I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 640: Chapter 94: Turmoil in the Shadows, Stirring Winds and Clouds

Although he can’t foresee everything completely.

But it was quite easy to make a general guess based on his understanding of these people.

Moreover, from ancient times to the present—

Which reformer can sail smoothly?

In the original history, what about Zhang Juzheng, who allied with the eunuchs to control the nation?

Didn’t he face countless obstacles?

That was during the time when Emperor Wanli was young, let alone now when it’s Emperor Li Heng doing it intentionally.

This is the situation that reforms inevitably face, and Gu Yi had already anticipated this.

Of course, since that was the case, how could he not be prepared?

Just a month later.

Messages from generals from all directions were sent to Luoyang one after another, and the content was quite simple.

—It was to explain to Li Heng the current situation across the country.

It said that the people eagerly desired reform.

It wasn’t intentionally orchestrated by Gu Yi to make these people act this way, he merely used the Gu Clan’s popular support again.

He had long since outlined the various aspects of reform.

Whether these generals or the people Gu Xuan visited in various places during these months, they were all aware of this matter.

This is a great momentum.

Compared to the current Tang Dynasty court, the people trust the Gu Clan more.

Gu Yi didn’t need to do anything.

The Great Tang has just stabilized, and people all around who have experienced turmoil yearn for peace, and this overwhelming public opinion is enough to form a trend.

Conveyed from the mouths of generals who "went with soldiers to suppress rebelliousness" to the Central Hub.

If it were another time.

This situation might not be able to reach the Central Hub, as officials with backgrounds from various sides would be enough to suppress all this, but in this case, it can.

Because those generals who follow Gu Xuan hold power.

High-minded strategy...

This plan may not be high-minded.

But its execution is highly demanding, and it includes the thoughts of all the generals and the people.

Of course, the most crucial is still the reputation of the Gu Clan.

The Gu Clan doesn’t need to ally with any nobles; just uniting the expectations of the people is sufficient.

These people don’t understand politics or court struggles.

They only trust the Gu Clan.

This is already enough!

...

Luoyang Palace.

The mountain-high pile of memorials on the desk made Li Heng’s face darken with anger.

"This is a palace rebellion!"

He slammed the dragon desk with one palm, his face convulsing slightly with extreme anger, "What is the Gu Clan intending? What do these rebellious scoundrels want to do?"

"What is this?"

"Could it be that if I don’t agree to reform, they intend to overthrow the Great Tang Dynasty?"

His furious roar echoed in the hall.

The words on those memorials, which appeared to state the facts, had already turned into naked threats in his eyes.

"Calm your anger, Your Majesty."

Li Fuguo, standing by the side, had an equally sullen face.

The situation before him was far beyond his expectations.

He knew well that the influence of the Gu Clan was formidable, yet he had to admit he ultimately underestimated—underestimated not their entangled power in the court but the almost unconditional trust rooted deeply among the people.

This trust is so rare, yet so frightening.

"Your Majesty, I want to kill this group of rebellious scoundrels!" Li Heng’s eyes were bloodshot, roaring once again.

Upon hearing this, Li Fuguo hurriedly knelt down, his back instantly covered in a cold sweat, "Your Majesty, you absolutely cannot!"

He carefully chose his words, striving to stabilize his tone, "Not to mention these leaders are generals who are the heroes in suppressing the rebellion..."

He paused, lowered his gaze further, and spoke in a lower voice, each word hammering on Li Heng’s heart, "But just speaking of the Grand Tutor..."

"Your Majesty, if today the Grand Tutor is dismissed, I fear that tomorrow, this newly pacified nation will fall into chaos again!"

Li Fuguo was rather rational at times like this.

He indeed was much cleverer than Li Heng, as evidenced by the fact that he eventually could turn passive to active in the original history.

He was very sure of his judgment.

Compared to the Gu Clan—

Emperor Li Heng’s reputation in contrast was extremely lacking and couldn’t compare at all.

"Can’t I deal with these rebellious ones anymore?" Li Heng’s fierce eyes, like daggers, glared at Li Fuguo, the fury almost consuming his reasoning, "Then what should I be the Emperor for?!"

"Your Majesty, calm your anger! Your Majesty, calm your anger!" Li Fuguo deeply kowtowed, earnestly advising, "The world is just settling after chaos, and everything needs rebuilding."

"The Grand Tutor personally led the army to quell the rebellion, with outstanding merit and prestige at its peak."

"And Your Majesty has just ascended the throne...."

He hesitated slightly before finally stating the key point: "The common people have yet to bask in Your Majesty’s benevolence."

"Acting rashly now might not be wise."

"Your Majesty is wise, why not... endure temporarily and deal with it in the future?"

He could only comfort Li Heng in this way.

For someone like Li Heng, making him ease his grip on power was impossible; he could only persuade him to wait for the right opportunity, to plan once he had gathered all power to himself.

Upon hearing this, although Li Heng’s expression remained very angry, he ultimately did not erupt further.

He remained silent, with tightly clenched fists bulging with veins, and his knuckles turning white from pressure.

The entire hall was also dead silent, with only the sound of suppressed breathing.

After a long while, Li Heng forced words through gritted teeth: "Then... what should be done now?"

"Must we simply comply with the Grand Tutor’s intentions?"

"At present, it seems we can only temporarily go along with his proposal." Li Fuguo immediately bowed his head and responded, then quickly changed his tone, adding a deliberate flattery, "But upon careful thought, Your Majesty, this reform... might in fact be a blessing for you?"

"Oh?" Li Heng’s brows furrowed tightly, his eyes sharp as he stared at Li Fuguo, "Beneficial to me?"

"Indeed!" Li Fuguo’s face broke into a deeper smile, lowering his voice with a cunning air of knowing everything, "Could it be Your Majesty has forgotten?"

"Those who are most adamantly opposing the Grand Tutor’s reform... aren’t they precisely the eyesores and thorns in Your Majesty’s side that you’ve long wished to eliminate?"

Li Fuguo had pointed out the hidden opportunity—using the sharp blade of the Gu Clan to eradicate those troublesome elements.

In this way, it would not only quell the immediate storm but also clear away obstacles.

How could this not be considered a blessing for Li Heng?

Li Heng is the Emperor, after all.

Once these people fall, he could insert his trusted aides among them.

Including his own core confidant, who would also benefit.

How could this not be considered a blessing for Li Heng?

Upon hearing this, Li Heng immediately understood Li Fuguo’s meaning, and his eyes instantly brightened.

These people were indeed thorns in his side.

And extremely troublesome.

Though he appeared to be securely positioned as Emperor, he in reality had nothing.

If he could truly get rid of these people, it would naturally be a good thing.

All the resentment in his chest dissipated at this moment, and a smile even appeared on Li Heng’s face.

"Summon the Grand Tutor—"

He nearly blurted out these words, but then abruptly stopped.

"Your Majesty?" Li Fuguo looked at Li Heng in surprise, a bit puzzled as to what Li Heng intended to do.

But Li Heng had no intention of explaining, he simply stood up and headed towards the harem.

For the entire night, Li Heng did not close his eyes.

Until the break of dawn the next day.

Only then did he, with heavy dark circles and a somewhat pale face, summon Gu Xuan.

"Grand Tutor, I have been studying the new policies you drafted for days, and I have finally made a decision."

His face showed an almost exaggerated enthusiasm, identical to that outside the city gate on that day, and even before Gu Xuan could finish his salute, he hurriedly descended the jade stairs, tightly grasping Gu Xuan’s hand, excessively eager:

"The matter of reform concerns the lifeline of our Great Tang’s statecraft!"

"Such an important task, who else can I entrust but the Grand Tutor, how can I be at ease otherwise?"

"Grand Tutor, feel free to proceed with your plans!"

"I will fully support you with all my strength!"

He spoke very quickly, giving Gu Xuan no opportunity to interject, tightly grasping the other’s hand, his eyes blazing with "determination".

If it were someone else, perhaps they would truly be moved by the Emperor’s seemingly "heart-to-heart" gesture.

But Gu Yi had a mind as clear as a mirror, knowing clearly that this was simply another episode of Li Heng’s dramatic antics.

Not that there was any solid evidence.

Currently, there were no spies from the Gu Clan within the Great Tang’s harem.

It was purely based on his understanding of Li Heng’s character and some experience. At first glance, it was clear, this was the result of overindulgence; if he had truly spent the whole night reviewing memorials, how could there be so few bloodshot veins in his eyes?

The truth was plain to see.

Recognizing it did not require breaking the silence.

With a slight thought, Gu Yi had Gu Xuan bow accordingly, hands cupped, responding with a steady and respectful voice:

"Your Majesty’s great favor, I am overwhelmed with gratitude!"

"I shall emulate the Gu Clan ancestors of past generations, dedicate myself with utmost loyalty and wisdom, and not fail Your Majesty’s heavy trust today!"

......

(Ps: I humbly request monthly tickets, asking brothers for more support, many thanks from Yu.)