Chapter 575: Chapter 67: The End of an Era, Li Zhi’s Demise
The passage of time is swift, and the years fly by.
Gu Yi has been silently observing the changes across Kyushu, including those involving Li Chengqian and others.
To be honest, for Gu Yi,
though he understands that Gu Jing’s achievements will surely be extraordinary, in contrast, the person he truly anticipates is Gu Lei.
There’s no denying it, Gu Lei’s achievements are indeed remarkable.
All that he has done, while it may not seem significant across the entire Kyushu,
would be considered extraordinary on the primitive islands within the current Ryukyu and parts of the Malay Archipelago.
Simply put — it is like the dawn of a new era!
Everything he has done is akin to the dawn of creation, although at present it seems to offer limited help to the Gu Clan.
But Gu Yi understands very well.
Gu Lei’s efforts contribute no less to the Gu Clan than the glorious ancestors of past generations.
He is truly propelling the Gu Clan towards the world stage.
Leveraging the inclusivity of Kyushu culture and the current leading position of Kyushu, he has taken the Gu Clan to the forefront globally.
Isn’t such a contribution also akin to the dawn of a new era?...
.....
Time passes swiftly.
Li Zhi’s grip on the court is increasingly lax, and he has nearly become a hands-off ruler, leaving the entire court in Gu Jing’s hands.
As for Wu Zetian, she no longer harbors any ambitions.
She quietly takes on the role of empress in the harem.
The Wu family will naturally seek her out.
Whether they seek official positions and power, or otherwise, they are unwilling to let go of the opportunity they have seized.
What surprised Gu Yi was Wu Zetian’s severance from the Wu family.
She is indeed ruthless.
Whether for her own offspring or her family members.
If offspring could help her ascend, she would abandon them.
If family members might cause her trouble, she would actively sever ties with the entire family, this is Wu Zetian.
Because of this, there were no ripples in the entire Great Tang.
Tubo has fallen into complete turmoil.
While there are struggles within the court, they maintain certain boundaries.
Despite inevitable natural disasters during this ongoing development, none can affect the grand trajectory.
Amidst simultaneous advancements on all fronts, minor waves cannot stir the current of the Great Tang.
But in any dynasty,
prosperity invariably leads to decline, which is an unavoidable factor.
This applies to the current Great Tang as well.
Not only is Li Zhi aging, but so too is Gu Jing, along with various ministers now stabilizing in the court.
The most crucial point is —
As Gu Yi anticipated, after another large-scale historical change, the talents of the Gu Clan descendants are similarly affected.
The descendants of Kyushu fare reasonably well.
Though there is a noticeable decline compared to previous generations, they are still passable.
However, those in Ryukyu have truly deteriorated.
The Gu Clan has never changed its educational principles for family descendants; despite the ocean’s separation, once trade routes stabilized, these descendants were sent back to Kyushu.
Moreover, the Gu Clan does not require them to return to Ryukyu but allows them personal choice.
These individuals face even greater limitations.
Their attributes are obviously weaker.
This fact alone speaks volumes.
Nonetheless, Gu Yi doesn’t mind much; he currently lacks nothing, capable of direct manipulation.
Although history has changed significantly,
Gu Yi remains confident that he can ensure the Gu Clan continues to progress in the right direction.
Moreover, since the Gu Clan changed its development path, the demand for top-tier talent has significantly decreased.
Especially since Gu Yi possesses the Luoshu Harmonizing Device, even if family descendants’ talents are lacking, using it ensures they are not excessively subpar.
Gu Yi is not worried about these in the slightest.
But it is unquestionably declaring the slow passing of a glorious era.
Qianfeng Year Four, July.
Li Chengqian passed away in Ryukyu, entrusting his legacy to Gu Lei, passing the burden of Ryukyu to his eldest son Li Xiang.
This Crown Prince, who bore immense pressure from a young age and suffered from lameness at a critical moment, struggling throughout life, ultimately could not withstand the passage of time, like Li Shimin, falling on the path he forged.
This did not deviate from Gu Jing’s judgment.
He did not return to Kyushu in life, nor did he wish to be buried there in death; Li Chengqian decreed to be interred in Ryukyu instead of being transported back to Kyushu.
He indeed harbored no attachment to the Li royal family, and Ryukyu was where he built his foundation.
It was as if a switch had been flipped.
Entirely signaling the formal commencement of the end of this splendid era.
At the year’s end.
Gu Lei also succumbed to the burdens on Ryukyu soil.
These two events greatly impacted all of Ryukyu.
Despite Gu Lei’s influence,
current Ryukyuans share a sense of belonging with Kyushu and the Great Tang, yet regarding royal authority, they remain as they once were.
Whether it was Li Chengqian or Gu Lei,
