Chapter 658 - 102: Shaping the Future, Gathering the World’s Talents

This fundamentally ended the development of Buddhism.

Although nothing was explicitly stated, Gu Yi understood very well that once these temples settled down, it indicated their submission to the court.

Buddhism has begun to integrate into the system of Kyushu.

In addition to this, there were projects to develop water management.

Unlike previous water management efforts, this time the purpose involves not only agriculture but also commercial development.

The canals between major commercial hubs were unobstructed.

This naturally facilitated a series of economic developments.

Gu Xuan established offices along each waterway to record and collect commercial taxes.

This was also Gu Yi’s idea.

Although this policy would surely induce a great deal of corruption during periods of administrative decay, with current limited information flow, it is the only way to effectively manage everything.

There is no such thing as perfection, only the most suitable system for the present.

In the world, there is nothing perfectly good, only what is fitting.

What he could do was limited to this.

A brand-new era, like the rising sun!

The orderly development of commerce energized economies everywhere, revitalizing the entire Great Tang under such circumstances.

Furthermore, the chain reactions did not stop there.

As communications increased, the integration between the Western Regions, Tubo, Liaodong, and the Central Plains deepened even further.

Notably——

The Gu Academy has already been established in Liaodong.

Many there even began to pride themselves as ’Tang people’ and felt honored by it, stemming from the confidence that Kyushu’s culture gave them.

Beyond that, their fear of the Gu Clan deepened significantly.

Under the influence of religion.

The Gu Clan’s influence throughout Liaodong has reached its peak since its rise.

Put simply, people tremble at the mention of the Gu Clan.

This is the result of numerous campaigns.

Almost everyone has come to remember the banners of the Gu Clan and fears them.

This came as a bit of a surprise to Gu Yi.

He did not interfere with these developments.

In Gu Yi’s vision, the Gu Academy would be one of the sharpest blades for the Gu Clan to reach the world one day.

Once Kyushu’s productivity was sufficient.

The Gu Clan would sweep across the world with the purest Kyushu culture.

Besides... it was a bit of his own agenda.

Through the network of the Gu Academy, he intended to gather talents from all over the world and make them work for the Gu Clan!

....

Luoyang Palace, Taiji Hall.

The ministers stood solemnly, echoing praises and acclamations that reached the heavens, proclaiming the end of an old era and the coronation of a new one.

"Your Majesty!"

"Today, Kyushu is stabilized, all things are renewed, the new policies have become the backbone, and all people are bathed in this holy transformation."

"This truly is an unprecedented magnificent enterprise!"

"The Baoying era name, though foundational and nascent, can no longer represent the grand and flourishing situation of peace and prosperity of the current times. We humbly ask Your Majesty to comply with the will of heaven and the people, to change the era name, to herald the beginning of a new epoch and also to soothe the hearts of the people eagerly looking forward!"

Upon these words, all the ministers in the hall responded in unison:

"We humbly ask Your Majesty to change the era name!"

The sound shook the roof, expressing genuine emotions.

Li Yu sat on the throne, casting his gaze over the array of ministers below, finally resting on the figure of Gu Xuan, who though appeared weary, still stood straight.

After a moment’s hesitation, he asked, "What does the Grand Tutor think?"

"Your Majesty."

Gu Xuan immediately rose and respectfully saluted Li Yu, "What the ministers have said is true, the world is flourishing, and if an era change is enacted, it indeed can rally the hearts of the people."

"I humbly ask Your Majesty to change the era name!"

These words — completely set the tone for this matter.

Li Yu’s eyes also slightly brightened, and after a moment of silence, he finally nodded slightly: "What all of you have said is indeed correct."

"Ten years of Baoying have concluded successfully."

"At this time of complete renewal, I have decided——"

Li Yu paused slightly, and the hall fell silent enough for a pin to drop, with everyone’s attention focused on him.

"Starting from the first day of the first month next year, the era name will be changed to——Dayan!"

Sounds of astonishment instantly erupted.

Apparently, Li Yu had sufficient knowledge, and so did the attending ministers; they immediately thought of the origin of the "Dayan" name.

This name was derived from the "Zhou Yi": "Dayan’s number is fifty, but it uses forty-nine," which encompasses the meaning of the evolution of heaven and earth and the myriad of things, and also aligns with Gu Clan’s foundation in "Yi" for planning and strategizing.

It also symbolizes the boundless vitality and potential of this new dynasty.

Gu Xuan did not hesitate, immediately saluting Li Yu again: "Your Majesty is wise! The new era of Dayan will benefit the people!"

Upon these words, the ministers also finally reacted.

The next moment——

The cries of wisdom rose again.

Until the sound faded.

Then Gu Yi prompted Gu Xuan once more to speak.

Major policies had ended.

He needed to properly arrange the forthcoming matters!

——The Julu Gu Academy!

This was initially an idea born when Gu Yi learned about the development of the Ryukyu Gu Academy.

No, it wasn’t entirely that.

Gu Yi had long had the idea of leaving scientific development for Kyushu, and he had been preparing for it while researching previous data.

However, this matter was too significant and couldn’t be achieved overnight.

The Gu Clan couldn’t bear the impact this would bring, and thus it had to be advanced gradually bit by bit.

This was irrelevant to the talents of the Gu family’s offspring.

Just using the Gu Clan’s name would suffice, then it could establish relative connections with the Gu Academies worldwide.

Simply put, it was akin to using the Gu Academies worldwide as limbs.

While the heart would be rooted in the Gu Clan’s territory.

This act was unrelated to the talents of the Gu Clan’s descendants. In Gu Yi’s view, it might be the core focus for the Gu Clan’s development in the next century.

There was actually no significantly advanced knowledge involved.

Just some inklings.

For instance — the various aspects of "force."

This was the core of the core, and Gu Yi would not leave any obvious material in it, only guiding students’ exploration through a series of questions.

Apart from this, it included many things, but all the content was only for guidance.

Of course, these were the core.

For the public, Gu Yi decided to push forward the ideology Gu Xi left — "Man can conquer heaven."

Breaking prophecies and magical geographies is necessary for the development of science.

This was also one of the methods Gu Yi thought of during the current drive to diminish Buddhism.

This was the key the Gu Academy wanted to push forward.

As for the subsequent developments, only the greatest geniuses would be able to explore everything within, potentially appearing once every several decades in the current world.

But what of it?

The Gu Clan inherently pursued long-term development.

Gu Yi had prepared so much for this, aiming to let Kyushu be the first to embark on this path, even though development might be slow, it still leads the entire world.

Simply put, it was a brand-new road.

Though currently unknown the impact on future generations, what is certain is that this impact is bound to surpass past events.

He truly made comprehensive preparations for this.

The focus is not just on the Gu Clan’s offspring but on the entire world, marking Gu Yi’s boldest attempt to this day.

Of course, all this takes time.

These matters have completely transcended the current system within Kyushu; Gu Yi cannot achieve everything in one step, or else boundless backlash would ensue.

Be it attacks from the world or even the game’s Correction Force!

Inside the grand hall, silence reigned.

When Gu Xuan loudly petitioned for the establishment of a large academy in Julu, all the civil and military officials, including Li Yu on the throne, were taken aback.

But almost all instantly became nonchalant.

This was the change in people’s hearts.

This move indeed bordered on overreach.

Had it been another clan, there would be no chance of approval.

Yet today in the court, who did not know the Gu Clan? Who did not trust the Gu Clan?

This openness and trust were the fruits of the Gu Clan’s centuries-long dedication and sacrifice.

"Good!"

Li Yu’s voice broke the silence, decisive and final.

With the approval given——

Gu Yi’s ever-calm mind finally stirred once more at that moment.

.....

(Ps: Kneeling for vote tickets, I ask brothers for much support, after calmly re-reading the content I wrote before, it indeed helped, and my state has returned quite a bit, how do brothers feel about this Chapter?)