I Can Control My Ancestors

Zhao Kuangyin did not intend for this to happen.

Perhaps it was precisely the long-standing advocacy of the "Great Unification" ideology and related concepts by the Gu Clan that played a role, although the current state of the world is gradually returning to the original historical track, it still produced an undeniable influence.

At the forefront is the decline of the "Celestial Mandate" theory.

Under years of advocacy by the Gu Academy, the idea of "Man can conquer nature" has long pervaded hearts, giving rise to various interpretations and responses - this, too, is destined to leave a profound mark amidst the tides of time.

Including the many events occurring in this chaotic world, all are quietly pushing the change in values among the people of Kyushu.

Such was the case with Zhao Kuangyin. He had no intention of concealment, nor did he find anything inappropriate about his actions.

The young Emperor could not shoulder the Great Zhou dynasty, let alone pacify the tumultuous world.

In that case, why not replace him?

Snowflakes continued to drift down.

On this very day, as Zhao Kuangyin led his army into Kaifeng, the fate of the entire Great Zhou was irrevocably altered.

...

In the unseen world, Gu Yi had been silently observing the development of the entire realm.

He had long taken notice of Zhao Kuangyin.

He had also long noticed the changes occurring throughout the realm with respect to the original history.

It seemed that his initial vision was truly about to succeed.

The weakening of the esoteric power was undeniably the germ of scientific development.

Actually, Gu Yi had contemplated directly using the Gu Clan to drive the transformation of the entire Kyushu, rapidly ushering it into the next era.

But after deep contemplation, he abandoned this choice.

It wasn’t that Gu Yi was unwilling to steer Kyushu.

He simply couldn’t engage in reckless haste.

Why did Gu Yi vigorously promote mathematics, including subsequent disciplines such as physics at the Gu Academy?

It was all in preparation for future scientific progress.

To pave the way for the future.

No matter the technology, development follows a sequential process, driven by advancements in productivity, evolving gradually.

In the original history.

Even the steam engine spawned by the First Industrial Revolution underwent a development history spanning over two centuries.

And the effects it brought were not as straightforward as they appeared on the surface.

The emergence of capitalism and the reconstruction of the entire social structure were changes it introduced.

If all this transpired in Kyushu, it would undoubtedly bring about incalculable impacts.

Similarly, hastily advancing all of this without relative understanding.

Say no more.

The esoteric power of Kyushu would undoubtedly develop to a degree beyond reckoning, which though might cause the entire Gu Clan to be revered as gods in Kyushu.

This deification was unlike before, different from the Gu Clan’s various associations with each sect.

Its impact on Kyushu would be unimaginable.

Gu Yi could absolutely not do this.

Kyushu was too vast; he could only subtly propel this natural progression.

And absolutely not engage in reckless haste.

As he silently watched Zhao Kuangyin, now seated on the throne, Gu Yi’s gaze became even deeper, silently uttering a thought in his heart.

The next moment, the attribute panel of the Gu family disciples had already flashed into view.

...

Julu.

Outside the city, the wheat waves stretched to the sky; inside the city, the pathways were orderly with mulberry and hemp shading the fields and smoke rising continuously.

Years of war seemed to have deliberately avoided this place.

Despite being hundreds of years later, the Gu Clan still stood firm as if a stabilizing force, always maintaining the peace of this land.

Dimly, one could still see the prosperity reminiscent of the Han and Tang dynasties.

In stark contrast to the current world’s turmoil.

At this moment, in the Julu Academy.

An elder with a powerful voice was speaking in the lecture hall:

"The Book of Documents — Oath contains the statement: ’The Supreme God of the heavens, change their chief minister.’

’Heaven watches over the people below, rewarding the righteous and sending calamity to the violent - today’s chaos is a lesson from Haotian!’"

No sooner had the words fallen, a young scholar stood up to retort: "This is truly a fallacy!"

"In the past, Yu the Great controlled floods, he neither burned witches nor prayed for rain but dug the Dragon Gate and connected nine canals to save the people - could it be Yu the Great was not granted a celestial mandate?"

"Furthermore —"

"Last year, I investigated the groundwater veins of Julu, applied the principles of mathematics, and jointly created a new waterwheel with artisans, which allowed a thousand acres of drought-stricken fields to be irrigated - if according to you all, does this mean I too am granted a celestial mandate?"

The elder stood flinging his sleeves, his voice as resonant as a bell: "How dare you rashly interpret the celestial mandate!"

"Yu received the divine diagram, the River produced the Luo script; how could these be achieved by human effort?"

"Your creation of a waterwheel is but a technical skill, how could it compare to the accomplishment of the sage kings setting up the polar position in the heavens!"

The young scholar did not yield, but instead stepped forward and spoke with deference: "Mencius said, Heaven sees through the people seeing."

"Now, with people submerged in water and fire, how could mere debate save them?"

"If calamities are indeed warnings, then we should perfect human affairs to align with Heaven - the locust plague in Youzhou and the floods in Wei Bo were met by the government opening granaries and soldiers building levees; this is not the celestial mandate upon us, but the people struggling to survive!"

"Gu’s School says to respect ghosts and spirits but keep them at a distance."

"The Marquis of Wen Kang also spoke of how Man conquers nature."

"If there indeed exists a celestial mandate, are you saying Wencheng and Wen Kang are evil men?"

Before the elderly scholar could respond, a middle-aged scholar beside him, stroking his beard, interjected: "Then Zhu Wen usurping the Tang and the Khitans invading the south, are these not signs of the heavenly Dao’s collapse?"

"As readers of the sages’ books, we should understand that calamities in yin-yang are Heaven’s benevolence, warning the world."

"If we undervalue the celestial mandate and emphasize human strength, are we not descending into the study of domineering pragmatism?"

At this point, another young student suddenly rose, eyes gleaming: "Good question!"

"Yet, may I ask did Confucius ever teach people to spend their days divining and praying during the two hundred and forty-two years of calamities recorded in the Spring and Autumn Annals?"