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

Chapter 284 Building upon the legacy of five generations, uniting the nine provinces into one (Part 1)

—A great war suddenly broke out.

The Song Dynasty naturally received news of the various events that were happening within the Liao Kingdom immediately, but it did not pay much attention to them.

In fact, Gu Rui had already arranged everything.

Whether it was the Liao Dynasty or the Western Xia Dynasty.

The internal conflicts between the two countries were within Gu Rui's expectations.

This is for sure.

Constant oppression will inevitably provoke resistance from the people, not to mention that the tribal system of the Western Xia and Liao dynasties could not be completely eliminated.

The Song Dynasty was already well aware of this!

In the first year of the Huanji era, spring thunder shook the heavens and earth.

After three years of dormancy, the Song Dynasty, once a war behemoth that looked down upon the four seas, has finally awakened completely, once again revealing its sharp fangs capable of swallowing the eight wastelands.

The clarion call for unification resounded from the Central Plains to the frontier.

Gu Lin adhered to the strategic plan left by Gu Rui, ordering the armies from all directions to set out and complete the missing parts of the map of the Nine Provinces in the Grand Tutor's mansion.

The whole country was in an uproar.

Iron torrents surged on the eastern front, while warhorses neighed on the western front; flames of war rose again on the Liaodong Peninsula, and the newly settled Western Regions also heard the thunderous sound of drums. This time, it was no longer a probing attack by a flanking force, nor was there a distinction between primary and secondary forces; rather, it was a four-pronged attack with overwhelming force!
There is no need to elaborate on the strategy for advancing the troops; this is purely a contest of national strength, a release of a century of accumulated power.

—This is the culmination of five generations of hard work.

From territorial expansion to diligent governance and then to quiet accumulation of strength, the foundation built by the five generations of the Gu family was sufficient to support the Song Dynasty in simultaneously wielding its sharp blade against two countries.

No, perhaps more than five generations.

More accurately, it is the result of the Gu family's accumulation over a thousand years—from the people's deep faith in the Gu surname, to the cultural heritage sown by the Gu Family Academy over the past century, and to the continuous expansion of the seas for hundreds of years.
All of this has contributed to the confidence that allows the Great Song Dynasty to dominate the world today.

Even if the Western Xia and Liao dynasties were unwilling to give up, what could they do?
Even if they fight desperately, they can only buy themselves some time.

The Song Dynasty was too powerful.

This strength extends beyond the concept of Kyushu alone, and also includes overseas regions.

The essence of Kyushu. Supplies from overseas.

All of this has already elevated the Song Dynasty to a whole new level, enough to support it in crushing all obstacles, and it simply doesn't care about the plans between the Western Xia and the Liao Dynasty.

Troops moved out one after another.

As the news continued to spread, the entire Kyushu was once again shocked!

Countless students sang praises, eager to witness the reunification of Kyushu after hundreds of years.

In Kaifeng, in Luoyang, in Jiangnan.
In taverns and teahouses, storytellers slammed their gavels so loudly they shook the heavens, spittle flying as they recounted the brilliant strategies of generations of Gu Jin and Gu Rui, and the swift and decisive actions of Gu Lin in the present day.

Countless students spread the news, overwhelmed with excitement.

They continuously read aloud the latest battle reports and proclamations in various places, regarding them as the beginning of the flourishing of culture and the revival of the kingly way, and as a great feat to end centuries of chaos and restore the glorious state of "all land under heaven belongs to the king".

This stems from cultural confidence.

This phenomenon wasn't limited to students of the Song Dynasty; it also existed between the Western Xia and Liao Dynasties.

—The unification of the Nine Provinces!
Even amidst the struggle for supremacy among nations, this core principle remains unforgotten by any of them.

If there hadn't been an opportunity in the past, then so be it.

But now that the situation is so clear, these students have long since abandoned their superficial hostility and are preparing to welcome a new era of prosperity.

The imperial palace of Xingqing Prefecture during the Western Xia Dynasty.

Empress Dowager Liang, who was ruling from behind the curtain, clutched the military report with her knuckles turning white, her face pale behind the beaded curtain.

His Highness and his ministers remained silent, only the young Emperor Li Qianshun pursed his lips, his eyes swirling with humiliation and resentment.

At that moment, almost all the Western Xia nobles couldn't help but think of one question.

—If Emperor Gyeongjong were still alive!

Jingzong was the posthumous title of Li Yuanhao.

He was also the most accomplished emperor the Western Xia had ever seen, even surpassing the founding emperor Li Deming.

The Western Xia was at its most powerful during his time.

Whether facing the Song Dynasty or the Liao Dynasty, the Western Xia had no need to be subservient.

In the past, no one would have remembered Li Yuanhao's achievements.

But things are completely different now.

The Western Xia dynasty is doomed!
But as I said before, even knowing this, how could they possibly give up?

Not to mention the Western Xia royal family members, these people had no chance of escaping.

Even if the Gu family doesn't kill him, the tribes they've oppressed over the years will definitely tear them apart alive.

Even the officials of Western Xia were unwilling to give up at this time.

There was no way around it; the bureaucracy in the Song Dynasty was far too strict.

They had become accustomed to life in Western Xia, so how could they possibly be willing to be controlled by the Song Dynasty?

Not to mention that his status is unlikely to remain the same.

Once the Western Xia dynasty is destroyed, their lives and fortunes will be entirely in the hands of others. Even if the Gu family is truly merciful and spares them, the powerful families and clans within the Song dynasty will definitely divide up their interests.

All of this had already played out countless times during the fall of countless dynasties.

No one will give up willingly.

But now that things have come to this, they don't know how to resist.

The same applies to Empress Dowager Liang.

Even after holding power for many years, she was still just a woman, and now she was just as helpless as ever.

Finally, it was the young emperor Li Qianshun who slowly spoke.

"I want to lead the expedition myself!"

The moment Li Qianshun uttered these words, the entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

Behind the beaded curtain, Empress Dowager Liang trembled violently and cried out in alarm, "Emperor! You..."

Her words came to an abrupt halt, for the young emperor had slowly risen, his still somewhat childish eyes now burning with a resolute and desolate intensity beyond his years.

He surveyed the faces in the hall, some astonished, some fearful, some ashamed, and said in a low voice, "My lords, there is no need to persuade me any further."

"I am a descendant of Emperor Jingzong and a descendant of the Weiming clan."

"The Great Xia Dynasty may perish, but the backbone of the Weiming family must not be broken!"

He raised his head slightly, his gaze seemingly piercing through the palace dome, as if he could see the generations of deceased emperors of Western Xia:
"I remember that Gu Rui once said in his 'Memorial on the Expedition', 'I will do my best to eliminate the treacherous and wicked and accomplish the great cause of unification.' His ambition was to unify the nine provinces. This is the glorious way of the king and the overwhelming trend."

"Our Great Xia cannot stop it."

Although his voice was immature, it carried a heartbreaking clarity. Then, his eyes suddenly sharpened as they swept over the struggling members of the royal family and ministers: "However, even a fallen kingdom has its own signs of decline!"

"As our ancestor Gu Xiao once said, 'Death is death, why say more?'"

"Today, I will emulate this spirit!"

He abruptly drew the symbolic short blade from his waist and slammed it heavily onto the imperial desk, making a crisp clang: "My mind is made up. I will personally lead the expedition and fight to the death with Shizhou!"

"If I were to die on the battlefield, it might inspire the last ounce of courage in the army. Or perhaps, it might even make Gu Lin, out of consideration for my sacrifice for the country, spare the lives of my Weiming clan and the families of all the officials present, and not exterminate you all!"

"Emperor—!" Empress Dowager Liang cried out in anguish, the beaded curtain swaying as she nearly burst out of it.

The officials in the hall were trembling violently, many of them falling to their knees, sobbing uncontrollably. Li Qianshun's words had torn away all pretense and exposed the most cruel and realistic possibility of national subjugation in a bloody and brutal way. Li Qianshun's body was also trembling.

He was, of course, afraid of death.

No one is without fear.

Unfortunately, this is a responsibility that he, as the emperor, should bear.

This is perhaps one of the biggest changes brought about by the Gu family, namely, the improvement in moral standards!

Even these foreigners have now acquired the demeanor of heroes from the Nine Provinces in many aspects, such as their moral standards.

Even though he was just a teenager!
Liao Kingdom, Dading Prefecture in Zhongjing.

Emperor Tianzuo, Yelü Yanxi, smashed his beloved jade paperweight, the veins on his forehead throbbing menacingly.

"The Great Song Dynasty... has actually mobilized its troops?"

"How dare they mobilize their troops?"

"On what grounds do they have to mobilize troops?"

He roared incessantly, his face completely distorted, no longer possessing his former dignity, and he kept smashing the things in front of him.

The servants inside the palace prostrated themselves on the ground, trembling, not daring to make a sound.

The Khitan nobles and high-ranking officials stood with their heads bowed, their faces ashen, and a suffocating despair filled the air.

"Speak up! Are you all mute?!" Yelü Yanxi suddenly turned to the assembled officials, his voice sharp with anger. "Aren't you all usually so eloquent? Didn't you all say that Gu Rui is dead and the Southern Dynasty is nothing to fear?"

"What now?"

"The Song warships are almost at the gates of Liaoyang!"

"Zhong E's army is right across from Yuanyangbo!"

"And...and those damned Jurchen savages!" He practically spat out the words through clenched teeth when he mentioned Wanyan Aguda, the veins on his forehead throbbing even more violently.

Without any prompting, Wanyan Aguda had already mobilized his troops.

It's not just him.

Rather, it refers to the entire Jurchen tribe.

Yelü Yanxi had planned to secretly execute Wanyan Aguda, but then he received this news.

This already infuriated him.

With the news of the Song Dynasty's military action now arriving, he could no longer control himself.

"Your Majesty, please calm down!" Xiao Deli, the Privy Councilor of the Northern Court, stepped forward with a stiff voice. "The most urgent task is to quickly mobilize troops and stabilize the battle line."

"With Prince Yelü Chun stationed in Nanjing, they might be able to withstand Zhong E."

"The commander of the Tokyo Circuit could perhaps order a scorched-earth policy to delay the Song navy; as for the Jurchens," he paused, then said with difficulty, "we could perhaps postpone the campaign, offering them official positions and wealth to appease them first, and then proceed after defeating the Song army."

"Appease? Hahahaha!" Yelü Yanxi interrupted him with a burst of shrill laughter. "Prime Minister Xiao, are you getting senile?"

"Do you think Wanyan Aguda can be dismissed with just a few bushels of rice and a nominal position?"

"What he wants is my empire!"

"They are just like the Song people, wanting my Great Liao to be utterly destroyed!"

He staggered down the imperial steps, grabbed several urgent military reports that had just been delivered, and slammed them down in front of the assembled officials.

"Look, everyone, open your eyes and look!"

"The Song army advanced in four directions, by sea and land, in the Western Regions and Liaodong, with flames of war everywhere!"

"They're going to swallow my Liao Dynasty whole, not even leaving the bones behind!"

"And the Western Xia!"

"That brat Li Qianshun is going to personally lead the army!"

"What about us?"

"Are we even inferior to the Western Xia?!"

His voice carried a desperate madness as his gaze swept across the fearful faces before finally settling on Zhang Lin, the Southern Chancellor who had remained silent.

"Zhang Qing! You've always been known for your wisdom, speak!"

"What should we do now?"

"Do I really have to follow that Western Xia brat's example, personally lead an expedition, and then die in the chaos of battle?!"

Zhang Lin slowly raised his head, his face showing deep exhaustion and helplessness. He opened his mouth, but in the end, he could only let out a long sigh: "Your Majesty, the Song people are not here to cede territory or pay tribute. Their ambition is to unify the country."

"Gu Lin's manifesto has been clearly announced to the world."

"With the Jurchens causing chaos, this is truly a crisis unprecedented in hundreds of years."

"Perhaps we could send an envoy to try."

He didn't say the word "seek peace" aloud, but everyone present understood the unspoken meaning.

However, summation?

When the other party clearly wants you to unify the world, what can you gain by seeking peace?
It's just a temporary reprieve from humiliation.

Yelü Yanxi seemed to have all his strength drained away. He staggered back a few steps and slumped onto the cold throne.

After the rage came a deeper chill and despair.

He stared blankly at the gray sky outside the palace, as if he could already see the Liao Dynasty's dragon banner collapsing under the combined attack of the Song army and the Jurchens.

The hall was deathly silent, save for his heavy breathing and the faint clattering of the remaining porcelain shards.

This extreme silence was like a bucket of ice water, waking him from his mind, which had been clouded by anger and fear.

After a long while, he suddenly raised his head, and a hint of almost insane determination ignited in his eyes, which were originally filled with panic.

He slowly stood up, his body still swaying slightly, but his spine was straight.

He bent down, picked up the jade paperweight with its broken wings from the ground, and stroked the cracks on it as if he were caressing the ravaged land of the Liao Dynasty.

"Even the young lads of Western Xia know to die for their country. I, having inherited the legacy of Emperor Taizu and Emperor Taizong and received the blessings of nine generations of the Liao Dynasty, how can I sit idly in this capital city, waiting for the Song people's swords to be held to my throat? Waiting for the Jurchen barbarians to slaughter at the palace gates?"

He slammed the tattered jade paperweight to the ground with a thud, like the beating of a war drum.

"Preach my will!"

"Assemble all the palace troops and conscript capable soldiers from all tribes! Open the treasury and take all the money and silk to reward the soldiers!"

"I will personally lead the army to confront Zhong E at Yuanyangpo!"

His gaze, like that of a wolf cornered on a cliff, swept across the faces of every minister: "Either I return with the heads of Gu Lin and Wanyan Aguda! Or..."

He paused, then his voice was resolute, carrying the same tragic grandeur of a monarch facing his end as Li Qianshun: "Either I, the emperor, will die alongside this vast Liao empire!"

"Those who wish to destroy my Great Liao will have to step over my dead body!"

Having said that, he stopped looking at anyone's reaction, abruptly flicked his sleeves, turned around and strode toward the inner hall. In the dim light, his silhouette even had a hint of the fierce and valiant outline of his ancestors who had galloped across the battlefield.

Either fight your way out or perish with the nation.

Looking at Yelü Yanxi's back.

The expressions of the Liao ministers became increasingly complex, but they were not as united as one had been expected, just like the ministers of the Western Xia.

Who isn't afraid of death?
These two large ships, which were about to sink, carried far too many lives.

Driven by profit, these people are indeed willing to take another gamble.

But ultimately, it's impossible to cut off all avenues of survival.
(P.S.: I'm begging for monthly votes! Please support me, brothers! I'd be extremely grateful.)
(End of this chapter)