone paused, a hint of almost rebellious tranquility crossing his face, and he declared resolutely:

"Then that would mean my descendants, Zhao Kuangyin’s, are incompetent, and my Great Song... deserves to perish!"

As his words fell,

The entire study instantly fell silent.

Gu Jin stared intently at Zhao Kuangyin before him, and his eyes were growing ever more resolute.

The next moment, he slowly stood up, his robe slightly moving, and faced Zhao Kuangyin with a solemn bow, performing the ceremony of a minister:

"Minister Gu Jin—"

"Presents himself to Your Majesty."

As his words fell, coincidentally, the first crow of the rooster pierced the dawn, clear and long, breaking the stillness of the night.

The candlelight grew faint, and the dawn light broke.

The sky had lightened.

——————

"In the summer of Qian De’s third year, in April, the Emperor visited Julu.

Amidst heavy rain, there was Gu Jin of the Gu Clan, who welcomed him with an umbrella by the roadside.

The Emperor abandoned his carriage and walked with Jin, sharing the umbrella, touring the city, consulting about waterways, observing local customs, and visiting the state academy, where he heard students debating scriptures. The Emperor then sternly rejected the absurdity of the Celestial Mandate and affirmed the significance of human affairs, his words resonating through the halls.

At dusk, the Emperor summoned Jin to his private residence and consulted him on current politics.

Jin presented three important policies for reform, all addressing current issues, and the Emperor greatly approved, finally sighing, "Without the Gu Clan, no great enterprise can be accomplished."

Thus, he entrusted him with the power over the three armies and the position of Grand Tutor, promising to share the world.

Jin bowed his head in acceptance, just as the rooster’s crow finished."

—"Song History. Annals of the Grand Progenitor"