Chapter 842 - 64: The Death of Gu Lin

Gu Lin naturally did not dwell on these matters.

He focused more on indirectly guiding and stabilizing the market through strategic adjustments in managing the Gu Clan’s "Tongji" and "Yumin" banks, while firmly holding onto the sword of the Imperial Censorate, ensuring the implementation of the new policies without obstruction, swiftly suppressing any backlash.

As time passed, all the turmoil gradually came to an end.

Under the framework of new regulations and with the support of emerging forces from the Gu Clan banks, the new commercial order began to take root and thrive, displaying a vitality different from before.

The once sensational "Jingnan" banners had long turned into dust of history and light chatter over tea, under the relentless trampling of the Forbidden Army.

The storms at court gradually subsided.

Even if there were undercurrents, they dared not easily surge to the surface anymore.

Gu Lin’s prestige, after this campaign, reached its peak, with no one daring to directly challenge him.

However, this elderly man, who controlled the imperial direction for decades, also gradually reached the end due to the passage of time.

He also gradually reined in his sharpness.

Just like Gu Kang did in bygone years, gradually delegating power, and no longer placing everyone in opposition to the Gu Clan.

Besides that, the repeated core principle he advised the younger generations was "Know when to advance and retreat, and uphold fundamentals."

The Gu Clan, having assisted in governance over five generations, seemed all-powerful but stood at the historical threshold.

The world had been peaceful for a long time, and the people’s thoughts were of change. The delicate balance between imperial power and regency was difficult to maintain like in chaotic times or the early founding period.

Yet simultaneously, he skillfully integrated the Gu Clan’s millennial family teachings of "Loyal to the state, benevolent to the people," and the ultimate goal of "Contend not for the moment, but for the ages."

This is where Gu Lin’s wisdom lies.

He did not openly deny the Gu Clan’s past ruling status, but clearly directed the family’s future path towards "retreat and consolidate," laying this course through the power transition after the canal case and adjustments in banking strategies.

Finally, yet another deep autumn arrived.

The fallen leaves fluttered, gold-yellow everywhere.

Inside the Champion Marquis Mansion.

Gu Lin leaned against the soft pillow, his face astonishingly gaunt, yet his gaze remained clear.

He did not muse on the Spring and Autumn Annals like a scholar, nor reminisce about his life like the sages, but started with the most practical arrangements, his voice hoarse yet distinct.

"There are several matters that need to be decided." He looked at Gu Xiuyuan, pinpointing the core directly, "The graduates and old allies of the Gu Clan in the Imperial Censorate, Xiuyuan, you must gradually transition them to local affairs or transfer them to the Three Departments."

"The power of supervision is too sensitive, and our Gu Clan should not continue to be overly involved."

His voice was exceptionally clear.

As he spoke, the pain within his body and the fatigue of spirit continued to torment him.

"Our Gu Clan, over five generations, rests with the nation. From now on, the young members should prioritize practical work and integrity upon entering service."

"Do not aspire to serve among the Three Ministers, nor grasp the Central Hub."

"Being a governor of one province, managing affairs well, benefiting the locals, is worthy of the Gu Clan’s name and the court’s salary."

He spoke concisely, without any trace of regret or reluctance, as though merely carrying out a duty concerning the family’s future.

He did not mention Julu, for its foundation required no further words;

Nor did he lament the fickleness of human nature, for throughout his decades of rule, this had always been commonplace.

At this point, all he could convey was instructing these descendants to do what should be done.

He was too tired.

This kind of bone-deep exhaustion perhaps far exceeded what prior generations of the Gu Clan ancestors had borne.

In chaotic times striving for dominance, expanding territories, although fraught with danger, the goals were clear, the enemies obvious.

The ancestors needed only to set the tone with thunderous methods, and their descendants would continue along the established path of expansion or consolidation.

At that time, the Gu Clan was the sword cleaving chaos, the banner that rallied the people.

However, what Gu Lin faced was a unified realm, tranquil across the four seas, in an era of governance; court conflicts, division of interests, all requiring his personal control.

Former allies could turn into political rivals in an instant, yesterday’s merits might become today’s shackles.

He was no longer fighting clear enemies, but contending with countless invisible forces.

——Struggling against the intricate bureaucratic system, countering the diverse forces with ulterior motives arising from prosperity, and confronting the eternal human greed.

This was no longer a grand epic, but a fragmented yet lethal chess game.

Each step needed careful weighing, each move concerned survival.

And don’t forget.

They bore the weight of a millennium of the Gu Clan’s burden.

Their success was not solely due to his personal effort, but to the Gu Clan’s several generations of merit in unifying the realm, blooming in his generation.

But the subsequent Gu Clan descendants won’t have this opportunity!

Gu Lin could only continuously admonish these descendants.

"Contend not for the moment... but for the ages...."

"Julu’s foundation remains;"

"The Gu Clan’s foundation remains....."

"As long as you retreat when needed, our Gu Clan won’t reach the end of the road."

"Now that overseas affairs have stabilized, and Ryukyu remains our Gu Clan stronghold, as long as you act cautiously, our Gu Clan can let go of the country’s burden."

"The measure within... you should handle well yourselves."

"..."

His voice weakened, eventually swallowed by uncontrollable choking, dissipating into silence.

In the eighteenth year of Yuanxing, late autumn.

The Great Song’s Grand Tutor and Gu Clan Patriarch, Gu Lin, passed away in Yingtian Prefecture. .....

.....

(Ps: Simplified this part of the plot as it seems brothers didn’t quite enjoy it, so sped up the writing. Next, the Gu Clan will undergo significant changes, radically overturning the Kyushu system, and there will be a member second only to Gu Chen emerging, hoping for everyone’s support, asking for monthly tickets!)