I Can Control My Ancestors

Chapter 572 - 65: Ever-Bright Glory, an Unblemished Realm

Whether it was prohibiting marriage with people of the Great Tang, or banning their proselytizing, or requiring them to fully comply with Tang laws, exchanging Tang currency, and so on, everything was a restriction.

Gu Jing’s oversight of these foreign merchants far exceeded what history originally recorded.

This was merely Gu Yi’s intervention, using the Spirit Communication Jade to interfere with some of Gu Jing’s ideas.

He wanted to develop maritime trade not only to continue expanding the Gu Clan’s influence but also to let Kyushu be the first to see the world and the benefits hidden within.

And not to harm the entire Kyushu.

Gu Yi remembered very clearly, in the original history.

Especially in the late Tang period, these people brought significant trouble to the Great Tang, be it economically, or through foreign customs, buying officials, colluding with pirates, etc.

Although all of this now seems to have changed.

The maritime trade development of the Great Tang far surpassed the original history, and the national strength was equally strong, but where there are benefits, there will surely be drawbacks.

He was doing this to guard against these.

The Great Tang indeed seemed very strong now, but who could predict the future?

No dynasty lasts forever, and the Great Tang cannot guarantee eternal prosperity.

Gu Yi must make all necessary preparations to prevent significant changes in the future.

Time swiftly passed.

Perhaps because of Gu Jing’s swift return to the capital, the development of the Great Tang was not affected in the least, and with the introduction of foreign merchants.

The entire Panyu was once again ushered into a large-scale development.

Especially the ports.

The development speed even exceeded Gu Yi’s expectations, and the impact was not limited to these.

Once everyone realized the benefits of maritime trade.

Even if the court no longer pursued its development, the people would naturally continue along the path the court had already taken.

Places like Mingzhou State, Donglai, and other coastal areas had merchants spontaneously organizing the construction of ports.

From all aspects, the entire Great Tang once again showed a thriving trend.

This series of events was established back in the time of Yan Han by Gu Ye.

The journey that was set from the beginning of the Zhenguan period ultimately blossomed and bore rich fruit as time passed.

This change even gave Gu Yi an indescribable feeling.

It was the efforts of generation after generation.

That ultimately allowed this plan, which spanned so much time, to be implemented; how could he not feel emotional?

Although, from a modern perspective, all of this might seem negligible.

But as long as one focuses on long-term development.

The impact all of this could bring to Kyushu is unimaginable; to develop to this point, it’s already quite rare!

For these ports, the court naturally would not give up oversight.

Gu Yi had envisioned the potential drawbacks of large-scale maritime trade development when he was manipulating Gu Ye and left behind a lot of information.

Gu Jing naturally agreed with all of this.

He was continuously overseeing everything through the Imperial Censorate to ensure the stability of the Great Tang.

It is worth mentioning that internal conflict reappeared in Tubo.

Though Gu Jing’s deterrence plan was not entirely successful, the internal conflicts and divisions in Tubo were ignited after he sent the Gu Clan’s banner.

This was inevitable.

Tubo was inherently an alliance of tribes, and the relationships between different alliances were quite complex.

Facing the momentous entity of the Great Tang and the Gu Clan.

The thoughts among tribes naturally differed.

Combined with external expansion pressures constantly looming over Tubo, internal conflicts erupted amid disagreements.

The major defeat recorded in history did not happen at all, which even exceeded Gu Yi’s predictions.

But the worries that followed were also present.

The many battles in original history were completely avoided, and Wu Zetian still had no opportunity to ascend. Gu Yi even thought she had no chance at all.

Including the development speed of various institutions.

With so many changes already, how much pressure must the Gu Clan bear?

Although none of this had manifested yet.

Gu Yi could sense that this pressure might not be less than the influence brought by Gu Chen back in the day, and this was something he had to pay attention to.

.....

Time flew by.

Driven by these significant events, the strength of Great Tang also rose like the morning sun, becoming increasingly powerful.

This is the exceptional quality of the Huaxia people.

Once the borders are pacified, all industries thrive, and the inherent qualities of this land bloom brilliantly.

Agriculture remains its core, but besides agriculture, the creativity of the Huaxia people is also remarkable, open and inclusive.

Although the maritime enterprise was still in the early stages and not fully realized.

It provided enough stimulation to Kyushu in various aspects!

People from different countries always bring something new, and although their countries seemed inferior to Great Tang in many ways, there was always something novel.

These things were swiftly absorbed by all of Kyushu and improved upon to create even more extraordinary things.

All of this was enhancing the strength of the Great Tang.

The most astonishing was the population.

In just a few short years, the population of the Great Tang has increased to nearly 40 million.

This is indeed an extraordinarily shocking number.

Compared to the original history, it has even doubled.

Of course, this success was not only due to Gu Jing’s generation; the emergence of the Gu Clan had already spared Kyushu from many catastrophes.

This is the result of generations passing down their efforts.

Regarding these changes, the officials were naturally overjoyed.

The atmosphere within the Great Tang court had even been influenced, and although it wasn’t as full of advice as during the Zhenguan period, the overall trend was still predominantly positive.

This is the impact of differing general environments.

No literate person would refuse the chance to be recorded in lasting history. When the grand era has fully unfolded and with supervision in place, officials naturally exhibit different attitudes.

This is certain.

Many examples in history show that many infamous treacherous ministers possessed virtuous reputations before entering the core of the court, and only changed due to the overall environment after stepping into the court.

As the atmosphere of this golden age became more apparent.

Another matter would naturally be brought up.

——The Taishan Sacrifice!

In fact, as early as the Zhenguan era, many ministers had proposed this matter, but it was because Li Shimin’s aspirations were too ambitious, thinking that everything had not yet reached its peak.

Therefore, he was unwilling to perform the Taishan Sacrifice.

But now it was completely different, the various major undertakings set during Zhenguan were gradually unfolding.

The ministers could not imagine what else could influence the Great Tang.

And so the Taishan Sacrifice was naturally brought up!.....

——————

In the autumn of the ninth year of Yonghui, the Emperor was unwell and decreed Grand Tutor Gu Jing to preside over state affairs.

The following year, maritime vessels gathered in Panyu, as foreign merchants flocked and treasures piled up like mountains.

Jing adhered to previous aspirations, setting grand plans: clarify the distinction between China and foreign lands, harness the benefits of maritime trade, and solidify the foundation of the nation.

His strategies spread like wind, merchants and people from Ming, Lai, and Quan prefectures emulated, building their ports, with countless sails setting forth.

The vast maritime borders suddenly became golden trade routes, with annual revenues unparalleled in history.

Exotic goods and overseas skills flowed in with the waves, advancing crafts to excellence.

Amidst this large-scale maritime prosperity, internal strife erupted in Tubo, tribes attacked each other, and the western frontier remained at peace, also due to Jing’s strategic maneuvers and inherited wisdom from generations.

During Jing’s governance, the Great Tang reached its peak:

Fields of agriculture and sericulture stretched infinitely, grain rotting in abundance;

Workshops produced exquisite tools, and maritime vessels brought rare treasures;

The population flourished, exceeding 40 million mouths;

Treasuries were robust, and the army dazzling under the sun;

Foreign rulers, humble and in awe, offered allegiance and vassalage.

It is said: The prosperity of both land and sea during Yonghui outshone all antiquity, with Jing orchestrating pivotal affairs, harnessing the world’s benefits while preserving Huaxia’s foundation.

Tracing its origins, it inherits the virtues of Yan Han’s Marquis Zhao Lie Gu Chen and the maritime schemes of Marquis Jingxiang Gu Ye, spanning centuries, culminating in Jing’s era to full realization.

The Gu Clan’s guardianship over Huaxia’s glory shall illuminate the annals of history.

——Excerpt from "Tang Book: Biography of Gu Jing"