I Can Control My Ancestors

The camel bells on the Hexi Corridor are incessant, and the cargo warehouses in Xingqing Prefecture are lined up, with treasures from the Western Regions and silks from the Central Plains converging here.

Although the national power is far inferior to the Great Song, trade taxes have gradually enriched the treasury of Western Xia, allowing military equipment to be updated, making it an undeniable force between the Western Regions and the Central Plains.

As for Liao, Yelv Zongzhen also discerned the economic vulnerability under the Great Song’s dominance.

On the basis of maintaining the national policy of "farming and warfare," he implemented a series of reforms, established border markets, encouraged herders to exchange fur for ironware; built irrigation systems in the southern borders imitating Song systems, expanded cultivated lands; and supported handicrafts in the Five Capitals to reduce reliance on Song goods.

Although these measures did not shake the Great Song’s economic dominance, they enabled Liao to gradually build a more autonomous economic system, injecting new vitality into this steppe empire.

Even Gu Yi was slightly surprised by all this.

He instinctively thought this would be a correction of the original history.

Yet after pondering for a moment, he quietly suppressed this thought.

There were simply too many potential factors involved.

The emergence of the Gu Clan has already completely directed the Great Song onto an entirely different path, and considering the illustrious presence of the Gu Clan, it seems understandable why Western Xia and Liao are increasingly emulating the Great Song.

But it is very clear...

If the current situation continues, the time for unification of the world is still uncertain!

However, a person like Gu Rui is clearly not going to give up like this.

As Gu Rui completed his internal consolidation within the Great Song.

The next step would be outward!

This is something Gu Rui will definitely do!

He does not wish to be like Gu Jun, who dallied his entire life domestically and took all his ideals to the grave.

Even though Gu Rui understands that his attempts may not necessarily succeed.

But he also must strive to try.

And as for this, Gu Yi did not choose to interfere.

War between the Three Kingdoms is inevitable. Now that the power of the Great Song has gradually reached its peak, he also wants to see whether this is truly the opportune moment.

....

Great Song, Kaifeng.

Grand Tutor’s residence.

As dusk settled, candlelight flickered within the library of the Grand Tutor’s residence.

Gu Rui sat steadily in the main seat, his figure as solid as a mountain in the candlelight.

Seated below him were indeed the pillars of the current government, each person’s expression was extremely serious.

Han Qi had his customary caution in his brows, Deputy Prime Minister Wen Yanbo looked calm, the experienced minister Fu Bi, though somewhat aged, had eyes that blazed with intensity, and the Secretaries Zeng Gongliang and Ouyang Xiu were also present.

This lineup could be considered the core of the Great Song’s decision-making.

"Gentlemen," Gu Rui’s voice broke the silence, clear and firm, "I have invited you all here today to discuss one matter - to advance northward, to obliterate Liao, to bring both Southern and Northern Deserts under royal transformation."

"Subsequently heading west, extinguish Western Xia, and bring this fragmented and divided world back to unification!"

— Straight to the point!

Upon hearing these words, even though everyone was already prepared in their hearts, they couldn’t help but frown, their expressions growing even more serious, as if the air in the room suddenly solidified.

The war of annihilation.

Such a goal is indeed too grand for the ministers.

Indeed, after a purge, the current Great Song court is full of talents.

However, as time went by, this current generation is no longer comprised of those who once followed Zhao Kuangyin or Gu Jin.

The prolonged stalemate among the Three Kingdoms has made everyone aware of the difficulty of unification, and naturally, goals have shrunk considerably, so now that Gu Rui raises this topic again, how could they not be taken aback?

Han Qi and Fu Bi exchanged a look, Fu Bi stroked his long beard and was the first to speak, his voice carrying the weight of maturity and prudence: "The Grand Tutor’s ambition to clear the universe inspires respect from an old minister."

"However... although the current Liao Monarch Yelv Hongji does not match his ancestors’ bravery, he still commands hundreds of thousands of bowmen with a strong foundation."

"Moreover, all within Western Xia are cunning and ruthless, would they idly watch as our court and Liao battle to the death?"

"If our army is mired in the northern territories, with Western Xia suddenly rising to trouble us, striking directly at our vulnerabilities in Guanzhong or Hedong, the situation would become as precarious as an egg on a wall."

"Surely they understand the principle of ’lip and teeth’?"

Wen Yanbo continued, speaking earnestly: "Mr. Fu’s words indeed come from an experienced statecraft veteran."

"A war of annihilation is no small matter."

"In the past, the late Ancestor Gu Wen Zheng recaptured Yan Yun, his achievements unparalleled, yet he stopped there, unable to completely fulfill his goals."

"Not because his strength was lacking, but because he knew that to completely annihilate two powerful neighbors required favorable timing, geographical convenience, and popular support, with any misstep potentially shaking the foundation of the nation."

"Now, though Liao and Xia lack their peak, they still maintain residual strength and should not be underestimated."

Zeng Gongliang, concerning military affairs, spoke more directly, pointing to the large map hanging behind Gu Rui: "The Secretariat has been conducting simulations for days, and to break Liao’s Shangjing, we would need the entire country’s elite forces."

"Meanwhile, along the West River line, Western Xia’s Iron Eagle and infantry watch intently."

"Once our main forces move north, even with strong fortifications, it may be difficult for the western defense to hold alone."

"Even if we quickly defeat Liao, our troops would be exhausted and longing to return home, and whether we could then swiftly crush Western Xia with overwhelming force remains uncertain."

"If it develops into a long-drawn tug-of-war, national strength will surely be depleted."

Following these statements, supportive echoes soon arose.

The ministers’ stance was nearly unanimous; they did not oppose Gu Rui attempting to mobilize forces because he had indeed demonstrated his capability during this period.

But Gu Rui’s steps should not be too large.