Chapter 325: Turning Against Each Other
Chapter 325: Chapter 325: Turning Against Each Other
Gu Li felt at this moment that the father and son still had many similarities. It’s a pity that Gu Baijiang misjudged and pushed away the son most like him.
"At the time, he asked me what I meant?
I just asked him if he wanted to be wiped out in one go?"
Kai Yuan poured more tea for Gu Li, "Grandfather, didn’t you all make preparations too? Aren’t you afraid of being wiped out in one go?"
The Gu Family eventually decided to wait and see, still thinking about getting more benefits from Gu Baijiang.
Only now did Gu Li look seriously at Gu Kaiyuan, "This is also why I came today; I want to split the family in two."
Gu Kaiyuan said, "That’s too big a move."
No one is a fool; the motive is all too obvious.
"So, this requires careful planning. The estrangement document your father signed is just the beginning.
Since you are already estranged from your father, I’m thinking of removing your branch from the family."
Gu Kaiyuan looked at Gu Li with a smile, but there was no warmth in that smile. Initially, it was agreed to remove Gu Baijiang’s branch, but he didn’t expect Gu Li’s attitude to change so quickly.
"Hear me out first," he said, although he had brought a few sons along for courage, he knew that Gu Kaiyuan was skilled in martial arts. Even if he brought more people, if Gu Kaiyuan decided to act, they couldn’t retreat unscathed.
"It’s not that I’m going back on my word, but after much consideration, I believe removing your branch is the best way out.
Your father has already allied himself with the Third Prince, and there are still people guarding this side, which means your father still has value for the Third Prince. We can’t afford to offend these royals and nobles.
If accountability comes down, who among us can withstand it?
Your father was willing to write this estrangement document, indicating that he wasn’t entirely confident about the future; he wanted to keep a thread of lineage for himself.
He can restrict family members from entangling with you in the future, but if his branch faces misfortune, you are expected to continue their lineage."
That was a well-thought-out plan, Gu Kaiyuan sneered, "Actually, whether or not there’s this document doesn’t matter to me. I’m no longer his son, at most just a clan relative.
If he wants to continue the lineage, he can completely rely on his two treasured sons. If not, aren’t there still grandchildren?"
Gu Li’s expression was complicated, "Even though there’s conflict between you, it’s not to the point of never ending. After all, they did raise you; is it necessary to be so ruthless?"
Gu Kaiyuan then remembered the events of the past life. Because they returned, there were already significant changes.
To outsiders, it really wasn’t a life-and-death feud.
Some people even privately said that he and Bai Suihe were somewhat ungrateful, holding grudges against their parents over trivial matters.
"Grandfather, I didn’t expect you to come today as their spokesperson."
"I’m just stating the facts; this way, it won’t cause you much loss."
"How is it not a major loss? I’m being expelled from the clan for no good reason. Outsiders, unaware of the inside story, will only think I’ve committed grave faults. This reputation will burden my children, possibly preventing them from a career in the future. This stigma could take several generations to clear. Do you think I should bear this?
And then be expected to help them continue their lineage; where do they get such face?"
Gu Kaiyuan looked coldly at Gu Li and the Gu Family members behind him, "What charge are you using to expel me from the clan?"
Gu Li remained silent; he had thought of these issues, but it was a carefully considered decision, and he was destined to betray Gu Kaiyuan in this regard.
Gu Kaiyuan directly put the estrangement document into his bosom, "Today, I received this estrangement document; henceforth, the two families will no longer have ties.
But if you want to expel me from the clan, present a charge.
Everyone, please leave..."
The façade was already torn, and Gu Kaiyuan opened his mouth to see the guests off.
Gu Li sighed, stood up, "I know you’re angry today, but think about it carefully.
You didn’t have high hopes for your father before; perhaps there was prejudice involved. Now that we’ve thought of such a solution, it’s really good for the third branch."
After speaking, he patted his youngest son beside him, "When the time comes, I’ll also have them removed from the clan, and each family will leave one behind; when there’s a chance to return to the clan land, these will be your clan relatives."
Gu Kaiyuan almost laughed in anger; the charge was to be his, along with a big mess left behind.
"It’s unnecessary," Gu Kaiyuan coldly looked back at Gu Li, "Since the Gu Family has made a choice, I now have a new choice; I decided to join the Bai Family, and I’ll soon go to the county office to change my household registration."
The Bai Family he was to join was not his father-in-law’s Bai, but Bai Suihe’s Bai; they could completely start a new branch, and his mother-in-law in the capital would likely agree, besides, merchants aren’t as concerned about such things.
Gu Li’s pupils narrowed, "Are you really going to do this?"
"Choices are mutual," Gu Kaiyuan said in a deep voice, "Initially, I wanted to keep a shred of filial sentiment, but now I see there’s no need.
But rest assured, since I said before that I would pass it on to Uncle, every New Year and festival, as long as I’m alive, someone will take care of it."
Gu Kaiyuan raised his hand to send the guests off, and Gu Li left in a daze.
He thought it was a win-win solution, but he didn’t expect Gu Kaiyuan to be so stubborn.
Anyway, even if he became independent, at most he could be a wealthy idle person; what difference would it make for his descendants two or three generations down the line if they were successful or not?
The Gu Family had gone through countless generations to produce someone like Gu Baijiang, a literary star, and although Gu Kaiyuan was Gu Baijiang’s son, he truly had no gift for studies; could he expect his descendants to be successful?
It’s merely bearing the infamy of two generations, enough to solve a big problem, so why be so stubborn?
"Father, I just think today’s matter isn’t right," Gu Baihe said disapprovingly after they were well away from the village end, "Who would willingly be expelled from the clan for no reason? Moreover, this is not what was agreed upon before; we’ve broken the contract."
Gu Li said, "What choice do I have? I’m doing this for your sake.
That Gu Baijiang agreed, when he returns to the capital, he will take away half the clan members and buy a piece of land in the suburbs for the clan members to gradually migrate.
That’s the capital, under the emperor’s feet, as long as everyone works hard, life will be better."
"But Gu Baijiang is completely untrustworthy; have you forgotten how we supported him before, and how he repaid us with ingratitude?
How can you guarantee he won’t deceive everyone again?"
"That shouldn’t be the case," Gu Li hesitated for a moment, but quickly added, "He has already made his stance clear; if he can’t keep his promise, we can take it to the authorities.
For his reputation and his descendants’ future, he surely won’t dare make a joke of this.
Now the entire clan’s hope is still in him and his son. I have no choice but to make such a compromise."