I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 383 - 3: Building the Grand Canal and Expanding Luoyang, Arrogance and Excess

He knew it well in his heart.

Regardless of his achievements, just based on Yang Guang’s talent and personality, the path he was going to take was inherently incompatible with the Gu Clan.

All of this was inevitable!

Although Yang Guang, for now, wouldn’t trouble the Gu Clan to avoid great upheaval in the world.

But for the members of the Gu Clan.

Their ideals and ambitions would not accept this reality.

Brave members wrote petitions in blood, bringing their own coffins to the capital, even at the cost of death, to offer counsel.

Those who lacked courage resigned and withdrew from public life.

However, when they heard news about their clansmen, they always showed guilt and even stopped identifying themselves as members of the Gu Clan.

This was also a form of tempering for the Gu Clan.

Hearts that began to divide would, under this turmoil, once again unite.

In terms of a legacy that lasts for generations.

The unity of the family is also crucial.

Minister’s Mansion.

Since Yang Guang ascended the throne, Gu Zhe had been virtually imprisoned in the mansion.

Although he still held a nominal official position.

In reality, he no longer had any power at all.

But this was not the most critical issue.

For Gu Zhe, the most critical was overcoming the hurdle in his heart.

Though it had been only a few short years.

Now, he had long lost the vigor he once had, appearing as if aged by dozens of years.

Once, he aspired to make the family glorious again.

It was for this reason that he did not listen to Gu Yu’s advice and chose to come forward.

He even hoped to surpass his elder brother Gu Yu.

But never had he imagined he would end up in such a situation.

The night was deep and long.

He sat in his study, under the flickering candlelight, slowly cutting his own finger with a knife.

Gu Zhe was also a talented individual.

Among the clan’s members, while his talents were not as exceptional as Gu Yu’s, he was still outstanding.

Being able to assume the position of Minister of Personnel was proof enough of this.

In truth, his heart was still filled with endless dreams.

But now, everything was destined.

As the highest-ranked official of the current Gu Clan, he would never allow himself to bring disgrace to the clan.

He had no way out.

But he was unwilling to accept this.

He now had a clear understanding of the future, confident that under Yang Guang’s rule, chaos would inevitably come.

What he wanted to do now was to completely accelerate all this!

"Without breaking, there is no establishing!"

These were words once spoken by Gu Xi!

Gu Zhe firmly believed that as long as Gu Yu was alive, the world would certainly see a turning point!

Drip by drip, fresh blood continued to fall.

He wrote large characters on the paper before him with his own blood.

Then he immediately summoned the servants in the mansion.

They were people from Julu who followed him; every Gu Clan member who left had them by their side, following since childhood.

They took care of daily life and protected the Gu Clan members.

This had already become a tradition.

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

"Young master!"

Seeing the blood still dripping, the servant was stunned: "What... is this for??"

He hurriedly wanted to call someone.

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

His expression was exceedingly serious.

Upon seeing this, the servant was suddenly taken aback.

Then he seemed to understand something; his expression turned complicated, and he silently received the blood-written letter from Gu Zhe.

These people were trained by the Gu Clan.

Their abilities were not as simple as ordinary people.

Moreover, the two had been together for many years.

It was not surprising to guess Gu Zhe’s intention at such a moment.

Tears unknowingly slid down.

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

The servant said no more, earnestly watching Gu Zhe.

Then bowed deeply to him.

After that, he turned and left.

The next day.

Gu Zhe, rare as it was, attended the court and advised Yang Guang.

He was reprimanded and ridiculed by Yang Guang in front of the ministers.

Amidst the flattery of sycophants, Gu Zhe dashed himself against the grand railing within Daxing Hall.

Preferring death over bringing shame to the Gu Clan’s name.

Gu Yi had been silently observing all this and couldn’t help but sigh.

In truth, over the years.

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

The illustrious name of the Gu Clan was not solely fought for by Gu Kang, Gu Xi, Gu Chen, and others but had too many people working hard for it.

Though they lacked exceptional talents, they also contributed in their own ways to the Gu Clan.

Pitiful are the bones beside Wuding River, yet they remain in the dreams of those deep in the boudoirs.

For the Gu Clan.

This saying holds true.

The lamentable thing is that even Gu Yi could not fully recall all their names.

But history will ultimately remember.

Whether it be the family tree of the Gu Clan or the stone statues repaired in unknown small places for honest officials.

Their names will not disappear so easily.

And everything they have done will eventually be remembered.

....

Yang Guang was exceptionally intelligent.

He completely suppressed any spread of Gu Zhe’s death counsel and did not allow others to publicize it.

But where in this world is there no rumor that leaks?

Especially when the Gu Clan members from various places moved successively?

If, in the past, Gu Xi countered the great trend with extraordinary talent.

Then this time—

It was the most ordinary Gu Clan members countering the great trend.

Although they caused far less impact than Gu Xi did back then.