I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 38 - 15: Return to Luoyang, Liu Zhuang Seeks Counsel (Part 2)

Chapter 38: Chapter 15: Return to Luoyang, Liu Zhuang Seeks Counsel (Part 2)
If they fail to seize the opportunity... even if they don’t fall into decline, the prestige of the Gu Clan will rapidly diminish.
Currently, the Gu Clan already lacks deep roots in the hearts of the people.
If they truly wish to lay the foundation for eternal glory, they must have talented individuals generation after generation, forging ahead regardless of obstacles, until the Gu Clan’s name becomes common knowledge among the people, only then can they be considered to have made initial achievements.
It is precisely because of this.
Gu Kang only brought Gu Cheng with him this time.
Since the passing of Gu Xiao, he has been carrying the entire Gu Clan on his shoulders, and he is well aware of the talents of his two younger siblings.
They are sufficient for maintaining status, but insufficient for establishing great achievements.
Now, there is no longer any glory to be gained from following a new ruler for them; they can only reach the pinnacle through their own efforts.
Only the elite can once again elevate the Gu Clan’s prestige in the world.
This is the goal of Gu Kang’s journey!
As they marched forward.
In the face of re-entering Luoyang, the brothers’ reactions were noticeably different.
Gu Kang remained calm from beginning to end.
It was hard to tell from his face what exactly he was thinking.
His disposition is always very composed and calm, unshaken by any situation.
As for Gu Cheng, he was like most military generals of the current era, becoming more excited as they neared Luoyang.
He had suppressed it for too long!!!
No military general loses the desire to accomplish great deeds.
Gu Cheng is no different!
He has always admired famous generals of antiquity, yearning for the day he can achieve great accomplishments like them, adding bricks and tiles to the eternal foundation of the Gu Clan.
The brothers rode their horses at the front.
Seeing Gu Kang’s persistent stern expression, Gu Cheng couldn’t help but advise, "Brother, there is no need to worry."
"With the talent of us two brothers... how could we not be valued by His Majesty?"
Though Gu Cheng’s political acumen surpasses that of Gu Xiao,
Compared to Gu Kang, he seems somewhat inferior.
Gu Kang has been contemplating what the Gu Clan should do if they fail to gain the emperor’s favor on this trip.
Gradual reduction of land entitlements is certain.
The title of Champion Marquis may not be preserved.
If they focus on education, with the current foundation of the Gu Clan, a future emergence of talent might cause a resurgence.
But all of this is filled with uncertainty.
Gu Kang is a pragmatist, wanting to consider everything for the entire clan.
Even if this dynasty is destined to yield no results, it cannot heavily impact the entire clan.
But this is a problem that cannot be solved in the short term.
At least, until meeting Emperor Liu Zhuang, the future of the Gu Clan remains uncertain....
.....
Luoyang.
When Gu Kang and Gu Cheng stepped again into this grand city, their expressions were somewhat complicated.
As the current political center of the Great Han, Luoyang had changed greatly compared to before.
Gu Cheng seemed fine.
After all, he had visited to the passing of Gu Xiao at that time.
But for Gu Kang, it was completely different; since he left Luoyang with Gu Xiao, Luoyang had become only a place he heard about.
He had imagined more than once the scene of returning to Luoyang.
Now, it was actually happening.
As memories from his youth slowly emerged from his mind, even his calm character could not help but be touched.
For this return of the Gu Clan, Liu Zhuang showed adequate respect to the "Champion Marquis."
Though not as grand as Gu Xiao’s peak achievements,
He still sent a Ritual Officer to welcome them and allowed Gu Kang and Gu Cheng to directly proceed to the Imperial Palace to meet him.
In this era, such an honor is noteworthy.
Moreover, Liu Zhuang evidently prepared for this meeting, dismissing the ministers in the South Palace to only leave the regular guards present.
And Gu Yi was not mistaken.
The reason for Liu Zhuang’s summons to the Gu Clan was indeed due to their distinctiveness compared to other noble families.
Yet it wasn’t solely because of that.
The primary reason was that Liu Xiu, on his deathbed, had told him that both sons of the Gu Clan were talented and could be put to significant use.
This was Liu Xiu’s talent recognition ability as an emperor.
He had mentioned it to Liu Zhuang more than once.
Initially at his ascension, Liu Zhuang was unimpressed by it.
Being well aware of Wang Mang’s usurpation, he had a deep wariness of matrilineal relatives.
But when he heard that Gu Kang often ventured into the fields and improved agricultural tools, leading to increased grain production in Julu Commandery, he decided to meet the current generation of the Gu Clan.
This might also be the greatest pleasure of this game.
Back then, Gu Yi made a seemingly trivial move for the sake of achievements, which ended up crucially benefiting the Gu Clan in breaking the stalemate.
Even he did not foresee this.
South Palace.
Even though he had speculated in his heart, when Liu Zhuang once again saw Gu Kang, he couldn’t help but be startled.
Due to often venturing into the fields for agricultural tool experiments,
Compared to most contemporary Confucian scholars, Gu Kang’s skin appeared darker, almost indistinguishable from Gu Cheng, who regularly practiced martial arts.
This completely defied Liu Zhuang’s expectations.
In an instant, Liu Zhuang’s gaze even softened slightly.
Indeed, Gu Kang’s pragmatism aligned well with Liu Zhuang’s expectations for a minister!
"My minister, at your Majesty’s service!"
Gu Kang was not distracted by Liu Zhuang’s momentary surprise and performed his ceremonial bows earnestly.
And Gu Cheng, at this moment, also completely subdued his usual flamboyance, silently standing behind Gu Kang and following suit.
"Jishi, Zhenyu." Liu Zhuang affectionately called them by their courtesy names, "Why do you both stand on ceremony with me?"
"There are no outsiders here; the late emperor never acted so perfunctorily with Elder Xiao."