Chapter 928 Gu Clan Centralization, Gathering Storms

"Implement covert material regulation on Temujin’s forces and his potential allies, fundamentally delaying the forging speed of his war machine."

"Third, under the guise of the annual inspection of the ’Gu Academy Northern Border Branch’ and the issuance of new pedagogical classics, select astute and sharp-witted younger members of the family who are familiar with border affairs, and send them deep into the grasslands with resources and weapons."

"Their task is not only to scout but also to connect—to establish connections with those tribal leaders, shamans, and elders who have blood feuds with Temujin or fear his rise deeply."

"Promise them substantial profits, security guarantees, or even assurances of status after future ’land reforms,’ supply them with armament provisions, and incite them to self-determination or rebellion, igniting an unquenchable fire behind Temujin."

"Fourth," Gu Yan’s gaze turned towards the heavy night outside the ancestral hall, "activate the family’s secret forces within the Imperial Censorate, Ministry of Communication, and parts of the Border Army."

"Rather than endlessly debating whether or not to fight in the court, continuously create and deliver evidence of crisis in the Northern Border."

"—The brutal scenes of Temujin’s tribe annexing and slaughtering small tribes, verified reports of unusual troop movements, records of confiscated contraband military equipment on the grasslands, and even the pleading documents filled with blood and tears from terrified border civilians..."

"With undeniable records of border issues, continuously impact court opinion through rumors, secret memorials, urgent border reports, and other channels, especially to reach directly in front of the Emperor."

"We need to let Your Majesty see that it is not the court being warmongering and troublesome, but that the disaster is already imminent; if the court hesitates any longer, it will completely lose the people’s support in the border areas, thus damaging the Emperor’s wise reputation.

Gu Yan expressed many things with a serious expression.

But the core meaning it revealed was only one—that is centralization of power.

He wanted to see the Gu Clan regain centralized power.

Gu Qing listened to his son’s interconnected and even thrilling plan, his spine unknowingly straightened, and even his palms slightly sweated.

This has far surpassed ordinary military and political suggestions; it is a highly sophisticated strategy that integrates economy, intelligence, public opinion, secret diplomacy, and psychological warfare. Its daring, ruthlessness, and overall perspective shocked even his father, who had experienced the ups and downs of officialdom.

What surprised him even more was Gu Yan’s absolute calmness and decisiveness displayed at this moment, unlike the diligent but somewhat mediocre eldest son he remembered.

"Yan’er..." Gu Qing’s voice was somewhat dry, "Do you know, this plan requires mobilizing almost all of the family’s secret forces, and every step is as precarious as walking on thin ice?"

"Once any part is leaked, it would be inciting border conflict, communicating with foreign powers, forming cliques and seeking personal gain, deceiving the Emperor..."

"If this happens, the foundation of our Gu Clan would indeed be at risk of instant collapse!"

Because of the influence of the Spirit Communication Jade, Gu Qing simply wouldn’t think about whether it was worth it, but whether it was feasible.

Gu Yan is the same.

His expression did not waver in the slightest, instead becoming more resolute: "Father, if things go wrong, the Kyushu will definitely be in chaos!"

"When that happens, can our Gu Clan survive alone?"

"The canal transportation would be cut off, sea routes blocked, academies turned into ruins, all of the family’s accumulations would also vanish like smoke."

"When weighing two evils, taking the initiative to take risks still holds a glimmer of hope, possibly even fight for a future for the family, for the world. Waiting passively for slaughter is to watch the catastrophe descend with wide-open eyes."

He looked up again, gazing at the tablet of Gu Hui, his eyes blazing: "Back in the day, if our ancestors had let themselves be bound by conventional laws and waited for consensus in the court, where would the governance that opened the world come from?"

"In extraordinary times, one must have extraordinary people doing extraordinary things."

"This is not treason but taking preemptive measures with the family’s power to safeguard the people’s peace."

"If we fortunately succeed in curbing the Northern threat or significantly weakening Temujin’s power, by then the course is set, the situation stabilized, what fault would these actions hold?"

Within the ancestral hall, only the occasional crackling of candle flames could be heard.

The incense smoke curled around the father and son.

Gu Qing looked at his son’s young face, yet one seemingly burdened with immense weight, and then at the tablets of the past ancestors, especially Gu Hui’s, calm yet brimming with infinite expectation, surging emotions within.

To put it bluntly, everything Gu Yan advocated for was creating a precedent.

That the Gu Clan would use all it had.

In the court;

Against everyone’s will, even the current Emperor, to undertake large-scale centralization of power.

This undoubtedly caused him immense worry.

Gu Yi was also quietly observing all of this, though compared to Gu Qing’s inner turmoil, he was remarkably calm at this moment.

This was undoubtedly the variable produced after the weakening of imperial authority.

The enhancement of attributes allowed Gu Yan to conceive of the best solution to the current situation.

The current world has undergone earth-shattering changes compared to the past world.

With the foundations laid by the Gu Clan.

In a situation where no one wants to start a war, centralization is naturally the optimal solution. It not only frees the Gu Clan from many constraints but also consolidates the entire strength of the Kyushu.

Gu Yi did not have doubts about Gu Yan’s proposed plan.

After all, considering the strength of the Gu Clan, such matters were not difficult.

Gu Yan’s political attributes are no longer of low level, and with the presence of the "Luoshu Harmonizing Device," it has brought him infinitely close to the top standard.

What is there to question about this?

After a brief contemplation or two, Gu Yi quickly intervened with the Spirit Communication Jade to influence Gu Qing’s thoughts.

And at the next moment.

Gu Qing also made a decision, looking at Gu Yan, he seriously nodded!

...

Meanwhile, in the Northern Border, by the Orkhon River.

In midsummer, the grassland seemed like an endless green velvet carpet, stretching to the horizon under the scorching sun.