Chapter 916 - 95: Solid Foundations, Fresh Winds in Kyushu

With these foundations in place.

Now, Gu Hui’s move on overseas mineral resources is a natural progression.

Of course, this inevitably involves the Gu Clan.

And it can only be done by the Gu Clan.

It is worth mentioning that from beginning to end, the Gu Clan has never made their navigation charts public.

Initially, the great families of the world were indifferent to this, but with the appearance of corn, they began to take it seriously, although they never found any opportunity.

What Gu Yi finds somewhat amusing is that, if in the original history, the great families had a habit of collecting books,

then now the great families have developed a habit of collecting navigation charts.

This is the evolution of times.

Although this behavior will eventually be broken someday, it is indeed the current norm in Kyushu.

Of course, all changes are naturally not limited to commerce.

The first to bear the brunt, naturally, is agriculture.

In fact, the current agricultural development in Kyushu has been greatly accelerated, and the experience is very mature, so there is no need to elaborate, the real key is the matter of education!

The spark of the Gu Academy, after the world calmed down, spread to prefectures, counties, and even towns at a faster rate.

This is not entirely driven by official efforts, but more so by a spontaneous demand.

In cities like Suzhou State and Mingzhou State, where commercial revival is rapid, wealthy merchants began to enthusiastically fund the establishment of "public schools" or support existing academies.

Their purpose is very practical: if their children want to enter the increasingly important "Cao Sea General Control Department," "Mining Survey Department," or even newly established local "Taxation Room" for employment, knowing only the classics is far from sufficient. They also need to understand arithmetic, legal codes, and even have a rudimentary grasp of foreign languages.

Textbooks compiled by the Gu Academy, such as the "Practical Arithmetic" and "An Introduction to Maritime Laws" are quietly becoming popular in these emerging schools.

Even in remote counties, changes are happening. Some scholars from lower classes, who had little hope of attaining noble titles but had studied for several years, found a new path—being hired by local official schools or wealthy private schools, no longer just teaching the classics, but adding summaries of the "New Law of Qi-huan," simplified geographical atlases, and documents related to land contracts and taxes as required.

Learning began to have a more direct connection with daily livelihood.

Though denounced as "utilitarian" by orthodox Confucians, it made "reading" in the eyes of more ordinary people, a bit less esoteric and a bit more practical.

Of course, besides this, there is also the germination of entirely new thoughts.

—Limiting imperial power is not just empty talk.

Public trials of the ignorant Zhao Gou and the foreign Emperor Wanyan Digü are now well known.

Furthermore, under Gu Hui’s promotion, many stories and ballads have formed.

In teahouses and wine shops everywhere, storytellers energetically perform pieces such as "Grand Tutor Gu’s Angry Trial of Zhao of the Imperial Family," "Marshal Yue Oversees the Execution of the Jin Chieftain."

The plots, naturally exaggerated, render Zhao Gou’s incompetence, Qin Hui’s treachery, and Wanyan Digunai’s brutality to the extreme, while depicting Gu Hui’s righteousness, Yue Fei’s loyalty and courage, and the public trial that overthrows the supreme ruler based on reason, as a most satisfying narrative.

The audiences applauded, satisfied with the denunciation of the wicked and adoration of heroes.

But beneath these sentiments, a vaguer concept is subtly instilled: apparently, "the Emperor" can also be wrong, and if wrong, he can also be "tried"; apparently, "the law" can govern the highest of officials, even... over the head of the Emperor?

During breaks in the fields, even old farmers would smack their lips and recount what they heard in plain language, "...that Grand Tutor Gu slammed the gavel and said, ’As the ruler of a nation, you don’t think about securing the territory and ensuring the well-being of the people, instead, you frame the loyal and kneel to serve the invaders, this is not loss of virtue, but treason!’ "

"’According to the New Law, you should be executed!’ Well, well, listen to that, ’According to the New Law’! Even the Emperor father violated the law, he has to ’follow the New Law!’ "

They may not understand the specific articles of the "New Law," but the impression that "the law can govern the emperor" was like a subtle crack on the hard shell of the concept of a "wise emperor."

In such a situation, that reverence for the Emperor originating from the depths of the soul seemed to fade significantly.

And this aspect likewise affects the central government.

The emergence of the cabinet—

It can be said that it reallocated the previous power model, although on the surface there sits a sovereign Emperor, the overall situation of the court, however, is quite different from the earlier Great Song.

Neither the Emperor nor Gu Hui can act on their words immediately.

Of course, the Emperor might still be because the procedure hasn’t been completed.

But Gu Hui is to maintain absolute procedural justice.

This is surely an astonishing scene.

And the effect it creates is equally astounding; as something that can ascend to the center of government, the existence of the cabinet was quickly accepted by all, and because of its associated power, it became a coveted goal.

And the presence of the Imperial Censorate and the Ministry of Communication ensures that cabinet ministers cannot form cliques excessively or engage in factional struggles.

Thus forming a relative balance.

Perhaps such a situation will arise in the future.

But still, the saying goes.

Regardless of the era, systems must change with the times; there can never be a system that is eternally suitable for the present, and the specific outcomes depend on how the players within them express themselves.

In this respect, there is no need for anyone to worry.

....

Time flies swiftly by.

The entire world is changing at a pace visible to the naked eye.

And with the gradual stabilization of the situation, issues regarding the Northern Border are naturally brought up once again.

Perhaps it’s because people involved in that region haven’t passed away yet.

Regarding the Northern Border.

Many people wish to achieve great deeds.

But many others hold grudges.

However, this time didn’t even reach Gu Hui; the winds and waves were suppressed by one minister after another.

The reason, of course, is simple.

Ministers are unwilling to rush into war lightly, that’s one thing; the true key is that the Northern Border is also considered a prime piece now.

The resumption of trade naturally brings about the revival of Northern Border commerce.

More importantly, due to the change in circumstances, the profits from Northern Border goods are now far greater than before, hence they naturally hesitate to start conflicts lightly.

Regarding this matter, Gu Hui also did not intervene.

He is different from these people.

He is the Player.

He needs to view the issues from a broader perspective.

Actually, the Northern Border, to him, can be taken down in any case, but what he truly desires is the grand scheme of Kyushu, for the whole Northern Border, including the Liaodong area, to fully integrate into Kyushu like the Western Regions today.

The Great Song has already missed one chance, leading to the rebellion of the Northern Border villagers due to officials’ oppression.

If action is taken this time, it is evident that it will only exacerbate the issues.

He naturally will not heed such winds and waves.

Gu Yi has been silently observing all of this, and hasn’t intervened much.

As the situation gradually stabilizes.

He has already been shifting his focus more towards technological development and the Gu Clan’s offspring.

As he anticipated,

the impact caused by Gu Hui this time likewise subjected the Gu Clan to suppression again, but for this point, Gu Yi had already foreseen, thus he didn’t mind too much.

The experiences undergone by the Gu Clan have already become inevitable; if change is desired, then the costs brought by change must be borne.

Moreover, regarding the current Gu Clan,

wisdom and talent actually could not represent everything anymore, as long as it’s handled well, the foundational heritage of the Gu Clan is enough to sustain everything.

And besides this, there’s the technological development.

The research on the steam engine is still ongoing.

Although many industries have already been involved, the gap to a true industrial revolution remains enormous.

Still, Gu Yi is not in a hurry.

There is still plenty of time available to him.

And the wave of thought set off by Gu Hui this time will surely trigger an even greater storm, that is certain!

.....

(Ps: Begging for monthly votes, asking brothers for lots of support, many thanks from the Fish!!)