The government dared not to care about Gu Gong, but the censor was not afraid.
The next day, impeachment memorials flew into the palace like snowflakes.
Liu Zhao showed the impeachment memorial to Gu Jiu.
"Look, right after the funeral, he's already been accused of impeachment. I heard he brought some men and smashed seven houses yesterday. The Jingzhao Yin, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the Jinwu Guard all avoided him. I don't recall him doing anything that would anger heaven or man. Why are these officials so afraid of him?"
Gu Jiu flipped through the impeachment memorial and said, "It's well-reasoned and well-founded. This trend really shouldn't be allowed to continue."
Liu Zhao was stunned at first, then burst into laughter.
"What do you think about this?"
Gu Jiu threw the impeachment memorial on the table and said, "He holds the title of fourth-rank general. Fine him half a year's salary. If that's not enough, demote him."
"You won't demote him, but I'll fine him half a year's salary and make him reflect on his mistakes, which is a good time to observe mourning."
Liu Zhao happily decided the matter.
Gu Jiu said casually: "The government is afraid of Gu Gong, and I know a little bit of the reason."
Liu Zhao was curious, "What's the reason?"
"When Gu Gong first returned to Beijing after his discharge from the army, he was quite gloomy. He'd been out on business a few times, and each time, he'd managed to scare a crowd. Even though he'd done nothing wrong, he'd already developed a reputation as a vicious person. Plus, he'd earned a reputation as the strictest instructor at the military academy, and his aggressive demeanor was truly terrifying, so it was understandable that the authorities didn't dare to intervene."
Liu Zhao frowned, "My officials are just a bunch of cowards."
Gu Jiu smiled and said, "Don't blame them. They didn't dare to control Gu Gong because they were concerned about his status as the emperor's uncle. If you really want to investigate, I will also be responsible."
"You don't have any responsibilities. Don't take everything on yourself."
"I want to calm you down." Gu Jiu woke him up.
"I'm not angry! It's a pity that Gu Gong is missing an arm! Otherwise, he would definitely be a formidable general."
…
When the first yellow leaf of autumn fell, Gu Ting returned to the capital.
After being away from Beijing for several years and fighting outside for many years, Gu Ting was once again setting foot on the land of Beijing. He was calm and unusually peaceful.
He led his personal soldiers and entered the city from the south gate.
Passing by Xinmin County, it was so lively that it seemed like a paradise on earth.
Even the street vendors wore clothes made of expensive fine cotton.
"The capital city is indeed rich."
"The capital is still better. There's no need to go into the woods."
A group of northern men ran to the south and hid in the woods, fighting jungle warfare, and they also lost their lives.
Fortunately, after several years of training in the south, they had basically adapted to the climate and diet there and overcame the difficulties of acclimatization before they began to fight in the woods.
If we start fighting as soon as we arrive in the south, half of the people will die just from acclimatization.
After entering the city gate, he went straight to the Chengping Marquis's Mansion, not the Gu Mansion.
Pei Man had received the news long ago and was waiting at the gate with her child.
When a couple meets, excitement is inevitable.
"Daddy is finally back."
It was the little girl who eased the tension, and the family returned home, each expressing their true feelings.
By the time the couple had a chance to talk alone, half a day had passed.
Gu Ting relaxed his whole body and lay on the soft couch.
"When I'm outside, the thing I miss most is home."
"You miss home, but I haven't seen you write more letters home." Pei Man complained about him.
Gu Ting chuckled, "Being overseas, everything is inconvenient. But since last year, many people have flocked overseas to set up businesses, so it's become a bit more lively. There are also many more businessmen where we are stationed, from all over the world."
"Are you leaving again after coming back this time?" Pei Man asked the question that concerned her most.
Gu Ting was silent.
Pei Man's heart slowly sank.
She was very sad and tried hard to hold back her tears.
Gu Ting held her hand and said, "I won't hide it from you. I still want to go back to the battlefield. But I can at least stay with you for three years."
"If nothing had happened to the old man, would you not have come back?"
Gu Ting had no way to answer this question.
Pei Man asked again: "This war will eventually end."
Gu Ting raised his hand, lifted the loose hair by her ear, and put it behind her ear.
"According to the overseas expansion plans set by His Majesty and the Empress, this war will likely take more than ten to eight years to complete. Even after the war is concluded, we will still have to maintain a long-term overseas presence to ensure the successful assimilation of the local indigenous people."
"You want to be stationed overseas?" Pei Man grasped the key point. "Can't the capital city keep you? The children's future lies in the capital. They can't follow you overseas."
"I know! The kids don't have to go overseas."
"I don't want to go overseas either. I'm old, and I'm worried I won't be able to adapt to the climate and food overseas. I'm afraid I'll die from acclimatization. I just want to stay in Beijing, watch my children have children, and live happily as a family."
At the end of her speech, Pei Man burst into tears.
Gu Ting hugged her tightly, "Don't cry, don't cry! Maybe in three years, I will change my mind."
"Then you must change your mind and stay. You're injured all over, and at your age, you should return to Beijing to recuperate. I'm really afraid that if you continue to fight, you'll die out there one day. What will I do then? I won't even be able to collect your body."
Pei Man became sadder as she spoke.
Gu Ting sighed, "After I'm done with my mourning, let's talk about this again, okay? Maybe the Empress has other plans for me."
Pei Man nodded heavily, "Okay!"
She took out her handkerchief and wiped the corners of her eyes. "I've sent someone to the Gu Mansion to tell them you've returned. It's getting late today, so I'll go to the Gu Mansion tomorrow to burn incense for the old man."
"No, I'll go there now. The old man passed away, and as the eldest son, I was not in the capital, so I couldn't handle the funeral personally. Now that I'm back in the capital, I can't delay any longer." Gu Ting said, and was about to get up and go out.
Pei Man held him back, "I'll go with you and take the child with me. My second brother and his family will return to Beijing ten days earlier than you."
After a pause, she continued, "They've been discussing the division of the family recently, and I haven't participated. I think that since our family has moved out, it's tantamount to tacitly agreeing to the division. Whether to divide it or not, or how much to divide, it's not appropriate for me to intervene. This matter still requires your decision."
Gu Ting hummed, "I know what's going on. Let's go!"
The family took a carriage to Gu's house.
It’s only two streets away and we arrived there in no time.
The Gu Mansion opened its doors to welcome them.
The doorman shouted, "Master is back!"
Gu Ting received the highest level of hospitality.
He is the eldest son and an earl, so he should be given the highest level of reception.
No time for greetings.
Gu Ting first went to the ancestral hall to pay homage to Gu Zhili.
"It's too late today. Tomorrow morning I'll go to the ancestral grave to burn paper for the old man. I'll build a thatched hut and live there for a while. Just consider it my filial duty to the old man."
"I'm going with my eldest brother." The second brother Gu Heng echoed.
"Why don't we brothers all go together?" Gu Yan suggested.
The five brothers exchanged glances.
"I have no objection!" Gu Gong stated.
Gu Hun also said he had no objection.
So it was decided that the five brothers would build a tent together and guard the ancestral grave for a while.
No one mentioned the matter of dividing the family, and no one would spoil the fun at this time.
…
The five brothers guarded Gu Zhili's grave, built a straw hut, and lived there until late autumn before returning to the capital.
The rumor that children forced their father-in-law to death has been refuted.
Of course, there was also the reason that Gu Gong led people to smash and destroy things.
After returning to the capital and resting for two days, the five brothers gathered together to formally discuss the division of the family business.
Gu Ting was the first to speak out, "I've been away from the capital these years, so I can't reach you. The family is being taken care of by the third son and his wife. I've considered the matter of dividing the family property, and I'll take 20%. The rest will be divided according to the rules."
Gu Cheng said hurriedly, "Big brother is the eldest son, so it's against the rules to only give him 20%. In the future, big brother should take on the responsibility of taking care of his brothers and sisters and the elders of the clan, so he should get at least 50%."
Gu Hun was originally surprised, but after hearing Gu Cheng's words, he was filled with regret.
He looked at Gu Heng, who was also a bastard, hoping to get Gu Heng's support.
Gu Heng was straightforward. "I'm a concubine's son and I'm not home all year round. I have no objection to getting 10% or even half of it. I also have something to tell everyone. The mourning period for my father is over, and I've settled down in the northwest. After the family is divided, I will take my family back to the northwest to observe the mourning period."
Gu Cheng frowned, "Why do you want to go back to the northwest again? No matter what, I will always give you a house."
"I want the house, but I won't live in it. I've already made up my mind to return to the northwest to observe mourning. Third brother, there's no need to persuade me."
Gu Heng has a very righteous mind, otherwise he wouldn't have stayed away from home for more than ten years.
Gu Cheng sighed, "With this separation, we brothers are all separated by the sea. I wonder if we will have the chance to get together again in the future."
Gu Ting said, "There's always a chance. Anyway, I want 20%."
"No! You are the eldest son and have the responsibility to take care of the clan members. You must take at least 50%." Gu Yan insisted.
Gu Ting thought for a moment and said, "How about this? I'll take 30%. Third brother, you've worked so hard taking care of the family over the years, so you should also take 30%. Fifth brother, 20%, and second and fourth brothers, 10% each. What do you think of my distribution method?"
Gu Hun moved his butt but said nothing.
Gu Heng was the first to express his opinion, "I have no objection."
Gu Gong also said: "I have no objection!"
Gu Cheng sighed repeatedly, "Ah... Lao Wu, now that the family has split up, what are you going to do about your marriage?"
Gu Gong rolled his eyes at him.
Gu Ting also said: "Old Fifth, if you really don't want to get married, then take two concubines. At least leave yourself a descendant."
"Yes! We must always leave some descendants for ourselves." Gu Yan looked worried.
Gu Gong said, "It's not difficult to marry a wife, but it's very difficult to marry a woman who is willing to live with me sincerely. If others see that I am disabled, who would be willing to marry me?"
Gu Cheng immediately said, "A girl from a small family would definitely be happy to marry."
Gu Gong chuckled twice, "They are happy to do so, but most of them are here for my status and money."
"Childish, naive!" Gu Ting scolded directly, "If a girl likes your status and your money, doesn't that mean she likes you? It's ridiculous that she has to like you as a person to be considered as truly in love! Your status is originally a part of you, how can it be severed? Besides, if a girl marries you for some benefits, what's wrong with that? Does she have to marry you and suffer together to be considered in love? Your thinking is too narrow-minded."
Gu Gong secretly rolled his eyes.
He was not afraid of anyone, except Gu Ting.
It's probably the shadow left over from childhood.
Gu Ting frowned and continued to scold him, "No one could control you before, so your marriage has been delayed until today. Now that I'm back, I will find a way for your marriage. Don't make excuses. The old man is not here, and the eldest brother is the father. Even if we divide the family, you have to listen to me."
"Why?" Gu Gong was unhappy.
"Because I'm the boss." Gu Ting rolled up his sleeves. "What, you're not convinced? It's been too long since anyone has dealt with you, are you itching for a fight? Believe it or not, I'll give you a beating right now."
Gu Gong's eyes were wide open with anger, but he dared not say a word.
Gu Hun laughed secretly.
Every thing has its own nemesis.
No matter how powerful or arrogant you, Gu Gong, are, you have to obey the boss.
Gu Yan felt comforted.
Finally someone can control Gu Gong, this crazy monkey, thank God.
As long as he could help Gu Gong get married, he would use his private money to help Gu Gong buy a decent betrothal gift so that the woman would not look down on him.
"Sit down!" Gu Ting roared.
Gu Gong sat down unwillingly, feeling extremely unhappy.
Gu Ting glanced at his brothers and asked, "Is the division of the family settled?"
"That's settled."
"No problem."
"Then invite the elders in and bring up the account books."
The five brothers of the Gu family took three days to complete the division of the family business.
The process was smooth and peaceful, without any arguments or quarrels.
It's a perfect example of family division.
Those who hope to see the Gu brothers turn against each other are doomed to fail.
Some people inevitably complained, "I've never seen brothers split up so smoothly in such a short time."
"They separated without a fight or a fuss, just a few words. Damn, this is unreasonable!"
"Whoever said that the Gu family brothers have bad relations, stand up for me."
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