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

Chapter 126: The Grand Canal Opens and Luoyang is Built, Extravagance and Debauchery Abound (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

No one knows what exactly happened in Renshou Palace that night.

But Yang Jian's death became a fait accompli.

Surrounded by his ministers—

Crown Prince Yang Guang formally ascended the throne and became emperor.

For any feudal dynasty.

The death of an emperor is a major event that can affect the entire world.

Moreover, Yang Jian had an extremely good reputation.

After so many years of chaos, an emperor like Yang Jian, who reunified the country and brought the situation back to stability, is all the more precious.

Now, he is gone.

Fortunately, Yang Guang also had a good reputation.

Over the years, his reputation for benevolence, filial piety, and love for the people has spread throughout the world.

This filled the people with anticipation for the next emperor.

After all, both Liu Zhuang and Liu Shan, who inherited the heavy responsibility from their fathers, can be called benevolent rulers.

He was able to lead the entire world into a new golden age.

Only those in the imperial court could sense the storm brewing within.

—Especially Gu Zhe.

Since that day, Gu Zhe has stayed indoors and never left.

Although he didn't see anything.

Yang Guang did not do anything to him for the time being, but the blow he suffered that day and the suspicions in his heart still agitated him.

He knew very well that if everything was true, the world would definitely be thrown into chaos under Yang Guang's rule!
Daxing Hall.

Although it was still a time of national mourning, Yang Guang did not care at all.

He smiled broadly, gently stroking the outline of the dragon throne, his eyes brimming with pride: "Yay, yay~"

"I--"

"We've been waiting for this day for far too long."

Ignoring everyone present, he muttered a few words to himself and sat down on the dragon throne, his smugness reaching its peak at that moment.

"Greetings to Your Majesty!"

Without the slightest hesitation, everyone present immediately knelt down before Yang Guang.

They were all Yang Guang's confidants.

Yang Guang looked at everyone with satisfaction, his smile widening. "My dear ministers, there's no need for such formality. You are all my trusted confidants."

"When I ascend the throne, I will bestow rewards upon you."

He always had a smile on his face.

Upon hearing this, everyone quickly bowed in gratitude.

Isn't this exactly the result they wanted?

"Your Majesty!" At this moment, Yuwen Shu seemed to have thought of something and suddenly spoke up: "I advise that, given the current situation, the Minister of Personnel, Gu Zhe, should be dealt with!"

—Deal with Gu Zhe!
This is a deep-seated worry for all of them.

It wasn't just because Gu Zhe went to Renshou Palace that day, but also because of the image of the Gu family that everyone had held for so long.

No minister was willing to allow the Gu family to enter the court.

Because once the Gu family gains power, no other family can ever reach the top again.

This includes the time when Yang Jian summoned Lady Gu to court.

There have been many protests in the government.

It was only because Yang Jian had no choice but to do so in order to quickly quell public discontent.

Even so, he has never given Gu a particularly important position over the years.

The hearts of the people are now at peace.

They would naturally take advantage of the new dynasty to attack the Gu family, and would never allow the Gu family to have any more opportunities.

"Gu Zhe?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of mockery flashed in Yang Guang's eyes, and he immediately laughed and said, "No need to pay any attention to it!"

He understands these people's minds so well!

He can't possibly touch the Gu family now.

Although the Gu family has long since changed and its influence over the world is no longer what it once was.

But he has not yet ascended to the throne.

At a time like this, taking action against the Gu family would only be asking for trouble for himself.

Upon hearing this, a look of disappointment flashed across the faces of those present.

Yang Guang noticed this.

A smile flashed across his face again: "Don't worry, everyone."

"I am not Liu Bei!"

"My Great Sui Dynasty is no different from the Former Han Dynasty!"

"The emperor is the emperor. What does it mean that Liu and Gu share the world, or that the name of the Gu family should be engraved on the Liu family's tripod?"

"None of this can ever happen to my Great Sui Dynasty!"

His expression suddenly turned serious without him even realizing it, and he scanned the crowd: "I am going to be an emperor who is unprecedented and will never be repeated!"

"Let's not even talk about the Gu family."

"Whoever it may be—is destined to submit to my feet."

This is both a comfort and a warning.

Even though everyone present was his confidant, Yang Guang didn't care at all.

They're all old foxes.

How could they not understand the meaning behind Yang Guang's words?
But they still dared not say more, and bowed down to Yang Guang again, shouting, "Your Majesty is wise!"

"Okay."

Yang Guang's expression suddenly became casual, and that unrestrained smile reappeared on his face. "My dear ministers, there is no need to be nervous."

"I still know your loyalty; I was just saying it casually."

"The emperor is the emperor."

"The bad habits of the past must never appear in our Great Sui Dynasty."

As for Gu Zhe…

"Have someone keep an eye on him and not let him leave."

"The most urgent task is still Yang Yong!"

He looked at Yuwen Shu, "Botong, how's the matter I asked you to do?"

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I have already sent my son Yuwen Huaji to deal with the deposed Crown Prince Yang Yong." Yuwen Shu did not hesitate at all and quickly spoke up.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Yang Guang looked pleased and exclaimed "Good!" three times. He then looked at Yuwen Shu and said, "Once this matter is completed, your son will no longer need to be a palace guard."

"Go and become the Vice Minister of the Imperial Stud."

He spoke very casually.

Yuwen Shu's face immediately lit up with joy, and he quickly bowed in gratitude.

The other ministers all had a look of envy in their eyes.

As Yang Guang watched this scene, the smile on his face grew even wider.

He enjoys the feeling of being in control.

All you have to do is casually toss out a piece of meat, and people will scramble to grab it.

Anyone in the world.

Everything was under his control!

July;

Yang Guang officially held his coronation ceremony and ascended the throne as emperor in the presence of all his officials.

The reign title was changed to "Daye".

He used this reign title to fully demonstrate the great achievements he envisioned.

He then immediately made a series of personnel changes, promoting all his confidants to key positions.

A bloody storm ensued throughout the imperial court.

Unlike any previous emperor.

Other emperors, while they might promote their confidants, would not go so far as to carry out massacres.

But Yang Guang would!

Yang Guang's methods towards ministers who had previously opposed him were extremely bloody.

Liu Shu and Yuan Yan were Yang Jian's former confidants.

Besides.

Even ministers like Gao Jiong and He Ruobi, who made great contributions to the unification of the Sui Dynasty but had not supported him in the past, were also affected.

This was a massive purge.

After settling everything down, Yang Guang immediately began the first step of his ambitious plan.

Dig a canal!
He decided to divert the Gu River and Luo River from Xiyuan in Luoyang eastward to Xuyi and then into the Huai River.

It connects the Yellow River and Huai River systems!

This matter is truly earth-shattering!
Although construction has not yet begun, the ministers could sense the difficulty of the matter just by listening to Yang Guang's ideas.

but--

Perhaps it was because of this purge by Yang Guang that almost no one in the court dared to refuse.

However, some people suggested that we should proceed gradually.

But without exception, all of these people suffered the massacre at the hands of Yang Guang.

Although he has only just ascended the throne.

But Yang Guang's methods have instilled fear in everyone; he was an emperor who liked to control everything.

He doesn't like it when others oppose him!

And so the matter was settled.

March of the first year of the Daye era;
Yang Guang officially decided to dig the Grand Canal, and ordered Yuwen Kai to oversee the project, mobilizing more than a million men and women from various prefectures in Henan to facilitate the construction of the Tongji Canal.

—The government and the public were shaken!
A project involving over a million people is unimaginable in this day and age.

But that’s not all.

In the same year, Yang Guang once again decided to dredge and widen the Han Canal, which was dug by King Fuchai of Wu during the Spring and Autumn Period.

More than 100,000 people from Huainan were mobilized to dig the Han Canal.

The world was in an uproar!

No one would have expected that Yang Guang would take such a big step so soon after ascending the throne.

The entire government and the public were in turmoil!
Countless memorials poured in. No matter how terrifying Emperor Yang Guang's power was, at this point, someone still had to submit a memorial!
Can't carry it!
The imperial court could not afford such a huge expenditure.

The world could not bear such heavy corvée labor!
Even Gu Zhe had to submit a memorial, as did a number of other members of the Gu family who were born one after another.

Although some of them did not serve in the imperial court but instead held official positions in various regions.

But that's precisely why.

They are better able to see the weariness of the people, so how could they not submit a memorial to the emperor?

But what's the use of this?

Yang Guang paid no attention to these memorials and even planned to build Luoyang, the eastern capital, again!
This is completely different from Luoyang during the Han Dynasty.

Yang Guang intended to carry out a series of large-scale expansions based on this foundation.

The Western Garden of Luoyang was established, with a circumference of over two hundred li. Within the garden, there was a "sea" with a circumference of over ten li. To the north of the garden, the Dragon Scale Canal meandered into the sea, and sixteen villas were built along the canal, with the buildings and furnishings inside being extremely luxurious.

Including the dragon boat, which represents his distinguished status!

To this end, Yang Guang even mobilized more than two million people from various places!

The world is shocked!

This series of forced labor services was unprecedented.

The key is--

In addition, Yang Guang also made arrangements for the expedition to Linyi, appointing Liu Fang as the commander-in-chief of the Huanzhou Road army and Li Gang, the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, as the military commander to attack Linyi.

The entire land of Kyushu was engulfed in bloodshed and carnage.

No feudal dynasty could withstand such a large-scale operation.

Not to mention that Kyushu has just experienced years of chaos.

The entire court and the public lamented and complained.

Endless memorials were presented to Yang Guang, including those from important court officials such as Gao Jiong, Yuwen Bi, and He Ruobi.

Everyone wanted to dissuade Yang Guang.

Moreover, its momentum is becoming increasingly astonishing.

This time, Yang Guang made a move.

The third year of the Daye era.

Emperor Yang Guang issued an edict to kill Gao Jiong, He Ruobi, Yuwen Bi, and others on charges of "slandering the government," and exiled all their sons, who were eventually killed on the way.

In addition, there were the offspring of the deposed crown prince Yang Yong.

His eldest son, Yang Yan, was poisoned to death by Yang Guang.

The remaining ten sons were all exiled and died tragically during their exile.

King Yang Liang of Qin raised an army.

Using the pretext that "Yang Guang's succession to the throne was without virtue," he decided to carry out the Jingnan Rebellion, but was suppressed by Yang Su, the Duke of Chu, and was given death by imperial decree.

All of his children were imprisoned.

Yang Guang used a series of ruthless methods to suppress all those who opposed him.

Under this circumstance.

The atmosphere in the court gradually changed.

This was an inevitable change.

When everyone realizes that opposing Yang Guang will lead to death, while flattering him will bring promotion, people's hearts will change.

But they can change, what about the Gu family members?

Gu Yi had been watching all of this, and his thoughts were incredibly complex.

This is also a calamity that the split within the Gu family was destined to cause.

Whether it's the ambition in one's heart;
Or perhaps it's a sense of resentment towards the Gu family's long-standing silence.

When the Gu family members chose a different path and were no longer as united as before, all of this became inevitable.

Gu Yi had been silently observing all of this, his thoughts heavy with worry.

What kind of emperor was Yang Guang?

He knew it.

Regardless of his achievements, Yang Guang's talent and personality alone made his path incompatible with that of the Gu family. All of this was inevitable!

Although Yang Guang will not touch the Gu family now in order to avoid too much turmoil in the country.

But for the Gu family members...

Their ideals and ambitions would not accept this reality.

Courageous young men would write petitions in blood and carry their coffins to the capital, determined to offer their advice even at the cost of their lives.

Those lacking courage also resigned from their official posts and fled into seclusion.

However, when they hear news about their clansmen, they always show a guilty expression and even stop referring to themselves as members of the Gu family.

This is also a test for the Gu family.

The emerging divisions will be reunited as a whole amidst this upheaval.

In terms of its transmission to future generations.

The unity of the entire family is also a key factor.

Shangshu Mansion.

Since Yang Guang ascended the throne, Gu Zhe has been effectively under house arrest in his residence.

Although he still holds a nominal official position.

But in reality, he no longer holds any power at all.

This is not the most critical.

For Gu Zhe, the most crucial thing is still getting over that mental hurdle.

Although it has only been a few years.

But now he has long lost his former vigor and looks as if he has aged decades.

He once aspired to bring glory back to his family.

That is why she did not heed Gu Yu's advice and chose to leave the world.

She even considered surpassing her older brother, Gu Yu.

But I never imagined that I would end up like this.

The night was still.

He sat in the study, and by the dim candlelight, slowly cut his fingers with a knife.

Gu Zhe is also a talented person.

Among the family's scions, although his talent could not compare to Gu Yu's, it was still considered outstanding.

The fact that he was able to sit in the position of Minister of Personnel already says it all.

In truth, he still harbors endless dreams.

But now it's all destined.

As the highest-ranking official in the Gu family in contemporary times, he would never allow himself to disgrace the Gu family.

He had no way out.

But he was unwilling to do so.

He now has a clear understanding of the future; he is certain that under Yang Guang's rule, the world will descend into chaos.

What he wants to do now is to completely exacerbate all of this!
"If you don't break, you won't stand!"

These are the words Gu Xi said years ago!
Gu Zhe firmly believes that as long as Gu Yu is alive, the world will surely see a turning point!

Drops of blood continued to fall.

He used his own blood to write large characters on the paper in front of him.

He then immediately summoned the servants from the mansion.

These are the Julu people who came with him. Every member of the Gu family who goes out has one of them by his side. They have followed the Gu family members since they were young.

While taking care of daily needs, he also protected the Gu family members.

This has become a tradition.

The loyalty of the people of Julu to the Gu family was unimaginable to outsiders.

"Son!"

Seeing the blood still dripping, the servant was instantly stunned: "Why are you doing this??"

He immediately went to call someone.

But Gu Zhe stopped him directly: "Find an opportunity to send this letter back to Julu."

His expression was extremely serious.

Upon seeing this, the servant was suddenly taken aback.

He seemed to understand something immediately, and his expression suddenly became complicated. He looked at Gu Zhe without saying anything and took the blood letter from his hand.

These people were all trained by the Gu family.

Their abilities are not as simple as those of ordinary people.

Not to mention that the two have been together for many years.

It's not surprising that they could guess Gu Zhe's thoughts at a time like this.

Tears streamed down my face without my noticing.

Gu Zhe looked at the child in front of him, smiled faintly, and then waved his hand: "Live well!"

The servant didn't say much, but stared intently at Gu Zhe.

She immediately bowed deeply to him.

Then he turned and left.

The next day.

Gu Zhe rarely attended court, but he offered his advice to Emperor Yang Guang in the imperial court.

He was rebuked and ridiculed by Yang Guang in front of his ministers.

Amidst the flattery of obsequious officials, Gu Zhe crashed to his death against the magnificent balustrade of the Daxing Palace.

I would rather die than dishonor the name of the Gu family.

Gu Yi had been silently observing all of this, and couldn't help but sigh.

In fact, over the years...

He had witnessed too many deaths of members of the Gu family.

The Gu family's illustrious reputation was not solely earned by Gu Kang, Gu Xi, Gu Chen, and others; countless others contributed their efforts to achieve it.

Although they lacked talent, they were still contributing to the Gu family's success in another area.

Pitiful are the bones by the Wuding River, still the dream of those in their secluded chambers.

As far as Gu is concerned.

This is also true.

Tragically, even Gu Yi couldn't remember all of their names.

But history will remember.

Whether it's the Gu family genealogy or the stone statues erected in obscure places for those honest and upright officials, it doesn't matter.

Their names will not fade away so easily.

And everything they did will eventually be remembered.

Yang Guang was very intelligent.

He completely suppressed Gu Zhe's suicide plea and did not allow anyone to publicize it.

But where in this world can there be a wall that never lets the wind through?

What's more, the Gu family members from the four regions have been making moves one after another.

If Gu Xi in the past went against the tide because of his extraordinary talent...

So this time—

These were ordinary members of the Gu family going against the tide.

Although compared to Gu Xi back then, the impact they had was far less significant.

But everything has its limits.

When this point approaches, everything will erupt.

Yang Guang didn't care about any of this.

Under his iron-fisted methods, the entire court became a place where people fawned over him.

Everything seemed beyond repair.

The hardships and leisure of the four directions were like a heavy shackle, causing the people of Kyushu to return to a time even more difficult than during the war years.

They dug the canal; built Longzhou; and constructed Luoyang.

Each of these projects requires an astonishing amount of manpower.

Millions;
These are only short-term figures.

The manpower required to repair the Western Garden in Luoyang alone is nearly two million each month.

But what Yang Guang wanted was far more complex than that.
Since ascending the throne, he has been sending people to collect rare treasures for him from all over the country, while also searching for beauties from all over the world, and even demanding that a batch of beauties be selected from all over the country to enter the palace every year.

Besides.

He led princes, officials, concubines, palace maids and others on tours, each involving as many as 100,000 to 200,000 people.

Wherever they went, people within a radius of 500 li (approximately 250 kilometers) had to offer food.

The whole world was filled with complaints and lamentations.

Under these circumstances, Gu Yu finally returned to Julu.

This line.

For him, it can be said that he truly traveled thousands of miles and witnessed the warmth and coldness of human relationships and the rise and fall of the world.

Compared to before.

His entire demeanor has also changed drastically, especially his eyes, which seem to see through everything.

For him, the journey home was not easy.

In the beginning, he would do his best to help some people, just like always.

He could save one person, but he couldn't save the world.

Gu Can is now very old and has reached the point of life and death.

His life was just like that of the previous generations of Gu family heads.

He gave up everything for his family.

However, seeing Gu Yu, the eldest son he had been hoping for the most, return was a great blessing for Gu Can.

Julu, the Gu residence.

"My son!"

As soon as Gu Yu stepped into the mansion, Gu Can came to greet him. Seeing Gu Yu's dark skin, her eyes instantly reddened: "What happened to you?"

"The child is fine."

“There’s nothing wrong with having dark skin, just like our ancestor Marquis Wencheng, who brought prosperity to the world.”

Gu Yu first said with a smile.

He immediately took a deep breath and knelt down before Gu Can without any hesitation: "Your son is unfilial. I have not returned home for many years and have not been able to take care of my father at his bedside."

"Son"

Before Gu Yu could finish speaking, Gu Can interrupted him, saying, "Why are you saying all this!"

"I am content that you have come back."

His eyes grew increasingly red as he stared intently at Gu Yu, saying, "My son... the sons of the Gu family."

Gu Can's voice suddenly choked up.

As far as Gu is concerned.

This was indeed the first time they had faced such a situation since the beginning of their rule, and Yang Guang's attitude towards the Gu family made everyone feel the crisis of their clan's extermination.

This guy is a lunatic!

The reputation that the Gu family had always relied on could not help them.

Even if the people of Julu fight desperately to protect it.

But this is the Gu family's secret weapon, and it is undoubtedly a pipe dream to think that they can fight against the entire court with just these people.

Gu Can has been worried about this matter for some time now.

“Father, I understand,” Gu Yu said earnestly.

How could he not know?

"My son, I, Gu Shi..." Gu Can's emotions became increasingly agitated, and even his body was trembling.

He didn't want the Gu family's legacy to be ruined in his hands.

Gu Yu got up and kept comforting Gu Can.

Gu Can had indeed been holding it in for far too long.

His brothers had long since passed away with the passage of time, and the younger generation was no longer able to discuss important family matters with him.

But Gu Yu is different.

Gu Yu carries the hopes of all of them on his shoulders.

It wasn't until much later, with Gu Yu's constant comforting, that Gu Can gradually calmed down.

He remembered the blood letter that Gu Zhe had sent back.

He immediately took Gu Yu to check.

The blood-written letter is still in the hands of Gu Zhe's guard, a man named Xue San, who has lived in the Gu family since his ancestors' time and has been favored by them for generations.

Since returning to Julu, his temperament has also changed significantly.

He didn't say much even when dealing with Gu Can, and he didn't say anything even when he heard the news of Gu Zhe's death.

He never went home and was always protected in the Gu family mansion. He was like a madman, constantly practicing his martial arts.

Until he met Gu Yu.

His expression finally changed, and he directly took out Gu Zhe's blood letter.

The above content is very simple.

It was the unusual situation in the palace on the day Yang Jian died.

Yang Guang completely suppressed the news, and very few people knew about it.

As Gu Yu looked at the contents, a hint of sadness flashed in his eyes. He understood Gu Zhe's thoughts.

To drive a chaotic world forward—no destruction, no construction!
Once this news is released, it will give many people a plausible excuse.

This is the Gu family's flexible moral bottom line!

To achieve one's goals, one will stop at nothing.

Gu Yu's expression was cold and aloof. He twirled the blood-stained letter between his fingertips, glanced at it casually, and then tossed it back to Xue San.

Dark red bloodstains snaked across the plain white Xuan paper, and a faint metallic smell seemed to linger in the air.

"Young Master!" Xue San hurried forward, his robe catching a gust of wind. He looked at Gu Yu's departing figure, his throat choked with something, and struggled to utter these three words.

Gu Yu paused for a moment, but did not turn around.

"I—" Xue San clenched his fist tightly, his knuckles turning white, his eyes filled with resentment and determination.

"I know." Gu Yu finally turned around slowly, his gaze calm as still water, but it rippled when he met the flames in Xue San's eyes.
"Let's endure a little longer; as long as we live, there is hope."
P.S.: It's almost the end of the month, and it's still double monthly pass period, so I'm begging for monthly passes!!! Brothers, could you also give the character card a like? I don't get many likes.

(End of this chapter)