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

Chapter 254 Gathering the Power of the Nine Provinces to Expand the Seas, A Boiling Era (6k views, requesting monthly votes)
The entire hall was silent.

The Gu family members stared blankly at the seeds in Gu Jin's hand, their faces filled with disbelief and curiosity.

Humans have always been like this when it comes to the unknown.

Especially after hearing about the terrifying production volume of "this thing," they naturally couldn't hide their excitement.

Meanwhile, Gu Qi continued to introduce the various aspects of the crop.

As a member of the Gu family.

Gu Qi's talent can only be described as average.

But he also understood the difference between what was important and what was not.

After discovering the terrifying production of this thing, he clearly realized just how crucial it was to Kyushu and the Gu family.

That's why he understood this thing thoroughly.

“Brother, fellow brothers, let me explain the nature of this ‘Mas’ in detail.”

"According to my observations and conversations with the local people, this plant is extremely adaptable. Unlike rice and wheat, which are very dependent on fertile land, it can be planted in sandy loam, on slopes, or even newly reclaimed land, as long as there is sufficient sunshine."

He paused, organizing the memories he had gathered from his observations over the years.

"The planting season there, depending on the local climate, is most suitable when the earth's temperature has fully warmed up after Qingming to Guyu. This is similar to the spring sowing season in the Central Plains of China."

"The local people there mostly use hole planting for planting."

As Gu Qi spoke, he gestured with his finger on the table in front of him, “First, dig holes, about half a foot deep. The holes should be spaced about two feet apart, because the plants are tall and their branches and leaves spread out. If they are planted too densely, they will shade each other and affect the fruiting.”

"In each hole, put three or four seeds, cover them with soil and press it down, and wait for them to sprout."

“When the seedlings have grown four or five true leaves and are about a hand's width tall, they can be thinned out. Select the strongest seedlings and keep one, and remove the rest to ensure that each seedling has enough soil fertility to grow.”

When he talks about field management, his eyes become focused.

“Weed control is especially important during the growing season.”

"Because its seedlings compete with weeds, they may be obscured if they are not frequently removed."

"Once it grows taller than a person, with deep roots and lush foliage, it will naturally provide shade, making it difficult for weeds to grow again."

"As for fertilization," Gu Qi pondered for a moment, "the local people there cultivate extensively, mostly using slash-and-burn agriculture, relying on the natural depletion of the soil's fertility."

"However, if we were to adopt the methods of intensive farming in the Central Plains, I would suggest applying base fertilizer before sowing—such as well-rotted animal manure or wood ash. In the middle of growth, especially before heading and flowering, if we could apply some additional fertilizer and water, the growth would be even more impressive, and the grains would be fuller."

"Although I have not been able to measure the yield of this crop precisely, what I have seen with my own eyes is that the ears of grain harvested from this barren land are so dense and large that they far exceed those of millet and sorghum from the Central Plains by several times!"

"If we can cultivate it carefully on the fertile land of Kyushu using the excellent farming methods of my Gu family, the yield may be immeasurable!"

The only sound in the entire study was Gu Qi's voice.

But the atmosphere grew increasingly enthusiastic.

No one can resist being moved.

If everything is as Gu Qi said, as long as this crop can be spread throughout Kyushu, the grain production problem that has plagued Kyushu for many years will be solved in an instant.

This is of far greater significance to the Gu family as a whole than anything before!
It might even surpass the unification of the world!
Finally, Gu Qi took out some corn kernels, had them ground into powder, and made it according to his instructions, which he then let his brothers taste.

Each of the brothers had a piece and chewed it slowly.

Its taste is indeed somewhat difficult to evaluate.

However, this is relative.

If you savor it carefully, the sweet aftertaste is actually much better than the millet cakes that ordinary people use today.

The brothers' eyes grew brighter and brighter.

Finally, some people couldn't hold back any longer and looked directly at Gu Jin, saying, "Brother! No matter what, we must popularize this crop immediately!"

"If it could really happen!"

"My Gu family—"

"It seems that the glory of our ancestors will be recreated!"

Upon hearing this, the group of disciples immediately nodded in agreement.

This is actually the greatest wish of every member of the Gu family: to be able to replicate the work done by their ancestors.

"No!"

But Gu Jin immediately shook his head: "Even if everything is as Brother Qi said, we should still promote it properly and proceed gradually."

As he spoke, he also looked at the seeds in his hand.

"And first send them to various places."

"Planted in my Gu family's experimental fields!"

Since it concerns the entire Nine Provinces, he must proceed with caution.

The Gu family has never stopped studying land over the years, and has its own experimental fields all over the world.

The idea of ​​having the Gu family plant the first crop was also intended to attract worldwide attention.

This is something Gu Jin has to do.

Upon hearing this, the brothers immediately calmed down and nodded in agreement.

The entire hall erupted in laughter once again, and the atmosphere became even more lively.

All the brothers wanted Gu Qi to get some rest.

Even with all his experience, he was unwilling to let him risk going out to sea again.

After all, the fact that I was able to return from this trip was partly due to luck.

But Gu Qi refused.

According to him, compared to his brothers, he was far less talented, and all he had to offer was his courage.

Navigation is of utmost importance.

He absolutely cannot waste his time in Kyushu.

The brothers could only remain silent and say nothing.

This is the mission of the Gu family descendants.

And this happens to be Gu Qi's vision as well.

What more could they say?
Gu Yi had been silently observing all of this, and even felt a sense of relief in his heart.

The seeds he planted in the past now seem to be blossoming and bearing fruit.

Gu's Academy: Navigation and Scientific Research
Everything he planned is now slowly starting to bear fruit.

If this trend continues, to what extent will the Gu family face restrictions this time?
His mood grew increasingly heavy.

But as I said before, the Gu family has no way back.

Even though the road ahead is full of thorns, the Gu family has no choice but to continue down this path!
Gu Qi's return was brief, and his departure was equally hasty.

After all the supplies were prepared, he was about to set off again.

This time, the task he shoulders is far more arduous than before.

It wasn't just about pioneering; he also had to rely on his memory to plan complete shipping routes and build ports along the way, laying the foundation for future generations.

The difficulty of this task is self-evident.

Not only Gu Jin, but every soldier who followed him on his voyage also had their lives hanging in the balance, with no certainty about what lay ahead.

Even Gu Yi felt that it would be difficult for these people to return to Kyushu.

But he won't stop him.

In any era, the path of pioneering is fraught with danger.

Even if they cannot return, they have already received their due reward—being remembered by history.

Indeed, the news of Gu Qi's return to Kyushu had already spread throughout the land, causing a sensation.

After all, he was the first member of the Gu family in recent years to return safely after traveling for several years.

Every piece of news he brought back attracted much attention.

Nowadays, it is widely rumored that "Gu Qi brought back rare treasures from overseas".

This further fueled the enthusiasm for maritime exploration.

This is also an important reason why Gu Qi was able to complete the preparations so quickly.

Not only did the young people from the Julu area enthusiastically participate, but many wealthy merchants were also willing to contribute funds and effort, sending their clansmen to accompany Gu Qi.

Not only in Jiangnan and Guangdong, but also within the Liao Kingdom, many wealthy merchants responded enthusiastically!
Gu Jin did not interfere with these people.

He can distinguish between what is important and what is urgent.

This move can be described as a confluence of the powers of the nine provinces to expand the seas, and it is destined to be remembered by history, even though these people risked failure.

Gu Jin did not go to see Gu Qi off.

Gu Qi has his own mission.

He also has.

The current situation in the Song Dynasty is very promising. Under the system of strong governance, the booming commerce has destined the Song Dynasty to continuously rise in overall national strength.

This includes Gu Jin's revival strategy for the Northern Han territory.

All of this gradually began to bear fruit.

The Gu family is indeed a prestigious brand.

The establishment of the "industrial zone" greatly helped to settle the displaced people in the Northern Han territory, allowing the people of the entire Northern Han region to settle down quickly in a short period of time, laying a sufficient foundation for subsequent revival.

This includes areas designated for cash crops, such as tea plantations.

All of this gradually produced remarkable effects over time.

The maritime trade greatly facilitated the outflow of Central Plains crops such as tea, and the resulting benefits also nourished the people.

This is the role of planning.

Of course, this is not solely Gu Jin's achievement.

Although he held the position of Grand Tutor, he was also the current head of the Gu family.

But his talent is indeed no match for those former top students.

All of this is thanks to the Gu family as a whole.

The Gu family's rich heritage played a significant role at this time, helping the Song Dynasty's national strength to continuously rise.

But that's precisely why.

Gu Jin was handling more and more official business every day.

It can only be said that Emperor Zhao Kuangyin's ability to judge people was truly unmatched by others.

Even when it comes to one's own offspring.

His vision far surpasses that of Gu Jin.

Although Zhao Dezhao was getting older, he still couldn't keep up with the pace of handling various government affairs.

Left with no other choice, Gu Jin had to take over all the government affairs.

In addition, he also had to deal with various matters concerning the Censorate.

This already foreshadows just how busy Gu Jin is with his current official duties.

Of course, Zhao Dezhao wasn't without his merits.

He was a virtuous and benevolent man.

Just like in the original history, he gave Gu Jin absolute trust, had no doubts about him, and was willing to cooperate with him in implementing various policies.

In fact, judging from this point alone, Zhao Dezhao could not be considered a foolish ruler.

He is just like Liu Shan in the past.

Although incompetent, he is obedient.

Unfortunately, Gu Jin is not Gu Chen.

Even with the blessing of the "Luoshu Carrying the Law Instrument," he still couldn't reach Gu Chen's level. This was the difference in ability.

That is why, for Gu Jin, the monarch he truly needed was not an emperor like Zhao Dezhao or Liu Shan who did absolutely nothing.

These kinds of emperors are also good.

However, his demands on his subjects were far too high.

Throughout history, how many figures like Gu Chen have there been?
This includes Zhuge Liang in the original historical records.

How many people like this can appear?

In fact, this alone is enough to demonstrate the current upper limit of the Song Dynasty.

But even Gu Yi couldn't change that.

He was unable to make another move.

The pressure that Gu will face next will be far greater than ever before, and he must save all his achievement points for every necessary moment!
The fifth year of the Tongyuan era.

Gu Jin officially launched experimental planting of "Mass" in various places.

He attached great importance to this matter.

In addition to all the information that Gu Qi brought back, he also incorporated a lot of experience from the Central Plains and carried out planting in experimental fields in various places.
No, it's not Mars.

Gu Jin naturally could not continue using this name, which was completely different from the culture of Kyushu.

Instead, based on the shape and characteristics of its fruit, which is as clear as jade and as plump as rice grains, it was renamed "corn".

Everything seems to have somehow aligned with the original history.

However, this was not due to Gu Yi's interference.

Of course, this was not due to Gu Yi's interference, but rather stemmed from Gu Jin's high hopes for this crop.

The name "rice" naturally implies that it is a staple food.

Gu Jin's true intention was to hope that this crop could become the new staple food supporting the entire Kyushu.

As long as its output can double.

The significance of that to the entire Kyushu is self-evident.

Although Gu Jin had been confined to the imperial court since the war against Northern Han and had no time to go out and fight, his heart had never died.

This is also the fundamental reason why he is willing to take on everything.

He wanted to build the Song Dynasty to an unparalleled height during his lifetime, enough to support him in launching large-scale wars and unifying the world as much as possible.

Even if we fail, it won't be enough to cripple the Song Dynasty.

This is not just because of his own ambition.

This was also intended as a way to express condolences to Zhao Kuangyin.

Originally, this matter seemed very far away, but the appearance of the corn gave him a glimmer of hope.

He has to try his best.

Liaodong.

Today, the Liaodong Peninsula, apart from the Liao Dynasty, is mainly bordered by the Goryeo Dynasty.

This is not the Goguryeo of the past.

Whether in its original history or in its current development, Goguryeo has long been lost to time. Under the influence of Gu's promotion of Kyushu culture, some of the original Goguryeo people and their culture gradually integrated into the Kyushu system, becoming part of China's diverse history.

The Goryeo Dynasty, as it is known today, was actually a state established by the Silla people of the Korean Peninsula. Although it shares place names with the former Goguryeo, it is not the same continuation.

This is also one of the misunderstandings many people have.

This place has now become the main battlefield between the Song and Liao dynasties.

Wang Yingchen never gave up his plan to conquer Liaodong.

The Liao Dynasty's system is laid out here.

The peninsula, suitable for cultivation, is naturally a highly contested territory.

But the same was true for the Song Dynasty.

Whether it's to influence the development of the Liao Dynasty or the land itself, it's crucial for the Song Dynasty at present.

Although the development of Liaodong was far less advanced than that of the Nine Provinces.

However, it must be acknowledged that this land is extremely suitable for farming.

Whether it's planting traditional millet and wheat, or introducing new crops like corn from overseas, there is great potential.

It is worth mentioning that since the last major battle, Wang Yingchen has completely changed the style of the Liao army.

Even on the Liaodong battlefield, he strictly prohibited his troops from looting and punished many who disobeyed.

In addition, he devoted himself to shaping the Liao Dynasty into the "legitimate successor of the Nine Provinces," competing with the Song Dynasty in many ways, from its laws and regulations to its propaganda.

This is what makes Wang Yingchen extraordinary.

He seemed to have also sensed the difference in the current era and had been making thorough preparations for the long-term development of the entire Liao Kingdom.

Open Beijing.

As the capital of Goryeo, Gaegyeong was also influenced by the Kyushu culture.

Although its city architecture is not as grand as that of the Central Plains, it is still orderly and elegant, and has a strong resemblance to the style of the Central Plains.

Over the years, Goryeo's development has not been weak.

Unlike its predicament when it faced the Liao Dynasty alone in the past, it is now caught between the two major powers of Song and Liao, and has found a way to survive.

Especially with the Liao Dynasty's policy change, no longer engaging in plundering as before, Goryeo was able to maneuver between the two countries and pursue its own interests.

Furthermore, the current King of Goryeo is an outstanding example of this.

This led to the rapid development of the entire Goryeo Dynasty.

At this moment, inside the Goryeo royal palace.

"Does the King of Goryeo really intend to break his alliance with Lord Gu and instead aid Liao?"

A clear, cold voice suddenly rang out, piercing through the court and instantly silencing the clamor that filled the hall.

Before the words had even finished, the officials in the hall launched into a furious rebuke:

"How dare you! How dare a mere envoy speak to our sovereign in such a manner!"

"Hmph! The Song Kingdom prides itself on being a land of propriety and the legitimate successor of the Nine Provinces, yet its envoy is ignorant of etiquette? It is already disrespectful that he does not bow to our king, yet he dares to question us!"

An uproar erupted in the hall. Several Goryeo ministers stepped forward and sternly rebuked the young people in the room: "You Song envoys, you talk about alliances, but how often have you truly treated Goryeo with the respect due to an equal?"

"Today, the Liao emperor greets us with courtesy and offers us benefits, while your Song dynasty uses its power to oppress us—is this what the Central Plains call the way of the king?"

"."

Shouts and reprimands rang out continuously.

It seems that it is precisely because of Goryeo's special status that these people have lost their fear.

Even though the messenger they were facing was a member of the Gu family, they showed no fear whatsoever.

Gu Ming coldly surveyed the crowd, a hint of killing intent flashing in his eyes, before finally turning his gaze back to the ever-silent Wang Song: "Has the King of Goryeo made a decision?"

His voice suddenly turned deep: "Have you forgotten what became of the Northern Han dynasty?"

Gu Ming was truly enraged.

As an envoy sent by the Song Dynasty to liaise with Goryeo, he was tasked with the crucial mission of vying for control of Liaodong—Goryeo's allegiance would determine the balance of the war.

How could he not be anxious?
On the throne, Wang Song, who had been observing from the sidelines, finally moved slightly, a half-smile playing on his lips:

Why has the Song envoy been so rude?

His tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable authority. After a slight pause, he feigned magnanimity: "Considering your youthful impetuosity and your status as a member of the Gu family..."

"I will not hold your offense against me today."

"As for the matter of the alliance—"

He waved his hand, his tone turning indifferent: "Let's wait until you report back to Lord Gu before sending someone knowledgeable in etiquette to discuss this further."

"How can I, the king, waste words with such a rude person?"

—Still seeking the greatest benefit!
They neither explicitly refused nor directly agreed, simply to preserve their diplomatic leverage until the very last moment.

After saying that, he raised his hand and waved.

Two armored soldiers stepped forward, grabbed Gu Ming from both sides, and dragged him out of the hall without any mercy.

Throughout the entire ordeal, Gu Ming remained silent, his gaze as cold and sharp as a knife, fixed on Wang Song's face, his eyes filled with chilling killing intent.

That night, the moon was dim and the stars were few.

Inside the Suncheon Pavilion, built by Goryeo for the Song envoys to the capital, the lights were dim and the figures were solemn.

Gu Ming summoned all the people who had accompanied him to the courtyard.

Everyone held their breath, watching as he stood before the steps, his figure as straight as a sword, his voice low yet each word resounding:
"Gentlemen, we cannot sit idly by and wait for our deaths!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the atmosphere in the courtyard became tense.

Everyone present wore a solemn expression, their eyes filled with determination.

They were all elites personally selected and dispatched by Gu Jin. Not only were there agents from the Censorate, but also many members of the Gu family from Julu who had experienced battles. Naturally, they would not hesitate in the slightest.

"What does the young master intend to do?" one of them asked in a deep voice, his tone solemn.

Gu Ming slowly drew the sword from his waist, the blade gleaming with a cold, bluish light in the dark night.

His gaze swept over the crowd, and his voice was as firm as metal and stone: "In the past, our ancestor, Duke Sheng, pacified the west for thousands of miles. During the Han Dynasty, there was Marquis of Dingyuan, Ban Chao, who was sent as an envoy to the Western Regions and was once trapped in a desperate situation."

"There is only one way to break this deadlock—"

He paused, then his voice fell coldly and decisively:

"kill!"

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone present stood up and followed Gu Ming's example, drawing their weapons from their waists.

"Young master! Shall we just storm the Liao embassy?"

They instinctively thought that Gu Ming was targeting the Liao envoy, because Ban Chao had done the same thing before, which allowed him to firmly establish himself in the Western Regions.

But this time it was clearly different.

"He was not a Liao envoy!" Gu Ming exclaimed instantly, "but rather the one who executed the Yi king!"

As soon as the words were spoken, the room fell silent, as if the air had suddenly frozen.

“These barbarians fear power but do not cherish virtue.” Gu Ming surveyed the crowd, his eyes burning. “King Wang Song of Goryeo has been wavering and indecisive for many years. We must not allow him to hold power again and disrupt our overall situation!”

He paused slightly, then his tone turned serious: "As the chief envoy, I am a prominent target and it is difficult for me to take action personally."

"The success or failure of this plan depends entirely on you all!"

He took a deep breath, his gaze sweeping over each resolute face, and solemnly said, "From this moment on, I urge you all to immediately conduct secret investigations in the Goryeo court to find those who are loyal to the Gu family and devoted to the Song Dynasty, and make meticulous arrangements, without the slightest oversight!"

"When the time is right, we will strike swiftly and decisively, settling the matter once and for all—"

At this point, Gu Ming suddenly held his sword across his chest, his voice passionate and resolute: "Regardless of success or failure, I have resolved to sacrifice myself for my country, disregarding life and death!"

"If you gentlemen are willing to join me, on the day of our success, the entire land will remember your loyalty and righteousness; if anything untoward happens, on the road to the Yellow Springs, Gu Ming will also hold the torch for you!"

After he finished speaking, the room fell into a deathly silence.

Everyone stared blankly at Gu Ming, at his still somewhat immature yet incredibly resolute face, and remained silent for a long time.

In the darkness, all that could be heard was each other's heavy breathing and heartbeats.

Finally, one person knelt down on one knee, clasped his hands in a fist salute, and replied in a deep voice:

"Here!"

Immediately afterwards, the crowd bowed down one after another, their low growls, though soft, coalesced into a resolute torrent: "We are willing to die with you, young master!"

"I am willing to die alongside you, young master!"

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(End of this chapter)