novelraw Chapter 399 - 9: The Gu Clan Emerges, Li Yuan Proclaims Himself Emperor
Chapter 399 - 9: The Gu Clan Emerges, Li Yuan Proclaims Himself Emperor
...
Leshou.
Dou Jiande naturally received the news immediately, and his expression turned complex in an instant.
Meanwhile, his subordinates were filled with excitement!
"The Gu Clan is truly audacious; the prince has always respected them, yet they dare to side with Li Yuan at this time?"
"Does the Gu Clan truly think we’re easy to bully?"
"My lord, I request permission to march to Julu!"
"..."
The sounds of shouting echoed endlessly.
As a true native of Hebei, Dou Jiande had visited the Gu Clan for worship multiple times over the years, hoping to invite them to join him, but never succeeded.
Now seeing the Gu Clan willingly accompany Li Shimin on his return across a thousand miles.
How could they not be enraged?
Dou Jiande’s expression grew increasingly complex; looking at the passionately stirred crowd before him, he frowned and shouted, "Do you want me to become despised by all?"
In an instant, the entire hall fell silent.
"The Gu Clan, with a hundred years of nobility, though currently weakened, still retains its roots."
The hall remained utterly silent.
Dou Jiande coldly surveyed the crowd, his gaze sharp as a blade: "If I were to wield a sword against Julu right now, do you believe—"
His words halted, Dou Jiande slowly rose, his every word falling like an ice awl, "Within three days, the thirteen states of Hebei will rise in rebellion, and fire will signal from camp to camp! "
—Fire signal from camp to camp!
Dou Jiande firmly believed this.
As a man from Hebei, he knew all too well the influence of the Gu Clan in those lands!
Precisely for this reason, he did not wish to move against the Gu Clan!
Moreover,
He even considered visiting Julu again to perform a ritual of worship, to show his sincerity.
Even if it doesn’t bring the Gu Clan’s assistance.
This would still greatly aid his rule over Hebei!
Under no circumstances should he provoke the Gu Clan right now!
Dou Jiande’s prestige in the military remained high, swiftly suppressing the anger in his soldiers’ hearts, and promptly made a grand gesture by heading to Julu.
Even Gu Yi had to admit, Dou Jiande was a capable man.
He could restrain his fury and had his own principles.
Indeed, if it were the Gu Clan of old, Dou Jiande could absolutely be considered a perfect candidate for support.
But things are different now.
Though Dou Jiande was extraordinary, compared to Li Shimin, he still lacked something.
And this was the fundamental reason Gu Yu never chose to assist him.
At least for now, what he desired was that position, not a golden age!
The Gu Clan needed a golden age.
A golden age closely tied with the Gu Clan!
This move indeed had an impact; even Gu Yu had to give Dou Jiande a second glance.
Amidst the continuous influx of various news.
Eventually, news from Jiangdu arrived.
—Yang Guang was dead!
The Great Sui had fallen!
Like a stone cast into a calm lake, this news plunged the already turbulent realm into further chaos!
Especially since this news spread alongside the Gu Clan’s emergence, instantly spawning many omens.
"The Great Sui fell in its second generation because the Yang family failed to employ the Gu Clan."
"Gu Clan emerges, and the foolish ruler receives Marquis Zhao Lie’s divine punishment."
"..."
There was no need for anyone to deliberately guide; in this era, people across regions spontaneously arrived at numerous rumors.
This move undoubtedly once again brought the Gu Clan to the forefront.
Even various regional rebel leaders believed such rumors, thinking a golden age was on the verge of occurring.
Yet simultaneously—
Yang Guang’s death essentially escalated the turmoil to its peak.
Firstly, the region of Jiangdu.
Yuwen Huaji installed Yang Guang’s nephew, Yang Hao, as Emperor, intending a last attempt to use the Sui court’s momentum to conquer the world.
This certainly provided direction to many.
In this chaotic world, not everyone possessed remarkable skills.
One after another, members of the Sui Dynasty’s royal family were brought out, made puppet emperors by various regional rebel kings, recreating a scenario of multiple emperors co-existing reminiscent of the late Han era.
The fighting intensified once more!
With Yang Guang dead, almost everyone set their sights on the singular position!
—The Master of All Under Heaven!
...
Chang’an.
After experiencing a series of storms, Li Shimin finally returned safely to Chang’an.
Compared to the journey there.
This return trip was far more arduous than before.
Too many sought to kill Li Shimin, to remove Li Yuan’s arm, and many attempted to block the path of the Gu Clan disciples.
Fortunately, these people were valiant.
Yet even so, Li Shimin took countless detours on this journey.
In the end, it was only with Li Yuan’s aid that he safely returned to Chang’an.
But precisely because of this,
The emerging disciples of the Gu Clan likewise became gradually acquainted with Li Shimin, even developing a rare camaraderie through adversity.
Currently, in Chang’an the situation remained severe.
Li Yuan had yet to make a choice.
Everyone knew what he was waiting for, but disputes remained inevitable.
Not all dared to take that first step.
Especially given the current scenario of multiple emperors co-existing, most preferred Li Yuan to proceed cautiously, establish a Yang puppet first and then advance slowly.
Under such influence, even Li Yuan began to hesitate, finding it difficult to make a decision.
However, with Li Shimin’s return, the matter would finally reach a conclusion.