Chapter 5

Year Yongsheng Twelve.

September 15.

Hour of the Tiger.

The weather was slightly cool, and it would soon be the beginning of autumn. The entire Daxia Dynasty was gradually getting colder.

Inside the Gu family library.

Sunlight refracted through the windows, casting light into the book pavilion.

"Hmm."

Inside the book pavilion.

Gu Jinnian stretched, loosened his muscles, and then placed a book about the Eastern Land on the shelf.

From the hour of the Rooster yesterday to the hour of the Tiger today, he had read books for five hours straight.

Reading made him happy, and Gu Jinnian didn't feel tired at all.

After all, he had grown up eating medicinal dishes, making his body particularly strong. Reading for five hours was nothing; if he really focused, he could read for ten hours without a break.

During these five hours, Gu Jinnian had roughly finished reading the history of the Eastern Land for the past five thousand years.

He had some prior knowledge, but this time, he read more carefully, especially the records of the Daxia Dynasty, which he read word by word.

The Daxia Dynasty is located in the central and southern regions of the Eastern Land.

It has been established for seventy-two years.

The founding emperor, Taizu, established the country with the era name Kaiyuan, worked diligently to improve governance, fought the northern barbarians, and stabilized the south. He then passed the throne to the crown prince, who changed the era name to Jiande.

However, a grand plan to reduce the power of the feudal lords began.

At first, it went well, as it progressed quickly. But when some of the feudal lords became wary, problems arose.

Especially the fourth prince, who chose to rebel at a critical moment.

Of course, although it was a rebellion, he claimed to be restoring the legitimate rule of Daxia, stating that the emperor had been misled by traitorous ministers and that he was raising an army to revolt.

This should have been a battle with no suspense.

But with the Gu family's involvement, the fourth prince gained a significant advantage and managed to hold on for ten years.

At the most critical moment, the fourth prince made a desperate move, directly attacking the capital and seizing the throne, achieving an incredible comeback.

It was also at this time that the first major case of the Yongsheng era occurred.

The Jiande Crisis.

The Daxia records do not mention it, but Gu Jinnian could imagine.

The fourth prince, seen as a traitor, seized the capital in the simplest and most unexpected way, becoming the third emperor of Daxia. How many people were dissatisfied?

How many people had ulterior motives?

In total, thirty thousand people were involved, and none of them survived. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of people were exiled to the border regions, never to return to the capital.

But this Jiande Crisis also brought significant criticism to the Yongsheng Emperor.

Especially the scholars of the realm, who were all furious, believing that the current emperor was not the legitimate ruler of Daxia but a usurper.

The emperor's sword, no matter how sharp, could not match the historian's pen.

The Yongsheng Emperor knew that relying solely on slaughter could not silence the people, so he emulated Taizu, working diligently, reviewing memorials day and night, focusing on the people, reducing taxes, and emphasizing agriculture, hoping that the people would recognize him.

This is the general history of Daxia over the past seventy-two years, the stories of three generations of emperors.

However, there are many things that Gu Jinnian doesn't quite understand.

This is a world where immortals and martial artists coexist. The fourth prince's sudden attack on the capital shouldn't have been so decisive.

But these are not the main points.

It has been twelve years since the Jiande Crisis, and now it is the twelfth year of Yongsheng. Many things have settled.

Although there are still many rumors among the people, such as the Jiande Emperor secretly planning to retake the throne.

But looking at history, Gu Jinnian is very clear that how many deposed emperors have managed to regain power?

Apart from the great war hero of the Ming Dynasty, Gu Jinnian can't think of anyone else.

"Complicated."

Rubbing his temples, Gu Jinnian shook his head.

The situation in Daxia is complex. Given his current situation, it's best not to get involved.

If the sky falls, the tall ones will hold it up.

His grandfather, father, and uncles are not fools; it's not his turn to worry.

But there is one thing Gu Jinnian is clear about.

The Gu family.

Really needs a civil official.

Throughout history, the most glorious moments for military generals have always been during times of war, but this glory has a prerequisite.

A martial emperor must be in power.

If a civil emperor is in power, the fate of military generals is likely to be overshadowed by their own success.

Only under a martial emperor can military generals truly stand tall.

The Yongsheng Emperor is a martial emperor, so the Gu family can act without restraint.

But each generation has its own responsibilities. Over the past few decades, there have been countless internal and external conflicts and wars.

Even a fool knows that the people need to rest and recover, let alone the current emperor?

In the future, Daxia needs a civil emperor to take charge, vigorously developing the economy and agriculture.

War is something that can wait.

In such a situation, the status of civil officials will rise, especially those of the Confucian school, who are responsible for educating the people, which is no small matter.

In times of peace, the cultural battle is the key.

If the Gu family remains a family of military officials, it will not be a good thing for those in power, and they will eventually be weakened, and severely so.

But if a civil official emerges, it can reverse the decline and change the tide.

However, this civil official must have exceptional abilities and means, not just the ability to read books.

So, the road ahead is long and arduous.

The seemingly glorious Gu family also has its concerns.

A dike a thousand miles long can be destroyed by an ant's hole, a principle Gu Jinnian learned early on.

"Prince."

At this moment.

The voice of a servant slowly sounded, pulling Gu Jinnian out of his thoughts.

On the first floor of the book pavilion.

A servant with a fair complexion spoke timidly.

"Prince, the Marquis has ordered you to go to the Wenxin Study today. It's not early, and you still need to bathe and change clothes. Please prepare, Prince."

The voice was soft and timid.

After all, for the previous incarnation, reading was not a pleasant task, and he would often become irritable and vent his anger on the servants.

"Understood."

Inside the pavilion.

Gu Jinnian responded and then walked down from the book pavilion, following the servant out.

About half an hour later.

In the pool.

Gu Jinnian walked out of the pool, dried his body, and picked up his clothes from the rack.

Gu Jinnian was satisfied with his identity, but he still wasn't used to being served, especially when it came to dressing.

He's not a child, and having others dress him felt too strange.

Especially when a group of male servants dressed him, Gu Jinnian couldn't stand it.

The nobility are not fools; they know that some maids like to play tricks, seeing the young master as a way to advance.

This kind of thing happens frequently, so the truly powerful nobility are extremely strict with their descendants. Gu Jinnian is now sixteen, a time when young men are at their peak.

So, they dare not place a maid by his side, fearing such incidents.

This is why Gu Jinnian feels uncomfortable.

Preventing uneducated young nobles is one thing, but to think that even a man of integrity like himself is guarded, it's a bit frustrating.

"Can't do it, need to have the capping ceremony soon. After the ceremony, it will be better, otherwise, I can't even go to the pleasure quarters."

Thinking about this.

Gu Jinnian quickly put on his clothes, layer by layer.

Finally, after dressing, Gu Jinnian stood in front of the bronze mirror, examining himself.

Although the image was a bit blurry, it still couldn't hide the aura of a noble young man.

This time, apart from his identity, Gu Jinnian was extremely satisfied with his appearance.

Sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and delicate features, especially his pair of almond-shaped eyes, which added an indescribable handsomeness.

But it's not the kind of feminine beauty, but a kind of masculine beauty, so much so that the word "beautiful" is used to describe it.

Wearing a blue robe with ink patterns, a scholarly aura immediately emanated.

Just this appearance alone gives the impression of a top scholar.

After tidying his clothes.

Gu Jinnian walked out of the pool.

Heading to the Wenxin Study.

Outside the mansion.

The jade carriage was already prepared.

Six elite guards stood on each side.

As the prince, Gu Jinnian could travel in a jade carriage. A national duke has a seven-horse standard, a marquis has a five-horse standard, and since Gu Jinnian has no title, he can only have three horses.

The horses pulling the carriage are Blood-Qilin horses, covered in black scales like a qilin, but with a faint blood-red color, hence the name Blood-Qilin horses.

One Blood-Qilin horse can pull the jade carriage, and three such horses are to highlight the prince's status.

Walking into the jade carriage.

Gu Jinnian sat cross-legged, and the steward drove the carriage, not forgetting to nag.

"Prince, the Marquis has instructed you not to engage in any disputes after going to the study. There are some rumors in the capital, and those scholars are watching you."

"Do not give them any opportunity, or there will be trouble."

The steward spoke, and the jade carriage set off, relaying the instructions from Gu Qianzhou.

"Understood."

On the jade carriage.

Gu Jinnian nodded.

He knew the current situation