I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 337 - 25: Erecting the Stele in Lingnan, Migrating the People and Changing the Era

Chapter 337: Chapter 25: Erecting the Stele in Lingnan, Migrating the People and Changing the Era

The only difference is that their architectural style was preserved.

As for cultural integration, just like Gu Yi had done in the Northern Border in the past, it was just more direct this time.

He commissioned the writing of the "Hua Yi Thousand Character Classic."

And offered a reward for it.

"If a Yue child can recite the Classic of Filial Piety, their whole family is exempt from one year of corvée labor."

This was to stimulate each tribe’s passion for learning Han Chinese and to have people develop the ancient Mei Pass, expanding it into a "dual-track road" shaded by banyan trees, with "ten-mile pavilions" for merchants and travelers to rest.

The commercial value of Lingnan is undoubtedly far greater than that of the Northern Border.

Gu Yi was certain of this.

—To get rich, build roads first!

This is one of the unchanging principles of any era.

As long as there is enough profit, it can attract merchants and travelers.

And as long as a stable life can be ensured, Gu Yi was not afraid that Lingnan’s culture could not be assimilated into the Great Han.

And just like in the Northern Border...

When the cultures of each tribe gradually merged into the Great Han and began to learn Han culture, this land would gradually integrate into Kyushu.

Similarly, Gu Yi did not forget the soldiers who traveled with him along the way.

For those soldiers who died.

Gu Yi ordered a monument to be erected in Panyu for them, with an epitaph written personally by Gu Ye on one side, and the words "Han and Yi as One" inscribed on the other side!

This was also Gu Yi’s private sentiment.

Although he did not know how long this monument would last.

He still placed it in the residence designated for Gu Han.

This was one of the main strongholds he selected for the Gu Clan.

The current political center of Lingnan, the core location of what would later be the "Pearl River Delta."

If the Gu Clan could continue to develop in such a place, the impact on future generations would be immeasurable.

As for those Han soldiers still alive.

Gu Yi did not forget his promise to them, asking if they had the willingness to relocate, and he would allocate land to them with tax exemptions.

Gu Yi even informed them of the benefits of this place.

Including the fact that Gu Han would represent the Gu Clan in establishing roots here.

But, despite this, most people were unwilling to stay in Lingnan.

This was also the common thought among the people of the Great Han at the time, who all believed that Lingnan was no more than a barbarian land.

But little did they know—

Once the initial period of large-scale reclamation is over, Lingnan’s geographical advantages will quickly become apparent.

This place holds great promise for the future!

But Gu Yi could not force them, as people may have their destinies.

Since they were unwilling to stay here.

Gu Yi could do nothing about it.

Time swiftly passes, and Gu Yi established detailed reclamation goals for the whole of Lingnan.

In addition to expanding the ancient Mei Pass, Gu Yi also laid out plans for digging canals, including all ideas related to land development.

This was not something that could be completed by one generation.

Gu Yi could not be so mad as to think of completing such a multitude of tasks within one generation.

Everything could only be done patiently over time.

According to Gu Yi’s predictions, it would be remarkable if the Yan Han dynasty could completely implement all of this.

Currently, what he needs to do is determine the settlement patterns of the Shanyue tribes, including the incorporation of Han culture and dealing with those tribes still wanting to resist stubbornly.

Gu Yi did not choose to attack these people forcefully.

Instead, he continuously compressed their living space through various policies.

Including offering rewards—

Including cutting off all means for their tribes to barter goods.

These were not difficult tasks for Gu Yi.

Beyond that, Gu Yi exerted another form of pressure on these barbarians in a significant way.

The later they surrender, the lower their status will become.

Although this series of methods seemed gentle, they were far more effective than sheer aggression.

The soft knife also draws blood.

When completely isolated, even if these tribes were strong before, they ultimately could not withstand such pressure.

They either chose to die in the mountains and forests or had to surrender.

Gu Yi did not care about what they would do, only delegating this task to Wen Yang, while he himself managed the whole of Lingnan step by step.

After a period of observation, Gu Yi established the "Sugar Workshop" monopoly.

He did not adopt those overly advanced modern technologies.

Rather, he promoted the sugar-making techniques recorded in the "Essential Techniques for the People," popularizing sugar production from sugarcane.

And had people open a Pepper Garden on the Leizhou Peninsula.

Hoping to use it as a specialized industry chain for the development of Lingnan.

Although Gu Yi had already made thorough preparations, given Lingnan’s current situation, it was impossible to fully adapt to a series of policies either.

Indeed, there were Baiyue tribes planting sugarcane, even producing sugar.

But wanting to form a specialized industry chain.

Is still a fool’s dream.

"Migration" of the population was a choice Lingnan had no option but to face.

After careful consideration, Gu Yi sent letters to Luoyang and Julu successively.

Indeed, he intended to move some of the people from Julu to Lingnan!

As the most loyal followers of the Gu Clan.

If the people of Julu could come here, the Gu Clan’s future establishment in Lingnan would be much easier.

Moreover, this matter, whether for Lingnan or these people from Julu, would not be a bad thing.

The productivity of the Julu people could indeed be considered the best in the Great Han.

Currently, Julu had become a sacred place.

Even when the world fell into chaos, Julu remained completely unaffected.

Relocating these people here would definitely greatly accelerate Lingnan’s Sinification process, including the expansion process.

This move would also be beneficial for the Gu Clan’s establishment in Lingnan.

Even though it might weaken the Gu Clan’s influence within the Great Han, the Gu Clan currently lacked no influence at all.

The Great Han was now at its peak period.

Even if the so-called "dynastic cycle" were to occur.

It could not happen in the near term, and the Gu Clan would not worry about the risk of extermination.

From any angle, this move was the best choice.

The message quickly went towards Luoyang and Julu.

And the development in Lingnan continued without pausing, with the Women’s Department playing a good leading role in this period.

The prosperity of the Women’s Department greatly enhanced the desire of the Baiyue tribes towards the Han culture.

And Wen Yang did not disappoint Gu Yi either.

Facing the Baiyue tribes still hiding deep in the mountains, he could initially follow Gu Ye’s "combining firmness and flexibility" strategy.

But as time passed.....

Seeing that there were still tribes choosing to resist stubbornly.

Ultimately, it exhausted all his patience, leading his forces to launch a major raid directly.

Moreover, this guy has really changed now.

He did not just use his elite troops, but also those men from tribes that had already surrendered to the Great Han.

These tribes originally sought to earn merit, with some even having grudges against those tribes.

This greatly compensated for the Han Army’s disadvantage of unfamiliarity with the terrain.

Coupled with Wen Yang’s bravery.

The outcome of this battle was naturally self-evident.

And it seemed that Wen Yang wanted to establish prestige entirely through this battle, dealing extremely harshly with those tribes that resisted stubbornly, almost wiping out that tribe completely.

One battle ended everything in totality.

In Qianji year twenty-two, April.

The last of the Baiyue tribes came out of the deep mountains and forests one after another to surrender to the Great Han.

Gu Yi did not show the slightest mercy.

Truly, just as originally stated, whether it was the allocated settlement areas or the treatment given, they were all the worst among the Baiyue.

This greatly increased Gu Ye’s prestige.

Once everything settled, the resentment of the Baiyue towards the Great Han gradually evolved into internal disputes.

And the message sent by Gu Yi was also successively returned to the Great Han.

Upon hearing about the various measures of Gu Ye in Lingnan, the entire court in Luoyang immediately stirred up an unprecedented storm!......

——————

"In Qianji year twenty-one, Grand General Ye’s troops arrived in Panyu.

In the past, when Guangwu stabilized the realm, Ma Yuan campaigned south, establishing boundaries with bronze columns, intimidating the Luoyue.

However, the barbarous and desolate land experienced unstable loyalties because its rulers either relied on military might while neglecting soft appeals or drowned in moral lessons forgetting military preparedness.

Ye’s pacification of Lingnan inherited the remaining prowess of the Yan Han, wielding Qianji’s grand ambitions, used military might to intimidate the treacherous, and farming strategies to solidify the foundations, guided hearts through educational institutions, truly grasping the crucial essence of "alternating firmness and flexibility, merging of Han and Yi."

— "Yan Han Book. Gu Ye Biography"