I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 158 - 59: The Reform’s Upheaval, Life and Death on the Edge

Chapter 158: Chapter 59: The Reform’s Upheaval, Life and Death on the Edge

The internal strife within the rebel army immediately emerged.

Bian Zhang, Beigong Boyu, and Li Wenhou successively died due to internal conflicts.

The rebels, like a tide, swiftly retreated back to Liangzhou State.

Meanwhile, the efforts to quell the chaos across the country never stopped.

The head of a eunuch was indeed a good thing.

This greatly diverted public resentment, allowing the people to regain hope in the court.

Moreover, Gu Xi would not give up using the methods of superstitious prophecy.

Various divine manifestations appeared one after another.

This included poetry written by the students of the Imperial College, which Gu Xi decreed should be spread throughout the nation by prominent clans.

Amidst these various measures.

——By the end of the second year of Zhao Ning, the situation across regions had already stabilized.

Although there were still uprisings, they could not ultimately form a climate.

Subsequently, Gu Xi finally took that step, beginning to prepare for the grand undertaking he had thought about for years.

——Reform!

He wanted to change the fundamental system of the Great Han!

Gu Yi had been silently watching all this, feeling extremely anxious in his heart.

In truth, this was one of the difficult points of this game.

During the time he did not personally control things, any development might not go according to Gu Yi’s wishes.

Just like now.

For the Gu Clan, this move was extremely dangerous.

If Gu Yi were in control personally, he would choose to let the era develop on its own.

After all, the rise and fall of dynasties was a normal phenomenon.

He had the prophetic knowledge of subsequent history.

Even though there were significant changes in the current world, Gu Yi was still able to manage everything with the advanced thinking of modern people.

But for Gu Xi, the situation was different.

He was in the midst of the situation, considering his current circumstances.

He understood that as long as he died, the world would surely be in chaos, and even the local aristocrats would secretly support the rebels to achieve the purpose of dividing the world.

And the Gu Clan, as a top aristocratic family, was destined to bear the brunt.

——The ambition of the Gu Clan was for eternity.

The transformation of a family into a nation, and the chaos of the world, all destined the Gu Clan to face unknown risks.

As one in the midst of it, Gu Xi did not know what would come next.

Only reform was the optimal solution at present.

It could save the Great Han and also assist the Gu Clan.

This was the reason why he had to do it.

But could this matter truly succeed?

Throughout history, is there an example of a bloodless reform leading to success?

And how could Gu Yi not worry?

He even considered using all his achievement points to see if he could draw a tool to assist Gu Xi.

But in the end, he suppressed this thought.

He had to remain calm to prevent any real accidents. .....

.....

Luoyang, Grand Ancestral Temple.

The ground paved with blue bricks, and the flying eaves and dougong reflect the vicissitudes of time.

Gu Xi paced steadily, slowly stepping into this most sacred place for the Great Han.

In principle, his actions were against the norms.

But for the present Gu Xi, he no longer cared about these.

As Fang Fu stepped into the Grand Ancestral Temple, a serene atmosphere greeted him, with a faint scent of sandalwood lingering in the air.

Gu Xi moved his steps lightly, approaching the incense table to light incense candles.

He lighted the candles for the spirit tablets of the successive emperors, the flickering flames reflecting his face full of weariness and determination.

Finally, he stopped before Liu Zhao’s spirit tablet.

First, he performed a standard salute of a subject.

After the ceremony, he slightly raised his head, gazing at the spirit tablet, sighing deeply, his voice low yet clear: "Late Emperor."

"The present state of the Great Han is my fault as a minister."

"I only lament that I do not possess the wisdom of my ancestors."

"If Marquis Wencheng were confronted with my situation at that time, I believe he would have seen the drawbacks within it."

"Today, I have no retreat."

His expression remained calm, his gaze firm, muttering, "Only by accomplishing this in life, can the foundation of the state be protected."

"The Great Han, and my Gu Clan, too can be spared from upheaval."

After speaking, he again bowed deeply to Liu Zhao’s spirit tablet, lingering for a long time.

Only after a long while did he turn again to Gu Xiao’s spirit tablet and knelt directly.

Gu Xiao’s spirit tablet had always been enshrined in the Grand Ancestral Temple.

This was a privilege granted by Liu Xiu in past years.

In the entire Gu Clan, only this person.

Even Gu Kang was not permitted.

"Ancestors above," Gu Xi’s voice slightly choked, "please protect the descendants of our family, free from calamity, bless my Gu Clan for generations to thrive, enduring prosperity."

How could he not know the consequences of any failure in this matter?

Except for a few less capable descendants like Gu Chen, Gu Xi had long sent the family’s children away one after another.

This was his other layer of insurance.

If he succeeds, so be it, but if he fails, chaos will surely ensue throughout the land.

Given the current prestige of the Gu Clan.

Unless they encounter someone utterly insane, the Gu Clan faces no danger of annihilation, and even in turbulent times, they have the opportunity to rise.

As for Gu Chen, it is precisely because he is too mediocre.

Up until now, he is not even as capable as the average person.

Sending him out would undoubtedly be even riskier.

In fact, Gu Yi was quite surprised about this; Gu Chen has a tenacious character and works very hard daily.

Yet, in terms of performance, he hasn’t shown any outstanding qualities.

Simply put, he changed from being subpar to an exceedingly ordinary person.

For a Profound Level artifact, his performance is clearly unqualified.

But the specific reasons... even Gu Yi could not ascertain.

One day, Gu Xi stayed in the Grand Ancestral Temple for a long time.

And then the next day.

He announced his decree at the grand court assembly.

An edict was issued for the descendants of the great clans who contributed to pacifying the chaos to return to the capital for rewards.

He planned to advance through retreat, summoning the great clan descendants back under the guise of "receiving rewards" and then carry out the next steps.

In earlier, more normal times, this might have been feasible.

But what is the current period?

This is an era famous throughout history, full of outstanding talents.

The current situation is already so apparent.

Through Gu Xi’s various measures and given his personality, how could these people not discern what Gu Xi might intend to do?

It is a very apparent issue.

Some have even already thought of the possibility that Gu Xi might undertake land redistribution.

Because the Great Han has not yet completely resolved the wave-like influx of refugees!

For a time, the news spread swiftly.

——Great upheaval in the temple!

Many found it hard to believe that Gu Xi would do this, given that it would also affect the Gu Clan.

But facing such a severe problem, they had no choice but to respond cautiously.

The policy Gu Xi originally proposed was brought up again.

The ministers wanted Gu Xi to rescind this policy to test Gu Xi’s stance.

Regarding this, Gu Xi naturally agreed.

He even directly rewarded a few meritorious noble families, demonstrating weakness once again.

But is human nature so easily manipulated?

Once the seed of doubt is sown, no matter what, it will not be entirely eradicated.

No one is willing to give up the benefits already in hand.

In such circumstances.

The ministers all submitted petitions using the unrest among the troops as a reason to oppose the return of the clan members to the capital.

The atmosphere in the temple changed entirely.

And facing this situation, Gu Xi directly abandoned his plan to resolve it without bloodshed.

He could not delay.

The strength of the great clans would only grow stronger with time.

And who could clearly tell.

How much time has heaven left him?

He must act resolutely!

Just a few days later, Gu Xi ordered the closure of Luoyang.

And declared under the name of "Regency" to the world.

Claiming that after the great war, Liu Hong’s wartime strategies should be abandoned, and local military powers should be reclaimed.

As the news spread, everyone was shocked!

The commoners, of course, paid no mind to this; such measures would not affect their lives.

What truly shook were the provincial governors and noble families across the land that had gradually gained personal power.

Liu Hong’s measures allowed them to legally possess weapons.

And now, Gu Xi intended to take back these weapons.

Even if everyone understood why Gu Xi did so.

How could they directly agree?

For a time, turmoil surged on all sides.

Provincial governors all submitted petitions to the temple, still using unrest among the troops as a reason to obstruct this matter.

But how could Gu Xi not have anticipated this?

Why would he have wanted to swiftly take control of the entire central army upon returning to the capital?

Not only to firmly control Luoyang.

But also to prepare for this.

Since the time Gu Cheng trained the central army, they have not once switched their training regime.

Back in Liu Bao’s era.

Due to Yan Ji’s actions, he realized even more the importance of the central army, and subsequently strengthened it.

This is the most elite force of the Great Han.

He firmly controlled these troops, preparing for this.

....

Ps: Burned out writing fifteen thousand yesterday, tendonitis hasn’t healed, late again, sorry, next Chapter will be late at night.

Begging for monthly tickets~