Chapter 822: A single move affects the entire body
Among the major aristocratic families, the Liang and Lu families originally had the highest status. After the Lu family was gone, Liang Guangyi became the leader of the aristocratic family officials.
In the past, Liang Guangyi was decisive and ruthless, with experienced methods. He led the aristocratic family to almost suppress the imperial power. But now he seems to be old, hesitant and afraid of death. Not only did he not bring any help to their families and did not protect the interests of the aristocratic families, but he forced them to retreat again and again, to the point where even the queen, a young woman who was not even twenty years old, could bully them.
When the other people in the room thought of their current situation, their faces were filled with resentment.
Feng Qiuli frowned and looked at the Shi family's patriarch. "What happened back then is a long time ago. What's the point in bringing up the past now? Besides, the Cui family's matter was agreed upon by everyone, and compensating the He family to avoid trouble was also something everyone agreed to."
"As for this matter at the Ministry of Justice, Minister Liang is not willing to back down, but Guo Changming's misconduct has given him a handle, and the Queen is holding on to it. Do you, the Shi family, really want to give him up? It's okay for us these years, but Guo Changming has been married to the Shi family for many years, and Minister Liang is trying to protect the Shi family."
Wang Huailu watched the tense situation in the room and quickly tried to smooth things over: "Master Feng is right. Prime Minister Liang is also considering the overall situation..."
"Shut up!"
The Min family turned around and cursed coldly: "Who do you think you are? You are just a dog raised by Liang Guangyi. If you want to surround your master, get out!"
Wang Huailu's face turned red with anger.
The head of the Shi family also sneered: "Guo Changming is indeed a member of the Shi family, but Liang Guangyi is only clear in his heart whether he is trying to protect the Shi family or the Liang family and his position as prime minister."
"He surrendered to Xiao Yan with several of our families, repeatedly oppressing us for his own benefit. After Xiao Yan ascended to power, everyone was demoted except Liang Guangyi, who remained in a high position. With him around, the Liang family naturally has nothing to fear, but what about us? If we continue to retreat like this, sooner or later, we will be gnawed to the bone by the emperor and his men."
"I would rather give up Guo Changming, give up the Ministry of Justice, and even break up with the Queen, but I don't want the Shi family's century-old family business to be destroyed in my hands!"
The expressions of the others also turned cold when they heard this. They were born noble and their families had flourished for many years. There was a time when even the emperor had to bow his head in front of them.
The power of the aristocratic families dominates the court and they have the final say. Even the imperial power has to give way to them. How could they not miss the days when they were the superior ones, and how could they not hate the people who caused them to fall to this point?
"I think what Lao Shi said makes sense. Xiao Yan is fine, but the Queen, a young girl, dares to bully us like this."
"Now that the North and the South are at war, if she's not afraid of chaos, then what should we be afraid of? Even if we don't directly break up with her, we have to let her know that our families are not to be trifled with."
"right!"
"I agree too!"
Everyone in the room echoed the sentiment, and Feng Qiuli's face looked a little ugly.
The man from the Min family turned around and said, "Nephew Feng, I know Liang Guangyi values you and even plans to have you take over his job after he retires. Your Feng family has a way out, so there's no need for you to get involved in our affairs. Go back and tell Liang Guangyi that we don't agree with what happened today, and there's no room for negotiation!"
Feng Qiuli: "Uncle Min..."
"Well, it's getting late. Please come in, Nephew Feng."
Feng Qiuli pursed her lips and looked at the people in the room who all looked impatient. Her eyes darkened and she stood up and walked out.
"Nephew Feng." Someone suddenly called out to Feng Qiuli. Seeing him stop, they continued, "Although we had an argument today, it was all for the future of our family."
Feng Qiuli looked back at the person who spoke for a moment, said "I know" in a deep voice, and then said to Wang Huailu: "Master Wang, let's go."
Wang Huailu walked to Feng Qiuli with an extremely ugly look on his face and left with him.
…
"Min An, you shouldn't have hit Wang Huailu's face like that just now."
As soon as the two left, the Shi family's head turned to the man from the Min family and said, "Although he is not from a noble family, he is still useful after all."
Min An... that is, the court official of the Min family, had a glint in his eyes, but his face was full of disdain: "He was single-handedly promoted by Liang Guangyi, and usually only listens to Liang Guangyi. He is not on the same page with us, not to mention that he is close to Feng Qiuli..."
Seeing the other people's disapproval, he said:
"Okay, I know what I said just now was a bit too much, but it just came out of the blue. Who made him speak for Liang Guangyi? I didn't mean to humiliate him. At worst, I can find him and apologize to him in person later."
The others felt relieved after hearing this. Wang Huailu was not from a noble family, and he had even been close to the Qingliu faction before. If it had been in the past, offending such a person would have been no big deal for them. But the situation was different now.
Although Wang Huailu was recruited by Liang Guangyi, he later followed the aristocratic family wholeheartedly and helped them to deal with several crises in the court.
Now they have fewer people in the court, and Wang Huailu holds real power, so they should not offend him easily. So it was not surprising that Min An said he would apologize to others.
The Shi family patriarch asked, "Do you want me to come with you?"
Min An waved his hand and said, "Farewell. I was just saying that out of anger. I've embarrassed him. I can go there myself and say some nice things. It will be over if too many people go."
The others thought it made sense and didn't mention it again.
With two people missing from the room, the tension subsided, but some people began to worry about Feng Qiuli.
"We just had a big fight. Will that kid from the Feng family..."
"Won't!"
The Shi family patriarch said in a deep voice, "Aristocratic families are one, sharing honor and disgrace. Although things are different now than before, the Feng family has long been tied to us. Which of those things in the past has he not been involved in? Even if he doesn't agree with us, he won't betray us easily. Otherwise, if something happens to us, the Feng family will be buried with us."
The same principle applies to Liang Guangyi.
No matter how selfish Liang Guangyi is, the Liang family cannot survive alone. They are too deeply involved, and any move will affect the whole body.
Moreover, after Xiao Yan ascended the throne, the reason why Liang Guangyi was able to occupy the power of the right prime minister was not only because he took the initiative to "surrender", but also because the power of the aristocratic family behind him was still there.
If the aristocratic family were to be disintegrated and something happened to the other families, the Liang family alone would not be able to support the family, and it would be impossible for him to continue to stay in the position of prime minister, or even make the emperor "trust" him as he does now, and even let him stay in the court to assist in the administration.
No matter how righteous the emperor's words were, Liang Guangyi gave in.
The blood feud between them and the emperor was real, and the past persecutions could not be easily forgotten.
Once the power of the aristocratic families collapses, the emperor will definitely come back to settle accounts. Liang Guangyi will understand this, and Feng Qiuli is naturally the same.
…
"Sir Feng, they are really going too far. You have to stop them and never let them do anything reckless." Wang Huailu said angrily as soon as he left the restaurant.
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