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

Chapter 298 Gu Lin's Death (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
In no time, news of the commotion spread throughout almost every corner of the world.

Gu Lin's actions this time were indeed too ruthless, leaving these people no way out at all, and it could be said that he killed them all in one fell swoop.

But he had no choice but to do it.

The Gu family always needs to pay attention to the overall situation.

To truly prevent these practices from continuing, we must take drastic measures, and only in this way can common sense gradually take root in everyone's mind.

— Turmoil begins again.

Fortunately, the Song Dynasty is currently at its peak, so these disturbances will not have a fundamental impact.

Even so, this is bound to cause quite a stir.

—Different from investigating a case.

Investigating a case requires action, but suppressing a rebellion only requires location.

Almost instantly, the troops that had been prepared in various places began to move and quickly head to various locations to quell the rebellion.

Gu Lin was completely unaffected and began to implement laws against smuggling, making the issue widely known through this major case.

In fact, this matter cannot be considered entirely a good thing for the Song Dynasty at present.

After all, no matter how well Gu Lin prepared, it was still too late.

However, given the current importance of the Grand Canal to the Song Dynasty, it was inevitable that it would affect the overall market of the Song Dynasty.

However, in situations where commerce is the primary focus.

Even slight market fluctuations can have far greater impacts than in the past.

The good news is that the Song Dynasty is currently too powerful, and these minor disturbances are unlikely to cause too much trouble. As long as Gu Lin coordinates everything well, the government can manage the market little by little.

The Taifu Temple, the Market and Commerce Bureau, and other government offices acted upon orders, precisely releasing reserves to stabilize prices and ensure that people's daily needs were not affected;

On the other hand, with the guarantee of the imperial court's credit, several major merchant houses with clean backgrounds took the lead in restoring normal canal transport trade. With their strong capital and stable channels, they quickly filled the market gap left by the destruction of smuggling groups and local turmoil.

Besides--

This upheaval has created more room for small businesses to grow.

This issue even extended to the villages; whenever a significant gap appeared in the market, someone would always quickly fill it.

This bottom-up business vitality is like a new seedling sprouting after a spring rain; though it may be immature, it is full of life.

They quickly filled market gaps, maintained the flow of goods to a certain extent, and even formed a more efficient distribution model in some areas due to their flexibility and proximity to the place of origin.

Yingtian Prefecture, the residence of the Marquis of Champion.

Gu Lin no longer goes to the Chuigong Hall to guard against those people.

Because those people have now fallen one after another, and given the current situation, it is impossible for him to relinquish control of the government; he is constantly monitoring the situation in various regions.

"It seems that after the water in this pool was stirred up, the sediment was stirred up and some live fish jumped out."

Looking at the memorials from all over the country, he couldn't help but mutter to himself. Then he picked up his pen and began to read and write, while also instructing the family members beside him: "The people and merchants are the foundation of commerce."

"Local transport commissioners and market administrations should provide convenience and clarify taxes and fees. They should not make things difficult for the small amount of money, nor should they allow it to become disorderly."

"We should take this opportunity to guide it onto the right track, making it a supplement to the canal transport system and a source of vitality for the market."

After reviewing the memorials at hand, Gu Lin did not stop writing. Instead, he picked up a blank sheet of paper, pondered for a moment, and then began to write.

"This rectification of the canal transport and the transition between old and new markets is also an opportunity for the Gu family," Gu Lin said to his sons and nephews as he wrote, his voice steady and firm. "Our Gu family's 'Tongji' and 'Yumin' brands are spread throughout the states, and have always been based on the principle of connecting the world with funds and allocating capital."

"Now is the perfect time to take advantage of this favorable opportunity and make a difference."

What he wrote was precisely about the reform of the two major banks under the Gu family.

These two places are now the money shops directly operated by the Gu family.

It is also currently the largest money exchange in Kyushu.

Relying on the Gu family's strong foundation and reputation, these two money shops have long since expanded to all parts of the country, which is also one of the reasons why the commerce of the Song Dynasty is so prosperous.

Only a money exchange that can be trusted by everyone can support the enormous amount of capital in current commercial trade.

After all, whether it was canal transport or trade on the road, it was all related to the canal system.

They can't possibly carry too much money.

Without these money houses that spanned the entire Kyushu region, the scale of transactions would inevitably be limited.

Now, Gu Lin needs to readjust the entire strategy of the money shop.

He's trying to help these small businesses.

This will allow the commerce of Kyushu to flourish in a diverse and vibrant manner, rather than remaining in a near-monopolistic state as before.

He wrote with great speed and clarity, presenting his ideas in a concise and logical manner.

First, establish "Industry Development Loans" to support small and micro enterprises.

The two special orders established a low-interest loan program in each state branch specifically for emerging small businesses and rural caravans, named "Business Development Loan".

Those whose businesses are deemed legitimate and have genuine development potential, as verified by the Transport Commissioner or the Market Commissioner, do not need to provide substantial collateral. They can apply for funds of varying amounts based on future invoices or joint guarantees to help them purchase boats and vehicles, expand their cargo sources, and lease warehouses.

Secondly, it lowers the "water flow" and unblocks the blood vessels.

Significantly reduce transaction fees for small interstate money transfers, especially for emerging business travelers between production areas and distribution centers, aiming to make their capital turnover faster and cheaper, breaking down geographical barriers and helping them expand their business further.

Thirdly, establish "credit rating" to guide traffic.

The two agencies, in collaboration with the Market Supervision Bureau, will gradually establish a credit rating system for various types of businesses.

Those with excellent credit ratings not only enjoy preferential treatment in terms of loan amounts and interest rates, but their commercial bills also receive greater recognition and circulation convenience within the Gu family's money shop system, thereby guiding commercial activities towards those who are trustworthy and compliant.

After finishing writing, Gu Lin put down his pen and explained to his thoughtful nephews and nieces beside him: "In the past, the profits of money shops mostly came from large-scale trade and wealthy families."

"But if the water is too clear, there will be no fish; if the forest is too dense, no grass will grow."

"If the market is monopolized by a few companies, it may seem stable, but it is actually fragile and prone to corruption."

"Only when thousands of sails compete and hundreds of boats race can a truly healthy, vibrant, and resilient business environment be formed."

He carefully explained to his descendants the various pros and cons and long-term considerations. Although his voice was still steady, if you listened carefully, you could detect a faint trace of fatigue and hoarseness hidden deep inside.

These earnest teachings have now become an indispensable part of Gu Lin's daily routine.

He has indeed grown old.

His temples were already as white as snow, and his once straight back now showed signs of hunching.

Holding power for many years and managing countless affairs daily inevitably takes an irreversible toll on one's mental and physical strength. The burden of age and the toil of paperwork are an uncontrollable drain on anyone.

However, he remained undeterred, pointing to the memorandum concerning the reform of money shops, and said to his eldest son, Gu Xiuyuan, "This matter concerns the future landscape of commerce and must be carried out prudently."

"Bozhen, you will take the lead in discussing the specific details with the two head managers and the Market and Exchange Bureau, and then report back to me."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiuyuan immediately nodded and readily agreed.

But looking at Gu Lin's tired eyes, there was still a trace of lingering worry, yet she dared not say anything more.

He disappointed Gu Lin.

In fact, according to Gu Lin's own thinking, dealing with the smuggling problem across the country required him, as the eldest son of the Gu family, to step forward again and establish his authority through this matter.

Unfortunately, he was indeed lacking in talent.

Even his personality lacks that decisiveness.

Even with the existence of the Censorate, it was still somewhat naive compared to those old foxes.

That's why we had no choice but to retreat.

In fact, Gu Yi was somewhat helpless about this.

He had considered whether he should personally take control of this generation, but for the long-term benefit of the Gu family, he had to suppress the idea.

Now that things have come to this, how could he not sense Gu Lin's thoughts?
The five generations of the Gu family's rule have come to an end.

Even though there is a free exchange of ideas, as long as the imperial power remains, the Gu family's rule must be stopped no matter what, otherwise it will definitely affect the Gu family's reputation.

It's fine when the world is in chaos.

But now the world is unified!
And most importantly, the Gu family has brought about far too many changes.

Although he now has nearly ten attribute pills, and with the existence of the "Luo Shu Carrying the Law Artifact", he can directly select a family member and increase their ability by twenty points!

But this is for use in critical moments. Just as Gu Kang said on his deathbed years ago.

For the Gu family at present, especially Gu Yi, further progress may be easier.

With his current achievements, his modern perspective, and the Gu family's millennia-old heritage, even if he can't truly propel the Gu family to further progress, he can at least ensure that the Gu family won't be weakened too much over several generations.

But what can we do about it?
Why should the Gu family need the glory of these past generations?

The Gu family has now reached the pinnacle of the Song Dynasty. Even if they were to take a step back, they could still continue to develop their overseas foundations along the path that Gu Yi initially set.

Under such circumstances, why should he damage the foundation of the Gu family and insist on allowing the Gu family to advance further?
The glory of several generations seems to have lasted quite a while.

However, compared to Gu's goals, it is still far from being achieved.

And the most important thing is——

If Gu Yi were to take the stage, given the current talent shortage within the Gu family, it would undoubtedly be a drain on their resources.

Gu Yi would never do that.

The Gu family needs to consider their options.

As the behind-the-scenes controller of the Gu family, he needs to pay even more attention to this, especially given the current situation where the Gu family is constantly being restricted. He must make long-term plans!
Not to contend for this lifetime, but for eternity!
This wasn't something he casually said to the Gu family members; it was also a warning to himself!
Time flies by.

In the days that followed, Gu Lin continued to keep a close eye on everything happening in the world.

Those so-called rebels didn't cause much of a stir.

But it must be said—

They did indeed have some influence on the Gu family. After all, no matter how great the Gu family's influence was, there would always be people who were misled by these people.

This is for sure.

The Gu family is now like a mountain blocking everyone's way. And it's not just these people who want the Gu family to disappear again.
However, this kind of problem is fundamentally unsolvable.

Such is human nature: in times of chaos, some people think of the Gu family, a cornerstone of the nation, to help them bear the burden; but in times of prosperity, they hope that there are no people like the Gu family who can obstruct their path.

Gu Lin naturally wouldn't dwell on these things.

He indirectly guided and stabilized the market by controlling the strategic adjustments of the Gu family's two major money houses, "Tongji" and "Yumin," while firmly grasping the sword of the Censorate to ensure that the implementation of the new policies was not hindered and that any counterattack could be quickly suppressed.

As time passed, all this turmoil finally subsided.

Under the new regulations and with the support of the Gu family's money shop for emerging forces, a new commercial order began to take root and sprout, showing a vitality unlike anything seen before.

Those once-proclaimed "pacification" banners have long since turned into dust of history and mere fodder for casual conversation under the relentless trampling of the Imperial Guards.

The turmoil in the imperial court gradually subsided.

Even if there are undercurrents, they dare not easily surge to the forefront again.

After this battle, Gu Lin's prestige reached its peak, and no one dared to directly challenge him anymore.

However, this old man, who had controlled the empire's direction for decades, also gradually reached the end due to the passage of time.

He gradually concealed his sharp edge.

Just like Gu Kang did in the past, power was gradually delegated, and no one was placed on the opposite side of the Gu family anymore.

In addition, the core principle he repeatedly admonished his children and nephews was "know when to advance and retreat, and adhere to the fundamentals."

The Gu family served as regents for five generations, seemingly wielding immense power, but in reality, they were standing at a critical juncture in history.

As the world has enjoyed peace for a long time, people's hearts begin to yearn for change. The delicate balance between imperial power and regency is no longer as easy to maintain as it was in times of chaos or the early days of a nation's founding.

At the same time, he cleverly integrated the Gu family's thousand-year-old family motto of "being loyal to the country and benefiting all people" with the ultimate goal of "not striving for the moment, but for eternity".

This is where Gu Lin's wisdom lies.

He did not openly deny the Gu family's past ruling position, but clearly guided the family's future path towards "retreat" and "consolidation." Through the power transfer after the Grand Canal case and the adjustment of the money shop strategy, he had already laid out this path in practice.

Finally, autumn has deepened once again.

Fallen leaves fluttered in the air, turning the landscape golden.

Inside the Marquis of Champion's residence.

Gu Lin leaned against the soft pillows, his face strikingly gaunt, but his eyes remained clear.

He didn't lament the passing of time like a scholar, nor did he reminisce about his life like a sage. Instead, he spoke of the most practical arrangements, his voice low and hoarse yet clear and logical.

"There are a few things that need to be settled." He looked at Gu Xiuyuan and pointed out the core issue directly, "You should gradually transfer the Gu family's protégés and former associates in the Censorate to local affairs or transfer them to the Three Departments."

"The power of oversight is too sensitive, and the Gu family should not get involved too much."

His voice was exceptionally clear.

As he spoke, the physical pain and mental exhaustion continued to torment him.

"Our Gu family has shared the fate of the nation for five generations. In the future, when members of our family enter officialdom, they should be based on pragmatism and integrity."

"Stop dreaming of becoming one of the Three Dukes and taking charge of the central government."

"To serve as the governor of a prefecture, to handle affairs well, and to benefit the people of that region is to live up to the reputation of the Gu family and to be worthy of the salary from the imperial court."

He spoke succinctly, without a trace of melancholy or resentment, as if he were merely giving an official account concerning the future of his family.

He did not mention Julu, because its foundation there already needs no further explanation;

He didn't dwell too much on the fickleness of human nature, because it had been the norm during his decades-long rule.

At this point, all he can say is to instruct his descendants to do what they should do.

He is too tired.

This deep-seated weariness may far exceed that of the Gu family's ancestors of previous generations.

In a chaotic world of vying for supremacy and expanding territory, though fraught with peril, the goal is clear and the enemy is well-identified.

Our ancestors only needed to set the tone with decisive action, and their descendants could simply follow the established path of expansion or consolidation.

At that time, the Gu family was a sharp sword that cleaved through chaos and a banner that united people's hearts.

However, Gu Lin was facing a "governed world" where the world was unified and all was at peace. Court struggles and the division of interests all required his personal control.

Former allies may become political enemies in an instant, and yesterday's achievements may become today's constraints.

He was no longer fighting against a specific enemy, but rather dealing with countless invisible forces.

—It involves grappling with a deeply entrenched bureaucratic system, confronting various forces that harbor disloyalty due to affluence, and, more importantly, confronting the age-old selfish desires of the human heart.

This is no longer a grand epic, but a trivial yet deadly game of chess.

Every step requires careful consideration; every move is a matter of life and death.

And don't forget.

They also bear the heavy burden that the Gu family has carried for a thousand years.

Even his success in overcoming obstacles was not solely due to his own efforts, but rather the culmination of the hard work and achievements of generations of the Gu family who had conquered the world, which blossomed and bore fruit in his generation.

But the Gu family members will not have this opportunity again!

All Gu Lin could do was keep admonishing these descendants.

"Not for a moment, but for eternity."

"The foundation of Julu remains;"

"The Gu family's foundation remains intact."

"As long as we know when to retreat, the Gu family will never reach a dead end."

"Now that things overseas have stabilized, and Ryukyu is also a stronghold of the Gu family, as long as you think twice before you act, the Gu family can put down this burden of the whole country."

"You all need to be careful about the degree of discretion involved."

"."

His voice grew weaker and weaker until it was swallowed up by an uncontrollable sob and disappeared into silence.

In the late autumn of the eighteenth year of Yuanxing.

Gu Lin, the Grand Tutor of the Song Dynasty and head of the Gu family, died in Yingtian Prefecture.
(P.S.: I've simplified this part of the plot because I felt you guys didn't like it, so I just sped it up. Just so you know, the Gu family will undergo a major change, completely overturning the system of Kyushu, and a new member second only to Gu Chen will appear. I hope you guys will support me and give me your monthly votes!)

(End of this chapter)