I Can Control My Ancestors

Although the generals still couldn’t discern Gu Jin’s thoughts,

out of trust for Gu Jin, their eagerness to fight was quelled by him.

This is the difference between Gu Jin and Wang Yingchen!

The accumulated strength of the Gu Clan over a thousand years is most evident in such tumultuous times.

Gu Jin placed great importance on this plan.

He dispatched almost all of his confidants, keeping a constant watch on whether the generals followed orders.

Meanwhile, he hurried to meet Zhao Kuangyin at the rear.

....

Zhao Kuangyin’s condition was worsening.

This is, in fact, a problem faced by every great general in ancient times as they aged.

Earning glory with blood, repaying the wounds with time.

The countless hidden wounds unnoticed in youth gradually erupted with the progression of age.

Zhao Kuangyin was no exception;

Li Shimin was no exception;

neither was Gu Chen;

and all those who left illustrious names in the annals of history could not escape this fate, none could.

Now Zhao Kuangyin was no longer the vibrant figure he once was.

The unbearable pain tortured him incessantly,

the old wounds on his body flaring up with the worsening illness, persistently tormenting both his body and spirit.

Yet he gritted his teeth, resiliently holding on.

Within the Song Army’s encampment,

the thick scent of medicine pervaded everywhere, even overpowering the strong smell of salted fish hanging in the tent.

Before entering the main tent, Gu Jin already heard the sounds of repressed moans from within.

His steps paused involuntarily,

and a fleeting trace of compassion flashed in his eyes.

After standing still for a moment, he proceeded, stepping into the tent.

Gu Jin did not speak immediately but waved his hand to dismiss the Imperial Physician nearby, then respectfully bowed to Zhao Kuangyin:

"Your Majesty!"

Zhao Kuangyin struggled to open his eyes and looked at Gu Jin.

At first, it seemed he didn’t immediately recognize the person before him, his gaze lingering in confusion.

After a while, he finally returned to his senses, a bitter smile forming at the corners of his mouth: "Is it... Huaiyu... you’ve come?"

His voice was extremely weak, each word uttered was disjointed, as if each one drained much of his strength.

Having said that,

he forced himself to sit up, looking earnestly at Gu Jin and asked, "How is the situation?"

By now, Gu Jin had taken on all the burdens.

Not only due to the strategy to lure the enemy,

but also because of Zhao Kuangyin’s health.

Given Zhao Kuangyin’s current state, he couldn’t manage any political affairs, not even the news sent from the court, which Gu Jin was handling.

Now, he was like a dying old man, completely unaware of external events.

Gu Jin, of course, did not conceal anything, after a moment of silence, he thoroughly recounted recent developments to Zhao Kuangyin.

Starting from his various arrangements,

to his insights and thoughts,

including some situations at court, everything was detailedly conveyed.

It’s worth mentioning that—

currently, Gu Jin was remotely controlling the entire Song court via the Imperial Censorate, ever since Zhao Guangyi returned to Kaifeng that day, he had behaved completely submissively.

Perhaps out of care for Zhao Kuangyin.

Gu Jin spoke at an extremely slow pace, and whenever he mentioned an affair, he directly got to the point.

Yet, even so, Zhao Kuangyin found it arduous to follow, signaling Gu Jin to pause now and then, allowing him ample time to digest the information.

Evidently, under the torment of illness,

his thinking had become sluggish.

The monarch and his minister conversed deeply in the main tent, much like when Zhao Kuangyin headed to Julu back in the day.

After a long while, Gu Jin finally finished reporting all matters.

Zhao Kuangyin remained silent for a moment, then slowly spoke, his voice weak yet clear in each word:

"To have Huaiyu by my side, it is truly the fortune of my life."

He could hardly imagine what the resulting chaos would be like for the Great Song if not for Gu Jin.

Without Gu Jin, there would be no Imperial Censorate.

The power of the Imperial Censorate was too great.

Only with the Gu Clan’s control would he, as the Emperor, feel at ease.

And without the Imperial Censorate, he would never have discovered Zhao Guangyi’s treachery.

This was only the most basic level.

The most critical was the front line.

If not for Gu Jin bearing all this, perhaps he would have long passed away, leading to a collapse of military morale, especially if Zhao Guangyi’s rebellion added to the troubles.

It was highly probable that the current situation would collapse instantly.

The Great Song, like many other dynasties in this chaotic era, would perish under both internal strife and external disaster.

How could this not be considered the fortune of this life?

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, after this, the Central Plains will surely..."

Gu Jin once again made a promise.

Completely different from before,

he seemed to have accepted Zhao Kuangyin’s physical condition, wishing to fulfill his final wish.

"With Huaiyu’s words, my heart is at ease," Zhao Kuangyin responded.

Before the words had fully left his mouth, he burst into laughter, a sound containing both relief and a hint of desolation.

He gently waved his hand:

"Go."

"Do not delay state affairs."

"I have little time left, Huaiyu... must cherish your life."

Facing Zhao Kuangyin’s gaze, Gu Jin remained silent for a moment, finally refraining from saying anything more. He bowed solemnly, turned, and exited the tent.

The tent instantly fell silent.

Zhao Kuangyin sat alone on the bed, watching Gu Jin’s figure fade into the distance, his expression complex yet gradually turning resolute.

Only when that figure disappeared entirely at the boundary of light and shadow did he slowly withdraw his gaze.

"Someone, come." He called in a low voice.

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