Chapter 719 - 19: The Dawn of a Prosperous Unified Era and the Voyage Five Hundred Years Ahead

No matter who first arrives in Kaifeng.

They will be stunned by the sight before them.

At this moment, within the Grand Tutor’s residence.

"Brother!"

"Brother!"

A few urgent and joyful shouts suddenly rang out.

Gu Jin, who was buried in reports, was startled, then abruptly stood up and briskly walked outside the study.

Just before he reached the door, the owner of that voice had already burst in.

Gu Jin looked at the man, whose skin was even darker than his own, first slightly stunned, then as if recognizing something, his voice trembled a bit: "Qie?"

He spoke with a hint of disbelief, as if unwilling to admit the travel-worn appearance of the person before him.

"Brother, it’s me!"

Gu Qie nodded heavily, then without waiting to finish speaking, stepped forward and embraced Gu Jin tightly: "I’m back!"

"You...."

Gu Jin’s body began to tremble, and even his eyes reddened a bit.

He hadn’t seen Gu Qie for many years.

As the seafarer of this generation of the Gu Clan.

From the moment Gu Qie set foot out of Kyushu, whether he could ever return was no longer a definite answer.

Indeed, the Gu Clan still maintains the tradition of seafaring generation after generation.

Though they still don’t know what exactly lies overseas.

Yet they persistently keep exploring.

However, this is destined to be a highly risky endeavor; over the years, countless members of the Gu Clan have been lost to the sea.

But likewise, the benefits this has brought to the Gu Clan are also unimaginable.

It’s not about obvious profits.

Most crucial are the various records and experiences.

These may seem useless, but to a family like the Gu Clan, which sees development over thousands of years as vital, they are extremely important.

On this day, Gu Jin rarely set aside all his affairs and talked at length with Gu Qie.

He even summoned many of the younger members of the Gu Clan.

Setting aside Gu Qie’s identity.

Simply the fact that he was able to return after so many years at sea is the most significant event for the Gu Clan!

The entire Grand Tutor’s residence was filled with joy and laughter.

Even Gu Yi noticed this matter, and he couldn’t have imagined that Gu Qie could actually come back alive.

Surrounded by his brothers, after several rounds of wine, Gu Qie finally began to speak of his overseas experiences: "Brother, esteemed brothers."

"This voyage lasted for over five years."

"Battled fierce waves, narrowly escaped death many times, finally lived up to the family’s expectations, witnessed overseas wonders, and brought back something possibly of great benefit to the nation and people!"

He paused, a mix of nostalgia and fear flashing in his eyes.

"We set sail from Mingzhou State, following the charts and celestial guidance of our predecessors, using monsoon winds, moving forward all the way."

"The vast ocean, endless and boundless, with unpredictable winds and waves."

"We encountered hurricanes, broke masts, damaged ships, lost all fresh water, but survived only with the united efforts of the brothers."

"We drifted for dozens of days without seeing land, our water and food nearly depleted, bordering on despair...... The suffering at sea cannot be fully expressed without personal experience."

His description somewhat dampened the originally joyful atmosphere in the hall, making everyone hold their breath and concentrate, imagining the peril upon endless blue waves.

"Yet heaven helps those who keep trying!" Gu Qie suddenly raised his voice, "After enduring hardships, we finally reached a vast land never before seen!"

"The natives there had reddish-brown skin, black straight hair, and black pupils."

"They resemble us somewhat, but their languages and customs are entirely different, mostly living in tribes, or building cities with huge stones. Their civilization seems less developed than the Central Plains, yet it has its unique aspects."

He carefully described what he saw and heard.

——Dense unknown primeval forests, peculiar animals, and the local people’s use of obsidian as blades and worship of the solar feathered serpent.

As he spoke, he even took out a series of illustrations.

Including weapons made of obsidian.

Gu Yi watched all of this with great interest.

If his guess was correct, the place that Gu Qie reached should be America.

This speculation greatly shocked Gu Yi.

Although he had long understood that, under the influence of the Gu Clan, the maritime industry of Kyushu would be far ahead, he never realized that the impact would be this great!

Now...there are still more than four hundred years until Columbus’s voyage in the original history!

What does this signify?

Even if Gu Qie’s journey was the result of generations of effort and an element of luck, the Gu Clan’s development in navigation is at least five hundred years ahead of the world!

This is an extremely startling fact!

Once the sea routes are mature.

It could even influence the entire world!

Thinking about it, even Gu Yi’s heart began to surge.

And Gu Qie at this time became more and more excited as he spoke: "Though the native people there are not skilled at smelting iron and making tools, and their farming methods appear rough, their local products are quite extraordinary."

Reaching the critical point, he motioned for a follower to bring up a box tightly wrapped in waterproof oilcloth.

The lid opened, revealing seeds and tubers unknown to everyone, and several ears of golden crops carefully wrapped and preserved with soft animal hides.

"This," Gu Qie gently lifted a long, uniquely shaped, and neatly arrayed item like jade, his voice trembling with excitement, "is called ’Mars’ by the natives."

"It is one of their staple foods."

"I meticulously observed its growth process; the plant grows taller than a man, drought-resistant, and does not require fertile soil, able to be planted in sandy soil and hills alike!"

"Its grains are full, and the yield seems extremely abundant!"

"We saw it with our own eyes; the harvest of a single ear far surpasses our Central Plains millet and broomcorn millet!"

He carefully described the shape of maize and how it is consumed.

It was at this moment.

The entire hall instantly quieted down.

Not mentioning other brothers, even Gu Jin found it hard to imagine all that Gu Qie described.

Does such a crop truly exist in the world?

If so, how could it not exist in Kyushu?

In truth, the people of Kyushu have always harbored a deep pride in their land; this sentiment is even more pronounced among the members of the Gu Clan, as they can clearly feel the cultural superiority of Kyushu.

Now, listening to everything that Gu Qie said, they found it difficult to believe.

But watching Gu Qie’s vivid narration.

The brothers couldn’t help but start to have doubts.

Gu Jin took the ear of corn from Gu Qie’s hand, examining it in his palm with an increasingly complex expression.

"All our forebears said that overseas, there are countless exotic treasures."

"Now it seems they did not deceive us."

"If it is indeed as Qie described...."

"The yield of this ’Mars’ is truly this abundant...."

His voice gradually lowered and did not continue, yet the deeper gaze and slightly trembling fingers already revealed his tumultuous emotions.

All the brothers present were wise individuals; how could they not understand the unspoken words?

This matter is truly enormous!

If everything Gu Qie said is true, then the significance of this seemingly inconspicuous grain will far exceed their initial imagination —— not to mention its benefits amidst the current chaos, that could only be considered a minor issue.

What they truly cared about has always been the lifeline and future of the entire Kyushu.

If this is true, its achievements might.... even surpass the deeds of Gu Kang measuring the world and organizing the fields!

...

(Ps: Kneel asking for monthly votes, asking brothers for more support, Yu is immensely grateful.)