I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 41 - 16: Wise Ruler and Virtuous Minister, Benefiting All Under Heaven

Chapter 41: Chapter 16: Wise Ruler and Virtuous Minister, Benefiting All Under Heaven
Gu Kang had clearly been contemplating how to spread his technology nationwide, and he excelled in these matters.
As for Gu Kang’s suggestions, Liu Zhuang naturally agreed to them all.
He understood the importance of this matter very well, and Liu Zhuang even decided to perform the "Plowing Ceremony" himself, setting an example.
This was the extraordinary aspect of Liu Zhuang.
Unlike those emperors who fancied themselves as exceptional, he preferred to achieve his goals through his own actions as an example.
Gu Yi had been quietly observing everything, feeling a strange mix of emotions.
It seemed everything was developing according to his initial ideas, yet everything was also completely different.
Gu Kang and Liu Zhuang had truly become natural partners.
Although it was just the beginning, the two already showed signs of the legendary wise ruler and virtuous minister pairing, something he hadn’t imagined before.
Even though the future was uncertain,
at the very least, for now, the Gu Clan was truly getting better and better.
What surprised him even more was, of course, the matters of the curved plow and fertilization.
This was originally just a trivial move he made to see if he could gain some achievements.
Yet now, the impact seemed to surpass anything previously done.
Although from the perspective of modern agricultural standards, what Gu Kang and Liu Zhuang had done was not significant,
in the context of the current Great Han, the significance was entirely different.
According to the original course of history,
the curved plow was not developed until the Tang Dynasty;
yet all of this had been advanced!
If this evolution continued...what changes would occur in the future were difficult to imagine.
When Gu Yi realized this, he immediately exited the game to carefully check the detailed information to see if there would be any changes.
Unfortunately....all of this was destined to be unable to resist the power of time.
Although the emergence of the curved plow shifted from the Tang to the Eastern Han,
the progression of time seemed to pause, without the constant progress Gu Yi imagined.
The power of historical self-correction seemed to have paused this development.
Everything...remained largely unchanged from what was.
Evidently, only by the Gu Clan continually striving for brilliance could they truly influence history.
Gu Yi quickly calmed down and then returned to the game once more...."
...
Champion Marquis Mansion.
This is now the main base of the Gu Clan in Luoyang, originally gifted to Gu Xiao by Liu Xiu.
Even though the Gu Clan hadn’t been in the capital for many years, the place was never neglected, and it was spacious enough that both Gu Kang and Gu Cheng lived there.
All due to the favor Liu Xiu showed them back then.
The mansion was very close to the Imperial Palace.
Now, both Gu Kang and Gu Cheng could reside there, which spoke volumes about how favored they were.
Of course, the most attention-grabbing was Gu Kang.
Although Gu Cheng held the position of a middle-army Sima, not many paid him much attention.
No one wanted to believe....
that there could be three talented individuals in two generations of the Gu Clan.
"Brother, today I met an extraordinary person."
Gu Cheng’s voice arrived before he did.
Gu Kang, who was reviewing local s, did not even lift his head; when Gu Cheng entered the room, he asked, "What extraordinary person?"
"The fortune-teller said he would be ennobled a thousand miles away."
Gu Cheng’s face was filled with joy, laughing, "The fortune-teller also said I would be ennobled a thousand miles away in the future."
At these words, Gu Kang finally put down the document in his hand and looked at Gu Cheng, "You believed it?"
"Why not believe it?"
Gu Cheng retorted, "Do you not believe I can make great achievements?"
This might be the common ailment of the current line of the Gu Clan.
Gu Kang had confidence in his talents.
And Gu Cheng was confident in his martial prowess.
"Fortune-telling cannot be taken as truth." Gu Kang shook his head again, saying seriously.
This was a viewpoint that did not conform to the general belief of the people of the time, as he did not believe in demons or ghosts.
In fact, this was due to Gu Yi.
Back then, when Gu Yi took Gu Kang to the fields through Gu Xiao, he once asked Gu Kang about the problems of no rain or droughts.
At the time, Gu Kang provided an answer that fit the era.
Which was to pray to the gods.
Gu Yi then explained the principle of "show respect to the ghosts and spirits but keep them at a distance," shaping Gu Kang’s current attitude towards such matters.
"Alas... brother."
Gu Cheng sighed helplessly, "I know these aren’t trustworthy, but I talked with that person and found him indeed to be extraordinary."
"His family situation is very difficult..."
"Why not recommend him to the Emperor? Let him serve in my army?"
At these words, Gu Kang slightly furrowed his brows.
Recommendation wasn’t uncommon in the Great Han.
But it wasn’t the same now; Liu Zhuang was very strict with officials, and if the recommended person was unqualified, even the recommender would be punished.
This significantly improved the quality of recommended officials.
But it also made recommending someone much more demanding compared to before.
However, Gu Kang still had great confidence in his brother Gu Cheng.
Despite his somewhat arrogant nature, he excelled in military capability.
Gu Kang knew he could not surpass Gu Cheng in military skills; he could only win against him in court strategies.
As for who he was recommending...
Gu Kang paused for a moment, then spoke again, "Tell me who he is."
"His name is Ban Chao, styled Zhong Sheng."
Seeing Gu Kang’s interest, Gu Cheng smiled, continuing, "From Pingling, his family has been historians for generations."
"His father is Ban Biao, and his elder brother is Ban Gu, currently serving as a proofreading official."
"He is currently copying books for the government."
"Brother... you don’t know, I talked with him for a long time, and from his demeanor, it’s clear he’s unsuitable for a scholarly life."
Gu Cheng’s expression grew increasingly earnest as he spoke.
Hearing this, Gu Kang suddenly remembered.
Ban Gu?
Wasn’t he the one recently pardoned by the Emperor after being imprisoned for compiling the "Han Book"....
As a close court official, Gu Kang remembered this recent event very clearly.
Ban Gu’s release.
Was due to his younger brother coming to the capital to redress the grievance, leading to this outcome.
Recalling this matter, Gu Kang no longer hesitated and nodded, "Alright, I will mention this to the Emperor."
He didn’t want to waste time on assessment.
If Gu Cheng couldn’t even tell if someone could fight,
how could great things be achieved in the future?
Moreover, with the current Emperor valuing benevolence and filial piety, Ban Chao’s behavior would surely be approved, what’s the need for further assessment?
"Thank you, brother!"
Gu Cheng laughed twice, then seeing Gu Kang about to return to his documents, he quickly spoke of his other motive.
"Brother.... could you ask the Emperor..."
"not to have me train soldiers any longer...."
Speaking of this, Gu Cheng could not help but sigh.
Even knowing his brother was very capable,
the difference was too significant.
Since arriving in Luoyang, he had been serving as a middle-army Sima, training the middle army.
For someone like Gu Cheng, who had not yet achieved any military feat and was unwilling to waste his life in vain, this was torturous.
"When the Qiang attacked Longxi before, the Emperor mentioned he would greatly employ me one day."
"And yet it has been so long...."
Some people are destined to be like this.
Very skilled in warfare but lacking in political acumen.
Gu Cheng was evidently one of them.
Gu Kang looked at his foolish brother in front, merely waving his hand to dismiss him.
He didn’t even bother to explain the reasoning.
What’s the use of fighting small battles?
Once the Great Han Kingdom fully recovered its strength, there would be countless large battles for him to fight.
Why rush it now?
Seeing this, Gu Cheng sighed helplessly, though he wanted to say more, noticing Gu Kang had already returned to his documents, he grudgingly left.
Gu Yi had been watching them the whole time, his expression also showing a hint of helplessness.
Why couldn’t my Gu Clan produce an all-around talent?
This partial specialization was too severe, wasn’t it?
The achievements a civil official could earn were clear... and Liu Zhuang’s ambition to govern the land meant he promoted quickly.
While military generals, naturally differed from civil officials.
Liu Zhuang had great ambitions and clearly had recognized his abilities...
Yet Gu Cheng couldn’t even endure this short time...
Gu Yi secretly complained, but deep down he increasingly anticipated Gu Cheng’s future accomplishments.
To even encounter Ban Chao!
This was entirely beyond his expectations.
Who could have predicted that the Gu Clan would now become Ban Chao’s patron?...