I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 547 - 56: Gu Academy, Shocking the Four Corners

Although Li Shimin never distinguished between primary and secondary ministers, gradually the court and the officials feared Gu Jing as the leader.

This had nothing to do with the Gu Clan, but was purely the outcome brought about by Gu Jing’s series of political actions.

Even Zhangsun Wuji and Chu Suiliang were somewhat apprehensive of Gu Jing.

This shows Gu Jing’s current influence.

But Gu Jing never interfered with court politics; he seemed acutely aware of his own strengths and weaknesses. Although he understood some state affairs, compared to the veteran ministers deeply rooted in court, he was indeed lacking, so he rarely intervened.

What he truly managed was the Imperial Censorate, overseeing the Tang Dynasty’s bureaucracy.

Gu Jing was clearly aware of the crucial nature of bureaucracy for the dynasty.

There are undoubtedly benefits to doing so.

The Gu Clan had controlled the Imperial Censorate for years, with its members inspecting the four corners since Li Shimin ascended the throne, always a sword hanging over the heads of officials.

Coupled with the events Li Shimin stirred before his death.

As long as Gu Jing is present.

The path of the Tang Dynasty cannot deviate.

This is the fundamental reason why Gu Jing does this.

He only needs to ensure that the Tang Dynasty’s direction does not stray for it to be enough.

Of course, there are hidden benefits as well.

Which is to stabilize imperial power.

In the original historical trajectory, when Li Zhi ascended the throne, he was completely sidelined.

His uncle Zhangsun Wuji, both a leader of the royal relatives and representing the powerful Guanlong faction.

Chu Suiliang was Zhangsun Wuji’s most steadfast ally.

The two together inevitably formed a political situation where "the sovereign is weak and the minister is strong."

The historical record of "small and large affairs were decided by Wuji" is a true reflection of this scenario.

Precisely because of this, it triggered a series of intense political maneuvers and significant upheavals later.

However, the situation now is completely different.

Gu Jing may not stand with a sword to protect the Emperor like Gu Xi did in those days, but his mere presence provides Li Zhi strong support to consolidate imperial authority.

"The Gu Clan will not rebel" — this is already a consensus in Kyushu.

Li Ji and many other military generals hold Gu Jing in high regard, and even though Gu Jing says nothing, this prestige must lend itself to Li Zhi.

What results from this is the unprecedented stabilization of the entire internal power structure of the Tang Dynasty.

Gu Jing didn’t even need to act deliberately. He merely needed to visit Zhangsun Wuji in person and say: "The legacy of Emperor Taizong must continue." — The weight of his words was enough.

Zhangsun Wuji is a smart man.

Though he inevitably hesitated in the face of power.

But facing the Gu Clan —

He had to restrain his ambition.

The influence of the Gu Clan was too great, although not as focused on major events as during the era of the Great Han.

Instead, it had shifted from low to high.

But because of this, the Gu Clan’s influence in Kyushu was more practical.

Opposing the Gu Clan.

Let’s not talk about success or failure, even if successful, his reputation and the reputation of his entire family would instantly plummet within Kyushu.

Zhangsun Wuji could not make such a choice.

It is precisely because of this that the whole internal court of the Tang Dynasty was peaceful.

Zhangsun Wuji didn’t seize power, and when faced with various court matters, he even consulted Li Zhi’s opinion, which was quite harmonious.

Everything seemed unchanged, yet felt as though it had all changed.

Gu Yi didn’t care about these things.

For him.

As long as the Tang Dynasty could continue to maintain itself, that was enough; the world was never meant to have eternal dynasties, he didn’t need to interfere with these.

Time quickly passed.

Under such internal stability, the entire Tang Dynasty was flourishing.

Although there was a bit of chaos, it was contained within controllable limits.

This was something that couldn’t be avoided.

Some officials always felt that with Li Shimin’s passing, it was a new era and couldn’t control the greed in their hearts.

And faced with these people —

Gu Jing showed no mercy at all, ruthlessly executed a group to curb such tendencies.

The Tang Dynasty did not lack officials now.

The overall imperial examination system was now completely stable, and in a time when culture was thriving, this point was amplified infinitely, making it not burdensome to clean up.

Under various measures, all turbulence almost ceased instantly.

Even foreign races feared Gu Jing.

His military achievements were ample.

The battle of Goguryeo years ago spread far and wide, making the foreign race’s fear of Gu Jing comparable to that of Gu Chen in the past.

Although it was just one battle, under the endless legends about the Gu Clan, it was already enough.

Residing in Chang’an, yet shaking the four corners!

This was Gu Jing now.

He didn’t move troops directly as people expected; the real threat was always the hanging sword never to fall, Gu Jing was evidently well aware of this.

What truly caught Gu Yi’s interest was that Gu Jing actually paid attention to the harem.

He noticed the disputes in Li Zhi’s harem.

Although Li Zhi just ascended the throne, this sign was already apparent.

The Wang Clan might be the empress.

But Li Zhi always favored Consort Xiao.

This naturally led to harem rivalry, and as for why Gu Jing cared about this, the reason was equally simple.

That’s because of Li Zhi’s character.

Of course, Gu Jing naturally wouldn’t choose to intervene directly.

He did so to serve as a precautionary measure.

For him.

He only needed to ensure the direction of the Tang Dynasty’s development was sufficient, without remorse towards Li Shimin and Kyushu.

....

Ganye Temple.

According to the Tang Dynasty’s customs, former consorts who served Emperor Taizong Li Shimin and had no offspring now became nuns here, praying day and night for Emperor Taizong’s blessing.

Though due to the Gu Clan’s emergence and rise, Buddhism’s influence in Kyushu was now far less than in original history.

But in the current era, such prophecies and superstitions were always easy to spread, and Ganye Temple was one of its products.

Amidst the crowd of ministers’ support, Li Zhi slowly headed towards the interior of the temple.

Perhaps because today was Li Shimin’s memorial day, everyone inevitably remembered the past emperor, their expressions somewhat heavy.

Li Zhi was the same.

He lowered his head all the way, entering the temple like this.

Inside the temple, sandalwood smoke curled.

The nuns had already prepared all the sacrificial vessels and offerings.

According to the Great Tang’s Kaiyuan Rites, Li Zhi followed the complex ancient rites, leading the ministers in the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine prostrations, offering silk, offering the cup, reading the blessing text, respectfully worshiping Taizong.

The Ritual Officer sang praises, the ministers bent and rose as was proper, in the hall was heard only the rustling of robes and the solemn sound of footsteps.

After the ministers completed the ritual and waited under the corridor outside the hall, Li Zhi stepped into the hall alone, personally offering the sacrificial vessels, paying respect to Taizong.

Incense smoke lingered.

Kneeling before Taizong’s shrine, his gaze exceptionally devout, he silently recited the sacrificial text according to the rites.

By custom — during sacrifices, the Emperor must be quietly pious, undistracted, prohibited from noise and commotion.

Time slipped by quietly, it was unclear how long had passed, when suddenly faint footsteps sounded from the side of the hall, followed by a soft voice:

"Your Majesty, please take your meal~" the gentle voice came.

Li Zhi kept his eyes closed, only faintly replied: "Put it down."

According to the ancient sacrificial rites, one cannot eat before the ceremony is completed, he naturally wouldn’t forget this rule.

A light sigh was heard, followed by the gentle sound of the food box being placed on the table.

Li Zhi was still indifferent, continued to keep his eyes closed, adhering to the ceremonial rites.

Until evening fell.

The lengthy ceremony finally concluded, Li Zhi then slowly opened his eyes and glanced at the food box beside him.

This glance unwittingly shifted to the nun standing nearby.

Instinctively, Li Zhi’s gaze suddenly tightened.

The familiar outline struck his vision, leaving him slightly breathless, his expression slightly changed, murmuring incredulously: "Wu... Wu Cairen?"

That call was very faint, yet instantly shattered the silence within the hall.

"Your Majesty..." The nun heard the voice, her shoulder imperceptibly trembled, finally slowly raised her head.

Four eyes met.

Her eyes held a thin sheen of tears, bowing deeply, her voice carrying a hint of indistinct choking: "This impoverished nun... pays respects to Your Majesty."....

....

(Ps: There will be major changes in Wu Zetian’s history here, brothers rest assured, kneeling for monthly votes at the end of the month~~~)

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