I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 419 - 14: Grand Marshal of the Heavenly Strategy, Turbulence in the Shadows (Double-Length, Please Vote)

After all, in his eyes, he didn’t feel inferior to anyone.

As long as he could unify the world, he could completely trust the Gu Clan, just like Liu Bei and Liu Shan did in the past.

But Gu Yu just told him once, "He is not that kind of person."

He didn’t understand at all back then.

But now, Dou Jiande seems to have begun to understand.

He had indeed changed too much.

It seemed that from the moment the Gu Clan first rejected him, even when the Gu Clan had not yet supported the Li Tang, he had already harbored hostility toward them, only suppressed by the circumstances.

But once the world was unified and the situation stabilized.

He would probably first want to control the Gu Clan.

Only after that desire to conquer completely extinguished did Dou Jiande gradually see himself clearly.

But he still understood little.

Could it be that the Emperor of the Li Tang wouldn’t change?

"Lord Gu, then let me see the prosperous age you desire."

With thoughts flashing in his mind, he murmured in his heart and then knelt toward Li Yuan.

This matter was completely settled.

But even as the guards took the two away again, the atmosphere in the hall was no longer the same as before.

Li Yuan did not pay attention to the strange atmosphere in the hall.

After the guards took the two away, he raised his golden cup high and laughed, saying, "Everyone, drink this cup with me!"

Although many had complex emotions in their hearts, laughter and joy reappeared at this celebratory feast.

The military generals were naturally the happiest.

After all, who doesn’t want rewards?

They also knew that Li Yuan was never stingy with rewards as a ruler.

Indeed, after three rounds of drinks, Li Yuan finally brought up the matter and began distributing rewards in front of all the ministers.

The hall instantly fell silent.

Not only the soldiers who went on campaign with Li Shimin but also the ministers who defended the city were included.

It could be said that everyone in the Tang court was rewarded.

This was one of Li Yuan’s characteristics; he was good at using such things to gain support from everyone.

This was how it was in history.

And it was still the same now.

One name after another was called by Li Yuan, as if he had already planned everything out without much hesitation.

Until it finally came to the soldiers who went on campaign.

Yuchi Gong, Qin Qiong, Li Jing.....

Names were called one by one, including members of the Gu Clan.

Until finally, it was Gu Quan and Li Shimin’s turn.

"Ziyuan."

Li Yuan took a sip of wine while calling out Gu Quan’s courtesy name.

This call made all the ministers in the hall hold their breath.

For the Emperor to address him by his courtesy name was a great honor.

But this intimacy was hard for everyone to criticize, as after all, he was a member of the Gu Clan who had achieved such great feats.

Li Yuan did not directly mention rewards but earnestly asked, "Now that Hebei is settled, would Lord Gu be willing to come out of seclusion?"

"If Lord Gu is willing."

"I am willing to personally go to Julu to invite Lord Gu out of seclusion."

The Lord Gu he mentioned was naturally Gu Yu.

Li Yuan had kept this in mind all these years.

Especially after receiving assistance from the Gu Clan in recent years, his power had rapidly expanded, making him even more aware of the Gu Clan’s importance.

He had been waiting for an opportunity.

Upon hearing this, Gu Quan hurriedly gave a serious salute, responding earnestly, "Your Majesty’s inquiry has left me in awe. Yet my father’s intentions are truly hard to fathom."

Even with all his talent.

He still couldn’t fully grasp Gu Yu’s painstaking intentions.

Upon hearing this, a trace of disappointment flashed in Li Yuan’s eyes but was quickly concealed. He lightly sighed and then, with a serious tone, said, "This victory is a great one, and Ziyuan’s merits are immense."

"Ziyuan—"

"I hereby promote Ziyuan to Grand General of Agile Cavalry, hoping you can model after the former Marquis Zhongwu Xiao and clear the six directions for me."

These words caused an uproar in the court!

Ever since the Sui dynasty, the title of Grand General of Agile Cavalry had been the pinnacle for military generals.

Just like the various rumors suggested, Gu Quan was indeed following in the footsteps of the former Gu Xiao, reaching the pinnacle of a military general.

The ministers looked at each other, but no one dared to object.

After all, whether through Gu Quan’s military achievements or the prestige of the Gu Clan, this reward was fitting.

But what truly captured everyone’s attention was the upcoming reward for King Qin.

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Gu Quan immediately saluted Li Yuan and then respectfully retreated.

As he passed by Li Shimin, Li Shimin also smiled at him, with a look of more intense anticipation in his eyes.

Yes, anticipation.

Li Shimin had always been looking forward to Li Yuan fulfilling the promise of making him the Li Clan’s Ten Directions Expedition Envoy as in the past.

Perhaps because of this great anticipation.

Even his hands were trembling slightly.

Finally, under everyone’s watchful eyes, Li Yuan’s voice rang out once more.

"Second boy."

At that moment, everyone immediately looked at Li Shimin.

And Li Shimin took a deep breath and then slowly stood up, saying, "Your son is here."

The hall instantly fell silent as a grave.

Though it was a time of rewards, at this moment, the feeling was somewhat suffocating.

Li Yuan didn’t care how others reacted. He just looked at Li Shimin, as if understanding the anticipation in his eyes, and slowly spoke, "My son Shimin has, since campaigning, fought north and south, achieving many great feats."

"I have thought long and hard."

"I believe the existing titles are insufficient to match my son’s contributions for the state...."

The expressions of everyone abruptly changed at this moment.