Chapter 682 - 2: The Gu Clan Draws Its Blade, Peace Shall Prevail

Now, watching the Gu Clan draw their swords in this chaotic world, it doesn’t matter whether they are the lords of the four corners or the common people at the lowest levels; they will instinctively think of this point.

And this is precisely what Gu Jin is thinking.

To establish the might of the Gu Clan, to save Julu from various probes, while promoting the trend towards national unification.

He doesn’t care who exactly wants to test the Gu Clan.

He simply brought the matter into the open, speaking of the countless times he had said they would one day wipe out Julu, and spread the message throughout the world through the Gu Academy.

This is the most important justification for the Gu Clan’s mobilization of troops.

The message continues to spread.

Yelv Jing is naturally furious, never expecting that the Gu Clan would directly act against the generals under his command, which made him think of many issues.

But reality differs from the original history.

Even in the original history, Yelv Jing had the idea of entering Kyushu, let alone in today’s situation where the Gu Clan strongly promotes Kyushu culture.

He must analyze the pros and cons of this situation.

The influence of the Gu Clan throughout Kyushu is something that no lord can ignore.

To enter Kyushu.

Gaining the support of the Gu Clan is absolutely the most critical link.

Everyone is an animal that seeks benefit and avoids harm.

Not to mention someone like Yelv Jing from a foreign race, even someone born in Kyushu would consider many things once they reached a certain level.

Just like Liu Bang.

Back then, when he was being pursued by Xiang Yu, he could even kick his own offspring off the carriage, let alone these foreign people.

In front of the whole world, not everyone can stick to their original intentions.

Especially these formidable heroes who have reached this stage.

Whether it’s familial love or other useless feelings, they can’t be compared to the power in their hands.

Moreover, the one killed was not his offspring.

Compared with the whole world, it’s an easy choice to make.

Including the Khitan.

Among the nations, many thoughts that never emerged before have arisen, and one envoy after another, including the Crown Prince, have successively headed towards Julu during this time.

And their purpose is also very simple.

To imitate the old affairs of Emperor Taizong of Tang, asking the Gu Clan to come forward to pacify Kyushu!

Gu Yi has been silently observing all this, and he is quite surprised in his heart.

He never expected Gu Jin would use such a method.

This move is not a brilliant strategy.

But it is extremely effective.

It perfectly utilizes the current world trend, and while showcasing the martial force of the Gu Clan, it draws everyone’s attention to the Gu Clan, subtly accelerating the pace towards unification.

Not to mention what will happen later, those behind the scenes constantly testing Julu might find it much harder to act after this.

Moreover, it is possible to take this opportunity to observe the lords of the four directions.

In any way, it is considered a successful strategy.

However, Gu Yi can also see the hidden dangers in this.

Actually, the fact that everyone in Julu is a soldier is not a secret throughout Kyushu; it has always been universally understood, but now Gu Jin seems to have exposed this matter.

This will eventually be a hidden danger.

Yet Gu Yi does not care too much about it.

The Gu Clan is no longer the family that had just risen to power. The deeds over the past hundreds of years have already demonstrated the disposition of the Gu Clan’s offspring, not to mention that it’s now a turbulent time.

....

Kaifeng.

During this time, Zhao Kuangyin has not had an easy time.

Although his prestige within the Great Zhou is sufficient, it only provided him with the foundation to proclaim himself emperor.

And after he ascended to the throne.

What greeted him was naturally the dissatisfaction from the original Zhou imperial family, including the rebellion of military generals with ulterior motives in various places.

As a result, he has been suppressing rebellions during this period.

Unlike other lords.

Faced with various rumors across the land, Zhao Kuangyin has remained inactive, even though his brother and the ministers continuously advise him to send people to Julu immediately to seize this opportunity.

But he suppressed it all with the excuse of suppressing the rebellion, never expressing his stance.

In fact, Gu Jin’s action this time did help him.

After all, he had just ascended to the throne not long ago.

The sudden action by the Gu Clan was naturally linked to him by others, and coupled with the encouragement from his confidants, it greatly reduced the tendency for rebellion within the Great Song. It also indirectly helped Zhao Kuangyin.

But even with this, watching Zhao Kuangyin still having no reaction, the atmosphere within the Song court has become increasingly oppressive.

In the grand hall.

With Zhao Kuangyin once again suppressing the matter, the ministers left one by one sighing.

"Brother, why do you act this way?"

After the ministers all left, the twenty-one-year-old Zhao Guangyi couldn’t help but express his confusion, "Today, the whole world says the Saint of the Gu Clan has emerged and will surely sweep the universe clean."

"The countries react to the rumors, sending emissaries one after another, fearing they would fall behind—how can our Great Song stand idly by?"

He was somewhat emotional.

Although Zhao Kuangyin had ascended to the throne as emperor, the brothers had always been deeply affectionate, and Zhao Guangyi spoke without much reservation.

"Do you really think these people can move the Gu Clan?"

Zhao Kuangyin looked calmly at his brother, a disdainful smile on his lips, "Looking across Kyushu, these so-called heroes are just dry bones in the grave."

He paced towards the hall door, his gaze seemingly passing over the palace walls, viewing the vast rivers and mountains.

"To speak of the Southern Tang’s Li Jing first—" Zhao Kuangyin snorted coldly, "He wallows in poetry and prose all day, entrusting governance to petty scoundrels."

"Back then, offering the fourteen prefectures north of the Yangtze to Emperor Shizong—did he ever show a trace of courage?"

"Now his son Li Yu has succeeded, indulging in elegance day in and day out, even unable to protect his own wife... Such a person, is worthy to request the Saint to assist?"

Zhao Guangyi was about to argue but saw his brother wave a sleeve, his tone turning sharper, "Then there’s Meng Chang of Later Shu, sitting upon the land of heavenly treasures, yet decorating the chamber pot with seven jewels."

"Ignoring the hunger and coldness of soldiers, neglecting the hardships of the people, and indulging in pleasure with favored concubines every day."

"I dare assert that within three years, the Shu Region will definitely become part of our Great Song’s domain!"

Hearing this, Zhao Guangyi couldn’t help but frown slightly.

Yet Zhao Kuangyin did not stop, continuing in a cold tone, "The Northern Han’s Liu Jun, recognizing a thief as a father, relying on the Khitan to drag out an ignoble existence, and now pretending to be some revivalist leader?"

"It’s the greatest joke under heaven!"

After saying this, he suddenly chuckled lightly, his laughter full of a ridiculing understanding of the world’s affairs, "And then there’s Wuyue’s Qian Shu, outwardly submissive, but two-faced."

"Claiming loyalty to our Great Song while secretly aligning with the Khitan... such a duplicitous person, if the Gu Clan truly reemerges, the first to be eliminated would be such treacherous fellows!"

He turned to stare at his brother, his eyes bright with intensity, "Back then, Emperor Taizong of Tang could request the Gu Clan because he had the ambition to sweep through the universe and the capacity to recognize and appoint the worthy, heeding advice readily."

"And today’s lot..."

Zhao Kuangyin paused, every word resonating, "Are just guardians of remnants, living in drunken dreams and remaining content in decline!"

"The thousand-year inheritance of the Gu Clan, how could it be deceived by such mediocre characters?"

His eyes grew brighter, shaking his head slightly, "The Gu Clan’s loyalty is to Kyushu and the world."

"Though the world’s momentum is linked to the monarch, what the Gu Clan values more is the livelihood of the common people."

"Now that our Great Song is newly established, internally unstable, why rush and waste manpower for a visit?"

"Better to take this time to consolidate the government and stabilize the realm—to show the Gu Clan the true faces of the various lords."

"If the Gu Clan truly intends to reemerge..."

Zhao Kuangyin’s tone shifted, a grandeur in his calm demeanor, "Then, one day, I will personally go to welcome them—what harm is there in that?"

Once he finished speaking, the grand hall fell into silence.

Only Zhao Kuangyin stood with his hands behind his back, his expression still calm, his features radiating undeniable imperial might.

Zhao Guangyi frowned tightly.

Though he still felt uneasiness in his heart, seeing his confident brother, he hesitated for a long time, ultimately saying nothing more. .....

....

(Ps: Kneeling for monthly votes at month’s end, seeking much support from the brothers, with utmost gratitude from the fish.)