Chapter 820 - 56: The Luoshui River Sacrifice, A Toast to Relinquish Military Power (Part 1)

Gu Yi remained silently observing all of this, his heart unmoved by even the slightest ripple.

Though Gu Lin’s current actions may seem a bit hasty.

But in truth, they are not.

Since the Gu Clan gradually took power, the entire system of the Great Song has always had some issues. While the hereditary military aristocracy might benefit Wude, it is also a malignant tumor of the nation.

This is certain.

But as a member of the Gu Clan, especially one who has produced a Patriarch like Gu Rui who excelled in scheming, how could they not see all of this?

The reason for not altering the system was solely to unify the world.

Don’t forget—

The Gu Clan has always been rising from the bottom to the top!

Not just everywhere in the world, but also currently within the army, Gu Clan members hold positions throughout the military.

Moreover, the key factor is the Gu Clan’s prestige.

Years of nurturing soldiers—

The Gu Clan would not be foolish enough to let these families raise private armies independently, with various rewards almost always made in the name of the court.

And this is also the confidence behind Gu Lin’s actions.

He is not afraid of these people suddenly rebelling.

As long as he is not dead and the Gu Clan has not fallen from its height, these people do not have the courage!

Beyond that, Gu Lin also does not wish to act so decisively.

Everything in the Great Song is currently thriving.

The connections between these military aristocracies and the Gu Clan have lasted for many years, and if possible, Gu Lin is willing to bestow them with wealth and honor.

However, these people must make choices within this!

....

Time flies swiftly.

As every Imperial Censor left Yingtian Prefecture with great fanfare, the news spread throughout the entire world in an instant.

For the plans to come, Gu Lin had no intention of hiding anything.

On the surface—

He is to represent the court in conducting the now well-established "Luoshui River Ritual!"

However, anyone with a discerning eye can see the problems within it.

For a time, rumors spread endlessly throughout the world.

But this is also one of Gu Lin’s objectives.

He is forcing people to make a choice. To personally come is to introduce themselves, and if they are unwilling to even put forth this introduction, they cannot blame him!

The development of events was the same as always.

Just as Gu Lin’s plans became apparent and the world’s attention focused on the upcoming Luoshui River Ritual, an undercurrent quietly surged among the scholar-agitated students.

As Gu Yi predicted, certain forces unwilling to relinquish power began their counterattack, but instead of openly opposing Gu Lin and the court, they targeted impressionable students under the guise of objective criticism.

For a time, in prefectures like Yingtian and the Western Capital, as well as in tea houses, and academies across various provinces, various comments began to circulate:

"Have you heard? The court intends to enact the ’Grace Concession’ once more, to strip the military commanders of their power, archers gone after birds are all shot!"

"Lord Gu’s actions surely dishearten the soldiers of the world? If it weren’t for the blood sacrifice of Marquis Guo, Marquis Anyuan, and others, would unity exist today?"

"Though ’Gu’s School’ advocates for inclusive acceptance, at its core, it still strengthens the central while weakening the peripheral, intending to centralize military power to the Pivot Secret, leaving us military families with no place to stand!"

"The Gu Clan has seized the world’s power, and now they won’t even leave a trace of military power and land for the descendants of meritorious officials?"

"...."

These remarks, carried by historical fear of "feasts done, massacre of cooks" and dissatisfaction over personal interests being harmed, quickly spread among the passionate students under the pusher’s facilitation.

Some academies even issued joint letters, their language sincere with traces of scholar-like zeal, advising the court to "remember past valor, to not chill the hearts of meritorious officials," advocating "to rule with benevolence and righteousness rather than controlling subordinates through power play."

It is clear someone is intentionally agitating the students.

The current culture in Kyushu is still too brilliant; this brilliance, although producing many talents, also feeds the self-pride among students.

Many among them are easily incited.

Unfortunately, the Gu Clan couldn’t care less about these things.

In the original history, there is a saying that Gu Yi believes sums it up well: "There are great Confucians to debate the classics for us."

The Gu Clan doesn’t even need to interfere.

Students would naturally unveil the truth within these affairs, sparking waves of disturbance.

After all, what these families are doing is not righteous at all.

This behavior is somewhat foolish.

Gu Lin didn’t even bother attending to their various secret movements.

As long as these people don’t foolishly cross the line in his mind, Gu Lin doesn’t need to worry about what they do; whatever struggle they put up is nothing more than a mantis trying to stop a chariot, unable to make any waves.

Time goes on.

In the blink of an eye, it is already the Spring of the fifth year of Yuanxing.

And facing Gu Lin’s utter silence, under this invisible pressure, they finally came at the last moment.

Indeed, they submitted!

....

The Luoshui River Ritual—

This was not a new court rite, but an ancient tradition that originated among the people, spontaneously continuing for nearly a thousand years.

Since the time Gu Kang promoted new farming tools and methods of cultivation.

This practice had already spread among the people and had entirely become a tradition throughout Kyushu, intermingled with countless legends.

Some of the more distant legends need not be mentioned.

Even until today, legends regarding this ritual continue to emerge.

"It is said, during the chaotic times of the Five Dynasties, the Central Plains suffered from three years of severe drought, with scorched earth stretching for thousands of miles, famine victims lying all over."