Chapter 721 - 20: Uniting Kyushu’s Strength to Expand Across the Sea, the Boiling Era

The seeds he planted in the past now seem to be blossoming and bearing fruit.

Gu Academy... maritime exploration... and even scientific research...

Everything he planned is now slowly showing results.

With this trend, to what extent will the Gu Clan face its limitations this time?

His mood is becoming increasingly grave.

But as always, the Gu Clan has no way back.

Even if the road ahead is filled with thorns, the Gu Clan can only continue down this path!...

....

Gu Qie’s return was brief, and his departure was hurried.

Once all the materials were prepared, he was about to set off again.

This time, the mission he shouldered was far heavier than before.

Not just simple exploration, he also had to rely on his own recollection to map out a complete route and build ports along the way, laying foundations for future generations.

The difficulty of this task speaks for itself.

Not only Gu Jin, but every soldier following him to sea entrusted their lives to their waists, with an unknown road ahead.

Even Gu Yi thought it would be hard for them to return to Kyushu.

But he would not stop them.

In any era, the path of exploration is fraught with danger.

Even if they can’t return, they have already received due rewards—being remembered by history.

Indeed, the news of Gu Qie’s return to Kyushu had spread across the land, causing a sensation.

After all, he was the first Gu Clan member in years to travel far and return safely.

Every piece of news he brought back was widely noted.

Now it was widely circulated among the people: "Gu Qie has brought back rare treasures from overseas."

This further fueled the craze for maritime exploration.

At the same time, this was also a key reason why Gu Qie could prepare rapidly for his journey.

Not only did the children around Julu eagerly participate, but many major merchants were also willing to invest and send their kin to accompany Gu Qie.

Not only from Jiangnan and the two Guang regions, but even within Liao, many major merchants responded enthusiastically!

And Gu Jin did not interfere with these people either.

He understood the priorities clearly.

It can be said that this act of gathering the forces of Kyushu to explore the seas was destined to be remembered throughout history, even if these people faced the risk of failure.

Gu Jin didn’t go to see Gu Qie off.

Gu Qie had his own mission.

He had his as well.

The current situation of Great Song was full of promise, with a strong bureaucracy and rapid commercial growth, which was destined to constantly elevate the overall national strength of Great Song.

Including the revival strategy that Gu Jin implemented for the Northern Han region.

All of these were gradually showing results.

The Gu Clan was indeed a golden brand.

The establishment of the "industrial district" greatly settled the refugees within Northern Han, allowing the people throughout Northern Han to quickly settle within a short period, laying a sufficient foundation for subsequent revival.

Including the regions designated for economic crops like Tea Mountain.

All of these were gradually showing miraculous effects as time passed.

Maritime trade greatly promoted the export of tea and other crops from the Central Plains, and the resulting benefits could also nourish the people.

This was the power of planning.

Of course, this was not just Gu Jin’s own achievement.

Although he holds the position of Grand Tutor, he is also the current Patriarch of the Gu Clan.

But his talents can’t match those of the leading figures of the past.

All of this was the collective achievement of the Gu Clan.

The family heritage of the Gu Clan has been playing a significant role at this time, helping Great Song’s national power to continuously rise.

However, precisely because of this.

Gu Jin’s daily governmental duties were also increasing.

It can only be said that the discernment of Emperor Zhao Kuangyin in recognizing talent was truly unmatched by others.

Even regarding his own progeny.

His foresight far surpassed that of Gu Jin.

Although Zhao Dezhao was getting older, he still couldn’t keep up with the pace of handling various governmental affairs.

Out of necessity, Gu Jin had to take on all the administrative matters himself.

In addition, he needed to handle various affairs of the Imperial Censorate.

This had already destined Gu Jin to be extremely busy with governmental affairs at present.

Of course, Zhao Dezhao was not without merits.

He was a righteous gentleman.

Just as in the original history, he gave Gu Jin absolute trust, without any suspicion, and was willing to cooperate with him in implementing various policies.

In fact, from this point alone, Zhao Dezhao cannot be considered a dimwitted emperor.

He was like Liu Shan from ancient times.

Though incapable, he was obedient.

But the pity was that Gu Jin was not Gu Chen.

Even with the support of the "River Chart and the Jade Compass", he could not reach Gu Chen’s heights.

This was the gap in capability.

And precisely because of this, for Gu Jin, the ruler he truly needed was not an emperor like Zhao Dezhao or Liu Shan, who had no accomplishments whatsoever.

Such emperors, though good.

Yet their requirements for ministers were exceedingly high.

Throughout all of history, how many figures like Gu Chen could there be?

Including Zhuge Liang from original history.

How many of such people could emerge?

From this point alone, it could already indicate the current limits of Great Song.

But even Gu Yi couldn’t change this point.

He couldn’t intervene again.

The suppression that the Gu Clan would face next would undoubtedly surpass all previous ones. He must reserve all his achievements for each necessary moment!

...

The fifth year of the Tongyuan era.

Gu Jin officially commenced the experimental planting of "Mas" in various locations.

He attached great importance to this matter.

Besides the information Gu Qie brought back, he also integrated much experience from the Central Plains, conducting plantation experiments in fields across regions.