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

Chapter 124 The Reign of Kaihuang, the Second Son of the Li Family (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

The world had suffered from chaos for too long, and when faced with the Sui army that came with overwhelming force, all sides were intimidated.

The tenth year of the Kaihuang era, the eighth month, the day of Renshen;
With the arrival of Sui envoys Wei Guang and others in Lingnan, the various tribes were pacified, and the last gap in the empire was filled.

The world has been in chaos for many years.

Thus, unification was finally achieved once again.

Yang Jian kept his promise.

Once the world was completely at peace, he immediately left Daxing City, leading his sons and ministers to Julu to offer sacrifices to the ancestors of the Gu family.

This is indeed a very clever move.

Sacrifices were offered to the Gu family.

This will definitely raise the expectations of the people for this new dynasty.

This is the kind of influence the Gu family can bring.

Unbeknownst to them, the "prosperous age" had become closely associated with the Gu family.

This was of unimaginable help to the new dynasty.

After the sacrificial ceremony.

Yang Jian also invited Gu to serve as an official in the court, and even stated that he had left a "Champion Marquis's Mansion" for Gu in Daxing City.

This time, the Gu family members did not refuse.

anyway--

The Gu family cannot remain neutral indefinitely; this is something they must address.

A new dynasty has now been established.

The Gu family could not stay in Julu forever.

Of course, the Gu family could never return to what it was before.

He was able to control everything as soon as he entered the court.

The Gu family is unlikely to have much influence in the court and among the people now, and their best option is to serve as officials in various places.

They officially fell from a detached family.

However, the Gu family members were very excited.

For many years, the Gu family has never come out into the world, and too many ideals have been hidden in Julu, this land.

Ultimately, they must carry the expectations of their predecessors and the burdens of their families as they move forward anew.

Main vein;

Separation of family;

The Gu family is currently facing many problems. The years of chaos in the country and the gradual decline of the Gu family's influence are equally devastating to them.

Now that the world is unified, the Gu family needs to move forward again.

But Gu Yu still stuck to his own judgment.

Julu, within the Gu residence.

"My son, do you really not want to go to the court?" Gu Can looked at his most outstanding son, his expression extremely complicated.

“Father, my mind is made up.” Gu Yu’s expression was very firm, and he nodded seriously.

Seeing this, Gu Can couldn't help but sigh.

He is no longer young.

Although he is the current head of the Gu family, he can only entrust all his hopes to his descendants.

For the Gu family...

This path is destined to be extremely difficult, even more difficult than before.

Just like Gu Kang in the past.

They need to expand the Gu family's influence again and gain the recognition of the people in order to bring the Gu family back to its peak.

"You are the most outstanding member of the Gu family in this generation. You must not waste your life."

He couldn't help but remind him.

Gu Yu bowed respectfully to Gu Can: "Father, rest assured, I understand the importance of the family."

"However, this is only true for Yu'er."

"Without a wise ruler, even if I were born, it would not be a good thing."

Wise ruler —

This is an important factor that was completely unavoidable in the feudal era.

As a member of the Gu family.

Gu Yu also harbors ambitions of becoming a Qilin.

However, if he does not encounter a wise ruler, it will be harmful and not beneficial to him.

This is the fundamental reason why he was unwilling to be born.

Although Yang Jian seemed to highly regard the Gu family, in his eyes it was merely a means for him to appease the people.

He had his own confidants, and he was also somewhat autocratic.

This kind of monarch is not suitable for him.

Of course, that's only secondary.

The most crucial factor stemmed from his assessment of the current Crown Prince Yang Yong and Prince Yang Guang.

He concluded that the Sui Dynasty royal family was destined for an extremely intense internal struggle.

Regardless of who wins or loses.

Neither Yang Yong nor Yang Guang were considered wise rulers. If the country had not recovered by then, chaos might have broken out.

This is his assessment of the current situation.

Looking at Gu Yu's determined expression, Gu Can remained silent for a moment and ultimately couldn't say anything more.

His son had indeed surpassed him.

Although he is still young, he has already surpassed his father. What more can he say?
Gu Yu is a very confident person.

This kind of self-confidence is different from "arrogance".

This confidence stemmed from his "Gu family" background and his talent.

He was very confident in his judgment.

Of course, Gu Yu did not stay in Julu forever.

In his words.

He wanted to go out and see the world, to see the people of the world.

Over the years, he has already learned everything left behind by his ancestors, and has also been learning about everything in Julu.

However, for the Gu family members, the Gu family's people ultimately cannot represent the entire world.

He needs to see the world.

Gu Yi had been silently observing all of this, and he was increasingly looking forward to Gu Yu's future performance.

This is an era full of uncertainties.

A figure who will shine brightly in history is about to be born.

Gu Yi didn't know if Gu Yu would have any contact with him.

However, judging from Gu Yu's current performance...

He will definitely become one of the biggest variables in the entire history and the Gu family.

As Gu Yu had expected, Yang Jian was unlikely to give Gu family an important position.

He is a hero.

A ruthless hero who emerged from chaos.

Such people generally have strong self-confidence and would not treat the Gu family like Liu Bei did back then, nor would they directly promote members of the Gu family.

What emperors want is not just "loyalty".

"Loyalty" is only the foundation that emperors desire; what they truly crave is the unique power that belongs to the emperor.

This is the emperor!
Not to mention the Gu family, Yang Jian would show no mercy even to his core Guanlong Group.

That's right, it's Guanlong Group.

Although history has changed a lot.

However, amidst years of turmoil and the influence of the political situation, the Guanlong Group was still an unavoidable entity.

Even their influence is in no way inferior.

During the Northern and Southern Han dynasties, the Guanlong Group was able to influence imperial power.

The world is now unified.

Yang Jian could no longer tolerate the existence of the Guanlong Group.

This is also what makes it remarkable.

Before unifying the country, he knew that he was the emperor chosen by the Guanlong Group, and was even willing to share power with the Guanlong Group.

But now—it's different.

He would absolutely not tolerate the Guanlong Group controlling the army and official positions.

For him, the arrival of the Gu family in the court and the appearance of people from the south were the best opportunities.

The sweeping reforms began with the rising Sui Dynasty.

Yang Jian, however, was a ruthless and ambitious man.

His wisdom and methods are worthy of this title.

His first priority was to completely restore the imperial examination system.

The world has been in chaos ever since.

In the beginning, the various systems were not in chaos. During the reigns of Liu Yu and Liu He, the imperial examination system was the most effective means for both the Northern and Southern Han dynasties to win over the hearts and minds of the people.

But as time went on...

The imperial examination system gradually degenerated into a mere shell of its former self.

This is an inevitable consequence of chaotic times.

The powerful families control most of the power, and those in power must make certain compromises in order to gain their support.

The reason why Yang Jian was able to rule the world so quickly.

The root cause is that the Northern and Southern Han dynasties were rotten to the core.

The imperial examination system, existing in name only;
The consolidation of power by powerful clans;
A chaotic bureaucracy;
A chaotic world with no end in sight.

The effects of prolonged chaos dictated that these situations would occur.

What Yang Jian needs to do now is to rebuild everything and let the people of the world see the court's intentions!

Of course, doing so is bound to cause internal turmoil.

But when the tide has turned, the outcome is already decided.

Ultimately, none of this can affect the overall trend.

Yang Jian was a very decisive person. Just as he had made thorough preparations before deciding to take that step.

He first rectified the officialdom in all directions;
Then, in the eleventh year of the Kaihuang era, the regulations for the imperial examination were officially established.

It is not merely a complete continuation of the policies of the Han Dynasty.

Among them.

He also made a series of adjustments based on the situation, the most important of which was to assess the officials.

That's the key point.

To completely resolve the current internal turmoil within the Sui Dynasty...

This is something he has to do.

In addition, there is also reform of the official system.

In fact, over the years...

As the situation in the country became increasingly turbulent, the structure of the imperial court in the Northern and Southern Han dynasties also changed.

Yang Jian then carried out further reforms based on this foundation.

He decided to implement the Five Departments and Six Offices system.

This redistributes all power, thereby strengthening central authority.

The five provinces included the Inner History Department, the Chancellery Department, the Department of State Affairs, the Secretariat Department, and the Palace Attendants Department.

among them--

The Secretariat was in charge of books and calendars; the Palace Attendants' Office was the eunuch institution of the palace; the Inner History Office was the decision-making body responsible for drafting imperial edicts; the Chancellery was responsible for reviewing imperial edicts and had the power to reject them; and the Department of State Affairs was the highest administrative body responsible for implementing government orders.

It then has six subordinate departments.

The six ministries are the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Works.

The Ministry of Personnel was responsible for the selection and evaluation of officials; the Ministry of Revenue, later renamed the Ministry of Finance, was in charge of finance and household registration; the Ministry of Rites was responsible for etiquette, education, and foreign affairs; the Ministry of War was in charge of military affairs; the Ministry of Justice, later renamed the Ministry of Criminal Law, was in charge of justice and prisons; and the Ministry of Works was in charge of engineering construction and handicrafts.

This move not only redistributes power, but also improves the efficiency of the entire court.

A well-defined bureaucratic system prevented one person's excessive power from affecting imperial authority.

In addition to that—of course, there was also military power.

The current situation in Tianjingxia seems to have returned to the chaotic period of the Later Han Dynasty, where powerful families held military power.

What Yang Jian needs to do now is to take back all power.

He also proposed reforms to the Fubing system.

The Fubing system was changed from "separation of soldiers and farmers" to "unification of soldiers and farmers," and an order was issued that the household registrations of all soldiers be incorporated into the prefectures and counties, placing them under the same national jurisdiction as ordinary people, thus severing the private relationship between generals and soldiers.

At that time, twelve guards were established, and the generals were directly appointed by the emperor and frequently rotated to prevent military nobles from holding military power for a long period of time.

A series of major changes will inevitably cause chaos.

As soon as these decrees were issued, rebellions broke out in various places.

But what can be done about it?

The most brilliant thing about Yang Jian's move was that he was winning over the hearts and minds of the people!

Whether it's welcoming back the Gu family or not.

Or the restoration of the imperial examination system, including the previous reform of the currency, all helped him win over far too many people's hearts!
This is the real killer move!
When the people, who longed for a peaceful life, began to feel the changes in the imperial court.

People's hearts are then hard to shake.

Faced with the chaos on all sides, Yang Jian did not hesitate to take action.

He vividly portrayed the ruthless and iron-fisted nature of an emperor.

Regardless of his past achievements or the depth of his connection with the Guanlong Group.

Anyone who rebels will face certain death.

With the support of the people, the foundation of the Sui Dynasty could not be shaken. Rebellions in all directions were quelled one after another, and various forces were eliminated one after another.

Subsequently, Yang Jian began to reorganize the prefectures and counties.

Yang Jian issued an edict abolishing all prefectures.

That is, the previous three-tier system of prefectures, counties, and districts was changed to a two-tier system of prefectures and counties.

It not only simplified local administrative organization, but also stipulated that local officials should be appointed and dismissed by the central government, and that the power to appoint officials should be held by the Ministry of Personnel. It also prohibited local officials from recruiting assistants locally, thereby consolidating central power.

This is absolutely a policy that can bring prosperity to the world.

The impact of years of chaos on the local area is unimaginable.

Leaving aside other factors.

This move represents a significant step forward in the rectification of officialdom!

The world was in an uproar.

The Kaihuang Code was implemented, the household registration was recalculated, land was distributed equally throughout the country, and taxes were reduced or exempted.

The prosperous eras of the past left Yang Jian with countless examples.

He only needs to implement a series of reforms based on these examples to quickly restore the entire world to normalcy.

The Kaihuang Era of Prosperity arrived as scheduled.

After years of chaos, Yang Jian's appearance was like a ray of dawn, piercing the darkness of the land.

Kyushu's foundation is not bad; it far surpasses its original history.

Once things settle down, the resilience inherent in the Chinese nation will be able to write a new legend once again.

This is also a choice made by the times.

But amidst all this light, chaos is also spreading.

Gu Yi did not pay much attention to the internal affairs of the Sui Dynasty.

He only occasionally paid attention to the other members of the Gu family, but he paid most attention to Gu Yu.

these years.

Gu Yu truly lived up to his reputation of traveling thousands of miles.

Although he had witnessed all the changes in the world, he remained steadfast in his own judgment.

Despite her advancing age, she remained patient and steadfast in pursuing her own path.

Even Gu Yi couldn't be sure whether this was "confidence" or "stubbornness".

However, it wasn't without its gains.

He never changed his name or surname from beginning to end, and while doing some small things within his power, he broadened his knowledge through the people.

For him, this also seemed to be a unique test.

Gu Yi could sense his progress.

Most importantly, and precisely because of this, although Gu Yu never attended court, he still managed to leave a name for himself among various parties.

Even Yang Jian had heard of Gu Yu's name.

But for Gu Yu...

The Gu family members in the court all gave the same answer: Gu Yu had no intention of becoming an official.

Yang Jian didn't seem to care much about this.

After all, the Gu family is no longer what it used to be, so what is there for him to care about?
The arrival of this prosperous era also made Yang Jian increasingly confident.

But the gears of fate had already begun to turn silently.

The eighteenth year of the Kaihuang era, the twelfth month, the day of Wuwu;
martial arts.

A tributary of the Wei River froze over the city, reflecting the reddish-brown rammed earth walls. Icicles on the battlements hung like jade curtains, gleaming coldly in the weak midday sun.

A horse-drawn carriage slowly drove into the city.

The next moment, a dark-skinned young man stepped straight out of the carriage.

He first let out a breath, and then a smile appeared on his face.

This person is none other than Gu Yu.

He no longer has the air of a noble young master; his skin is dark, just like Gu Kang in the past, and only a trace of nobility remains.

He got out of the car and walked along the street.

Before long, the bustling crowds all headed in one direction, their faces beaming with excitement.

"Ok?"

Gu Yu was surprised, but without thinking much about it, he stepped forward and stopped an old man, cupping his hands in greeting, "Old man, what brings you here, folks?"

"Ouch~!"

The old man, who was already walking slowly, was now even more furious and said urgently, "Why are you stopping me? The magistrate has a son today. The news has already been spread that everyone who goes there today can receive five bushels of millet!"

With that, the old man bypassed Gu Yu and followed the flow of people forward.

Has the magistrate had a son?

Gu Yu was taken aback for a moment, then an expression of interest immediately appeared on his face.

They immediately followed the flow of people forward.

At this moment, the open space in front of the county government office was crowded with people, and there was a constant murmur of discussion.

When the gold thread on Li Yuan's black brocade robe flashed in the morning light, the crowd suddenly fell silent.

"Thank you all for praying for my wife these past few days." Li Yuan clasped his hands together, the jade belt buckle at his waist gleaming warmly in the snow. "My son was born in Wugong, and is a citizen who grew up on the land and water of Guanzhong."

"Fellow villagers, rest assured, I, Li Yuan, will never break my promise!"

After saying that, he waved his hand and ordered the servants beside him to distribute the grain.

"Li Yuan?"

"The Duke of Tang?"

Gu Yu stood at the back of the crowd, watching this scene with great interest, and the corresponding information flashed through his mind instantly.

Although he never went to the imperial court.

However, they were still clear about major national events and basic information within the court.

Even in those chaotic times, the Gu family already had their own information channels.

A look of surprise flashed across his face; he never expected that someone of Li Yuan's stature would do such a thing.

At this moment
Li Yuan also noticed Gu Yu.

Although Gu Yu's attire was very ordinary and his skin was dark, Li Yuan, who came from a prestigious family, immediately noticed Gu Yu's extraordinary temperament.

"Ok?"

Li Yuan frowned subconsciously, then immediately pushed through the crowd towards Gu Yu, cupping his hands and saying, "I am Li Yuan, the Prefect of Qizhou, courtesy name Shude. May I ask who you are, young master?"

"Greetings, Duke Tang. My name is Gu Yu, courtesy name Yaozhi." Gu Yu also quickly bowed.

In an instant, Li Yuan's expression changed slightly.

"Gu Yaozhi? A member of the Gu family?" He stared intently at Gu Yu, seemingly having heard of Gu Yu's reputation.

Upon seeing Gu Yu nod, a look of joy immediately appeared on her face: "Great!"

"I had long heard that you were traveling through Qizhou, and I was wondering if I would have the chance to meet you."

"But I never expected to meet you like this, especially since it coincided with the birth of my second son."

"Young master, please come with me to my residence for a chat."

Li Yuan was very enthusiastic towards Gu Yu, which was one of the benefits that being born into the Gu family brought to its members.

"Then I thank Duke Tang." Gu Yu bowed.

He then followed Li Yuan into the mansion.

The interior of the mansion is not particularly luxurious.

Li Yuan was very hospitable. He led the way and chatted with Gu Yu, expressing his respect for the Gu family and even mentioning his desire to send his children to study at the Gu family.

However, since he only has one eldest son, he dares not do so.

Gu Yu naturally didn't say much about this.

He could tell that Li Yuan was trying to win him over, but ultimately this did not align with his path.

At the end.

He also wanted Gu Yu to see his newborn second son.

Gu Yu was quite casual at first, and this was something he did from time to time.

The Gu family members have a very flexible moral bottom line. They won't be foolish enough not to use the advantages that their status brings, thus creating unnecessary trouble for themselves.

Gu Yu stepped through the snow-covered corridor and followed Li Yuan through the hanging flower gate, where he saw the newborn baby.

The child's dark blue baby hair was covered with fine beads of sweat, curled into soft, wavy arcs.

The moment Gu Yu's gaze fell upon the swaddling clothes, the baby's eyelashes trembled slightly, and its dark pupils shone like a cold star suddenly appearing on the Wei River.

Her small body twisted and broke free from the brocade quilt. She first stared at the top of the tent, then landed on Gu Yu, looked at him, and suddenly giggled.

"This..." Gu Yu subconsciously took half a step forward, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

His first impression of this boy was that he was extraordinary!

At this moment, Li Yuan took the baby from the wet nurse and walked towards Gu Yu with a smile.

The breeze stirred by walking made the candlelight flicker.

As the firelight flickered, it illuminated the pale blue lines on the baby's palm, and among the crisscrossing lines, the shape of the character "王" (king) was faintly visible, echoing the coiled dragon pattern on the jade belt buckle at Li Yuan's waist.

Although it was only for a brief moment, it still caused Gu Yu's expression to change.

The disciples of the Gu family were never particularly superstitious, let alone Gu Yu, the most talented member of the clan.

But what he had just witnessed still stirred something within him, a feeling that had been dormant for so long.

"This lad is extraordinary." Before the words were even finished, Li Yuan had already strode forward, his eyes gleaming: "Does the young master truly believe so?"

Gu Yu's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, his gaze still fixed on the baby's pink palm. After a long while, he said in a deep voice, "Judging from his demeanor, he is certainly no ordinary person."

Li Yuan could not hide his joy, and the fragrant breeze stirred by his robes carried with it an expectation: "Would the young master be willing to stay in my residence and teach Erlang?"

Gu Yu lowered his eyes to conceal the turbulent emotions within them, finally shook his head, and cupped his hands towards Li Yuan, saying, "Your Excellency flatters me. I am of limited talent and learning, and am truly unworthy of such an important responsibility."

"But if the Duke is willing, he may send this boy to Julu at that time."

This is not the path he wants to take.

Moreover, he did not believe in any so-called destiny, which was a principle passed down from generations of ancestors in his clan.

Li Yuan's expression immediately darkened. Compared to sending his offspring to Julu, having members of the Gu family come to his residence was the true honor.

That's what he wanted too.

Just then, the baby in his arms suddenly let out a clear laugh, and its small, lotus-root-like hands grasped in the air and waved in Gu Yu's direction.

Gu Yu's heart trembled, and an inexplicable tremor spread from his fingertips throughout his body.

This was the first time he had felt this way.

It's not about superstition or prophecy; it's just a simple feeling that this child is different from ordinary babies, and that there's a deep connection between us.

"Has your son been named yet?" He unconsciously softened his voice.

Seeing Gu Yu's changing expression, Li Yuan couldn't help but smile again and said loudly, "He is named Shimin because he is dedicated to saving the world and bringing peace to the people!"

"I am Li Shimin, the second son of the Li family!"

"Shimin." Gu Yu couldn't help but repeat, looking at the baby in his arms who was gradually calming down, his expression finally returning to calm.

P.S. (Double rewards start tonight after midnight, brothers, don't forget to use your monthly tickets! It's almost the end of the month, so don't waste them!!)
(End of this chapter)