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

Chapter 234 A Seven-Year-Old Emperor: How Can He Rule the World? (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

This is still a magnificent era.

Although it differs from the well-known Three Kingdoms period, it is also filled with countless human tragedies.

But there is no doubt about it.

Chaotic times—

This has always been the time when heroes rise.

Various powerful figures employ their own methods to strive for the sole supreme position in this magnificent world.

They may die in brilliance, or they may end in sorrow.

Gu Yi had been silently observing all of this, pondering the future path of the entire Nine Provinces amidst the chaos of the changing times.

It is worth mentioning that Gu Yi interfered with the family members through the Spirit Jade.

Ambition is an unavoidable part of human nature, including the Gu family members, who wanted to use the Gu family's immense prestige to make a name for themselves in this chaotic world.

This is also a different path.

However, Gu Yi could not do that. Whether it was to help the Gu family recover as soon as possible or to be worthy of the deeds of generations of ancestors, he needed to suppress this fire.

In fact, it wasn't Gu Yi who forced the entire Gu family to make this choice.

On the contrary, this was the choice made by generations of the Gu family themselves.

He initially manipulated Gu Xiao to lead the entire Gu family to rise to power, and later Gu Kang relinquished power in the face of the late emperor's entrustment of his son, while Gu Xi repeatedly supported the imperial court, and the same was true for the subsequent members of the Gu family.

This is the choice made by the most brilliant geniuses of the Gu family generation for the Gu family.

People with their abilities are like that.

Let's not even talk about the current generation of young people.

Of course, this is only one aspect.

What Gu Yi truly cared about was the rapid recovery of the entire family.

nothing else
The Gu family could no longer avoid the subsequent invasions by foreign tribes in the land of Kyushu, or even the great chaos that led to the establishment of a state in the land of Kyushu.

This is for sure.

The Gu family rose to power in the nine provinces, and their roots are intertwined with the rise and fall of the nine provinces.

It protected the entire Gu family for hundreds of years.

And the Gu family will eventually step forward when it is at its weakest; this is a responsibility that the Gu family cannot escape.

This is what Gu Yi cares about most.

Time flies.

Chaotic times are always like this; they make everyone in the world forget the passage of time.

Today it is the same era name, but tomorrow it will have changed to another era name.

As the saying goes, the great waves wash away the sand, and the changing times wait for no one.

The idea of ​​unifying the Nine Provinces endowed this land with a unique spirituality, and also propelled the rise of generations of heroes who swallowed up the supporting characters in the chaotic world.

This chaotic world is indeed too chaotic.

It is far superior to the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period in the original history.

The development of maritime trade greatly promoted economic progress, allowing various powerful families to make a fortune.

This, in turn, fueled their ambitions even further.

Not to mention other places.

Even in Hebei, some powerful clans had other ideas, and there were even instances where a group of powerful clans tried to push the Gu family forward, which is why Gu Yi had no choice but to take action.

obviously.

Compared to the chaos of the late Han Dynasty, the Gu family could no longer maintain absolute seclusion.

There are many reasons for this.

The most crucial aspect is the series of chain reactions that result from the great integration of ethnic groups.

There will always be someone who wants to drag the Gu family down with them.

There are good and evil within it, and these are the kinds of things that the Gu family must face now. Gu Yi must personally intervene in all of this in order to ensure stability.

Of course, it's not just that.

Gu Yi also chose to promote the concept of "unification" once again through Gu's Academy.

This was also a little bit of Gu Yi's personal motive.

Although Gu Yi need not worry about any of this within the Nine Provinces, doing so might ultimately hasten the end of the chaotic era and spare the Gu family from it. In any case, Gu Yi must give it a try.

It is worth mentioning that Gu's Academy is doing quite well now.

Although the world is in such great chaos.

However, such chaotic times can also bring about a flourishing of academic research, whether it is the Gu Family Academy or the Yunshao Pavilion.

These two top holy sites played a very good role at this time.

It even showed signs of being able to influence the world, which was indeed somewhat beyond Gu Yi's expectations.

In addition, he also interfered in some matters concerning the Ryukyu Islands.

Gu Yi had been using the Gu family to prevent the Ryukyu Islands from getting involved in the chaos of Kyushu, not for any other reason than to avoid the potential division that might result.

Unfortunately, as time went by, the Gu family's influence did indeed gradually diminish.

Only Ryukyu can still be controlled.

As for the foreign tribes from all directions, when they discovered that both the Nine Provinces and the Gu Clan were in a period of weakness, they eventually broke free from the Gu Clan's control.

And perhaps it was precisely because of the influence of the Central Plains.

Even the foreign tribes, who had previously mostly formed alliances, began to fight each other, attempting to establish an unprecedented centralized dynasty.

A brand new era slowly unfolded amidst this chaos.

Chaos raged on all sides.

Whether it is within or outside the Nine Provinces.

Blood stained every inch of the land.

The sounds of crying and clashing swords mingled, as if the world had fallen silent.

In the shadow of chaos, some people began to explore new paths.

Warlords rose up, powerful clans carved up the land, some proclaimed themselves emperors amidst bloodshed and fire, while others lit lamps in the darkness. Refugees gathered and dispersed, soldiers defected, and loyalty and betrayal were often separated by a single thought.

And it was under these circumstances that the Gu family quietly revived over time.

On the fourth day of the first month of the seventh year of Xiande, in Kaifeng.

Last night's heavy snowfall turned the area inside and outside the imperial city into a pristine white.

This made Kaifeng, which was already still reeling from the death of the late emperor, seem even more desolate.

Inside the main hall, the golden splendor remained unchanged, yet it could not conceal the unease that permeated the air.

On the dragon throne sat the seven-year-old Emperor Chai Zongxun, draped in a gold-embroidered dragon robe. His tiny feet could not even touch the ground. He was idly fiddling with the jade pendant at his waist, completely oblivious to the somber atmosphere in the hall.

"Your Majesty, Empress Dowager," Chancellor Fan Zhi stepped forward and knelt to report, his voice exceptionally clear in the empty hall, "An urgent message from the border arrives: the Khitan and Northern Han armies, claiming an army of 200,000, have breached Zijing Pass and are advancing directly towards Chanzhou!"

A suppressed gasp of surprise rose from among the assembled officials.

The young emperor was startled by the sudden noise, and the jade pendant in his hand fell to the ground with a clatter.

Empress Dowager Fu, behind the curtain, said in a slightly trembling voice, "Prime Minister Fan, please explain in detail."

"The Khitan cavalry number 30,000 as the vanguard, followed by 50,000 Northern Han infantry, with the main Khitan force still following behind." Fan Zhi unfolded the military report, his fingertips trembling slightly. "The enemy forces are advancing south in two routes: the western route will take the route through Xingzhou, while the eastern route will head straight for Chanzhou."

"If Chanzhou is lost, the gates of Kaifeng will be wide open."

The hall suddenly became silent.

Only the young emperor tugged at his mother's clothes, muttering that he wanted some candied fruit. At the forefront of the court, Zhao Kuangyin, dressed in military attire, was watching this scene intently, his eyes filled with struggle as he stared at the emperor who had lost all dignity.

At this moment, the old minister Wang Pu stepped forward tremblingly: "Your Majesty, the Khitan ruler Yelü Jing is personally leading the army, and the Northern Han ruler Liu Jun has also brought the entire nation here."

"This is no ordinary border raider; they truly intend to take advantage of the recent loss of our late emperor."

Upon hearing this, the atmosphere in the hall shifted slightly once again.

The situation in the Great Zhou Dynasty is indeed very bad right now.

Chai Rong was indeed a very capable emperor. Under his diligent rule, the Great Zhou Dynasty successively stationed troops in many small countries, and there were even signs that it would unify the world.

But what no one expected was Chai Rong's sudden illness and death.

In chaotic times, this is what one should fear.

Especially now, with so many precedents of kingdoms perishing because of this, the entire Great Zhou Dynasty is in a rapidly deteriorating state.

Seeing the atmosphere in the hall growing increasingly tense, Empress Dowager Fu had no choice but to force herself to remain calm and asked, "The most urgent matter is to send someone to meet the enemy."

As soon as he finished speaking, a murmur of discussion arose in the hall.

After a while.

Chancellor Fan Zhi cupped his hands and said, "Your subject recommends Li Chongjin, the Commander of the Imperial Guards."

"No!"

Before Fan Zhi could finish speaking, Zhang Yongde, the Commander of the Palace Guards, immediately objected, "Although General Li is skilled in battle, he needs to be stationed in Huainan to guard against any unrest from the Southern Tang. I believe that Zan Jurun, the Commissioner of the Southern Court of the Xuanhui Palace, is more suitable for this position."

"General Zan is getting old, how can he withstand the Khitan cavalry?"

Immediately, someone retorted again.

This action was like opening a floodgate, instantly igniting a dispute within the hall.

"Then why not send Murong Yanzhao, the military governor of Zhenning?"

"Murong's troops are mostly infantry, and they may not be able to withstand cavalry."

"."

One voice after another rang out, and under the absolutely oppressive atmosphere, the ministers' voices grew louder and louder uncontrollably.

The young emperor was frightened to tears by the noise of the argument.

As the eunuchs rushed forward to comfort him, the man who had been standing at the front without saying a word frowned more and more deeply, his gaze even reaching through the curtain to look at the Empress Dowager Fu, who was in complete disarray.

After hesitating for a moment again.

He then slowly stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Your subject, Zhao Kuangyin, Commander-in-Chief of the Palace Guards, is willing to lead troops to defend against the enemy."

In an instant, the entire hall fell silent.

All eyes were on this 33-year-old general who had already achieved numerous military exploits.

At this moment, the sounds of discussion rose again.

And only for a moment.

Immediately, someone spoke up to refute this.

This is the case in the imperial court; it's not just a problem that occurs in unified dynasties.

When the person sitting on the dragon throne loses all control, various struggles will inevitably arise, and the Later Zhou Dynasty is no exception.

Fan Zhi, his brows furrowed, stared intently at Zhao Kuangyin and said, "General Zhao is indeed valiant, but the main force of the Imperial Guards must protect the capital region."

"This humble general only needs 30,000 elite troops."

Before he could finish speaking, Zhao Kuangyin interrupted him again, his eyes blazing, and said firmly, "Although the Khitan are numerous, their long-distance raids are hampered by a lack of supplies."

"Although the Northern Han army was large, they each harbored their own ulterior motives."

"I can first occupy the fortified city of Chanzhou, wait in comfort for them to tire themselves out, and then defeat them in one fell swoop when their food supplies are exhausted and their troops are weary."

As he spoke, he paused slightly.

He glanced at Fan Zhi beside him, his eyes still sharp, and cupped his hands in a gesture of respect: "If I cannot defeat the enemy, I am willing to offer my head to you!"

A simple sentence plunged the entire hall into deathly silence once again.

Some nodded in approval, while others looked worried.

The ministers looked at each other.

A moment later, various sounds rang out again.

Although the fighting continued, perhaps because they truly felt the threat of national annihilation, their final decision remained unchanged.

"My lord, take the order!"

With Empress Fu having finalized the matter, Zhao Kuangyin's voice rang out in acceptance of the decree.

The bell tolled to signal the end of the court session at that moment.

By this time, it was already bright outside.

The snow started falling again at some point. Zhao Kuangyin strode out of the palace gate, completely ignoring the complicated expressions on the faces of his courtiers.

Surprisingly, Fan Zhi caught up with Zhao Kuangyin and even held up an umbrella for him, saying, "General, please wait."

Zhao Kuangyin stopped and turned around, looking at Fan Zhi with surprise: "Does the Prime Minister have any further instructions?"

The old prime minister gazed at his young and resolute face, hesitated, and finally bowed deeply: "The fate of the nation is entrusted to the general."

Upon seeing this, Zhao Kuangyin's expression changed slightly.

But looking at Fan Zhi in front of him, he remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded slightly, and then turned and left.

Snowflakes continued to fall.

Watching Zhao Kuangyin's departing figure, the old prime minister stood alone in the snow, motionless for a long time.

"Prime Minister, the snow is getting heavy, let's go back." Wang Pu appeared beside him without anyone noticing.

Fan Zhi murmured, "Does Your Highness remember ten years ago, when Emperor Shizong first ascended the throne, the Northern Han and the Khitan also joined forces to invade?"

Wang Pu nodded: "At that time, it was also a critical moment of life and death."

"The one who led the troops to repel the enemy that year was none other than Emperor Taizu, Guo Wei." Fan Zhi's voice was so soft it was almost inaudible. "How similar today's scene is."

Wang Pu turned his head sharply, only to see the same worry and fear in his old friend's eyes.

The snow fell heavier and heavier, covering the entire city of Kaifeng in a layer of white.

Outside the imperial city, Zhao Kuangyin's personal guards were already waiting with their horses. He mounted his horse and took one last look back at the majestic palace.

"General, shall we go directly to the military camp?" The personal guard stepped forward and asked in a low voice.

Zhao Kuangyin remained silent for a moment, his warhorse pacing restlessly beneath him, leaving several messy hoofprints in the snow. He finally shook his head, his voice calm yet clear: "No."

"Go back to the manor first," he paused, "and say goodbye to your family."

Upon hearing this, the guard trembled violently, looked up abruptly, and a look of disbelief flashed in his eyes before quickly lowering his head again—he understood the profound meaning behind the general's words.

Zhao Kuangyin made no attempt to conceal it.

His gaze swept over the majestic imperial city, then fell upon the people huddled and struggling in the cold wind in the distance, his eyes gradually hardening into an iron will.

“Send another message to the brothers.” His voice was not loud, but every word carried immense weight, striking the cold air.

"How can a seven-year-old emperor rule the world?"

His gaze swept over his personal guards, who were so excited they could hardly contain themselves, and his tone was firm and resolute: "This world has suffered for far too long."

"The founding emperor of the Ming dynasty, in order to secure the nation, passed the throne to a wise ruler."

"The late emperor overcame numerous obstacles and devoted himself wholeheartedly to the cause, yet his ambitions remained unfulfilled."

His voice suddenly rose, carrying an undeniable power: "I followed the late emperor for many years and personally witnessed his grand ambitions and regrets."

"We absolutely cannot let this road end here!"

“Someone has to step forward and finish this journey,” he tightened the reins, and the warhorse neighed, as if sensing its master’s determination.

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(End of this chapter)