Each of these aristocratic families has existed for over a hundred years, possessing profound heritage and a variety of means of self-preservation.

But those are the worst methods, specifically designed as a last resort when all other options are exhausted.

Now, if we can join forces with the Grand Secretary, we can obviously reduce a lot of unnecessary losses!

“I naturally understand this principle,” An Congfeng said seriously. “You are all anxious, but I am even more anxious. Most of the An family members have been removed by His Majesty, so we really cannot act rashly. I hope you can understand.”

Upon hearing this, Cui Minghao's expression softened.

As long as there are losses in settling down, that's fine; the greater the losses, the more beneficial it is for them.

"The same applies to the Cui family, Minister An, please calm down."

Upon hearing this, An Congfeng felt as if he were about to choke on his own blood.

Is it true that you're trying to upset someone by comforting yourself with vague words?

“This matter concerns our personal interests, and the An family cannot remain unaffected. Please wait a moment, my father will surely give you an explanation.”

"Wait two more days. If Lord An still doesn't reply after two days, don't blame us for being ruthless."

"clear!"

After seeing the person off, An Congfeng hurriedly poured himself a glass of water.

In this sweltering heat, dealing with all these people is too much; he even considered simply living in the government office instead.

Before he could even swallow the water, a servant came to report, "Young master, an angel has arrived to deliver a decree."

"Quickly, prepare the documents. I need to change my clothes to receive the imperial decree."

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: An Congfeng, Minister of Revenue, is hereby ordered to proceed to Shandong immediately to replace Qi Yong in disaster relief efforts. This is the imperial decree!"

Simple and straightforward, without a single wasted word.

An Congfeng, who nearly fainted, forced out a sentence, "Your subject, An Congfeng, Minister of Revenue, receives the imperial decree!"

"Minister An," Xiao Yuanzi squinted her eyes smugly, "have a safe journey!"

An Congfeng's ashen face was a sight to behold.

When Grand Secretary An sent the Grand Steward to Shandong, I wonder if he had imagined this scene would unfold now!

Upon hearing this, An Congfeng clenched her fists tightly, snorted coldly, and said, "I have other matters to attend to, so please excuse me for not seeing you off further. Take care, Eunuch Yuan!"

My father has only been out of the capital for a few days. How dare a eunuch disregard me? I'll teach him a lesson sooner or later.

They dare not break ties with the powerful families because they truly have the right to do so. What right does a mere eunuch, a lackey of Qi Yong, have to act like this?

Sensing his anger, Eunuch Yuan's smile deepened. After giving him a meaningful look, he said, "This humble servant takes his leave!"

After Eunuch Yuan left, An Congfeng handed the imperial edict to a servant and then smashed a tea set.

"This is outrageous!"

He kicked and punched the object angrily for a while before leaning back in his chair, catching his breath. "Someone come here!"

"Young Master."

"Pack your bags, we'll be heading to Shandong in two hours."

"yes!"

After saying this, he immediately wrote a letter and sent it by carrier pigeon to southern Henan.

At the mountain villa, Grand Secretary An has not yet returned.

He should have left long ago, but his anger and anxiety caused him to fall ill, forcing him to stay temporarily.

Although Liu An was wary of him, he did not make things difficult for him at this time and took good care of him, thinking only of sending him back as soon as possible.

Ever since the Emperor left, he always felt that An Qingyun's gaze was a bit cold, as if she was secretly plotting against him.

After two days of recuperation, just as An Ge Lao was about to return to Beijing, he received a letter from his son.

In his excitement, he immediately coughed up a mouthful of blood.

"how so?"

Why would someone send their own son to Shandong for disaster relief?

The place was a complete mess, with various forces intertwined, and disaster victims pressing from behind, leaving them in a real dilemma!

One wrong move and you could get yourself into trouble.

Although he had many sons, he valued this eldest son the most, and devoted himself to cultivating him and planning for him with all his might. If he were to die in Shandong, he would truly die with regrets!

What is Your Majesty trying to do? Are you trying to destroy their entire family?

Why not just kill them outright? It's better than this slow, drawn-out torture!

“Master,” the servant said, his face changing drastically when he saw the old man spitting blood, “I will help you lie down first, and then I will go and fetch Doctor Gu right away.”

“No need,” Elder An waved his hand. “Pour me some water; I need to rinse my mouth.”

"yes!"

Although the servant felt this was inappropriate, he dared not object and immediately prepared warm water.

Half an hour later, An Ge Lao, who was feeling slightly better, went out and found Jiang Nuan.

"Madam, please show me the way. How can I persuade His Majesty to spare the An family?"

"Does this make sense?" Jiang Nuan asked, puzzled. "What happened?"

"I have already written a proclamation and agreed to the matter of the westward trade route. Your Majesty will still send my son to Shandong for disaster relief."

He took a deep breath, clenched his fists, and said unwillingly, "His Majesty promised before that my son's position could be changed."

"Isn't this a good thing?" Jiang Nuan asked, puzzled. "If we do a good job, wouldn't we be more convincing to the public?"

Upon hearing this, Grand Secretary An's breath caught in his throat.

He hadn't thought about it that way.

If that's the case, then he has indeed misunderstood.

"Even so, sending him to Shandong is a bit much."

Why do you say that?

"Madam, you may not know this, but the situation in Shandong is complex, with various forces intertwined. Even a single government office can be found to have several factions, which is very unfavorable for carrying out official duties."

"How can Qi Yong go?"

Upon hearing this, Grand Secretary An awkwardly explained, "Eunuch Qi has imperial guards and secret guards under his command, so there's no need to worry about them obstructing us."

"But the imperial decree has already been issued, and now your son can only go to Shandong to take up his post."

“I understand,” Elder An lowered his head. “His Majesty dislikes aristocratic families and has taken his anger out on the An family many times. Although this may be for my son’s sake, it also serves as a warning to aristocratic families.”

It's perfectly normal for aristocratic families to seek out the An family. Strictly speaking, the An family is also an aristocratic family, although its foundation is shallow, it has many officials and should not be underestimated.

But that depends on who you compare them to. With just a word from the Emperor, they can get rid of the people they've painstakingly cultivated and placed.

He wants to give himself a talking-to, which is fine, but there's no need to keep stirring up hatred towards the An family.

Taking advantage of his absence from Beijing, he transferred his son to Shandong. With both father and son away from Beijing, what would the powerful families think?

I thought they were playing a trick on us!

If the son is promoted because of this, the aristocratic families will think that the An family has made some kind of deal with the emperor.

"And then?" Jiang Nuan became more and more confused as she listened.

“Madam,” Elder An said through gritted teeth, “I want to leave myself a way out; I don’t want to offend them completely!”

"You..." Jiang Nuan felt speechless, "I'm afraid it's a bit difficult."

"I understand!"

"If you don't cut the weeds at the root, they will grow back in spring. Such an indecisive attitude is very dangerous."

“Even if they are completely wiped out, so what?” Grand Secretary An retorted. “They are like leeks; once they fall, a new batch of powerful families will emerge. This is something that no dynasty can avoid.”

“But the time it takes for new leeks to grow is enough to do a lot of things,” Jiang Nuan rubbed her forehead and continued, “His Majesty’s attitude wasn’t this tough before. His sudden change of heart might be due to something the aristocratic families have done. You should investigate in that direction.”