Chapter 801 - 49: The Unparalleled Genius Emerges, the Battle for Unification of the World Begins

Gu Rui has passed away.

This pillar of paramount importance to the Great Song has ultimately fallen amidst the passage of time, and its influence on the world as a whole is equally indisputable.

Upon receiving the news.

Whether it be the Liao nobles or the Western Xia nobility, they were almost all jubilant, crying tears of joy.

Indeed, Gu Rui had exerted an immense pressure upon them.

This pressure even surpassed that of any generation of the Gu Clan descendants in the Great Song to date, not even Gu Jin could compare, as Gu Jin was laying the foundation for his successors, the sense of oppression could not match that brought by Gu Rui.

To the increasingly decaying Liao and Western Xia, Gu Rui’s death came as a celestial blessing.

Given his significant status, the Great Song would find it difficult to raise arms again suddenly!

This was the consensus among all of them!

For this reason, they even orchestrated actions across the world, promoting filial piety in myriad ways, all in an attempt to affect the Great Song’s pace of attack.

The news spread continuously.

In fact, just as these people had anticipated, Gu Rui’s demise indeed had a major impact on the Great Song.

Yet they underestimated Gu Rui.

——Gu Rui, a person of such character, having long been prepared to face death, how could he not have left backup plans?

Regarding the transition of power.

Including the training of family heirs and court ministers.

All of this had been calculated by Gu Rui.

——Most crucially, Gu Rui left behind an order, instructing everyone not to let his death interfere with the expedition, especially under such circumstances where the Great Song was united as one.

No one could possibly hinder the Great Song’s pace.

Almost at the same time...

A great war would once again ignite across the vast land of Kyushu.

As the person in charge of the Gu Clan, Gu Lin’s determination was equally resolute, as if wanting to console those generations of Gu Clan ancestors.

.....

Meanwhile.

Liao Dynasty.

By the banks of the Hun River, the spring chill lingered.

The floating ice on the river had yet to completely melt, Yelv Yanxi’s encampment stretched for miles, with flags obscuring the sun, armor gleaming brightly.

This was the annual "First Fish Feast."

It was a segment of great symbolic significance in Liao Dynasty’s Spring Nadaam ceremony.

The so-called First Fish Feast originated from Yelv Yanxi’s catching of the first fish during the river’s opening in that year, followed by hosting a banquet to entertain officials and chieftains from various tribes.

Its significance extended far beyond an ordinary feast, serving as a meticulously arranged political ceremony.

Through this grand event, Yelv Yanxi not only displayed Celestial Protection’s might but also aimed to reaffirm his overlordship over the subordinate tribes. Chieftains from various tribes were ordered to come, offer tributes, bow in reverence, their stance itself a reaffirmation and consolidation of the Liao Dynasty’s ruling order.

Having plunged into a vicious cycle.

Now the development of the Liao Dynasty was increasingly synchronizing with its historical trajectory.

In fact, ever since Wang Yingchen had implemented reforms years ago, many systems of the Liao Dynasty had already undergone changes, and this feast was no longer necessary to demonstrate the Emperor’s majesty.

But as the strength of the Central Hub weakened, and the balance between various tribes gradually broke, the significance of the First Fish Feast was brought back to prominence.

Over the years, it has become an indispensable part of Liao Dynasty’s etiquette.

The sumptuous feast was set within the massive tent at Linjiang, where the steam from alcohol and meat merged with the outside chill.

Liao nobles held high seats, in brocade garments and fine attire, chatting and laughing loudly.

While the chieftains of various tribes, especially the Jurchen chieftains, though seated at the banquet, seemed extremely out of place. Dressed in fur hunter clothing, their features roughened by the northern winds, they seemed more like a flock of raptors being watched within this opulence.

A multitude of Liao nobles paid little attention to them.

Including the Emperor, who occupied the higher position, was similarly unconcerned.

And these Jurchen chieftains seemed accustomed to this atmosphere, displaying little overt resistance, except for one man who kept his brow tightly furrowed, starkly contrasting the surrounding lively atmosphere.

This man was called Wanyan Aguda, the Jiedu Envoy of the Wanyan Tribe among the Jurchen.

It wasn’t his first time attending the First Fish Feast, yet each time, the deep-seated sense of humiliation hadn’t lessened; instead, exacerbated by the Liao Dynasty’s increasing arrogance and internal grievances within the Jurchen, it grew deeper.

Watching Yelv Yanxi’s seemingly amiable yet subtly contemptuous smile; listening to the ramblings of drunken Liao aristocrats with their picky discussions on Jurchen tributes; feeling the scrutinizing gazes upon these "outsiders," as if examining goods.

The warmth inside the tent couldn’t dispel the cold in his heart.

The surrounding clamor, conversely, made him hear more clearly the rush of indignation within his veins.

His hands placed on his knees clenched into tight fists, knuckles whitening with exertion, as if poised to explode at any moment.

And just as the wine flowed three rounds, Yelv Yanxi’s voice rang out again.

"Jurchen Chieftains, your valiant reputation, I have long heard."

"During this grand event, why not step forward one by one, dance to liven things up, let me witness your boldness?"

Upon saying this, the inside of the tent fell momentarily silent before erupting in louder cheers and laughter.

It has come.

Wanyan Aguda coldly chuckled within, the most unbearable scene had ultimately played out.

He saw the bodies of several tribal leaders beside him stiffen suddenly, their faces lost color, and their eyes filled with anger and fear, evidently most unwilling.

This was no longer entertainment but trampling a person’s dignity underfoot, rubbing it repeatedly.