I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 635: Chapter 92: Commanding Two Sects, Gu Clan Ascends to Divinity

Some things... once you’ve successfully taken the first step, you’ve already done enough.

The rest can be left to time.

With everything set, Gu Yi controlled Gu Xuan and, as late autumn drew to a close, led the army to embark on the journey home.

....

The news spread continuously.

—Regarding Gu Xuan’s campaign against the Tubo and all its outcomes, it’s no longer a secret in the land of the Great Tang.

No one would doubt the outcome of this battle, even when the Tang Army repeatedly suffered setbacks during its advance; the people still had absolute confidence in the Gu Clan.

But, it was entirely different in the court.

Compared to the masses of common people, these people were keenly aware of how strong the Tubo truly was and of how significant the "mountain hardship" on the soldiers was.

Even Li Heng had considered persuading Gu Xuan to retreat, but he was ultimately stopped.

At this moment, in Luoyang.

White banners like snow hung from the city walls, a dead silence of grief weighed heavily upon the grand imperial capital.

The Retired Emperor Li Longji had passed away.

Just like in history, he died as a Retired Emperor deep within the palace.

But compared to the him in history, it seems Gu Xuan’s questions before all the people outside Luoyang’s walls truly awakened his conscience or tore open his last dignity.

In just a few months, Li Longji succumbed to illness within the deep palace.

The Great Tang is now in national mourning.

Yet, compared to previous generations of Tang emperors, neither the officials nor the common folk could muster much grief over Li Longji’s passing.

Even if there was any mourning, it was attached to the illustrious Emperor who founded the Kaiyuan golden age, and not the foolish ruler of the Tianbao years.

In such circumstances,

this so-called "national mourning" naturally became a joke.

From officials to common folk, everything carried on as usual.

And on this day, the envoy’s cries further diminished the already scant atmosphere of grief.

"Make way! An urgent message from 800 miles away! A great victory! A great victory—!!!"

A hoarse yet exceedingly excited shout approached, booming down Vermilion Bird Avenue like thunder. A dusty rider, his horse foaming at the mouth, shot through the city gate like an arrow released from a bow.

"The Tubo has been subdued! Luoxie City has been taken!!!"

"The Grand Tutor won! Grand Tutor Gu Xuan has defeated Tubo and claimed all their lands!!!"

The envoy’s voice, rasped from long travels, reverberated like a bell through the empty and silent streets, striking the white banners hanging on either side.

"The Grand Tutor’s divine power! Our nation’s might resounds atop the snowy peaks!!"

"Victory! The Grand Tutor has won!!"

"..."

The cries spread instantly, plunging the entire city of Luoyang into a momentary silence, followed by a surge of joy that completely dispelled all traces of mourning.

Such reports of victory have always been intended to boost the confidence of the people.

Happy cheers echoed throughout Luoyang.

Soon after, the envoy was swiftly brought to the Imperial Palace.

When Li Heng heard the news, he almost instinctively stood up, his face beaming. Despite wearing mourning clothes, he burst into laughter on the court floor.

This was a monumental achievement that even Emperor Taizong could not accomplish!

And it was realized during his reign.

Even though he had nothing to do with it, as the Emperor, this monumental achievement would secure him a prominent place in the annals of history!

How could Li Heng not be delighted? How could he not be elated?

In the Luoyang Palace.

"Wonderful! Wonderful!"

"The Grand Tutor is truly the pillar of our Great Tang, the cornerstone of Kyushu!"

"Reward!"

"I want to reward—"

In his wild joy, these words almost burst from Li Heng’s lips, as it was his most habitual tactic of late: using benefits to win over people’s hearts.

But then he froze.

What could he reward the Gu Clan with?

Power?

Wealth?

Prestige?

What did the Gu Clan lack?

During this upheaval, apart from the means he used to ascend the throne initially, what else had he done?

Even his ascension to the throne was secretly guided by the Gu Clan.

The soldiers in all directions revered Gu Xuan... the people of the world trusted the Gu Clan.

What could this so-called Sovereign of All Sovereigns offer the Gu Clan?

An invisible thorn suddenly rose in Li Heng’s heart at that moment, but he managed to keep his composure, and immediately smiled:

"...Once the Grand Tutor returns victorious, I... shall personally go out from Luoyang to the outskirts to welcome the hero!"

Although Li Heng reacted quickly.

But which of the rooted ministers in Luoyang wasn’t an old fox, who couldn’t see through Li Heng’s thoughts?

However, they couldn’t say much either.

The situation with the Gu Clan, given its actions over the centuries, was self-evident.

Since Gu Chen, the Gu Clan had subtly indicated a detachment from imperial power, which anyone could see.

Whether the rulers relied on the Gu Clan or were suspicious of it.

These were natural human tendencies.

No one could interfere. ...

....

As for the occurrences in Luoyang, naturally, Gu Yi would neither know nor have the inclination to notice.

Compared to the previous two occasions, this might be the most significant change in Gu Yi’s control this time.

He no longer held imperial power in such high regard as he once did.

This too was emboldened by the foundation of the Gu Clan, allowing him to focus more on the development of Kyushu and the Gu Clan.

When the Tang Army officially returned to Long Mountain.

Messages from all over the land of Tang were delivered to Gu Xuan’s hands.

As Gu Yi expected.

Though he led the army against Tubo, significant changes occurred within Kyushu.

—Jiangnan stabilized!

The human instinct to seek advantage and avoid harm eventually led the people of Jiangnan to make the right choice after hearing of the Battle of Tong Pass.

They began helping the court stabilize the situation even without the court’s urging.

Seemingly, they wanted to seize the opportunity before the chaos settled completely.

In this regard, Gu Yi had no other thoughts.

Conducting a thorough investigation was unrealistic.

Not to mention whether it could be done at all, doing so would undoubtedly cause greater chaos; and in the current state where the revitalization of Kyushu was needed, it wasn’t worth the cost.

At least for now, Gu Yi wouldn’t interfere with these people.

Besides this, the issue of pirates was also thoroughly settled.

The naval forces of Ryukyu, upon receiving word from the Gu Clan, immediately dispatched troops and fought several big battles against the pirates of unknown origin.

The loss ratios were exceedingly absurd.

The naval development of Ryukyu indeed outstripped the contemporary world by a large margin, not something those pirates could compare to.

And precisely because of this, a new voice emerged within the court and government.

To once again campaign against Liaodong.

This naturally had an aspect of settling scores.

It’s worth noting that the returnees from Ryukyu brought back much news about Ryukyu, most concerning the development of the Gu Clan.

Regarding other matters, Gu Yi was not as concerned, primarily about Gu Academy.

The development of the Gu Academy was progressing rapidly.

Besides Ryukyu, several islands within the Malay Archipelago also hosted Gu Academies.

What surprised Gu Yi most was that, perhaps because Gu Academy focused on teaching Gu’s School, Gu Kang was revered as comparable to Confucius.

And Gu Lei was considered a Half-Saint, honored for enlightening the people.

This indeed greatly exceeded Gu Yi’s expectations.

Although he had been observing this matter and expected someone like Gu Lei to be elevated to a high status, he hadn’t anticipated it to this extent.

This indeed sparked Gu Yi’s curiosity.

If the Gu Clan’s prosperity continued, at the current pace of development, what might the Gu Clan become in the future?

In the past, he could only envision wealth.

But now it is entirely different.

Although Gu Yi couldn’t fully predict the future of the Gu Clan, he was sure of one thing: should it come to that point, wealth might be the least noteworthy aspect of the Gu Clan. ....

.....

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