I Can Control My Ancestors-Chapter 344 - 27: Progress of the Era—Splendor and Decline
This pace of change far exceeds that of the Northern Border. After all, Gu Yi has not relocated the populace there, so the progress of the two cannot be compared in the same breath.
Gu Ling is still practicing medicine throughout Lingnan.
Besides—
She has begun teaching the local children medical skills, much like she did in Julu in the past.
Perhaps it’s because there are too many people from Julu.
Although far from home, the prestige of the Gu Clan has not waned in the slightest; in fact, it’s growing even higher.
Originally within the Shanyue tribes.
The only person they could remember was Gu Chen.
Even Gu Xi was no longer among them.
But now things are different. Under the influence of countless Julu people, a sense of reverence for the Gu Clan has gradually arisen among them.
Everyone is influenced by their environment, including them.
Especially in this situation where they are not threatened by hunger or danger, this belief doesn’t require any deliberate effort.
As in Julu...
There wasn’t even a need for Gu Yi to mention it; people had already built ancestral halls and statues for the ancestors of the Gu Clan.
The number of people visiting various ancestral halls for worship daily is beyond count.
It is these people who continue to expand the influence of the Gu Clan in Lingnan.
Gu Yi did not pay much attention to these matters.
Currently, his mind is almost entirely focused on the various engineering projects, wanting to complete them within his lifetime.
He even only gave simple instructions regarding the sugar-making and pepper plantation.
Then he entrusted these matters to trusted officials.
Everyone sensed Gu Ye’s attitude.
In response, many officials advised Gu Ye to take a rest and not overexert himself.
After all, for the Great Han, what he has done is already more than enough.
No—
Not just for the Great Han.
Under the guidance of Gu Yi, Gu Ye’s contributions to Kyushu were no less than those of Gu Xi and Gu Chen.
Whether it was national integration or civil examinations reform;
All these efforts amounted to another giant leap forward for Kyushu, a merit unmatched by any.
But whether it was Liu Chen’s letters or the officials’ advice.
Gu Ye gave a direct response without Gu Yi’s intervention.
"Opportunity waits for no one."
"There are some things I absolutely cannot leave for future generations to address..."
Under Gu Ye’s determination.
The whole region of Lingnan is almost changing daily.
Finally—
In October of the twenty-ninth year of Qianji;
With the last spadeful of earth removed, the surging river water flowed into the new channel.
A canal connecting the two parts of Lingnan was finally completed.
This should have been a gratifying achievement, at least marking the completion of a major phase.
But Gu Ye could not find any joy in it.
The reason was simple—Gu Han was on his deathbed.
Although he was younger than Gu Ye, he had reached the end of his life.
....
Panyu.
Watching the dying Gu Han on the bed, Gu Ye’s eyes were red as he tightly held Gu Han’s hand.
Gu Yi was also feeling heavy-hearted at this time.
He couldn’t help Gu Han.
Gu Han truly was reaching the end of his natural life.
A person’s lifespan involves many factors, and judgment can’t be made solely based on age.
If he could save him, Gu Yi would be willing to try and save Gu Han.
Because Gu Han indeed did many things.
Apart from developing Lingnan, he spent these years mediating between the Han and the Yue people, providing a good balance from the start.
But unfortunately, life and death are predetermined.
Even those like Gu Xi and Gu Chen couldn’t defy time, and neither could he.
"Brother."
At this time, Gu Han slowly awakened, looked at Gu Ye, and with a voice as thin as a thread, quivered, "Brother, I am going soon to meet our ancestors... Brother, you must take care and not exhaust yourself as you have been."
His voice was weak, each word carrying a slight tremor.
"I understand." Gu Ye rarely agreed so compliantly, tightly holding Gu Han’s hand, gently comforting, "Don’t be afraid, you go on ahead to accompany our ancestors. When my time comes, I will come to find you."
His words were filled with acceptance.
Even though the family legacy of the Gu Clan was interrupted for a generation, their fearless demeanor in the face of life and death persisted quietly over time.
"Ancestors?"
Upon hearing this, a faint light flashed in Gu Han’s originally dim eyes.
Then, he surprisingly held Gu Ye’s hand in return, his voice suddenly gaining a bit more strength, "Brother... Will our ancestors accept me, this ungrateful descendant?"
—Ungrateful descendant!
This has been Gu Han’s self-assessment over the years.
Even though he had turned over a new leaf, his foolish past lingered, haunting him persistently.
"The ancestors will surely be proud of you." Gu Ye said without hesitation, with unwavering conviction.
Hearing this, Gu Han’s gaze gradually softened.
He slightly tilted his head back, as if looking through layers of clouds toward the sky.
After a long silence, he slowly spoke, "Brother, in this life of mine, have I ever brought disgrace to the Gu name?"
Even so.
He still harbored self-doubt.
Gu Ye’s eyes reddened, gripping Gu Han’s hand tightly, he spoke earnestly, "Brother, since you turned over a new leaf." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶
"With a single-minded devotion for the family and the state, everything you did was for the greater good."
"The ancestors of the Gu Clan will surely sing your praises from above."
"You have lived an upright life, adding glory to the Gu Clan, how could you have brought disgrace?"
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Gu Han’s mouth, his eyes full of relief, he murmured, "So... very well... very well..."
