Upon hearing this, Liu An immediately moved a step to the left, stepping on a stone that damaged the newly straightened door. Jiang Nuan's face immediately darkened.
He forced out a sentence through gritted teeth, "Go ahead and do what you need to do! Don't get in my way."
It will take at least fifteen minutes to restore the formation.
"OK."
Liu An felt something poking his foot and instinctively kicked it away.
The stone rushed along, straight from the rest gate to the open gate...
"Liu An," Jiang Nuan couldn't help but growl, "Look what you've done!"
"Madam," Liu An asked, completely bewildered, "what's wrong?"
"Forget it, you should just leave!"
She didn't deliberately hide the matter of the formation from others, but she also wouldn't let anyone know the specifics.
You can't really blame anyone else for this.
He waved his hand and sat down on the stool, feeling exhausted.
"Madam," Liu An said nervously, "what did I do wrong?"
No, don't overthink it.
"real?"
“Really,” Jiang Nuan didn’t want to talk anymore and changed the subject directly, “Go to the warehouse and clean the grain seeds. I’m not sure if they’ve been infested with insects.”
"Ah," Liu An realized what was happening and immediately panicked, "That won't do, Madam, I'll be going now."
After saying that, he rushed out and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
After Liu An left, Jiang Nuan looked dejected for a while before gritting her teeth and reorganizing the formation with a bitter expression.
In the capital, Ji Xuan had just returned when a secret guard reported to him.
"Master, the powerful families have united and are plotting a rebellion."
"Rebellion?" Ji Xuan frowned. "How many families are there? How are they planning to start the uprising?"
"There are thirteen companies in total, and they are already purchasing grain and fodder. How they will start the uprising is not yet clear."
"I understand. You may leave now."
"yes!"
Hearing this, the eunuch Yuan, who was serving nearby, began to tremble. "Your Majesty, they dare?"
Eunuch Yuan really didn't understand. It was just a matter of reforming the imperial examination system and canceling preferential treatment. Why did it have to come to this?
These people were plotting a rebellion.
Although it is said that a family can last for a thousand years while a dynasty lasts for a hundred, a family that can stand for a thousand years must not only have a rich heritage, but also know how to adapt to the times.
These people are clearly out of line.
When Emperor Taizu raised his army, he certainly needed the help of aristocratic families. However, the Ji family had treated aristocratic families well for nearly two hundred years, and they had already repaid most of the favors. It was only right to take them back now.
“I certainly wouldn’t dare,” Ji Xuan said coldly. “They are reminding me.”
When Emperor Taizu was conquering the country, he was at a disadvantage in terms of both military strength and talent. It was only thanks to the continuous supply of grain and materials from powerful families that he was able to stand out among many forces and ascend to the throne.
This is both a reminder and a warning.
But they forgot that times had changed. At that time, Emperor Taizu had made enemies everywhere and was besieged on all sides, so he could only rely on the powerful families.
But now, the Ji family has already conquered the world.
Whether it's about righteousness or advantages, it all belongs to the Ji family.
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Yuan immediately lowered his head, not daring to say anything more.
In his heart, he cursed the aristocratic families for courting death.
His Majesty's patience is already limited, and these people keep provoking him. Do they think they're not going to die soon enough?
When will Qi Yong return?
"Your Majesty, things in Shandong have stabilized. We can bring Eunuch Qi back as soon as we find someone to take over."
"What has An Congfeng been busy with lately?"
Upon hearing this, Eunuch Yuan immediately understood the implication: "Lord An has no urgent business."
"Have him bring Qi Yong back. Grind the ink; I'm going to issue an edict."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Because of Qi Yong's matter, Eunuch Yuan had long harbored hatred for the An family father and son. Upon hearing this, he immediately curled the corners of his mouth.
Grand Secretary An went to great lengths to transfer the Grand Steward to Shandong, hoping to use the flood to keep him occupied, but he ended up losing his own son in the process.
As expected, karma is a cycle!
It remains to be seen whether the pampered An Congfeng can adapt to the arduous journey, or whether he will be frightened by the sight of disaster victims everywhere...
After writing the imperial edict and handing it to Xiao Yuanzi, Ji Xuan then instructed, "Summon Zhong Ping here."
"This servant understands!"
After Xiao Yuanzi left, Ji Xuan sat on the dragon throne in deep thought.
The aristocratic families' counterattack will not be so simple; this is just the beginning. If the commotion continues, the imperial court may very well get involved.
"Dark One".
"Your subordinate is here."
"Is the list I asked you to prepare ready yet?"
“It’s all sorted out,” An Yi respectfully handed over the intelligence. “There are a total of 204 officials in the court who are connected with powerful families. Among them, there are 23 people who need the most vigilance, with General Gu being the most important. He is the son-in-law of the Cui family and is also guarding the city gate.”
"Okay, you can go down now and keep an eye on the An family."
"Yes, sir!"
At this time, the An residence was bustling with activity.
"Minister An, have you sent a letter to the Grand Secretary?"
"They've already gone, everyone please be patient."
What did he say?
"My father has not yet replied. Please wait patiently."
"What do you mean?" Cui Minghao frowned. "Does Lord An intend to stand idly by?"
“Of course not,” An Congfeng quickly denied. “My father is far away in southern Henan, so it’s normal that he doesn’t reply to my letters right away.”
"That might fool others, but we won't fall for it."
"Exactly! The capital is only a little over 300 li from southern Henan. If a letter hasn't arrived after three days, are you going to use a tortoise to deliver it?"
Upon hearing this, An Congfeng's face turned bright red.
Before he left, his father had instructed the family not to get involved in the matter, so he could only delay it.
As for the letter, although it was sent, it made no mention of the matter.
"Please be patient, everyone, the letter is on its way."
"You said the same thing yesterday, that the fire is already raging and we're still waiting, waiting for us to collect their corpses?"
"But right now, my father is indeed not here!"
"Was it intentional on An Gong's part? His Majesty just proposed reforming the imperial examination system, and he immediately fled the capital. What a coincidence!"
"That's actually quite possible. As a high-ranking official, he must have received the news long ago, so it's normal for him to deliberately avoid us."
"His heart is despicable. We spend huge sums of money every year to make offerings, yet Lord An discards us like worn-out shoes. He is not worthy of being a gentleman!"
"That's outrageous! Absolutely outrageous!"
In an instant, everyone's resentment was stirred up.
The once elegant and wealthy family members all turned red-faced and bristled, ready to fight.
"Gentlemen, please calm down," An Congfeng said nervously, his forehead sweating. "I swear on my official hat that my father is absolutely not that kind of person."
"real?"
Cui Minghao was very suspicious.
Although the An family is deeply involved with the aristocratic families, and they will not be spared if the aristocratic families suffer, An Ge Lao's various actions make it impossible for anyone to trust him.
"Of course it's true!"
When will Grand Secretary An return to the capital?
“This,” An Congfeng hesitated, “my father did not say it clearly, and I am not clear about it either.”
Upon hearing this, Cui Minghao's face turned green. "The situation is already like this, and he's still not planning to return to Beijing?"
“My father is in Xianzhuang. Whether he comes back or not is not up to him. Please understand.”
“Excuse,” Cui Minghao looked directly at An Congfeng, “Although the An family has only risen to prominence in the last hundred years, it is still considered a prominent family. If we suffer one loss, we all suffer the same loss. Don’t think you can get away with it by standing by and doing nothing!”
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