Li Jing nodded in agreement: "Indeed, the students I recommended have always hated the Xiongnu, so how could they possibly be colluding with them...?"

"Yes, and I'd like to recommend someone else!"

"That's right, I also recommended two people!"

"And me..."

In no time, nearly a dozen people in the living room chimed in with their opinions.

In the end, everyone present realized that, apart from Chen Qun and Sima Fang, most of the officials Zhong Yao had arrested, besides those appointed by the emperor, were actually his people, with only a small number related to the Yuan and Xun families!

The mastermind behind this is about to be revealed!

Li Jing narrowed his eyes slightly: "Gentlemen, it seems that someone has been targeting us and His Majesty for a long time..."

"Hmph, aren't they being a bit too cruel?"

"I originally thought they had sided with the Empress Dowager, but I never imagined they had been planning to attack us all along!"

"No wonder they strongly support increasing the number of places in the assessment; they're probably using this as a way to plant their own people in there!"

Thinking of the key figures involved, they were all furious and directed their anger at the Yuan, Xun, and Yang families.

In their view, apart from these few families, it seemed that no one else in the entire Han Dynasty had the power or reason to do so.

Just as everyone in the hall was filled with resentment and directed their anger at the Yuan, Xun, and Yang families, several people who were closely associated with the Lu and Gao families couldn't help but smile slightly.

Then Li Jing looked at the crowd and said loudly, "Gentlemen, since there is something fishy about this, then we must first exonerate His Majesty and our people..."

“What Patriarch Li says is true. In this way, we can not only protect our own people, but also win His Majesty’s favor!”

"Yes, this matter must be clarified!"

"If it is found that this was done by those few families, they will surely face death. In that case, we will win without a fight!"

The people in the hall echoed this sentiment, seemingly having discovered an excellent way to directly bring down the Yuan and Xun families.