Chapter 841 - 64: Gu Lin Passes Away

The third point is the establishment of "credit ratings" to guide direction.

Orders were given for two offices to collaborate with the Market Regulation Bureau to gradually establish a reputation rating for various commercial firms.

Those with excellent ratings not only enjoy preferential treatment in terms of loan amounts and interest rates, but their issued commercial paper is also more recognized and circulated more easily within the Gu Clan’s banking system, thus guiding commercial activities towards those who are trustworthy and compliant.

After finishing writing, Gu Lin put down his pen and explained to the thoughtful younger generations beside him, "In the past, the profits of banks mostly came from large-scale trade with aristocratic merchants."

"However, the water too clear has no fish, and the forest too dense allows no grass to grow."

"If the market is monopolized by a few, it seems stable, but is actually fragile and prone to corruption."

"Only with a thousand sails competing and a hundred vessels vying can a truly healthy, vibrant, and resilient commercial climate be formed."

He carefully explained the various pros and cons and long-term considerations to the younger generations. Although his voice remained steady, those who listened closely could detect an indiscernible fatigue and hoarseness deep down.

This earnest teaching had become an essential part of Gu Lin’s daily routine.

He indeed was getting old.

His temples were frosted white like snow, and where his back used to be straight, now showed a slight stoop.

Years of holding the reins of state affairs and handling countless daily matters drained his willpower beyond recovery; the burden of time and the physical strain of endless paperwork were an uncontrollable expenditure for anyone.

Yet he showed not a trace of negligence, pointing to the paper on banking reform, telling his eldest son, Gu Xiuyuan, "This matter concerns the future landscape of commercial affairs and must be advanced prudently."

"Bo Zhen, you are to take the lead on the specific details, discuss thoroughly with the heads of the two offices and the Market Regulation Bureau, and then report back to me."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiuyuan immediately nodded and quickly agreed.

However, observing the weary look in Gu Lin’s eyes, he could not shake off a lingering worry, yet dared not express it aloud.

——He had disappointed Gu Lin.

According to Gu Lin’s intention, the handling of the nation’s smuggling issues required his eldest son of the Gu Clan to step forward again, establishing prestige through this matter.

Unfortunately, his ability was indeed insufficient.

His character also lacked decisiveness.

Even with the presence of the Imperial Censorate, compared to those old foxes, he still seemed somewhat immature.

Thus, he had to retreat.

Actually, Gu Yi was also somewhat helpless about this.

He considered whether he should personally intervene to steer this generation, but for the long-term strategy of the Gu Clan, he had to suppress this thought.

At this stage, how could he not perceive Gu Lin’s intentions?

The fifth generation of Gu Clan power had indeed reached its end.

Despite varied intellectual debates, as long as imperial authority stood firm, such governance by the Gu Clan must cease, otherwise it would inevitably impact the Gu Clan’s reputation.

In times of chaos, it might have been tolerated.

But now the world was unified!

And most crucially, the Gu Clan had already brought about too many changes.

Although he currently possessed nearly ten attribute pills and, with the presence of "Luo Shu and the Instrument of Law", could directly enhance a family member’s capability by twenty points!

But this was for critical moments.

Just as Gu Kang had said on his deathbed.

For the current Gu Clan, especially Gu Yi, advancing further might seem easy.

Considering his current accomplishments, coupled with a modern perspective and the thousand-year heritage of the Gu Clan, even if the Gu Clan couldn’t truly make further progress, at the very least it could ensure that it wouldn’t be significantly weakened within a few generations.

But what would that accomplish?

What need does the Gu Clan have for a few generations of glory?

Now the Gu Clan already stands at the peak of the Great Song, even if it steps back, it can still continue developing its overseas foundation as per Gu Yi’s initial plans.

In this situation, why should he deplete the foundations of the Gu Clan, insisting on moving forward?

A few generations of glory may not seem short.

But compared to the Gu Clan’s goals, it still falls far short.

And most critically—

If Gu Yi steps forward, under the current circumstance where Gu Clan is facing a shortage of talent, it would truly deplete its heritage.

Gu Yi simply couldn’t act that way.

The Gu Clan needs to consider advance and retreat.

As the controller behind the scenes of the Gu Clan, he must pay more attention to this, especially when the Gu Clan is constantly being constrained; he must make long-term plans!

Don’t strive for one generation, strive for all generations!

This was not a casual remark he made for the Gu Clan’s descendants to hear, it was also a reminder for himself!

...

Time rushed by.

In the days that followed, Gu Lin continued to pay attention to various matters across the country.

Those so-called rebels did not cause any major disturbances.

Yet it had to be acknowledged——

They did bring some impact on the Gu Clan, for no matter how great Gu Clan’s influence was, there would always be people swayed by these individuals.

This is inevitable.

The Gu Clan now stood like a mountain before everyone, and those wishing for the Gu Clan to subside would not be these people alone.

However, such matters could not truly be resolved.

Human hearts are thus; in times of chaos, some might hope for a foundation like the Gu Clan to bear the burden, but in prosperous times, they wish for no one like the Gu Clan to obstruct the way.