Chapter 823 - 57: Luoshui River Rite, Wine Toast to Relinquish Military Authority (Part 2)

This soft "hmm" and rhetorical question were like ice water poured into boiling oil, instantly freezing the already stagnant atmosphere inside the tent.

Guo Xin and the others found their hands with the wine cups frozen mid-air; they could neither put them down nor raise them further, with beads of sweat appearing on their foreheads.

This is the oppressive aura of the Gu Clan!

Controlling the Imperial Censorate, using it to control the entire world for over a hundred years.

No signs of relaxation whatsoever.

Even though these generals had witnessed the blood-soaked winds of the battlefield, they still felt a chill run through their hearts at this moment!

Seeing the atmosphere plummet to the bottom, Gu Lin gently sighed and slowly put down the wine cup in his hand.

"It seems that what I just said has put you generals in a difficult position."

His tone carried a bit of self-reproach, and his gaze swept across those tightly holding their cups with tense expressions before he smiled again, "I did not consider well, overwhelmed by the difficulty of the situation."

"But I forgot that you generals guard the four regions, also having rendered great service; upon hearing such words suddenly, it’s inevitable to feel uneasy."

The atmosphere appeared to soften slightly.

But in reality, it was anything but.

Gu Lin’s act of taking responsibility and sympathy actually made Guo Xin and the others even more unsettled, leading them to repeatedly say, "I don’t dare."

He gestured again to indicate they need not be like this, his tone becoming increasingly sincere: "Gentlemen, we have all weathered storms together; there are things that, though reluctant to speak of them, must still be considered."

"What was mentioned just now about the tail wagging the dog and imbalanced power is not alarmist talk, nor is it directed at any of you present."

Saying this, Gu Lin naturally leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice: "Please consider, while we are here now, knowing each other well, friendship and trust bind us."

"But what about the rulers of the future?"

"They have never fought alongside you; if they see you holding heavy troops for long, with protégés all over the army, what will they think?"

"Historical records are full of tales where, after birds are gone, the bow is put away, often not due to the harshness of the founding rulers but the result of suspicion between future rulers and ministers!"

These words shifted the potential crisis from Gu Lin’s personal agenda to an objective historical trend and future uncertainty, making it seem more real and relatable.

But indeed, it was both a soft and a hard approach simultaneously.

Of course, he wouldn’t deliver a final blow directly.

If not, he wouldn’t have given this group a chance to come here in person.

Silence fell over them again.

In fact, they really wanted to say that they stand with the Gu Clan, as long as the Gu Clan is willing to support them, they wouldn’t do anything foolish.

But such words, they ultimately couldn’t bring themselves to say.

After all, the Gu Clan is not the royal family.

They don’t need to pledge allegiance.

In such circumstances, speaking such words would instead make the atmosphere even colder.

And most crucially, since things have come to this, it’s clear that the Gu Clan also needs to rectify them.

At this stage, how could they not hear the sharpness in these words?

But Gu Lin never pondered over what they thought, calmly watching them, saying once more: "Today, I am not here to oppress with force, but sincerely to seek out a foolproof plan for you, and for your descendants—a truly broad and untroubled path that can share prosperity with the nation!"

Saying this, he raised his cup again, this time with a gaze full of guidance: "Voluntarily surrender military power to the court, it’s not deprivation, but liberation!"

"Free from the suspicion of holding power for oneself, free from the constant worries and anxieties!"

"The court will reward with the highest honors—the title of Duke, hereditarily passed down; an iron-clad oath by imperial writ; gold, silver, land, and houses, ensuring wealth and prosperity; moreover, enabling your sons to study at the Imperial College and Gu Academy."

"By advancing through the Imperial Examination, they may enter the Privy Council, manage departments, becoming true pillars of the nation, with immeasurable honor to the family name!"

Gu Lin’s smile became even more radiant: "Isn’t this more secure, more far-sighted than letting your children endure the harsh borderlands, constantly facing the risk of war, while guarding against covert threats from the court?"

From beginning to end, Gu Lin never mentioned the crimes they committed.

As if he didn’t know at all.

But in fact, he was fundamentally preventing any possibility of that aspect.

He intended to sever their fundamental roots!

He was not hurried, just holding up his cup, his gaze calm and steady as he watched them, waiting for their decision.

The tent fell silent once more, but this time, the silence was laden with the taste of weighing and calculating.

Gu Lin’s gentle approach had pierced through their final psychological defenses.

Marquis Anyuan struggled with his expression for a long time, finally sighing deeply as he raised his trembling cup: "Lord Gu... you have thought it through thoroughly, this old minister... is impressed!"

"Willing... willing to surrender military power and return to the capital for a peaceful retirement..."

Once someone took the lead, the dam began to crumble.

More and more people raised their cups, indicating their willingness to comply.

Finally, Guo Xin, with a bitter expression and a complex look in his eyes directed at Gu Lin, slowly raised his cup too, his voice hoarse: "Guo Xin... understands."

"For the family... for the descendants... surrender the military power, then..."

Gu Lin’s face broke into a genuine and comforting smile, loudly declaring: "Good! Wise decisions! Cheers!"

"From now on, the court and you all will share weal and woe, and enjoy peace together!"

The cold atmosphere within the entire tent completely melted away at that moment.

Though it was unclear how these people felt at this time, at least a bright smile finally appeared on Gu Lin’s face.

"A cup of wine to release military power?"

In the midst of it all, Gu Yi watched this scene with interest, involuntarily murmuring, feeling a sudden tremor in his heart.