Chapter 781 - 41: Gu Jun’s Death—A General’s Triumph Is Built on Countless Corpses

Secondly, at the crucial confluences of tributaries where shipping conditions were fundamentally improved, Gu Jun would, in the name of the court, offer preferential policies to attract merchants and settlers from all directions to establish workshops and shops.

All these methods were extremely natural.

Under a mature trade system, the people and merchants in various places would also make the most appropriate choices.

And as these series of measures were implemented one after another.

The entire Great Song seemed to come alive once more, the heavy atmosphere dissipating into thin air, replaced by a brand new vitality.

This new vitality did not come from the dignified edicts of the court.

But rather sprouted naturally from each port saturated with commerce, and each revived riverbank.

Even Gu Yi had to admit.

Even though he had witnessed countless prosperous times over the millennia, the current prosperity of the Great Song was among the greatest.

Of course, there were many factors involved.

The lands currently occupied by the Great Song were inherently prosperous, and with various reforms and commercial developments, this was already destined.

However, this also made Gu Yi somewhat expectant.

With the current development of the Great Song in all aspects, if it could truly unify the realm, how much development would it drive?

Could it perhaps elevate the entire Kyushu to another level?

By then....

Coupled with the Gu Clan’s current development of Tuo Hai, would it perhaps bring forth a new era ahead of its time?

This is extremely possible!....

....

Time flew by.

It is worth mentioning that the conflict in Western Xia has ended.

Under the sweeping trends, Li Liangzuo ultimately destroyed Meisang E Pang and took control of all power in Western Xia.

And just as Gu Jun said, after taking power, Li Liangzuo once again established an alliance with the Liao, even taking the initiative to send gifts.

This move undoubtedly caused the current stalemates in Kyushu to further solidify.

The three countries all entered another period of detente.

The Liao and Western Xia were licking their wounds.

The Great Song was also continuously recovering from the various drains caused by the loss of control over the river transport.

Gu Jun returned to his usual life, focusing on addressing various domestic matters.

River transport.... governance... balancing of interests.

All of these needed him to personally oversee.

If there was anything different..... perhaps it was only the guidance of Gu Rui.

And under this fatigue.

As time continued to flow, Gu Jun also reached his end.

In front of the sickbed, Gu Rui, who had shed his youthful innocence and bore a heavier expression, held his father’s withered hand, tears uncontrollably falling down.

Gu Jun’s face was ashen, but his gaze still held its usual clarity and prudence.

"Rui’Er..." his voice was weak, yet each word was clear, "For your father... it seems I must go first to meet my ancestors."

Gu Rui gulped back a sob, holding back his tears, only gripping his father’s hand more tightly.

Gu Jun’s gaze slowly swept across the massive geomancy map hanging on the wall, a vision he had longed for all his life but had never personally set foot beyond.

He gasped a few times with difficulty, then continued: "The Gu Clan’s achievements today are not the work of one, but of generations of Immortals... struggling and steadily making progress."

"Always remember... always remember!"

"A general’s success is built on countless bones... never lightly start a war in a moment of power, a moment of anger, as it would ruin this hard-won situation."

He turned his gaze back, looking deeply at his son, as if trying to imbue his last strength into his flesh and blood: "Your wisdom surpasses that of your father, which is good."

"But the greater the power, the heavier the responsibility."

"Maintain and expand, both require... aligning with trends, planning and then acting."

"The Great Song’s country... and the Gu Clan’s legacy... will be entrusted to you henceforth."

"Father..." Gu Rui’s voice quivered, countless words stuck in his chest, ultimately only turning into a single promise: "Your child... will heed father’s teachings!"

Gu Jun looked at him, his eyes still filled with worry.

But the sudden sense of anxiety ultimately interrupted his thoughts, and he could no longer speak.

In an instant, unprecedented fatigue showed in his eyes.

He once again slowly looked at the Nine Provinces Geomancy Map, slowly raised his hand... as if unwilling, yet resigned, using his last bit of strength to say: "Do not bury me in Julu..... so as not to disgrace the ancestors..."

As he spoke, his hand unintentionally clenched into a fist, and his body slowly leaned forward.

But despite using all his remaining strength.

He still couldn’t touch the geomancy map that was within reach.

Just like all his life, he never managed to truly take that step, closing his clouded eyes completely with all his aspirations.

——————

"In the spring of the seventh year of Tianyou, ice obstruction at the Si Province section of the Bian River caused the collapse of water channels, and transport was thus halted.

Twenty-seven grain ships were sunken, and thousands were stranded in Huainan, shaking the Capital. The Emperor showed worry on his face and consulted Grand Tutor Gu Jun.

During this time, Western Xia and Liao kept menacing the border, beacons frequently sent signals, and there was turmoil within and outside the court.

Jun responded by saying: "There is urgency and delay, and the strategy has three layers. Quickly dredging the river is one; stabilizing prices and grain procurement is two; deceiving soldiers and confusing the enemy is three."

He appointed Bao Zheng to inspect the Capital, prohibiting hoarding, while Fan Zhongyan opened auxiliary roads to facilitate land transport.

He also mobilized the Changping Granary to aid the people with sustenance, and when some advised against it citing danger, Jun sternly said: "The people are the foundation of the nation, and an empty granary can be replenished, but lost people’s hearts cannot be reclaimed."

Thus, the strategy was set.

At that time, the young Li Liangzuo was in charge in Western Xia, with the powerful minister Meisang E Pang ruling, allied with Liao to invade.

Jun’s son Rui proposed a plan of alienation, secretly allowing merchants to trade differently in the two countries: offering benefits to Western Xia, displaying a façade of weakness; severing trade with Liao, expressing a stance of reproach. Then sent his brother Hong to feign as Liao cavalry and raid the Western Capital route, shouting "recover lost lands" and retreating. This caused doubts between Western Xia and Liao, and the edge of their forces dulled.

Jun then supervised the Ministry of Works to build dikes using "condensed ash mortar," the method fusing porcelain slag with glutinous rice slurry, becoming more solid upon encountering water.

Within ten days, the blockage was completely cleared, and the transport ships resumed their endless movement.

Western Xia internal strife, Li Liangzuo seized power from Meisang Clan; Liao envoys delivered letters seeking alliance and agreed to double the annual tribute.

Thus it was said: Jun inherited the glory of his forefathers and, although lacking in aggressive expansion, was steadfast in maintaining achievements. When the river canals collapsed and invaded by two barbarians, he could secure the people within and bend adversaries diplomatically outside, returning the nation from peril to safety, surely a fine minister for the nation!

Observing his use of sons’ and nephews’ strategies, executing tactics of duality, he stood shoulder to shoulder with the ancient strategists Zhang and Chen.

Yet throughout his life, he never lightly initiated border conflicts, showcasing mature nation-governing tactics, carrying forward the legacy of the Gu Clan."

——"History of Song. Gu Clan"