Chapter 821 - 56: Luoshui River Sacrifice, Toast for Relinquishing Military Authority (Part 1)

"By the banks of the Luoshui River, a desperate farmer lamented, and dreamt of a figure dressed in ancient hemp garments, holding a plough, who guided him to pray for rain at the place where the statue of Gu Kang once stood."

"The following day, the farmer gathered his neighbors, performing the simplest of rituals. To their surprise, dark clouds amassed swiftly, and the blessing rain fell, alleviating the drought across a thousand miles. The people all said, this was the manifestation of Lord Kang Gu, showing compassion for all living beings."

"..."

"It’s said that at the beginning of the Great Song’s founding, a plague of insects ravaged, devouring what was hoped to be a plentiful harvest."

"The authorities were helpless, and the people were terrified."

"The local official at the time was a disciple of the Gu Clan; mimicking the ancient rites, he led the masses in a grand ceremony by the Luoshui River, praying for the protection of Lord Kang Gu."

"That very night, countless birds emerged from the mountains and forests, pecking at the locusts. Within days, the plague was gone. People said it was Lord Kang Gu who dispatched divine birds to protect the land he once dedicated his efforts to."

This series of legends intensified the people’s attention towards these events.

Even the Gu Clan were rather helpless regarding this matter; such stories were certainly not spread by them.

The Gu Clan has always espoused the philosophy of "revere the spirits but stay distant."

Furthermore, with the gradual development of the Gu Academy over the years, it has increasingly embraced science as its focus, naturally refraining from enhancing prestige through prophetic tales, which could only harm the family, not benefit it.

But the reality remains.

No matter how rapidly Kyushu develops now, there will always be people who believe these stories, spreading them further with embellishments.

No one can truly change this.

On the day of the ritual.

The banks of the Luoshui River were filled with bustling crowds.

Spontaneous citizens, representatives from various places, court officials, invited nobility, and even merchants from afar — tens of thousands gathered here, yet maintained orderly conduct.

The air was filled with the fragrance of incense, earth, and the fresh scent of spring foliage.

The tall statue of Gu Kang stood at the center of the altar, weathering storms, appearing even more ancient and solemn.

Banners fluttered, bells and chimes resonated, as ancient hymns were sung by tens of thousands, their sonorous voices like waves, echoing along both banks of the Luoshui.

All the way, foreign merchants were seen capturing the scene in paintings,

their faces full of shock as they watched this spectacle unfold.

Listening to the complex chants, struggling to keep in time.

At the very center of the altar, Gu Lin, dressed in dark ceremonial robes, wore a solemn expression as he presided over the rites in accordance with ancient traditions.

Though the people may not require much formality or protocol for individual worship,

the involvement of the entire court brings about a different gravity.

Yet despite the elaborate formalities, no one felt any weariness.

From beginning to end —

The free-spirited folk songs sung by the people continued unabated, under the gentle breezes, showcasing the splendor of contemporary Kyushu along the banks of the Luoshui on this particular day.

As if through all of these to console the generations of ancestors who had struggled for this land.

The entire ceremonial event lasted until dusk when it finally concluded.

From start to finish.

Numerous court officials, including Guo Xin and other marquises who had arrived, continued to accompany Gu Lin closely, constantly on edge.

....

That night.

The bright moon hung high, stars sparkling, illuminating the Luoshui banks as if it were daytime.

Inside the riverbank encampment, there was still bustling activity, with countless citizens lighting bonfires, extending the day’s celebrations, unwilling to let this grand festival end.

Singing, laughter, and the gentle sound of flowing water intertwined.

This was true within the encampment as well.

However, compared to the atmosphere amongst the people, the ambiance inside the main tent was significantly heavier.

Gu Lin had already changed out of his solemn ceremonial robes, now wearing regular dark attire, seated at the head position.

His expression was calm, as though the grand ceremony that day had been merely routine.

Meanwhile, Guo Xin, Marquis Anyuan, Elder Jingbian, and other noble military generals were seated below, none touched their chopsticks, and none spoke, all seated with formal posture, their expressions extremely solemn.

Even the songs from the citizens outside the hall.

At this moment, they sounded more like an intangible, overwhelming pressure.

Gu Lin did not allow the silence to linger for long.

He personally took up the jade pot of warming wine, slowly filling the empty cup before him. He did not immediately drink but cast his steady gaze over each of the nobles present before speaking slowly, his voice soft yet distinctly audible above the vague hustle outside the hall:

"The day’s ritual was to remember the ancestors’ toils and treacherous beginnings in establishing the nation."

"And tonight, with the bright moon overhead, we are here," he paused slightly, his tone still steady yet carrying an undeniable penetrating force, "to consider how to pass on this legacy, how to continue this magnificent era."

He raised the cup, yet did not drink, "Those present, your ancestors were almost all those who accompanied the Founding Ancestor, the Previous Emperor, and likewise followed my Gu Clan, cutting through thorns and brambles as the stalwart ministers."

"Including all of you, who have also contributed to the nation."

"Without your past sacrifices on the battlefield, there would not be today’s unified Kyushu, nor the peace of the citizens."

"This cup, Gu Lin offers to all for your past achievements, to honor those heroic souls wrapped in horse hide."

Having said that, he slowly poured the wine from his cup onto the ground as a tribute to the heroic spirits.

This gesture stirred everyone present, their expressions became more complex, but they nonetheless immediately followed suit, pouring their wine onto the ground.

Upon seeing this, a faint smile appeared on Gu Lin’s face, refilling his cup with wine again, and gently declared: "Everyone need not be so constrained."

"Tonight’s banquet is not for official matters, but rather for reminiscing."

His gaze warmed as he looked at the assembly, with a tone filled with recollection and affirmation: "The fathers and forefathers of those present here, many were followers of Emperor Taizu and my ancestor Lord Jin, rising in rebellion from humble beginnings, enduring countless battles, thus laying down the foundational achievements of the Great Song."