Chapter 906: A Hundred Tasks Await, Contention for the New Sovereign

As for the handling of the Northern Frontier that follows, Gu Hui has also made a decision.

Whether it was Yue Fei or the other generals, they actually all hoped Gu Hui could continue fighting.

It wasn’t because they had any deep hatred for the Jurchens, but simply because they wanted to achieve more merits.

This is the fate of every general.

However, in the end, Gu Hui suppressed their thoughts.

It was not out of mercy, nor was it because of the various actions of Wanyan Digü.

In Gu Hui’s view, all he did was nothing much.

The true reason lies in development.

The Kyushu has been stagnant for too long.

Not to mention the matters of the Great Song in the past, since the chaos in the world began, everything has been regressing, including the issues of canal transport.

All of this needs time to recuperate.

Moreover, for Gu Hui, the core strategy of ethnic integration will not change.

In other words.

The Northern Frontier, besides the Jurchens, even if it could be conquered, who would be willing to go there?

This is a very realistic problem.

To put it bluntly, continuing the fight in the Northern Frontier has no benefit and, on the contrary, will continue to harm the Kyushu.

Wanyan Digü has already retreated from the throne.

And he has paid an appropriate price.

Continuing to fight would either mean choosing to completely annihilate the Jurchens or being dragged into a quagmire of war.

In any case, it is not worth the loss!

Gu Hui certainly won’t make this choice.

Of course, all this is just a matter of later.

For the current situation.

Gu Hui must do something to officially commence all the reforms to follow.

That is the position of the Emperor!

….

Night.

Chuigong Hall.

Gu Hui did not sit on the dragon throne but set a seat at the lower steps, dressed in black, his expression calm.

Arranged below him in two rows were the old Northern Frontier ministers who followed him south, the newly submitted Jiangnan scholar representatives, and several former Song ministers known for their integrity during the turmoil.

“The Jurchen chieftain is executed, the Central Plains initially settled, Jiangnan urgently needs pacification.” Gu Hui began, his voice not loud, but it instantly silenced the rustling of robes in the hall, “Yet a country cannot be without a monarch for a day. Since the Great Song’s national title exists, a wise and virtuous member of the imperial clan must be chosen to honor the ancestral temple and stabilize the hearts of the people.”

“Today, I have summoned you all to discuss this matter.”

——This is something he must do.

As long as the Gu Clan doesn’t intend to sit on that position, this point in time cannot overlook it.

It is worth mentioning that there are actually considerable voices in the world today.

That is, some suggest that the Gu Clan should take this Emperor position, citing scriptures and arguments, gaining much support from the people.

But all this is ultimately in vain.

The Gu Clan cannot take that position, nor can it avoid the Emperor position at present.

If not.

Perhaps in the short term, nothing will seem amiss, but as soon as Gu Hui dies, the entire world would undoubtedly descend into greater chaos.

“Zhao Gou lost virtue, brought chaos to the land, he himself is deposed, his sons died young.”

“To eliminate future troubles, clarify the origins, Zhao Gou’s line must no longer be considered.”

In the midst of silence.

Gu Hui first set his requirements.

It was not out of fear of Zhao Gou’s descendants plotting; it was necessary to make people recognize this bloodless lesson.

These words set the fundamental framework— the new sovereign must come from the Zhao family, but cannot be a descendant of Zhao Gou.

The people in the hall wore varied expressions, their minds calculating rapidly.

An elderly former Song Ministry of Rites official from a Jiangnan noble family stepped forward shakily, he was invited temporarily to ‘advise on protocol,’ seeing a glimmer of hope for restoring the old order: “Grand Tutor, with your wisdom! Since excluding… excluding the former…”

The words “former Emperor” nearly slipped from his lips.

However, this old minister was evidently quick to react, immediately swallowing those words and continuing, “The line of the guilty Emperor.”

“Then we should trace back the genealogical records and select the nearest legitimate branch from the Taizu Emperor based on proximity and seniority.”

“This old minister believes, we should quickly summon the old staff of the Office of the Imperial Clan to inspect the jade records…”

This elder minister’s suggestion, seemingly standard and following protocol, actually affected countless Jiangnan gentry, especially those major families with intricate connections to the former imperial family and in-laws.

If they could establish the new ruler according to the ‘old rules’ and genealogical selection, their familiar game rules could partially return, providing them the opportunity to reoccupy advantageous positions in the new power structure, at least preserving their family’s esteemed status locally.

This was a natural self-preservation and probing reaction to Gu Hui’s ‘new policies.’

Before the words finished, a pragmatic civil official from the Northern Frontier interrupted: “The Minister’s words may align with ancient rites, but extraordinary times require extraordinary measures.”

“Now, while many affairs await resettlement, strong enemies have retreated but the realm is still unsettled, how can we simply determine the sovereign by genealogical closeness?”

“We should choose a wise and virtuous member of the imperial family, one who is older, understands worldly affairs, and can stabilize people’s hearts!”

The considerations of the former Northern Frontier officials were more straightforward.

They had followed Gu Hui for a long time and clearly understood that the Grand Tutor’s ambitions extended beyond merely restoring the Song lineage; he had the zest for eradicating lingering evils and reestablishing order.

For them, the new sovereign should ideally be a “sensible,” “stable” figure, who would not threaten Gu Hui’s authority or upcoming reforms, while his image as “wise and virtuous” would rapidly reassure the public longing for the Zhao Song’s rule, especially those observing forces in Jiangnan.

They favored selecting an elder, long-removed from power, hence ‘clean’ and cooperative member of the imperial clan.

At this moment, a general who had contributed to the recapture of Yingtian, with a voice like a booming bell, clasped his hands and spoke: “Grand Tutor!”

“This humble general is a straightforward man, not familiar with twists and turns.”

“I only know that this empire was reclaimed at the point of a spear, led by the Grand Tutor and the soldiers!”

“In the hearts of the soldiers, they follow the banner marked with ‘Gu’!”

“The new sovereign, foremost, must understand the greater picture, know gratitude and duty, absolutely cannot be someone who might be manipulated by corrupt elements or, in future, begin to distrust and suspect meritorious ministers!”

Though he did not say it explicitly, his gaze was burning and unmistakable – there must never again be an Emperor who could, like Zhao Gou, distrust military ministers and sabotage the nation’s defenses.

As one by one opened their mouths, the voices in the Chuigong Hall quickly rose.

Gu Hui remained seated, expression unchanged, but he was very clear-headed inside.

Clearly—

With the world once again stabilizing.

Internal power struggles within the forces began naturally as well.

However, this was not a concern.

Human nature is inherently competitive.

Regardless of the time, this is something that cannot be avoided.

And for a nation, appropriate struggles also aid centralization, something he naturally would not interfere with.

The discussions in the hall gradually started, with ministers of different regions, backgrounds, and interests proposing one name after another, only to be quickly challenged or refuted by others for various reasons.

Someone proposed a prince from the Taizu line, known for his reputation;

Another mentioned a distant descendant who had lived among the commoners and was said to be well aware of their sufferings;

Some even cautiously suggested the ancient practice where the brother succeeds a deceased emperor, considering Zhao Gou’s surviving brothers… but that was immediately blocked by Gu Hui’s premise of excluding Zhao Gou’s line.

This was destined to be a conclusion that could not be reached quickly.

——Especially as Gu Hui remained silent.

These people were more inclined to vehemently fight for their interests, and in such a desolate time, gaining this inherent advantage was something worth competing for by everyone.

Gu Yi was also observing all of this.

In fact, he was also quite curious about the developments to come.

However, watching the crowd’s strife and the perpetual silence, he suddenly felt that Gu Hui was evidently prepared.

This seemingly multi-faceted opinion-gathering was very much like fishing. …

….

(Ps: Kneeling for monthly votes, asking brothers for your support, fish is so grateful!!!)