Control your ancestors and create an immortal family starting from the Eastern Han Dynasty

Chapter 100 A Groundbreaking Reform: Prohibition of Dispersal and Relocation
—A great tragedy for the government and the people.

Although Zhuge Liang's influence was not as great as Gu Chen's.

But his passing still had a huge impact.

Regarding Zhuge Liang's funeral arrangements, Liu Shan ultimately chose to follow Zhuge Liang's last wishes.

They buried him in Julu.

The entire process was conducted with the same etiquette as Gu Ze had used back then.

It wasn't too grand, but it was still quite remarkable.

As for Zhuge Liang's posthumous title—

He was ultimately designated as Wenzhong.

Subsequently, at the suggestion of his ministers, Liu Shan once again announced the change of era name to "Yanxi," hoping to make the whole world completely forget this period of natural disasters.

But time flows like water and cannot be reversed.

Zhuge Liang's death was like a signal, completely ushering in the end of an era.

Not long ago;
Gu Wei passed away.

As the most skilled in martial arts and military command among the seventh generation of the Gu family, Gu Wei was born at the wrong time.

Gu Chen has done too much.

So much so that Gu Wei had almost no chance to fully utilize his talents.

Although he accomplished many things through his own talents.

But in comparison.

He was ultimately swept away by the tides of time.

In addition, Pang Tong and others passed away one after another, and almost all of the people Gu Chen left behind have come to an end.

The Han Dynasty emerged from the mire of natural disasters.

But everyone could sense that the burgeoning vitality of the Great Han was gradually fading away.

A most dazzling trend;

It eventually came to an end with the passage of time.

This was the period with the most frequent transfers of officials since the restoration of the Han Dynasty.

The few remaining members of the seventh generation of the Gu family have already returned to Luoyang.

They are no longer young.

Perhaps for this reason, they gradually turned their attention to the education of their family members.

—Especially targeting Gu Ye.

Gu Yi did not interfere with this.

He merely used his status as a seventh-generation descendant to suppress the ambitions of the other eighth-generation descendants within the Gu family.

Gu Yi is going to gradually rebuild the rules within the Gu family.

The political landscape is constantly changing.

However, this did not affect the existence of the Gu family. While Gu Yi kept Gu Ye studying, he also used him to carry out reforms recklessly.

Gradually, the specific imperial examination system was spread throughout the Han Dynasty.

Meanwhile, Gu Yi was making other preparations.

This includes establishing a specialized department for disaster prediction, as well as identifying the kind of talent that would have appeared during this historical period.

This was an idea that Gu Yi had already had for some time.

Through such a long period of observation.

Gu Yi could clearly sense that this so-called historical correction would be strengthened when natural disasters occurred.

This matter will not only help Kyushu more.

This will also help the Gu family's future endeavors.

As the Gu family's influence grows, this corrective force will only become stronger.

With such a specialized department for disaster prediction, even if the predictions don't always come true, they can still provide some assistance.

Of course, these things are destined to unfold gradually.

The third year of Yanxi; April.

The last member of the seventh generation of the Gu family passed away in Luoyang.

An era has come to a complete end.

They should have been an exceptionally brilliant seventh generation of the Gu family, but one after another they fell into the vortex of history.

Even if some people shone brightly, they were ultimately obscured by the tides of time.

Gu Ye finally took on the responsibility of the Gu family business.

He officially began his journey in the grand halls of the Han Dynasty.

May of the fourth year of Yanxi.

After several years of recuperation, the Han Dynasty gradually recovered from the years of natural disasters.

Meanwhile, the reform methods proposed by Gu Yi were gradually implemented.

For the Han Dynasty at present.

The practice of "official performance evaluation" has been thoroughly accepted by the people, and they will certainly not refuse a more detailed plan.

Gu Yi didn't keep an eye on this matter the whole time.

Instead, they entrusted the matter to Zhong Hui, who was most concerned about it.

He, on the other hand, started another plan of his own.

Luoyang, Prime Minister's Mansion.

"Predicting disasters?"

Jiang Wan looked at Gu Ye in surprise, shook her head and said, "How can human beings predict calamities of gods and ghosts?"

That's right, Jiang Wan is the current Chancellor of the Han Dynasty.

In fact, Gu Yi was quite surprised by this at first.

After all, for the Han Dynasty at that time, Zhuge Liang had many options.

But he soon realized the meaning behind Zhuge Liang's arrangement.

The talents of the officials in the Han Dynasty court were too great.

We need someone with a stable personality to balance these talents, and Jiang Wan is the most suitable candidate.

After all, in the original history.

In the context of the Shu Kingdom, his ability to quickly stabilize the upheaval in the court and among the people following Zhuge Liang's death already speaks volumes about his character.

"Prime Minister."

Gu Yi controlled Gu Ye to cup his hands towards Jiang Wan and said very seriously, "Human power can defy the heavens, so why can't natural disasters be predicted?"

He handed over the memorial he had already prepared.

Gu Yi naturally wouldn't write anything too difficult to understand in it, just some very basic knowledge.

It's just a matter of making a certain degree of judgment based on abnormal weather.

This includes special circumstances such as animal abnormalities.

In summary, we should prepare in advance and avoid natural disasters.

In fact, there is a more direct and efficient method for Gu Yi.

That is to take out the "Xuanji Calculation Counting Rods".

Although the Xuanji Calculation Rods can only predict the weather for seven days, it is still much simpler and more efficient than this method.

However, the "Xuanji Calculation Counting Count" is one of the core strengths of the Gu family.

Unless it was a member of the Gu family involved.

Otherwise, it would be best to keep this kind of thing.

Jiang Wan looked at it very carefully, her brows furrowed, clearly hesitant.

This is also due to the times.

Natural disasters have always been associated with prophecies and superstitions, so the existence of a department specifically for predicting natural disasters is simply too far-fetched for them.

But remembering Zhuge Liang's previous instructions, he couldn't help but look at Gu Ye and ask seriously, "Zhaode, are you really confident about this?"

"Don't worry, Prime Minister."

Without the slightest hesitation, Gu Yi quickly guided Gu Ye to nod and say, "This humble official can assert that even if this department cannot predict all natural disasters..."

"But at least half of them can be predicted."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Wan finally nodded and agreed.

The news spread quickly.

The investment in this department is naturally substantial.

The ministers were all extremely surprised by this.

Specializing in predicting natural disasters?

This was undoubtedly a pipe dream for them.

However, due to Liu Shan's trust in Lady Gu, the matter was ultimately settled in this way.

Gu Yi naturally didn't care about the ups and downs of the outside world and firmly moved forward along his own path.

After the matter was completely settled.

He quickly dispatched people to summon people from all over the country to Luoyang, based on the candidates he had already thought of in his memory, including some people who were already in the court.

For example—Du Yu.

Gu Yi wanted to take advantage of this time of renewal to carry out a complete overhaul of Han Dynasty scholarship.

When Du Yu heard that Gu Ye actually wanted him to repair the calendar, he was completely stunned.

He did develop some interest in calendars.

But how did Gu Ye find out about this?
He would certainly not refuse such a thing; the importance of the calendar in the present era is beyond doubt.

Actually, it wasn't just him who had this thought.

Apart from Du Yu.

Gu Yi even summoned Liu Hui, a man who could be considered a pinnacle of scholarship in his time, yet remained unknown in history.

The imperial court and the Gu family specially commissioned Liu Hui to annotate the "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art".

In fact, Gu Yi could do this too, after all, he was also educated in modern times.

However, the knowledge he acquired was destined to be unsuitable for modern Han Chinese.

He shouldn't try to force things to grow too fast!
Scholarly progress is only gradual, not a leap from one to one hundred.

For the Han Dynasty, Liu Hui was the most suitable candidate.

This guy is an amazing person who can calculate pi to 3.1416 in this day and age, making him the pinnacle of this era.

With him around, nothing unexpected will happen.

Liu Hui was actually quite confused about this matter, even more so than Du Yu.

After all, Du Yu was still an official in the imperial court.

As for him, he was an unknown person who had just begun to annotate the "Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art" when Gu Ye brought him to Luoyang.

How could he not be bewildered?
But since he was already here, Gu Yi wouldn't let him leave, no matter how confused he was.

Gu Yi had already made his plans.

He would definitely make arithmetic subjects appear in the imperial examination system earlier, and also raise the status of arithmetic subjects in history.

This change may not be immediately apparent.

But for the entirety of history, this is definitely a very significant change.

In addition, there are artisans.

This was an experiment undertaken by Gu Yi in the land of Julu, which brought together many artisans to Julu.

This time, he did not choose to offer any significant help directly.

It only offered some pointers on the approach—

These artisans were able to use their talents based on these tips.

A sweeping reform was brewing within the Han Dynasty.

The court officials naturally did not interfere with Gu Ye's actions.

After all, in their eyes.

All that Gu Ye did was just some "strange and ingenious techniques".

It's clearly not worth offending the Gu family and angering Liu Shan for this.

They continued to govern the country methodically as usual, without any major mistakes.

The fifth year of Yanxi;

Following the advice of his ministers, the Han Dynasty launched a brand-new census of crossing fields.

Then investigate the land holdings of powerful families and the population of the entire country.

This is also the main theme of the Han Dynasty.

As long as these ministers in the court are not completely dead, this main theme will not change.

Gu Yi was also extremely concerned about this matter.

After all, given the current situation;
Population and land area represent a nation's foundation. But this matter is destined to take time.

What really caught Gu Yi's attention was that he suddenly discovered that "taking powder" had become one of the trends in the Han Dynasty.

Unbeknownst to many, many things seem to have returned to their original historical context.

There are far too many wealthy young men from all walks of life who failed the official assessments.

Their way of coping with disappointment is to take "pills".

It is precisely because of this.

Under their influence, this matter gradually became a trend.

To this-

Gu Yi's attitude was very firm.

He can ignore everything else, but this land absolutely cannot be polluted by these things.

He manipulated Gu Ye to travel all over Luoyang.

On the street, looking at the people with long, flowing hair who were not like ordinary people, he immediately manipulated Gu Ye to find Cao Zhi, who was already quite old, and wanted him to help write a memorial entitled "Prohibition of Dispersal".

Unexpectedly, even Cao Zhi, who was almost in his grave, was a person who had taken the herbal medicine.

Helpless, he could only let Gu Ye write it himself.

Fortunately, Gu Ye's skill level wasn't bad.

Although it cannot compare to Cao Zhi's almost supernatural literary talent, it is still an excellent work.

The very next day, Gu Yi immediately manipulated Gu Ye to rush to the imperial court and take out the "Memorial on Prohibiting the Dissemination of Documents" in front of the assembled officials.

—A tremendous change!
Within the Northern Palace.

Gu Yi was manipulating Gu Ye to read aloud the "Memorial Prohibiting Dissemination" in front of all the officials.

There was dead silence in the hall.

—Only Gu Ye's resounding voice continued to ring out.

The officials all looked shocked, but their shock was mixed with dissatisfaction.

Prohibited from taking powder?

In the Han Dynasty today, "taking off the elixir" has been completely transformed into an elegant affair.

Even Cao Zhi, who held a prominent position in the Imperial Academy, took the powder, demonstrating just how influential it was.

This move is bound to be met with resistance from everyone.

Even if some of them did not take the pills.

However, the benefits that could be gained from this still made them dissatisfied with Gu Ye.

Liu Shan was also surprised by this, never expecting that Gu Ye would bring up such a thing.

Although he did not take the powder.

However, I have also heard that the practice of "taking powder" has become popular nowadays, and has become a refined pursuit for disillusioned young men.

I was originally looking for an opportunity to try, but I didn't expect Gu Ye to bring it up.

He probably wouldn't care if someone else said it.

But after all, Gu Ye's surname is Gu!
After hesitating for a moment, Liu Shan asked, "Zhaode, why is this practice of taking elixirs prohibited?"

This is why no one understands it.

I don't understand why Gu Ye proposed banning the use of the powder.

Gu Yi, with an iron will, did not hesitate for a moment and immediately controlled Gu Ye to say in a firm voice, "Your Majesty!"

"I have heard that when metal or stone enters the throat, one may temporarily find relief; however, when poison invades the marrow, it will ultimately endanger one's life."

“In the past, Zhang Zhongjing formulated prescriptions to cure serious illnesses that were already incurable; He Yan used them in a corrupt manner, and they ended up destroying the liver and gallbladder with a cup of wine.”

"In the alleys and streets of Luoyang, one often sees people with flowing hair and crane-feather cloaks, imitating the appearance of Ji Kang and Ruan Ji but losing their upright spirit; in the desolate tombs of Ye, who mourns the emaciated souls, who admired the elegance of He Yan but instead fell into the records of ghosts?"

"Your Majesty, observe the autumn wind withering the trees, and the crows circling the barren ground—this is not a sign of calamity from heaven and earth, but rather man's own self-destruction!"

"We humbly beseech Your Majesty to issue a decree throughout the land, strictly prohibiting such practices, so that metals and stones may be returned to the furnace, and plants and trees may return to the mountains and forests,"

"Let not the formula of Five Stones further erode the Yang of our great Han Dynasty."

Gu Ye's tone was incredibly firm.

This was the first time Gu Yi had ever been so determined to do something.

Perhaps it is because they know the harm this thing can cause, and the impact that "similar products" will have on this land in the future.

He absolutely cannot tolerate this continuing!

The entire court was deathly silent!
Everyone stared at Gu Ye in disbelief, never expecting his attitude to be so resolute!
"fallacy!"

Immediately, someone spoke up in rebuttal, bowing to Liu Shan and saying, "Your Majesty, there are many disillusioned scholars in the world today."

"These people were disheartened because they could not become officials, so they chose to take the powder to relieve their frustration."

"If it is forbidden to take the powder."

"Regardless of how many people will be dissatisfied with the court."

"In the future, how will these disillusioned scholars relieve their pent-up frustrations?"

A murmur of discussion immediately arose.

With someone speaking up again, a huge debate broke out in the imperial court over whether or not to "ban the use of powders"!

Just then, a loud, angry roar suddenly rang out.

"A bunch of pedantic scholars dare to talk nonsense about matters of national importance!"

This angry shout drew everyone's attention, and everyone couldn't help but turn around to look.

Then, Liu Chen, the Prince of Beidi, strode in from outside.

With a face full of anger, he looked at everyone present and said, "My great Han Emperor Gaozu was once just a mere court official, yet when facing the First Emperor, he could still say that a true man should act like this!"

"Emperor Xiaowen; Emperor Xiaowu;"

"Then Emperor Guangwu of the Great Han Dynasty revived the Han Dynasty, and Emperor Zhaowu and Lord Gu revived the Han Dynasty again."

"We are the people of the great Han Dynasty"

"When did it become necessary to take powder to relieve the frustration in one's chest?"

Liu Chen's gaze was incredibly sharp as he swept his eyes across the crowd: "If you give up after failing the exam once, can you really call yourself a scholar?"

"Marquis Wenxiang once said..."

"A person standing can defy the heavens!"

"Our great Han Dynasty can even withstand natural disasters!"

"If this continues, will the people of our great Han still have the will to rise up?"

As he spoke, he walked through the crowd of officials to the very front and knelt before Liu Shan: "Father, I beg you to prohibit the people of the realm from taking this medicine!"

After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.

Liu Chen brought up all the previous emperors of the Han Dynasty, including the ancestors of the Gu family.

No one dares to refute such a statement.

Liu Shan's expression changed slightly. He looked at everyone present and nodded slightly: "My son is right."

"I remember."

"Shangfu once said that taking the powder was an act of inhumanity."

"No matter what, I cannot let down my father."

—The dust has settled!
Although Liu Shan did not possess any particularly praiseworthy abilities.

But that's also what makes him most admirable.

He might hesitate if it were someone else.

But he will always keep in mind what Gu Chen said back then.

This feeling even surpassed his feelings for Liu Bei.

Because Gu Chen was so good at judging people, after meeting Liu Shan, he no longer had any unrealistic hopes for him personally.

He treated Liu Shan too well, unlike Liu Bei who would have educated Liu Shan in the past.

“Zhaode.”

Liu Shan looked at Gu Ye again: "I'll leave this matter to you."

"I accept your order!"

Gu Yi agreed immediately without any hesitation.

The officials departed in turn.

Many people had very unpleasant expressions.

Clearly, someone in their family must have taken the drug or been involved in it.

Fifty pieces are not cheap.

The profits that can be generated are something that many people would envy.

Gu Yi controlled Gu Ye to leave, but unexpectedly Liu Chen followed and stopped Gu Ye, saying seriously, "Zhao De, if you encounter any difficulties, remember to tell me."

Liu Chen was clearly aware of the difficulty of this matter.

Taking the powder can be addictive.

The difficulty of completely eradicating this problem is self-evident!

"Your Highness, rest assured." Gu Yi nodded seriously: "I already have a plan in mind."

He paused as he spoke.

Looking at Liu Chen before him, he hesitated for a moment before asking a question: "Your Highness, I have a question I would like to ask you."

"Oh?"

Liu Chen was taken aback, not expecting Gu Ye to say such a thing, and quickly said, "Zhaode, you can ask whatever you want, there's no need to be so polite?"

"If one day—"

Gu Yi tentatively asked, "If our Great Han were attacked by enemies from all sides, what would Your Highness do?"

Liu Chen's expression completely changed.

He didn't understand why Gu Ye would ask such a question, and he couldn't help but become wary.

"Has Zhaode noticed something?" he asked instead of answering.

Gu Yi, controlling Gu Ye, shook his head and said softly, "Your Highness, rest assured, I was just asking casually."

"Just asking?"

Liu Chen frowned, thought for a moment, then straightened his expression and answered seriously, "If that day ever comes, I will only have one sentence."

"Those who offend our mighty Han—"

"Even if you are far away, you will be killed!"

Liu Chen's expression was extremely serious.

Upon hearing this, Gu Yi's eyes narrowed slightly, and he smiled, bowing to Liu Chen.

He immediately turned and left.

Looking at Gu Ye's retreating figure, Liu Chen was full of doubt, unable to understand why Gu Ye would ask such a question.

How could he possibly have thought of that?

After all, for the people of the Han Dynasty at that time, the threat from the barbarians in all directions was not even as great as it was during the Later Han Dynasty.

But Gu Yi was certain—

A major war is unavoidable.

Because the Xianbei, Wuhuan and other tribes had long since been unified again over time.

The borders of the Han Dynasty have remained undisturbed.

It's simply because the generals left behind by Gu Chen are still around.

The surrounding barbarian tribes held them in deep fear.

But how long can this method last?
------

"I have heard that the Book of Changes says: 'Medicines without cause should not be tried.'"

Heaven nourishes people with the five elements, and earth soothes the body with the five flavors. When yin and yang are in harmony, diseases will not arise.

There are now sorcerers who spread heretical rumors, advocating the ingestion of cold stones, claiming that prolonged refining of metals and stones can lead to divine communication, and ingesting sulfur and mica in order to seek immortality.

However, the Shennong Materia Medica clearly states: mineral medicines are potent and cannot be overcome by the internal organs. In the past, Bian Que would examine the vital organs to treat diseases; Zhang Zhongjing would only use decoctions and poultices to treat illnesses.

How could anyone abandon the proper way of eating grains and follow the evil way of eating metals and stones, thus hastening their own demise?

I have observed that the nobles and relatives in Luoyang are all vying to imitate this, some with festering sores or wild tales of seeing ghosts, yet they still boast that they have "ascended to immortality through wandering."

This is not about nourishing life; it's about destroying one's nature! The stories of King Zhou abstaining from grains and Mu Man's Jade Pool are all ancient myths.

Your Majesty's virtue is so great, how can you allow magic tricks to mislead the public and corrupt human relations?
Your Majesty, I humbly request:

An imperial edict was issued to the Grand Master of Ceremonies, clearly decreeing to the whole country that all medical books involving metal and stone magic and sorcery should be sent to the Imperial Archives for burning.

The second prefect was tasked with strictly investigating sorcerers and their followers, and punishing them for "deviant practices and disrupting the norms."
He was appointed Grand Master of the Palace three times, and gathered renowned physicians to revise the "Compendium of Materia Medica," correcting the misconceptions about medicinal herbs and promoting the virtues of plants.

In the past, King Tang prayed for rain, not for metal or stone; King Xuan revived the dynasty, focusing solely on agriculture and sericulture.

"May Your Majesty follow the ways of the late Emperor, eradicate the source of all evil and absurdity, and let the whole world know that those who consume poisons do not attain immortality, and that those who prohibit them are truly benevolent!"

—From "A Memorial Prohibiting the Dispersal of Officials" (by Gu Ye, Han Dynasty)

(End of this chapter)