“It’s too late to investigate,” Elder An shook his head. “Now that this matter is settled, my An family will surely be hated to the bone by those aristocratic families. If I return to the capital and cannot provide an explanation, they will all tear me apart.”
If the Emperor were to issue a proclamation at this moment, even if An Qingyun possessed extraordinary abilities, he would be unable to quell the hatred of the aristocratic families or reverse the tide of events.
All he could do now was pray that the emperor would not issue the proclamation at this time.
"Grand Secretary An is a veteran of three reigns, with a large and powerful family; he'll be fine," Jiang Nuan offered a half-hearted reassurance.
In her heart, she actually felt that an old hand like An Ge Lao was very unreliable.
At this point, it's really hard to believe someone would still try to hold back something.
“Madam,” Elder An’s voice was even more sincere, “please give me some guidance, and I will be very grateful.”
“Grand Secretary An, you should understand that being greedy for more after getting what you want,” Jiang Nuan said seriously. “Just do your duty to Heaven, Earth, the ruler, parents, and teachers.”
Upon hearing this, Grand Secretary An paused, then immediately bowed, saying, "Your Majesty's kindness is immense; I will surely repay you handsomely in the future."
After saying that, he left in a hurry.
"I was just giving him a perfunctory reply, why did he react like this?" Jiang Nuan blinked, utterly puzzled. "He doesn't really think I was giving him pointers, does he?"
Thinking of this, Jiang Nuan immediately instructed someone to find out the information.
After returning home, Grand Secretary An was lost in thought for half an incense stick's time. He then had his belongings packed and came to take his leave an hour later.
"Thank you for your hospitality these past few days, Madam. I have urgent business to attend to and must return to the capital first. I will repay your great kindness in the future."
"Have a safe journey, Elder An, and take care!"
"Madam, you need not worry."
After saying this, Grand Secretary An ordered his men to set off.
Although Jiang Nuan did not see him off due to her status, she had her son escort her all the way to the prefectural city.
"Tsk tsk," Liu An couldn't help but shake his head, "It would have been so much better to stay at the manor, but he insisted on going out of his way to be tortured!"
"Don't gloat, you're next!"
"What does this have to do with me?" Liu An turned his head in surprise. "I've already dealt with Liu Xun, and the aristocratic families have long since distanced themselves from me. This has nothing to do with me."
At this moment, Liu An was very grateful for his foresight in severing ties with the powerful families early on and closely following the emperor's lead.
Therefore, when An Qingyun returned to Beijing in a sorry state and was hurriedly cleaning up the mess, he was able to stand by and make sarcastic remarks.
“Liu An.” Jiang Nuan turned her head.
"What's wrong?"
Has anyone ever told you that you deserve a beating?
“No,” Liu An firmly denied, “This department rarely makes enemies and has a very good reputation.”
hehe!
Jiang Nuan expressed doubt about this statement.
He has completely offended Grand Secretary An without even realizing it, and still claims to have good interpersonal relationships. It's unbelievable.
"I hope so."
After uttering those three words, Jiang Nuan turned and left.
Let's see if Liu An can still say that when he's summoned back to the capital.
Grand Secretary An did not stay at the villa for long, but Jiang Nuan still felt a faint sense of melancholy when he left.
After spending a lot of time together, some feelings inevitably develop. With his future uncertain since he returned to Beijing this time, it's understandable that I'm a little worried.
However, it seems he has already found a way to deal with it, so there's no need for others to worry.
An Qingyun's worries came true.
While the father and son were still on their way, Ji Xuan seized the opportunity to proclaim the proclamation to the world, which immediately caused sparks to fly as if hot oil had been poured onto a hot coal.
As usual, Cui Minghao surrounded the An residence to block people, but was told that his master had been transferred to Shandong and had left overnight. He immediately had a bad feeling.
Before they could even find out what was going on, proclamations were posted all over the capital. Under the control of certain individuals, the aristocratic families were being vilified and treated worse than dogs.
"Brother Cui, what should we do now?" Liu Ziyue asked anxiously.
Although the powerful families were deeply entrenched, there were still divisions of power. Within the capital, the Cui, Liu, and An families were the main ones.
Within an hour of the proclamation being issued, Liu's tenants had already begun to cause trouble, not only cursing Liu for being heartless, but also threatening to return the rent and grain.
Normally, a beating and throwing him out would be enough to make him behave.
But now, with the proclamation preceding them and farming following, they can no longer be dealt with perfunctorily as before.
"An Qingyun and his son have actually tricked us into this situation; they've gone too far!"
They were talking perfectly fine yesterday, but they suddenly defected from the capital overnight, thinking they could escape once they left the capital?
dream!
"Brother Cui, now that public opinion has turned against us, we should think of a solution as soon as possible."
"Let's spread out the song we had someone write last time about sending grain to the Emperor Taizu, to temporarily deflect public opinion."
"Then what?"
"Intensify the acquisition of grain and fodder," Cui Minghao said, a fierce glint in his eyes. "If we can't acquire it, we'll just set it on fire. If the national treasury is short of grain, even if the emperor is unwilling, he will have to bow down to us."
“This plan is brilliant,” Liu Ziyue said admiringly to Cui Minghao. “The Ji family’s rule has lasted less than two hundred years, and now they want to shake the foundation of the country. It’s time to teach them a lesson. However, this will cost a lot of money.”
“We can’t just sit here and wait to die,” Cui Minghao shook his head. “Besides, we’re leading the charge, and those behind us can’t always take advantage of us. It’s time to make them bleed a little.”
"Brother Cui's insights are truly profound; I am ashamed to admit my inferiority."
"And the An family can't be let off the hook either," Cui Minghao said with a sinister look in his eyes. "We will launch a full-scale attack on the An family. As long as they own their shops, we will suppress them with all our might, and we will impeach their officials with all our strength."
"clear!"
Starting the next day, a sense of hostility permeated the capital.
In broad daylight, all the shops owned by the An family were vandalized, and some people even committed arson and violence.
In the imperial court, memorials impeaching and attacking each other piled up on the desk, each one well-reasoned and supported by substantial evidence.
Setting down the memorial in his hand, Ji Xuan snorted coldly, "Normally, I have to put a lot of effort into placing someone in a position, but now, so many people are vying to offer themselves up for execution."
"Your Majesty, this is a good thing!"
"A good thing?" Ji Xuan shook her head. "Not necessarily."
The power of aristocratic families should not be underestimated.
In just two days, a staggering 30% of the officials were implicated, a situation far more serious than anticipated.
At this moment, Ji Xuan began to doubt whether she had been too reckless.
"Summon Grand Secretary Zhong, come here!"
"Yes, ma'am."
Grand Secretary Zhong had been driven mad by that sudden proclamation.
Reforming the imperial examination system was already difficult, and now the emperor has pulled this stunt. Just when they had won over the powerful families, they were suppressed so that they dared not show their faces.
Almost all the hard work I put in during this period has gone down the drain.
Even though he was seething with anger, he didn't dare delay at all upon hearing Ji Xuan's summons and rushed back without even drinking water.
“Zhong Qing.”
"Your old minister is here."
His eyes were bloodshot from staying up late, his voice was hoarse, and he looked older than before.
What's your opinion on the affairs of these aristocratic families?
“The parasites of the nation should be punished by everyone.”
Grand Secretary Zhong spoke these words with gritted teeth, and with utmost sincerity.
In the past, we were all on the same side, sharing weal and woe, so naturally we found each other agreeable.
Now that they have become enemies and caused him so much trouble, Grand Secretary Zhong wishes he could eat his flesh and drink his blood!
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