Chapter 666 - 106: The End of a Dynasty, When the Heavens Collapse
The gifts originating from fate had long since marked the stakes in invisibly.
Such is the present Great Tang.
Although the experiences diverged slightly from the original history, amidst the increasingly corrupt state of the current Great Tang, Huang Chao ultimately, as in the original history, embarked on a path of no return.
In truth, Gu Yi had always kept an eye on Huang Chao.
From the moment Huang Chao stepped into the Gu Academy, Gu Yi had already noticed him.
It was just that at the time, he did not pay much attention.
The reason was equally simple; it was that Huang Chao’s experiences were entirely different from those in the original history.
In the original history.
The Huang family had been generational private salt traders.
However, in the present Great Tang, at least when the political situation was still stable in the past, the Huang family had not yet embarked on this path, only due to the changes in the political situation during his father’s era did they step onto this path.
This is, likewise, the most fundamental.
The real key is that Huang Chao’s heart for learning now made Gu Yi never feel that he bore any resemblance to the accounts in the original history.
It was only upon seeing him write this poem that one truly recognized his identity.
Countless thoughts flashed incessantly at that moment.
Observing everything happening within the Gu Academy from the depths of the universe, Gu Yi remained silent for a long time and ultimately chose not to interfere.
Whether concerning Huang Chao or the entire Gu Clan.
The Gu family still needed time to recover their strength.
And Gu Yi did not fear that Huang Chao would wield his butcher’s knife against the Gu Clan.
.....
Time quickly passed by.
Huang Chao finally left the Gu Academy, even facing a group of Gu Clan disciples urging him to stay, his attitude was very firm.
He was evidently completely disillusioned with the current Great Tang.
He even once again brought up the past of Gu Xi and Gu Chen.
And what those two did was self-evident.
Gu Xi, with his own strength, faced all the noble families, while Gu Chen took over the heavy burden in his hands.
In fact, Huang Chao had long admired these two, now he simply brought everything onto the surface.
Gu Yi naturally understood his thoughts.
But in the eyes of others in the world, no one would interpret Huang Chao from this perspective.
After all, what Gu Xi and Gu Chen represented went far beyond personal achievements, it was more of a symbol——
——Recreating heaven and earth.
Gu Xi single-handedly shouldered a nation’s fate, facing the pressure of the entire world; while Gu Chen wielded the sword across the seas, pacifying the chaotic era, truly sweeping across the universe.
These feats, in the eyes of others, were merely common sentiments expressed by Huang Chao facing the chaotic situation——no different from millions of scholars, no one could detect the hidden true intentions within his words.
Because of this, none of his actions or words attracted any additional attention.
And the world continues to deteriorate.
The entire Great Tang, amidst endless struggles, had completely veered toward the wrong direction, with no reversal whatsoever.
As time continued to flow.
The clashes from all directions had even escalated to the throne.
Eunuchs, powerful ministers, the imperial family.
In this vortex of power, different factions appeared in costume and employed various means.
The entire Great Tang, under such circumstances, had entirely become a runaway horse, devoid of its previous splendor, leaving only infinite conflicts.
And all these conflicts ultimately transformed into the grave suffering upon the shoulders of the common people:
Increasingly high taxes;
Layers of officials’ exploitation;
Disasters incessantly recurring.
Every desperate situation a feudal dynasty must face during its late years is repeatedly playing out on the land of Great Tang.
The sound of wailing resounded across Kyushu.
Gu Yi saw very clearly, none of this was due to any intentional suppression by the Correction Force.
It was merely due to the changes in the political situation.
Not to mention other matters, just considering the increasingly significant impact of natural disasters now, if these disasters’ scale were placed during the flourishing Tang era, it wouldn’t trigger any turmoil at all.
This is simply the chain reaction produced by differing circumstances.
Of course——
The court is not entirely indifferent to this.
Even deeply entrenched in internal conflict, none wants to witness with open eyes the complete toppling of the "Great Tang", the ship carrying everyone’s fate.
But, this series of so-called disaster relief measures, after all, remains superficial.
Compared to the flourishing Tang era.
Not to mention how the disaster relief was supervised, even the speed itself is unknown to be lagging by how much.
Refugees spread across the land, endless cries.
But these cries of despair, ultimately cannot reach the deep palace in Luoyang; even if occasionally ascending, it can no longer evoke a shred of empathy within the wealthy gates.
To them——
As long as the common people have not completely raised flags in rebellion, what tragedies currently before their eyes can still be ignored.
This is the arrogance of those in power.
The entire Great Tang, under such circumstances, had completely been led to the edge of the cliff, just a step away from being instantly annihilated, yet absolutely no one cares.
Everyone only thinks to manipulate the utmost level of power under this stable balance.
Of course, this doesn’t mean everyone is foolish.
Surely someone among them can see the crucial point.
But what can they do?
For the Emperor sitting at the top, in his eyes, only by grasping all the power can he recreate heaven and earth.
He could only contend with the ministers.
As for those ministers, they care even less about so much.
What if Great Tang truly perished?
Their status is here, their family is here, the strength of their family is also their strength, is it not?